Switzerland is well-known for mountain-clad Alps and amazing glaciers, valleys, lakes, and Gothic architecture. There are picture-perfect villages that appear straight from the fairy-tale with chalets lined streets. This land-locked country has beautiful natural sights that includes serene lakes, and stunning mountains. It also offers many hiking trails and ski resorts for outdoor adventure. There are lots of fun things to do here that you can enjoy. We have brought the top 15 Things to do in Switzerland for you.
1. Explore the Swiss Alps
One of the things that draw visitors to Switzerland without any doubt, is the iconic Swiss Alps. These geographical wonders provide spectacular sceneries and countless opportunities to engage in outdoor activities. The best way to enjoy the Swiss Alps is in winter when they get covered with snow and turn into a snowy paradise, making it a haven for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. In summer, you can enjoy the Alps taking trekking, mountain biking, paragliding, etc.
2. Take a Scenic Train Ride
Switzerland offers beautiful train journeys which pass through stunning natural beauty. The Glacier Express and the Bernina Express offer the most scenic train ridse in Switzerland. The Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz, offering natural spectacles by passing through the snow-capped mountains, deep gorges, and picturesque villages. The Bernina Express runs from Chur to Tirano, and travel through the stunning UNESCO sites passing through stunning alpine landscapes and over the impressive Bernina Pass.
3. Visit Lucerne
Lucerne is a beautiful city, nestled in the middle of the country where you can enjoy natural beauty and historical architectures. Discover its well-preserved, beautiful medieval old towns, walk on the world-famous timber bridge called Chapel Bridge, and pay tribute to the brave warriors, who lost their lives during the French Revolution, at the Lion Monument. Take a boat ride on the serene lake bordered by mountains or a cable car ride to the Mount Pilatus. Both these activities are essential things to do in Switzerland to admire nature.
4. Relax in Thermal Spas
Relax and soothe your body after a day of sightseeing visiting any one of the thermal spas in Switzerland. These mineral-rich thermal spas offer several medicinal benefits for the bathers. The best thing about them is their picturesque locations, which makes bathing a pleasure. Enjoy thermal bath in Leukerbad, which is the largest spa resort in the Alps and 7132 Therme, Vals that has natural mineral waters both both indoor and outdoor bathing experience.
5. Discover Interlaken
Interlaken is a picturesque resort town located between two lakes: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and serves as a pivotal point for adventure sports. Sometimes called the Swiss surfing capital, Interlaken offers paragliding, skydiving, and canyoning facilities to its visitors. For the more relaxed visitors, there are boat cruises on the lakes and train rides to the famous Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe.
6. Explore Bern
Bern is the capital of Switzerland. This picturesque city is covered by hilly landscapes, green forests, and quaint villages. The city is small and can easily be covered on foot. It features impressive fountains, cobblestone streets, charming squares, and medieval architecture. There are many sightseeing spots in the city. Visit the Zytglogge Clock Tower, which is still working since its creation in 1527. Go to the top of the Rose Garden and enjoy sweeping view of the city. Visit the Bear Park and see them roaming freely and swimming in the river Aare.
7. Experience Swiss Cuisine
Satiate your taste buds trying Swiss local specialties like fondues, raclettes, and potato rostis. Depending on the region you’re exploring, you will find French, German, and Italian influence in cuisines. The common staple food found everywhere in Switzerland are potatoes, pasta, bread, polenta, and rice. These delicious dishes can be tasted in traditional restaurants of Switzerland and local markets. Make sure to try the world-famous Swiss chocolate and cheese.
8. Visit the Matterhorn
The Matterhorn is one of the most famous peaks in the world, and an iconic landmark in Switzerland. It is in Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia. For mountaineers and hikers, it offers scenic trails, breathtaking peaks, cable car routes, and thrilling opportunities for skiing. Enjoy a scenic ride with Gornergrat Railway and enjoy a panoramic view of Gorner and the entire Swiss Alps. For a bird’s eye view of the breathtaking scenery, take the Klein Matterhorn Cable Car.
9. Try Mountain Biking
If you want to enjoy healthy activity that rewards you with breathtaking scenery, then try mountain biking. Not only it is free of cost, but also one of the best things to do in Switzerland. The best place to try mountain biking is Rothorn. The coveted bike route is one that leads to Zermatt. There are many challenging and quieter trails for all types of bikers. The trails in Rothorn Zone are accessible and enjoyable. However, it is recommended to check the routes and trail conditions beforehand.
10. Visit Zurich
Zurich is the largest city and one of the beautiful destinations in Switzerland for couples and families. Besides being a financial hub, the city features forts, castles, palaces, museums, waterparks, and churches. It also offers a vibrant nightlife for your amusement and recreation. There are many scenic spots in the city worth visiting like Lake Zurich, Uetliberg, Kunsthaus, and the Swiss National Museum. Shop and enjoy lively nightlife in Bahnhofstrasse, a main downtown street of Zurich.
11. Take a Boat Ride on Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva appearts on the list of the largest lakes in Europe and is famous for offering boat cruises and various other water activities. Taking a boat ride on the lake is the best way to take in the beauty of the surrounding mountainous areas and vineyards. Try kayaking, which is a unique experience good exercise and sightseeing. Explore the historic Chillon Castle built on a rock on the shores of Lake Geneva. The castle is so beautiful that it will ignite the writer or poet in you.
12. Hike the Aletsch Glacier
The best hiking venue in the world is the Aletsch Glacier. It features the largest glaciers in the Alps. You can explore the beauty of the glacier and superb mountain landscape. To have a spectacular hiking experience, take a guided tour. The tours are not expensive, and they are necessary for safety as well. There are many challenging, easy, and long treks to choose. Besides breathtaking view, you will also get to see the impact of climate on glaciers.
13. Explore Lausanne
Wine, nature, architectural marvels, and vibrant city life are best enjoyed in Lausanne. This city is located on Lake Geneva shores and offers several points of interest. The International Olympic Committee headquarters is based here along with the Olympic Museum and Lakeshore Olympic Park where you can learn about the history of the Olympic Games. The city also has an impressive Lausanne Cathedral proudly displaying the beauty of Gothic architecture.
14. Enjoy Rhine Falls Boating in Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen is medieval city which will transport to you back to the bygone era owing to its many Renaissance-era buildings, the Munot, an old canton fortress built in 1377, and the renowned Rhine Falls. This mean, you can enjoy history, architecture, and nature in this city. The best way to enjoy the waterfall is by taking a boat ride. The boat will take you to a viewing platform for a closer look and to the middle of the falls for an adrenaline-pumping rush.
15. Skydiving in Switzerland
When you get to enjoy spectacular views of the Swiss Alps, attractive lakes, nature, and more, it makes sense experiencing skydiving in Switzerland. You can take the skydiving tour alone or in tandem. The thrill of freefall and descending at an incredible speed while viewing stunning alpine landscapes is out of the world experience. The best place to skydive is Interlaken, Luzern, Zurich, and Winterthur.
Practical Information
Switzerland is dotted with serene lakes, charming villages, terraced vineyards, breathtaking hiking trails, and the fairy-tale castle of Chillon. To explore all the beautiful destinations in Switzerland, planning is the key. The first-most requirement to travel to this country is a tourist visa. If you’re from a Schengen Area country, you do not need a visa for short stays. In case, you’re planning for long stays, you must learn about the Switzerland Visa Requirements.
Discover the Airports in Switzerland
Before traveling, you must know about the various airports in Switzerland from where you can accees major cities and attractions. Three of the major airports of Switzerland include Geneva Airport, Zurich Airport, and Basel-Mulhouse Airport. All these airports are modern and offer convenient connectivity to access tourist destination. Zurich Airport is the best when it comes to an entry point to explore the country because of its efficiency and wide range of services.
Switzerland is a country with an immense potential to offer diverse experiences for visitors. There are endless attractions in the country that include the awe-inspiring Swiss Alps, charming old towns, vibrant cities, luxurious thermal spas, and more. Explore the numerous activities and enjoy the unparalleled beauty and culture of Switzerland with proper planning.
FAQs:
1. What natural attractions to see in Switzerland?
There are countless of natural attractions in Switzerland. See the stunning Swiss Alps, enjoy serene lakes, explore captivating valleys, and witness the attractive glaciers. Must-see attractions are the Swiss Alps, Lake Geneva, and the Aletsch Glacier where you can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.
2. What things can I enjoy on a train journey in Switzerland?
You can take the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. This Glacier Express provides captivating views of snow-capped mountains and deep gorges. The Bernina Experience runs from Chur to Tirano and passes through mountainous terrains, wonderful alpine landscapes, and UNESCO sites.
3. What cities history and culture enthusiasts can enjoy best in Switzerland?
Lucerne, Bern, and Zurich are the best cities to enjoy history and culture. Lucerne features medieval architecture and historical sites such as the Chapel Bridge. Bern, the capital, offers gothic and renaissance architecture, beautiful squares, and the Zytglogge’ Clock Tower. Zurich features forts, castles, museums, and vibrant nightlife.
4. Where can I enjoy thermal spas in Switzerland?
Switzerland has several thermal spas that contain mineral-rich waters beneficial in several health issues. Some premier thermal spas are the Leukerbad spa, which is the largest spa resort in the alps, and the 7132 Therme in Vals that offer scenic views with options to enjoy indoor and outdoor bathing experience.
5. What adventurous activities are there to do in the Interlaken?
Interlaken is best to enjoy paragliding, skydiving, and canyoning. It is also recognized as the Swiss surfing capital. For leisure, there are boat tours on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and a train ride to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe.