Things to do in Switzerland - 25 sights and experiences

What to see and do in Switzerland? This beautiful country offers everything from dramatic Alpine peaks and beautiful Alpine lakes to cheese and chocolate. Find all our top tips here.

What to do in Switzerland - our top tips

We have visited Switzerland several times. Once we travelled around the country in our motorhome. Other times we have visited the country on press trips. All in all, this is a fantastic country that has a lot to offer, whether you're travelling in summer or winter. Now we thought it was time to share our tips - on what to see and do in Switzerland.

1. Travelling by train through Switzerland

Switzerland offers amazing views and when combined with modern trains with lovely panoramic windows, it can be a special experience. We've travelled the Zurich-Sion and Sion-Zermatt routes, the latter of which offered something very special.

2. Take a boat ride on an idyllic lake

There are many beautiful and idyllic lakes in Switzerland, and a great way to experience them is to take a boat trip. For example, you can take boat trips on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) or Lake Brienz. Trips can range from just under an hour to long day trips, allowing you to enjoy the stunning scenery.

3. See Europe's largest waterfall the Rhine Falls

Located in northern Switzerland, the Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) are the largest in Europe. The waterfall, which is 150 metres wide and has a drop of 23 metres, is fascinating due to its large volume of water. As a tourist, you can go out by boat and experience the falls up close.

4. Mountain biking in the Alps

One thing to do in Switzerland in the summer is mountain biking in the Alps. If you want, you can take a lift up and then cycle downhill on mountain bike trails, which we did in Zermatt. An amazing experience!

5. Hiking along magical alpine trails

If you like hiking, Switzerland is the place for you. There are lots of beautiful alpine trails around the country, some of which take you high up into the mountains. Peter has hiked in Verbier, which was both challenging and stunningly beautiful.

6. Being fascinated by a glacier

Switzerland has a wide variety of glaciers to be fascinated by. While hiking in Verbier, Peter was fascinated by a glacier on the Grand Combin mountains at 4314 metres above sea level. There are also many more glaciers and different glacier experiences, for example via spectacular lifts and bridges.

7. try hang-gliding or paragliding

If you like adventure and excitement, try hang gliding or paragliding. In addition to a big dose of adrenaline, you're guaranteed beautiful views. For example, try it at beautiful Interlaken in the centre of Switzerland.

8. Discover picturesque Gruyères 

Gruyères is an incredibly picturesque little town in the western part of Switzerland, famous for the cheese called Gruyère. Here, of course, you can shop for cheese and eat cheese fondue. In addition, at the Giger Museum you can familiarise yourself with the monsters from the science fiction film Alien, created by Swiss artist H.R. Giger.

9. Tasting Swiss cheese

Switzerland is famous for all its great cheeses. Swiss hard cheeses include Emmentaler, Gruyère and Appenzeller. You will also find the processed cheese Raclette, which is usually eaten with potatoes and other side dishes.

10. Try cheese fondue and raclette

Two dishes you won't want to miss in Switzerland are cheese fondue and raclette. Cheese fondue simply consists of melted cheese and white wine in which bread or potatoes are dipped. As a side dish, you can get small pickled cucumbers and pickled onions. Raclette is instead melted raclette cheese served with similar accompaniments, usually potatoes, small pickled cucumbers and pickled onions.

11. Feasting on Swiss chocolate

Switzerland is not only known for cheese, but also for chocolate. For example, famous brands such as Toblerone, Cailler and Lindt come from Switzerland. There are also many small local producers. You can shop in large chocolate factories, small delicatessens or smaller producers.

12. Visit Swiss chocolate factories

One thing you can do in Switzerland, if you like chocolate, is to visit a chocolate factory. Several factories have great visitor centres where you can learn more about the precious product and, of course, buy chocolate. We have visited House Cailler in Broc, which was both entertaining and interesting. Another famous chocolate factory is Lindt Home of Chocolate outside Zurich.

13. Make a visit to Chaplin's World

Charlie Chaplin lived his last 25 years in Corsier-sur-Vevey, and today you will find Chaplin's World here. You can visit The Manoir, where Chaplin lived with his Oona. There is also an interactive and visually very nice and entertaining museum. Do not miss this!

14. Enjoying a spa in the Swiss Alps

If you like spas, you can enjoy them against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps. There are lots of different spas and wellness centres, which can be booked in both summer and winter.

15. Drive the famous "Grand Tour of Switzerland".

One thing you can do in Switzerland if you are travelling by car, motorhome or motorbike is to follow the "Grand Tour of Switzerland". If you follow this road around the country, you'll experience everything from soaring mountains to dramatic glaciers, as well as picturesque villages and pretty towns. Note that the road is suitable for cars or motorbikes. If you are driving a larger motorhome, you may need to take an alternative route in some places.

16. Camping in the Alps in Switzerland

Switzerland is an incredibly beautiful country for camping, whether you're travelling by motorhome, caravan or vehicle and tent. Many campsites are beautifully located by lakes or the Alps, and if you want to visit a nearby town, there is often a bus service between the campsite and the town.

17. Ski holidays in the Alps

One of the popular things to do in Switzerland in winter is of course skiing or snowboarding. There are plenty of great ski resorts such as Crans-Montana, Grindelwald, Engelberg, Jungfrau, Sankt Moritz, Zermatt and Verbier.

18. Strolling in the car-free town of Zermatt

Zermatt is a charming, car-free town in the Valais region of southern Switzerland. In winter, skiing is popular here, and in summer you can go hiking or mountain biking. Cars are completely banned, giving you a relaxed feeling of travelling back in time.

19. Swimming in the river Aare in the capital Bern

Bern is the capital of Switzerland and has a lot to offer, including around 100 fountains, the Zytglogge clock tower, Albert Einstein's house and a rose garden. For a more unusual and refreshing experience, take a swim in the River Aare. Just check with the locals beforehand so you know where you need to get out of the river.

20. Hang out in charming Appenzell

Appenzell is a charming little town in northern Switzerland, known among other things for the delicious cheese of the same name. The town is also worth visiting for its colourful and beautifully decorated houses, more delicacies and interesting history. If you come at the right time of year, you can also see a coparade, when the cows come back from summer grazing.

21. Admire the view from the Hoher Kasten.

Starting in Apenzell, you can take the opportunity to climb the Hoher Kasten mountain. There's a cable car all the way up and at the top you'll have a completely different experience. fantastic view. There is also a revolving restaurant at the top, offering views in all directions.

22. Drink wine in the Lavaux wine region

If you like wine and beautiful scenery, don't miss the Swiss wine region of Lavaux. The area is located on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), about an hour's drive from Geneva. Here you can visit vineyards, taste Swiss wines and enjoy good food.

23. Explore Geneva - City of Peace and Freedom

Geneva is sometimes called the City of Peace and Freedom. This city is the centre of several important organisations such as the UN, UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO and the Red Cross. Here you can also visit the Red Cross Museum and the Old Town.

24. Discover the beautiful city of Lucerne

Lucerne is a beautiful city in central Switzerland, right next to Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee). Surrounded by high alpine peaks, the city offers a charming environment with fine houses and historic old wooden bridges, which are very special.

25. Take the train up Mount Pilatus

The city of Lucerne serves as a starting point for visiting the high Mount Pilatus. You can take 'The Golden Tour', which starts with a boat trip to Alpnachstad and continues by train (!) to the top. On the way down you take the cable car instead. A fascinating tour!

More suggestions on what to do in Switzerland?

Do you have any other suggestions on what to see and do in Switzerland? Please leave a comment in the comments section!