Chillon Castle

Visited Chillon Castle in the winter and it became one of my most memorable stops in Switzerland. The castle sits right on Lake Geneva, and in winter, the scenery is extra magical—beautiful mountains, calm blue water, and a peaceful atmosphere. Inside, the castle is impressively well preserved. From the atmospheric dungeons to the chapel and grand halls, every corner tells a story and transports you back in time. It’s a very historical place, beautifully maintained, and truly worth a visit. Tip: a winter afternoon here is perfect—fewer crowds, softer light, and the lake reflecting the snowy peaks.

Made famous by Lord Byron and The prisoner of Chillon. Beautiful castle in edge of Lake Leman. The castle is amazing. You could spend all day exploring and still probably not see it all. We took the "highlights" tour, and it provided us a great overview of the castle, and its most famous part - the dungeon where the Prisoner of Chillon was kept that even had Lord Byron's signature etched in a column.

Well organized self-guided tour with clearly numbered rooms. The view from this castle towards the French mountains gave a Lugano / Mediterranean vibe, truly beautiful. The tinted glass windows were delightful to look through on a sunny day. The top floor of the building was quite a climb through narrow stairs. The wine from the castle was available only in the gift shop (not available elsewhere in major Swiss retailers). Took about 2 hours here.

Much more interesting than I thought it would be. Serious history buffs will love it....you can get guided or self guided tours. It wa fun to imagine what it was like to roam this cold, damp castle so long ago. No internet or satellite television....how medieval!

Chillon Castle was such a great experience! The castle is really well preserved and the location right by the lake is just stunning, perfect for photos. The exhibits inside are interesting and give you a good feel of the history. I also really liked the audio guide, it was clear and easy to follow, made the whole visit more engaging. Overall, it was a fun and relaxed visit, definitely worth it!

Absolutely breathtaking experience at Chillon Castle! From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by its stunning lakeside setting and medieval architecture. The castle's rich history and well-preserved rooms offered a fascinating glimpse into Switzerland’s past. Walking through the towers, courtyards, and secret passageways was like stepping back in time. The views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alps are simply spectacular — perfect for photos and soaking in the natural beauty. The staff was friendly and informative, making the visit even more enjoyable. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of scenic landscapes, or just seeking a unique cultural experience, Chillon Castle is a must-visit. I highly recommend it — a true gem of Switzerland!

Chillon Castle is one of the most stunning and enchanting places I have ever visited. Nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva with the Alps in the background, the location itself feels like a fairytale. The reflections of the castle on the water and the breathtaking views from every angle make it an unforgettable experience. Walking inside, you can truly feel the history — from medieval halls and stone walls to the underground chambers that once served as prisons. Every corner tells a story, and it feels like stepping back in time while surrounded by centuries of heritage and legends. What I loved the most was the atmosphere: the calm lake, the mountain scenery, and the peaceful gardens around the castle. On a sunny day, the blue sky and shimmering water create a magical setting, perfect for photos and quiet reflection. Chillon Castle is not just a historical monument, it’s a living treasure of Switzerland — combining culture, history, and natural beauty in one place. Absolutely a must-see when visiting the Montreux region or Geneva.

Fab, can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the castle, and a really interesting history, from dungeons to towers. And then you can go across the road to explore the ( more modern) fortress built into the hillside. Its a great day out

Firstly, the entrance getting off the bus is not well marked. You CAN go either way, and the entrance going right is faster, but when you get off the bus, face the castle and go left. It's a longer walk to the bridge under the tracks, but I promise you the view walking up to the castle are FAR superior to going right. The reviews aren't overselling Chillon Castle. It is an amazing destination and beautifully maintained inside and out. We went during some heavy looking maintenance and they kept the equipment to the side pretty well. Even the views out the windows give pause to the beauty of the natural surroundings. The audio tour was well done. It was brief and gave the history and then I was able to look around a bit more. But the main points had been covered. The gift shop is magnificent. It's cramped in there, but the options are top notch.

Great place to explore during your travels to Montreux. There are 2 ways to get there, bus and boat. We loved going on the boat due to scenic route. Also, if you have Swiss pass, admission to castle and boat are covered!

4 stars for views, views, views, and more views! The entrance fee is 13SF, self guided. The view of Lake Geneva is spectacular! There are 46 rooms to check out and are interesting from the prison to the top of the guard's tower, this renovated castle is a work of art. In the spring and winter, it gets pretty cold walking through because the whole place is al fresco. I recommend getting the audio, I believe it's only 6SF for the audio. We didn't have a ton of time, so we skipped getting the audio and just walked around. This castle has a 5 star location as it is situated on one of Lake Geneva. Absolutely gorgeous view of the lake. There are restaurants on the foot of the lake and a small town for little shops. Parking is on the street and we paid 25SF for it. If you're in Montreux, this is a must see!

Would visit again and again! The castle is one of the best preserved medieval castles having been extensively studied and preserved. You can buy tickets online or in person at the gate. Depending on when you're visiting you're much better off buying ahead. We visited a couple of hours before they closed and didn't feel rushed exploring the castle. You'll get to visit the dungeons, tower keep, living areas, and even the latrines (which shockingly after ~700 years still smell...used). The brochure guide comes in many languages and is extremely helpful for appreciation. There is a gift shop inside and one outside, each with different items. Staff is friendly and speaks English.

This has got to be the coolest medieval castles I've ever seen in my life. I've been to the castle in Sintra, and this one just seems more old and cooler. It's retrofittedd with dungeons and Wine cellars and the whole shebang. Came here on a visit as it was listed on the top 10 castles to visit in Europe list. And since we were hanging around Lake Geneva, we decided to check this place out since it's one of the few castles that is on the edge of the water. We found a parking spot on the street, but you have to get a parking permit from the castle museum. So you have to walk down to the entrance and get a parking pass and leave it on the dashboard of your car. The complex is huge. We spent several hours here and we rush through all the rooms. I could definitely see ourselves spending an entire day here going through each room and reading up on the history. This place is so rich with stories and history that I was utterly fascinated. It's a marvel how the structure has stood the test of time and been standing here for over 1000 years. Super cool. Absolutely a must visit if you're in the area. And if you're on a castle tour this is also a must visit. Highly recommend! Definitely won't be disappointed

This place is mesmerizing! I have been to many medieval castles, but this one is so cool because there are so many chambers to visit. I would definitely recommend purchasing the audio tour so you can understand the wonderful details and how the castle was used my many nobles. An interesting spot is the prison section, where you can find Lord Byron's name etched in the column. This is a must if you are near Lake Geneva or any cities nearby. Good for the entire family. Just make sure if you have little ones to keep them close to you to they could easily get lost in this castle.

This is definitely one of my favorite Swiss castles and even though my Swiss Travel Pass got me in for free, I'd highly recommend paying an extra 6 francs for the audio tour, which is available in a plethora of languages (English, French, German, Chinese, etc.) You can easily spend 2+ hours here to admire all of the exhibits and learn the medieval history surrounding the castle. It's also not a bad idea to come here when it's really hot like during this unusual May heat wave when I visited - the underground dungeon where Lord Bonivard was held is a wonderful relief from the heat without the need for AC. You also get to see real examples of swords, armor, banquet halls, treasure chests, and all sorts of artifacts of medieval life that you normally only see on TV or in role playing games. Oh, and you also get amazing views of Lake Geneva from the many windows where guards and scouts stood hundreds of years ago to protect the Savoie from invaders and other unsavory (no pun intended) characters.

Wonderful experience to wander through the courtyards and rooms of a medieval castle. Feels like you've gone back in time. The dungeon/cellars have gothic arches which support the rooms of the castle above. Highly recommend coming her on the ferry, as you approach the castle from the lake.

Chillon Castle is an island castle located on Lake Geneva. The Architectural style is Medieval, and the oldest parts of the castle have not been dated definitively, but the first written record of the castle was in 1005! This castle is unlike any that I have toured before. The sheer size of the castle requires at least 2.5 hours to tour, and there were many interesting aspects to the castle that are unusual. This isn't a castle with elegant rooms- this is a castle that really does look like what a castle would be in the 12th Century - dark and spooky at times. There are rooms that were used as prisons, as well as a room with latrines. The windows look put to the lake, so there are amazing views as you climb higher in the castle. There are almost 50 rooms to tour. There are many, many stairs on the tour, and some quite narrow. It was quite a workout to tour this castle. There is a lot to see for sure! Admission is quite reasonable- our group of 4 adults and 2 children all got in for about $75.00. There are clean restrooms located in the castle. There is also a cafe with very reasonable prices. A must see if in the area!

Nice Chateau. Nice views. On a nice blue lake. Very nice... It's big claim to fame is that Lord Byron was inspired by a prisoners story who was held there. Then he wrote about it and BAM! Instant tourist attraction. And the rest is history. Literally. If you want to learn about warfare and weapons etc. You're in luck! If you want to climb up and down this Chateau multiple times? You're in luck! If you're a Lord Byron fan -- this is must... Of not... Well... The views are nice. Ok. So when you arrive in Montreaux - recommended and you'll soon read why.... You can the bus or ferry to the Chateau. Now which I recommend??? FERRY!!!! Butter view and good pic. Also not that long of a boat ride either. Then you go to the entrance and pay your fee-- it's included if you have the Swiss travel pass. Then get the map and start your journey. Allot at least 1.5 -2 hours. Of you like to read everything maybe even more time. Note: there are lots of stairs to climb and lots of walking. Sometimes in narrow spaces. Then enjoy learning about the time back then. Make sure to see where Byron carved his name. And go to the top of the keep... Near the end of the tour. And yes, the map gives you a guided tour with numbers so you can't get lost. It actually is nice since its easy to get lost in this place. Nice place to visit if you have time....

Exceptional - wonderful dinner The food was amazing with a view to the mountains, lake and the castle.

I would recommend everyone go see this castle! It was about 12.50 per person and audio sets for an extra 6. Easy to get in and out and kid friendly. There were a lot of stairs and low doorways and paths, so I would not recommend this for people with handicaps. It was like a never-ending maze, full of interesting history.

Interesting Castle, but our tour only scratched the surface of the attraction My wife and I went to the Chateau de Chillon recently with our Tour of Austria and Switzerland. The Chateau de Chillon is surrounded by Lake Geneva and the foot of the Alps. This site was chosen as a strategic, defensive location. All that aside, the surrounding area is breathtaking in and of itself and worth the visit. On the day of our visit, the weather was great and the sun shining on the lake made the whole area pleasant to be around. Our tour was conducted by one of the trained guides at the Chateau de Chillon. Although our guide knew the history of the castle, we were left wishing we could have "seen" the other parts as well - like the Fortification section, and guard walks on the walls. I did manage to "sneak off" from the group to "see" some of the Fortification section, but I would've liked to have seen much more of that since we paid for a tour. If you are in the area or simply passing through, consider stopping off to see the Chateau de Chillon. You will be glad you did, we were.

Perhaps I've just been to too many castles in my time, but I wouldn't say this is "worth a trip to Montreux." Montreux is worth visiting because it's beautiful and has a lovely city and a great outlet onto the lake. There's also this Jazz Festival thing that is a perfect way to spend a summer day, or fourteen of them. But this castle? Some great views. Some interesting (but not particularly intriguing) history - a gift shop, etc. You can easily skip this in Montreux guilt-free. If you want to talk about places worth going *just for the castle* check out Las Murallas in Ávila, Spain or Mont St. Michel in France. If you do decide to go, might I recommend taking the long way? The 45-minute walk along the water, followed by the 7 minute boat ride back. But make sure you confirm the boat times before you leave Montreux for the walk. They are irregular and infrequent.

This is such a spectacular castle. The setting right on the lake is so gorgeous. You can picture what it would have been like 1000 years ago with nothing but the lake and the mountains and the castle. There are so many reviews that have pretty much covered everything. The only thing I really want to add is that a great way to see the castle is to take the boat from Montreux and then walk back along the lake. On a beautiful day it's an excellent way to feel the lake vibe. Also the view from the boat as you come up to the castle is magnificent.

Too bad it was dark and well closed by the time we reached the Chillon Castle (Another similar word pronounced like Chillon means "to shit"...yeah I'm learning really good French around here). Compared to the other castles we've been to, this one is actually a castle or at least not broken down like the Castle at Annecy. Château de Chillon sits on the Lac de Geneve (Lake Geneva) and it's pretty impressive. Unfortunately there's a fee of 12 CHF per adult to enter the castle. As it was closing time, we just took photos around the castle. It was pretty. So many asian tourists. It was like I was home. If it wasn't so cloudy, foggy and rainy, you could've seen the alps as well as the French towns across the river. Definitely a site to see.

A MUST DO trip when visiting the Montreux area. Easy boat access from Lausanne. This is an authentic castle that dates back over 500 years. It s a self guided tour (approximately 90 minutes) that can last as long as you like. Many beautiful photo opportunities of the castle and Lake Geneva as you climb the castle. You can download the Chillon app ($2.99) ahead of your visit (weak wifi is available at Chillon) and listen to the castles history on your self guided tour. Ive been in a few castles before, but this is the real deal. These are not ruins, the whole castle still stands for your exploration. As you near the highest levels of the castle, some of the staircases are steep and narrow. As long as you are patient with the congestion around these staircases, you will have a wonderful time!

Very cool. Felt like an old castle mostly (minimal modern additions). I wish I had learned more of the history before going so I could make more sense out of the guide they gave me. It was built and remodeled over several centuries, which made it a little confusing with just a little pamphlet guide. This would be worth a trip to Montreaux all by itself. It is smaller than Hohensalzburg, for example. But it's still very interesting. In some places there are frescoes that are still visible (faded, but visible). In fact it's about the only interesting thing in Montreaux from what I could tell...well, except for Freddie Mercury! :-) (But that one statue by itself isn't worth coming all this way.) If you have a Swiss pass (for rail), you get free admission here. Which is really nice. Expect to spend a few hours if you follow the guide and actually spend time looking at stuff. I would have liked to see a bit more furniture to give the rooms more context, but otherwise it was a really neat castle to visit.

It's a 1000-year-old castle set on beautiful Lake Geneva, it's close to anywhere if you're staying in Montreux, it's in great shape, it held famous prisoners that Lord Byron wrote about and the ruts in the stone columns from the chains being moved about are still there, and it's amazing. Yes, you want to go. Highly recommend.

this is everything I *imagined* a castle would look like...The audio tour is an excellent guide through the armory, dining halls, chapel, all the way up to the defense areas 4 or 5 stories high PLUS the pebbled walkway into Lake Geneva just makes me *think* of where the little mermaid could've washed ashore~ *bonus* we happened to be touring during the independence celebration of the state (June 19) SO! there were a bunch of people dressed up for the parade and one of the "aristocrats" chatted us up...haha~ the quotation marks are his this is probably the closest i've ever come to royalty ;p

I can't believe I haven't reviewed the Chillon castle yet. This is currently my favorite castle in Switzerland. There is something unique about it, that I just love. It is a more rustic castle, built into the rock on the lake shore, you can explore freely throughout the castle inside, there are GREAT views from the top of the tower, the Chateau on the outside looks great with the mountains and lake alongside it. It is a mystical place. Each year they have several medieval days in which the workers dress up in medieval dress, and they have special events. On my list of things to do is to attend one of these medieval days.

A must see site if you are in the area. Some incredible views of the countryside and lake from within the castle. Not terribly expensive either, especially if you opt out of the guided tour ticket. There is a lot to see and learn in the castle. The guided tour will definitely provide you with a lot more information and a longer castle experience, but reading the various blurbs in each room and going at your own pace was sufficient for us. Definitely glad we stopped and experienced some local history and we got some phenomenal pictures out of it!

A nice place to visit & learn about history. The walk here from Montreux is very nice. The castle is well maintained and a self-guided tour is easy & well organized. Entrance fees are steep but if you come on a day you are using your train pass, you save money. Leave at least one hour - two if you want to be thorough.

I found my trip to Montreux improve vastly by visiting Chillon. It is a beautiful castle built into a rock. It doesn't take long to visit but it would not be amiss to spend some time and experience it. Definitely go visit :)

This is a castle set on Lake Geneva - so the setting is picturesque, but within the castle there aren't that many interesting things to see. One hour will let you do justice to the castle, two hours if you are a castle-phile and want to be thorough. You should take the audio tour (6 CHF at the time of our visit) if you want to get the inside story behind the various spots you are visiting. There are several (free) audio-visual booths spread throughout the castle and they tell an absorbing story. The star of the show is the place where one Francois Bonivar was kept imprisoned in the basement and Byron wrote a poem "The Prisoner of Chillon" about him. That basement room is quite creepy with paintings of the imprisonment. There is a steep steep climb to the top part of the castle from which you can see decent views of the Lake, but the climb is only for the sturdy of heart. Overall, I would not make a long trip to visit this castle but if I am in the area and happen to want to spend an hour walking about a medieval castle, I will go for it.

My family used to stop here whenever we found our way through Montreux. The history behind it is great, especially when you find out that Lord Byron wrote his name into the wall in one of the dungeons. The dungeons are kind of dark and scary, and its pretty fun to run around if your a kid. Great views of the lake and surrounding countryside if you climb up one of the towers. Actually, it's hard NOT to find a good view from almost anywhere in the castle.