Do you enjoy the beauty of the mountains or the hustle and bustle of city life? Switzerland, the Alpine Country, has both. Hello and welcome to Switzerland.
Stunning mountain landscapes, untainted environment, famous friendliness, and Swiss cities that never fail to enchant visitors. Switzerland is simply known as the Alpine Country.
With an urban enthusiasm for life but situated in a lovely Alpine landscape.
Discover the diversity of Switzerland: charming villages, vibrant cities, cutting-edge design, palm-fringed lakes, and snow-capped mountains.
the best place to visit in switzerland in 2024
● Zermatt
Zermatt, in the Valais canton of southern Switzerland, is a mountain resort known for skiing, climbing, and hiking.
At a height of roughly 1,600m, the town is located below the iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn mountain, and its main street, Bahnhofstrasse, is dotted with boutique stores, hotels, and restaurants, as well as a vibrant apres-ski scene.
This holiday destination is a car-free zone that has kept its original character and offers practically limitless options for excursions. So, don’t pass up the opportunity to see Zermatt because its location at the foot of the Matterhorn and in the centre of a vast hiking and skiing zone makes it one of the world’s most appealing vacation destinations.
● Gotthard Pass
The Gotthard Pass, at 2,106 metres above sea level, is an Alps mountain pass that connects northern and southern Switzerland.
The Gotthard Base Tunnel – the world’s longest train tunnel – connects north and south. The journey across the cobblestone-paved Tremola on the Gotthard Pass’s southern side is stunning. The Tremola takes you in hairpin turns and serpentine curves from the pass’s crest to Airolo, Switzerland’s longest historical monument.
Today, the Gotthard Pass serves as the primary North-South connector, with leisure hikers and pass aficionados traversing it.
● Grindelwald
Grindelwald is a village in Switzerland’s Bernese Alps that is also a base for mountain-climbing ascents up the famed north face of Eiger Mountain. It is a popular gateway for the Jungfrau Region, offering skiing in winter and hiking in summer. This charming Swiss village is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, making it a great location for exploring Switzerland’s natural beauty and charm.
Grindelwald is bordered by lush green pastures and towered over by the 3970 m Eiger, whose mountainscape, as well as the numerous lookout sites and activities, make Grindelwald one of Switzerland’s most popular and cosmopolitan holiday and excursion destinations.It is also a popular resort for those who enjoy the outdoors.
This is a must-see when visiting Switzerland, and Grindelwald is also a great spot to go for world-class skiing and snowboarding, so don’t miss it.
● Kandersteg
Kandersteg is a high-altitude resort hamlet in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region with a spectacular view of the Blumlisalp Massif. The tranquil holiday resort of roughly 1000 inhabitants, with all of its wooden chalets, has kept its village charm and is an absolute hiker’s dream in the summer.
The area is popular with walkers since it has a large number of defined routes that take in some genuinely spectacular alpine scenery and the deep blue lakes of Oeschinensee and Blausee.
Don’t miss out on visiting Kandersteg, which has a picture-perfect backdrop in the highlands with beautiful meadows and mountain streams, as well as a town core with classic wooden houses and cosy eateries.
● Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is an enchanting Swiss village set in an unbelievably gorgeous valley in the Alps, surrounded by rugged cliffs and the roaring, 300m-high Staubbach Falls. The name ‘Lauter Brunnen’ (‘many fountains’) alludes to the splendour of the Lauterbrunnen landscape, which includes 72 waterfalls, the most famous of which is the Staubbach Falls.
Trummelbach Falls’ glacial waters flow through mountain cracks past viewing platforms nearby. A cable car also runs from Stechelberg hamlet to Schilthorn mountain, providing views of the Bernese Alps.
Lauterbrunnen is one of Switzerland’s most attractive settlements, with stunning vistas.This is what makes Lauterbrunnen a must-see when visiting Switzerland, where the pristine village is popular all year and where you can enjoy an unlimited choice of gorgeous excursions and walks as well as watch the breathtaking views of snowcapped peaks.
● Appenzell
Appenzell is a town in northern Switzerland surrounded by a breathtaking scenery of undulating hills. Several summits, notably the towering Santi’s peak, are linked by trails and cableways. The car-free village entices with picturesque pathways and a plethora of tiny stores and boutiques great for shopping and browsing.
It provides everyone with time and space to unwind and revitalise. Appenzell is the political, economic, and cultural hub of Switzerland’s smallest canton, Appenzell Innerrhoden, with a population of roughly 7,000 people. The mountainous pre-Alpine terrain and the gigantic Alpstein resemble a snowy-white winter fantasy, which is why you should drop everything and go to Appenzell.
● Lausanne
Lausanne is a city on Lake Geneva in the French-speaking region of Vaud, Switzerland, and is home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters, as well as the Olympic Museum and lakeshore Olympic Park. Away from the lake, the hilly old city has mediaeval, shop-lined streets and a 12th-century Gothic cathedral with an ornate facade.
Lausanne, the second-largest city on Lake Geneva, blends a vibrant economic centre with the atmosphere of a vacation destination.
The backdrop of Lausanne is particularly scenic, with the cathedral dominating the old town and recognised as Switzerland’s most impressive piece of early Gothic architecture.
● Leukerbad
The largest spa and wellness resort in the Alps, Leukerbad, is located in the Dala Valley in canton Wallis and dates back to the 2nd century AD. The Romans were among the first to recognise the medicinal qualities of Leukerbad’s hot springs. This thermal spa resort is nestled in a Valais side valley and has quickly become a popular destination for wellness and sports fans.
Swimming in thermal baths is a delightful way to unwind 365 days a year, in spring, summer, autumn and winter.
So, experience musical highlights, adrenaline-pumping incentives, and unique moments with your loved ones in settings endowed with crystal pure mountain air, a breathtaking mountain backdrop, and all of Mother Nature’s clean natural healing qualities.
● St. Moritz
St. Moritz is a luxury alpine resort town in Switzerland’s Engadin valley with the Cresta Run, a world championship bobsled run made of natural ice, and an outdoor Olympic ice rink. Its frozen lake is home to polo, cricket, and even ice horse racing. Its surroundings are stunning, and when combined with the unique character of the town, a fantastic trip is virtually guaranteed.
St. Moritz is one of the world’s most recognised ski resorts, offering an appealing blend of nature, sport, activity, culture, and rest due to its elegance, exclusivity, innovation, and cosmopolitan atmosphere. So, while you’re in Switzerland, visit St. Moritz, one of the world’s most famous tourist resorts, Olympic host city, and UNESCO World Heritage site.
● Bellinzona
Bellinzona, the capital city of southern Switzerland’s Ticino canton, is known for its three mediaeval castles, including the hilltop Castelgrande and Sasso Corbaro, both of which have views of the city and the surrounding Alps, and Montebello, the third castle. The skyline of Ticino’s capital is marked by formidable walls, which include three of Switzerland’s best-preserved mediaeval castles, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
For those travelling from the north, the town serves as a doorway to Italy, while for those travelling from the south, it serves as a keyhole to the Alps. Its charming corners and squares, courtyards and neo-Classical, Italian-style theatre, and carefully restored old homes explain tourists the history of this culturally Lombardy town, and its lanes are magnificently painted aristocratic residences and gorgeous churches.
● Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is a crescent-shaped lake shared by France and Switzerland that is overshadowed by the Alps. It is a water body of superlatives, having the mildest climate, largest lake, and most water in Central Europe. With a northern shore surrounded in charming villages, terraced vineyards, and mediaeval castles, this lake is a year-round hub for outdoor sports.
The city of Geneva dominates the lake’s western bank, while the cities of Lausanne and Montreux are located on the northern and eastern shores, respectively. Visitors visiting Lake Geneva can take a Lake Geneva cruise, ride the GoldenPass Panoramic train into the Swiss Alps, go on a Geneva sightseeing tour, or cross the French border to discover Annecy, Chamonix, or Mont Blanc.
● Saas-Fee
Saas-Fee is a resort village in the Swiss Alps near the Italian border known for its proximity to mountains more than 4,000 metres above sea level. It serves as a gateway to more than 100 kilometres of ski and snowboard lines, as well as sledding and toboggan routes.
Saas-Fee is a marvellously beautiful place with many attractions and traditional high-quality service that is defined by 350 kilometres of themes and hiking routes as well as unique offerings for families and children. If you enjoy the mix of breathtaking alpine scenery, a comfortable village, and a variety of outdoor activities, you should surely visit Saas-Fee.
● Lugano
Lugano is a city in southern Switzerland’s Italian-speaking Ticino area, whose Swiss-Mediterranean cultural mix is strongly tied to that of northern Italy’s Lombardy region, as shown in its architecture and food. The city is encircled by mountains on the northern bank of glacial Lake Lugano. Lugano is a town filled with gardens and flowers, houses, and spiritual structures.
Lugano, with its Mediterranean flare, combines the benefits of a world-class city with the charm of a little town. Its warmth, beautiful foliage, appealing lake, and shopping draw visitors from the dreary north. If you’re in Switzerland, don’t miss out on visiting Lugano.
● Verbier
Verbier is an Alpine village in Switzerland’s Valais Canton that is the gateway to the 4 Vallees ski area. It is bordered by France to the west and Italy to the south and offers a unique panoramic view of the Mont-Blanc and the Combins massif.
With its charming chalet-style architecture, glorious mountain vistas, superb ski terrain, and raucous nightlife, Verbier has evolved into a luxury winter paradise for anyone willing to splash the dough. During the winter, Verbier provides endless enjoyment for both advanced skiers from around the world and beginners.
If you enjoy sports, Verbier is the place to be because this alpine resort boasts a plethora of activities for families, seniors, and young people alike, including paragliding, heliski, sledding, golf, museums, and local produce to taste.
● Murren
Murren is a Swiss alpine community at the foot of the Schilthorn summit, which is accessible by cable car and was featured in a James Bond film. The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant holds the Bond World 007 exhibit and provides views of Mont Blanc. With its amazing panoramic views, the mountain is now one of the top attractions in the Jungfrau region. Despite its location at the foot of the Schilthorn, Murren has managed to retain its charm. It is a wonderful village with magnificent vistas and no traffic noise.
Murren is a difficult place to find, which is why it is so beautiful. It is a great location for hikers who want to explore the natural splendour of Switzerland. So don’t miss out on the most spectacular panoramic view of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, as well as the autumn colours in the Murren-Schilthorn hiking area.
● Chur
Chur is an Alpine city in eastern Switzerland and the capital of the Graubunden canton. Winding streets in the car-free old town lead to the 13th-century, three-naved Cathedral of the Assumption, in the courtyard of the Bishop’s Palace, and The Brambruesch aerial cableway ascends to a plateau with trails, panoramic views, and winter ski slopes.
This charming alpine environment, meandering lanes, and antique buildings enchant visitors to Switzerland’s oldest city. Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city, is one of the most authentic!
The car-free alpine city in the middle of the Alps is incredibly charming, and I highly recommend a visit. This historic Old Town, which is fully car-free, is well worth a visit and provides a surprisingly diverse choice of cultural activities, shopping, cafes, restaurants, and pubs.
● Wengen
Wengen is a Swiss Alpine hamlet in the Bernese Oberland region known for its timber chalets and belle epoque hotels. It is a car-free Alpine community in the Jungfrau region surrounded by hiking paths in the summer and ski slopes in the winter, making it an ideal starting point for excursions to Jungfraujoch, Kleine Scheidegg, and Mannlichen. Wengen provides a true mountain experience with some of the best Alps views.
Wengen is one of the gorgeous places that comes to mind when you think of the Swiss Alps: no automobiles, mountains all around, green meadows and forests encircling the village, which is also a great site for hiking. So, if you’re seeking for an exquisite Swiss mountain hamlet holiday spot, don’t miss out on traffic-free Wengen with its lovely buildings and wonderful views.
● Brienz
Brienz is a village on the northeast shore of Lake Brienz in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region, located in the middle of charming mountains at the eastern end of turquoise-colored Lake Brienz, whose 18th-century wooden chalets and sculptures dotted throughout the village are testaments to a woodcarving tradition.
Brienz has been a must-see stop on every “Grand Tour of Europe” since the British first introduced tourism to Switzerland. Brunngasse, the most romantic portion of Brienz, has been named the “most beautiful street in Europe” and is well-known throughout Europe.
Brienz’s charm is enhanced by its lovely setting on its eponymous lake and a wreath of Alpine mountains as a backdrop. It is the valley terminus of the steep cogwheel railway that takes passengers to the panorama and hiking peak that marks the border of the Bern, Obwalden, and Lucerne triangles.
● Engelberg
Engelberg is a rural resort and municipality in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland, located 25 kilometres south of Lake Lucerne in a wide mountain valley at an altitude of roughly 1000 metres. It is also the largest winter and summer holiday destination in central Switzerland. Previously a secluded monastery village, this charming community now provides a wide range of holiday activities for families, newcomers, and those looking for it.
Engelberg has a network of walking routes reaching over 50 kilometres, with numerous fascinating alternatives to make your vacation an amazing mountain experience. The village of Engelberg is so fascinating due of its distinct and rustic character and wide range of activities that you will be tempted to extend your holiday to try everything Engelberg has to offer.
Travellers expect fresh wind in their hair, dazzling snow, and sunshine when they go sledding in Engelberg, so don’t forget to add it to your bucket list.
● Thun
Thun is a town in the Bernese Oberland area of Switzerland, near Lake Thun. Its 1100s turreted Thun Castle lies on a hill above the old town with a magnificent view of the Alps, and the 14th-century City Church includes an octagonal tower and a baroque hall.
It contains a defence tower that was constructed between 1180 and 1190. The tower’s halls house a historical museum with prehistoric and early history artefacts, as well as mediaeval antiques, weapons, and uniforms from the 18th and 19th centuries. The renovated Knights Hall, dating from the 12th century, is the castle’s most magnificent exhibit and should not be missed.
● Davos
Davos is a popular ski resort in the Swiss Alps, within the canton of Graubunden, with a conference centre that holds the annual World Economic Forum. Downhill and cross-country ski areas include Jakobshorn, Pischa, Rinerhorn, and Parsenn.
Davos is a location of superlatives: this international holiday destination is the largest resort in the Alps for mountain holidays, sports, and conferences. Swimming and sailing on Lake Davos, as well as hiking and mountain riding, are popular summer activities.
If you enjoy sports, Davos is a great place to visit because it is a significant winter and summer sports centre with an international flavour and a wide selection of activities.
Things to Do in Switzerland
- Explore the Swiss Alps
- Visit the Matterhorn
- Take a Swiss Train Journey
- Go Paragliding
- Visit the Jungfraujoch
- Discover the Old Towns
- Enjoy Swiss Chocolate and Cheese
- Take a Boat Ride on Swiss Lakes
- Visit Chillon Castle
- Discover Rhine Falls
- Explore the Swiss Riviera
- Attend a Music Festival
- Go Hiking
- Try Skiing and Snowboarding
- Mountain Biking
mistakes to avoid while in switzerland trip
- Not budgeting – Switzerland is not cheap.
- Not buying Swiss Pass – The Swiss Pass is your closest buddy when travelling in Switzerland.
- Using wrong transportation – The train is the quickest method to go around Switzerland.
- Buying bottled water – Switzerland has great water quality.
- Not buying insurance – In Switzerland, medical services are quite pricey.
- Not getting proper hiking gear – Please do not wear flip flops on hiking trails.
- Not checking the weather – Don’t overlook the weather in the mountains because it can change quickly.
- Too much time spent in cities – Cities of Switzerland are pure magic.
- Skipping Swiss dishes – Rosti, Raclette, or Fondue.
- Only visiting popular spots –
- Planning a trip during the peak tourist season – In Switzerland, September is a beautiful month.
How Much Does it Cost to go to Switzerland?
According to my calculations, a week in Switzerland should cost around $3,500 to $4,000 USD.
| Estimated cost | |
|---|---|
| Airfare | $700 -$800 |
| Accommodations | $1,500 -$1600 |
| Local transportation | $400 -$500 |
| Attractions | $500 -$600 |
| Food and drink | $350-$500 |
| Random spending | $200-$250 |
| Total | US $3,650 – $4,250 ( approx ) |
How many days do you need in Switzerland?
If you can spend a week or more in Switzerland, go for it. This will allow you to travel throughout the country and really get a sense of everything in this incredible place! However, if you focus on one region and stick to important landmarks, you can enjoy an excellent 3- to 4-day trip. I strongly advise you to use our week-long Switzerland itinerary to help you plan your trip and maximise your time.
What is the best month to go to Switzerland?
Winter sports enthusiasts can find the ideal conditions in Switzerland from December to February. Aim for May or September for the best prices and weather. However, Switzerland provides an incredible experience all year long! Visit between June and August for the greatest summer weather and lush sceneries. If autumn foliage makes your heart sing, the optimum time to arrange a trip is early autumn.
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