Gruyères, Switzerland — Château de Gruyères, one of Switzerland’s most celebrated medieval fortresses, set a new visitor record in 2025, welcoming nearly 189,000 people to the iconic hilltop site. The milestone highlights the castle’s growing appeal among both domestic and international tourists and reflects the continued strength of cultural heritage tourism in Switzerland.
New record
The Château de Gruyères reported a record 188,639 visitors in 2025, surpassing its previous high set in 2011. This figure confirms the castle’s enduring appeal and places it among the most visited cultural attractions in the canton of Fribourg. (La Télé)
The castle ranks as the fourth most popular tourist site in the region, behind attractions such as the Maison Cailler chocolate museum, the Papiliorama insect zoo, and the Maison du Gruyère cheese museum.
Local and international visitors
According to the castle’s director Filipe Dos Santos, the visitor base includes a strong mix of local and international tourists. Swiss visitors accounted for around 41% of the total, with Romands and Alemannic Swiss each representing significant portions of the domestic audience.
International visitors also played a key role in the record year. Europeans were the largest contingent, with French tourists alone making up over 15% of visitors, reflecting Gruyères’ popularity across the border. North American tourists, particularly from the United States and Canada, were also notable, constituting more than 14% of total attendance in 2025.
Heritage, events, and year-round appeal
The strong performance in 2025 coincided with a series of cultural events and exhibitions at Château de Gruyères, including celebrations marking the 175th anniversary of Switzerland’s first artist colony, founded at the castle in the mid-19th century.
The institution has also focused on attracting visitors throughout the year rather than only during summer peaks, a strategy that the castle’s leadership believes makes for a better experience for tourists and staff alike.
A highlight in Swiss castle tourism
Set atop a hill overlooking the picturesque Gruyère landscape, Château de Gruyères combines medieval history, art, and panoramic views, making it a cultural highlight of western Switzerland and a strong complement to other heritage tourism successes on the continent.
source: La Télé
