Privacy Settings

We use cookies that are necessary for running the website and for providing you services. Additional cookies are only used if you consent to it. They serve statistical purposes or for displaying individual offers and ads. For more information, read our data protection statement and cookie policy.

By clicking "Accept" you consent to our use of cookies.

Reject
Accept
SWISStours Loading Icon
Visit 500 Incredible Free Museums with Swiss Travel Pass.

Museum Access & List of Free Museums with Swiss Travel Pass

Blog Section

  • Museums reveal the very essence of a place. They tell you how the place and its people evolved and adapted to their environment, as well as their art, cultures, and achievements. Switzerland’s museums do just that and so much more.

    Switzerland boasts over 1000 museums (this is not a typo)! This tiny country boasts the world's highest density of museums. The museums are dedicated to a wide variety of topics, from science, history, transport, art, famous fictional personalities, humanitarian work, and more.

    The best part is that the Swiss Travel Pass comes with a list of over 500 free museums!

  • Why museums are a must on your Swiss holiday.

    Experiences

    Museums in Switzerland are not the typical ‘view and walk through’ experience. They offer fun and interactive exhibits that let you immerse yourself in the topics. Additionally, they have multimedia experiences and audio-guided tours.

    A person experiencing an audio-guided tour at the Museum of Communication, which comes under free museums with Swiss Travel Pass.

    Many children's museums offer hands-on experiences that combine sensory education with entertainment, providing a fun and engaging learning experience.

    Unique topics

    Switzerland is renowned for its chocolate, cheese, and extensive transport network, among other things, so it is no surprise that it has numerous museums devoted to these particularly popular subjects.

    However, there are some small but truly unique museums. I, for one, never imagined museums dedicated to toys, dolls, or paper. This country even has a museum dedicated to my favorite sleuth, Sherlock Holmes.

    History, art, and culture

    The museums provide valuable insight into the country's evolution and its adaptation to the Alpine environment. They showcase how they overcame the hurdles of transport over mighty mountains like the Jungfraujoch and Matterhorn. Switzerland is renowned for its art museums, featuring both modern collections and those dating back centuries.

    Swiss weather

    Museums are the perfect option on a cold or rainy day when you cannot venture outdoors or to the mountains.

    Locations

    Switzerland’s museums are scattered all over the country. Yes, the larger towns do have great museums, and many of them are located in each. However, there are also museums to be found in really quaint, typically Swiss towns, which are truly worth a visit.

    Free Museum Access with the Swiss Travel Pass

    Many travellers prefer to spend their money on visiting natural sights, activities, and monuments, unfortunately skipping museums due to budget constraints. In Switzerland, however, each museum has its own tariff, but you don't have to spend a dime if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass.

    This versatile pass is a must-have for every traveller to Switzerland. It offers unlimited travel on all modes of public transport, along with great discounts on mountain excursions, and kids under 16 travel totally free!

    Swiss Travel Pass

    Swiss Travel Pass

    Book Now

    In addition to this, the Swiss Travel Pass also provides free entrance to over 500 museums and offers discounts on many others, effectively doubling as a museum pass.

    Simply present your Swiss Travel Pass at the ticket office or entrance to receive your free entry.Keep in mind, the Swiss Travel Pass also offers Class Upgrades or Extra Day Promotions during the off-season.

  • List of Popular Museums and Locations.

    A kid watching a type of insect at the Nature Museum in Chur, which comes under free museums with Swiss Travel Pass

    Whilst the complete list of museums included in the museum pass can be found here, the list below features a few fascinating museums with free or reduced entrance fees that sparked my interest, either due to their topic, historical buildings, or natural landscapes.

    City Name Category Brief Description
    Aigle Château d’Aigle - Musée de la vigne, du vin et de l’étiquette Culture Housed in the historic Chateau d’Aigle in the wine-growing Vaud region, the museum showcases the history of vine growing, winemaking, and wine labels.
    Baden Museum Langmatt Art Housed in a historic villa, the museum has an impressive private collection of art strong in French Impressionism with works by major artists like Degas, Cezanne, Monet, Renoir, and more.
    Basel Paper Museum Culture Set within a medieval paper mill, this museum showcases the craft, history, and techniques of papermaking, offering a hands-on experience.
    Basel Tinguely Museum Art Dedicated to the artist Jean Tinguely, it has the most extensive collection of his works. Tinguely was known for his quirky, moving, and mechanical sculptures, which were based on motion and noise.
    Basel Toy Worlds Museum Basel Toy Set in a historical building, the museum houses a collection of 6000 toys, including historical teddy bears, carousels, artisanal toys, and antique dolls.
    Bellinzona Castello Di Montebello History The Montebello Castle houses the archaeological museum showcasing finds from prehistoric to Roman times. It is one of the three that make up the fortification of Bellinzona and is part of a UNESCO-designated site.
    Bellinzona Museo di Castel Grande History The museum in the Castel Grande has two sections: archaeological history and artistic history. The castle itself is part of the historic fortification of Bellinzona, along with the Montebello and the Sasso Corbaro.
    Bern Zentrum Paul Klee Art Dedicated to the artist Paul Klee, known for his Expressionism and Surrealism, the museum houses the most extensive collection of his works. The building, designed by Renzo Piano, has a wavy, rolling effect that blends seamlessly into the landscape.
    Brienz Ballenberg Open Air Museum Culture Spanning 66 hectares, the museum features over 100 historic houses, barns & workshops, offering insight into handicrafts and traditional trades.
    Brig Museum Stockalperschloss Cultural Heritage The Stockalperschloss (castle) is considered the most significant secular baroque building in Switzerland. It has permanent displays on the Simplon Passage and the influence of the Stockalper family.
    Burglen UR Tell Museum Fictional/Real personality The legend of the Swiss folk hero Wilhelm Tell is preserved with a collection of documents, artistic works, and objects sourced over 6 centuries.
    Broc Maison Cailler Culinary Get a glimpse into the sourcing of cocoa and the chocolate production process at the Cailler chocolate factory. Cailler is one of the oldest chocolate brands in Switzerland.
    Crans-Montana Fondation Suisse des Trains Miniatures Transport/Miniature museum Showcasing over 150 years of Swiss railroad history, the museum features over 1,300 model railroad items, ranging from locomotives to passenger cars, that run on 600 meters of track, complete with a surrounding landscape that includes bridges and stations.
    Davos Wintersports Museum Sports history Aptly situated in Davos, one of the world's premier winter sports destinations, this museum showcases the rich history of winter sports. The museum houses historic equipment and gear, including skis, chairlifts, snowboards, and trophies from over the years.
    Engelberg Tal Museum Culture Housed in a historic farmhouse, this museum showcases the living quarters of the 18th century, traditional costumes, religious artifacts, and more.
    Flawil Maestrani’s Chocolarium Culinary The museum of the chocolate brand Maestrani, known for chocolates like the Munz and Minor, offers an interactive chocolate discovery experience.
    Geneva International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum Social history Discover the history and current activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian organizations.
    Geneva Patek-Philippe Museum Horology A watch lover's paradise with over 2500 pieces spanning 5 centuries. Learn about the history and the art of watchmaking, particularly that of one of Switzerland’s most prestigious watchmakers.
    Gruyeres La Maison du Gruyère Culinary Learn about the process of cheese making from the collection of milk, the making and ageing of cheese via live demonstrations, and other exhibits.
    Interlaken Kunsthaus Art & culture An art gallery and cultural centre in the heart of Interlaken, it showcases earlier and contemporary art, is a venue for cultural events, and supports regional and international artists.
    Lausanne Olympic Museum Sport History The official museum of the Olympic Games and movement, it covers the history of the Olympic Games and houses the most extensive collection of memorabilia and artifacts.
    Lucerne Alpineum Landscape Art A unique museum showcasing paintings of large Alpine landscapes like the Matterhorn, Jungfrau, and Mt Pilatus, with the addition of 3-dimensional foregrounds like buildings, railways, etc.
    Lucerne Gletschergarten Natural history/geology The Glacier Garden is a combination of a museum, a natural rocky underworld, a mirror maze, and an alpine park, making it a great learning and fun experience.
    Lucerne Swiss Museum of Transport Transport & Mobility (discounted with the pass) Showcasing the history of air, land, water, and space travel, this museum also houses a planetarium and the popular interactive Swiss Chocolate Adventure attraction.
    Meiringen Sherlock Holmes Museum Real/fictional personality Get transported in time to the famous residence at 221B Baker Street for a peek into the world of the legendary detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
    Roche Swiss Organ Museum Cultural / Musical Heritage A museum dedicated to the musical organ, it is housed in a 9-century-old grange stable and has historic organs, including one with 2700 pipes.
    St Moritz Engadiner Museum History / Culture A collection to showcase the culture, history, and evolution of life in the Engadine valley, the museum shows you the daily life and homes of the people, including parlors, living rooms, furniture, tapestry, jewelry, etc.
    Wintherthur Clock and Watch Museum Horology Having internationally renowned collections, the museum has pieces from the 15th to 17th centuries, including Swiss wooden wheel clocks, iron clocks, and ornate console clocks.
    Zermatt Matterhorn Museum - Zermatlantis History & Cultural Heritage Dedicated to the history of Zermatt and the Matterhorn, this museum shows the evolution of the town from a small village to a world-class resort. It houses, among other things, the snapped rope from the first ascent to the Matterhorn.
    Zurich FIFA World Football Museum Sport History Great for football fans, the museum houses over 1000 objects from the World Cup. Get to see historic jerseys, documents, photos, and even unique things like the original World Cup trophy.
    Zurich Natural History Museum Natural History An amalgamation of 4 museums-the Zoological, Paleontological, Anthropological, and Botanical Museum- it has over 1500 animal species, fossils, exhibits on dinosaurs, native Swiss fauna, and more.
    Zurich Swiss National Museum History & Culture Switzerland’s national museum of cultural history shows how the country evolved to its present day. Artifacts on display showcase the history, culture, arts, crafts, and Swiss traditions.
    Zurich Tram Museum Transport & Mobility Housed in the oldest surviving tram depot in history, the museum is dedicated to the history and evolution of Zurich’s streetcar system (trams). Original trams, ticket vending machines, and uniforms are on display.
    Zurich Spielzeugmuseum (Toy Museum) Toys A museum dedicated to toys from all over Europe, it has historic dolls, dollhouses, costumes, tin figures, toy trains, and more.

  • Maximizing Your Museum Visits

    With limited time available on your Swiss vacation, you should plan your museum visits wisely.

    Check opening and closing hours/holidays.

    Ensure you check the museums' opening/closing hours to plan your day accordingly. Some museums may be open 7 days a week, while others have different hours.

    Carry a pass and identification

    Please carry your Swiss Travel Pass and another form of identification, as you may be required to present them for verification upon entry.

    Check your daily travel route

    Since the Swiss Travel Pass allows unlimited travel, review the route you will be taking each day to see if there are any fascinating museums not just at the destination, but also in towns along the way

    If you are staying at apartments near Interlaken and doing a day trip to the Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe , you can visit the Grindelwald Museum along the way.Similarly, suppose you are staying at a hotel or apartment in Lucerne and plan to visit Mt. Pilatus. In that case, you can see the museum in Kriens along the way and take a panoramic yacht cruise on Lake Lucerne in the evening.

    Budget

    Although over 500 museums are free with the Swiss Travel Pass, some, like the Swiss Museum of Transport , offer discounts (not free entry). Make sure to check any such museums and budget accordingly

    Big City Days

    Big cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Basel have multiple museums. If you want to visit more than one, then set aside a day for museum-hopping and conveniently use your Swiss Travel Pass to travel from one to the next in a well-planned route.

    A person admiring the antique clocks hung on a wall in Geneva’s Museum of Art and History, which comes under free museums with Swiss Travel Pass

    You can also combine an evening activity with a day like this. For example, in Zurich, you can visit the museums during the day and end it with a visit to the Lindt Home of Chocolate .

    Tiny Treasures

    The prominent museums can also attract big crowds. If you want to avoid these, look out for the smaller, quirkier, and unique ones, which are just as interesting, and spend some quality time in them

    Look out for promotions

    The Swiss Travel Pass offers Class Upgrades or Extra Day Promotions during the off-season. Keep an eye out for such promotions to maximize your transport and museum visits.

    So, the next time you think of Switzerland, think beyond the mountains, watches, and chocolates. Delve into the museums as you wander through the towns and take in the fascinating history, culture, art, and so much more that they offer.

    You don’t even have to break the bank for this- just flash your Swiss Travel Pass, enter, browse, and enjoy!

Related Articles