Crash Landing on You in Switzerland | Lake Brienz to Emmetten
Author：Marina Betschart
What kind of scenery would you like to see on a journey through Switzerland?
The dramatic Alps, clear blue lakes, or small towns tucked between the mountains. And sometimes, part of the fun is standing in a place you have only ever seen on screen.
This summer, my mother came to visit me from Japan. She is a big fan of Korean dramas, so we made our way to Iseltwald, best known as one of the filming locations for Crash Landing on You. We took a boat across the lake, enjoyed the scenery from the water, and stopped to take photos at some of the locations featured in the series.
But the experience I had been looking forward to most came at the end of the trip.
Paragliding in Emmetten.
After seeing Switzerland from the streets, the lakeshore and the water, it was time to see it from the sky.
It became a journey that showed us Switzerland from many different perspectives.
First Stop: Lucerne
Our journey began in Lucerne, in the heart of central Switzerland.
Set on the shores of Lake Lucerne, the city combines a historic old town with beautiful lake views and mountains rising all around it.
We spent some time walking through the city, including across the Chapel Bridge, one of Lucerne’s best-known landmarks, and simply enjoying the atmosphere.
Lucerne is also easy to reach from Zurich Airport, making it a convenient base not only for exploring the city itself, but also for heading out to the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Lake Lungern, seen on the way from Lucerne to Lake Brienz.
Lake Brienz, a Setting from Crash Landing on You
Leaving Lucerne behind, we made our way to Lake Brienz, one of the places I had been especially looking forward to on this trip.
If you have seen the Korean drama Crash Landing on You, you may remember the scene in which the main character plays the piano by the lake.
Surrounded by the Alps, Lake Brienz is strikingly beautiful. Its vivid blue water, framed by the mountains, creates the kind of scenery that feels unmistakably Swiss.
Lake Brienz from the Water
We took a boat across Lake Brienz, and the boat itself also appears in a scene from Crash Landing on You. The views from the shore are beautiful, of course, but from the water, the scenery slowly changes as you travel across the lake, offering a completely different perspective.
When people think of travelling in Switzerland, mountain railways and cable cars often come to mind first. But there was something especially peaceful about sitting on the lake, watching the mountains and water unfold around us. It felt like a wonderfully unhurried way to experience the landscape.
Iseltwald: The Swiss Village Made Famous by Crash Landing on You
Our next stop was Iseltwald, a small village on the shores of Lake Brienz that became widely known as one of the filming locations for Crash Landing on You.
One of the most memorable settings in the drama is the wooden pier stretching out into the lake. Standing there in person, with the turquoise water, a cloudless blue sky and green mountains all around, the view looked almost like a painting.
There is something special about finding yourself in a place you had previously only seen on screen. But Iseltwald has much more to offer than its connection to the drama. Surrounded by the lake and mountains, the quiet village is beautiful in its own right — even for visitors who have never watched the series.
Emmetten: Paragliding Above Lake Lucerne
There was one more experience waiting for me at the end of the trip — paragliding.
The setting was Emmetten, near Lake Lucerne. Surrounded by mountains and water, the area is known for its natural scenery, and nearby Niederbauen rises to 1,575 metres. From the mountain, there are sweeping views over Lake Lucerne and the peaks of central Switzerland. Niederbauen is also known as a paragliding area.
For this trip, I chose a tandem flight. With an experienced pilot flying with you, it is an approachable option even for first-timers.
That said, as the moment to take off came closer, I could still feel the nerves setting in.
If You’re Visiting Emmetten
Niederbauen in Emmetten is worth visiting for more than paragliding alone. The mountain scenery itself is a highlight.
A cable car takes you up the mountain, where you can enjoy wide views over Lake Lucerne and the peaks of central Switzerland. Even if you are not planning to paraglide, it is a beautiful place for a walk and for taking in the views.
Paragliding flights can be changed or cancelled depending on the weather and wind conditions, so it is a good idea to leave some flexibility in your itinerary.
Lake, Mountains, City and Sky
This trip gave me the chance to experience Switzerland from many different perspectives.
In Lucerne, from the city streets. On Lake Brienz, from the water. In Iseltwald, from the pier. And finally, in Emmetten, from the sky.
The journey began with a visit to a filming location from Crash Landing on You, but along the way, I found myself enjoying far more than the places connected to the drama.
What I remember most vividly is the view from Emmetten — taking off from the mountain and looking down over the blue lake below.
When travelling through Switzerland, there is something special about doing more than simply looking at the scenery. Sometimes, the best way to experience it is to step right into it.
See the lake from a boat. Climb into the mountains. Visit a place you once saw on screen.
And if you feel a little adventurous — take to the Swiss skies.
For me, paragliding in Emmetten was an unforgettable way to end the trip.
About Author
Marina Betschart
Originally from Kobe, Japan, Marina has been living in Switzerland since 2014 and is a mother of two. Her interests range from beauty, health and cooking to parenting, travel, food, languages and camping.
Sociable by nature, she enjoys connecting with people, while also valuing time on her own—whether reading, cooking or watching her favorite TV series.
Drawing on her experiences of life in Switzerland and the discoveries she makes in everyday life, Marina shares a variety of topics in a thoughtful, approachable and easy-to-understand way.
