Top travel destinations in Switzerland: 20 places to go

TL;DR:

• Start with Zermatt, Lucerne, Bern, and the Jungfrau Region.
  
• Add Ticino’s lakes, St. Moritz, the Rhine Falls, and Lavaux vines.
  
• Use scenic trains like Glacier and Bernina for easy views.
  
• Check our best-time table and 10-day routes to plan fast.
  
• Book mountain lifts and key castles early in summer.

This is a planning list, not a ranking. Pick two hubs, then add one mountain or lake region. Trains link most sights, so you can travel light. Scenic rail lines cover key valleys and passes. Switzerland Tourism highlights many of these places as national icons like the Matterhorn, Rhine Falls, and Aletsch.

When to go

Late May to October is prime for hikes and lake days. July and August are warm and busy. December to March suits skiing and winter markets. Spring and late October bring lower prices and fewer crowds.

The 20 top travel destinations in Switzerland

1) Zermatt and the Matterhorn

A car-free village with clean air and trailheads at your door. Ride Gornergrat or head to the easy loop at Riffelsee for classic Matterhorn views. Zermatt is car-free, with private vehicles stopping at Täsch. 

2) Jungfrau Region: Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, and Grindelwald

Waterfalls pour from high cliffs, with gentle valley walks and big-view lifts. The valley has 72 waterfalls, including Staubbach and Trümmelbach. Jungfraujoch sits at 3,454 meters, the highest railway station in Europe. 

3) Aletsch Arena: Bettmeralp, Riederalp, Fiesch

See the Great Aletsch from high balconies or join a guided glacier walk. UNESCO calls it the largest and longest glacier in Europe.

4) Lucerne and Lake Lucerne

Wander the old town, then cross the Chapel Bridge. Switzerland Tourism notes it as Europe’s oldest covered wooden bridge, built in 1332. Day trips reach Mount Pilatus, Rigi, or Stanserhorn. 

5) Bern Old Town

Switzerland’s relaxed capital charms with arcades, fountains, and river swims. The old city is a UNESCO World Heritage site with 15th-century arcades and 16th-century fountains. 

6) Montreux, Vevey, and the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces

Walk lakeside promenades, tour Chillon Castle, then climb into terraced vines. UNESCO says Lavaux stretches about 30 kilometers along Lake Geneva with roots back to the 11th century. 

7) Geneva

A global city with lake cruises, museums, and easy access to Jura ridges. Use it as a soft-landing start or a final night hub.

8) Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen

Stand beside Europe’s largest waterfall and feel the spray. Switzerland Tourism and the local visitor sites describe viewpoints and boat rides to the mid-river rock. 

9) Zurich

Switzerland’s biggest city mixes art, food, and outdoor swims. Jump into the Limmat, then ride the Uetliberg for views.

10) Basel

Forty plus museums, a handsome old town, and summer swims in the Rhine. Time your visit for Fasnacht if you enjoy lively events.

11) St. Moritz and the Upper Engadin

A high valley of blue lakes, wide paths, and easy bike routes. It pairs well with the Glacier or Bernina Express for a loop.

12) Ticino: Lugano and Locarno

Palms, piazzas, and sandstone lanes bring Italian style with Swiss order. Switzerland Tourism calls Ticino the sunniest region in the country. 

13) Gornergrat Railway and Riffelsee

This ridge above Zermatt gives a broad Matterhorn profile and glacier views. Go early for a calmer light and fewer people.

14) Grindelwald First and Bachalpsee

A quick lift brings rolling paths and a lake backed by peaks. Families and first-timers love this mellow alpine day.

15) Appenzell and the Aescher cliff house

Green hills, farm tracks, and a famous cliff-side inn reached by the Ebenalp lift and a short trail. 

16) Gstaad and Saanenland

Chalet villages, gentle hikes, and the easy Glacier 3000 day trip.

17) Swiss National Park, Zernez

The country’s only national park protects strict wilderness and signed trails. The park was founded in 1914 and is the oldest in the Alps and central Europe. 

18) Appenzellerland panoramas: Hoher Kasten and Säntis

Ride cable cars for easy ridge walks and sweeping views toward Lake Constance.

19) Lausanne

A lively student city with a steep old town and Olympic Museum. It pairs well with Lavaux tastings by train or bike.

20) Sion and Valais wine villages

Sun-kissed slopes, castles, and rail links to Verbier, Crans-Montana, and the Aletsch area.

Scenic trains you should know

Switzerland’s panoramic trains turn travel days into highlights.

Tip: Book seats in advance on Glacier and Bernina, especially in July and August.

Best time by region

Sample 10-day routes

Classic peaks and lakes, 10 days

Zurich 1 night, Lucerne 2 days. GoldenPass to Interlaken 2 days. Train to Zermatt 3 days. Glacier Express to St. Moritz 1 day, stay 1 night. Fly out via Zurich. [Related: Switzerland by train, passes and seats → /guides/swiss-trains]

Cities plus vines, 10 days

Geneva 1 night, Montreux 2 days with Lavaux walks and Chillon. Train to Bern 2 days, then to Lucerne 2 days. End in Zurich 2 days with Rhine Falls day trip. [Related: Lake Geneva loop on foot and rail → /guides/lake-geneva]

Southern flair, 10 days

Zurich 1 night, St. Moritz 2 days. Bernina Express to Tirano and bus back to Lugano in 3 days. Boat to Gandria, hike olive trails. Train to Zermatt 3 days, out via Geneva. 

Practical tips

• Zermatt is car-free. Park at Täsch and continue by shuttle or taxi.
  
• The Chapel Bridge is busy from late morning. Walk it near sunrise or after dinner.
  
• At Rhine Falls, viewpoints are open year-round. Boats run seasonally and for a fee.
  
• On Jungfraujoch days, drink water, move slowly, and check lift status early.
  
• For Lavaux, ride the local train between Lausanne and Vevey, then walk signed wine paths.
  
• Ticino days are warmer. Pack light layers and sun cover.
  

Common mistakes

• Trying to see five regions in one week. Distances and lifts add time.
  
• Skipping seat reservations on Glacier or Bernina in peak months.
  
• Booking Jungfraujoch for a single fixed day. Keep a weather buffer.
  
• Treating Lavaux as a quick photo stop. Plan 2 to 4 hours for a loop.
  
• Driving into Zermatt by mistake and risking a fine.
  

Why it matters

Switzerland packs big scenery into short rides. A smart plan links cities with lakes and peaks, saves money on seats you need, and times views for the right light. Use this list to choose high-value stops and enjoy more time outside than in transit.

Sources:

• Switzerland Tourism, “Top Attractions of Switzerland,” https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/destinations/attractions/, 2025-09-12.
  
• Lonely Planet, “11 of the best places to visit in Switzerland,” https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-switzerland, 2025-01-29.
  

UNESCO World Heritage Centre, “Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces,” https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1243/, 2025-09-12.