Lakes, mountain air & time to look around
Lakefront towns, mountain railways and old streets that deserve more than a hurried transfer. Pick a few bases, leave a clear-weather day free, and let Switzerland’s changing landscapes do the rest.
Begin with a glimpse of Switzerland
Switzerland Tourism’s playful winter film (2021) sets the mood. It is a seasonal introduction, not a statement of present snow or operating conditions.
Explore Zürich →02FIRST-TIME FAVOURITE
Covered wooden bridges, painted façades and lake journeys, with the mountains close enough to tempt an extra day.
Explore Lucerne →Allow two or three nights.
03FIRST-TIME FAVOURITE
A car-free mountain village, historic timber buildings and excursions made unforgettable by a clear view of the Matterhorn.
Explore Zermatt →Allow three nights; mountain weather may change the plan.
Three more places worth giving time to. Choose the ones that fit your interests and route.
04BEYOND THE BEATEN PATH
Arcaded streets, fountains and sandstone buildings on a bend of the Aare, with a city centre best enjoyed on foot.
Explore Bern →Allow two nights or a full city day.
05BEYOND THE BEATEN PATH
A Lake Geneva promenade, musical memories and rail excursions into a very different landscape above the shore.
Explore Montreux →Allow two or three nights.
06BEYOND THE BEATEN PATH
Painted façades, craft traditions and a compact village at the edge of the Alpstein, with much to enjoy before heading uphill.
Explore Appenzell →Allow two nights.
LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER · Switzerland
Veytaux · near Montreux
Courtyards, stone vaults and lake views give this shoreline fortress a story much larger than its small island.
Explore this discovery →Eric Hill · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Neuhausen am Rheinfall · northern Switzerland
Near Schaffhausen, viewpoints on both banks reveal the river’s force without needing a mountain climb.
Explore this discovery →Stéphane Olivier Vuille · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Ebenalp · Alpstein
A mountain inn tucked under rock and the neighbouring cave setting make a striking Alpstein outing, when conditions allow.
Explore this discovery →Uchemp4 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display cropped/resized.
SEE HOW THE PLACES FIT TOGETHER
Select a pin or place name to open its guide directly. Gold marks the first-time highlights, teal the places beyond the beaten path.
Outline: Natural Earth, public domain · Approximate place markers; callouts separate nearby places. Orientation only, not navigation.
Build your own journey
Combine Zürich, Lucerne and Bern by rail, with a proper day in each. Add a mountain excursion when weather and operations suit it.
Pair Montreux with several nights in Zermatt. Make the transfer its own part of the journey and leave a clear-weather day free.
Combine Zürich with Appenzell, with village culture and a conditional Alpstein outing instead of another rushed city stop.
Suggested combinations, not transport schedules. Check current connections and allow time between bases.
A few useful essentials
Check the rules for your passport, current regional advice and insurance before booking.
Official travel advice →Build your trip around a few bases rather than trying to see everything in one visit.
Plan your journey →Each destination page includes a public accommodation contact. Ask directly about rates, access and room arrangements.
Browse destinations →Leave time for local food, everyday streets and conversations as well as the headline sights.
People & culture →Current official travel advice ↗Ask ATA about your itinerary →
Zurich: Lovasoa · CC0 1.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Lucerne: Fedon Bouzbas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Zermatt: TiagoSanchez · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Bern: Yair Haklai · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Montreux: Adrianlimani91 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Appenzell: Daniel Kraft · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Chillon: Eric Hill · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Rhine Falls: Stéphane Olivier Vuille · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Aescher: Uchemp4 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display cropped/resized.
Film: Switzerland Tourism · No Drama — Winter Edition (2021). Sources reviewed 28 October 2026.
