Welcome to the land where cows wear bells on their necks fancier than your smart watch, and where trains are so punctual that it’s freaky. Let us welcome you to Switzerland as you wander through different cities on your Europe Tour.
To help you make the most of your Europe trip, we have curated a list of best places to visit in Switzerland and the activities you can indulge in, to make it more memorable:
Zurich is the largest city in France, that is clean, sleek, and efficient but at the same time it’s artsy, and sometimes a little wild(especially during the Street, making it one of the top places to visit in Switzerland.
Places To Visit In Zurich
- Old Town: Enjoy the cobblestone streets, medieval buildings and alleys that remain hidden.
- Bahnhofstrasse: If you are on the lookout for the world’s most exclusive shopping streets, then Bahnhofstrasse is one of the best places to see in Switzerland.
- Lake Zurich: Enjoy the serene boat rides on Lake Zurich, with lakeside promenades and amazing swimming spots.
- Kunsthaus Zurich & Swiss National Museum: Dive into the depths of art and history museums.
Things To Do In Zurich
- Swim in the Lakeside Badi: Go for a quick swim at the Lakeside Badi for a rejuvenating experience.
- Wander through the old town of Lindemhof: Wander through the old town of Altstadt with it’s narrow cobbled streets.
- Hiking at Uetliberg: Get that adrenaline rushing by going on a hike to Uetliberg, while enjoying an eye-filling panoramic views.
- Paragliding in Interlaken: Experience the thrill of Paragliding in Interlaken.
Suggested Read: 7 Days Offbeat Switzerland Tour
Geneva is another beautiful place in our list of best Switzerland tourist places where the language is polite and the views are absolutely breathtaking. Welcome to Geneva, an effortlessly elegant city. Say hello to quirky museums,vibrant farmer’s markets and multicultural neighbourhoods.
Places To Visit In Geneva
- Jet d’Eau: Witness the iconic water fountain on the Lake Geneva.
- UN Headquarters: Geneva is home to UN Headquarters, so if you are interested, then you can go for guided tours which are available.
- Old Town(Vielle Ville): Explore the charming cobblestone streets of the Old Town of Geneva.
- Patek Philippe Museum: Unleash the history buff in you and visit the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, one of the historically significant Switzerland attractions.
- English Garden & Flower Clock: Dive into the depth of nature at the picturesque English Garden & Flower Clock.
Things To Do In Geneva
- Paragliding: Go paragliding from the Saleve or Vevey and soar above the Lake Geneva.
- Hot Air Balloon: How about hot air ballooning over the Alps for a serene bird’s eye view? It is perfect for early risers.
- Kayaking: Explore the calm Geneva Lake by Kayaking, paddleboarding or swimming.
- Canyoning: Get your adrenaline pumping with canyoning day trips combined with hiking, swimming, and rappelling.
- Skiing, Snowboarding & Ice Climbing: Go skiing, snowboarding and ice climbing in Geneva for the best experience.
Set on the banks of Aare River, Bern is popular for its well-preserved Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring cobblestone streets, historic towers, and an iconic Zytglogge clock tower. The city offers a perfect mix of nature, museums, stunning views of the nearby Alps along with the scenic river promenades, making it one of the best places to visit in Switzerland on honeymoon.
Places To Visit In Bern
- Zytglogge Clock Tower: The iconic Zytglogge Clock Tower is a 13th century landmark with moving figures.
- Federal Palace: Check out the Federal Palace which is the Swiss Parliament building.
- Bern Cathedral: The Bern Cathedral is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland and also the tallest cathedral in the country.
- Aare River Loop: The Aare River Loop is perfect for walks and summer swims.
Things To Do In Bern
- Visit the Bear Park: Bern is named after a Bear, and you can witness real bears in the spacious park near the Old Town.
- River Tubing: Float down the Aare River while river tubing or rafting.
- Mountain Biking: Go mountain biking around the Gurten Hill trails or Gantrisch Nature Park.
- Paragliding: Interlaken offers world class paragliding over lakes and mountains.
Surrounded by majestic mountains, like the Mount Pilatus, and Mount Rigi, Lucerne is popular for its well preserved medieval architecture and stunning alpine backdrop, making it one of the best places to see in Switzerland.
Places To Visit In Lucerne
- Chapel Bridge: The Chapel Bridge is an iconic wooden bridge with paintings that will make you want to take your camera out and take as many pictures as possible.
- Old Town: Stroll through the picturesque Old Town with colourful frescoed buildings and cozy alleys.
- Lion Monument: The Lion Monument is a carved rock tribute to the Swiss Guards.
- Mt. Pilatus or Mt. Rigi: Witness the beauty of Mt. Pilatus or Mt. Rigi, which is easily accessible by cogwheel trains or cable cars.
Suggested Read: 5 Days Switzerland Trip: Perfect Alpine Adventure
Things To Do In Lucerne
- Mount Pilatus Adventure: Ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel train and take the cable car ride up to Mount Pilatus.
- Kayaking & Standup Paddleboarding: Witness the calm and crystal clear waters by kayaking and standup paddleboarding on the lake Lucerne.
- Paragliding: Fly over the Lake Lucerne, the Reuss River, which is one of the most iconic paragliding spots in Europe.
- Skiing & Snowboarding: Go skiing and snowboarding Nearby resorts like Engelberg-Titlis, Klewenalp, and Stoos.
Welcome to the vibrant city of Lausanne, located on the shores of Lake Geneva, known for it’s hilly terrain, historic Old Town and International spirit because it is also the Olympic Capital because it houses the International Olympic Committee. It is undoubtedly one of the most
Places To Visit In Lausanne
- Olympic Museum: One of the most interesting Switzerland tourist attractions is the Olympic Museum, featuring the headquarter of International Olympics Committee.
- Lausanne Cathedral: Witness Europe’s finest gothic churches, the Lausanne Cathedral.
- Ouchy Promenade: The Ouchy Promenade is a relaxed lake side area perfect for evening strolls for couples.
Things To Do In Lausanne
- Watersports: Enjoy water sports including Kayaking, Stand-up Paddleboarding, Sailing, Wakeboarding and Waterskiing in Lausanne.
- Hiking: Pass through the charming wine villages like Epesses and Rivaz to get the adrenaline pumping.
- Rock Climbing: Natural rock climbing spots include Saint Loup and Les Pleiades for both advance and beginner levels.
- Paragliding: Take Tandem flights available from Villeneuve, Leysin, or Sonchaux for the best paragliding experience at one of the best Switzerland tourist places.
Basel is the cultural capital of Switzerland, and a vibrant city which you should not miss out on if you are into historical buildings, museums, cutting edge architecture, etc. It is also home to the Art Basel, which is the most contemporary art fairs in the world.
Places To Visit In Basel
- Art Basel Fair: You can attend the contemporary art fair, the Art Basel Fair if you are visiting in June.
- Kunstmuseum: Witness the top tier European art collection at the Kunstmuseum.
- Rhine River: Treat your eyes to the beautiful Rhine River, and take dips in the river.
- Vitra Design Museum: If you are looking for the finest pieces of architecture in Switzerland, then you can visit the Vitra Design Museum and witness the world-class design and architecture.
Things To Do In Basel
- Swimming: The best things to do in Basel is to go swimming in the Rhine River.
- Water Sports: Enjoy watersports like River Rafting, Kayaking, and paddleboarding.
- Rock Climbing: Enjoy both indoor and outdoor rock climbing activities in Basel.
Interlaken is a small resort town surrounded by picturesque and towering mountains including the famous Jungfrau and Eiger Peaks. The spot is a global hub for adventure tourism, from skydiving to canyoning to glacier hikes, Interlaken has it all.
Places To Visit In Interlaken
- Jungfrau Region: Explore the Jungfrau region that allows easy access to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, etc.
- Harder Kulm: Witness the stunning views of the Harder Kulm, a viewpoint above the town, making it one of the popular Switzerland tourist places.
- Outdoor Sports: It is a perfect place to indulge in adventure activities like paragliding, skiing, canyoning, and hiking in Switzerland.
Things To Do In Interlaken
- Paragliding: Paragliding is one of the most popular activities in Interlaken offering an iconic experience.
- Skydiving: Jump over the Alps with jaw-dropping views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks.
- Canyoning: Rappel down the waterfalls, slide through rock chutes and jump into deep pools. There are guided tours available.
- Glacier Hiking: Another one of the popular activities in Interlaken is glacier hiking or ice climbing in the Aletsch Glacier.
Zermatt is an alpine village near the Matterhorn and a renowned mountain resort in the Valais region of Southern Switzerland. The Matterhorn is one of the most photographed peaks on Earth so that’s your cue to take pictures and flex on your Insta feed.
Places To Visit In Zermatt
- Matterhorn Mountain: An iconic peak popular for watching the most beautiful sunrises in the world.
- Gornergrat Railway: This place offers the most surreal views of the surrounding mountains.
- Glacier Paradise: Zermatt is also home to the highest cable car station in Europe, which not only offers an exceptional view but also an exceptional experience.
Things To Do In Zermatt
- Skiing & Snowboarding: Indulge in winter sports like skiing and snowboarding in Zermatt at resorts that offer 365 day skiing on the glacier.
- Hiking: Go hiking and trail running offering all difficulty levels.
- Mountain biking: Get your adrenaline pumping with mountain biking activity in Zermatt.
Suggested Read: 8 Days In The Heart Of Swiss Alps
Lugano is a gateway to Swiss-Italian sunshine on the Alpine thrills which offers a lake side charm and a high energy outdoor fun.
Places To Visit In Lugano
- Lake Lugano: Lake Lugano offers boat rides, swimming, and the lakeside villages makes it one of the perfect places to visit in Lugano. Go for evening strolls with your partner.
- Parco Ciani: Parco Ciani is a gorgeous lakeside park, perfect for day picnics.
- Monte Bre & Monte San Salvatore: It is the perfect place for hiking and for witnessing great views.
Things To Do In Lugano
- Paragliding & Skydiving: Tandem flights over Lake Lugano and the peaks of Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè deliver epic panoramic thrills.
- Water Sports: Enjoy kayaking, wakeboarding, waterskiing, wind surfing in the calm crystal clear lake.
- Canyoning: Canyoning is one of the best things to do in Lugano, and there is no reason why you should miss out on it.
St. Gallen is one of the best cities to visit in Switzerland, popular for it’s stunning Abbey District, which is listed in the UNESCO Heritage site, with baroque cathedral, and plenty of outdoor adventures. This place is best for those looking for Switzerland sightseeing.
Places To Visit In St. Gallen
- Abbey Library of Saint Gall: Stunning baroque library and UNESCO site.
- Old Town: Colorful oriel windows and unique architecture
- Textile Museum: Reflects the city’s rich textile history.
Things To Do In St Gallen
- Mountain Biking: Explore the scenic trails while mountain biking across the slopes of Rhine Valley.
- Swimming: Home to three historic ponds, you can go swimming in St. Gallen. You can also go paddle boarding in Lake Constance.
- Outdoor and Indoor Climbing: Test your limits at the Gründenmoos Rope Park, set in forest canopies, offering zip-lines and trails of varying difficulty. Indoor climbing and bouldering are available round the year in the city’s climbing center.
