When traveling throughout Switzerland, one can’t help but have the Sound of Music song “Climb Every Mountain” in their head. Perfect snow-capped mountains, lush greenery, and crystal clear lakes describe just some of the beauty that I saw while traveling throughout the country. It’s nearly impossible to see everything Switzerland has to offer in eight full days, but if you follow the itinerary below, you’ll get to see the main highlights.
Table of Contents
How To Get Around
I highly recommend getting the Swiss Travel Pass, since it covers most train, boat, and bus travel and discounted rates on gondola or cable cars up the mountains. The Swiss train website offers 3, 4, 8, and 15 day options. For this itinerary, the 8 day would allow travel up until the second to last day of this trip. Download the SBB mobile app on your phone to have access to all train schedules and to assist in planning the various routes you need to take.
Itinerary
Lucerne | Number of Nights: 2
Where To Stay: Central AirBnB Apartment with two bedrooms
Day One
After you arrive in Zurich, make your way to the train station located in the airport. This train will take you to the main hub in Zurich, where you will board another train that will take you to Lucerne, totaling about a one hour travel time. Make sure you plan in advance and take note of what time you arrive and what time the last train is. If you happen to arrive too late, you can also rent a car and drive 45 minutes to Lucerne. Relax and unwind on this day or venture out to stock up on food for your apartment.
Day Two
Located right on Lake Lucerne, Lucerne features beautiful bridges, an old town, and the Swiss Alps as a beautiful backdrop. Spend the morning walking around the city towards the lion monument located on the side of a rock wall.
From there, take a bus and a cable car up to Mt. Pilatus for snowy scenery and views. If you go during the right time of year, you could do the golden round trip utilizing the cogwheel train to go up and the cable car to go down the other side of the mountain, however, the cogwheel train isn’t open until mid-May. The views are still stunning nonetheless.
To watch the sunset, climb up to Museggmauer, the city walls located high on the hills above the city. End the day by having dinner by the lake. I recommend an Italian restaurant called Rossini Ristorante due to its scenic location and because they provide blankets in case you get cold.
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Lion Monument -
Cablecar up to Mt. Pilatus -
The old town of Lucerne -
View from Museggmauer
Interlaken | Number of Nights: 3
Where To Stay: Swiss Chalet AirBnB
Day Three
Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken is located in the middle of the Jungfrau region, which is perfect to enjoy a multitude of activities.
Start your day off in the morning by taking the two hour train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken and get settled into your hotel or AirBnB. Explore the many small towns located in the Jungfrau region and add in some easy hikes. Grindelwald, Murren, Wengen, and Lauterbrunnen are just some of the many mountain top towns you can visit. You can also travel to Jungfraujoch, which is considered the highest train station in Europe and can only be reached by cogwheel train. The Bernese highlands has much to offer but if you’re feeling overwhelmed, a more extensive blog post on what we did in the Jungfrau region will be written soon.
Day Four
Use this day to explore the lakes or, if you’re feeling adventurous, plan a paragliding or skydiving trip. In Interlaken, look up at the sky throughout the day and you will see dozens of paragliders floating from above. Lake Thun has two castles that can be visited by train or boat (both covered by the Swiss travel pass) and Lake Brienz is considered even more beautiful, according to one train conductor. This particular train conductor recommended to go to one of the villages on the lake and enjoy seafood.
If the weather is nice, take the cable car located near the Interlaken Ost train station up the mountain to Harder Kulm. You can enjoy panoramic views of Interlaken and sip on a cocktail or make reservations for dinner.
Day Five
One hour from Interlaken via train is Bern, the capital city of Switzerland. While the hustle and bustle of the city is very different than the calm serenity that Interlaken brings, its beauty is just as grand.
Once you depart from the train station, find the bus that takes you to Rosengarten. Not only are the flowers beautiful here, the location on the hilltop provides a stunning view of the city from above. I recommend splurging on lunch at the garden’s restaurant and ordering their goat cheese salad.
After lunch, head down the hill into the old town and pass the bears that are located in enclosures along the river. As you meander through old town, try and find all 11 of the fountains dispersed throughout the streets. The highlight of this picturesque street is the Zytglogge, or clock tower. This medieval tower was built in the 13th century and if you happen to be there at the top of an hour, check out the mechanical figures that pop out.
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Zytglogge clock tower -
One of 11 fountains located throughout Bern
Zermatt | Number of Nights: 2
Where To Stay: Haus Lizi AirBnB
Day Six
What visit to Switzerland is complete without viewing the Matterhorn? This iconic mountain is viewable from the city of Zermatt, which is a car-less mountain resort known for skiing. In the spring and summer, you can get a glimpse of the famous mountain if the weather is good.
On your first day in Zermatt, I recommend relaxing and venturing into the cute town for souvenir shopping and some fondue. Seeing the Matterhorn is hit or miss depending on the clouds, but try not to be too disappointed. Zermatt is picturesque on its own and at this point in the itinerary, you’ll need the down time!
Day Seven
Getting around Zermatt can be somewhat of a challenge since there are no cars allowed in this town. I recommend finding the eBus schedule and utilizing that or simply walking up and down the steep hills to get into town since the eTaxi is quite pricey.
Use this day to go up the Gornergrat. The Gornergrat provides a beautiful panorama view of the Matterhorn and its viewing platform is accessible via a cog railway. Enjoy some sparkling wine or beer at the self service restaurant and go crazy with the pictures.
If you’ve had zero luck at this point in seeing the Matterhorn due to clouds, make sure you look out your window at night. What might be a faint black outline to the naked eye may turn into a surprise through your camera lens.
Annecy | Number of Nights: 1
Where To Stay: Annecy La Vielle Ville AirBnB
Day Eight
Take the train to Lake Geneva and rent a car in Lausanne. This is completely optional, however, the train would make for a longer travel journey than driving to the next stop for the night.
After getting your car, head 30 minutes east along the lake to Montreux and stop for lunch. Admire the beautiful flowers and Freddie Mercury statue along the lake and either walk or drive to Chateau Chillon, a 12th century castle located right on the lake.
Chateau Chillon is not only beautiful from the outside, but quite interesting from the inside as well. Since the Swiss travel pass covers the entrance fee, spend an hour or two wandering the grounds and notice the similarities between the set of Winterfell in Game of Thrones and this castle.
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One of three courtyards -
Wine cellar, but reminds me of the Winterfell crypts
After you’ve toured the castle, begin a road trip that takes you to your next destination. You can either follow the southern route or northern route along Lake Geneva. While the northern route is faster, the southern route is probably the road less traveled and has lesser known but beautiful spots. An hour after the drive, stop at Château de Ripaille, a former monastery located on the lake.
Hop in your car and in another hour, you’ll reach the medieval village of Yvoire. Have an afternoon drink at one of the rooftop restaurants called Le Passe Franc. If you’re there early enough, check out the Garden of the Five Senses. There is even a castle that you could tour or at least get a glimpse of.
After Yvoire, head to your last destination for the night in Annecy, France. Yes, I know this is a Switzerland itinerary but since Annecy is located within an hour of Geneva, this beautiful town is not to be missed. Settle in for the night and decompress after a long travel day.
Geneva | Number of Nights: 1
Where To Stay: AirBnB Apartment by the Lake
Day Nine
Before checking out of your apartment at 2:00 pm, explore the beauty of Annecy. Visit Pont des Amours (Lovers Bridge), relax on a boat cruise around Lake Annecy, or go to the markets that line the canals.
After you’ve had your fill of Annecy, head in your car and head north for about an hour until you reach your final stop on this journey: Geneva. Spend the afternoon and evening strolling along the lake and then indulge in one of the best meals of your life at Bistrot du Boeuf Rouge. I recommend making reservations beforehand, even if it’s one hour before your arrival.
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The best French onion soup in the world -
Steak with bone marrow on top -
Pistachio cake
Once you’re done with dinner, relax and reflect on your amazing Switzerland adventure!
Map
See below for the map of all the places mentioned in this itinerary.
Wow!!! I love all the details of our fabulous trip.
Beautiful book Janae