Switzerland · best-of list
30 Top Things to Do in Switzerland
All 30 things to do our route editors picked in Switzerland, across 6 destinations, gathered in one list. Expect sights and experiences, with Lucerne contributing the most (7).
Our curated picks
30 things to do in Switzerland, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Lucerne 7 picks
Chapel Bridge
Lucerne · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
14th-century covered wooden bridge with painted panels and a water tower.
Tip: Walk it early before tour groups.
Photo: jorge nogueira · Google
KKL Luzern
Lucerne · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Jean Nouvel's concert hall with a huge overhanging roof over the lake.
Tip: Check concert listings in summer.
Photo: Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern · Google
Lake Lucerne Navigation Company
Lucerne · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Historic paddle-steamer and motor boats across Lake Lucerne.
Tip: Swiss Travel Pass covers boats.
Photo: Winnie He · Google
Lion Monument
Lucerne · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Dying lion carved into rock to honor Swiss Guards killed in 1792.
Tip: Five-minute walk from Old Town.
Photo: Gürkan Sengün · Public domain
Mount Pilatus
Lucerne · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Golden Round Trip: boat, the world's steepest cogwheel railway up, and cable cars down.
Tip: Cogwheel runs only May–Nov.
Photo: Artur · Google
Musegg Wall
Lucerne · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Medieval city wall with towers you can climb for rooftop views.
Tip: Open spring–fall; the Zyt tower clock strikes a minute early.
Photo: Museggmauer · Google
Swiss Museum of Transport
Lucerne · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Large museum of trains, planes and boats on the lakeshore.
Tip: Allow half a day; good with kids.
Photo: heng people · Google
Andermatt 5 picks
Andermatt station
Andermatt · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn station where the Glacier Express stops between Zermatt and the Oberalp climb.
Gemsstock
Andermatt · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
Cable cars climb from the village to 2,961 m, serving steep north-facing runs and a viewing platform over the Alps.
Tip: Check the wind forecast; the upper cable car closes in strong winds.
Photo: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nätschen
Andermatt · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
Sunny ski area and railway halt on the Oberalp line above Andermatt, part of the linked SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun.
Tip: Gentler than Gemsstock and a good choice for beginners.
Photo: David Gubler · CC BY-SA 4.0
Teufelsbrücke
Andermatt · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
The Devil's Bridge spans the Reuss in the Schöllenen Gorge, a short way below Andermatt on the old Gotthard route.
Tip: The Matterhorn Gotthard trains to Göschenen pass right beside it.
Photo: Albinfo · CC BY 4.0Urseren cross-country trails
Andermatt · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
Groomed cross-country ski trails run along the flat floor of the Urseren valley from Andermatt toward Hospental and Realp.
Tip: Rent classic or skating gear in the village.
St. Moritz 5 picks
Corviglia
St. Moritz · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
St. Moritz's home ski mountain, reached by funicular from the village, with wide sunny runs and views over the lakes.
Cresta Run
St. Moritz · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
Natural-ice skeleton run first built in 1885, raced head-first from St. Moritz down toward Celerina.
Tip: Novice rides are booked through the club; watching from the track side is free.
Photo: Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaning Tower of St. Moritz
St. Moritz · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
The 12th-century bell tower of the vanished St. Mauritius church, leaning about 5.5 degrees above the village.
Photo: Leonhard Lenz · CC0Olympia Bob Run St. Moritz–Celerina
St. Moritz · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
The world's only natural-ice bobsleigh track, rebuilt by hand each winter; guests can ride as passengers behind a pilot.
Tip: Guest rides sell out early in the season.
Segantini Museum
St. Moritz · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
Stone-domed museum devoted to Giovanni Segantini, painter of the Engadine, holding his large Alpine Triptych.
Zurich 5 picks
Grossmünster
Zurich · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Twin-towered church where the Reformation began in Zurich; climb the Karl tower.
Tip: Tower climb is small fee and 187 steps.
Photo: Roland zh · CC BY-SA 3.0
Kunsthaus Zürich
Zurich · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Major art museum with Swiss and modern collections.
Tip: Free on Wednesdays for the collection.
Photo: Roland zh · CC BY-SA 3.0
Lake Zurich Boat Cruise
Zurich · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
ZSG boat cruises from Bürkliplatz; short and long lake loops.
Tip: Swiss Travel Pass covers most boats.
Photo: Rathakarn Khuruthiti · Google
Lindenhof
Zurich · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Tree-shaded hill on a Roman fort site, overlooking the Limmat and Old Town.
Tip: Bring coffee; locals play giant chess here.
Photo: Ank Kumar · CC BY-SA 4.0
Swiss National Museum
Zurich · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Castle-like museum of Swiss history next to the main station.
Tip: Easy first stop off the train.
Photo: Matt Joseph · CC BY-SA 4.0
Interlaken 4 picks
Harder Kulm
Interlaken · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Funicular to a viewpoint over Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau views.
Tip: Go for sunset dinner at the panorama restaurant.
Photo: Smith Smith · Google
Jungfraujoch
Interlaken · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Rail trip to Europe's highest railway station, with glacier views.
Tip: Expensive; go on a clear day and check webcam first.
Photo: Pmau · CC BY-SA 4.0
Lake Brienz Cruise
Interlaken · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
BLS boat from Interlaken Ost across turquoise water to Brienz.
Tip: Swiss Travel Pass covers it.
Photo: BLS Interlaken Lake Cruise · Google
Schynige Platte
Interlaken · On our Swiss Lakes by Rail route
Historic cog railway to an alpine garden and ridge walks.
Tip: Open Jun–Oct.
Photo: Audrius Meskauskas (Audriusa) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Zermatt 4 picks
Gornergrat Railway
Zermatt · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
Rack railway running since 1898 from Zermatt to Gornergrat at 3,089 m, with the Matterhorn in view for much of the climb.
Tip: Sit on the right-hand side going up for the Matterhorn views.
Photo: David Gubler · CC BY-SA 3.0Hinterdorf
Zermatt · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
The old quarter of dark larch barns and granaries raised on stone slabs to keep out mice, a few lanes behind the main street.
Matterhorn Museum
Zermatt · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
Underground museum built as a reconstructed old village, telling the story of the 1865 first ascent and Zermatt's climbing history.
Tip: A good choice for a snowy or cloudy afternoon.
Photo: gurkans · CC BY 3.0Sunnegga
Zermatt · On our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route
Sunny plateau at 2,288 m reached by an underground funicular from the village, with gentle slopes and a classic Matterhorn view.
Tip: A good half-day for non-skiers: ride up, walk the winter path, and lunch on a terrace.
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the things to do in Switzerland?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 30 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of Switzerland has the most things to do on this list?
Lucerne has the most (7 of 30), followed by Andermatt (5) and St. Moritz (5).
Are any of these free?
9 picks on this list are marked free in our route notes: Chapel Bridge, KKL Luzern, Teufelsbrücke, Lion Monument, Lindenhof, and more. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for Switzerland
Top things to do nearby
Destinations on this list
- Lucerne 7 on this list
- Andermatt 5 on this list
- St. Moritz 5 on this list
- Zurich 5 on this list
- Interlaken 4 on this list
- Zermatt 4 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.