Top 10 things to add to your Switzerland itinerary
Switzerland offers some of the most glorious scenic panoramas on the planet. From the stunning majesty of the Alps to pristine alpine lakes, flower filled meadows and picture-perfect towns and villages. Outdoor activities abound in all seasons, from the famed skiing resorts to hiking through mountain passes.
Here are some ideas of things to see and do during your own Swiss adventure.
1. The Matterhorn: Iconic Swiss Peak
The amazing Matterhorn, Switzerland
The Matterhorn is the most famous peak in the Swiss Alps, well over 14,000 feet tall. While it can be seen from the ski resort town of Zermatt, we recommend getting up close! Take a ride on the Gornergrat railway, it is simply unforgettable. Alternatively, you can take the series of cable cars that lift you up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. You will reach the highest cable car platform of its kind in Europe. Discover a 360-degree viewing platform, from which you can have endless vistas of Alpine peaks and glaciers including the Matterhorn.
2. Fairytale Swiss Castles
Medieval Chillon Castle
Switzerland has a wealth of gorgeous castles complementing its mountain and lake terrain. Some of the best to seek out include:
- Chillon Castle—with spectacular views from its setting on Lake Geneva, Chillon sits on a rocky outcrop looking across to the Alps. Its history dates to the 13th century and it was a prison during the Middle Ages.
- Castles of Bellinzona—a trio of defensive castles crowning hilltops near the town of Bellinzona in the southern region of the Ticino.
3. Outdoor Activities and Sports
Snowshoeing is a great activity for the whole family
Switzerland is world renowned as a skiing destination, with fabulous winter resorts like Zermatt and St. Moritz. Winter brings spectacular snow-covered Alpine landscapes, with sporting activities such as snowboarding, tobogganing, sledding, ice skating, and snowshoeing.
Yet Summer brings a multitude of activities too! Such as hiking opportunities through stunning mountain scenery. There’s mountain biking, and water-based activities on Switzerland’s beautiful lakes. From swimming to canoeing, kayaking to boating, whether on your own or on a guided excursion aboard a historic steamer or paddleboat.
4. Dazzling Train Journeys
Brusio Circular Viaduct on the Bernina Express route
For travellers, taking one of the scenic rail trips in the gorgeous mountain, lake and valley scenery is a vacation highlight.
The Jungfraujoch trip takes you to Europe’s highest railway station. Here the views are majestic. View th snow-clad Alps and the Aletsch Glacier, as well as the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch peaks.
The Glacier Express runs between St. Moritz and Zermatt, passing through amazing mountain and valley scenery. The Bernina Express was named a UNESCO World Heritage for its architectural marvels, the tunnels and bridges connecting the towns and villages along its route.
5. Soar on a Swiss Cable Car
The Schilthorn cable car is just one with amazing views in Switzerland
To go where roads and trains cannot go, cable cars provide an exhilarating alternative to travelling into the world of snow and ice deep into the heart of the Alps.
One of the most famous cable car trips is the journey to the Shilthorn above Interlaken. We also recommend the trip to the Little Matterhorn from Zermatt. Atop the Shilthorn sits a revolving restaurant called Piz Gloria, offering staggering views of the Bernese Alps. In addition, there’s the world’s only revolving cable car that ascends Mt. Titlis from Engelberg near Lucerne.
6. Fabulous Alpine Drives
Drive the winding roads of Furka Pass
Some of the gorgeous Swiss mountain passes have roadways built through them. A driving adventure is one of the most thrilling experiences imaginable! Curve your way through some of the most formidable and beautiful Alpine terrain past glaciers, lakes, and valleys.
Among the best road trips to take in Switzerland are the Great St. Bernard Pass and the Furka Pass. The Great St. Bernard is the country’s third highest pass, and the location of the Great St. Bernard Hospice. Here monks trained the famed St. Bernard dogs as rescue animals. The Furka Pass with its spectacular views of glaciers and Alpine peaks starred in the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger.
7. Scenic Cruises
Lake Geneva, Switzerland
A relaxing way to take in the majesty of Switzerland’s Alpine and lake scenery is to take a cruise on one of the historic steamers or tour boats plying the Swiss lakes. A short one-hour boat ride on Lake Geneva lets visitors see the city from a lakeside perspective, along with the Jet d’Eau and the Alpine background including Mont Blanc. Lake Lucerne offers boat rides connecting to trains ascending nearby Mt. Rigi or Mt. Pilatus. Lake Zurich paddle wheeler tours offer stops at the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg and the beautiful town of Rapperswil.
8. Abbey Library of Saint Gall
A rare glimpse inside the St. Gaull Library (photo by Peter Thoeny)
St. Gallen is home to a famous Abbey that has one of the most astonishing libraries anywhere. The Abbey Library of Saint Gall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains over 170,000 documents. These include rare medieval illuminated manuscripts. In addition to being one of the oldest in Europe, the library is decorated in an ornate Baroque rococo style with elaborate painted ceilings and artwork. The wooden balconies are created in flowering shapes, giving a fantastical appearance to the whole.
9. The Vineyards of Lavaux
The beautiful vineyards of Lavaux overlooking Lake Geneva
Part of the beauty of the Lake Geneva area are the vineyard covered slopes around the Lausanne region. The most beautiful stretch occurs in the district of Lavaux, offering stunning views of the Alps. These vineyards are over 800 years old. They were first planted by monks from the local abbey. In addition to wine tasting tours, the region offers great opportunities for hikes and biking.
10. Bern’s Fabulous Fountains
The Ogre Fountain at Bern (photo by Andrew Bossi)
Part of the allure of the medieval Old Town of Bern are its beautifully carved 16th century wooden fountains with colourfully painted figures atop pillars. One of the most curious is the so-called Child Eater Fountain. It depicts a giant with a baby in its mouth and three others in a sack slung over his shoulder. Speculation is that this could have been meant as a warning to Bern’s children to behave!
