One taste of Switzerland’s delicious chocolates and you’ll be seeking more of the country’s breathtaking scenery. Switzerland captivates visitors no matter what they are doing—climbing the hiking trails outside of Zermatt, seeing the famous Matterhorn for the first time, or watching the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains while schussing down a ski slope that starts atop the Jungfraujoch.
Two mountain ranges, the Jura in the northwest and the Alps in the south, are located in this landlocked nation in central Europe. But peaks and glaciers are just the beginning of Switzerland’s natural wonders. Aside from shimmering turquoise lakes, you’ll also come across quaint chalets, flower-filled villages that look like something straight out of a fairytale book, and verdant valleys where sheep and cows graze while wearing bells.
In addition to the breathtaking natural scenery, there are some amazing urban attractions nearby. Switzerland’s cities, each offering a unique blend of history and culture, are multilingual and sophisticated, with four official languages: French, German, Italian, and Romansch.
Speaking French Geneva has a sizable foreign population and is home to four important UN offices. The main city and financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is a German-speaking metropolis well-known for its nightlife, shopping, and museums. Bern, the country’s capital, has a beautiful riverbank location and a medieval old town with a well-known moving puppet clock tower.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, Switzerland is a four-season location with plenty to offer. World-class resorts offer snow sports in the winter, and summertime is ideal for hiking, biking, climbing, and paragliding.
It’s simple to travel around Switzerland. While driving is possible if you rent a car, we suggest making use of the wonderful train system that travels almost all around the nation. Trains are quick, usually on schedule, and let you relax while taking in the breathtaking view.
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Check out our list of the best sights to see and places to visit in Switzerland to learn more about it.
Switzerland Tourist Attractions
The Matterhorn
The moment you first lay eyes on the Matterhorn, Switzerland’s most emblematic peak, you will never forget it. Perhaps on a bright blue day, you arrive at the small village of Zermatt, at its base, and the 4,478-meter-toothed peak rises majestically before you. Or perhaps it’s pouring rain when you arrive in the car-free town and you don’t see the iconic peak until the morning when the clouds part and the rain starts to fall. Whichever direction you see this mythical mountain for the first time, it will stick in your memory for a very long time. It really is that amazing.
The Matterhorn, one of the highest Alps peaks, is located near the Italian border. Four steep faces rise to the top of its jagged peak. Ever since British climber Edward Whymper and his party achieved the mountain’s first successful summit in 1865, climbers have been captivated by it. Even yet, the adventure came to an unfortunate conclusion when four climbers perished in the descent.
Thousands of skilled climbers now visit this location every summer to attempt to reach the peak. This mountain can be reached by a number of paths; a cable car is not available for this location. The Hörnligrat, which starts in Zermatt, is the most straightforward route.
Activities at the Matterhorn
There are many other ways to explore the mountain even if you lack the necessary skills to climb the Matterhorn. Taking the Gornegrat Bahn cog railway to the top of the 1,620-meter Gornergrat mountain for breathtaking vistas of the Matterhorn is one of the must-do excursions. From Zermatt station, Europe’s highest open-air cog railway and the first completely electric train of its kind departs several times daily.
It is also certain that the journey itself will leave you stunned. It climbs 1,469 meters in 33 minutes, spans a number of spectacular bridges, passes turquoise alpine lakes, and occasionally clings to the edge of the mountain with views down into steep ravines.
Upon arriving at the summit, there’s an observation platform offering 360-degree views, including the highest peak in Switzerland and the second-largest glacier in the Alps. In the summer, keep an eye out for wild ibex close to the viewing platform.
This is also home to the Kulmhotel Gornegrat, Europe’s highest hotel. It has public stores and a restaurant in addition to housing. Summertime hiking is great, and wintertime enjoyment is had on Switzerland’s highest sledding slope.
Zermatt
Nestled at the base of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a quaint community that serves as a hiking, bicycling, and climbing haven in the summer months. It is a premier international resort and one of Switzerland’s most sought-after ski destinations.
The town is laid out around a few main streets with a surreal-looking blue river running through it. To protect the town’s tranquil atmosphere and air quality, motorized vehicles are prohibited, with the exception of official electric taxis.
Zermatt is also only accessible by Matterhorn Gotthard railway via the cities of Visp or Brig, or by helicopter, which is an expensive mode of transportation. If you arrive in the area by car, you will have to park in the town of Tasch, which is located down the valley, and then proceed by rail. Because of this, visiting Zermatt is like trekking into a secluded alpine wonderland.
Skiers can enjoy almost 300 kilometers of slopes in the winter, which are accessible via gondolas and a funicular between Rothorn and Blauherd. These slopes become hiking and mountain biking routes in the summer.
One of the most well-liked excursions is the Five Lakes Trail, which starts at the top of the Blauherd gondola and finally returns to town through a chain of five lakes, three of which, on a clear, windless day, show the Matterhorn reflected. in the water. This is also available if you wish to paraglide.
Once you’re back in town, there are a ton of stores, eateries (try the Raclette, a local specialty consisting of cheese and potatoes), and lodging options. Visit the Matterhorn Museum if history interests you; it narrates the tale of the mountain hamlet that became a popular international vacation destination. It also includes information and images from the first ascent of the Matterhorn.
Jungfraujoch: The Top of Europe
Travelers have been traveling to the Grindelwald hamlet, which resembles a fairytale, since 1912 in order to take the Top of Europe excursion (also known as Jungfraujoch). It’s the highest train station in Europe, as its name would imply.
It provides breathtaking panoramic views of the UNESCO-recognized Jungfrau area. The greatest site to glimpse the spectacular Aletsch Glacier and the 4,000-meter peaks that flank it is from the Sphinx Observatory, an astronomical observatory positioned 3,454 meters above sea level that resembles a Bond villain’s lair. As there is snow there 365 days a year, it’s also a great place to escape the summer heat of Europe.
In the past century, this well-known destination has undergone significant change, offering visitors a wide range of activities at the summit. For a closer look at the glacier and the Swiss Alps, enter the 360-degree cinematic experience room (ideal for making sure you still get a magnificent view on a misty day). You will have a greater regard for these early pioneers as you walk through a 250-meter hallway filled with antiques and exhibits on the history of the miners who built the train to Jungfraujoch. The antique mining equipment hanging on the walls adds to the experience.
Explore a gigantic snow globe that features endearing moving representations of the area, such as gondolas and yodelers.
Next, make your way through the Ice Palace. Its smooth, cold passageways are lined with ice sculptures of animals, including multiple penguins surrounding an igloo, and the entire place is covered in frozen art.
When the Eiger Express, a highly sustainable cable car, launched in late 2020, it reduced the 45-minute trip time between Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch to just 15 minutes.
The town’s network of cable cars and gondolas makes it easy to reach most trailheads, making the trails here some of the most picturesque in the world. The Grindelwald First cable car station puts you on the path to the renowned Bachalpsee lake, while the aptly called Panorama Trail winds through trails bordered by wildflowers against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.
You can alternate your hiking days with adventurous pursuits. A unique combination of a scooter and a bike that is surprisingly quick, the “trottibike” is a track you can tackle on Grindelwald First. Other attractions include a mountain cart attraction that allows you to race down twisting gravel trails and a zip line that soars at 80 km/h.
Interlaken
Located between two shimmering lakes on a narrow strip of land, Interlaken resembles a real-life postcard. For generations, travelers have flocked to this charming resort town as a base from which to explore the Bernese Oberland. Come in the spring or summer to see the breathtaking view of the snow-dusted Eiger, Jungfrau, and Mönch rising behind the town’s beautiful gardens in blossom.
Interlaken has earned the title of “Adventure Capital of Europe” thanks to its location near Lake Thun to the west and Lake Brienz to the east, as well as its towering alpine mountains and thrilling experiences for all tastes.
Would you like to go hiking? Take the Interlaken Harderbahn, a more than a century-old funicular railway, for ten minutes to reach the Harder Kulm, Interlaken’s nearest peak. The Harder Kulm Circular Path leads to panoramic views of Interlaken and is a pretty easy walk through a forest, dotted with amusing Swiss statues.
In the summer, you can take to the skies for a paragliding excursion from the slopes of the mountains, or you can put on a pair of skis and zoom down new powder in one of five Interlaken winter sports areas. It’s a great spot to go boating as well. Lakes are peaceful places to rent pedal boats, row boats, and kayaks. Consider taking up wakeboarding, windsurfing, or water skiing as a challenge.
But the best thing about Interlaken is that it’s equally a destination for adventure and a relaxed getaway. After you’ve had your fill of adrenaline, take a leisurely stroll down Interlaken’s Hauptallee, the Höheweg, or take a break in the nation’s first Japanese garden, the Garden of Friendship, for some quiet time.
Lucerne
Imagine a sun-drenched plaza with bubbling fountains, a car-free medieval old town, covered bridges, waterfront promenades, historic buildings with frescoes, and a stunning blue lake surrounded by mountains. Understandably, Lucerne (Luzern in German) is a popular tourist destination.
This traditional Swiss town, well-known for its music performances, draws world-class soloists, conductors, and orchestras to its annual International Music Festival. One of the best concert venues in the world is located within the Culture and Convention Center.
Constructed in the fourteenth century, the Chapel Bridge is among the most well-known sights in the city. The iconic Lion Monument, a moving sculpture of a dying lion that commemorates the valiant deaths of Swiss Guards during the attack on the Tuileries during the French Revolution, is located in a small park. The Swiss Transport Museum, which features extensive exhibits on all modes of transportation, including airplane and space travel, railroad locomotives, and a planetarium, will appeal to history aficionados.
Take the funicular to the Dietschiberg on the northern edge of Lake Lucerne for stunning views of the Alps and the lake; take the cableway to Mt. Pilatus for breathtaking vistas; or visit the Rigi, a well-known vantage point.
Lake Geneva
The largest Alpine lake in Europe, Lake Geneva, borders Switzerland and France and lapping at the coasts of several of Switzerland’s most visited cities. At the point where the Rhône empties into Lake Geneva, the city of Geneva (also known as Genève in French and Genf in German) is nestled amid picturesque snow-capped peaks.
The European headquarters of the United Nations, this French-speaking “capital of peace” emanates a pleasant fusion of Swiss organization and French joie de vivre. Lakeside promenades, parks, and gardens encircle the lake, and strolling through the old town’s ancient buildings is a delightful experience. A well-known feature near Lake Geneva is the Jet d’Eau fountain, which shoots water 150 meters into the air. The Grand Théâtre, which presents performers from throughout the world, and the Opera House are two examples of cultural attractions.
Located on the lake and around 62 kilometers away from Geneva, Lausanne offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and the lake, as well as the distant Alps. Wander around the charming boutiques and cafés of the historic old town, as well as the magnificent Gothic cathedral. The renowned Montreux Jazz Festival takes place in June and July in Montreux, which is located on Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps.
Chateau de Chillon, Montreux
For generations, poets and painters have drawn inspiration from the Chateau de Chillon, or Chillon Castle, located close to Montreux on the banks of Lake Geneva. Renowned authors who have written about this architectural gem include Lord Byron, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and Victor Hugo.
Situated around three courtyards, the complex comprises approximately twenty-five buildings that were formerly the bastion of the Counts and Dukes of Savoy in the 12th century. The Great Halls, which offer breathtaking views of Lake Geneva, the Gothic subterranean chambers, the Chapel, which features paintings from the 14th century, and the Camera Domini, the Duke of Savoy’s bedroom with medieval murals, are among the highlights.
St. Moritz
The city of firsts is St. Moritz. Here, in December 1878, the first electric light in history was turned on. It held the first-ever golf tournament in the Alps in 1889, and it started running one of the first ski lifts in Switzerland in 1935. Furthermore, the town holds the distinction of being the origin of Alpine winter tourism, when in 1864 a hotelier persuaded summer visitors from Britain to spend the winter here. Later, in 1928 and 1948, it hosted the Winter Olympics twice.
Situated in a valley encircled by the Alps in southeast Switzerland’s Upper Engadin region, this opulent ski resort is a favorite among celebrities and billionaires worldwide. Some of the toughest terrain in Switzerland may be found on its 350 kilometers of ski and snowboard runs.
There are many different types of winter sports, including tobogganing, skating, bobsledding, skiing, and snowboarding. Here is the renowned Cresta Run, a 1.2-kilometer natural ice run for toboggans that is among the oldest on Earth. In addition, there are 150 kilometers of cross-country and strolling winter walking paths, as well as a snowboard amusement park.
Rock climbers, bikers, hikers, and horseback riders are drawn to St. Moritz in the summer. There are four golf courses with breathtaking vistas of the mountains if that’s your game. The year-round natural mineral hot springs here are also rich in iron. They were found approximately three millennia ago.
In addition to the breathtaking alpine landscape, St. Moritz is a crossroads of cultures. In addition to the several languages spoken by the numerous wealthy foreign guests and expats, the neighboring areas are home to speakers of Romansch, German, Italian, French, and English.
The town is split in two: St. Moritz Dorf is located on a sunny terrace with a view of the St. Moritz Lake. The second portion of town, on the valley bottom beside the lake, is called St. Moritz Bad and is a health resort with less expensive lodging.
Bern
Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is a beautiful old world city situated on a peninsula of the River Aare. Its medieval old town is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tallest cathedral in Switzerland, with its tower offering panoramic views, 16th-century fountains, the medieval clock tower at Zytglogge featuring puppets in motion, and six kilometers of shopping arcades—known to the locals as “Lauben”—can all be explored by Strolling along the cobblestone streets. Gorgeous views of the historic town center can be seen from the Rose Garden (Rosengarten).
Excellent museums are among the many tourist attractions in Bern that are just waiting to be explored. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the outstanding galleries, which include the Bern Museum of Art (Kunstmuseum) and the Zentrum Paul Klee, which has the largest collection of works by this well-known artist worldwide.
Take in the views of the beautiful parliament building (Bundeshaus) designed in the Renaissance style from the Bundesplatz, where the markets are held. A trip to Bear Park will also be enjoyable for families.
Lake Lugano and Ticino
Nestled in Ticino, Switzerland’s only official Italian-speaking canton, Lake Lugano offers a tantalizing taste of the Mediterranean right on the Swiss-Italian border. The moderate environment in this place supports the growth of citrus, figs, palms, and pomegranates, even as snow-capped peaks beckon in the distance.
The architecture, piazzas, and love of good food in the cities surrounding Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore to the west are distinctly Italian, a feeling that transcends the Italian boundaries to the south, east, and west.
Renting a boat or taking a tour of the lake on one of the white steamers are two ways that visitors can get around. Monte San Salvatore provides one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, lake, and snow-capped summits.
Popular summer resort, Lugano is the largest and most important town in Ticino and a financial center. Swiss lakeside living takes on a subtropical touch with sunny days, blooming gardens, and palm-studded estates at sun-drenched Locarno on Lake Maggiore, northwest of Lugano. Three stunning castles in the canton capital of Bellinzona are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Rhine Falls
The largest falls in Europe, the Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) at Schaffhausen, span 150 meters. When the mountain snow melts and the falls swell in volume to flow over a 21-meter-high ledge of Jurassic limestone, June and July are the greatest times to come.
Both the viewing platforms on each side of the river and boat cruises up the Rhine offer fantastic views of the falls.
Swiss National Park
The earliest Alpine reserve was established in 1914 and is located in the Engadine Valley’s Swiss National Park. Situated near the Italian border, the park spans over 170 square kilometers and has limestone crags, fast-moving rivers, and hollows filled with flowers. The views from the cross-country ski routes are breathtaking, and the sight is particularly spectacular in the winter when a layer of snow covers the forested mountains.
The extensive network of trails allows nature enthusiasts to explore the area; nevertheless, it is prohibited to deviate from these paths in order to protect the natural ecosystems. The park is home to about 5,000 different species of wildlife, including fox, marmots, red deer, chamois, ibex, and more than 100 different kinds of birds.
The Albula/Bernina Railway Line
The Albula/Bernina line on the Rheatian Railways is one of the few railway lines in the world to have been listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It is a magnificent ride that should not be missed. The 122-kilometer route winds across nearly 200 bridges, the Graubünden mountains, numerous tunnels, and viaducts as it passes through the Albula and Bernina regions.
When you take this train, you may enjoy panoramic seats with views of pristine alpine scenery, such as the Piz Bernina, which is the highest mountain in the Eastern Alps at just over 4,000 meters. The vistas are equally breathtaking in the summer and winter, and the train runs all year round.
Oberhofen Castle
One of Switzerland’s most spectacular castles from the 13th century, this one is directly on the shores of Lake Thun and is encircled by a 2.5-hectare park. Oberhofen Castle is a fascinating blend of several styles, with structures in the Bernese Baroque style, facades in the Romantic style, and exotic new spaces (such a smoking room and library) inspired by Prussian architecture. This is the result of the castle changing ownership numerous times throughout the years.
In addition, the castle has a living museum that depicts the lives and times of the feudal communities that resided there from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century, as well as the surrounding area.
Gruyères
Even if you’ve never heard of this little medieval town, you’ve undoubtedly heard of the hard yellow cheese that gave it its notoriety. That’s one of the town’s biggest draws these days. In addition to tasting regional dishes and waving to the cows who live in the nearby verdant hills, visitors can take a tour of a cheese factory. If cheese isn’t enough, the town is also home to the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory.
The town of Gruyères, which has a population of about 2,000 permanent residents despite its small size of 28.4 square kilometers, more than makes up for it with activities. These include the Saint-Germain Castle, which is home to a museum showcasing the work of Swiss surrealist painter and sculptor H. R. Giger, and the 13th-century Castle of Gruyères with its two small arts and regional museums. Also worth seeing is the Tibet Museum, which is located in the town’s historic church.
Gruyères is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, such as the Gorges de la Jogne, a hiker’s favorite, and the neighboring Mont Moléson, which is home to ski and snowshoe routes in the winter and is a popular climbing destination in the hot months.
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17 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Switzerland | PlanetWare
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