10 Best Places to Visit in Switzerland
Our top 10 places to visit in Switzerland
July 22, 2026
10 minute read
When I think of Switzerland, I think of the mountain pastures from Heidi, but the Swiss Alps are only one of the many places to visit in Switzerland. To learn more about the best places to see in Switzerland, I turned to Vasja O., the Tour Designer for Collette’s Switzerland tours.
Vasja designs Switzerland tours with a mix of must-see highlights, as well as places that let you dive into Swiss culture and tradition, and villages that are less frequented by tourists, but just as beautiful.
In this Swiss Travel Guide, you’ll find our top 10 places to visit in Switzerland paired with expert advice.
For a faster way to plan your trip to Switzerland, explore guided Switzerland tours with the perfect mix of planning and free time.
Quick Answer: What Are the Best Places to Visit in Switzerland?
The best places to visit in Switzerland include Lucerne, Zermatt, Jungfraujoch, Bern, St. Moritz, and scenic rail routes like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express.
Each destination stands out for a different reason — from city stays with access to the surrounding region to "Alpine aire" or full-day train journeys where you can relax and enjoy alpine views.
“There were too many incredible experiences to name one "most enjoyable". The venues, the sights, the people, the food; and as Collette is so good at doing, the off the beaten trail places we would never have found ourselves.” — Keith L., Traveller on Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites.
How to Choose Where to Go in Switzerland
If you’re deciding where to go in Switzerland, it helps to think about how you want to travel.
If you want a walkable home base: Choose cities like Bern or Lucerne
If the Alps are the priority: Stay in places like Zermatt or St. Moritz
If you like a scenic trip: Choose one or more of Switzerland's scenic train routes
If you want cultural connection: Look at the local experiences included on Collette tours
If you’re craving all of the above, check out our Alpine Lakes & Scenic Trains tour.
Swiss Cities Worth Visiting
1. Lucerne
Lucerne is a lakeside city surrounded by mountains, known for its compact, walkable old town and easy access to nearby Alpine experiences like Mount Pilatus and lakeside views. If you visit check out the covered bridge and consider walking the tower walls — the views are spectacular from up there.
Who it’s best for:
Travellers who want scenery close to the city
People who enjoy walking and exploring at their own pace
Anyone looking for a central destination in a Switzerland
Why we like Lucerne:
Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most memorable city settings because of its position along the lake with mountains nearby. From Lucerne, you can also access Mount Pilatus for a different vantage point over the surrounding area.
2. Bern
Bern is Switzerland’s capital, known for its UNESCO-listed medieval old town, covered arcades, and walkable layout — making it one of the easiest cities to use as a base whilst exploring the surrounding Alps.
Who it’s best for:
Travellers who enjoy walkable cities
People who want a base for day trips
First-time visitors looking for balance
Why we like Bern:
Bern is a great base for a multi-night stay on Switzerland tours. You can explore the city itself and take day trips without constantly changing hotels. Make sure to visit the old town, where you stroll around and find fountains, interesting architecture, and other small details.
Mountain Destinations and Alpine Experiences
3. Zermatt
Zermatt is a car-free Alpine village set at the base of the Matterhorn, known for its direct access to high mountain environments and year-round mountain activities. It is used as a multi‑night stay on Collette tours, allowing time to experience the Alps beyond a single viewpoint.
Who it’s best for:
Travellers who want to stay in the Alps, not just visit
Outdoor-focused travellers
People interested in well-known Swiss mountain destinations
Why we like Zermatt:
Zermatt is a beautiful alpine destination where you can explore the town and enjoy mountain views. Pro tip: Get tickets for the Gornergrat Railway for some great views of the Matterhorn and glacier.
4. Jungfraujoch — The “Top of Europe”
Jungfraujoch, often called the “Top of Europe,” is a destination where you take a cogwheel train to one of the highest railway stations on the continent. From here, you step into a landscape of snow, ice, and surrounding peaks, including views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Who it’s best for:
First-time Switzerland travellers
Travellers interested in panoramic mountain views
Anyone who wants to be immersed in the mountain
Why we like Jungfraujoch:
You reach Jungfraujoch by train, giving you the opportunity to stand at the top of Europe in a high-alpine environment without mountain climbing.
5. St. Moritz
St. Moritz is an Alpine resort town in eastern Switzerland that embodies the glamor of the ultra-luxury après-ski scene.
Who it’s best for:
Travellers who want a longer stay in the mountains
Repeat visitors looking for depth
People who want to enjoy some alpine lux shopping
Why we like St. Moritz:
This is another place where Collette includes a multi-night stay because there is a lot to explore. It’s a legendary location where the first posters and advertising for Swiss tourism started.
Scenic Trains that Make the Journey a Destination
6. Glacier Express
The Glacier Express is a panoramic train journey that connects Zermatt and St. Moritz across the Swiss Alps, travelling through mountain passes, valleys, and small towns. It is a full-length, day-long rail experience where the scenery is in focus from start to finish.
Who it’s best for:
Travellers who want to take in scenery without added physical effort
Train enthusiasts
Anyone who wants travel days to feel like an experience
Why we love the Glacier Express:
Large windows keep the mountain views in sight, and the view keeps changing as you travel through alpine passes and open valleys. The ride takes about eight hours, giving you time to enjoy the onboard meal service whilst taking in the views.
7. Bernina Express
The Bernina Express is a scenic rail route that connects Switzerland with northern Italy, travelling from high alpine terrain into lower elevations with lakes and small towns along the way. It highlights how different regions connect within a single journey through a single journey through changing landscapes.
Who it’s best for:
Travellers who want variety in scenery
People interested in rail travel
Anyone building a route around train journeys
Why we love the Bernina Express:
We include both the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express on our Alpine Lakes & Scenic Train tour, and we love being able to offer this to train enthusiasts and anyone who really wants to be immersed in those mountain views.
For more detail on scenic trains, see our guide to Switzerland train travel.
Food and Cultural Experiences
8. Local Farms and Dairies
On Collette’s tours we visit places like Raselli Herbal Farm and working alpine dairies so you can taste regional foods whilst learning about the traditions behind them and how they are made today.
Swiss food traditions are rooted in regional specialities, with dishes like fondue and raclette reflecting the country’s alpine heritage and local ingredients.
“I really enjoyed the cheese farm tour and the Prosecco tasting. I also loved the Barryland visit.” — Megan T., Traveller on Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites.
Who it’s best for:
Foodies
People who like to learn about food traditions
Why we love local businesses:
Collette is committed to responsible travel, and highlighting local businesses is a great way to support them.
9. Barryland
Barryland is a cultural site dedicated to Switzerland’s iconic St. Bernard dogs, located along key travel routes in the Alps. On Collette’s tour travellers get to meet the St. Bernards whilst learning more about them.
Who it’s best for:
Dog love
People interested in the history of iconic symbols
Why we love Barryland:
We include Barryland on Collette’s tour as an Impact Moment — travel experiences that have a positive impact on the local community. Impact Moments make travel more meaningful and responsible and are often an unexpected highlight.
10. Demonstrations of Alpine Traditions
You may have to look around for these if you are planning a trip on your own. Alpine traditions in Switzerland include practices like alphorn playing and yodeling, which are tied to mountain life and continue to be part of local cultural expression today.
On Collette’s tours we handle the logistics of finding and booking authentic demonstrations so you can learn more about Swiss culture instead of sitting through a canned performance.
Who it’s best for:
People who want culture and educational experiences
People interested in Swiss traditions
Why we love including cultural experiences:
Cultural experiences help round out a trip to Switzerland and give travellers more than pictures to take home with them.
FAQs About Visiting Switzerland
What are the most scenic train routes in Switzerland?
The most scenic train routes in Switzerland are the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express.
The Glacier Express is a full-day journey between destinations like Zermatt and St. Moritz, with large windows and onboard dining that keep the focus on the landscape throughout the trip. The Bernina Express connects different regions and is often paired with stops that introduce local experiences along the way.
Learn more in our guide to train travel in Switzerland.
Should I visit Jungfraujoch or Zermatt if I only have a few days?
If you only have a few days in Switzerland, Jungfraujoch is good choice for a single highlight experience. Jungfraujoch can be visited in one day as a train journey that puts you at the top of Europe. Zermatt deserves at least a night or two to soak in the alpine charm.
Can I visit high mountain destinations like Jungfraujoch if I have limited mobility?
Yes — you can visit high mountain destinations like Jungfraujoch even with limited mobility, but you should inform the staff when making reservations and always inform your tour company if you choose to go guided. Keep in mind that the altitude affects people at this elevation. Bringing some sugar or juice can help ease symptoms.
What are some lesser-known experiences beyond Switzerland’s major cities?
Beyond Switzerland’s major cities, we like to include experience-based stops on Collette tours such as:
Visiting Barryland, home of the St. Bernard dogs
Spending time at alpine farms and dairies
Experiencing alphorn and yodeling demonstrations
How do I plan a Switzerland trip with cities, mountains, and trains?
The easiest way to get cities, mountains, and trains in one Switzerland trip is to choose a guided tour. Collette’s guided tours of Switzerland are carefully planned to include lots of experiences at a comfortable pace. Multi-night stays and free time give you time to explore on your own as well.
When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
The best time to visit Switzerland depends on what you want to experience. To help you decide see our guide to when to visit Switzerland.
Planning Your Switzerland Trip
Switzerland offers many beautiful places to visit and unique things to do. Some of which I would not know about without Collette’s expert tour designer, Vasja, and many of which take some know-how to piece together into a smooth journey.
“It was seamless. You thought of everythiing to make us comfortable. From the moment I took the van to the airport until I arrived home. I felt like all the details were taken care of.” — Dianne P., Traveller on Alpine Lakes & Scenic Trains.
If you want to spend more time enjoying the journey and less time figuring out logistics and reservations, view all our guided Switzerland tours. You can even opt to have us handle airline bookings and pick you up at your door.
