10 of the Best things to do in Switzerland in the summer
Switzerland is my favorite country to travel to and this is for a reason – it is stunningly beautiful, clean, easy to get around, safe and…. well, just gorgeous.
If you are looking for great things to do in Switzerland then I have some great places and activities for your Switzerland itinerary (though Switzerland is geographically tiny there is a lot to see and do).
Here are my recommendations for your Switzerland trip in summer.
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1) Get up Mount Pilatus
Mount Pilatus in the region of Lucerne might be busy in the summer time but if you visit the mountain peak on a clear day it will be worth the money (getting up is not easy – unless you hike) and the hustle and bustle of getting there. On your way back you can make a short stop in Lucerne – a gorgeous city close by.
2) Visit Zurich
Zurich is definitely one of my favorite cities in Europe. It’s not as big and exciting as Paris or London but there are many things to do and see. One of my favorite activities in Zurich is to stroll along Lake Zurich – in the evening you´ll find street artists and during the day it’s just the best place to chill.
3) Visit Stein am Rhein
This little town close to the German border is unique – the most beautiful facades will amaze you while the town itself is small and easy to walk within a short time. It is probably one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland
4) Visit Matterhorn
The Matterhorn Mountain is located in the cute town of Zermatt and might be on of the main tourist attractions in Switzerland. Its unique shape has made it worldwide famous – after all, it is shown in many Instagram feeds and travel magazines. Zermatt itself is a gorgeous town to see as well, so plan in some time to stroll along this gorgeous town as well.
5) Explore Interlaken
Of course, Interlaken makes it in this list – this region is one of the most stunning ones in the world and if you are in Switzerland you have to visit Interlaken. See Lake Brienz, visit the cute town of Lauterbrunnen, admire the Top of World from Jungfraujoch….the options of things to see in Interlaken are endless.
6) See Geneva
Geneva holds a special place in Switzerland. Though it is not the capital of Switzerland it is the “international capital“ – being home of the International Committee of the Red Cross or the United Nations.
To me, it does not really feel like Switzerland. Though it is not geographically huge it still has a cosmopolitan feel that no other place in Switzerland and so a visit is a must!
7) Go Hiking
While many mountain summits in Switzerland are accessibly by cable car, you have to hike in Switzerland – otherwise you have not been to Switzerland at all.
While there are very challenging mountains you can start with “small” mountains if you are not that well trained – Harder Kulm for instance is great for beginners.
8) Visit Bern
Bern is, without a doubt, a beautiful capital and probably one of the most beautiful ones in the world. Whether you walk along the Aare river or visit the bears which live in the city center (yep, that is true) – Bern has something to offer for everyone.
9) Boat Tours
I know, I might be an extreme, but Switzerland has so many great lakes that you have to hop on a boat and do a boat tour! Whether you do one at Lake Geneva, Lake Brienz, Lake Thun or Lake Lucerne – it is an experience you have to do at least once in Switzerland.
10) Visit the Rhine Falls
The Rhine Falls are huge – literally. They are the biggest waterfalls in Europe and after a rainy day it gets even more impressive. The water falls are located near the German border and are definitely one of the places you have to visit in Switzerland
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![Where to stay in Zurich [Best Places to Stay for 2024]](https://www.travellingking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Where-to-stay-in-Zurich.jpg)
![Where to stay in Geneva [Best Places to Stay for 2024]](https://www.travellingking.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Geneva-Top-view-of-Geneva-old-town-and-Lake-Geneva-with-Jet-deau-fountain-as-symbol-of-Geneva-city-Switzerland-Europe..jpg)
This looks Great and I’m lost. Can you give a bit of direction? We will be doing a Rhine River cruise…ending in Basel. Unsure if we should do 4 days land which would include Lucerne and Zurich. However, if we do it on our own, and see Lucerne, we can then head out for Interrlaken and the Matterhorn. We will only have 4-5 days in Switzerland and then on to Austria. Any help you could give would be great. We realize we can’t do it all in such a short amount of time but what is a MUST? Thanks!
Ah, lucky you., I am sure you will have an amazing time. Here is my 5 days itinerary for Switzerland, Interlaken, Zurich, Zermatt is a must and here are some more tips (and how much time to spend in each place), it does not include Basel, so you can see what you like to skip instead. https://arzotravels.com/switzerland-itinerary-5-days-switzerland-in-5-days/