10 Best Places to Visit in Switzerland That You Can’t Miss

Imagine standing atop a snow-capped peak, breathing in the crisp Alpine air while gazing at a panorama of spiny mountain vistas and deep blue glacial lakes. Switzerland is a gorgeous destination, brimming with picturesque towns, world-class cuisine, and incredible natural wonders. If you’re chasing that next adrenaline fix, this is one of the best places in Europe for thrill-seeking adventures. Journey through the best places to visit in Switzerland, showcasing the top attractions that make this country a must-see destination.

Start the trip with an adrenaline-pumping alpine adventure in Interlaken or Jungfrau and end with lounging on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Bring an appetite along the way to taste the country’s legendary chocolate and cheese — Switzerland is the birthplace of some of the world’s tastiest chocolates, as well as Gruyère cheese. Whatever adventure you are looking for in Switzerland, this guide has you covered.

1. Zurich

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, meaning there’s plenty to do and see. Explore Zurich’s historical and cultural sights, like the town hall or Romanesque-style church Grossmünster. Make your way to Niederdorf and Paradeplatz for some Swiss people-watching. Window-shop along Bahnhofstrasse before making your way to the Kunsthaus Zurich museum to appreciate some incredible and historic art.

Insider Tip

For an excellent meal with wow-worthy views, book a table at Restaurant Buech. More than a century old, the restaurant sits high atop Herrliberg, a village 25 minutes from Zurich. With sweeping views of snow-capped peaks and leafy vineyards, the menu is focused on seasonal ingredients and locally produced wine. Make the experience even more dreamy with the scheduled boat that shuttles diners back and forth from Zurich to Herrliberg.

Best Time to Go

Zurich’s peak season is between June and August, which is when most tourist attractions around the city are open and nature is in full bloom.

2. Lausanne

Lausanne has been home to the International Olympic Committee for over 100 years. While the Olympic Museum is worth a visit, there is more to this city than sports. Make your way up the 300-plus steps of the wooden Sauvabelin Tower for photo ops like no other. After touring the Lausanne Cathedral, make sure to explore the La Cité neighborhood for its boutiques and cafés. If you’re out late enough, you might hear the night watchman carrying out a 600-year-old tradition.

Insider Tip

For the very best views in Lausanne, start at the 13th-century Gothic cathedral. Don’t shy away from the 153-step climb to the bell tower. The terrace here has the most impressive views over historic Cité and Lake Geneva.

Best Time to Go

Summer (June, July, and August) is the best time to visit Lausanne for its dreamy warm weather and long, sunny days.

3. Lucerne

Lucerne may be the heart of Switzerland due to its central location, but it’s also one of the most beautiful destinations in the country. Strolling around the city, you’ll walk past striking historic facades and gorgeous lake views. The 13th-century Musegg Wall protected the city from invaders for centuries. The poignant Lion Monument — the Lion of Lucerne — commemorates Swiss soldiers who fought in the French Revolution. The iconic Chapel Bridge and Water Tower are both must-see sights in the city. Take a cruise or boat tour around Lake Lucerne to see the bridges and towers from the water.

Insider Tip

Overnight guests in Lucerne’s city hotels can use the Visitor Card for the free use of buses and trains within the city’s Zone 10 network. The card also gives travelers discounts on cableways, mountain railways, museums, and excursions in the area, plus it gives access to free WiFi hotspots around the city.

Best Time to Go

Lucerne’s peak season is mid-June through mid-September, though July and August tend to be the most crowded months. Mid-March to mid-June sees far fewer tourists and ski season tends to spill over into March. Early fall is when the summer rush ends and visitors can still enjoy good weather with minimal crowds.

4. Lugano

Lugano is a small town that packs tons of beauty: a crystal clear lake on one side, mountains on the other, and stunning architecture in between. The town center doesn’t allow vehicles, so walking tours of Lugano are ideal for exploring and stopping often for pictures. There are galleries and museums galore that nicely capture the region’s cultural history. The simply named church features outstanding murals from one of da Vinci’s students. The Gandria Olive Trail footpath takes you on a gorgeous lakeside walk accented with olive groves. For pristine panoramas and another quaint village visit, take the funicular up to Monte Brè.

Insider Tip

Lake Lugano is peppered with cavernous, stony grottoes that can only be accessed by boat. A Lugano cruise and boat tour are magical ways to explore these Sicilian secrets.

Best Time to Go

Life in Lugano, like in most parts of Switzerland, is best enjoyed outside. Summertime is when Lugano comes alive with festivals like the Locarno Film Festival and the Estival Jazz Festival.

5. Basel

Whether you love the old or new, Basel will deliver. The historic town center is car-free, but you don’t have to walk if you don’t feel like it. You can take a vintage streetcar to discover the city, although you may want to take your time strolling through the Botanical Gardens. Be on the lookout for Jean Tinguely’s Carnival Fountain. The fountain moves and spouts water, made to look like the theater performers who used to stand in that same spot. There are over 40 museums in Basel, ranging from traditional art history museums, a working paper mill museum, and a medical history museum. Wander toward the Rhine for a trip back to Roman times at the Augusta Raurica. Explore a house from the Roman Empire era, then stand in the theater and imagine watching gladiators fighting for honor.

Insider Tip

Tucked away down a mysterious, serpentine alley, The Hoosesaggmuseum, or Pocket Museum, is the smallest museum in Basel. The small box museum is part of a 600-year-old house.

Best Time to Go

The best months to visit Basel are May, June, July, August, and September when it’s warmer.

6. Bern

Discover Bern’s whimsical side. Soak in the fountains, pun somewhat intended. See how many of the 100 fountains you can find. There are modern interactive fountains in front of the Parliament, and then there are 16th-century fountains that depict characters like Lady Justice and the Child Eater. Since the city’s name derives from bears, keep an eye out for bear artwork in the fountains.

Insider Tip

Visit Restaurant Rosengarten for a memorable meal with stellar sunset views. Not far from Bären Park, the restaurant has some of the most beautiful views over Bern’s old town. The menu combines traditional Swiss and international cuisine, focusing on regional and seasonal ingredients.

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Bern is between May and September when the weather is warmest and the days are sunny and long.

7. Gruyères

While you may not want to eat them both at the same time (or maybe you do), Gruyères is world-famous for its cheeses and chocolates. La Maison du Gruyere reveals how to make their savory cheese, along with samples to tempt your taste buds for more. Got more of a sweet tooth? Head over to La Maison Cailler. Here, Switzerland’s oldest chocolate factory shows that practice makes perfect after almost 200 years.

Insider Tip

Visit the medieval walls at the town’s main entrance. The small section of the wall is one of the city’s most historic sites and is free to visit and explore.

Best Time to Go

The warmer months are the best times to visit Gruyères. If you want to celebrate the town’s most famous export, gruyere cheese, then visit in May during the Annual Cheese Festival.

8. Interlaken

Visitors often use the Interlaken as a jumping-off point for nature and adventure in Switzerland. You don’t have to travel far to find breathtaking experiences between the two lakes of this region. Test how far your eyes can see from the observation deck at Harder Kulm. Explore the otherworldly ruins of Weissenau Castle along Lake Thun. Find unexpected delights shopping along Hoheweg Street as you make your way to Höhematte Park.

Insider Tip

Interlaken is one of the main adventure capitals of Switzerland. If the whole family is about chasing adventure, visit Seilpark Interlaken, a forest-based adventure park complete with wooden bridges, Tarzan swings, zip lines, and more than 90 different obstacle courses.

Best Time to Go

For adrenaline junkies, any time of year is a great time to visit Interlaken. The summer season is prime time for canyoning, paragliding, whitewater rafting, and skydiving, while the winter is ideal for snowshoeing, night sledding, skiing, and snowboarding.

9. Swiss Alps

Some say that no journey to Switzerland is complete without climbing the Swiss Alps. Ascend Mount Pilatus for sweeping scenes of Lake Lucerne and beyond. A revolving cable car up to Mount Titlis offers a never-ending feast for the eyes (or your camera). Take the Peak Walk at Glacier 3000 and walk on the world’s first suspension bridge between two mountain peaks—suspended at almost 3,000 meters above sea level. If you’re still looking for more thrilling fun, take a helicopter 4,500 meters up Eiger Mountain and skydive down.

Insider Tip

Château-d’Oex, located in the canton of Vaud, is one of the best ski destinations for both beginners and advanced skiers. Beginners can start at La Braye. The small village also offers snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hot air balloon rides.

Best Time to Go

The Swiss Alps are a skier’s paradise, so it’s no surprise that winter is the best time to visit these world-class peaks. However, the warmer months won’t disappoint travelers either, when the snow melt gives way to carpets of wildflowers and a labyrinth of hiking and biking trails.

10. Jungfrau

Jungfrau is not the highest point in Europe, but it does have the highest-altitude train station. That is still no small feat, and it’s an incredible spot to visit any time of year. Movie buffs may prefer reenacting scenes from a James Bond movie on Schilthorn. Make sure to soak in the Alpine views as you gaze out at the Aletsch Glacier.

Insider Tip

One of the most picturesque villages in the Jungfrau Region is Gimmelwald, a small town known for its flower-strewn chalets, grazing cows, and rolling green fields. It’s also the starting point for the Via Ferrata to Mürren — not for the faint of heart!

Best Time to Go

April and May are the best times to visit Jungfrau for beautiful weather that teeters between the end of ski season and the beginning of spring. This is also a shoulder season, so expect minimal crowds and stunning views of snow-capped peaks.

FAQs

How many days should I spend in Switzerland?

You should plan to spend at least a week exploring Switzerland and all that it has to offer. However, if you want to plan a short trip, you can pick a city or town to be your home base and enjoy day trips from there.

What is the best time to visit Switzerland?

The best time to visit Switzerland is between April and October. However, if you’re visiting for winter sports, December to March is best. Switzerland has four seasons, each with its own attractions and things to do.

How do I get around Switzerland?

Switzerland has impeccable infrastructure, whether it’s public transportation or roads. Nearly every corner of the country can be reached by car, bus, or train. Most Swiss residents travel by rail, which is efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly.

What language is spoken in Switzerland?

Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansch. German is the most commonly spoken language, although it’s not standard German but a dialect called Swiss German. Most people in Switzerland are also fluent in English.

Does Switzerland use the euro?

No, Switzerland does not use the euro. Switzerland’s currency is the Swiss franc (CHF).