Holiday in style at the best places to visit in Switzerland. Ideal for families, couples, and groups of friends, Switzerland caters to all. Read on to check out our recommended places to visit whilst you’re on holiday.
Best places to visit in Switzerland: Lake Geneva region
An iconic area of Switzerland, the Lake Geneva region offers everything from a bustling city to serene nature. Explore the surrounding hills, head to the lake, or chill out and watch the world go by.
Geneva
The country’s most metropolitan city, Geneva, is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland. The heart of congress, culture, and history, there is plenty to enjoy in this city. See the Horloge Fleuri, the large flower clock symbolising the Geneva watch industry, in the Jardin Anglais. With a vast selection of attractions, including theatres, opera houses, museums, and restaurants, you’ll be able to pack your itinerary with fun-filled activities.
Lake Geneva
The serene setting of Lake Geneva offers a range of activities for people of all ages. Take a scenic boat tour across the lake to enjoy jaw-dropping views, or head to Riviera Beach, where you can enjoy swimming in the pristine waters. Alternatively, get your heart pumping with various activities like hiking, biking, zip-lining, and laser tag.
Best places to visit in Switzerland: Zurich region
One of the top destinations for leisure, Zurich offers the lot. In this northern region of Switzerland, you’ll find hills, lakes and woods surrounding the many picturesque villages.
Zurich
One of the best places to visit in Switzerland is Zurich, the country’s biggest city. It can keep you occupied for days on end with its opera, musicals, museums and galleries. If you need some retail therapy, you’ve come to the right place, too: Bahnhofstrasse and Limmatquai offer a high-end shopping experience. A great time to visit is during the first weekend of July for Zurich Festival when the city turns into a giant festival ground alive with music and street food.
Lake Zurich
One of the largest lakes in the country, Lake Zurich is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Switzerland. Whether you want to spend your day enjoying a boat ride, fishing or swimming or take one of the amazing hiking routes around the lake, you will love the stunning vistas. An excellent option for a day out is a trip to Ufenau Island, where you can visit a vineyard and a chapel and grab a bite in a restaurant.
Best places to visit in Switzerland: Bern region
Another beautiful area of Switzerland, the Bern region boasts delightful Swiss countryside and is home to the capital city. Once you’ve discovered this wonderful region, you’ll find it hard to leave.
Bern
Starting with the capital city, Bern is, without doubt, one of the best places to visit in Switzerland. Located on the peninsula of the River Aare, the city oozes medieval charm. Boasting a UNESCO World Heritage site in its Old Town, you’ll enjoy the city’s cobbled streets and stunning cathedral during a day of exploring. Make sure you don’t miss the medieval clock tower of Zytglogge, which offers panoramic views of the city and beyond.
Gurten
Located about a 16-minute drive south of Bern is Gurten, a mountain peak just over 850 metres high. This mountain oasis offers excellent activities all year round. To get to the top, you can either walk, cycle or take the Gurtenbahn, and you’ll be rewarded with green meadows in the summer or a snow-capped mountain in the winter. If you’re with kids, there is a free toboggan run, which is 500 metres long and suitable for all ages.
Best places to visit in Switzerland: Graubunden
With its alpine valleys and rivers, this region of Switzerland offers beauty in abundance. A perfect location to visit in summer or winter, you’ll love this part of the country.
Visit Graubunden in the summer
One of the best places to visit in Switzerland during the summer is Graubunden. With its blue lakes and skies the perfect centrepiece to green valleys and forests, it’s the ideal place for peace and tranquillity. A fantastic day out for all the family is taking the Rhaetian Railway through the mountains and enjoying the unbeatable views, or going out on a hike and a picnic in one of the vast green spaces.
Visit Graubunden in the winter
In winter, Graubunden becomes a skier’s paradise, with various slopes for all levels and ages to enjoy. If you want to take a trip to remember, you can opt for a hot-air balloon ride across the white mountains. For an even bigger adrenaline hit, go down the St. Moritz bobsled run with a professional; it will definitely leave your heart in your mouth. Chur is a great place to learn about the country’s rich heritage; it’s the oldest town in Switzerland and a fantastic family-orientated destination.
Best places to visit in Switzerland: Valais
A unique part of Switzerland, Valais offers a diverse landscape encompassing mountains, vineyards and rivers. From skiing to historic towns, this region has it all.
Zermatt
Zermatt is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland if you want to check out the highest skiing areas in the Alps. An ideal place for thrill seekers, you can partake in winter sports and even learn to mountaineer at the climbing centre. With the instantly recognisable triangular shape of the Matterhorn in the background, this is a picture-perfect place to spend your holidays. A great tip for this destination is to take the Gornergrat cog train, which climbs from Zermatt to an outstanding viewpoint providing unobstructed views of the Matterhorn.
Sion
One of the best places to visit in Switzerland that is oozing with culture is the medieval city of Sion. For nature, head to Lac du Mont d’Orge, a small lake abundant with wildlife and ideal for hiking. The 12th-century Sion Cathedral, built in a Gothic style and offering sublime stained-glass windows, is a great place to take your family. Finish off your trip to Sion at the 13th-century Tourbillon Castle, which is set on a foothill surrounded by woodland and overlooks the city.
Best places to visit in Switzerland: Lake Lucerne region
If you want the ultimate escape on your holiday, head to the Lake Lucerne region. Its serene location will allow you to recharge your batteries.
Lucerne Old Town
Take your time to explore the historic centre of this famous region, located on the banks of the Reuss. With tall painted houses and cobblestoned streets, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. Begin your tour of the Old Town at Weinmarkt, a plaza surrounded by medieval guildhalls, then continue to the Italian Renaissance town hall, the Rathaus Stadt Luzern, an early 17th-century architectural feat.
Lake Lucerne
If you want to take your foot off the gas even more, head over to Lake Lucerne, where you’ll be able to relax and take the perfect picture. With its turquoise waters surrounded by mountains, the lake offers a lovely day out. Lucerne is located in the northwest corner of the lake, and a great way to explore further is with one of the paddle steamers; they run tourist trips on a daily basis. Alternatively, absorb the activity of the lake by finding a restaurant on the shore and indulging in fondue and raclette, two of the country’s cheese-based speciality dishes.
Best places to visit in Switzerland: Ticino
Introducing a sprinkle of Italian flair to the country, Ticino is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland. With palm trees, pristine beaches and quaint towns, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re in Italy.
Lake Lugano
A glacial lake located on the border of Switzerland and Italy, Lake Lugano is an unmissable place to visit. It doesn’t really matter which part of the lake you decide to visit, as you’ll be spoiled with spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains from every angle. A boat ride is a fantastic way to enjoy the region’s diversity, with the grand mansions of Morcote and the fishing village of Gandria just two of the highlights. Alternatively, head to one of the many parks, such as Parco Scherrer in Morcote, where you can go for a walk and enjoy exceptional scenery around every corner.
Locarno
An Italian-speaking resort in southern Ticino, you’ll be able to enjoy a sunny climate all year round. The town was built in the 12th century, and you can still visit the old town’s Castello Visconteo, housing the Museo Civico, where you can admire a range of Roman artefacts. For art enthusiasts, look no further than the 15th-century Santuario della Madonna del Sasso, a pilgrimage site loaded with art. If you want to relax after all that sightseeing, head to Parco Giochi al Burbaglio and have a picnic looking out onto Lake Maggiore.
Best places to visit in Switzerland: Basel region
A cultural capital, a historical hotspot, and the perfect place for some leisure: Basel has it covered. Come and enjoy a wealth of experiences at one of the best places to visit in Switzerland.
Basel Old Town
Take in the timeless beauty of Basel’s Old Town, with history and heritage around every corner. A great way to explore is on foot, and a range of walking tours take in the mesmerising museums and sublime squares. The tours are free, well signposted, and they all start and finish at Marktplatz on Freie Strasse. Whether you want to see iconic buildings such as Basel Minster or take in a popular museum like the Natural History Museum of Basel, there’s something here for all ages.
Laguna Badeland
If you’re travelling with young children, a great place to visit near Basel is Laguna Badeland. Around a 13-minute drive from the city centre, this water park boasts a range of pools and slides for your kids (and you) to enjoy. With indoor and outdoor pools to choose from, it’s the perfect getaway any time of the year. Laguna Badeland also has saunas and a well-being centre, so why not treat yourself to some much-deserved rest and relaxation.
Best places to visit in Switzerland: Fribourg region
A region that boasts a cold mountain summit in the south and a mild Mediterranean climate in the north, the Fribourg region gives you the best of both worlds. Whether you want to relax by the lake or head to the mountains, the choice is yours.
Fribourg
A cultural treasure trove that dates back to the middle ages, this city has become famous for its medieval architecture and gastronomy. Begin your sightseeing trip at St-Nicolas Cathedral, which was built in the 13th century and boasts a famous bell tower and stained glass windows. Then take in the Museum of Art and History with its range of local artefacts and artworks from the Middle Ages. Finish off your trip at one of the many highly rated restaurants in the city centre.
Charmey
Take to your bike or have a hike at the resort of Charmey. With plenty of routes suitable for children and adults alike, it’s the perfect family getaway. In the summer, you can enjoy a lush green valley while breathing in the pristine air, and during the winter, you can dust off your skis and take on one of the 30 slopes on offer.
Best places to visit in Switzerland: Jura and Three-Lakes
Famous for its varied landscape, this is a region you won’t want to miss. From nature to history to architecture, this area will enchant you from the moment you arrive.
Neuchatel mountains
A green paradise in the warmer months and a winter wonderland when the temperature drops, the Neuchatel mountains are a must-see. Abundant with fir trees, lakes and large fields, it’s a mesmerising place to visit. Whilst you’re there, check out the UNESCO town of La Chaux-de-Fonds and its remarkable heritage. Winter offers an excellent opportunity for sports, be it skiing or snowboarding, in resorts like Les Bugnenets Savagnieres.
Jura
The Canton of Jura is delightful to visit with its gentle rivers, impressive gorges and rolling hills. Take in the nature reserve of Clos du Doubs, where you’ll be able to observe a variety of wildlife. The Jurassic Jardin Botanique hosts many different plant species to marvel at and should also be high on your itinerary before you finish off at the Chapelle du Vorbourg in its tranquil setting.
