When I studied abroad in Lugano, Switzerland, I had the incredible opportunity to venture out and explore various regions of the country, including its most iconic destinations. In this post, I will let you know the top 10 places to travel to in Switzerland! As a backpacker, these are all places you can travel to and get around with public transportation.
10. Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva is one of the most popular cities in Switzerland. Here you can shop along the streets and visit the giant fountain in the lake. It is a gorgeous city, especially during springtime when the flowers have bloomed. Rather than spending a ton of time in cities, I recommend prioritizing your time in Switzerland by visiting the beautiful mountains and lakes that make Switzerland unique. However, if you have extra time in your itinerary, Geneva is a great place to spend a day or two. Do not forget to check out the world’s longest bench while you are here!
Note: I visited Geneva when the sands from the Sahara desert blew up into Europe, so it usually does not look as foggy as it does here.
9. Lausanne, Switzerland
Lausanne is one of the larger cities in Europe. Some things that make it unique include the Olympic Museum and the Lavaux Vineyards. The Olympic Museum features sculptures from different Olympic events and even a track where you can race against Usain Bolt! The Lavaux Vineyards are stunning and are absolutely worth your time in Lausanne. Hike up to the top for a beautiful view of the lake.
8. Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen is one of the most famous places in Switzerland. It is a valley surrounded by waterfalls and is the perfect area to go hiking. However, I would only recommend coming here on a sunny day. If it’s cloudy, it is hard to see the views, and you should visit somewhere else instead. I came here when it was overcast, and there aren’t many shops or restaurants, so check the weather before heading here. The good news is it is easy to get here by train from Interlaken, so you can play it by ear and figure out the best day to go!
7. Grindelwald, Switzerland
Grindelwald made me feel like I was in a Christmas movie! It is a quaint town with shops and winter sports. There is not much here, so if you are not planning to ski or snowboard, I recommend just coming for an afternoon from Interlaken. However, if you have extra time in your itinerary, Grindelwald is a great addition!
6. Zurich, Switzerland
If you want to check out a city in Switzerland, Zurich is the place to be. Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, and due to the international airport, you may start or end your trip here. While in Zurich, try fondue, visit the Lindenhof, and stroll along the various shopping areas. If you are a chocolate lover, check out the interactive Lindt Chocolate Factory!
If you are visiting Zurich, check out my article “Where to Find the Best Fondue in Zurich, Switzerland” for the best restaurant recommendation!
5. Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne is a classic place to visit in Switzerland. Take a boat tour, walk the iconic bridges, and check out the lion statue! Lucerne is a quaint city with lots of shopping and restaurant options.
4. Leukerbad, Switzerland
Leukerbad is the hidden gem of Switzerland. This tiny town is very high in the mountains and has the most breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps. There is not much here in terms of shopping, but there are incredible hot springs that you can visit. The springs are called Leukerbad Therme and are great to relax in as you admire the mountains around you. However, the real secret of Leukerbad is taking the cable car to the top of the Gemmipass. Nothing has ever come close to this view of the Alps. It feels like being on the moon up here!
3. Lugano, Switzerland
The third place spot has to go to my beautiful study-abroad city, Lugano. I spent two semesters here, one as a student and one as a trip leader! Lugano is gorgeous and is perfect to visit in the spring and summer months. It is close to the Italian border, so expect to find great Italian food! Some activities include renting a boat on the lake and hiking Monte San Salvatore!
Check out the neighboring town Bellinzona to visit three castles!
If you are looking for activities to do in Lugano, check out my post: “8 Great Things to Do in Lugano as a Solo Traveler.”
2. Interlaken, Switzerland
If you are looking for a central location to stay, Interlaken is the place to be. Interlaken has many great activities, including paragliding, snow sports, sledging, etc. On top of that, it has beautiful mountain views everywhere you look! Additionally, you can get to multiple other locations on the train, which makes this a great place to base yourself for day trips. Some day trips you can take from here include Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and even Zurich or Berne if you don’t mind a slightly longer trek.
1. Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is one of my favorite places in the world! It feels like you are in a snow globe and is home to the famous Matterhorn mountain, which you may recognize from the wrapper of Toblerone. Zermatt is a popular skiing and snowboarding destination, but there is a ton to do year-round!
If skiing and snowboarding are not for you, you can ice-skate with a view of the Matterhorn, hike, try sledging (think sledding), or even try snowshoeing. I recommend going up the ski lift regardless to experience the magic of the Matterhorn. It is unbelievable being above the clouds.
Fun fact, there are no cars in Zermatt! You can hop on an e-taxi if you need a ride, but the area is very walkable.
Honorable Mention
Here are a few other popular destinations to consider!
11. Jungfraujoch, Switzerland
Jungfraujoch is at the top of my bucket list for the next time I visit Switzerland. It is known as the “Top of Europe” because it is the highest accessible point in Europe, as you can take a train to the top. There is also an ice palace that you can walk through once you reach the top.
12. Berne, Switzerland
I have been here before on a day trip, but it was so cold the day we went that we only lasted the afternoon! Berne is Switzerland’s capital and is known to be the home of the Bear Pit, where you can see live bears in the city.
13. Basel, Switzerland
Basel is another one of the largest cities in Switzerland. Located on the Rhine River, you can expect to see a large Ferris Wheel and an old town similar to the other cities in Switzerland!
What is your favorite place in Switzerland? Where is the number one place on your bucket list? I would love to hear your opinions on these popular Swiss destinations!
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