Top 10 Things to Do in Switzerland

You can hop on a train in Zermatt and, eight hours later, arrive in St. Moritz after crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, all without leaving your seat. That journey sums up Switzerland: stunning scenery everywhere and a country that’s made it easy to experience it all. But with so much to see, picking the best things to do. Should you visit glaciers, medieval bridges, roaring waterfalls, or just eat some of the world’s best cheese? This guide makes it simple. Here are the top 10 things to do in Switzerland, with tips on who will enjoy each one and the best time to go. Some are well-known, others are hidden gems, and all are worth planning for.

What Are The Top 10 Things to Do In Switzerland? 

1. Ride to Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe 

If you choose just one thing to do in Switzerland, make it Jungfraujoch. At 3,454 metres, it is home to Europe's highest railway station, which opened in 1912 after 16 years of tunnelling through the Eiger and Mönch. At the top, you'll find glaciers, ice caves, and crisp, cold air even in the middle of summer.

• Why visit: Experience Europe's highest railway station and take in views of the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps.
• Best for: First-time visitors looking for a mountain adventure, and families as well.
• Best time to visit: May to October for the easiest access. The summit stays snow-covered all year.
• Don't miss: Wander the Ice Palace carved beneath the glacier, step onto the Sphinx viewing terrace, and visit the world's highest Lindt chocolate shop.
• Good to know: You can get there by train from Interlaken or Grindelwald. Dress in layers, and book your seat ahead if the weather is nice, as trains fill up quickly.

2. Stand Beneath the Matterhorn in Car-Free Zermatt 

The Matterhorn is the world’s most photographed mountain, and its 4,478-metre pyramid shape makes it easy to see why. At its base, the village of Zermatt has banned petrol cars, so you’ll find clean air and peaceful streets.

• Why visit: See Switzerland’s most famous peak, surrounded by a truly car-free alpine village.
• Best for: Couples, photographers, and skiers.
• Best time to visit: June to September for hiking. The ski season is usually from November to April, and you can even ski on the glacier in summer.
• Don’t miss: Take the Gornergrat cogwheel railway for the classic view, or visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883 metres, which is the highest cable car station in Europe.
• Good to know: Cars stop at Täsch, and a shuttle train takes you the last 12 minutes to Zermatt. Few things to see and do in Switzerland beat seeing the Matterhorn for the first time.

3. Walk Lucerne's Chapel Bridge and Cruise the Lake 

Lucerne is probably the image that inspired your visit. The Chapel Bridge, built around 1360, is believed to be Europe’s oldest wooden covered bridge. It features painted panels in the rafters and a sturdy octagonal water tower in the middle.

• Why visit: Lucerne has a beautifully preserved medieval old town set beside a lake and surrounded by mountains.
• Best for: Families and travellers looking for a laid-back, easygoing experience.
• Best time to visit: April to October, when lake cruises run most frequently.
• Don’t miss: A cruise on Lake Lucerne, the Lion Monument, which Mark Twain called the most moving piece of stone in the world, and the old town’s frescoed lanes.
• Good to know: Lucerne is less than an hour by train from Zurich, making it perfect for a day trip. If you want a relaxing experience in Switzerland, Lucerne is an easy choice.

4. Climb Mount Pilatus on the World's Steepest Cogwheel Railway 

Mount Pilatus rises above Lucerne at 2,128 metres, and getting there is half the fun. The Pilatus cogwheel railway is the steepest in the world, reaching a 48 per cent gradient, so you really notice the tilt as you ride.

• Why visit: Ride a record-setting railway and enjoy sweeping views of the lake and Alps from the summit.
• Best for: Anyone looking for impressive views without needing to hike all day.
• Best time to visit: May to October, when the cog railway from Alpnachstad is open.
• Don't miss: The Golden Round Trip, which combines a boat ride on the lake, the cog railway up, and a cable car down for a complete loop.
• Good to know: The cog railway does not run in winter, but you can take cable cars from Kriens all year. According to local legend, dragons once lived on the mountain, which is why there is a dragon trail. This is one of the activities to do in Switzerland for a single day.

5. Chase Waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen and Get Your Pulse Up in Interlaken 

Lauterbrunnen is believed to be the inspiration for Rivendell in Tolkien’s stories, and it’s easy to see why when you visit. About 72 waterfalls pour down its cliffs, with Staubbach Falls dropping nearly 300 metres. Interlaken, just nearby, is Switzerland’s adventure capital.

• Why visit: Stunning waterfalls and the country’s largest selection of adventure sports.
• Best for: People who love being active, thrill-seekers, and hikers.
• Best time to visit: June to September, when the waterfalls are at their peak and flying conditions are ideal.
• Don’t miss: Tandem paragliding over the valley, watching the underground Trümmelbach Falls that move up to 20,000 litres of water each second, and taking the funicular up to Harder Kulm for views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains all in a row.
• Good to know: Lauterbrunnen is just a short, scenic train ride from Interlaken Ost. If you visit the falls, bring a rain jacket because you’ll definitely get wet.

6. Feel the Spray at Rhine Falls, Europe's Most Powerful Waterfall 

The Rhine Falls, close to Schaffhausen, is Europe’s largest waterfall by volume. It stretches 150 metres across and stands 23 metres tall. In summer, about 600 cubic metres of water rush over the rocks every second, and you can get impressively close.

• Why visit: Experience the force of nature up close, right next to a castle.
• Best for: Families and travellers passing through the Zurich area.
• Best time to visit: Between May and September, snowmelt from the Alps swells the river and makes the peak fall especially powerful.
• Don’t miss: Take a boat to the rock in the middle of the falls, which you can climb, and enjoy the views from Laufen Castle above.
• Good to know: You can visit the northern riverbank for free, but boat rides and castle platforms require tickets. On 1 August, National Day fireworks light up the falls.

7. Cross the Alps on the Glacier Express 

Known as the slowest express train in the world, the Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz in about eight relaxed hours. Along the way, it crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, all visible through large panoramic windows. Riding it feels more like being on a moving viewing platform than just taking a train trip. If there is one thing to do in Switzerland that you might not want to miss out on, it is this one.

• Why go: This is one of the world’s best rail routes and travels along part of a UNESCO World Heritage line.
• Best for: People who enjoy slow travel, love beautiful scenery, or want to travel between eastern and western Switzerland.
• Best time: You can ride the train all year, except for a short maintenance break in late autumn. The snowy winter views are especially stunning.
• Don’t miss: The curved Landwasser Viaduct, which leads straight into a cliff, and the Rhine Gorge, often called the Swiss Grand Canyon.
• Good to know: You must reserve your seat, and this is done separately from buying your ticket. For summer trips, book several weeks in advance. If you only have time for one scenic train ride in Switzerland, choose this one.

8. Eat Your Way Through Chocolate, Cheese and Fondue Country 

Food takes centre stage in Switzerland. The Swiss invented milk chocolate in 1875 and have been among the world's top chocolate lovers ever since. When it comes to cheese, the country produces over 700 types and each person eats more than 20 kilograms a year.

• Why visit: Taste some of the world’s best chocolate and cheese right where they’re made.
• Best for: Food lovers, couples, and anyone looking for a cozy way to spend a rainy afternoon.
• Best time to visit: Switzerland is great all year, but fondue and raclette are especially comforting during the colder months.
• Don’t miss: Trying cheese fondue or raclette served hot over potatoes, visiting the medieval town of Gruyères, and joining a chocolate-making workshop near Zurich or Broc.
• Good to know: Le Gruyère was named the world’s best cheese in 2022, so be sure to try it in its hometown. It’s one of the most delicious things to do in Switzerland.

9. Sail Lake Geneva to Château de Chillon 

In the French-speaking west, Lake Geneva offers a gentle, Riviera-like atmosphere. You can take a paddle steamer past the terraced Lavaux vineyards to Château de Chillon, a moated fortress sitting on a rock by the water.

• Why visit: It’s the country’s most popular historic building, and you can get there on a beautiful lake cruise.
• Best for: Couples and anyone looking for relaxed, cultural days.
• Best time to visit: April to October, when you can enjoy cruises and walks through the vineyards.
• Don’t miss: The castle’s medieval halls and underground vaults. Also, take a walk along the Montreux promenade to see the Freddie Mercury statue.
• Good to know: You can reach the castle from Montreux in just three minutes by train, or enjoy a longer walk along the shore. These relaxing activities are a nice contrast to the high-altitude things to do in Switzerland.

10. Wander Bern's Medieval Old Town

People often overlook the capital, but they’re missing out. Bern’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with long covered arcades, the Zytglogge astronomical clock, and the apartment where Einstein developed his theory of relativity.

• Why visit: This medieval capital feels authentic and lived-in, not just set up for tourists.
• Best for: Culture lovers and anyone looking for something different from the usual mountain scenery.
• Best time to visit: April to October is ideal, but the arcades offer shelter from the weather year-round.
• Don’t miss: The Zytglogge clock show, the Einstein House, and the beautiful views along the Aare river.
• Good to know: Bern is compact and easy to explore on foot in just a few hours, plus it’s well connected by train. It’s a great cultural balance to Switzerland’s outdoor activities.

Tribe Travel Tip: How to Plan Your Swiss Days Without Burning Out 

Trying to do two major mountain excursions in one day usually doesn’t work well because the travel and altitude can be exhausting. It’s better to combine a top attraction with something more relaxing, like a lake cruise or a stroll through an old town in the evening. Trains go almost everywhere, and getting a rail pass is often worth it if you want to plan across all these things to do in Switzerland.

Ready to Experience the Best Things to Do in Switzerland? 

Switzerland packs a lot of variety into a small, well-organised country. The top 10 things to do in Switzerland range from glaciers and famous mountains to medieval bridges, waterfalls, and scenic train rides, with great food along the way. Prices tend to be higher, and more packages include your hotels, transfers, and on-the-ground sightseeing; it's helpful to plan those separately. That is where a holiday advisor can really help. At Holiday Tribe, we create and personalise Switzerland holidays based on how you like to travel, matching the pace, season, and your interests to the right mix of experiences for every type of traveller. When you are ready to turn this list into a real holiday, we are here to help you get started.