10 tips for an unforgettable trip to Switzerland

10 tips for an unforgettable trip to Switzerland

When it comes to natural beauty, few places can rival Switzerland. From its stunning Alpine scenery to its pristine lakes and picturesque villages, it is a country that simply takes your breath away. No wonder is such a popular tourist destination.

But with so much to see and do, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to make the most of your trip to Switzerland. Whether you’re looking to explore the country’s stunning landscapes or sample its delicious food and wine, we’ve got you covered. So read on and start planning your Swiss adventure today!

1. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites

These include the Old City of Bern, the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bergün area, and the Lavaux vineyards.

2. Go hiking or skiing in the Swiss Alps (do not miss the Matterhorn)

Take advantage of the great outdoors and go hiking or skiing in the Swiss Alps. This mountain range stretches for over 1,000 kilometers and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. There are a number of ways to explore the Alps, including hiking, climbing, skiing, and snowboarding. . There are great apps to guide you and show you all the hiking paths, like Switzerland Mobility. If you’re looking for a winter adventure, then Switzerland is the perfect place to go skiing or snowboarding. The country has a number of world-class ski resorts, such as Zermatt, St. Moritz, and Davos.

3. Sample the delicious Swiss food and wine

Let us take a break here and check a list of foods you have to try while in Switzerland

• Fondue – A dish of melted cheese and wine, often served with bread or vegetables
• Rösti – A dish of fried potatoes, typically served with eggs, bacon and cheese
• Zurich Geschnetzeltes – A Zurich specialty dish of veal in a cream sauce
• Ticino Capuns – A dish from the Swiss canton of Ticino, made with spinach, rice and meat
• Luzerner Chügelipastete – A type of meat pie from the city of Lucerne
• Geneva Ragout – A stew made with beef, vegetables and red wine
• Berner Platzerli – A type of Swiss sausage, typically served with sauerkraut
• Zuger Kirschtorte – A cherry cake from the city of Zug
• Basler Läckerli – A type of gingerbread from the city of Basel

4. Take a scenic train ride through the Swiss countryside

The picturesque lakes and villages dotting the landscape make Switzerland a great place for vacation. The country’s extensive rail network offers a number of different routes that wind through the mountains and past picturesque lakes and villages. One of the most popular trains is the Glacier Express, which runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz.

5. Explore a Swiss Town or Village and Visit a Swiss castle or fortress

One of the best things about Switzerland is its small towns and villages. Many of these town are located in the Alps and offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Some of the most popular Swiss towns and villages to visit include Interlaken, Grindelwald, Zermatt, and Lucerne.  As for castles, there are many many fairytale castles like Chillon Castle, Lenzberg Caste or Vufflens Castle.

6. Shop for Swiss chocolates and watches

Switzerland it is already widely renowned for its creamy irresistible chocolate and its stylish, perfect crafted watches. Some famous chocolate brands originated here and sweeten the world for decades. As per watches, you will find some craftmanship and fashion as well as history. The first watchmaking guild was established in Geneva more than 400 years ago. Watches have changed a lot in all this time so you can find some great insight in the history of this piece of jewelery.

7. Take a cable car ride to the top of a Swiss mountain

There are plenty of places where you could take a cable car ride, but the one at Matterhorn glacier is definitely not to be missed. It is an unbelievably spectacular journey to Europe’s highest cable station at 3821m. This way you do not miss the Matterhorn mountain. Its peak was used on the Toblerone chocolate bars since 1960.

8. Relax in a Swiss spa town

You can find plenty of spas and resorts all across Switzerland. Known for their mineral, healing waters, they are a great place to relax after a day of visiting or skiing. You can chose from the oldest one in Baden or the biggest one in Leukerbad, and everything in between.

9. Attend a Swiss festival

With seasonal festivals happening almost year round, it is difficult not to coincide with some great cultural celebration. In January, artists from all over the world gather near Interlaken to sculpt and amaze with displays of frozen statues up to 3 meters high. In summer, sweet jazz, blues and pop sounds are echoing on the eastern shore of Geneva Lake in the  famous Jazz Festival in Montreux. International renowned artists perform where Ella Fitzgerald or Nina Simone once sang. If Jazz is not your cup of tea, then a huge festival that combines opera, concerts, dance, theater and art is offering you plenty variety in the heart of Zurich every summer.If food and wine lure you more, than consider Fete de Vignerons in Vevey. It hosts activities and traditions dating back to 18^th century and will give you a chance to explore the UNESCO protected Lavaux Vineyard terraces.

8. Go sledding or tubing in the Swiss Alps

And not only during cold weather. If you visit in summer, you still have the opportunity to go to a fun tubing experience all the way up to almost 4000m high. While most people are posting pictures from the beach, surprise everyone with some cool shots from playing in the snow. Air filled round tubes are usually provided.

9. Visit a Swiss Lake

Switzerland is home to a number of beautiful lakes, such as Lake Geneva, Lake Zurich, and Lake Lucerne. These lakes offer a great way to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery. Many of the lakes are also located near towns and villages, so you can easily combine a visit to the lake with some sightseeing.

10. Visit the capital, Bern

Although Switzerland is a peculiar country with 4 official languages and immense cultural diversity throughout the country, it has a city that is known as federal city and the capital: Bern. It holds this title since 1848 and the central Building of the Federal Palace (built shortly after) is a main sight for tourists. The whole city was recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural World Heritage site so wander free on its streets and enjoy the history. By doing so, you might also pass Albert Einsteins’ house, in Kramgasse 49.

Now that you know some of the best things to do in Switzerland, it’s time to start planning your trip! With its stunning scenery, rich culture, and wide range of activities, Switzerland is a great destination for any type of traveler. It has plenty to offer so make sure you come for a longer stay. For a trip of 30 days of longer, consider booking a serviced apartment instead of a hotel room, as it is much more convenient and comfortable. You can find plenty fully furnished apartments throughout the country. VISIONAPARTMENTS offers great stays in almost all main cities like Zurich, Zug, Basel, Vevey, Geneva, Lausanne.

Whether you’re visiting for a few days or a longer vacation, by following these tips you’ll be sure to have a memorable trip to Switzerland.