Swiss Destinations
Explore every corner of Switzerland with our curated destination guides.
Stein am Rhein -- Medieval Frescoed Houses, the Rhine River, and a Perfectly Preserved Old Town
Stein am Rhein is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, where richly painted half-timbered houses with frescoed facades line the Rathausplatz (town hall square) and the banks of the Rhine River. This tiny gem at the point where the Rhine flows out of Lake Constance (Bodensee) combines extraordinary 15th--16th-century architecture, the Hohenklingen castle above, and the former Benedictine monastery of St. Georgen into a picture-perfect ensemble that takes only an hour to walk but rewards much longer. Zurich to Stein am Rhein takes approximately 1 hour by train; the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen are 20 minutes away.
Locarno -- Switzerland's Sunniest City on the Shores of Lago Maggiore
Locarno is the warmest city in Switzerland, sitting at just 196 meters above sea level on the northern shore of Lago Maggiore in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. Famous for its Mediterranean Piazza Grande, the international Locarno Film Festival, the Cardada-Cimetta viewpoint, and the subtropical Brissago Islands, it offers a distinctly Southern European atmosphere just 3 hours from Zurich by train.
Grindelwald -- Alpine Village at the Foot of the Eiger
Grindelwald is a dramatic mountain village in the Bernese Oberland, set at 1,034 meters directly beneath the infamous North Face of the Eiger. It is the main gateway to the Jungfrau Region, home to the First Cliff Walk, the Eiger Express gondola to Eigergletscher, and some of Switzerland's most spectacular hiking. Reaching Grindelwald from Zurich takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes by train via Interlaken Ost -- and the ride itself is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the country.
Lauterbrunnen -- The Valley of 72 Waterfalls in the Swiss Alps
Lauterbrunnen is a narrow glacial valley in the Bernese Oberland famous for its 72 waterfalls, sheer cliff walls rising 300 meters on either side, and the spectacular free-falling Staubbach Falls visible from the village center. Often cited as Tolkien's inspiration for Rivendell, Lauterbrunnen is also one of the most affordable bases in the Jungfrau Region and the gateway to the car-free village of Murren and the Schilthorn revolving restaurant. Reach it from Zurich in approximately 2 hours 30 minutes by train via Interlaken Ost.
St. Gallen -- UNESCO Abbey Library, Textile Heritage, and Gateway to the Santis
St. Gallen (Ostschweiz) is a cultural powerhouse disguised as a mid-sized Swiss city. Its Abbey Library -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 -- houses one of the most beautiful baroque interiors in Europe, with a breathtaking ceiling fresco, ornate rococo shelving, and a collection of 170'000 volumes including manuscripts dating to the 8th century. The city traces its origins to the 7th-century Irish monk Gallus and built a global reputation in textile manufacturing that endures in a superb Textile Museum. With the Drei Weieren natural pools on the hillside above town, the Santis summit (2'502 m) less than 90 minutes away, and the Appenzell region at its doorstep, St. Gallen blends high culture, living history, and alpine access into one of Switzerland's most underrated destinations. Zurich to St. Gallen takes 1 hour by direct IC train.
Winterthur -- Switzerland's Museum City, Technorama Science Center, and Cultural Hub
Winterthur is Switzerland's premier museum city, with 17 museums -- including the internationally renowned Oskar Reinhart Collection, the Fotomuseum, and the Swiss Science Center Technorama -- packed into a walkable former industrial city just 20 minutes from Zurich by train. With its lively Old Town, excellent dining scene, and green spaces, Winterthur offers one of the best day trips from Zurich for culture lovers and families.
Saas-Fee -- The Pearl of the Alps: Car-Free Glacier Village
Saas-Fee is a car-free glacier village at 1,800 m in the Valais, surrounded by 13 peaks above 4,000 meters -- earning it the nickname "Pearl of the Alps." With year-round skiing on the Allalin glacier, the world's highest revolving restaurant, and a traffic-free village center of traditional Valais wooden chalets, Saas-Fee offers a quieter, more affordable alternative to neighbouring Zermatt. Reach it from Zurich in 3 hours 30 minutes by train and PostBus.
Wengen -- Car-Free Alpine Village with Front-Row Jungfrau Views
Wengen is a car-free village perched at 1,274 meters in the Bernese Oberland, offering one of the finest panoramic views of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau from any inhabited settlement in Switzerland. Reachable only by the Wengernalp Railway (WAB) from Lauterbrunnen, it serves as a quieter, more affordable gateway to the Jungfrau region -- and the home of the legendary Lauberhorn downhill ski race, the oldest on the World Cup circuit.
Zermatt -- Car-Free Alpine Village at the Foot of the Matterhorn
Zermatt is a car-free mountain village in the Swiss canton of Valais, sitting at 1,620 m directly beneath the Matterhorn -- arguably the most recognizable mountain on Earth. Reach it from Zurich in 3 hours 10 minutes by train (via Visp), and experience world-class skiing, hiking, and the highest panoramic platform in Europe at Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m). The Swiss Travel Pass covers the train journey to Zermatt and offers discounts on mountain railways.
Basel -- Switzerland's Art Capital at the Crossroads of Three Countries
Basel is Switzerland's cultural powerhouse, home to over 40 museums, the world-famous Art Basel fair, and a beautifully preserved Old Town on the banks of the Rhine. Sitting at the Dreilandereck (Three Countries' Corner) where Switzerland, Germany, and France meet, Basel is just 53 minutes from Zurich by train and offers direct TGV connections from Paris in 3 hours -- making it one of the most internationally connected cities in Switzerland.
St. Moritz -- The Original Alpine Resort in the Engadin Valley
St. Moritz is the birthplace of alpine winter tourism and one of the world's most glamorous mountain resorts, set at 1,822 meters in the sunny Engadin valley of Graubunden. Famous for hosting two Winter Olympics (1928 and 1948), the Bernina Express railway, frozen lake activities, and over 322 days of sunshine per year, St. Moritz blends world-class skiing and hiking with luxury hotels, gourmet dining, and extraordinary Alpine scenery -- reachable from Zurich in approximately 3 hours 25 minutes by train.
Kandersteg -- UNESCO Lake, Alpine Village, and Gateway to the Lotschberg
Kandersteg is a quiet alpine village at 1'176 meters in the Bernese Oberland, best known for the UNESCO World Heritage Oeschinensee -- one of Switzerland's most spectacular glacial lakes -- and as the northern gateway to the Lotschberg railway tunnel connecting the Bernese Oberland to the Valais. With world-class cross-country skiing, via ferrata routes, the turquoise Blausee nearby, and the Gemmi Pass crossing to Leukerbad, Kandersteg offers a remarkably diverse range of alpine experiences without the crowds of Interlaken or Grindelwald. Reach it from Bern in under 1 hour by train.
Spiez -- The Most Beautiful Bay in Europe on Lake Thun
Spiez is a storybook lakeside town on Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland, famous for its medieval castle, terraced vineyards, and what locals call the most beautiful bay in Europe. Just 1 hour 40 minutes from Zurich by train (via Bern), Spiez is a hidden gem that offers a quieter, more authentic alternative to the busy Interlaken tourist corridor -- and one of the best-kept secrets recommended by ch.tours for repeat visitors to Switzerland.
Vevey -- Charlie Chaplin's Home, Nestle Headquarters, and the Heart of the Swiss Riviera
Vevey is a refined lakeside town on the northern shore of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman), famous as the place where Charlie Chaplin lived his final 25 years, the global headquarters of Nestle, and the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyard terraces. With its Belle Epoque promenades, weekly Saturday market on the Grande Place, world-class museums including Chaplin's World and the Swiss Camera Museum, and the dramatic Alpine backdrop, Vevey offers a quintessential Swiss Riviera experience. Geneva to Vevey takes just 1 hour by train; Lausanne is 20 minutes away.
Schaffhausen -- Rhine Falls, Munot Fortress, and 171 Oriel Windows
Schaffhausen is a beautifully preserved medieval city in northern Switzerland, famous for Europe's largest waterfall -- the Rhine Falls (150 meters wide, 23 meters high, 600'000 liters per second in Summer) -- the circular Munot fortress with its panoramic Rhine views, and an Old Town decorated with 171 ornate oriel windows (Erker) and painted Renaissance facades. As the gateway to Stein am Rhein, Lake Constance, and the Klettgau wine region, Schaffhausen rewards visitors with a concentration of history, architecture, and natural spectacle that most travelers miss entirely. Zurich to Schaffhausen takes just 38 minutes by direct IR train.
Engelberg Titlis -- Glacier Adventure in the Heart of Switzerland
Engelberg is a charming alpine village in Central Switzerland, home to Mount Titlis (3,238 m) -- the highest excursion point in Central Switzerland, reached by the world's first revolving aerial tramway (Rotair). With Europe's highest suspension bridge (the Titlis Cliff Walk at 3,041 m), a glacier cave, year-round snow, and an 800-year-old Benedictine monastery in the valley, Engelberg Titlis is one of Switzerland's most spectacular mountain experiences. Just 45 minutes from Lucerne and 1 hour 50 minutes from Zurich by train.
Chur -- Switzerland's Oldest City and the Gateway to Graubunden
Chur (Romansh: Cuira) is the oldest city in Switzerland, with over 5'000 years of continuous settlement, and serves as the capital of Graubunden -- the country's largest and most mountainous canton. It is the starting point for the Glacier Express to Zermatt and the Bernina Express to Tirano, and its car-free Old Town, with a 12th-century cathedral and lively cafe culture, makes it far more than a transit stop. Zurich to Chur takes just 1 hour 15 minutes by direct train.
Montreux -- The Swiss Riviera on the Shores of Lake Geneva
Montreux is a glamorous lakeside resort town on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva, famous for its microclimate, the medieval Chateau de Chillon, the Freddie Mercury statue, and the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival. With the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyards next door and the GoldenPass Express connecting to Interlaken, Montreux is one of Switzerland's most scenic and culturally rich destinations -- reachable from Lausanne in just 25 minutes by train.
Gruyeres -- Medieval hilltop village, world-famous cheese, and surreal art
Gruyeres (Gruyere in French without the "s") is a perfectly preserved medieval hilltop village in the canton of Fribourg, famous for the cheese that bears its name, a 13th-century castle, and the unexpectedly brilliant HR Giger Museum. Reach it from Bern in 1 hour 20 minutes or from Lausanne in just over an hour by train, and combine it with a visit to the Maison Cailler chocolate factory in nearby Broc for a quintessentially Swiss day out.
Murten/Morat -- Medieval Walled Town on the Language Border with a Lakeside Setting
Murten (French: Morat) is one of the best-preserved medieval walled towns in Switzerland, perched on a hill above the Murtensee (Lac de Morat) directly on the German-French language border -- a rare place where you hear both German and French in the same cafe. Its complete medieval ramparts (the only fully walkable town walls in Switzerland), cobblestone arcaded streets, lakefront promenade, and the famous 1476 Battle of Murten make it a richly layered small-town experience. Bern to Murten takes just 30 minutes by train.
Bern -- Switzerland's Underrated Capital with a UNESCO Old Town
Bern is the capital of Switzerland (Bundesstadt) and home to one of the best-preserved medieval Old Towns in Europe, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. With its iconic Zytglogge clock tower, 6 kilometers of covered arcades (Lauben), the turquoise Aare River for urban swimming, and a relaxed atmosphere unlike any other European capital, Bern is just 56 minutes from Zurich by direct IC train -- making it one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips or stopovers in the country.
Brig -- Simplon Pass Gateway, Stockalper Palace, and the Heart of the Upper Valais
Brig (officially Brig-Glis) is the historic capital of the Upper Valais, strategically positioned at the northern foot of the Simplon Pass -- the great Alpine crossing between Switzerland and Italy that Napoleon turned into a highway. The town is dominated by the Stockalper Palace, the largest private Baroque palace in Switzerland, built by the 17th-century trade baron Kaspar Jodok von Stockalper. As a major railway junction where the Glacier Express, Lotschberg, and Simplon lines converge, Brig is one of the most important transit hubs in the Swiss Alps. Zurich to Brig takes 2 hours by direct IC train; Zermatt is 1 hour 20 minutes away.
Brienz -- Woodcarving Village on Switzerland's Most Turquoise Lake
Brienz is a traditional lakeside village in the Bernese Oberland, famous for its centuries-old woodcarving heritage, the stunning turquoise Brienzersee, a historic steam railway climbing to the Brienzer Rothorn (2,350 m), and the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum showcasing Swiss rural life. Reach it from Zurich in 2 hours 15 minutes by train via Interlaken, or take the scenic Brunig Line from Lucerne.
Murren -- Switzerland's Most Dramatic Cliff-Edge Village
Murren is a tiny car-free village (450 residents) perched on a cliff at 1,638 meters above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, reachable only by cable car or funicular. It offers arguably the most dramatic setting of any village in Switzerland, with a front-row panorama of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau -- and it is the gateway to the Schilthorn summit and its revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, made famous by the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Appenzell -- Switzerland's Most Traditional Region and Living Alpine Culture
Appenzell is Switzerland's most authentically traditional region, where painted wooden houses line the car-free village square, cows in decorative belts are herded to alpine pastures each spring, and the ancient Landsgemeinde (open-air parliament) still takes place. Combined with the dramatic Santis peak (2,502 m), the cliff-hugging Wildkirchli caves at Ebenalp, and the world-famous Appenzeller cheese, this small corner of Eastern Switzerland offers the deepest dive into living Swiss heritage. Reachable from Zurich in 2 hours by train via St. Gallen.
Andermatt -- Alpine Crossroads at the Heart of the Swiss Alps
Andermatt is a high-altitude mountain village (1,437 m) in the canton of Uri, situated at the historic crossroads of four major Alpine passes -- Gotthard, Oberalp, Furka, and Susten. Once a quiet military outpost, it has undergone a dramatic renaissance as a year-round mountain resort, with world-class skiing on the Gemsstock, a stop on the legendary Glacier Express route, and direct train access from Zurich in under 2 hours.
Interlaken -- Adventure Capital of the Bernese Oberland
Interlaken is Switzerland's adventure sports hub, dramatically set between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz at the foot of the Jungfrau massif. It is the gateway to the Jungfraujoch (3,454 m, the highest railway station in Europe), world-class paragliding, and some of the most iconic Alpine scenery on Earth. Reach it from Zurich in 1 hour 55 minutes or from Bern in just 50 minutes by direct train.
Vitznau -- Europe's First Mountain Cogwheel Railway and a Lakeside Gem on Lake Lucerne
Vitznau is a tiny, elegant lakeside village on Lake Lucerne where Europe's first mountain cogwheel railway departed for Mount Rigi in 1871 -- and still operates today. With its sheltered microclimate, luxury Park Hotel (the only 5-star on the lake), direct boat connections to Lucerne, and the historic Rigi-Bahn climbing to the Queen of the Mountains, Vitznau offers a tranquil, unhurried Lake Lucerne experience for visitors who prefer intimacy over activity. Lucerne to Vitznau takes 50 minutes by boat or 35 minutes by bus.
Davos Klosters -- The Highest City in Europe and World-Class Alpine Resort
Davos Klosters is Switzerland's legendary dual alpine resort in the Graubunden Alps, combining the highest city in Europe (1,560 m) with one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland (Parsenn, Jakobshorn, and four more mountains). Known globally as the host of the annual World Economic Forum and beloved by the British Royal Family, Davos Klosters offers world-class skiing in winter and superb hiking in summer. Reachable from Zurich in 2 hours 30 minutes by train via the scenic Prattigau valley.
Bellinzona -- UNESCO World Heritage Castles and the Gateway to Italian-Speaking Switzerland
Bellinzona is the capital of Ticino and the only place in Switzerland with three UNESCO World Heritage medieval castles -- Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro -- guarding the Alpine passes into Italy. With its Italian piazzas, Saturday market, and warm Mediterranean-tinged climate, Bellinzona offers a taste of Italy inside Switzerland, reachable from Zurich in 1 hour 50 minutes by direct train.
Zurich -- Switzerland's Vibrant Lakeside Metropolis
Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and global financial hub, combining a beautifully preserved medieval Old Town (Niederdorf) with world-class museums, a thriving food scene, and a stunning lakeside setting framed by the Alps. As the country's main rail hub -- with direct SBB connections to virtually every Swiss destination -- Zurich is the natural starting point for any trip across Switzerland, and a destination worth exploring for 2-3 days in its own right.
Geneva -- Switzerland's International Capital on the Shores of Lac Leman
Geneva (Geneve) is Switzerland's cosmopolitan hub on the western tip of Lake Geneva, home to the United Nations, the Red Cross, CERN, and the iconic Jet d'Eau fountain. With world-class museums, a charming Old Town, and direct TGV connections from Paris in just 3 hours 15 minutes, Geneva is a city where Swiss precision meets global ambition -- and one of the most internationally diverse cities on Earth.
Lucerne -- Gateway to Central Switzerland and the Swiss Alps
Lucerne (Luzern) is a stunning lakeside city in Central Switzerland, famous for its medieval Chapel Bridge, panoramic mountain excursions to Pilatus and Rigi, and one of the best-preserved Old Towns in Europe. Just 46 minutes from Zurich by direct train, it is the ideal base for exploring the Swiss Alps -- and one of the top destinations recommended by ch.tours for first-time visitors.
Lausanne -- The Olympic Capital on Lake Geneva
Lausanne is Switzerland's dynamic, hilly fourth-largest city and the Olympic Capital, home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters, a world-class Olympic Museum, a vibrant university and nightlife scene, and the stunning UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyard terraces just minutes away. Perched above the shores of Lake Geneva with views of the French Alps, Lausanne is reachable from Zurich in 2 hours 10 minutes by direct train.
Verbier -- Switzerland's Premier Freeride Resort and Alpine Playground
Verbier is the freeride capital of Switzerland and one of Europe's most celebrated ski resorts, perched at 1,500 meters in the canton of Valais. As the hub of the 4 Vallees -- the largest interconnected ski area in Switzerland with 410 km of pistes -- it draws expert skiers, international jet-setters, and lovers of fine food in winter, then transforms into a world-class hiking, biking, and classical music destination in summer. Reach it from Zurich in 2 hours 50 minutes via Martigny and Le Chable.
Thun -- The Overlooked Gateway to the Bernese Oberland
Thun (pronounced "Toon") is a historic lakeside town of 44,000 people at the gateway to the Bernese Oberland, featuring a magnificent 12th-century castle, one of Switzerland's most unusual shopping streets (with shops on rooftop level), and a stunning setting where the River Aare flows out of Lake Thun toward Bern. Just 20 minutes from Bern and 30 minutes from Interlaken by train, it is an often-overlooked gem that offers a more authentic and significantly cheaper base for exploring the Jungfrau region.
Lugano -- Mediterranean Flair in the Heart of the Swiss Alps
Lugano is Switzerland's sun-drenched, Italian-speaking lakeside city in Ticino, where palm trees line the promenades, piazzas buzz with espresso culture, and two panoramic mountains -- Monte San Salvatore and Monte Bre -- frame a glittering lake. Reachable from Zurich in 2 hours 30 minutes via the Gotthard route, Lugano offers a Mediterranean atmosphere that feels worlds apart from the rest of Switzerland.
Weggis -- Lake Lucerne's Sunny Riviera and the Gateway to Mount Rigi
Weggis is the sunniest and mildest village on Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstattersee), sheltered by Mount Rigi and famous for its Mediterranean-like microclimate where fig trees, palms, and roses flourish on the lakefront. It is the main starting point for the Rigi cable car and offers a peaceful, car-light alternative to Lucerne with direct boat connections across the lake. Lucerne to Weggis takes 35 minutes by boat or 30 minutes by bus, making it an ideal day trip or overnight retreat.
Pontresina -- Engadin Mountaineering Village and Glacier Hiking Base
Pontresina is a quieter, more authentic alternative to neighboring St. Moritz, sitting at 1'800 m in the Upper Engadin at the foot of Piz Bernina (4'049 m) -- the only 4'000-meter peak in the Eastern Alps. Known as a mountaineering and glacier hiking base, it offers guided glacier treks on the Morteratsch glacier, one of the largest ibex colonies in Switzerland, the Bernina Express railway, and over 580 km of hiking trails, all with 322 sunny days per year. Zurich to Pontresina takes approximately 3 hours 20 minutes by train via Chur.
Ascona -- Mediterranean Piazza Culture on Lake Maggiore
Ascona is a sun-drenched lakeside town in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, renowned for its pastel-colored waterfront piazza, bohemian artist heritage rooted in the Monte Verita colony, and the subtropical Brissago Islands. At just 196 meters above sea level, it is the lowest town in Switzerland -- and a place where Italian espresso culture meets Swiss precision. Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes from Zurich by train and bus, Ascona is the southern escape recommended by ch.tours for travelers craving a Mediterranean atmosphere without leaving Switzerland.