Top Things to Do and See in Switzerland

Switzerland's highlights are spread across a small map, so you can see a lot without long transfers. The trick is choosing a few bases and planning summit days around the weather. Here are the sights and experiences that deserve a place on your list, grouped by area.

Lucerne, the Rhine Falls and central Switzerland

• Lake Lucerne by boat: historic paddle steamers link lakeside villages, and a cruise is the easiest way to take in the region's fjord-like scenery.
• Mount Pilatus: ride what is billed as the world's steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad in the warmer months, then return by cable car to Kriens to make a loop.
• Rigi or Titlis: Rigi, the "Queen of the Mountains", offers gentle panoramic walks; Titlis above Engelberg has snow all year and a rotating cable car.
• Rhine Falls: near Schaffhausen, a short trip north of Zurich, small boats take you right up to a rock in the middle of one of Europe's most powerful waterfalls.

The Jungfrau region

The Bernese Oberland is Switzerland at its most dramatic, best explored from Interlaken, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.

• Jungfraujoch: a cogwheel railway climbs through tunnels inside the Eiger and Mönch to the highest railway station in Europe, with views over the Aletsch Glacier.
• Lauterbrunnen valley: sheer cliffs and waterfalls, including Staubbach Falls beside the village and the glacier-fed Trümmelbach Falls that thunder inside the mountain.
• Grindelwald First: a cliff walk, downhill mountain carts and an easy hike to the Bachalpsee lake.

Zermatt and the Valais Alps

• The Matterhorn: ride the Gornergrat railway for the classic view, or take cable cars to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise viewing platform. The Five Lakes Walk shows the peak reflected in alpine lakes.
• Aletsch Glacier: the largest glacier in the Alps, best seen from car-free Bettmeralp, Riederalp or Fiescheralp, reached by cable car from the Rhône valley.

Lake Geneva's shores

• Chillon Castle: a medieval fortress on a rocky island just off the shore near Montreux, and one of the country's most visited historic buildings.
• Lavaux vineyard terraces: UNESCO-listed slopes between Lausanne and Montreux; walk between wine villages and stop for a glass of Chasselas.
• Gruyères: a hilltop medieval town with a castle, an easy day trip for cheese lovers.

Scenic trains and the Italian-speaking south

• Glacier Express: a slow, panoramic journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz, crossing mountain passes and soaring viaducts.
• Bernina Express: from Chur or St. Moritz over the Bernina Pass to Tirano in Italy, on a UNESCO-listed line.
• Bellinzona and Lugano: three UNESCO-listed castles in Bellinzona, followed by a lakeside evening in Lugano.

Booking tips

• Panoramic trains such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express need seat reservations; book weeks ahead for summer.
• Check summit webcams and the forecast on the morning of a mountain excursion. A summit in cloud is a costly disappointment, so keep your plans flexible.
• Many cable cars and mountain railways close for maintenance in spring and November, between the ski and hiking seasons.
• Rail passes cover lake boats and many scenic lines and give discounts on most mountain railways, so compare before buying single tickets.
• Start early in July and August to beat the crowds at the Jungfraujoch, Gornergrat and Rhine Falls.

Stay connected in Switzerland

Live webcams, weather forecasts and mountain railway timetables are what turn a good summit day into a great one, and you will want to share the view from the top. A HelloSIM eSIM gives you mobile data across Switzerland without changing your number: it is data-only, you install it at home and it connects when you arrive.