Switzerland · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Switzerland
These are our picks across Switzerland, from lake baths and mountain railways to fondue taverns, museums and markets. Opening hours and mountain lifts change with the seasons, so check before you go.
Places to Visit in Zurich
Arts and Culture
- Swiss National Museum (Hauptbahnhof)
A fairytale castle beside the station that tells the whole story of Switzerland. - Kunsthaus Zürich (Heimplatz)
A superb art collection from old masters to Giacometti, Monet and Munch. - FIFA Museum (Enge)
Interactive football history with games and a pinball hall that kids love. - Museum Rietberg (Enge)
World art from Asia, Africa and the Americas in villas set in a lakeside park.
Things to Do
- Grossmünster (Altstadt)
The twin-towered church where Zurich's Reformation began, with a tower to climb. - Fraumünster (Altstadt)
A medieval church with glowing stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. - Lindenhof (Altstadt)
A quiet tree-shaded square on a hill with a classic view over the old town. - Zurich Zoo and Masoala Rainforest (Zürichberg)
A large zoo with a full indoor rainforest hall and an elephant park.
Nature and Outdoors
- Uetliberg (Zurich)
The city's own small mountain, a short train ride up, with views to the Alps. - Flussbad Oberer Letten (Kreis 5)
A free river swimming spot where locals float down the Limmat in summer. - Rhine Falls (Neuhausen am Rheinfall)
Europe's most powerful waterfall, with boats to a rock in the middle of the falls.
Restaurants
- Zunfthaus zur Zimmerleuten (Altstadt)
A guild house restaurant for classic Zürcher Geschnetzeltes and rösti by the river. - Hiltl (Sihlstrasse)
The world's oldest vegetarian restaurant, with a huge buffet paid by weight. - Kronenhalle (Rämistrasse)
A storied brasserie with original works by Picasso, Miró and Chagall on the walls.
Cafés
- Confiserie Sprüngli (Paradeplatz)
The home of Luxemburgerli, light Swiss macarons, since the nineteenth century.
Shopping and Markets
- Im Viadukt (Zurich West)
Independent shops and a covered food market under old railway arches. - Freitag Flagship Store (Zurich West)
A tower of stacked shipping containers selling bags made from truck tarpaulins. - Bürkliplatz Flea Market (Bürkliplatz)
A Saturday flea market by the lake for vintage finds in the warmer months.
Bars and Nightlife
- Frau Gerolds Garten (Zurich West)
A colourful urban garden with outdoor bars and food stalls by the railway.
Events
- Street Parade (Lakeside)
A huge summer techno parade of love mobiles and dancers along the lake. - Sechseläuten (Sechseläutenplatz)
The spring festival where a snowman figure is burned to predict the summer.
Stays
- Hotel Storchen (Altstadt)
A historic hotel right on the river with terraces facing the old town. - Zurich Youth Hostel (Wollishofen)
A modern, clean budget hostel a short tram ride from the lake.
Places to Visit in Lucerne
Things to Do
- Chapel Bridge (Old Town)
The fourteenth century covered wooden bridge and water tower that symbolise the city. - Lion Monument (Löwenplatz)
A moving dying lion carved into a cliff to honour fallen Swiss Guards. - Musegg Wall (Old Town)
Walk the medieval town wall and climb its towers for free in the warmer months. - Lake Lucerne paddle steamer cruise (Lakefront)
Historic paddle steamers glide between mountain villages along the lake.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount Pilatus (Alpnachstad)
The world's steepest cogwheel railway climbs to a dramatic summit above the lake. - Rigi (Vitznau)
Easy panoramic walks on the Queen of the Mountains, reached by Europe's first mountain railway. - Mount Titlis (Engelberg)
Year-round snow, a glacier cave, a rotating cable car and a suspension bridge. - Stanserhorn (Stans)
An open-top double-deck cable car to a summit with views over ten lakes. - Bürgenstock Hammetschwand Lift (Bürgenstock)
A historic outdoor lift up a cliff face high above Lake Lucerne.
Arts and Culture
- Swiss Museum of Transport (Lidostrasse)
Trains, planes, a planetarium and chocolate, the best family museum in the country. - KKL Luzern (Europaplatz)
A striking concert hall on the lakefront and home of the Lucerne Festival. - Rosengart Collection (Pilatusstrasse)
An intimate museum with outstanding works by Picasso and Paul Klee.
Restaurants
- Wirtshaus Galliker (Old Town)
A traditional tavern for Luzerner Chügelipastete and hearty Swiss classics. - Old Swiss House (Löwenplatz)
A timbered restaurant known for Wiener schnitzel prepared at your table. - Rathaus Brauerei (Riverside)
A riverside brewpub under the arcades with house beers and simple food.
Bars and Nightlife
- Bar 59 Hotel Montana (Adligenswilerstrasse)
An Art Deco hotel bar with one of the best lake views in town.
Events
- Lucerne Carnival (Old Town)
Days of brass bands, masks and parades that start before dawn. - Lucerne Festival (KKL Luzern)
A summer classical music festival with the world's great orchestras.
Shopping and Markets
- Lucerne Weekly Market (Riverside)
A riverside market along the Reuss for fruit, cheese, bread and flowers.
Stays
- Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern (Schweizerhofquai)
A grand lakefront hotel with a long musical history.
Places to Visit in Bern
Things to Do
- Zytglogge (Old Town)
The medieval clock tower with moving figures that perform just before the hour. - Bern Minster (Old Town)
The tallest church spire in Switzerland and a tower climb over the rooftops. - Federal Palace (Bundesplatz)
The domed Swiss parliament, with free guided tours on many days. - Thun Castle (Thun)
A white castle above the lakeside town of Thun, half an hour by train.
Nature and Outdoors
- BärenPark (Nydegg)
A riverside park where Bern's bears roam a large natural enclosure. - Rose Garden (Altenberg)
The best view over the old town, with roses, a pond and a terrace restaurant. - Marzili Aare baths (Marzili)
Free riverside baths where strong swimmers float down the Aare in summer. - Gurten (Wabern)
Bern's local hill, reached by funicular, with meadows and Alpine views.
Arts and Culture
- Zentrum Paul Klee (Schosshaldenstrasse)
The largest Klee collection in a wave-shaped building by Renzo Piano. - Einstein House (Kramgasse)
The flat where Einstein lived while working on special relativity. - Bern Historical Museum (Helvetiaplatz)
History collections plus the city's major Einstein exhibition. - Kunstmuseum Bern (Hodlerstrasse)
The oldest art museum in Switzerland, with Swiss painters and modern masters.
Restaurants
- Kornhauskeller (Old Town)
A vast vaulted cellar restaurant under a former granary. - Altes Tramdepot (Nydegg)
A brewery restaurant by the bear park with house beers and Swiss dishes. - Restaurant Rosengarten (Altenberg)
Dinner with a view over the old town from the Rose Garden.
Bars and Nightlife
- Cellar bars of the old town (Old Town)
Duck through street doors into vaulted cellars for drinks and small concerts.
Shopping and Markets
- Bundesplatz market (Bundesplatz)
A Tuesday and Saturday market in front of parliament for fresh local food.
Events
- Zibelemärit (Old Town)
The November onion market with onion braids, confetti and onion tart.
Stays
- Hotel Schweizerhof Bern (Bahnhofplatz)
A classic grand hotel opposite the main station. - Bern Youth Hostel (Marzili)
A simple hostel by the river below the Federal Palace.
Places to Visit in Interlaken
Nature and Outdoors
- Harder Kulm (Interlaken)
A funicular to a viewpoint over both lakes and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. - Jungfraujoch (Jungfrau region)
The highest railway station in Europe, with glacier views and an ice palace. - Trümmelbach Falls (Lauterbrunnen)
Glacier meltwater thundering through caves inside the mountain. - Staubbach Falls (Lauterbrunnen)
A tall, free waterfall at the edge of the village you can walk behind. - First Cliff Walk (Grindelwald)
A gondola ride and cliffside walkway, with an easy hike to Bachalpsee. - Bachalpsee (Grindelwald)
A mirror-like mountain lake reflecting the Schreckhorn peaks. - Schilthorn (Mürren)
A revolving summit restaurant and a famous James Bond film location. - Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail (Wengen)
A mostly downhill panorama walk facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. - Gimmelwald (Lauterbrunnen)
A tiny car-free hamlet on a cliff with farm stalls and quiet trails. - Giessbach Falls (Lake Brienz)
A cascading waterfall reached by boat and a historic funicular.
Things to Do
- Lake Brienz boat cruise (Interlaken Ost)
Turquoise water and village stops between Interlaken and Brienz. - Paragliding over Interlaken (Höhematte)
Tandem flights with licensed pilots landing on the central meadow. - Ballenberg Open-Air Museum (Brienz)
Historic farmhouses from across Switzerland, with crafts and farm animals. - Grindelwald First trotti bikes (Grindelwald)
Ride scooter bikes down mountain roads from Schreckfeld in summer.
Restaurants
- Hüsi Bierhaus (Interlaken)
A relaxed beer hall with a long list of beers and simple food. - Piz Gloria revolving restaurant (Schilthorn)
Lunch while the room turns slowly past dozens of peaks.
Shopping and Markets
- Coop and Migros supermarkets (Interlaken)
Supermarkets for picnic supplies before a mountain day.
Stays
- Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel (Höheweg)
A historic grand hotel facing the Jungfrau across the meadow. - Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof (Interlaken)
A friendly hostel in a villa with mountain views.
Places to Visit in Zermatt
Nature and Outdoors
- Gornergrat Railway (Zermatt)
An open-air cogwheel railway to a ridge facing the Matterhorn and glaciers. - Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn)
Europe's highest cable car station with ice caves and summer snow. - Five Lakes Walk (Blauherd)
A half-day trail past lakes reflecting the Matterhorn. - Sunnegga (Zermatt)
An underground funicular to a family lake area with Matterhorn views. - Riffelsee (Gornergrat)
The famous Matterhorn reflection, a short walk from a Gornergrat stop. - Gorner Gorge (Zermatt)
A wooden walkway above a roaring glacier river just outside the village. - Zmutt hamlet (Zmutt)
An old hamlet of larch huts on a quiet trail with a Matterhorn view.
Arts and Culture
- Matterhorn Museum (Kirchplatz)
The dramatic story of the first ascent, told in an underground village.
Things to Do
- Hinterdorf (Zermatt)
The old quarter of dark larch barns raised on stone stilts. - Mountaineers' Cemetery (Kirchplatz)
A sobering garden of graves of climbers lost in the mountains. - Glacier Express (Zermatt station)
The slow panoramic train from Zermatt to St Moritz through the Alps.
Restaurants
- Whymper-Stube (Bahnhofstrasse)
A cosy, classic spot for fondue and raclette in the village centre. - Chez Vrony (Findeln)
A mountain restaurant on the slopes with sun terraces facing the Matterhorn.
Bars and Nightlife
- Hennu Stall (Furi)
A lively après-ski bar on the run down to the village.
Stays
- Riffelalp Resort (Riffelalp)
A mountain hotel on the Gornergrat line with Matterhorn views. - Zermatt Youth Hostel (Zermatt)
A budget hostel with Matterhorn views from some rooms.
Places to Visit in Geneva
Things to Do
- Jet d'Eau (Lakefront)
Geneva's giant fountain, with a jetty you can walk out along. - St Pierre Cathedral (Vieille Ville)
Calvin's church, with towers to climb and an archaeological site below. - Palais des Nations (Ariana Park)
The UN's European headquarters, visited on guided tours with a passport. - Broken Chair (Place des Nations)
A giant sculpture of a chair with a broken leg, a protest against landmines. - Reformation Wall (Parc des Bastions)
A long stone monument to Calvin and the Reformers in a leafy park. - Flower Clock (Jardin Anglais)
A working clock made of thousands of flowers by the lake.
Arts and Culture
- International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum (Pregny)
A powerful, beautifully designed museum on humanitarian action. - CERN Science Gateway (Meyrin)
A free science centre at the home of the Large Hadron Collider. - Patek Philippe Museum (Plainpalais)
Centuries of watchmaking and enamel art in a quiet museum. - Château de Chillon (Montreux)
A medieval island castle on Lake Geneva, an easy train trip from Geneva. - Olympic Museum (Lausanne)
A lively museum of the Olympic Games in a lakeside park.
Nature and Outdoors
- Bains des Pâquis (Pâquis)
A public lake bath with summer swims, winter sauna and simple fondue. - Parc La Grange (Eaux-Vives)
A lakeside park with a famous rose garden and open lawns. - Salève (Near Geneva, France)
A mountain just over the French border with a cable car and views over the city. - Lavaux vineyards (Lavaux)
UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards above the lake with walking trails.
Restaurants
- Café du Soleil (Petit-Saconnex)
One of the oldest inns in Geneva, known for its fondue. - Les Pâquis food streets (Pâquis)
A diverse quarter of small Lebanese, Eritrean, Thai and Portuguese restaurants.
Cafés
- Chocolaterie Du Rhône (Rue de la Confédération)
A historic chocolatier for Geneva's chocolate tradition. - La Clémence (Bourg-de-Four)
A café terrace on the oldest square of the old town.
Shopping and Markets
- Carouge (Carouge)
A Mediterranean-style quarter of artisans, boutiques and markets. - Plainpalais Flea Market (Plainpalais)
A big flea market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Events
- Escalade (Vieille Ville)
A December festival of costumed parades and chocolate cauldrons.
Stays
- Hotel Beau-Rivage Geneva (Quai du Mont-Blanc)
A historic lakefront hotel facing the Jet d'Eau. - Geneva Hostel (Pâquis)
A large, central youth hostel near the lake and station.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Barfüsserbar at Frauenbad (Altstadt, Zurich)
A historic wooden river bath that turns into a candlelit bar on summer evenings. - Café Kränzlin (Old Town, Lucerne)
A long-running confectionery café on a painted square for cake and coffee. - Unspunnen Festival (Interlaken, Interlaken)
A traditional festival of stone throwing, wrestling and yodelling held every few years. - Hotel Staubbach (Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken)
A simple family-run hotel facing the Staubbach waterfall. - Café du Pont (Zermatt, Zermatt)
One of the oldest restaurants in the village, with rösti and Valais food. - Hotel Riffelhaus 1853 (Riffelberg, Zermatt)
A historic high hotel where you wake up above the day crowds.