7 Best Places to Visit in Switzerland

Switzerland packs glacier peaks, lakeside cities, and medieval old towns into a country you can cross by train in a few hours. Whether you're planning a week-long loop or a quick add-on to a European trip, these seven destinations cover the country's best-known landscapes and cities.

1. Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Zermatt is a car-free alpine resort town at the foot of the Matterhorn, one of the most photographed mountains in the world at 4,478 meters. The Gornergrat cog railway climbs above the village for a close-up view of the peak and surrounding glaciers, and the town itself is easy to explore on foot or by electric taxi.

2. Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) is the largest lake in the Alps, ringed by vineyards, lakeside promenades, and towns like Geneva, Lausanne, and Montreux. Geneva's Jet d'Eau fountain is one of the tallest in the world, and a short train ride along the shore leads to the medieval Chillon Castle, built on a rocky island just off Montreux.

3. Lucerne

Lucerne sits where the Reuss River meets Lake Lucerne, and its 14th-century Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) — a covered wooden footbridge with a stone water tower — is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Switzerland. The old town's painted facades and squares are easy to cover on foot, and lake boats reach Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi for panoramic day trips.

4. Interlaken

Interlaken sits on a narrow strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and functions as the gateway to the Jungfrau region. It's Switzerland's adventure-sports hub — paragliding, canyoning, and hiking trailheads all start here — but the view of the surrounding peaks from the town itself is worth the stop on its own.

5. Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe

Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 meters, reached by a cog railway that tunnels through the Eiger and Mönch. At the top, an observation deck looks out over the Aletsch Glacier, the longest ice stream in the Alps. It's a full-day trip from Interlaken or Grindelwald, and one of the most popular single excursions in the country.

6. Bern

Switzerland's capital has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arcaded sandstone streets, the 15th-century Zytglogge astronomical clock tower, and the Aare River looping around the city make Bern an easy half-day or full-day stop.

7. Zurich

Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and a common entry point by air, but it's worth more than a layover. The Altstadt (old town) sits on both banks of the Limmat River, Bahnhofstrasse is one of Europe's best-known shopping streets, and Lake Zurich's promenade is a short walk from the train station.

Staying connected while you travel

Switzerland's mobile networks (Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt) cover all seven of these destinations, including alpine areas around Zermatt and Jungfraujoch. An eSIM lets you land with data already active instead of hunting for airport Wi-Fi — compare current Switzerland eSIM plans below.

Running a promo code for Switzerland right now:

Airalo

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Eskimo

Welcome Discount — 50% off your first purchase

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Get 50% off your first purchase, capped at $15. Applied automatically at checkout, no code needed.

Public promo

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CloudOn

CLOUDON10 - 10% off your first eSIM

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Public sitewide banner code, first purchase only.

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For more on how eSIMs work before your trip, see our beginner's guide to eSIMs. You can also browse the full list of Switzerland eSIM plans sorted by price.