Things to do on a trip to Switzerland

As an increasingly popular European country, you can’t miss out on all the things to do in Switzerland. This country located between France, Austria, Germany, Italy and Liechtenstein enjoys impressive political tranquillity, as well as an incredible cultural, historical and natural heritage.

From Zurich to Basel, Geneva to Lucerne, and Zurich to Basel, you can explore Switzerland’s beautiful cities or take a hike through some of the Alps’ greenest and most mountainous landscapes. You’ll find elegance and style in every corner of Switzerland, one of the richest and most affluent countries in the world. Come and see for yourself!

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

The best cities to visit in Switzerland

Zurich

The impressive Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. Whether it is its impressive urban spaces, the old town, the architecture or nature, Zurich has something for everyone.

First of all, we recommend visiting the incredible historic centre. You can explore the four neighbourhoods that make up the city centre, each with its own style, while visiting Zurich’s most iconic landmarks and immersing yourself in its atmosphere and people.

Next, don’t miss the magnificent Lake Zurich. It is one of the most popular places amongst travellers, as it offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding valleys and mountains. Don’t miss out!

To end the day, you can take a stroll through the Zurich Botanical Gardens. Although it’s not very central, it’s well worth the trip. You can enjoy many spaces full of flowers, plants and all kinds of trees in a completely peaceful atmosphere.

Read our post What to do in Zurich Switzerland to discover all the places and activities that await you in the city.

Basel

Basel is a beautiful city in Switzerland, located on the banks of the famous Rhine River. Just a stone’s throw from Germany and France, Basel remains a landmark for its authentic and well-preserved medieval style.

The first place to visit is the Rathaus, or town hall. This spectacular building is most striking for its red colour and gold features. It is the most noteworthy landmark in Basel, located on the Markplatz, where you can admire the building’s flawless façade. Don’t forget your camera!

Afterwards, head to the Basler Münster Cathedral, whose façade also has beautiful reddish tones. This cathedral, with two 60-metre high towers, is another of Basel’s must-see sights. You can also visit the interior.

Finally, don’t miss the famous Tinguely Fountain. This large space is a pool of water where you can admire iron statues that move with the force of the water. It was once the site of the stage of the ancient Roman theatre, so come and see it for yourself!

Lucerne

Lucerne is in the heart of the country and is considered one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Switzerland. As it is located on a lake, and a very popular activity is a water cruise, so don’t hesitate to add it on your list!

You can start your visit with the spectacular Lucerne Cathedral, which dates back to 1639. It is in a typical German Renaissance style, so the façade is a true architectural gem, enjoyed by architecture enthusiasts as well as more passive observers.

Another of Lucerne’s landmarks is its Wooden Bridge. This impressive medieval wooden bridge is also known as the Chapel Bridge. It leads you to the centre of what was once the medieval city, while inside you can admire various works of art.

Finally, we recommend the Jesuit Church, one of Lucerne’s most important religious temples. Located right on the shores of the lake and in front of the old medieval city, this church is an excellent example of baroque architecture with a touch of rococo in its interior. Not to be missed.

Geneva

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and has a special historical and cultural importance as the seat of the Palace of Nations. It is geographically the heart of the European continent, making it the centre of many humanitarian actions.

The first place to visit in Geneva is definitely the highly acclaimed Jet d’Eau. It is a jet of water that shoots out at over 200km/hour, reaching a height of 140 metres. You can see it easily from almost anywhere in the city.

Another landmark you cannot miss, mentioned above, is the Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations). It is just 20 minutes by public transport from the centre of Geneva. You will be mesmerised by the beauty of this buidling designed by Le Corbusier.

Thirdly, we recommend a stroll through the symbolic Carouge Neighbourhood, one of the most historic places in Switzerland. Located a short distance from the historic centre of Geneva, this neighbourhood offers a unique atmosphere and style under its famous street of coloured umbrellas.

If you want to discover everything you can see and enjoy in Geneva, check out our post: Things to do in Geneva.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Best villages to visit in Switzerland

Gruyères

Gruyères is a small Swiss village best known as the birthplace of the famous cheese with which it shares its name. As it sits atop a hill, this is truly one of the most charming villages in Switzerland. A medieval jewel in the middle of nature.

It is the ideal destination for a day trip, because you have enough time to visit the village’s most iconic spots. Take a walk around the famous Gruyères Castle, in the highest part of the village, as well as the Maison de Gruyères, where you can taste the flavour of the authentic cheese. And if you have time to spare, don’t hesitate to visit one of the museums. You’ll love it!

Mont Saleve viewpoint

The Mont Saleve viewpoint is one of the most iconic sights in the Swiss countryside. This stunning viewpoint is just 40 minutes from the city of Geneva, and offers one of the most breathtaking views of the valley and the city.

This viewpoint is on the border between Switzerland and France, at the top of a mountain 600 metres above sea level. To get up there, you can take the cable car or simply the bus. Once at the top, you’ll understand why it was so worthwhile – don’t forget your camera!

• How much does the cable car to the Mont Saleve viewpoint cost? A cable car ticket costs €12. During the winter, the cable car is closed due to weather conditions.

Schaffhausen

Schaffhausen is a small town just a short distance from the famous Rhine Falls, only 45 minutes away from the capital of the country. In Schaffhausen you will be immersed in an incredible medieval atmosphere.

You can walk around the old town and see all its monuments, buildings and places of great historical importance, as well as simply enjoy its narrow streets, its people and the great local and traditional restaurants where you can enjoy a good lunch or dinner. Once you’ve visited, you’ll definitely want to come back!

• How to get to Schaffhausen? The most convenient way to get to Schaffhausen is to take a train from Zurich Central Station. The journey takes about an hour, with beautiful views from the train.

Best natural sites to visit in Switzerland

Rhine Falls

The Rhine Falls is one of the first natural sites you must see if you visit Switzerland. As well as being the largest waterfall in Europe, these waterfalls are a real visual spectacle.

It is one of the most popular spots for travellers year after year, as well as one of the most appreciated by the Swiss themselves. If you want to enjoy a unique and refreshing experience, don’t hesitate to visit the Rhine Falls. Then you can visit the Laufen Castle, as it is just a short distance away. You’ll love it!

• How to get to the Rhine Falls? A convenient way to visit the Rhine Falls is to take a train from Zurich station to Schaffhausen. Once there, take bus number 1, right in front of the station. You’ll be there in 10 minutes, getting off at the Zentrum stop in Stein an Rhein.

Matterhorn

The Matterhorn is an impressive, pyramid-shaped mountain and one of the world’s greatest challenges for trained mountaineers. For more experienced mountaineers, there is the possibility of climbing the Klein-Matterhorn, located right next to it.

You can enjoy incredible routes at the foot of these two mountains, passing by the impressive Theodul glacier. As well as the spectacular scenery, you can enjoy unbeatable views of these two iconic Swiss mountains, so don’t forget to bring your camera and take some souvenirs with you!

• How to get to the Matterhorn? To get to the Matterhorn, you can leave Geneva on the A1 and continue until you see the signpost to exit on road 9 towards Turtmann. Then take exit 31 towards Gampel-Steg. The journey takes about three and a half hours.

Lake Lungern

Lake Lungern is one of Switzerland’s most visited and best-kept natural sites. This mountain lake reaches 23 degrees Celsius in summer, offering the incredible opportunity to take a dip in this dreamlike setting.

In addition to swimming, you can take part in various water activities or, if you prefer, you can use the footpaths and cycle paths that surround the lake. On one side you can find a small artificial beach with sand where you can lie down and relax. A true paradise in the middle of the mountains.

• How to get to Lake Lungern? You can reach Lake Lungern from Zurich by taking the A3W. Then take the A8 towards Brünigstrasse. Follow the signs and stay on highway 4 until you reach your destination. The journey takes about an hour and a half.

Typical dishes to eat in Switzerland

• One of the first dishes you must try on your trip to Switzerland is the famous Raclette, a dish consisting of melted cheese served with boiled potatoes, onion and gherkins, usually accompanied by mustard fruit.

• Secondly, of course, you have to try the legendary cheese fondues. They are usually served with small pieces of bread so you can dip them in the cheese – it’s amazing!

• Another dish you’ll love is Rösti, which is a very thin omelette with a potato base that is usually fried in butter. It’s a Swiss delicacy.

• The famous Älplermagronen, another potato-based dish, is a must. This time they are served au gratin with cheese, cream and onions, as well as a special touch: softened apples.

• Finally, as a dessert, you can’t leave the country without tasting the unbeatable Swiss chocolate. As the country that started poducing this product, you can find some of the most famous brands, such as Lindt.

Tips for a trip to Switzerland

• Check the weather before choosing your holiday.
• Always carry a jacket even if you are travelling in summer.
• Prepare your itinerary well before leaving your accommodation in the morning.
• To get around Switzerland, we recommend renting a car.
• Check restaurant prices before ordering to avoid surprises.
• Don’t forget to exchange money if you want to pay in cash.

How to plan what you want to see on your trip to Switzerland?

Download the Passporter app:

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
• Save your tickets and reservations.
• Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
• Find out the best travel option for each place.
• Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to Switzerland?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”

If you want to learn more about how to get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Switzerland