Switzerland is one of those destinations that is almost agitatingly perfect. It stays out of conflicts, boasts a happy population, has some of the most mind-bending landscapes on the planet, and is a pioneer in precision engineering. Also: chocolate and fondue! The best places to visit in Switzerland showcase all of these coveted traits, from the high-altitude health spas to the après outposts overlooking dramatic peaks.
Though Switzerland is commonly associated with its ski resorts (many of the world’s best slopes are located within the country), every other season is just as breathtaking for a visit. When you’re not hiking through wildflower dotted trails or tasting your way around UNESCO-protected vineyards, the country’s highly regarded hospitality scene is ready to host and pamper you anew.
The best places to visit in Switzerland offer a mix of bucolic and bustling, historic and cutting edge. For every charming chalet-filled village, there’s a contemporary city center full of Michelin-starred cuisine and luxury shops (perhaps a new watch to take home?). Ahead, 11 experiences and destinations to add to your list.
Take a Ride on a Historic Railway
Whether you’re traversing across the snowcapped Alps on The Glacier Express or whizzing by the awe-inspiring Morteratsch Glacier aboard The Bernina, Switzerland’s legendary train routes offer a relaxed approach to taking in the country’s most scenic landscapes. Connect multiple ride segments to cobble together a luxurious drawn-out journey, or select just one that best suits your travel itinerary.
Stay Here: The romantic Belle Époque train connects Montreux to Zweisimmen and is designed in the spirit of the turn of the century. Before embarking on your journey, stay the night at Grand Hôtel du Lac. This boutique property (built in 1868) also channels the Belle Époque with its elegant design and luxurious amenities.
Experience Swiss-Italian Culture in Ticino
Ticino is the sunniest region in the country and borders Italy to the south, so it makes sense why visitors here often remark on the laid-back Mediterranean energy. Within the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, Lake Lugano delivers on its reputation as a haven for creatives, which is far less crowded than its neighbor across the border (Lake Como). Experience the Swiss-Italian culture by dining at a traditional grotto, taking a boat tour to Morcote, or simply wandering through the old town’s sleepy piazzas.
Stay Here: Opening its lavish doors in 1887, Hotel Splendide Royale calls to mind the gilded age of travel with its glamorous details, like dense drapery in the guest rooms and wallpaper that coordinates with the bedspreads. Previous guests have included the likes of Sophia Loren and Angelina Jolie, if that sort of detail tips the scales for you.
Hone Your Aprés in the Engadin
Everyone knows half the fun of a day on the slopes is the après-ski experience. This time honored tradition hits its stride in alpine destinations like the Engadin Valley, which is home to ski resorts, like St. Moritz-Corviglia. Or the nearby village of Pontresina, where a morning of parallel turns on the trails of Corvatsch can be followed up with an afternoon sipping on a spritz with front-row views of the mountain.
Stay Here: A little bit Wes Anderson, a lot of old world splendor, Pontresina’s Grand Hotel Kronenhof epitomizes the luxury alpine hotel experience. Secure a spot on the sun terrace at Le Pavillon for your aprés, feasting upon cheese fondue and sipping on Champagne while overlooking the powdery mountainscapes.
Hike the Dramatic Peaks of Bernese Oberland
An entire vacation could be dedicated to this breathtaking region of southwest Switzerland, which is home to destinations like Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Jungfraujoch (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no less!). Naturally, it’s well known for being an adventure capital, offering some of the most exhilarating hikes in the country. Your best approach would be to choose a subregion within Bernese Oberland (such as Jungfrau) and filter down hikes based on skill level, scenery type, and length.
Stay Here: The ultra-luxe ski destination of Gstaad sits within the Bernese Oberland region, and one of its glittering accommodations include Le Grand Bellevue. This historic property offers an intimate experience with just 57 rooms and suites, as well as a 3,000-square-meter spa that’s designed with 17 different wellness “zones.”
Ski With the Matterhorn As Your Backdrop
As one of the premiere ski destinations on the planet, choosing which Swiss slopes to glide down can induce a touch of decision paralysis. But for first-time visitors, nothing quite beats the thrill of skiing in Zermatt with the Matterhorn’s majestic silhouette as your backdrop. For our advanced readers, take note that the resort offers heliskiing, whisking adrenaline seekers to trails only accessible from the sky.
Stay Here: Mont Cervin Palace is a 150-room Michelin Key property complete with three restaurants, chateau-style interiors, and a whirlpool with views of the mountains. For fervent powder hounds, guests of the hotel can have concierge arrange private ski tours. For a cozy night in, head to the property’s live music venue, Joseph’s Jazz Club.
Embark On a Cheese Crawl
Ask just about anyone what food comes to mind when discussing the cuisine of Switzerland and high-quality cheese is sure to top the list. The country’s history of cheese-making runs deep, and lactose-loving travelers should take full advantage of it by going on a crawl of some variety. Switzerland produces more than 450 varieties of cheese, so be prepared to choose favorites. (Our guide to feasting upon the best Swiss cheeses in their natural habitats can be found here.)
Stay Here: Six Senses Crans-Montana offers guests the opportunity to learn the secrets of traditional cheesemaking in the alps, where everything is completed by hand. The tour also includes a spin around a Swiss hamlet as well as tomme d’alpage to take away.
Taste Coveted Wines in Lavaux
If you haven’t tasted wine from Switzerland before, you’re certainly not alone. The country’s production is quite small and focused largely on domestic distribution. Ipso facto, if you are a wine lover and traveling to Switzerland, take advantage of your time in the country by sampling its prized pours. Even better: add a few days to your itinerary for visiting a wine region, like Lavaux, which has spectacular terraced slopes overlooking Lake Geneva.
Stay Here: Hotel Royal Savoy is in the heart of Lausanne and dates back to 1906. The property is in the perfect location—just meters away from Lake Geneva, but close to the metro for climbing up the hill to explore the old town. (Fun fact: Lausanne is the smallest city in the world to have a full metro system.) The Lavaux vineyards are just a 15-minute train ride from the hotel.
Drive the Grand Tour of Switzerland
The Grand Tour of Switzerland is a 1,000 mile circuit that takes road trippers along all of the country’s most riveting highlights. It’s ambitious (the whole thing takes at least a week to complete), but exceptional. The route passes along medieval villages, imposing glaciers, lakeshores dotted with palm trees, and through 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And because this is Switzerland, there is a dense network of charging stations along the entire length of the route, encouraging travelers to hire electric vehicles for their journey.
Stay Here: While employing the deft hand of a travel agent to manage your accommodations for The Grand Tour isn’t a bad idea, if you prefer a more hands-on approach, Switzerland’s tourism board offers a list of vetted hotels that are situated along the entire length of the route.
Refuel Your Reservoirs at a Health Spa
Switzerland’s association with wellness dates back several centuries, when aristocratic travelers would visit the country for its thermal spas and mountain sanatoriums. The affiliation stuck, and now, names like Clinique La Prairie are known for their cutting-edge, science-based treatments. If anti-aging and longevity is your love language, book a retreat at an iconic destination like Bürgenstock Resort, where treatments (both scientific and holistic) range from firming collagen facials to body massages using Swiss salts and algae.
Stay Here: Come for the famous geothermal waters, stay for the extensive treatment menu, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is where wellness is actualized. Many guests visit for a few days of gentle pampering, but the resort is also staffed with doctors specializing in areas such as pneumology, vascular medicine, and neurology.
Explore the Art Scene in Basel
Home to the biggest and most prestigious fair for modern and contemporary artworks, Basel’s art scene stands tall on the global stage. But even if your visit doesn’t coincide with Art Basel (which held its 54th edition last year), the destination still offers plenty of opportunities to witness fantastic art, as there are nearly 40 museums packed into the small town’s 37 square kilometers. For important paintings from the past several hundred years, head for The Kunstmuseum Basel. If you’re fascinated with Egyptian artifacts, don’t miss the Basel Museum of Antiquities. Or for more modern works, check out current exhibitions at Fondation Beyeler or Kunsthalle Basel.
Stay Here: Because Basel sits on the beautiful River Rhine, a room at the waterfront Hotel Les Trois Rois offers a lovely vantage point for experiencing the city. With over 300 years of history (it was founded in 1681 as an inn for gentleman), this elegant property has 101 rooms and suites and a 3 Michelin star restaurant.
Wander the Medieval Old Town of Bern
As the local legend goes, a duke from Zähringen founded Bern in 1191, naming the city after the first animal he hunted there, which was a bear (bär in German). Over 800 years later, Bern remains (as does its bears) and its old town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with charming arcades, Renaissance fountains, and an early 13th-century clock tower with a medieval puppet show happening every hour on the hour. Travelers can also visit the former home of Albert Einstein where he developed his famous Theory of Relativity.
Stay Here: Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern offers exactly what one might expect from a historic hotel located in the heart of the Swiss capital: elegant lounges, sweeping views of the Bernese Alps, and ultra-refined cuisine. Lean into the legendary vibes and make this 150-year-old grand dame your base for exploring the old city.
