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Switzerland

Look beyond the chocolate, cuckoo clocks and yodeling – contemporary Switzerland, land of four languages, is all about once-in-a-lifetime journeys, heart-racing Alpine pursuits and urban culture.

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Best places to visit, attractions, must-see attractions.

Stiftsbibliothek

Northeastern Switzerland

If the greatest masterpieces on earth are wrought for the glory of God, St Gallen’s Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library), is like a living prayer. Religious…

Jungfraujoch

Bernese Oberland

This is the big one. At 3454m above sea level, Jungfraujoch is Europe’s highest train station: a once-in-a-lifetime trip, with views of the deeply…

Swiss National Park

The Engadine

When an environmentally on-the-ball land like Switzerland has just one national park, you can bet it’s a good one. Huddled away in the far southeast of…

Aletsch Glacier

If ever a view in Switzerland is going to leave you dumbstruck (and there are a few great ones to choose from!), it will surely be the infinite swoop of…

Château de Chillon

If ever a castle could fit the fairy-tale bill, the dashingly handsome Château de Chillon would be it, with its moat, double ramparts and riot of turrets…

Zentrum Paul Klee

Bern’s answer to the Guggenheim, Renzo Piano’s architecturally bold, 150m-long wave-like edifice houses an exhibition space that showcases rotating works…

Castelgrande

Rising dramatically above the Old Town, this medieval stronghold is Bellinzona’s most visible icon. Head up Salita San Michele from Piazza Collegiata, or…

Ensnared in wispy spray, the thunderous Rheinfall might not give Niagara much competition in height (23m), width (150m) or even flow of water (700 cu…

Top picks from our travel experts

12 of the best things to do in the swiss alps.

This cable car whisks walkers up to the Gemmi Pass (2322m), clearly visible high above town, in next to no time. From the top, Lake Dauben and the…

Oeschinensee

Mountains rise like natural ramparts above the impossibly turquoise Oeschinensee, where you can fish, stroll, swim or hire a row boat. A cable car takes…

Rochers de Naye

A fabulous cogwheel-train ride (return adult/child Sfr70/35, 55 minutes, hourly) from Montreux station is half the reason to ascend the mountain to…

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Best Things to Do

Experience the best of Switzerland with these top things to do.

Things to Know

With four languages, dizzying mountain peaks and thriving cities, Switzerland has a lot on offer. Here's what you need to know before you go.

Transportation

Traveling in scenic Switzerland is a joy. Here are the best ways to get around.

Visa Requirements

Stunning Switzerland is a joy to visit and rightly beloved by travelers, but its entry requirements aren't always obvious. Here's what you need to know.

Money and Costs

Switzerland is one of the world’s most expensive places, it’s true. Follow these tips to get the most out of this beautiful nation for less.

Traveling with Kids

Exploring Switzerland with kids is child’s play. Find the perfect activities with this guide to the top things to do as a family.

Best Road Trips

Switzerland is full of incredible landscapes, and the best way to see them up close is on a road trip. Here are seven of our absolute favorites.

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Switzerland

Celebrating the Scenic Splendors and Railroad Marvels of Enchanting Switzerland

The awe and wonder of the Alps exhilarate travelers and the engineering marvels of mountain railways mesmerize. Majesty and machines join in Switzerland and in this public television special from APT. Real Rail Adventures: Switzerland showcases the construction marvels and visual splendors of the Swiss rail system. From world-class main lines, to stunning scenic routes, to pioneering steam locomotives and historic cog trains, host Jeff Wilson celebrates the triumphs of Swiss engineering over unbelievably challenging terrain. Many of Switzerland’s harrowing trestles, world-class bridges and improbable tunnels are highlighted in Real Rail Adventures: Switzerland .

Wilson crisscrosses a nation that reveres railroads in Real Rail Adventures: Switzerland .  Jeff’s mission: discover why the Swiss—and countless others around the globe—love trains. Is it the adrenaline rush of big machines, surging against probability up a mountainside? Is it the thrill of exploration—the way trains slice through remote areas, giving us up-close views of inaccessible landscapes? Maybe it’s the nostalgia, the echoes of a time gone by when trains were the lifeblood of everyday people and the station the center of every town. Or Jeff wonders, “Maybe we love trains because they’re just plain fun!”

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I only had 48 hours to spend in Switzerland. These 18 photos show why I regret not staying longer.

• I recently went to Switzerland for a short, first-time trip during a train journey through Europe.
• I explored Zürich and spent two nights in the nearby town of Roggwil. 
• From the city to the countryside, I was awestruck by picturesque scenes and jaw-dropping landscapes.

I recently took my cameras on a 2-week train trip through four European countries I'd never been to before.

After visiting Germany, Austria, and Italy, I ended my trip in Switzerland, where I saw some of the most striking scenes.

Read more: I visited 8 countries this year by train, plane, and cruise ship. 5 things surprised me that will change how I travel in 2023.

I had 48 hours in Switzerland, and I split my time between the northern Swiss city of Zürich and a nearby town called Roggwil, where my Airbnb was located.

I traveled to Switzerland from Milan, Italy, by train, and I saw some rich, green countryside landscapes along the way.

Read more: I've spent more than 100 hours riding the rails in the US and Europe. Here are 8 differences I noticed between train travel in each place.

I spent two peaceful, starry nights in a livable barrel Airbnb in Roggwil, which I thought was a relaxing counterpart to my visit to Zürich.

Source:   Airbnb

I loved the rolling hills and tranquil neighborhoods of Roggwil, and I was so glad I got to see a less-explored piece of Switzerland.

Read more: I paid $400 to sleep in a barrel in Switzerland and had the best glamping experience of my life

While the city was far more bustling than Roggwil, I thought parts of Zürich were just as charming with its jaw-dropping mountain views.

I found stunning, narrow, winding streets with vibrant, colorful buildings that stood out to me.

Some of these streets have been around since the Middle Ages, like Augustinergasse, which is lined with buildings featuring intricately carved and decorated bay windows preserved for centuries, according to City Seeker.

Source: City Seeker

While the colorful streets were busy with shoppers when I visited, I found pockets of peaceful stillness in alleyways made of cobblestone around the city.

From storefronts to parks and trees, I saw greenery in nearly every direction in Zürich.

Sources: City of Zürich , European Council

The city also contains 28 square miles of lakes, according to Britannica.

Source: Britannica

And I thought the water dividing parts of the city made for some stunning landscapes.

My favorite view in Zürich came during my ride on a funicular cable car called a Polybahn to Polyterrasse, a deck in front of Zurich University where I could see the whole city and beyond.

Source: Polybahn

The Polybahn was much like a train, except the rails went up and down, giving me elevated views of the buildings around me.

But the view from the top in Polyterrasse was even better, and it left me longing for more time in Switzerland. I can't wait to go back.

Read more: I only had 48 hours in Vienna but I'm still thinking about these 7 places that impressed me, from fairytale palaces to jaw-dropping sights

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EXPLORE WITH JEFF WILSON

One sustainable journey at a time.

Jeff is an avid lifelong traveler. He hosted national ‘how-to’ shows on HGTV and the DIY Networks for a decade and now brings his personality and world-class narration to convey wonder, savvy, and respect for adventure travel. Warm, good-natured, and curious, Jeff is an ideal virtual travel companion through his PBS TV shows .

TRAVEL WITH JEFF

Have you watched our travel shows on PBS and dreamed of coming along? Now you can—working with a reputable international travel agency, I've curated rail and road tours that allow you to follow in our footsteps. Whether riding the rails on the majestic Grand Train Tour of Switzerland or cruising Alpine passes in a zippy, quiet EV, these tours take you to the source of wonder and beyond. And, a few times each year, I'll join travelers on their tours to share my very favorite experiences, stories, and travel insights.

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Check out some deeper dives into Jeff's experiences on the road. 

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New to riding a sleeper train in Europe? Here’s what to know

More climate-friendly option growing in popularity in Europe

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As more people reconsider how they travel on a warming planet, a small but growing contingent in Europe wants to switch from high-emission, short-haul planes to more climate-friendly sleeper trains.

But for all the climate benefits — plus the enduring romance of overnight train journeys — it’s not always simple building a vacation around them.

Several national railways and private operators have moved in to meet the rising demand, and the result is a patchwork of overnight routes sold at over 30 different websites. Many routes may not run every day, and online ticket aggregators don’t include all countries that have night trains.

“I’ve always gone around on trains and boats and buses, so it was normal for me,” said Cat Jones, founder of the flight-free travel agency Byway. “But friends would say, ‘Oh, that sounds amazing, but no way am I going to plan all that.’”

Sleeper train advocates, however, say the experience and convenience of riding the rails makes them worth any booking difficulty. With patience and a few tips, you’ll never have to deal with airport security lines in the middle of your European holiday.

Start with a little research

First, make sure routes exist between your desired cities. Back on Track, a European rail advocacy group, maintains a night train database (back-on-track.eu/night-train-list) with all current and soon-to-launch routes on the continent. Just be aware that city names are listed with local spellings, such as Praha for Prague.

Then head to the sleeper train section of Man in Seat 61 , a website run by former rail industry worker Mark Smith that exhaustively explains what to expect ( seat61.com/sleepers.htm) . The site has details on dozens of international routes, down to seat and berth numbers on specific trains — even photos of the food and where to find electrical outlets.

Many operators provide perks like breakfast and free water, and some allow female travelers to book shared spaces only with other women.

Once you’ve found the right route, check Trainline (thetrainline.com) and RailEurope ( raileurope.com/en-us ), which sell tickets on most railways. Or go directly to the operator’s website; all will have an option to switch the language to English.

Decide how much privacy you need

Night trains’ configuration varies by operator, line and carriage. Many trains have a car or two with traditional upright seats selling for as little as 19 euros, but they recline and are much more spacious than an airplane seat.

Other carriages have sleeper cabins with anywhere from one to six beds, which likely fold up when not in use. It’s possible to book an entire cabin for a family or group of friends, but you’ll pay extra.

Sarah Marks, a frequent sleeper train traveler from London, said she was nervous the first time sharing a cabin, but ultimately found it was a great way to meet like-minded travelers. “It’s quite an intimate experience,” she said. “But hand over heart, every single one has been really nice and actually enhanced my experience.”

Plan to book in advance — but not too far in advance

Because most rail companies use dynamic pricing, as airlines do, the price of a ticket likely will rise as the date approaches.

But if you search for tickets now for summer travel, chances are you won’t see the routes available. Many railways do not open ticket sales until two or three months in advance. Several factors influence the timing, but it’s mostly because track maintenance usually is scheduled overnight to minimize commuter disruption.

“With sleeper trains that’s tricky to plan around,” Smith said, noting that he often hears concerns from Americans who like to plan their trips several months in advance.

Be flexible

The most popular routes, such as Paris to Berlin, can sell out or become prohibitively expensive for some travelers during peak times.

Rather than be deterred, travelers should think of rail travel as breaking the mold of point-to-point round trips, said Jones.

“If what people want is not available on that day, do a daytime train and we’ll put you on another sleeper somewhere else,” she said. Because Europe’s rail network is so extensive, there are many ways to get from point A to point B and back again, maybe returning through a city you might not have considered visiting.

“By relying on that network effect,” she said, “there’s always an amazing option as long as you’re flexible.”

Stumm is a freelance writer for The Associated Press.

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• Around the Churfirsten This moderately challenging loop takes you to the Wildhaus ski resort along a minor, little-known road and skirts magnificent Lake Walen. Learn more
• Donkey trekking The first item on this special walk is “donkey knowledge” before everybody prepares their “own” donkey. Learn more
• La Gruyère The Gruyère region, with its rolling green landscape and the peaks of the Fribourg Pre-Alps, is home to the world-famous Gruyère cheese. Learn more
• HR Giger Museum As tourists savor a fondue outside on the square, the surreal works of H.R. Giger come alive inside the Château St. Germain castle. Learn more
• Fribourg Region The Pays de Fribourg is somewhat a world turned upside down: cold, limestone summits are found in the south and mild, even Mediterranean-like lakesides in the north. Learn more
• Viamala Gorge The Viamala is full of history and stories. 2000 years ago, the Romans passed through the gorge. Learn more
• Canyoning in the Viamala Gorge The tour is led by experienced guides who assist the visitors with this nature adventure.
• CabriO Stanserhorn Enjoying the wind in one’s face and the perfect view. Learn more
• Mountain railways The journey to the top is an attraction in itself, be it onboard a cogwheel train, a cable car or the world’s steepest funicular. Learn more
• Hiking and Äscher cliff restaurant Nowhere else in Switzerland is the change from the hilly landscape of Central Switzerland to the craggy alpine scenery so abrupt or impressive as in the Alpstein area. Learn more
• Ebenalp and Wildkirchli Already Neanderthal men were here where today a cableway sweeps visitors up. Learn more
• Montreux Riviera The town of Montreux nestles in a sheltered Lake Geneva bay, surrounded by vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. Learn more
• Bern Cathedral The Bern Münster Cathedral of St. Vincent is the most impressive late-Gothic building in the city. Learn more
• City breaks City breaks are a brief escape from everyday life – and our Swiss Boutique Towns are perfect for the occasion. Learn more
• Bern Not many cities have managed to retain their historic features quite as successfully as Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Learn more
• Dream route Airolo - Gletsch From Airolo, the historic pass road snakes around hairpin bends up to the Gotthard. Learn more
• Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch The Jungfrau-Aletsch Region was chosen as the first Alpine UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2001. Learn more
• Glaciers Venture out onto eternal ice and explore our country’s many glaciers. Learn more
• Oberhofen Castle - Living Museum and Park The castle, which dates back to the early 13th century, houses a living museum. Learn more
• Lake Thun Lake Thun is especially popular amongst sailors and windsurfers who appreciate the prevailing light breeze. Learn more
• Swimming in the Rhine through the historic old town Thousands of people cool off by leaping into the refreshing water during the warmer months of the year. Learn more
• Basel Home to 40 museums, the city of culture for connoisseurs has the highest concentration of museums in the country. Learn more
• Nationalpark Bike-Marathon In four one-day stages you experience the unique countryside on the National Park bike marathon route. Learn more
• Swiss parcs The Swiss parks are not just great spots for rest and relaxation, but also play a key role in the preservation of natural habitats. Learn more
• Geneva With its humanitarian tradition and cosmopolitan flair, the European seat of the UNO and headquarters of the Red Cross is known as the «capital of peace». Learn more
• Jet d'Eau In Geneva harbour, known as “La Rade”, this water jet up to 140 metres high is a real eye-catcher. Learn more
• Appenzell The village of Appenzell and the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden are situated in a singularly beautiful landscape of rolling hills. Learn more
• Appenzeller® Cheese The country’s spiciest cheese has been made by hand in the same way for more than 700 years. Learn more
• Alpine Panorama Route The Alpine Panorama Route crosses the northern Alpine foreland with its many passes and gorges, tradition-rich culture, settlements and mountain farms. Learn more
• Hallwilersee Like the Baldeggersee lake a little further south, Lake Hallwil is located in the Seetal, a north-south valley that leads from the Lucerne hinterland to Lenzburg. Learn more
• Monte Generoso At the southern end of Lake Lugano is the 1,701 metre high Monte Generoso. Learn more
• Via Albula/Bernina Through moorland and Alpine pastures to the Berninapass. One highlight follows another. Learn more
• Autumn The forests reveal a wonderful palette of colours, leaves crunch underfoot and you can already imagine the wonderful seasonal dishes that await. Learn more
• Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces The natural, cultural and culinary highlights of this area are definitely well worth a visit. Learn more
• Jura Crest Trail The undisputed highlight of this tour across an extensive grazing area is Mont Tendre, the highest point in the Swiss Jura. Learn more
• Zug Zyt Tower, which offers a magnificent view of the Old Town, the Zug Mountain and Lake Zug, is the city's landmark. Learn more
• Zug Castle Museum With its many nooks and crannies, Zug Castle has been home to the museum of cultural history for the city and the Canton of Zug since 1983. Learn more
• Creux du Van – Natural Spectacle Impressive 160 meter high vertical rock faces surround a four kilometer long and over one kilometer wide valley basin. Learn more
• Val de Travers The Val de Tavers is characterised by the watch industry and extends from Lake Neuenburg across the Jura all the way to the French border. Learn more
• LAC Arte e Cultura The building by Ticino architect Ivano Gianola offers visitors art across 2500 square metres Learn more
• Lugano With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, combined with the cachet of a small town. Learn more
• Art & culture Switzerland is brimming with cultural surprises. Learn more
• Fribourg / Freiburg Over 200 unique Gothic facades from the 15th century impart incomparable medieval charm to the Old Town. Learn more
• Cathedral of St. Nicholas Climb the 368 steps and you will be rewarded with an unforgettable view of the town of Fribourg. Learn more
• Val Calnègia It can only be reached on foot, but the reward in the form of a submerged creek, unusual buildings and spectacular scenery is well worth the effort. Learn more
• Rochers-de-Naye: mountain with a view No two worlds could contrast more than those at the beginning and the end of the thrilling train ride from lively, sophisticated Montreux to the austere summit of Rochers-de-Naye.
• Schwarzsee The vacation region around the Black Lake and in the Eastern Freiburg Pre-Alps (Voralpen) is well-known for its authenticity and its wild, romantic natural landscape. Learn more
• Zurich The cosmopolitan city by the water combines creative urban life with nature in all its glory. Learn more
• Zürich West In the last 10 years the industrial wasteland to the west of Zurich has grown into a new bright lights district. Learn more
• Patinoire du Flon Lausanne The ice rink in Flon is a great place for outdoor ice skating. Learn more
• Europe’s highest suspension bridge The suspension bridge stretches spectacularly from one rock face to the other. Learn more
• Hikes to suspension bridges Thrills over the abyss Learn more
• Freestyle Academy In Europe’s first Freestyle Indoor Base, jumps and tricks can now be practiced all year. Learn more
• rockresort From bed to board. Learn more
• Panorama view Sweeping views extend from part of Lake Lucerne as far as the Black Forest. Learn more
• Gstaad Gstaad attracts a charming mix of visitors. Learn more
• Gstaad Saanenland ... ... a highlight on the Grand Tour of Switzerland. Learn more
• Snow and piste report Daily updated information on 250 winter sports stations. Learn more
• Matterhorn – Symbol for Switzerland The Matterhorn and Switzerland are inseparably linked to each other. Learn more
• Zermatt The vacation destination is a car-free zone and has preserved its original character. Learn more
• Bernina Express Fresh mountain air and stunning views from the Albula and Bernina rail lines. Learn more
• Train, Bus, Boat – Grand Train Tour The way of travelling that is as exciting as it is relaxing. Learn more
• St. Gallen The compact metropolis of eastern Switzerland between Lake Constance and Appenzellerland with a charming, traffic-free old town. Learn more
• St. Gallen Abbey District In St. Gallen you'll find history at every turn. Learn more
• Saas-Fee 13 four thousand meter peaks surround the glacier village, which is located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. Learn more
• Jungfraujoch On the Top of Europe: A visit to the Jungfraujoch puts a jewel in the crown of any visit to Switzerland. Learn more
• Crans-Montana Sun-drenched plateau high above the Rhone Valley. Learn more
• Albert Heim Hut The views of the Galenstock and the crystalline rock-climbing routes are stunning.
• Rigi Kaltbad Swiss Quality Hotel Enjoy the hospitality in an inspiring alpine setting. Learn more
• Highland hike from Rigi-Kaltbad to Urmiberg The highland tour from Kaltbad via the Scheidegg to Urmiberg can only be described as absolute top!
• Lucerne Gateway to central Switzerland. Learn more
• Switzerland’s cities ... ... want to seduce you into discovering something new or experiencing something old in a new way. Learn more
• Chapel Bridge and Water Tower At the outflow of the river Reuss, a historic needle dam, built in 1860, regulates the water level of the lake. Learn more
• Giessbach Falls The Giessbach brook tumbles in 14 stages, over a length of 500 meters and out of the high valleys of the Faulhorn area down to Lake Brienz. Learn more
• Waterfalls You can feel the sheer force of the water as it thunders down into the depths. Learn more
• Swiss Historic Hotels Unique accommodation options from an unpretentious historic guesthouse to the luxurious grand hotel. Learn more
• Emmentaler AOP The king of Swiss cheese. Learn more
• Scenic nature Thanks to its unique geographical location at the heart of Europe, Switzerland is endowed with an extraordinary variety of scenic countryside. Learn more
• Rhine falls circular route The Rhine Falls are the centrepiece of this circular hike. Learn more
• The Rhine Falls By ship one can reach castles, the Rhine Falls Basin and even the mighty rock in the midst of the waterfall. Learn more
• Oeschinensee – gondola rail One of the most attractive and imposing mountain lakes, namely Oeschinensee, is reached by gondola rail from Kandersteg. Learn more
• Kandersteg Kandersteg is located at 1,200 meters in the Bernese Oberland and offers a fantastic view of the Blümlisalp Massif. Learn more
• Rivers and lakes Discover the most beautiful lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls and gorges in our country. Learn more
• Chäserrugg – and the Churfirsten From Chäserrugg, the mightiest of the seven peaks of the Churfirsten mountain range, you can enjoy unsurpassed views into six countries.
• Wildhaus Nestled between the mighty Säntis massif and the seven Churfirsten peaks, the resorts of Alt St. Johann, Unterwasser and Wildhaus are among the highest-lying municipalities in Toggenburg. Learn more
• Ruinaulta - Switzerland's Grand Canyon 10,000 years ago, 10 billion cubic metres of rock thundered into the valley. Learn more
• On a raft through the Swiss Grand Canyon The Rhine gorge is among Switzerland’s most beautiful locations for rafting. Learn more
• Brissago The lowest and oldest part of the village is clustered around the beautiful Renaissance church of St. Peter and Paul, surrounded by centuries-old cypresses. Learn more
• Brissago - Ronco - Ascona Strong fragrance of mimosas, well-tended Palm Gardens and simply unsurpassable views of the deep-blue Lago (Lake) Maggiore.

Video control

• Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park
• Wasserauen Ebenalp
• Aletsch Arena
• Monte Generoso and Valle di Muggio
• Albulatal / Bergün
• Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
• Jura & Three-Lakes
• Fribourg / Freiburg
• Stoos – Fronalpstock

Jungfraujoch

• Crans-Montana
• Neuhausen am Rheinfall
• Unterwasser
• Brissago Island
• Wildhaus Wildhaus
• Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park
• Viamala Viamala
• Stans Stans
• Wasserauen Ebenalp Wasserauen Ebenalp
• Montreux Montreux
• Airolo Airolo
• Aletsch Arena Aletsch Arena
• Basel Basel
• Zernez Zernez
• Geneva Geneva
• Appenzell Appenzell
• Seengen Seengen
• Monte Generoso and Valle di Muggio Monte Generoso and Valle di Muggio
• Albulatal / Bergün Albulatal / Bergün
• Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
• Jura & Three-Lakes Jura & Three-Lakes
• Noiraigue Noiraigue
• Lugano Lugano
• Fribourg / Freiburg Fribourg / Freiburg
• S. Carlo S. Carlo
• Veytaux Veytaux
• Schwarzsee Schwarzsee
• Zurich Zurich
• Lausanne Lausanne
• Engelberg Engelberg
• Stoos – Fronalpstock Stoos – Fronalpstock
• Gstaad Gstaad
• Zermatt Zermatt
• Engadin Engadin
• St. Gallen St. Gallen
• Saas-Fee Saas-Fee
• Jungfraujoch Jungfraujoch
• Crans-Montana Crans-Montana
• Andermatt Andermatt
• Lucerne Lucerne
• Brienz Brienz
• Emmental Emmental
• Neuhausen am Rheinfall Neuhausen am Rheinfall
• Kandersteg Kandersteg
• Unterwasser Unterwasser
• Flims Flims
• Brissago Island Brissago Island
• Jun Wildhaus
• Jun Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park
• Jun Viamala
• Jul Wasserauen Ebenalp
• Jul Montreux
• Aug Aletsch Arena
• Sep Appenzell
• Sep Seengen
• Sep Monte Generoso and Valle di Muggio
• Oct Albulatal / Bergün
• Oct Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
• Oct Jura & Three-Lakes
• Nov Noiraigue
• Nov Fribourg / Freiburg
• Nov S. Carlo
• Dec Veytaux
• Dec Schwarzsee
• Dec Lausanne
• Jan Engelberg
• Jan Stoos – Fronalpstock
• Feb Zermatt
• Feb Engadin
• Feb St. Gallen
• Feb Saas-Fee
• Mar Jungfraujoch
• Mar Crans-Montana
• Mar Andermatt
• Apr Lucerne
• Apr Emmental
• Apr Neuhausen am Rheinfall
• May Kandersteg
• May Unterwasser
• May Brissago Island

List Inspiration Calendar

Something happens in a video. A bird's eye view of the beauty of Switzerland.

• Hallwyl Castle (Schloss Hallwyl)

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Europcar e-grand tour, top destinations, grindelwald, recommendation summer, grand train tour of switzerland, summer: vacation and excursion tips, everything about hiking, the grand tour of switzerland.

The most scenic road trip

City: tips for holidays and outings

Recommendation winter, winter holidays, wellness & spa hotels, winter sports resorts, premium panorama trains, winter in the city, matterhorn (4,478 a.s.l.) - symbol for switzerland.

The Matterhorn and Switzerland are inseparably linked to each other. The pyramid shaped colossus of a mountain, which is very difficult to climb, is said to be the most-photographed mountain in the world. The Klein-Matterhorn ("Little Matterhorn"), which can be reached via a funicular, lies adjacent to the Matterhorn.

The Rhine Falls

To stand high above Europe's largest waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water over one's entire body - this can be experienced at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. By ship one can reach castles, the Rhine Falls Basin and even the mighty rock in the midst of the waterfall.

On the Top of Europe: A visit to the Jungfraujoch puts a jewel in the crown of any visit to Switzerland.

Château de Chillon

Chillon Castle is located on a rock on the banks of Lake Geneva. The water castle is the most visited historic building in Switzerland. For nearly four centuries Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the Counts of Savoy.

Creux du Van

"Creux du Van", a natural rock arena of immense proportions, is located at the border of the cantons of Neuenburg and Vaud. Impressive 160 meter high vertical rock faces surround a four kilometer long and over one kilometer wide valley basin.

Aletsch - the Largest Alpine Glacier

Incredibly immense, incredibly beautiful: the Large Aletsch Glacier is the Alps' mightiest ice flow. And the most popular, for it is easily accessible and is ideally situated for extensive hikes, winter sports and special nature excursions.

Swiss Museum of Transportation

Switzerland’s most visited museum showcases the past, present and future of mobility with interactive and varied exhibits. In addition to the museum, unique attractions found nowhere else in Switzerland, such as the film theatre, planetarium, Swiss Chocolate Adventure and Media World, are just waiting to be discovered.

10,000 years ago, 100 billion cubic metres of rock thundered into the valley. Known as the Flims Rockslide, this event created the Ruinaulta, a canyon-like gorge in the Anterior Rhine Valley that can be reached on foot, over water, by train or by bike.

Zurich – for inquisitive urban explorers

Expert tips, waterside hikes.

What could be lovelier than a hike to a lake, along a river or even near a glacier? Water is a constant companion on these nine hikes. Immerse yourself.

Bicycle tours by water

What could be better than letting your gaze wander over the water while you pedal? With its many lakes and rivers, our country offers various routes where you can be sure that the refreshment you long for is just a stone's throw away.

Swiss mountain railways take visitors to magnificent views as well as delightful and relaxing stays.

Switzerland is a paradise for hikes. Here you will find inspiration and information on the many hiking options.

Switzerland’s waterfalls

We not only have fascinating lakes and rivers, but impressive waterfalls as well – one of which is the biggest in Europe, the Rhine Falls. You can feel the sheer force of the water as it thunders down into the depths.

Open airs, festivals and parties in summer

Open airs, festivals and parties in the Swiss summer are a mix of top international acts, up-coming artists and a unique experience amid picturesque backdrops. From electronic music to rock and pop to jazz and folk, Swiss festivals offer something for every taste.

• 1 Jun Single axle race. Hofstetten bei Brienz, 01.06.2024
• From 1 Jun FOKUS: Architecture with Klee Bern
• From 1 Jun Double cream festival in Gruyères Gruyères, 01.06. - 02.06.2024
• 1 Jun Rallye du Chablais Aigle, 01.06.2024
• 1 Jun Streetfood Festival Locarno Locarno, 01.06.2024
• until 2 Jun Longines CSIO St.Gallen – Official show jumping tournament of Switzerland St. Gallen, 31.05. - 02.06.2024
• until 8 Sep Zurich Art Prize 2024: Olaf Holzapfel Zurich
• 2 Jun IRONMAN 70.3 Switzerland Rapperswil, Lake Zurich, 02.06.2024

Peaks Place Apartment-Hotel & Spa, Laax Sensational family offer

holiday apartment valid: 01.07.2024 - 31.08.2024

Hotel Seeburg Luzern, Lucerne Enjoy Summer by the lake

Price per person in double room valid: 01.06.2024 - 31.08.2024

Romanshorn Mittelland-Route Romanshorn - Lausanne

Price per person in double room valid: 01.06.2024 - 31.12.2024

JUFA Hotel Savognin, Val Surses Savognin Bivio Unique walking experience

Price per double room valid: 01.06.2024 - 14.07.2024

Trauffer Erlebniswelt & Bretterhotel, Hofstetten bei Brienz An unforgettable family experience

Price per family room valid: 01.06.2024 - 31.10.2024

Bad Zurzach Tourismus AG, Bad Zurzach Switch off and enjoy

Price per person in double room valid: 01.06.2024 - 30.08.2024

Hotel Grauholz, Ittigen All-day package

Without overnight stay valid: 01.06.2024 - 12.02.2025

Berghotel Schatzalp, Davos Enjoy Summer in active mood

Price per person in double room valid: 07.06.2024 - 04.08.2024

Hotel Waldhaus Sils, Sils i.E. Wellness special

Price per double room valid: 16.06.2024 - 31.08.2024

Hotel Sarain Active Mountain Resort, Lantsch / Lenz Stay for 3 nights, pay for 2

Accommodation: Standard valid: 01.06.2024 - 31.08.2024

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