Places to Visit in Switzerland

Europe's highest railway station at 3454 metres, with the Sphinx observation deck, Ice Palace, and Aletsch Glacier views. The official tourism route takes about 1 hour 30 minutes via Eiger Express or 2 hours 10 minutes by the traditional route.

Best forFirst-time visitors, scenic rail, glacier views

Reserve early, check visibility before departure, and carry warm layers even in summer.

Car-free alpine resort offering iconic Matterhorn viewpoints and extensive mountain transport, including Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Best forMatterhorn views, hiking, skiing

Build in weather flexibility; check webcams before heading up.

Compact lakeside city with Chapel Bridge, Mount Pilatus, and convenient access to lake boats and mountain excursions.

Best forCity break, lake cruises, mountain day trips

Stay near the station or old town to combine lake and mountain trips without backtracking.

The most practical base for Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and lake excursions. It sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Best forBase for Jungfrau region, adventure sports

Do not treat Interlaken as the main scenic attraction; allocate time for the valleys and mountains reached from it.

Efficient arrival gateway combining a historic old town, Lake Zurich, and high-quality museums.

Best forArrival, museums, lake promenade

Use Zurich as an arrival or departure base rather than spending several full days if the itinerary prioritises the Alps.

UNESCO-listed medieval old town with arcades, fountains, and a slower-paced capital-city experience.

Best forHeritage, architecture, half-day stop

Bern works best as a half-day stop between Zurich and Interlaken rather than as a separate long stay.

Lake Geneva promenade, Chillon Castle, and vineyard-covered Lavaux access create a distinct French-speaking Switzerland experience.

Best forLakeside promenade, castle visits, wine region

The GoldenPass route is scenic but takes longer than a direct train; choose it when the rail journey itself is a priority.

A mountain overlooking Lucerne, accessible by cogwheel railway, gondola, or boat. Offers panoramic views of the lake and Alps.

Best forDay trip from Lucerne, panoramic views

Check seasonal operation of the cogwheel railway; the round trip by boat, cogwheel, and gondola is a classic circuit.

Valley with 72 waterfalls, including Staubbach Falls, and a base for hiking to car-free villages like Mürren and Wengen.

Best forWaterfalls, hiking, car-free villages

Take the train from Interlaken; explore the valley floor and then ascend to Mürren for views.

Mountain village at the foot of the Eiger north face, with access to First and other hiking areas.

Best forHiking, adventure activities, Eiger views

The First gondola offers cliff walk and mountain carts; book activities in advance during peak season.

Western Europe's largest alpine lake, with terraced vineyards of Lavaux and lakeside towns like Montreux and Lausanne.

Best forLakeside scenery, wine tasting, boat trips

Take a boat cruise from Montreux to Lausanne for views of the vineyards and Alps.

Medieval island castle on Lake Geneva, one of Switzerland's most visited historic sites, with well-preserved architecture and lake views.

Best forHistory, architecture, family visits

Combine with a walk along the lakeside promenade from Montreux; buy tickets online to skip queues.

A mountain ridge at 3089 metres offering panoramic views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks, reached by cogwheel train.

Best forMatterhorn views, easy mountain access

Go early for clearer views; the train from Zermatt takes about 33 minutes.

Europe's highest cable car station at 3883 metres, with a glacier palace and views into Italy.

Best forHigh-altitude experience, skiing in summer

Check weather and cable car operation; it can be closed in high winds.

A 14th-century wooden covered bridge and symbol of Lucerne, with painted panels and the adjacent Water Tower.

Best forPhotography, history, city stroll

Visit early morning or late evening to avoid crowds; the bridge is free to walk across.

Traditional region with rolling hills, scattered farmhouses, and cheese dairies. The village of Appenzell is car-free and known for its painted houses.

Best forCulture, hiking, cheese tasting

Take the train from St. Gallen; hike the Seealpsee trail for lake views.

Medieval town with a castle and the HR Giger Museum, surrounded by dairy farms producing Gruyère cheese.

Best forHistory, cheese, art

Visit the cheese factory in Pringy and the castle; combine with a train ride from Montreux or Bern.

UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards along Lake Geneva, with walking trails through the vines and wine-tasting opportunities.

Best forWine, walking, lake views

Walk from St-Saphorin to Lutry; many cellars offer tastings by appointment.

The largest glacier in the Alps, best viewed from Jungfraujoch or from the Bettmeralp area. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Best forGlacier views, hiking, UNESCO site

For a closer view without the Jungfraujoch crowds, take the cable car to Bettmerhorn.

Eastern city with a UNESCO-listed abbey library and a compact old town with painted bay windows.

Best forHeritage, libraries, architecture

The abbey library requires a ticket and shoe covers; check opening hours before visiting.

Rolling countryside known for Emmental cheese, with dairy farms and the Emmental Show Dairy in Affoltern.

Best forFood, countryside, family activities

Rent a bike or take a regional train from Bern; the show dairy has demonstrations and tastings.