A Backpacker’s Guide To Packing Light
Sep 30, 2024
Switzerland may look small on the map, but there is an incredible amount to see. From sophisticated cities and peaceful lakeside towns to dramatic Alpine villages and snow covered peaks, each destination has a completely different personality.
For your first trip, you do not need to visit every corner of the country. A better approach is to combine a few destinations that give you a taste of Switzerland’s cities, countryside, mountains and traditional villages.
Here are some of the best places to include in your first Switzerland itinerary.
The heart of Zurich is its Old Town, where narrow streets wind between historic buildings, small boutiques, cafés and traditional restaurants. Take your time walking around the area rather than simply ticking off attractions. The city is compact enough that many of its highlights can be explored on foot.
One of the best places to begin is Lindenhof, a hill overlooking the Old Town and the Limmat River. It is an easy place to stop for photographs and get your bearings.
Walk along the Limmat River towards Grossmünster, one of Zurich’s most recognizable landmarks. From here, you can continue towards Fraumünster, famous for its beautiful stained glass windows created by artist Marc Chagall.
For a slower afternoon, head towards Lake Zurich. You can walk along the waterfront, sit by the lake or take a boat cruise when the weather is pleasant.
Explore the Old Town, walk along the Limmat River, visit Grossmünster and Fraumünster, shop along Bahnhofstrasse and spend some time beside Lake Zurich.
1 to 2 days
Zurich is ideal for first time visitors who want to ease into their Swiss holiday before heading towards the mountains.
f you only have time for a few destinations in Switzerland, Lucerne deserves a place near the top of your list.
Set beside Lake Lucerne and surrounded by mountains, the city combines historic architecture with spectacular natural scenery. It is also one of the easiest places for first time visitors to experience the Swiss Alps without travelling too far from a major city.
The famous Chapel Bridge is Lucerne’s most recognizable landmark. The covered wooden bridge crosses the Reuss River and is particularly beautiful early in the morning when the city is quieter.
Spend some time wandering through the Old Town, where colorful buildings surround small squares and pedestrian streets. The area is filled with cafés, restaurants and shops selling Swiss souvenirs.
Then make your way to the Lion Monument, carved into a rock face and dedicated to Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution.
Lucerne is also an excellent base for mountain excursions.
You can travel to Mount Pilatus for panoramic views over the surrounding Alps and Lake Lucerne. Mount Rigi is another popular option and is often described as the “Queen of the Mountains.”
Walk across Chapel Bridge, explore the Old Town, visit the Lion Monument, take a Lake Lucerne cruise and choose between Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi for a mountain day trip.
2 days
Stay longer if you want to explore the surrounding mountains at a relaxed pace.
Interlaken is where Switzerland’s dramatic mountain scenery really begins.
The town sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the towering peaks of the Bernese Oberland surrounding it. It is particularly popular with first time visitors because it provides easy access to some of Switzerland’s most famous mountain destinations.
Take the funicular to Harder Kulm for one of the best viewpoints over Interlaken. From the top, you can see the two lakes and the surrounding mountains.
If you are looking for adventure, Interlaken is also one of Switzerland’s major outdoor activity destinations. Depending on the season, you can try paragliding, rafting, canyoning, hiking and other mountain activities.
For travellers who prefer a slower experience, simply taking a boat across Lake Thun or Lake Brienz can be just as rewarding.
Visit Harder Kulm, take a lake cruise, explore the town, go hiking or try an adventure activity.
2 to 3 days
Interlaken is best used as a base for exploring the surrounding Alpine villages.
Lauterbrunnen is one of those places where photographs barely do the landscape justice.
The village sits in a deep Alpine valley surrounded by enormous cliffs and waterfalls. The most famous is Staubbach Falls, which drops dramatically from the cliffs above the village.
For first time visitors, Lauterbrunnen is a wonderful introduction to Switzerland’s traditional mountain scenery. The valley can be explored on foot and does not require complicated planning.
Walk along the valley floor and take in the waterfalls, meadows and surrounding peaks. You can also visit Trümmelbach Falls, a series of powerful waterfalls inside the mountain.
From Lauterbrunnen, you can travel onwards to mountain villages such as Mürren and Wengen.
Mürren is particularly special because it sits high above the valley and offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks.
Walk through the valley, see Staubbach Falls, visit Trümmelbach Falls and travel up to Mürren or Wengen.
1 to 2 days
It can also be visited as a day trip from Interlaken.
Grindelwald is another must visit destination in the Jungfrau region.
Surrounded by some of Switzerland’s most dramatic mountains, the village is beautiful in every season. In summer, the surrounding landscape becomes a playground for hikers. In winter, the area transforms into a snowy destination for skiing and other winter activities.
One of the most popular experiences is taking the gondola from Grindelwald to First.
At First, you can walk along the First Cliff Walk, enjoy mountain views and continue towards Bachalpsee.
The hike to Bachalpsee is one of the area’s most rewarding experiences. On a clear day, the mountain scenery reflected in the lake creates one of those classic Swiss photographs.
Grindelwald is also a good place to simply slow down. Find a terrace overlooking the mountains, enjoy a Swiss meal and watch the changing light across the peaks.
Take the First gondola, walk the First Cliff Walk, hike to Bachalpsee and explore the village.
1 to 2 days
Jungfraujoch is one of Switzerland’s most famous mountain experiences.
Known as the “Top of Europe,” it sits high in the Alps and is reached by a spectacular mountain railway journey.
The journey itself is part of the experience. As the train climbs higher, the landscape gradually changes from green Alpine valleys to snowy mountain scenery.
At the top, you can visit the Sphinx observation deck for sweeping views across the surrounding mountains and the Aletsch Glacier.
There is also an Ice Palace carved into the glacier, making it a fun addition to the experience.
Remember that the weather at Jungfraujoch can be dramatically colder than in the towns below. Even if you visit Switzerland during summer, pack warm layers for the trip.
Visit the Sphinx observation deck, see the Aletsch Glacier, explore the Ice Palace and enjoy the mountain railway journey.
Half a day to a full day
Most visitors visit Jungfraujoch as a day trip from the Jungfrau region.
Few mountains are as instantly recognizable as the Matterhorn.
Its distinctive pyramid shape has become one of the symbols of Switzerland, and Zermatt is the best place to experience it.
Zermatt is a mountain resort town where cars are restricted, giving the village a peaceful atmosphere. Wooden chalets, mountain restaurants and narrow streets create a completely different experience from Switzerland’s larger cities.
One of the best ways to see the Matterhorn is from Gornergrat. The mountain railway climbs high above Zermatt, offering panoramic views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks.
Another option is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where you can experience a high altitude glacier environment.
If you are visiting in summer, Zermatt also offers numerous hiking routes. Winter turns the area into one of Europe’s best known skiing destinations.
See the Matterhorn, ride the Gornergrat Railway, visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, explore the village and go hiking or skiing depending on the season.
2 days
Stay for three days if you want to combine mountain excursions with hiking.
If you want to see a different side of Switzerland, add Montreux to your itinerary.
Located beside Lake Geneva, Montreux has a relaxed lakeside atmosphere and a distinctly French influenced character.
The waterfront promenade is perfect for a leisurely walk, with views across the lake towards the surrounding mountains.
One of the biggest attractions nearby is Chillon Castle, a medieval fortress sitting directly on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Montreux is also close to the Lavaux vineyard terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where vineyards stretch dramatically along the slopes overlooking the lake.
The area is particularly beautiful in warmer months.
Walk along the lake, visit Chillon Castle, explore the Lavaux vineyards and enjoy the town’s restaurants and cafés.
1 to 2 days
Geneva sits at the western end of Lake Geneva and feels quite different from the traditional Alpine destinations.
It is an international city with a multicultural atmosphere, elegant streets and a beautiful lakeside setting.
The Jet d’Eau is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. From the waterfront, you can enjoy views across Lake Geneva towards the surrounding mountains.
The Old Town is another area worth exploring, with historic buildings, cafés and small streets leading up to St. Pierre Cathedral.
Geneva is particularly convenient for travellers arriving through its international airport or combining Switzerland with neighbouring destinations.
Explore the Old Town, walk beside Lake Geneva, see the Jet d’Eau and visit St. Pierre Cathedral.
1 to 2 days
You do not need to visit all of these places on your first trip.
For a 7 day trip, consider:
Zurich → Lucerne → Interlaken → Lauterbrunnen → Grindelwald → Zurich
For an 8 to 10 day trip, consider:
Zurich → Lucerne → Interlaken → Lauterbrunnen → Grindelwald → Zermatt → Zurich
For a 10 to 12 day trip, you can add:
Montreux or Geneva
The key is to avoid packing too many destinations into one trip. Switzerland’s greatest pleasure is often the journey between places. Give yourself enough time to look out of the train window, stop for photographs, sit beside a lake and enjoy the mountains rather than rushing from one attraction to another.
Switzerland has a way of exceeding expectations. Every train ride feels like a sightseeing tour, every village looks as though it belongs on a postcard and every mountain view reminds you why it’s one of the world’s most beloved travel destinations.
For first time visitors, the secret is not trying to see everything. Choose a handful of regions, travel at a relaxed pace and leave time to simply soak in the scenery. Whether you’re watching the sunrise over the Matterhorn, cruising across Lake Lucerne or wandering through the flower filled streets of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland offers moments that stay with you long after your journey ends.
If Europe is on your travel bucket list, make Switzerland one of your first stops. Chances are, it won’t be your last.
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