Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Switzerland

Travelers come here for jaw-dropping scenery but are charmed by the many cultural attractions. The passion for discovery seems unstoppable, as countless other Swiss attractions offer unique experiences. Ranging from remote villages to bustling cities, from snow-covered landscapes to tropical climates.

If you’re seeking for the best tourist places in Switzerland for your Swiss trip, check out these top 10 best places to visit in Switzerland.

1 - Jungfraujoch- Top of Europe

At 3454m above sea level, Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe is one of the most famous places to visit in Switzerland and hosts over a million people annually. It offers you scintillating views of majestic snow-capped mountains, a chance to indulge in winter activities, entrance to a sparkling ice palace, among other experiences. Read all about Jungfraujoch tickets and what you can do there in this exhaustive guide to Jungfrau.

Activities at the Jungfraujoch

This is what to expect once you have reached the Jungfraujoch:

• A lift takes you 117 m further up to the Sphinx observatory. You can enjoy a 360° view here, both from the terrace and from the comfort of a building with panoramic windows.

• There is an Ice Palace with many ice sculptures to admire.

• The Alpine Sensation is a moving walkway with images, light and music, connecting the hall below the Sphinx observatory to the Ice Palace.

• There are multiple restaurants.

• You can go out in the snow and enjoy the view of the Grosser Aletsch glacier and the surrounding mountains.

• From mid-May to mid-October you can play in the snow and use the zipline in the Snow Fun Park (not included in the train ticket).

• In Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven you can learn about the history of chocolate and how it's made. Of course you can buy chocolate here as well.

• There are several exhibitions and informative multimedia shows.

• You can hike across the glacier to the Mönchsjoch hut in about an hour. Be sure to only do this in good weather and with proper hiking gear. Do not leave the marked trail.

2 - The Matterhorn most iconic pointed peak of the Alps

Matterhorn Mountain is the prominent peak in the Alps, perching on the frontier between Switzerland and Italy. The mountain is about 6 miles southwest of the village of Zermatt in Switzerland and is a preferred destination for those holidaying in the region. The word Matterhorn means ‘the peak in the meadows’ and is a distinguished section of the Swiss Alps that adds spellbinding vistas to your holidays. If you wish to explore the mountain and capture the best experiences, continue reading to know more.

If you are planning to climb the Matterhorn Mountain then make sure that you have previous alpine mountaineering experience. As per the usual route, you need to head up the Hörnli ridge, also known as the North-East ridge. The ridge can be witnessed from the Zermatt village and the incline starts from Hörnli Hut, a mountainous break at 3,260 m. The complete expedition involves 4,000 feet of climbing which takes nearly six hours in going up and five hours on return. You can also use fixed ropes over a few portions of the journey.

3 - Interlaken the Swiss central town

With sights of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, and the towering, snow-capped mountains of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau – Interlaken will completely captivate you with its everlasting beauty and outstanding alpine landscape.

Known as the adventure capital of Switzerland, Interlaken is the perfect destination for those seeking a vacation filled with adrenaline. From bungee jumping and paragliding to rafting or skiing, the list of thrilling activities is endless and will keep you entertained throughout the whole year.

Most popular among those who love outdoor activities like backpacking, paragliding, and skiing, you’re bound to have the adventure of a lifetime.

You’ll also find world-class food, day trips, and more!

4 - Bern

At the fulcrum of Swiss history, Bern has often dominated the fortunes of the country’s populated west-central heartland, or Mittelland. This arc of territory stretching from Lake Geneva to Zürich has always held Switzerland’s most fertile country, densest population and greatest wealth.

Every Swiss values his or her home canton above all the others, but the Bernese draw on a particularly deep wellspring of nationalistic pride.

They’re famous for their slow, deliberate manner, reflected in the lethargic, sing-song Bernese dialect of Swiss German that you’ll doubtless overhear.

Of all Swiss cities, Bern (Berne in French) is perhaps the most immediately charming. Crammed onto a steep-sided peninsula in a crook of the fast-flowing River Aare, its quiet, cobbled lanes are lined with sandstone arcaded buildings straddling the pavement.

5 - Geneva the Green City

Geneva is a great base from which to explore Switzerland and is one of the greenest cities in Europe with over 20 parks. You can easily reach the nearby ski slopes or simply spend time exploring the city and surrounding area. Here are our our top tips on what to do in Geneva, Switzerland.

Visit during spring or summer, and you’ll be able to make the most of the warm weather, with lazy days spent on Lake Geneva’s shores and late-night concerts in the city’s parks. Travel in winter for the chance to experience a real snow-kissed wonderland, with outdoor steam baths and chocolate-tasting tours that will warm you right up!

With such a huge choice of things to see and do, it can be tough to know where to begin. To make your vacation planning easier, we’ve created a list of the best things to do in Geneva. Add these attractions and activities to your Geneva bucket list, and you’re guaranteed to have an incredible time exploring one of Europe’s most compelling cities.

"The Swiss have perfected the negative mental attitude so that it works positively. They have the happy knack of seeing the downside of any situation." – Paul Bilton

6 - Interlaken

Witness the unparalleled scenery of the magnificent Swiss Alps and roam around the streets hand-in-hand with your sweetheart. Go on hikes and treks together amidst the natural surroundings or for a unique adventure catch one of the 45 cable cars from Interlaken to a new destination.

What not to miss in Interlaken

• Hit the gorgeous hiking trails.

• For a birds-eye view, indulge in paragliding.

• Experience the thrill of new levels while skydiving.

• Visit Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe.

• Enjoy cruising on Interlaken lakes.

• Visit the beautiful Oberhofen Castle.

• Enjoy the thrill of white water rafting on the Lütschine River.

• Click pictures for memories at Schynige Platte Alpine Garden.

7 - Montreux

Montreux is also known as the Swiss Riviera. It is a traditional, French-speaking resort town of about 25,000 people on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva. It is surrounded by the magnificent Swiss Alps and acres of vineyards. Don’t be confused by its location on Lake Geneva. Montreux is not actually in Geneva but about 100 km from Geneva. And it’s one of our favorite places in Switzerland!

Try to find accommodation that gives you easy access to the lakeside promenade. This 13 km boardwalk starts in neighboring Vevey, goes right through Montreux to the Chillon Castle, and onto the neighboring town of Villeneuve. It is a magic place to stroll at any time of the day or night. You can wander along it for as far as you wish, and then, simply hop on the bus to take you back to where you started.

8 - Grindelwald

ake an incredible journey to this mountain and witness the scenery that will leave an imprint on your mind for a lifetime. Honeymooners can spend intimate moments in the quaint city of Grindelwald and explore the clear, shimmering lakes, go on flower-clad hikes, and experience the unmatchable beauty of the city together.

Being home to Jungfraujoch peak with Ice Palace and Observatory Deck, natural lakes, and the Canyon makes Grindelwald one of the best places to visit in Switzerland in winter.

What not to miss in Grindelwald

• Go skiing at one of the many resorts in the city.

• Enjoy a gondola ride to Grindelwald First.

• Take the tri-cable Eiger Express gondola from Grindelwald to Wengen.

• Enjoy the stunning views of Lauterbrunnen Valley.

• Learn to ride Velogemel.

• Enjoy First Flyer and go down the 800-meter zip line.

• Explore the car-free village, Wengen.

• Hike to Bachalpsee to get immersed in the natural beauty.

9 - Jungfrau Region

The Jungfrau Region is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland, both in summer and winter. The Jungfrau Region consists of four picturesque towns: Grindelwald, Murren, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen, and three imposing mountains: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

One of Switzerland’s most scenic rail trip, the Jungfraubahn takes visitors from the Kleine Scheidegg mountain through the Eiger and Mönch up to the Jungfraujoch.

If you only visit one part of Switzerland, make it the Jungfrau Region. The iconic mountain landscape has world-famous Alpine peaks, thundering waterfalls, large glaciers, and vast meadows, and are plenty of unforgettable activities to enjoy in all seasons.

10 - Ticino

One of the most unique Switzerland destinations is Ticino. Located in Southern Switzerland, this is an Italian-speaking region that is totally different from the rest of the country. It’s known for its incredible architecture, palm-tree lined lakes, and delicious food.

Ticino is only about an hour away from Milan, and even closer to Lake Como. So, it’s definitely worth pairing this trip with a Northern Italy itinerary. Is this one of the best places in Switzerland? 100%!

The Alps are every bit as magnificent as elsewhere in Switzerland, but here you can admire them while sipping a full-bodied merlot at a pavement cafe, enjoying a hearty lunch at a chestnut-shaded grotto (rustic Ticino-style inn or restaurant), or floating in the mirror-like lakes of Lugano and Locarno. Ticino tempers its classic Alpine looks with Italian good living.

To the north, the stunning medieval fortress town of Bellinzona keeps watch over valleys speckled with homely hamlets and Romanesque chapels. Rearing above them are wild, forested peaks with endless hiking options past lakes and roaring mountain streams.

"Switzerland's hallucinatory landscapes demand immediate action – grab boots, leap on board, toot bike bell and let spirits rip." - Nicola Williams