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The largest waterfall in Europe by volume, near Schaffhausen, with viewing platforms and boat trips that get close to the spray.
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Home › Destinations › Western Europe › Switzerland
Western Europe
Things to do in Switzerland
Alpine lakes, cable cars, and a rail system built to show off the scenery.
Explore Switzerland on the map →Budget$$$
Best for7-10 days
CapitalBern
VisaVisa-free 90 days (Schengen) for US/UK/EU
CurrencySwiss franc (CHF)
LanguagesGerman, French, Italian, Romansh
InternetExcellent
Typical lodging$90–$240/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/F plug)
Time zoneUTC+1
Emergency number112
Dialing code+41
★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Photography★★★★★ Luxury
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Tap water is safe to drink. 5–10% is customary, often rounded to the nearest note.
Switzerland isn't in the EU but sits inside the Schengen area, and its rail network is often called the best in the world: trains, boats and cable cars are timed to connect within minutes of each other, even in remote valleys. Four national languages (German, French, Italian, Romansh) shift by region, sometimes within the same canton.
When to go
WinterDecember–February
Peak ski season in resorts like Zermatt, Verbier and St. Moritz, with Christmas markets in the lowland cities.
SpringMarch–May
Snow retreats from lower trails, waterfalls run high on snowmelt, and crowds and prices are both lower than summer.
SummerJune–August
The classic hiking season with full alpine trail access, also the busiest and most expensive months in the mountain resorts.
AutumnSeptember–November
Clear air, larch trees turning gold, and noticeably thinner crowds, often rated the best all-round hiking window.
20 things to do
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Wildlife & nature
2Walk to a waterfall in the Bernese Oberland
Trümmelbach Falls run inside the mountain itself, glacial meltwater from the Eiger and Jungfrau carved a series of underground chutes now open to walk through.
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Culture & history
1Visit CERN near Geneva
The world's largest particle physics laboratory offers free public tours and exhibits explaining the Large Hadron Collider in accessible terms.
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Food & markets
3Walk the vineyard terraces of Lavaux
A UNESCO World Heritage stretch of steep vineyards above Lake Geneva, walkable on marked paths between small wine villages.
Eat fondue in a mountain hut
Melted cheese, bread and a glass of Fendant is the classic alpine meal: best eaten after a day on the trails, not before.
Visit a chocolate or cheese workshop
Gruyères pairs its namesake cheese dairy with a chocolate factory nearby, both open for tours and tastings in the same afternoon.
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Adventure & outdoors
8Ride the Glacier Express
An eight-hour panoramic train between Zermatt and St. Moritz crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels through the heart of the Alps.
Hike beneath the Matterhorn
Zermatt's car-free village sits directly under one of the most recognisable peaks on earth, with trail networks for every fitness level radiating out from town.
Take the cog railway up the Jungfraujoch
Europe's highest railway station, over 3,400 metres up, with an ice palace carved into the glacier and views across the Aletsch, the Alps' longest glacier.
Ski or snowboard in Verbier or St. Moritz
Two of the Alps' most storied resorts, with terrain ranging from groomed pistes to genuine off-piste and heli-skiing.
Paraglide over the Lauterbrunnen valley
A valley of 72 waterfalls dropping from sheer cliffs, seen from above on a tandem paraglide launched from Mürren or Wengen.
Ride a cable car to the Schilthorn
A revolving restaurant at the summit and a 360-degree view across the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, reached without any hiking required.
Hike the Five Lakes Trail near Zermatt
A route linking five small alpine lakes, several of which reflect the Matterhorn on a still day, one of the most photographed hikes in the country.
Ride the Bernina Express
A UNESCO-listed rail route crossing from Switzerland into Italy over the Bernina Pass, including an open-air panoramic carriage in summer.
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Coast & water
1Cruise Lake Geneva
Belle Époque paddle steamers connect lakeside towns like Montreux and Lausanne, backed by vineyard terraces climbing straight from the shore.
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Cities & design
3Explore Lucerne's old town
A medieval covered wooden bridge, a lakefront promenade and a well-preserved old town make Lucerne one of the most photogenic stops on any itinerary.
Spend a day in Zurich
Switzerland's largest city mixes old-town cobblestones with a genuinely good contemporary art and design scene, plus swimming spots right in the lake.
Explore Bern's old town
Switzerland's capital is a UNESCO World Heritage medieval centre with arcaded streets, a bear park, and the Aare river locals swim down in summer.
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Slow days
2Soak in a thermal spa after a day on the trails
Leukerbad and other alpine towns have thermal baths fed by natural hot springs, a genuinely restorative end to a hiking day.
Watch the sunrise from a mountain hut
Overnighting in a staffed alpine hut and catching first light on the surrounding peaks is a low-key highlight for anyone doing a multi-day hike.
Common questions
▾Is Switzerland safe to visit?
Yes. Switzerland is one of the safest countries in Europe for tourists, with very low crime rates. The main practical risks relate to mountain weather and altitude on high-elevation excursions like Jungfraujoch, rather than anything related to crime.
▾How much does it cost to visit Jungfraujoch?
A round-trip ticket to Jungfraujoch, 'Top of Europe', runs roughly CHF 200-260 depending on your starting station and the season, making it one of the priciest single excursions in the Alps. Discount rail passes (like the Swiss Travel Pass) reduce the price meaningfully if you're already planning to use Swiss trains elsewhere in your trip.
▾How many days do you need in Switzerland?
7-10 days covers a solid mix of cities and mountains, Zurich or Geneva plus a base in the Bernese Oberland or Zermatt region for mountain excursions. A shorter trip is workable if you focus on a single mountain base.
▾Do I need a visa for Switzerland?
US, UK, Canadian and most other Western passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within the Schengen Area, which Switzerland is part of despite not being an EU member. Longer stays or nationalities outside the visa-waiver list need a Schengen visa arranged in advance.
▾What's the best time to visit Switzerland?
June through September is the main hiking and mountain-excursion season, with the most trails and cable cars fully operational. December through March is the ski season, and the shoulder months between can see reduced services at higher elevations.
▾Is Switzerland expensive?
Switzerland is consistently one of the most expensive countries in Europe for food, lodging and transport, and mountain excursions like Jungfraujoch add a significant cost on top of general trip expenses. Buying a multi-day rail pass in advance is one of the more effective ways to reduce the total cost if you're moving between several regions.