Switzerland has long been the world’s favourite holiday destination. It’s one of the world’s wealthiest countries and offers tourists winter activities, a breathtaking landscape filled with lofty peaks, shimmering lakes, waterfalls, valleys, museums, churches, wines, cheese and chocolates. It is a small country in central Europe made up of 16,000 sq miles of the glacier-carved Alps, which covers 65% of its total land mass. Switzerland’s administrative capital is Bern while Lausanne is its judicial center. Indian filmmakers love Switzerland, making it one of the most popular destinations for Indian tourists. Here we have listed the 10 best places to visit in Switzerland and things to do in Switzerland for a memorable experience.
1. Jungfraujoch
#1 in Best Places to Visit in Switzerland
Since 1912, tourists have been making their way to the fairytale-like village of Grindelwald for an excursion to the Top of Europe (also known as Jungfraujoch). As its name suggests, it's the highest train station in Europe.
It offers panoramic views of the UNESCO-recognized Jungfrau region that will make your jaw drop. The Sphinx Observatory, an astronomical observatory that looks like a Bond villain lair perched 3,454 meters above sea level, is the best place to see the magnificent Aletsch Glacier and the 4,000-meter peaks that flank it. With snow 365 days per year, it's also a prime spot to get a break from Europe's heat in the summertime.
This famous attraction has come a long way in the last 100 years, giving tourists lots of things to do at the top. Step into the 360-degree cinematic experience room for a closer look at the glacier and the Swiss Alps (perfect for ensuring you still get a wonderful view on a foggy day). Walk through a 250-meter-long corridor with artifacts and exhibits on the history of the miners who built the railway to Jungfraujoch—the antique mining equipment hanging on the walls will give you a deeper respect for these early pioneers.
Peek inside a giant snow globe that depicts the region with charming moving figures, like yodelers and gondolas. Then, glide through the Ice Palace. Frozen from floor to ceiling, it features smooth, icy hallways filled with ice sculptures of animals, including several penguins around an igloo.
Jung fraujoach's highly sustainable cable car, the Eiger Express, shortened the journey between Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch from 45 minutes to just 15 minutes when it opened in late 2020. That makes it possible to summit the Top of Europe on a day trip from Interlaken or even Zurich, but if you have time, it's worth sticking around Grindelwald to hike for a few days.
The trails here are among the most beautiful in the world and most trailheads are easily accessible through the town's network of cable cars and gondolas. The aptly named Panorama Trail takes you along paths lined by wildflowers with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, while the Grindelwald First cable car station puts you on the path to the world-famous Bachalpsee lake.
You can also break up your days of hiking with adventure activities. Grindelwald First is home to a zip line that soars at 80 kilometers per hour and a mountain cart attraction that lets you race down winding gravel paths, plus a trail you can tackle on a "trottibike"—a unique cross between a scooter and a bike that's surprisingly fast.
Interlaken
#2 in Best Places to Visit in Switzerland
Inter laken's unique location between two lakes – Lake Brienz and Lake Thun – makes it a breathtaking spot for a vacation. Here, you can spend hours hiking various trails, taking in the castle-studded shores of Lake Thun on a boat cruise or gazing at the surrounding mountains from the Harder Kulm observation deck (accessible via a funicular). To see more of the region's stunning scenery, go for a ride on the Schynige Platte Railway or sign up for a paragliding or skydiving excursion.
Mount Rigi Kulm
# 3 in best places to visit in Switzerland
Make your way to the top of Mount Rigi to get a view of three countries at once. The mountain, located between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug, offers views of Switzerland, France, and Germany at the top, which you can reach by taking a train or hiking all the way.
Rapperswil
#4 In best places to visit in Switzerland
Make your way about an hour northeast of Lake Lucerne to the town of Rapperswil, which sits on Lake Zurich. The town is known for its abundant roses in the spring and summer and for its medieval architecture, including its very own castle.
Zermatt Matterhorn
#5 In best places to visit in Switzerland
The Matterhorn is one of Switzerland’s most recognizable landmarks and one of the most photographed mountains on earth. In fact, the town of Zermatt was created to promote this spectacular landmark making it the first tourist destination in the country. Over the years, it has become one of the top tourist attractions in Switzerland.
Montreux
#6 In best places to visit in Switzerland
Contributed by Bulgarian On The Go The first destination on our list of the best places to visit in Switzerland in summer is Montreux.
Montreux is one of the most exciting places to visit in the summer. The main reason is very simple – the Montreux Jazz Festival. This is the second-largest jazz festival in the world and it takes place annually in early July on the Lake Geneva shoreline.
It’s become so popular that around 200,000 people visit it every year.
The summer in Montreux also allows for many water sports in Lake Geneva, such as paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and even water skiing.
Even if you’re not a fan of water sports, you can still take advantage of the beautiful Lake Geneva shore and enjoy a day at the beach.
For all hiking lovers, there are quite a few hiking routes near Montreux which are worth exploring. Some ideas for hikes include the Gorge du Chauderon, Via Alpina, and Rochers de Naye.
Do not forget to add the Chillon Castle (make your life easier and grab your entrance ticket online here), the statue of Freddy Mercury, and the Queen’s Studio to your itinerary of things to do in Montreux.
Locarno
#7 In best places to visit in Switzerland
Like its neighbor Lugano, Locarno is located in the Ticino region near the Italian border. This quiet, small town is surrounded by stunning scenery (it sits on the shores of Lake Maggiore in the foothills of the Alps), and since it's the warmest destination in Switzerland, you'll have plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and explore. Be sure to stroll through the picture-perfect main square, Piazza Grande, where the city hosts several summer festivals, and trek to Madonna del Sasso, considered sacred among Roman Catholics. Then, head to the Verzasca river valley to swim or bungee jump.
Zurich
#8 In best places to visit in Switzerland
Zurich is the capital city of Switzerland. It is located in the central part of the country, on the northern shores of Lake Zurich, which adds to the city's picturesque surroundings. The city's geographical location makes it a hub for business, culture, and tourism in Switzerland. The city...
Best Time to May To September
Geneva
#9 In best places to visit in Switzerland
Considered to be the second most populated city in Switzerland, Geneva is charmingly scattered around the beautiful Lake Geneva, at the mouth of River Rhone. It is also guarded by Alpine peaks and the hills of Jura. This metropolitan city is also blessed with plenty of natural beauty, depending on where you choose to go! Geneva also holds the seat for the UNO in Europe, which only serves to elevate its prestige.
Popularly known as the 'city of peace', Geneva is Switzerland's second largest city, and with good reason. This is a city that clubs architecture and art with nature and natural beauty. French is spoken here on a large scale. However, the locals can also converse in other languages such as English, Italian and Spanish. The postcard perfect city is largely known for its jet d'eau. The jet d'eau, located on the edges of Lake Geneva, is a large water jet or a fountain and can be spotted from anywhere across the city.
Schaffhausen
#10 In best places to visit in Switzerland
Schaffhausen, a small town near the northern tip of Switzerland, boasts the medieval history of the state with its beautifully decorated buildings, oriel windows, and luxuriously painted outdoors. In the vicinity of two well-known tourist attractions, Black Forest and Lake Constance, the town is surrounded by vineyards making it a popular tourist destination. In addition, Schaffhausen's proximity to the Rhine Falls and Munot rose garden offers a nature's retreat while exploring the town.
