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Switzerland - the land of white Alps, turquoise waters, chocolate, cheese and endless possibilities. This little landlocked country offers so much and on so many levels.
There is something for every type of traveller: lazy, enthusiastic, adventure sports buff, snow bunny, old and young.
Having travelled to it multiple times, here are my personal top ten activities in Switzerland with details on how to get there, what to do there, the cost and more.
Tip: Almost all of the activities give you a great discount with the Swiss Travel Pass so make sure you have one with you.
A quick glimpse of my favourites before we dive into the details:
● Jungfraujoch- Top of Europe.
● Mount Titlis- The world’s first revolving cable car ‘Rotair’.
● Matterhorn Glacier Paradise - The world’s most photographed mountain.
● Grindelwald First - Top of Adventure.
● Glacier Express Train - The slowest Express train in the world.
● Swiss Museum of Transport - Entertainment and education.
● Lindt Home of Chocolate - where sweet dreams come alive.
● Tandem Paragliding - the best views over Interlaken.
● St Beatus caves - A magical, mystical underground world.
● Bernina Express Train - From snowy mountains to Mediterranean warmth.
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1. Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe
Jungfraujoch - known as the Top of Europe is the most popular mountain excursion in the Bernese Oberland region and a convenient day trip from Interlaken or even Lucerne. It is known for its views over the Aletsch Glacier, its impressive Ice Palace and the highest railway station in Europe, located at an elevation of 3454 metres.
Closest town:
Interlaken
Getting there:
Option 1: From Interlaken station via two train changes in Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg.The total time taken is 2 hours.
Option 2: By train to Grindelwald, followed by cable car to the Eigergletscher station, and then once again on the train to the peak. Total time taken is 1.15 hours.
Cost:
A full fare adult ticket costs SFr 224. However, if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass, you can get the same at a discounted rate of SFr 149. See the complete fare list and book your tickets here.
Things to do:
Jungfrau Panorama:
A 360-degree cinematic experience. A surreal virtual tour through the snowy mountainous terrain.
Sphinx Terrace:
Viewing terrace for the best views of the surrounding Alps and the Aletsch Glacier from an elevation of 3571 metres.
Alpine Sensation:
A 250-metre tunnel showcasing the history of the Jungfrau railways and the people who built it.
Snow Fun Park:
Enjoy activities like snow tubing, ziplining and snowboarding at this summer park (typically May through October. Activities have to be paid for additionally).
Ice Palace:
Walk through a frosty tunnel with fantastic ice sculptures, some of the birds and animals literally "frozen in time".
Tip: Dress appropriately for the -3 degrees Celsius temperature inside the tunnel.
There are railings provided to avoid slipping on the hard, icy surface.
Time required:
A minimum of 2 hours for the sights at the peak. More if you plan on hiking or going to a snow fun park.
Shopping / Restaurants:
The Top of Europe shop offers souvenirs, snow globes, Swiss Army knives and more. Head to the Lindt Chocolate Heaven for sweet cravings. There are also several restaurants, including a Bollywood-themed Indian one.
When to travel:
Jungfraujoch is open 365 days a year and is equally spectacular in the summer and winter.
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2. Mount Titlis
Not far from the city of lights, Lucerne, is the amazing Mount Titlis. Standing at a height of 3020 metres, Mount Titlis offers amazing 360-degree views, fun activities and the world's first rotating cable car - Titlis Rotair.
Closest Town:
Engelberg
Getting there:
Train ride from Lucerne to Engelberg- 45 minutes.
Walk or take a public bus from Engelberg to the Titlis Valley station. From here, travel via two cable cars (including Titlis Rotair - the world's first revolving cable car) to the peak.
Cost:
A full-fare adult ticket costs SFr 114 (including an ice flyer chairlift ride). However, if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass, you can get the same at a discounted rate of SFr 63. See the complete fare list and book your tickets here.
Things to do:
Titlis Rotair
- the world's first revolving cable. During the journey, the Rotair completes one full rotation, giving you fabulous views of craggy cliffs, deep crevasses and snowy fields.
Viewing platform
: Get amazing views of the surrounding snowy landscape.
Glacier Cave:
A 150-metre long tunnel 10 metres below the glacier. The cave is adorned with ice sculptures and lit in different colours.
Tip: the cave is maintained at subzero temperature so dress accordingly and tread carefully.
Titlis Cliff Walk:
At 3041 metres, this is Europe's highest suspension bridge. Brave the 100 metre walk and enjoy views from 500 metres above the ground.
Tip: There are footprint signs along the bridge. If you stand on these, you will be looking into a camera that will take a photograph from an angle you would not be able to get. You can collect your photograph by paying for it at the photoshop.
Ice Flyer Chairlift:
A chair lift across the glacier with views of deep crevasses and snowfields. In the summer, it takes you to Glacier Park, and in the winter, to the ski slopes.
Glacier Park:
Reach via the Ice Flyer Chairlift to try your hand at snow activities like sledging and snow tubing. The park is only open during the summer (mid May to early Aug).
SnowXpark at Trubsee:
Situated at the midway point of Trubsee (along the first cable car ride), the park offers activities like sledging, ziplining and electric snow vehicles like the Moonbike.
Tip: Make sure to check the opening dates, times and availabilities of these activities.
Time required:
One to two hours to cover the main attractions at the peak. More if you want to cover the ones at Trubsee. Keep in mind that cable car lines can also be long and take time.
When to travel:
The excursion operates all year round but they do have a maintenance closure typically for around 2 weeks in November.
Shopping / Restaurants:
There is a shop offering souvenirs and chocolates in plenty. A photo studio offers the chance to don a typical Swiss dress and have your photo taken ( not cheap, but a good souvenir to have).
Choose from the Titlis Panorama restaurant or the Titlis Panorama self-serve restaurant as per your budget.
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3. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Located in the quintessentially Swiss town of Zermatt is the Matterhorn - the most photographed mountain in the world!!. There are various ways to get the perfect pics of this imposing massif, but by far the best views are from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (also known as the Kleine Matterhorn). Located at 3883 metres, it is the highest cable car station in Europe.
Closest town:
Zermatt
How to get there:
Walk around 20 minutes or take a bus (number 571/2) from Zermatt station to the Matterhorn Express valley station. You need to take 3 cable cars to reach the peak via Furi and Trockner Steg.
Cost:
A full-fare adult ticket costs SFr 95. However if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass you can get the same at a discounted rate of SFr 48. See the complete fare list and book your tickets here.
Things to do:
Crystal Ride:
A few special glass bottom cable cars embellished with Swarovski crystals. Choose this ride on the way from Trockner Steg to the peak for amazing views over the Theodul Glacier.
Note: The Crystal cable cars attract a separate fee and are only available in the summer. In the winter, they need to be requested and are available for groups of 10 or more only.
Viewing platform:
Get a 360-degree view that stretches across Switzerland, Italy and France. On a clear day, you can see the Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch in the Bernese Oberland and the Mont Blanc in France.
Glacier Palace:
Located 15 metres under the glacier, this is probably one of the best Ice Palaces you will see. Enjoy the ice sculptures, a slide-through ice tunnel and great lighting effects.
Cinema Lounge:
This is Europe's highest cinema. Step in and watch some interesting short films on Zermatt's fascinating Alpine world.
Zermatt Snow Park:
A small area on the Theodul glacier and the only area where you can ski in the summer.
Matterhorn Alpine Crossing:
Cross countries by cable car! Since 2023, the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing started in 2023, has made it possible to travel from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to to Cervinia in Italy by cable car via the Testa Grigia peak.
You can either do the full journey, or travel upto Testa Grigia and back (1.6 kms) for fantastic views over the Theodul Glacier.
Time required:
You should have at least 3 to 4 hours in hand for this excursion. Keep in mind that the journey to and from the peak takes 45 minutes each.
When to Travel:
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is open all year round and is equally thrilling in both summer and winter.
Shopping / Restaurants:
Souvenirs, chocolates and local delicacies can be found at the Peak Shop.
The Restaurant Matterhorn Glacier Paradise offers guests a wide variety of local and international cuisine with the added topping of the view from 3883 metres.
Tips:
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is snowbound year round, so prepare well for that.
Since it is a popular skiing destination, it is as crowded in the winter months as it is in the summer, so lines for cable cars may be long.
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4. Grindelwald First
If you are looking for a mountain full of fun, here you have it. The First in Grindelwald offers mountain views, lakes and tons of fun stuff. This one ranks among my top family activities in Switzerland. This is probably the only mountain with one way to ascend and plenty of fun ways to descend.
Closest town:
Grindelwald
How to get there:
Walk from Grindelwald station to the Firstbahn station and hop on to the cable car.
Reach the top in 25 minutes via two mid stations Bort and Schreckfeld.
Cost:
You can either purchase a ticket for the cable car or purchase a ticket inclusive of one or more activities. Let us presume that you will want to do at least one activity so let's go with that -
A full-fare adult ticket with one activity costs SFr 82. However, if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass you can get the same at a discounted rate of SFr 54. See the complete fare list and book your tickets here.
Things to do:
Views and Hike to Bachalpsee:
The views from the First are simply beautiful. You can also take a short hike (around 50 minutes) to Lake Bachalpsee. Enjoy the picnic spot or even swim in the lake in the summer months.
Cliff Walk by Tissot:
A seemingly scary-looking metal walkway winding along the side of the cliff at 21698 metres with a viewing platform in the middle. This is included in the ticket cost.
First Flyer:
The First Flyer is 4 single seats that take you from the top of First to the Schreckfeld. Flying through the 800m cable at 84 km/h was really thrilling.
First Glider:
Get horizontally strapped to a massive eagle in groups of 4 and fly face down on the 800 metre long route at 72 km/h route. Trust me guys, don't miss this one!!
Mountain Cart:
Ride down a 3 km route to Bort in what looks like a close-to-the-ground go-cart with really wide tyres.
Trottibike:
The last leg of the descent can be done on the trottibike (which reminded me of the bikes that we used to ride as kids) Personally, I was exhausted by the time I reached this stage and so gave it a skip. However, it definitely looked like fun way to ride down a mountain.
Note: All of the above activities are to be paid for in addition to the cable car cost. If you intend to do all of them, it would be best to purchase tickets that include the activities.
The mountain cart and trottibike operate in the summer only (typically May through end October).
Keep in mind that all of these activities have age/weight/height restrictions as well.
Time required:
5 to 6 hours if you want to do most or all of the above activities.
Tip: In the summer months, try to arrive at the mountain between 8.30 to 9 am to beat the rush.
When to Travel:
The gondolas are shut for maintenance typically from the end of October to the end of November. However, you are interested in all the activities like I was, the summer months would be the ideal time to travel.
Shopping / Restaurants:
There is a restaurant that offers a self-service area and an à la carte area. The Top of Europe shop at the peak offers souvenirs, Tissot watches, chocolates and more.
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5. Glacier Express Train Ride
Just as famous as the Swiss mountains are the Swiss trains and among them, the Glacier Express stands out as 'Numero Uno' for sure. The train, the route, the scenery, the diverse terrain all just come together to make this one of my top activities in Switzerland.
Note: The Swiss Travel Pass covers the entire route of this train, but you do need a mandatory reservation and to pay for the same.
How to get there:
The train travels between the two ski resorts of Zermatt and St Moritz. You can reach either of these two towns comfortably from Zurich (in fact, so many other towns in Switzerland as well).
Cost and classes:
There are three classes on offer.
2nd class which has 4 seats per row(2 on either side of the aisle).
1st class which has three seats per row (2 on one side of the aisle and one on the other).
In both classes, seats face each other with a table in between.
Excellence Class with single seats only which makes it a window-seats only compartment.
Tip: All classes have panoramic windows, so you will not miss out on the scenery in any of them.
In 1st and 2nd classes, you can order a meal (and a fantastic one at that) at your seat.
The Excellence Class comes with a 5-course meal, wines, and more all included.
You need to purchase a seat plus a reservation. However, if you already have a Swiss Travel Pass, then the cost of the ticket (starting from SFr 159) is covered in it, and you only have to pay the price of the reservation. You can purchase the reservations and Swiss Travel Pass here.
Time required:
The total journey time from Zermatt to St Moritz is 7.45 hours.
A popular shorter segment is Zermatt to Chur, which takes around 5.30 hours. From Chur, you can also connect to Zurich in 1.15 hours.
Route:
The Glacier Express train travels from Zermatt to St Moritz and vice versa. Let's look at the sections along the way:
Zermatt to Brig- passing rock faces of over 4000 metres.
Brig to Andermatt- passing through the V-shaped Rhone valley.
Andermatt to Chur - takes you to the highest point of 2034 metres at the Oberalp Pass.
Chur to St.Moritz - crossing the famous and picture perfect Landwasser Viaduct.
Gastronomy:
Excellence Class: Start with an aperitif platter and champagne. The meal is a 5-course menu of local delicacies. For drinks, there are Swiss wines and cocktails from the bar.
First class and Second Class: You can order an excellent meal (additionally paid for), which will be served at your seat.
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6. Swiss Museum of Transport
For a fun family day, head to Switzerland's most visited museum, Verkehrshaus der Schweiz or the Swiss Museum of Transport. Just in case you think that a museum based on transport may not be your thing or may be boring, think again…I am so glad I did!
Other than showcasing the history of transport, and that too every mode of transport ( air, rail, water, road and even space) this fantastic museum is filled with fun stuff for all ages.
Closest town:
Lucerne
How to get there:
A nice way to get there would be to take a boat from the Bahnhofquai (boat landing) just outside Lucerne main station and disembark at the stop Verkehrshaus - Lido station. However, you can also take a bus (numbers 6,8 or 24) or even a train and get off at the stops with the same name.
Cost:
A full-fare adult ticket (day pass including all attractions) costs SFr 62. However, if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass, you can get it at a discounted rate of SFr 45. See the complete fare list and book your tickets here.
Things to do:
Switzerland's largest cinema screen:
A movie theatre with a screen measuring 500m2, which means you truly see an XXL sized movie.
Planetarium:
Entertainment and education for adults and kids. Learn all about our starry skies under the planetarium dome.
Swiss Chocolate Adventure:
Have fun discovering the history and process of chocolate making. Learn, see, smell and even taste chocolate on this short but sensual adventure.
Museum:
The museum displays over 3000 articles related to transport spread over its various display areas and the Arena, a large open area with interactive exhibits and activities.
Red Bull The Edge:
Feel the thrill of scaling the Matterhorn on this virtual reality experience unlike any other.
Time required:
Around 4 to 5 hours.
When to travel:
The museum is open 365 days a year which is particularly helpful if you want to do some indoor activity on chilly or snowy days.
Shopping / Restaurants:
The museum shop offers Lindt chocolates, souvenirs and toy models of cars, aeroplanes and other modes of transport.
The restaurants Brasserie and Mercato (self service) offer a wide range of foods from local cuisine to coffee and cake.
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7. Lindt Home of Chocolate
If you love chocolate as much as I do, don't think twice about including the Lindt Home of Chocolate in your program. This is where you discover everything there is about chocolate. Follow the journey from cocoa bean to the packed product in the most interactive way. This state-of-the-art facility will truly tantalise the senses and ignite your passion for chocolate.
Closest town:
Zurich
How to get there:
Situated in Kilchberg, just south of Zurich, you can get there by boat, train or bus.
Boat: From Burkiplatz to Kilchberg (See) ZH and a 10-minute walk to the venue.
Bus: From Burkiplatz to the stop Lindt and Sprungli (trust Switzerland to have a bus stop named after a chocolate company).
Train: The S8 or S24 line from Zurich main station to the station Kilchberg ZH and a 10-minute walk from there.
Cost:
An adult ticket costs SFr 17 and a child aged 8 to 15 costs SFr 10. Kids under 8 years of age go free. See the complete fare list and book your tickets here.
Things to do:
Chocolate Fountain:
An eye-catching, over 9-metre-tall chocolate fountain that stands in the centre of the white entrance hall had me feeling like the child in the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The fountain carries 1400 litres of molten chocolate!!
Chocolate tour:
Embark on an interactive experience and learn everything about chocolate. Trace the evolution of chocolate, cocoa cultivation, its journey to Europe and the fine art of chocolate making by Swiss chocolatiers. After this comes the best part...grab some spoons and start tasting a few types of chocolate ( dark, white and milk).
Chocolate Shop:
Go wild in the biggest Lindt chocolate shop in the world (500 m2). There is no way you will leave this place without a big bag of chocolates.
Chocolate making course:
Prebook a chocolate making course and learn from the Lindt Master chocolatiers.
Cafe:
Grab some fine Swiss coffee and pair it with some delectable desserts like waffles and ice cream…topped with chocolate, of course!
Time required:
Around 2 hours.
When to travel:
The museum is open almost all year round, except for 2 days during Christmas and 2 days for maintenance (once in May and once in November).
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8. Tandem Paragliding from Beatenberg
Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland area is quite an adventure sports hub. It is popular for adventures like helicopter skydiving, airplane skydiving, white water rafting and paragliding. Personally, I am not much of an adventure sports buff, but when I heard that I could do paragliding accompanied by an expert, I was all for giving it a go, and I am so glad I did. It was an experience of a lifetime.
Closest town:
Interlaken
How to get there:
The activity providers typically pick you up from any hotel or a central location in Interlaken and take you to the flight's starting point (Beatenberg).
Cost:
The cost can vary depending on the season and the timeslot chosen. It is usually upwards of SFr 180 per adult.
Details:
The ride from Interlaken to Beatenberg takes around 20 minutes.
Get briefed on the safety and take-off/landing procedures along the way.
You take flight at 1350m and have an amazing view of the Bernese Oberland, the sparkling Lake Thun and the peaks of the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger.
Your tandem partner will take photographs of you, which you can then purchase upon landing in a field in the centre of Interlaken.
Note: This activity has age/weight restrictions. Kids under 6 are not allowed to participate.
Time required:
1.15 hours (airborne time is between 10 and 20 minutes).
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9. St Beatus Caves
Located high along a cliffside just outside of Interlaken, the St Beatus caves are famous for their natural beauty and the legends associated with them. According to legend, a mighty dragon who once lived deep within the caves was slain by the travelling pilgrim St Beatus.
Today, out of the 14 kilometres of the caves that have been excavated, 1 kilometre is open to the public.
Closest town:
Interlaken.
How to get there:
You can conveniently reach the caves from Interlaken by bus in 25 minutes. The bus is covered by your Swiss Travel Pass.
Cost:
An adult ticket costs SFr 20, and a child from 6 to 16 years costs SFr 12 .
Things to do:
Marvel at nature:
The walk takes you through the caves, grottos and passages while passing by waterfalls and streams. Marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites extending from the floor and ceiling like giant icicles.
Cave Museum:
Adjacent to the entrance, the Cave Museum is a good starting point to learn about the legend, the area's geology and the cave system's historic findings.
Guided or Self-Guided tour:
Take an audio-guided tour (available in multiple languages) to learn about the various exhibits, or opt for one with an expert guide who will explain the history and geology of the caves. There are also information boards along the way.
Picnic spot and park:
Spend some quality time with the family at the dragon-themed park and enjoy a picnic at the picnic spot.
Sunday Brunch:
Every Sunday, the restaurant Stein Und Sein offers a "Brunch on the Rock". The buffet brunch with sausages, cheeses, fruits and desserts can be enjoyed with views over the surrounding Alpine terrain and Lake Thun. Unfortunately, I was not around on a Sunday, so I have not tried this out myself. The brunch is quite popular and is best pre-booked.
Time required:
1 to 2 hours
Note: The walk through the caves involves a total of 297 steps and therefore is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams.
When to travel:
The caves are open all year round.
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10. Bernina Express
I cannot help but end my list of top activities in Switzerland with another fabulous Swiss scenic train- The signature scarlet Bernina Express. This train connects the towns of Chur and St Moritz to Tirano in Italy. In the summer, the journey extends by bus to Lugano. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed train journey covers a spectacularly scenic route crossing 55 tunnels and 196 bridges.
Note: The Swiss Travel Pass covers the route of this train, but you do need to make a mandatory reservation and pay for the same.
Closest town:
You can start the journey from Chur or St Moritz. Both these towns can easily be reached from Zurich.
Cost and classes:
The train offers 1st and 2nd class seating.
2nd class has four seats per row(two on either side of the aisle).
1st class has three seats per row (two on one side of the aisle and one on the other).
In both classes, the seats face each other, with a table in between.
Both classes have panoramic windows, so you will not miss the scenery in either of them.
The ticket cost from Chur to Tirano is SFr 66 in 2nd class and SFr 113 in 1st class. Your Swiss Travel Pass covers this. However, you need to purchase a reservation fee of SFr 32. You can see the complete list of reservation costs and book them here.
Time required:
The journey from Chur to Tirano (Bernina Express long route) takes 4 to 4.5 hours.
The journey from St. Moritz to Tirano (Bernina Express short route) takes 2.5 hours.
The bus journey from Tirano to Lugano takes 3 hours.
Route highlights
The Chur to St Moritz route takes you via some stunning scenery through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges. Some of the highlights along the way.
Landwasser Viaduct: Arguably one of the most recognised rail structures, resting on its five arches at a height of 65 metres.
Bernina pass: This is where the train reaches its highest elevation at 2253 metres, with breathtaking views over the snow-capped peaks and the Morteratsch glacier.
Brusio Spiral Viaduct: Between Poschiavo and Tirano, the train descends around a tight right-hand curve on this icon of the Rhaetian Railway. The viaduct has nine arches, each one 10 metres in diameter.
Gastronomy:
The Bernina Express does not have a catering car. However, it does have a snack and beverage service for both first and second class. Carrying some food along would also be nice( since the catering service is quite pricey).
So there you have it. My top 10 activities in Switzerland. Hope this inspires you to pack your bag, grab your Swiss Travel Pass and get ready to experience some or all of my favourites in your next Swiss holiday.
