{"id":3971,"date":"2022-01-22T06:19:28","date_gmt":"2022-01-22T06:19:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/switzerlandbylocals.com\/?p=3971"},"modified":"2023-06-20T08:11:10","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T08:11:10","slug":"14-top-places-to-visit-in-switzerland-for-travel-and-vacations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/switzerlandbylocals.com\/en\/14-top-places-to-visit-in-switzerland-for-travel-and-vacations\/","title":{"rendered":"14 TOP Places to visit in Switzerland – For Travel and Vacations"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Switzerland has so much to offer. This is great but makes it a hard choice to choose the best fitting places to visit in Switzerland. Therefore, I want to show you 14 favorite regions, where you can do your next vacations.<\/b><\/p>

Text and pictures by Marc Gottwald<\/span><\/p>

Traveling turns one into a storyteller. If you are devising your \u201cto-do list before you die\u201d, we recommend you plan a visit to Switzerland. And if you have already planned your vacations in Switzerland or you are living here, I highly recommend to read this article till the end.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

With mountains over 4000m, Switzerland is known as the roof of Europe. The country is famous for its historical cities, wild rivers, snowy mountains, picturesque lakes. Switzerland extends beyond the Alps, lakes, meadows, and snowy mountains. Switzerland is so diverse in such a small space. This means Switzerland is the perfect place for Travel and Vacations.<\/span><\/p>

Apart from natural beauty, the country is famous for chocolates, coffee, fondue, cheese, watches, culture, subway, and most of all Swiss people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Switzerland is also very attractive in terms of its culture and has many museums, farmer markets, local and national events that are an excellent way to meet and interact with people. Those who wish to explore this gem will not fail to find the best places to visit in Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>

Are you trying to figure out where to go in Switzerland? Check out our top 14 list! We will show you the top tourist destinations for \u201cTravel and Vacations Switzerland\u201d.<\/span><\/p>

1. Z\u00fcrich (Nr.1 City for Top Vacations in Switzerland)<\/strong><\/h2>

\u201c<\/span>Zurich Switzerland<\/span><\/a>\u201d, one of the most living-worthy city of the world! Directly situated at the beautiful \u201cLake Zurich<\/a>\u201d, Zurich is probably the most known city of Switzerland besides Geneva. Not only for Switzerland tourists who arrive at Zurich airport it\u2019s worth to stay a view days, also for Swiss it\u2019s a city full of highlight. But not only this:<\/span><\/p>

Close to Zurich and the \u201cLake Zurich\u201d there are so many beautiful spots you can visit in just one hour, many of them are hidden gems, even most locals don\u2019t know. At those spots, where some are even natural wonders you hardly find any people. Some of those hidden spots we reveal in <\/span>our free Switzerland ebook<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

In case you want a private tour with a local expert and enjoying the best Switzerland experiences of your life, you are here at the right address. We can make your Switzerland dream come true and create a customized high-end tour from Zurich or other places of Switzerland. We only fulfill the highest quality level, that\u2019s why we are guiding also guests from some of the best luxury hotels of Zurich. Find out more here.<\/span><\/p>

I want to show you know with three spots, how beautiful the region of Zurich is.<\/span><\/p>

It\u2019s not a secret that I love the \u201cLake Zurich\u201d. Already in the city of Zurich you have so many beautiful spots to relax at or eat in a restaurant. A few examples are the \u201cBellevue\u201d or the \u201cChinawiese\u201d.<\/span><\/p>

\"Zurich \"Dreamy<\/p>

But the \u201cZurich Lake\u201d offers much more than that. On some places you find a wood brigde path for example in Rapperswil which is sometimes over the water. With the water, the beautiful view it is such a beautiful experience and highly recommended.<\/span><\/p>

Destinations to visit near Zurich<\/strong><\/h3>

One of the other places to visit in Switzerland near Zurich are the Seerenbach Falls a waterfall at \u201cWalensee\u201d or \u201cLake Walen\u201d, Switzerland which is considered the highest cascade in Switzerland. It is easily accessible from Weesen by car or by foot. Trust me, the lakeside walk is wonderful and so peaceful! You even must pass some tiny tunnels to get there.<\/span><\/p>

By the way, did you know that the \u201cZurich Lake\u201d and the Walensee have been once one huge lake with over 80 kilometres length? It is hard to imagine! Due to the sedimentation process of material brought from the alps, the two lakes slowly got separated. That\u2019s why the part between Lake Zurich and Lake Walen is so flat.<\/span><\/p>

Well, moving on, you can see the waterfall from a long way. The waterfall has in total three steps with a height of more than 600 metres together. The \u201cSeerenbachf\u00e4lle\u201d at lake Walen is a great place to hike with your family. You are surrounded by the lovely sound of falls when you are approaching your destination. What’s great about hiking is that the trail is not very steep. Most of the way is flat except the very end (last ten minutes).<\/span><\/p>

Very close to the waterfall you also find a beautiful farm called \u201cLandgasthof Paradiesli\u201d where you can eat something typical Swiss, of course with regional products or directly produced on the farm. For a family the perfect experience on a day trip from Zurich.<\/span><\/p>

Lake Kl\u00f6ntal – a must see in your Switzerland Vacations<\/strong><\/h3>

A third place to go in your \u201cSwitzerland guide\u201d from \u201cZurich” is the Kl\u00f6ntalersee. I have been so many times at the Kl\u00f6ntalersee and it\u2019s high on my bucket-list worthy places to visit in Switzerland! Kl\u00f6ntalersee is a big, beautiful lake in the middle of the glarus alps and a reservoir for electricity production.<\/span><\/p>

It is a quiet spot for picnics and walks. You’ll be fascinated by how beautiful this place is. You will have the chance to view very steep mountains with numerous waterfalls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

On one side of the lake, you have the main road, which is also a bus route, and on the other a hiking trail. There are plenty of other tourist attractions nearby that you can visit. If you are in Zurich Switzerland and have enough time, it\u2019s definitely worth to visit the surrounding region.<\/span><\/p>

2. Zermatt Switzerland<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>

A village with a rich history is \u201c<\/span>Zermatt<\/span><\/a>\u201d which is situated at the end of Matter Valley. With conifer forests, skiing, and some of the highest peaks of the Alpine range. Zermatt is a favorite place for doing Travel and Vacations in Switzerland. If you walk around the town of Zermatt, you will find many original buildings and a catholic church from the 1800s still standing. This place is surrounded by high snowy alpine peaks, some of them can be easily reached by cable car. Especially in summer you can find a lot of beautiful and comfortable hiking paths when you descend. Of course you can hike also the other way round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

There are so many hiking possibilities in Zermatt. One is the favorite 5-lake-trail, where you have a beautiful view from all 5 lakes to the Matterhorn. During the day you will have a lot of tourists there. <\/span><\/p>

\"Zermatt \"The<\/p>

This town is accessible by panoramic train lines that link it to the outside world. Klein Matterhorn, Gornergrat, and Sunnegga, around Zermatt town can be visited in clear weather by cable car and rack rail.<\/span><\/p>

Uncrowded places in Zermatt<\/strong><\/h3>

You want a place which is more calm? Then I tell you one of my favorite hiking trails in Zermatt Switzerland. Take the cable car to Trockener Steg. From there you hike in direction to Schwarzsee. It\u2019s a very easy hike which takes around 1.5-2 hours. But what you see there is just unbelievable! You are right next to the Matterhorn of Zermatt. It\u2019s not just a 5-lake-hike, no it\u2019s a 15 lake hike! Not even this, you also see many glaciers! One of the most beautiful hikes and places to visit in Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>

If you ever get the chance to visit Zermatt in winter, you absolutely cannot go back there without skiing, which is then the main tourist attraction. The city is situated around 1600m above sea level. You can ski even in summer in Zermatt! It\u2019s the only ski area in Switzerland, where you can ski 365 days a year! Due to this reasons I already have seen many ski stars from other nations like Canada, Korea or Kazachstan, which are doing their training in Summer and Autumn in Zermatt The unique feature of doing ski in Zermatt is also that you can ski freely across Switzerland and Italy!!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Are you looking for the best hotel in Zermatt Switzerland? Yes, there are plenty of them. One of my favorites is the Matterhorn Focus Hotel or the Riffelalp Hotel. In both wellness hotels you have a suberbe view on the famous Matterhorn and the comfort and friendliness is outstanding.<\/span><\/p>

3. M\u00fcrren<\/strong><\/h2>

Ever heard about <\/span>M\u00fcrren<\/span><\/a>? Probably not, because in this region especially Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are the most famous places to visit in Switzerland. But honestly, it\u2019s probably the most beautiful villages of the Swiss Alps and my personal favorite for doing vacations in Switzerland. A must for every travel trip! The charming M\u00fcrren is one of the only car free villages of Switzerland besides Zermatt, Bettmeralp and Braunwald. <\/span><\/p>

\"The<\/p>

With a total of 450 residents which live the whole year there, it\u2019s a little mountain village, the rest of the people comes with the tourism. But what I can tell you: a destination like M\u00fcrren is absolutely hard to find. Without any traffic and noise but with an overwhelming mountain panorama, this eco-friendly town can be your destination in Switzerland if you are seeking inner peace. Murren is famous for the view on Eiger, M\u00f6nch and Jungfraujoch. With eventful summers and sporty winters, I suggest you add Murren to your bucket list of Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>

One of my favorite scenic hikes in Switzerland is the very easy walk to Gimmelwald. This destination you reach in just one hour by foot and awards you with a dramatic mountain view on some of the highest peaks in Switzerland. In winter you can even sledge down to Gimmelwald \u2013 that is huge fun I promise! For wheater lovers, this is the place to be.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Sometimes the wheater changes really fast, which is normal for the alps. But then the clouds are so close to you that you could almost reach them and feel them. Dreamy!!<\/span><\/p>

4. Lake Thunersee Switzerland<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>

Clear water, historic buildings, green pastures, and a wonderful scenery are only a few reasons to visit the Swiss Lake \u201c<\/span>Lake Thunersee<\/span><\/a>\u201d.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cLake Thunersee\u201d may be a place to relax during a day or longer. Deep blue lake Thun blends naturally in the spectacular mountain scenery of the Niesen or famous Eiger, M\u00f6nch and Jungfrau. A boat trip from Thun along the lake in direction to Spiez or Interlaken is an excellent way to discover the region at an enjoyable pace. Therefore, if you have not decided to visit this beautiful region, you should.<\/span><\/p>

\"Der<\/p>

What else you should do at \u201cLake Thun\u201d? I reveal one of my secret tips:<\/span><\/p>

Above \u201cLake Thun\u201d there is a beautiful village called Sigriswil. From there you can easily walk down in around 1h20 to Gunten. It\u2019s my favorite hike over Lake Thun. Why? Because you have an endless scenic hike and view on all the mountains which are reflected in Lake Thun. I stayed already a few times in Sigriswil for my vacations in Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>

Thun, the town located at lake Thun<\/strong><\/h3>

But also the town \u201cThun<\/a>\u201d is beautiful and has so much charme. Some of the historic buildings are dated back to 1200 like for example the castle of Thun, where you can find inside a museum. The most impressive about Thun is the endless beauty combined with the local coolness. At the M\u00fchleschleuse you can observe some surfers, which are surfing near the beautiful spot. And I tell you, they even do that in winter when the water coming from the Lake Thun is ice cold.<\/span><\/p>

Other attractions around Lake Thun are the Giessbach falls<\/a>. This waterfall has in total over 14 steps before it goes into the lake. What I like most about this waterfall is, that you can even walk behind the falling water. That is so impressive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The town of Spiez, Oberhofen Castle, Thun Town Church, and Spiez Castle.<\/span><\/p>

5. Lauterbrunnen Switzerland and the Valley of 72 Waterfalls<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>

\u201c<\/span>Lauterbrunnen Switzerland<\/span><\/a>\u201d is a piece of paradise with a population of only around two to three thousand inhabitants and only 20 minutes away from Interlaken. The small town is nestled in a textured green valley of trees and has 72 waterfalls, the so called \u201cLauterbrunnen Valley\u201d. This wonderful land is surrounded by steep cliffs and massive mountains, some of the walls are going up more than 600 metres! That is so massive. You will see waterfalls in profusion, snowy peaks and glaciers from and Lauterbrunnen.\u00a0 It\u2019s one of the best places to visit in Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>

When you think of Switzerland, you probably think of something similar to Lauterbrunnen — a mystical land of snow, water, towering trees, and clean air. You got that right. You can’t comprehend what makes Switzerland so incredible as long as you don’t see it on your own. Even all the videos and pictures you can see on Instagram are not the same. <\/span><\/p>

\"Lauterbrunnen\" \"Lauterbrunnen<\/p>

There’s something about Lauterbrunnen Switzerland that truly feels outside the world. Something Magical! Perhaps that’s the waterfall called \u201cStaubbach falls<\/a>\u201d, which is the highest waterfall of Switzerland.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Well, on top of that, Lauterbrunnen is also the start of your travel journey in Switzerland. To one of the highest mountains you can visit in Switzerland: the Jungfraujoch, called \u201cTop of Europe\u201d. During a beautiful train ride you enjoy the view along the \u201cLauterbrunnen valley\u201d and reach Wengen. From there you drive further to Kleine Scheidegg and the train station Eigergletscher. It\u2019s pretty pricy to drive to Jungfraujoch. But honestly, also a drive to \u201cKleine Scheidegg\u201dor to the station of the Eigergletscher is really worth to travel there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

If you are a very experienced hiker you can take from the Eigergletscher the alpine hiking trail to the Guggih\u00fctte SAC, where you could stay for the night or hike back at the same day. As I love this region so much, it\u2019s a great place to stay for your vacations in Switzerland. Where to stay is a hard decision, whether Grindelwald, Interlaken<\/a>, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen or M\u00fcrren. Every place has its own beauty.<\/span><\/p>

6. Grindelwald, one of the most famous places for vacations in Switzerland<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>

Grindelwald is one of Switzerland’s top mountain villages and a popular tourist destination for travelers from all over the world. It\u2019s almost on every bucketlist for places to visit in Switzerland. And it is one of my favorite regions of Switzerland. What makes Grindelwald a special place to visit? Skiing in winter and hiking in summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The beautiful village of Grindelwald is located in the Swiss Alps of the beautiful Bernese Highlands. The place provides stunning views with a scenic mountain panorama on glaciers and the famous \u201cEiger, M\u00f6nch & Jungfrau\u201d. Furthermore, Grindelwald knows how to attract tourists. They have plenty of very different activities to engage tourists such a the \u201cCliff Walk\u201d at Grindelwald First<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>

\"Grindelwald \"Views<\/p>

The great diversity of landscapes and beautiful mountains are a treat to watch at least once in your lifetime. The most prominent mountain of this unique alpine landscape is Eiger with the famous Eiger North face. In the morning or evening hours you can shoot some great pictures with the perfect light! Because that\u2019s the best light to take pictures in Grindelwald, especially in Summer. In Winter everything is a bit more difficult, as the sun doesn\u2019t reach Grindelwald itself. But no worries, in the mountains for skiing, hiking or sledding you will also enjoy in winter the sunlight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Grindelwald first – a stunning place in the Swiss Alps<\/strong><\/h3>

A wonderful way to delve into the beauty of the region is to hike from \u201cGrindelwald First\u201d to Bachalpsee. It\u2019s probably one of the most shared spots of Grindelwald on Instagram. Are you a motivated hiker? Then you can continue your hike to the Faulhorn, where a restaurant and even hotel is awaiting you.<\/span><\/p>

But Grindelwald offers numerous more picturesque hiking trails. When the weather at Grindelwald, Switzerland is pretty clear, you can enjoy a splendid view of the valley and the Alps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Grindelwald Canyon Swing is the best choice if you are in search of a real adventure when you visit Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>

7. Lake Geneva Switzerland and the \u201cLes Lavaux\u201d <\/b><\/strong>– Switzerland Vacations in the French Speaking area<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>

Want a glimpse into Lavaux? Lavaux is one of the most picturesque places to visit in Switzerland which is famous for its good vines. The <\/span>Lavaux vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage Site,<\/span><\/a> situated in south-western Switzerland near Lausanne and Geneva. The specialty of Lavaux wines is that it is handmade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

What I really love about this region is the scenic view on \u201cLake Geneva\u201d, over all the vineyards and the mountains in France. And now a secret tip from my side. If you come from Geneva take the ship or train to Cully or St.Saphorin. Those are two beautiful middle age towns directly situated at \u201cLake Geneva\u201d. Especially St.Saphorin is one of the most beautiful villages of Switzerland. From there you can start hiking through the \u201cLes Lavaux\u201d which is my personal favorite option. You can be so spontaneous and enjoy the views or wines wherever you want along the \u201cSwiss Wine Route\u201d. Yes, you have heard right, a Swiss Wine Route! There are so many wine caves along the hiking route, where you can buy and degustate wines. The second option is to take the \u201cLavaux Express\u201d This little \u201ctrain\u201d brings you to the most beautiful places in the \u201cLavaux\u201d area.<\/span><\/p>

\"Ebenfalls<\/p>

The perfect place in Switzerland for all wine lovers<\/strong><\/h3>

The region of \u201cLake Geneva\u201d and \u201cLes Lavaux\u201d has a deeply rooted history of winemaking and has a large number of families that have been winegrowing for generations. The paths winding through the vines lead to the villages along the steep hills. A lot of people come here to admire the beauty of Switzerland’s wine region and take pictures in the vineyards. Apart from the vine, you can visit the place called Montreux Riviera<\/a>, a town that has inspired poets, politicians, artists, celebrities, and musicians. Montreux is besides Geneva or Lausanne also a good place to book your hotel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

In my view, the best time to visit Lavaux, Switzerland, is in autumn. You will be able to witness the grape harvest and taste some of the region’s iconic wines. But also summer is a gread season if the days are not too hot. Because it can get really hot there.<\/span><\/p>

8. \u201cNeuchatel and the \u201cCreux du Van\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>

The charming middle age town \u201cNeuchatel\u201d is a great region to stay for your vacations in Switzerland when you want to explore the French part of this country, called Romandie. Neuchatel is directly situated at the Lac de Neuchatel, which is the biggest lake of Switzerland. Many think it\u2019s the \u201cLake Zurich\u201d or \u201cLake Lucerne, but that\u2019s wrong. Neuenburg, the German expression of the city of Neuchatel, is known for the castle and the gotic church. Both have been built in the middle age like many other Swiss cities. Due to its beauty the city of Neuenburg was very famous during the belle epoque.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

There are two incredible sights (natural wonders) next to Neuchatel you can visit on a day trip. The \u201c<\/span>Creux du Van<\/span><\/a>\u201d and the \u201cGorge de l\u2019Areuse\u201d. If you have a car, they can both visited in one day. If you are a fit hiker, you can explore them as well in a day. I am sure you will love them as I do.<\/span><\/p>

\"Creux<\/p>

Stunning Creux du Van – the Grand Canyon of Switzerland<\/strong><\/h3>

The \u201cCreux du Van\u201d is situated in the Val de Travers district and is one of the largest reserves of nature. \u201cCreux du Van\u201d is a breathtaking natural place, a piece of nature you don’t want to miss. That\u2019s why it belongs to the top places to visit in Switzerland. This regional icon was created by the power of the glaciers (ice) and water thousands of years ago. The climate of the \u201cCreux du Van\u201d is unique and unusual as it\u2019s very regional and has even plants which can be found in arctic regions. The place is full of idyllic forests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

As a second tip which is a hidden place to visit near \u201cNeuenburg\u201d, I recommend you the beautiful \u201cGorges de l\u2019Areus<\/a>e\u201d. The gorges of the Areuse are located between Noirague and Boudry. This place is considered one of the best gorges in Switzerland for a peaceful and pleasant walk. A perfect place in nature’s beauty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

This beautiful walk through the Areuse gorges takes you through forests and grasslands along the river. <\/span><\/p>

9. Interlaken<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>

Who has not heard about \u201c<\/span>Interlaken<\/span><\/a>\u201d? \u201cInterlaken\u201d is the most famous destination in the canton of Bern besides Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. The town is located in the Bernese Highlands alongside the Aare River and, the middle of two lakes called Lake Thun on the west side and Lake Brienz on the east. It is very recommended to take a ship cruise on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz and enjoy the moment. <\/span><\/p>

\"Interlaken<\/p>

Additionally, it is a popular destination for tourist in the Swiss Alps region as it is the perfect location for daily excursions to so many different places to visit in Switzerland. There are a lot of destinations to discover from Interlaken. I list here some of the places I highly recommend you to visit during the day:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>