What to see in Switzerland: 10 ways to fall in love with the country

While much has been written about the major resorts and main attractions, we decided to take a different route—putting together a list of 10 experiences that will make you fall in love with this country. So, here’s what you should do in Switzerland.

1. Ride the “Chocolate Train”

It runs between Montreux and the town of Broc, home to the country’s oldest operating chocolate factory—Cailler-Nestlé. The train features vintage 1915 carriages, and passengers are treated to coffee, croissants, and cheese fondue.

Upon arrival, take a tour of the factory. You’ll learn about the brand’s history and chocolate-making techniques, and even have the chance to master the craft under the guidance of the best chocolatiers. Hand-made sweets will make an excellent souvenir for friends and family!

• When? From early May to mid-October.
• How much? A ticket for the train costs €120; the visit to the chocolate factory and chocolate-making workshop are paid for separately.
• How to get there? You can reach Montreux by train from Bern, with a transfer in Lausanne. The journey takes about an hour and a half.
• You can purchase a train ticket here.

2. Visit the museum of the artist who created the “Alien” creatures

It’s located in the small medieval town of Gruyères, in the house where H.R. Giger lived and worked. Not only is the museum adorned with figures of extraterrestrial monsters, but there’s also a popular café nearby that shares the theme. While there, be sure to visit the Gruyères Castle (one of the most famous in the country) and try the local Gruyère cheese fondue in a nearby restaurant.

• When? Year-round.
• How much? A combined ticket for the castle and Giger Museum costs €18.
• How to get there? The easiest way is by car from Montreux, Bern, or Zurich. Cars aren’t allowed into the Old Town, but there’s a free parking lot nearby, at the bottom of the hill. There’s no direct train connection from Zurich or Geneva.

3. See aventicum—the capital of “Roman Switzerland”

Around 20,000 residents, flourishing trade, lavish mansions protected by a five-kilometer wall with 70 towers—this was the largest city in Helvetia, Aventicum, about 2,000 years ago.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Today, you can still see the city’s eastern gates, one of the towers, the ruins of the baths and temple, the Cigognier sanctuary, and an amphitheater that once seated up to 16,000 people (which occasionally hosts opera performances). The Roman Museum houses fragments of original mosaics, a replica of a golden bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and everyday items found during excavations in Aventicum.

A 3D show, “The Great History of Aventicum,” will transport you back in time. Costumes, actor performances, lighting, and special effects all make you forget what century it is.

• When? Year-round.
• How much? A tour of the ancient city, including the Roman Museum, costs around €55 per group, and tickets for the 3D show range from €25 to €60.
• How to get there? The journey from Zurich by train takes two to three hours, with at least one transfer. From some other cities (such as Fribourg), you can reach Aventicum by bus.

4. Ascend to the “Top of Europe”—Jungfraujoch

If you’re in Interlaken or its surroundings, don’t miss the chance to ride a train to the highest railway station in Europe (3,454 meters above sea level). There’s no other place in the world at this altitude that’s accessible without mountaineering gear.

The railway opened in 1912, after 16 years of construction! As you pass through tunnels, one of which runs inside the Eiger Mountain, it’s hard to imagine just how massive this project was for its time.

Even in summer, bring warm clothing and shoes to Jungfraujoch. The elevation difference is significant, so the temperature at the top is much lower than in Interlaken. And don’t forget protective sunglasses—the sun’s rays reflecting off the snow can blind and harm your retinas.

At the top, you’ll find a small museum dedicated to the construction of the railway, an ice palace with ice sculptures built in the 1930s, and the Aletsch Glacier, where you can go sledding. If the weather doesn’t cooperate and clouds obscure the view (which happens often), visit the Jungfrau Panorama Hall and enjoy the landscapes captured on video.

• When? Year-round.
• How much? A round trip from Interlaken to Jungfrau will cost around €200 (second class).
• How to get there? The journey takes about two hours, so start early. First, take a train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, then to Kleine Scheidegg, and finally to Jungfrau. The transfers are short, about 10 minutes. Don’t worry about missing a train or getting lost—each station has staff to assist passengers and ensure smooth transfers.

5. Spend the night in a real castle

At the Hotel Chateau Gutsch in Lucerne, you’ll feel like royalty. This private residence was built in 1898, inspired by the famous Bavarian Neuschwanstein. The hotel is perched on a hill 490 meters high, offering unforgettable views of Lake Lucerne and the mountains. Many seasoned travelers who have toured all of Europe consider this hotel the most romantic and ideally located.

• When? Year-round.
• How much? During the season, a Superior room with breakfast costs around €300 per night.
• How to get there? It's about an hour’s drive from Zurich to Lucerne by car, bus, or train. The train journey from Geneva takes about three hours.

6. See the largest waterfall in Europe

Near Schaffhausen lies the Rhine Falls. The water level depends on how snowy the winter was (sometimes nearby towns experience minor flooding in the spring), but the sight is unforgettable regardless.

There are viewing platforms above the falls that allow you to get as close as possible to this powerful natural wonder without risking your safety.

Nearby, there are playgrounds for children, hiking trails, a historical museum, and you can even take a boat ride along the falls. It's truly spectacular!

• When? Year-round.
• How much? Access to the area is free or costs €5 (there are two entrances). A boat ride costs between €2 and €40, depending on the duration.
• How to get there? A direct train from Zurich to Neuhausen Rheinfall takes about an hour. From Schaffhausen and Neuhausen, you can reach the falls via a tourist train.

7. Swim in an outdoor pool with views of snow-capped peaks

To do this, you need to be a guest at the Villa Honegg in Ennetbürgen. The owners claim that the view from their pool (as well as from the chalet terrace) is the most beautiful in the world. It’s hard to argue with that—while swimming, you can enjoy views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains. The hotel was built in 1905 and was renovated in 2011 before opening to tourists.

• When? Year-round (don’t worry, the pool is heated).
• How much? During the season, a double room with a lake view can be booked for €680-€1400.
• How to get there? The easiest way is by car. The drive from Zurich Airport takes about an hour, from Geneva Airport about three hours, and from Bern's train station about an hour and a half. The hotel also offers a shuttle from the nearest bus stop, Ennetbürgen Post.

8. Visit Switzerland's largest nature reserve

The village of Zernez in the Lower Engadine Valley serves as the main gateway to the largest national park in the country. Visiting this vast reserve (covering 172 square kilometers!), you’ll quickly realize that nature is Switzerland’s greatest attraction. You’ll discover what the Alps looked like before extensive development, with glaciers, meadows, forests, and waterfalls. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some local wildlife: chamois, ibexes, and marmots.

The park features trails for pedestrians and cyclists, routes for Nordic walking enthusiasts, a fitness trail with an outdoor sports area, a wellness center, and a golf course.

• When? Year-round.
• How to get there? You can reach Zernez by train from Zurich with a transfer at Landquart. The journey takes about two and a half hours.

9. Take a journey back in time

All you need to do is visit Schaffhausen (mentioned earlier, near the Rhine Falls). The main attractions are the Old Town, adorned with bay windows, and the 16th-century Munot Fortress. Once, Schaffhausen was the terminus for trading ships, as the falls blocked further passage. Years have passed, but the city’s appearance hasn’t changed—only shops, electric lighting, and modern clothing remind you it’s the 21st century.

• When? Year-round.
• How much? Free.
• How to get there? Direct trains from Zurich take about forty minutes to an hour.

10. Climb the mountain slopes

Saas-Fee, rightfully known as the “Pearl of the Alps,” is one of the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland. It is situated at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, at the edge of a glacier, surrounded by 13 “four-thousanders.” There are 150 kilometers of slopes of varying difficulty with guaranteed coverage. In the warmer months, 350 kilometers of hiking trails, a park with rope courses, zip lines, and climbing walls await visitors. There are also excellent paths for cycling, scootering, and tobogganing.

In January, Saas-Fee hosts the Ice Climbing World Cup, where experienced climbers from different countries tackle a 30-meter ice wall. In July, the Alpine Music Festival is held, attracting performers from around the world.

Nearby, on the Mittelallalin Glacier, you’ll find the world’s highest revolving restaurant (it completes a full rotation every hour). The food is said to be average, but the panorama is spectacular! Imagine dining with views of the Mischabel massif (the highest in Switzerland), the Valais Valley, Jungfrau, and other peaks of the Bernese Alps. Also here is the ice grotto, the largest in the world, covering 5500 square meters. Visitors are transported to the top in three minutes by the Metro Alpin—the highest cable car in the world (its lower station is in Felskinn, accessible from Saas-Fee by gondola). Just think of the concentration of “world’s highest” attractions!

• When? Year-round.
• How much? Free.
• How to get there? The journey from Bern to Saas-Fee involves a train with one transfer and takes about two hours.