Movies Filmed in Switzerland

Switzerland isn’t just a postcard-perfect destination — it’s a movie set come to life. For decades, filmmakers from around the world have looked to the Swiss Alps, lakes, and storybook towns as their ultimate backdrop. From the adrenaline-fueled world of James Bond to the romance of Bollywood blockbusters, Switzerland’s landscapes have dazzled audiences long before travelers set foot on its scenic trails.

With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can trace the steps of your favorite stars — from mountain peaks to film-famous lakes — traveling effortlessly by train, bus, or boat. It’s not just sightseeing; it’s stepping straight into the movies.

Hollywood’s Love Affair with Switzerland

Cinephiles have plenty of “homework” to do before boarding that flight — because Switzerland has played a starring role in countless Hollywood hits.

Matt Damon first ran through Zurich’s streets in The Bourne Identity (2002), dodging police cars and leaping across the Limmat River in the kind of fast-paced chase sequence that made every viewer crave a Swiss adventure. A few years later, he returned for Syriana (2005), where Geneva’s international ambiance set the stage for high-stakes diplomacy and espionage.

Tom Hanks followed suit in Angels & Demons (2009), visiting CERN in Geneva — home to the world’s largest particle accelerator — where science meets suspense. Meanwhile, Point Break (2015) and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011) both used Swiss landscapes for breathtaking set pieces that matched the country’s raw beauty with cinematic tension.

Even the Star Wars universe couldn’t resist Switzerland’s allure. The majestic peaks of Grindelwald and Mount Titlis doubled as alien landscapes in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. In short, when filmmakers need a place that feels out of this world, they often come here.

Bollywood’s Eternal Romance with the Alps

If Hollywood gave Switzerland thrill and spectacle, Bollywood gave it heart.
The relationship between Indian cinema and Switzerland is legendary, largely thanks to iconic director Yash Chopra, who fell in love with the Swiss Alps and brought their magic to millions of moviegoers.

Films like Chandni, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge turned snowy meadows and mountain lakes into symbols of eternal love. To honor this connection, a bronze statue of Yash Chopra stands proudly in Interlaken’s Kurssaal Garden — a must-visit spot for fans.

Today, romantic travelers still flock to Interlaken and Lake Thun, retracing the footsteps of Bollywood’s most beloved couples. With Swixplore, you can do the same — take a scenic train through the Bernese Oberland, sip hot chocolate at a lakeside café, and imagine the camera panning across the Alps as violins swell in the background.

Where Was James Bond Filmed in Switzerland?

Few movie heroes have embraced Switzerland quite like James Bond. 007’s adventures here span generations and genres — from cold-war thrillers to suave escapades in the snow.

Here’s where you can follow in his polished footsteps:

• Goldfinger (1964) – Perhaps the most iconic Swiss Bond sequence of all. Sean Connery drove his Aston Martin along the Furka Pass, with the spectacular Hotel Belvédère and Rhone Glacier as his backdrop. The scene turned this twisting mountain road into one of the most photographed drives in the world.
• GoldenEye (1995) – In one of the most jaw-dropping stunts in movie history, Pierce Brosnan’s Bond bungee-jumped 220 meters from the Contra Dam in Ticino. Though the movie claimed it was Russia, every fan knows it was proudly Swiss. You can even book your own jump there today — if you dare.
• The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) – Roger Moore’s Bond glided across the slopes near St. Moritz, a glamorous alpine setting that embodied 1970s style and suspense.
• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) – A Bond classic, filmed at Schilthorn, near Mürren, which became Blofeld’s mountain-top lair. The revolving restaurant featured in the film, now known as Piz Gloria, still operates today — offering the “James Bond Brunch” and a 360° view that’s nothing short of cinematic.

See It on Screen, Then Live It in Person

The magic of Swiss cinema isn’t confined to the screen — it’s woven into the country’s landscapes. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can hop effortlessly from one movie location to the next:

• Take a panoramic train to Schilthorn and dine where Bond did.
• Walk along Lake Thun where Bollywood stars once danced.
• Explore Geneva’s elegant streets like a Hollywood spy.
• Or hike in Grindelwald and imagine lightsabers flashing against the mountains.

Whether you’re a film buff or a casual traveler, Switzerland offers a cinematic journey like no other. Every lake, every trail, every mountain pass feels like a scene waiting to be rediscovered.

So, the next time you see Switzerland on screen — remember, the adventure doesn’t end when the credits roll. Here, you can live the movie.