Switzerland isn’t just postcard views and punctual trains (though you’ll get those too). When I lived there with my family, we discovered countless ways to enjoy this remarkable country that many visitors miss.
What makes a trip unforgettable are the experiences that connect you to the stunning landscape, the culture, and sometimes to some very charming creatures. Here are twelve worth putting at the top of your list.
1. Enjoy the journey
Hop aboard the Glacier Express or Bernina Express panoramic train to make getting from Point A to Point B part of the adventure. Choose first class to experience train travel in true style, complete with sparkling wine and white tablecloths. The panoramic windows provide sweeping views as you clickety-clack through the Alps, valleys, and storybook villages.
2. Soak with a view over Lake Lucerne
Some of Switzerland’s best hotels offer world-class spas, but you don’t need to be an overnight guest to experience them—a day pass is a great option! Picture yourself in a steaming pool with the Alps practically at eye-level and Lake Lucerne glinting below. It’s the perfect reset after an overnight flight or between ski days or alpine hikes.
3. Don’t sleep on ski resorts in the summer!
Switzerland’s ski resorts don’t shut down when the snow melts. In Zermatt, lifts keep running for glacier skiing and high-altitude hikes with the iconic Matterhorn in full view. Elsewhere, summer can mean chairlift-assisted hiking, mountain biking, or scooter rides down winding trails. You’ll also find mountain coasters, ropes parks, and even playgrounds perched at altitude—because here, the outdoors are meant to be easy to enjoy. The hills are alive with wildflowers, the sweet sound of cowbells, and fresh alpine spigots where you can literally refill your bottle on the trail.
4. Channel your inner 007
Take the cable car nearly 10,000 feet up for a panorama of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau—and a dose of movie lore. The Schilthorn doubled as a villain’s lair in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and today it hosts Bond World 007, complete with helicopter simulators, film clips, and a revolving restaurant serving martinis (shaken, of course).
5. Take a hike (with Saint Bernards)
These cutie-pie rescue dogs aren’t just mythical mascots. At the Great St. Bernard Pass you can learn their history, meet the sweet modern-day pups carrying on the legacy, and actually take them for a walk. Bonus: there’s even a new theme park nearby dedicated to them!
6. Say cheese
Spend the morning learning how dairy farmers turn fresh milk into wheels of cheese, complete with the clang of cowbells and scent of hay. Then head into Gruyères’ medieval village for a fondue lunch: bubbling cheese, crusty bread, and maybe a glass of crisp white (tradition says only white wine or hot tea with fondue).
7. Indulge your inner chocoholic
Real life chocolate factories that rival Wonka’s offer hands-on classes where you’ll temper, mold, and decorate your own bars. You’ll learn a lot about the history of chocolate and the bean to bar process, and in the tasting room, you can eat as many gourmet chocolates as you’d like.
8. Dive into Olympic history
The Olympic Museum in Lausanne is about human achievement, international competition, and cooperation. Interactive exhibits, medals and torches, and moving stories of grit and creativity bring the Games to life. Even non-sports fans come away inspired.
9. Immerse yourself (literally)
In Bern in the summer, residents commute by river; they toss their clothes in a dry bag and hop in, letting the turquoise current carry them to their office. You can join them! It’s great fun to tap into local life as you float past the Swiss capital’s historic rooftops.
10. Swim beneath a castle
On Lake Geneva’s edge, Château de Chillon has housed dukes, duchesses, and even an imprisoned Lord Byron. After a visit, you can actually swim at its feet, cooling off in clear water while castle walls rise above you. Not your average beach day.
11. Forge your own Swiss Army knife
Great for gear-heads: assemble, polish, and engrave your very own multi-tool. It’s a hands-on souvenir that’s practical, personal, and very Swiss.
12. ‘Til the cows come home
The désalpe (the cow descent from the mountains) is my personal favorite! Every autumn, alpine cows return to the valleys crowned with flowers and strung with giant bells. Proud farmers in traditional dress celebrate a successful summer grazing season and parade them through villages. Timing can be luck, but many communities put on official festivals that embody Switzerland at its most joyful, with music, artisan stalls, and traditional foods of the season.
Ready to Plan Your Swiss Adventure?
The Swiss take their play seriously, and you should too. Building even a few of these experiences into your itinerary will give you stories and memories unique to this mountain-filled, chocolate-fueled gem of a country.
Love these ideas? As a travel advisor, I can help you weave them into a seamless, personalized itinerary that fits your travel style perfectly. From booking panoramic trains to finding the perfect alpine spa, I’m here to bring your ideal Swiss vacation to life.
