50+ places of interest in Switzerland

Switzerland's sights are as diverse as Swiss culture and tradition. Hardly any other country combines such a variety of nature, culture and cities in such a small area. Majestic mountains, deep blue lakes, picturesque villages and lively old towns are often only a short train ride apart.

An integral part of many regions are also the living Swiss traditions - from the alphorn, the Rütli oath, William Tell, Helvetia and the national holiday on August 1st, silhouette Pattern about Edelweiss shirts to culinary specialties like the Landjäger. 

Whether imposing glacier worlds, thundering waterfalls, impressive castles or modern museums - the typical Switzerland offers countless destinations worth seeing for day trips. Below we present an overview of the top sights in Switzerland, but first we would like to give preference to the "small" excursion tips, divided into the following categories Nature & Landscape, Cities & Culture, Family-friendly excursion destinations and much more. informative and factually neutral.

Places of interest in Switzerland

Nature & Landscape

• Matterhorn (Map)
• Creux du Van (Map)
• Aletsch Glacier (Jungfrau-Aletsch) (Map)
• Rigi Kulm (Map)
• Pilatus (Map)
• Säntis (Map)
• Gornergrat (Zermatt) (Map)
• Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe (Map)
• Titlis (Engelberg) (Map)
• Uetliberg (Zurich) (Map)
• Rhine Falls (Schaffhausen) (Map)
• Staubbach Falls (Lauterbrunnen) (Map)
• Trümmelbach Falls (Lauterbrunnen) (Map)
• Giessbach Falls (Brienz) (Map)
• Blausee (Kandersteg) (Map)
• Oeschinensee (Kandersteg) (Map)

Towns & Culture

• Basel Minster (Basel) (Map)
• Zytglogge (Bern) (Map)
• Chapel Bridge (Lucerne) (Map)
• Lion Monument (Lucerne) (Map)
• Chillon Castle (Montreux) (Map)
• Jet d'Eau (Geneva) (Map)
• Lindt Home of Chocolate (Kilchberg/Zurich) (Map)
• Gruyeres Castle (Map)
• Olympic Museum (Lausanne) (Map)
• Madonna del Sasso (Locarno) (Map)

Family-friendly excursion destinations

• Zurich Zoo (Map)
• Basel Zoo (Map)
• Swiss Museum of Transport (Lucerne) (Map)
• Technorama (Winterthur) (Map)
• Papiliorama (Kerzers) (Map)
• Conny-Land (Lipperswil) (Map)
• Alpamare (Pfäffikon SZ) (Map)
• Ballenberg Open-Air Museum (Map)
• Heidi village (Maienfeld) (Map)
• Goldau Zoo (Map)
• Swiss Vapeur Parc (Le Bouveret) (map)
• Maison Cailler (Broc) (Map)
• Swissminiatur (Melide) (Map)

Cities

• City of Zurich - Zurich Tourism – Map
• Geneva (Genève) - Genève Tourisme – Map
• Berne (Federal City) - Switzerland Tourism – Map
• Basel - Basel Tourism – Map
• Lucerne - Lucerne Tourism – Map
• Lausanne - Lausanne Tourism – Map
• Lugano - Lugano Tourism – Map
• St. Gallen - St. Gallen Tourism – Map
• Winterthur - Winterthur Tourism – Map
• Interlaken - Interlaken Tourism – Map
• Davos - Davos Klosters Tourism – Map
• Montreux - Montreux Riviera Tourism – Map
• Biel/Bienne - Tourism Biel Seeland – Map
• Chur - Chur Tourism – Map
• Murten/Morat - Murten Tourism – Map

Viewpoints and mountains

• Pilatus (Kulm) - Pilatus Railways – Map
• Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) - Jungfrau Region – Map
• Gornergrat (Zermatt) - Gornergrat Railway – Map
• Rigi (Queen of the Mountains) - Rigi Railways – Map
• Säntis (Alpstein) - Säntis Railways – Map
• Harder Kulm (Interlaken) - Jungfrau Region – Map
• Uetliberg (Zurich's local mountain) - Uto Kulm – Map
• Creux du Van (natural monument) - Switzerland Tourism – Map
• Schilthorn - Piz Gloria (Mürren) - Schilthorn Railway – Map
• Titlis (Engelberg) - Titlis mountain railroads – Map
• Matterhorn (Zermatt) - Matterhorn Paradise – Map

Railroad experiences

• Glacier Express (Zermatt-St. Moritz) - Glacier Express – Map
• Bernina Express (Chur-Tirano) - Switzerland Tourism – Map
• GoldenPass Express (Montreux-Interlaken) - GoldenPass Express – Map
• Steam train Furka mountain line (Realp-Oberwald) - DFB (Furka mountain line) – Map
• Gornergrat Bahn (Zermatt) - Gornergrat Railway – Map
• Rigi Railways (Arth-Goldau-Rigi Kulm) - Rigi Railways – Map
• Jungfrau Railway (Kleine Scheidegg-Jungfraujoch) - Jungfrau Region – Map
• Pilatus Railway (Alpnachstad-Pilatus Kulm) - Pilatus Railways – Map

Special places

• Chillon Castle (Montreux) - Chillon Castle – Map
• Emmental show dairy (Affoltern i. E.) - Emmental show dairy – Map
• Rhine Falls (Schaffhausen) - Rhine Falls Schaffhausen – Map
• Maison Cailler (Swiss Chocolate Museum, Broc) - Maison Cailler – Map
• Heididorf (Maienfeld) - Heididorf Maienfeld – Map
• Swiss National Park (Zernez, Graubünden) - Swiss National Park – Map
• Lavaux (wine terraces, UNESCO) - Lavaux UNESCO – Map
• Abbey Cathedral of St. Gallen (UNESCO) - St. Gallen Tourism – map
• Thun Castle (Thun) - City of Thun – Map
• Lenzburg Castle (Aargau) - Lenzburg Castle – Map
• Einsiedeln Monastery (Einsiedeln) - Einsiedeln Monastery – Map
• Trümmelbach Falls (Lauterbrunnen) - Interlaken Tourism – Map
• Ballenberg (open-air museum, Hofstetten b. Brienz) - Ballenberg Museum – Map
• Technorama (Winterthur) - Swiss Science Center Technorama – Map
• Swiss Museum of Transport (Lucerne) - Swiss Museum of Transport Lucerne – Map

Some sights from the air @helikopterflug.ch

The top 10 sights in Switzerland

Switzerland offers a diverse selection of places of interest. But here are the 10 most unusual excursion destinations. The compilation is based on official tourism sources and field reports. 

1st Matterhorn

At 4,478 m, the Matterhorn (Valais Alps) is one of the most famous mountains in Switzerland and a symbol of the Alps. Due to its striking, pyramid-shaped form and remoteness, the summit is only climbed by experienced mountaineers.

• Best time to visit: July to September (summer hikes), in winter for skiing or for photo opportunities in the snow.
• How to get there: Zermatt railroad station - the village can be reached car-free via Visp railroad station. From Zermatt, continue with mountain railroads (e.g. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise) or hiking trails.

Left: Official Zermatt Tourism website, Google Maps (Matterhorn)

2nd Jungfraujoch

The Jungfraujoch is also known as the "Top of Europe". At 3,454 m, it is home to the highest railroad station in Europe, accessible by the Jungfrau Railway. It is one of the most extraordinarySwiss tourist attractions. At the top of the glacier plateau, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of countless high alpine peaks. Restaurants and an impressive ice and glacier grotto (ice labyrinth) offer unique experiences high above the clouds. In general, the Jungfrau Region is a popular excursion destination that is well worth a visit.

• Best time to visit: May to October (few clouds, good visibility), also worthwhile in winter for snow experiences.
• How to get there: By train, e.g. from Interlaken Ost via Lauterbrunnen/Wengen or from Grindelwald via Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfrau Railway station. The train ride is part of the experience.

Left: Jungfraujoch (official website), Google Maps (Jungfraujoch)

3rd Rhine Falls

© Helicopterflight.ch

The Rhine Falls near Neuhausen am Rheinfall (Schaffhausen) is one of the largest waterfalls in Europe. With a drop height of 23 m and a width of approx. 150 m, it amazes visitors with its enormous volume of water. Several viewing platforms and boat trips right next to the falls provide breathtaking close-up views.

• Best time to visit: Spring (meltwater) and summer - when the rivers carry a lot of water; in the evening, the falls are illuminated from May to September.
• How to get there: By train to Neuhausen am Rheinfall (station directly at the falls) or train to Schaffhausen and bus. Parking is available, but public transport is convenient.

Links: Official Rhine Falls website, Google Maps (Rhine Falls)

4th Chillon Castle

The Château de Chillon is a medieval moated castle on a rocky island on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva (near Montreux). The impressive complex (founded in the 12th century) is surrounded by a nature reserve and was the inspiration for Lord Byron's poem "The Prisoner of Chillon". Guided tours and a café (Café Byron) are available on site.

• Best time to visit: May to October - pleasant weather and boat trips available.
• How to get there: By train to Veytaux/Chillon or Montreux, walk to the castle. Alternatively by car (parking lot at the castle) or excursion boat on Lake Geneva.

Left: Official Chillon Castle website, Google Maps (Château de Chillon)

5th Chapel Bridge (Lucerne)

©Picturecircus.ch

The Chapel Bridge in Lucerne is a historic covered wooden bridge from the 14th century. Together with the water tower, it shapes the cityscape of Lucerne like almost no other building. Some of the medieval paintings inside date back to 1616, and the bridge was extensively restored after a fire in 1993. The Chapel Bridge is considered to be the oldest preserved covered wooden bridge in the world and is a landmark of Central Switzerland.

• Best time to visit: All year round, especially picturesque in the fall and at sunset.
• How to get there: Lucerne main station - from there a few minutes' walk to the lake; parking lots in Lucerne (e.g. KKL parking garage) a short walk away.

Left: Lucerne Tourism (Chapel Bridge), Google Maps (Chapel Bridge Lucerne)

6th Zytglogge (Bern)

The Zytglogge is a medieval clock tower dating from 1191 and a landmark of Bern. It once served as the city gate and is a popular attraction with its ornate astronomical clockwork from 1530 and the figure-controlled carillon. Visitors like to gather a few minutes before every full hour to experience the historical spectacle of the figures. Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is generally well worth a visit and offers many other attractions.

• Best time to visit: All year round - the attraction is located in the middle of Bern's Old Town and is accessible in all weathers.
• How to get there: Bern main station - Old Town on foot (approx. 10 min.). The area is a pedestrian zone, parking mostly at the station or on the edge of the Old Town.

Left: Swiss Tourism (Zytglogge), Google Maps (Zytglogge)

7th Bernina Express

The Bernina Express is a panoramic train route of the Rhaetian Railway through the Alps (UNESCO World Heritage Site). It crosses 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, including the world-famous Brusio circular viaduct. The route runs from Chur/St. Moritz over the 2,253 m high Bernina Pass to Tirano (Italy). Throughout the journey, the panoramic carriages offer fantastic views of glaciers, passes and mountain valleys.

• Best time to visit: Summer (June-September) for green mountain landscapes, in winter (snowy panorama, but views through icy windows).
• How to get there: Boarding possible from Chur or St. Moritz. Tickets for the panorama car are required. Information under the links.

Links: Official RhB website (Bernina Express), Google Maps (Bernina Express)

8th Lake Lucerne

Lake Lucerne is a large fjord lake in central Switzerland. It is divided into several bays and is framed by mountains such as the Rigi and Pilatus. Lucerne, a larger city, lies on the northern shore of the lake. Historic steamboats operate on the lake, taking visitors to picturesque places on the shore. The lake has important historical sites nearby (e.g. the Rütli meadowthe founding legend of Switzerland).

• Best time to visit: May to October - day trips by steamboat, swimming on the beaches and lake cruises.
• How to get there: Lucerne railroad station → jetty or lido. Alternatively train to Brunnen, Weggis etc. Shore towns easily accessible by train/car.

Left: Lucerne-Lake Lucerne Tourism, Google Maps (Lake Lucerne)

9th Swiss National Park

The Swiss National Park (founded in 1914) is the oldest protected area in the Alps and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It extends in the Engadine (canton of Graubünden) around Zernez. In this "wild" area of over 170 km², nature is undisturbed - you can observe ibexes, marmots and lynxes. Visitors can find out more about the diverse high mountain ecosystem at the National Park Center in Zernez.

• Best time to visit: Summer to early fall (July-September) - hiking trails open, alpine flowers and wildlife spotting at its best. Closed in winter.
• How to get there: Zernez railroad station (via Chur or Zurich). National Park Center can be reached on foot or by post bus. Parking possible at the Zernez National Park Center.

Links: Official National Park website, Google Maps (Swiss National Park)

10th Swiss Alps

The Alps characterize the landscape of Switzerland. They offer spectacular mountain panoramas, glaciers and idyllic high Alpine passes. They are home to numerous glaciers, such as the Aletsch Glacier (UNESCO) and panoramic peaks such as the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Activities range from mountain tours and skiing to panoramic trips (e.g. Glacier Express) and mountain railroads.

• Best time to visit: Summer for hiking (July-September), winter for skiing (December-March).
• How to get there: Depending on the region by car or train (e.g. Lötschberg, Simplon, Furka, Gotthard Pass). Many mountain railroads reach the summits.

Left: Switzerland Tourism (Alps), Google Maps (Swiss Alps)

Insider tip: If you want to experience the Alps from a completely new perspective, you should take a swisshelicopter flight over the Swiss Alps should consider a helicopter flight over the Swiss Alps. A sightseeing flight opens up breathtaking views of the majestic peaks, glaciers and mountain lakes - an unforgettable experience and a real "must do" among Switzerland's sights.

Conclusion: Whether imposing Switzerland sights in the Alps, cultural highlights in the cities or family-friendly experiences - Switzerland offers the right excursion destination for every taste and every age group. Thanks to the excellent infrastructure (public transport network, mountain railroads), many highlights are easily accessible even in one day. Be inspired by the variety and plan your next day trip - there is always something new to discover in Switzerland!

More worth reading Blog posts about Switzerland:

• Traditions and customs in Switzerland
• Typically Swiss
• The Rütli Oath
• The Swiss Confederate
• William Tell