Spend the day exploring Switzerland’s largest city at your leisure. You could stroll around the Old Town with its cobblestone streets and charming architecture. It is home to many historic churches including Grossmünster and Fraumünster. You could also immerse yourself in art and history at local museums. Or head up the Lindenhof hill to enjoy views over the city centre and the river Limmat.
DAY 2: ROAD TO BERN
Start your road trip around Switzerland! head north to the border with Germany. You’ll first pass by the town of Stein am Rhein before stopping at Rhine Falls, some of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. After you have seen the power of the alpine rivers, you will drive to Bern, the small yet charming capital of Swiss. It is a city full of cultural and historical landmarks, with a heritage dating back to the 12th century.
DAY 3: EXPLORE BERN
You have all day to see the highlights of Bern. You shouldn’t miss Bern Altstadt, the well-preserved and charming Old Town. Take a stroll here where you could spot the Parliament Building, Clock Tower (“Zytglogge”) and Gothic Cathedral of Bern. A great way to immerse yourself in and learn more about the local history is at the Bern History Museum and Einstein Museum. Alternatively, you could drive from Bern to Lake Biel and Lake Neuchâtel, where you will find vineyards in the hills above the scenic villages.
DAY 4: LAKE GENEVA AND LAUSANNE
Drive to the scenic Lake Geneva, the home of the modern Olympics. You will be able to pass the charming town of Neuchatel along the way, often referred to as the centre of the Swiss watch industry. Then stop in Creux du Van, the rocky ravine at the heart of this nature reserve formed during the ice age periods. It is really impressive with its 150-metre (500-foot) cliff face and width of 1,400 metres (4,600 feet).
DAY 5: OPEN DAY IN THE LAKE GENEVA AREA
Spend the day exploring the elegant city of Lausanne. You’ll find the historic centre is very walkable and full of cobblestone streets and colourful buildings. Make sure to check out the 12th-century Gothic cathedral. If you decide to walk up the 224 steps of the bell tower, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the city, with the lake and mountains as a backdrop. You could also learn more about the Olympics since Lausanne is home to the International Olympic Committee’s headquarters. Closer to the lake shore, you’ll find the Olympic Museum with permanent exhibitions on the history of the games, the athletes, sporting gear, and more. You could also take your chance to visit Geneva, Switzerland’s second largest city. The quickest way is to drive straight from Lausanne, but for the scenic option hop on a 4-hour boat ride on Lac Léman.
DAY 6: ROUTE TO MATTERHORN
Drive into the Alps. You will first journey through the tranquil town of Montreux, where you could visit the medieval Château de Chillon castle. Then drive through the beautiful Rhone Valley heading towards the town of Sion, with its 2 hilltop fortresses. After a stop to admire the historic buildings and green scenery, you will continue to Zermatt and get your first glimpse of the Matterhorn, the symbol of Switzerland.
DAY 7: ZERMATT AND MATTERHORN
This day is perfect to explore the spectacular surroundings of Zermatt. Why not hop on a gondola ride to take in the best views of the Matterhorn. Another fun adventure is the 30-minute cog railway up the 3,000-metre (nearly 10,000-foot) Gornergrat peak. It offers unforgettable views of the Matterhorn and here you’ll find plenty of hiking trails to enjoy and you can even ski 365 days a year.
DAY 8: THE ROUTE TO INTERLAKEN AND GRINDELWALD
Continue your drive through the Alps today all the way to Grindelwald. En route you can stop at charming towns in the Thurnersee (Lake Thun) region like Spiez, Thun and Sigriswil. Then cross Interlaken to arrive at the alpine village of Grindelwald, from where you’ll have a view of the notorious Mt. Eiger as well as the higher peaks of Mönch and Jungfrau. This is an ideal area to wander along trails, either in the town or in the mountains.
DAY 9: JUNGFRAUJOCH, “THE TOP OF EUROPE”
Take a cable car or train up to one of the various mountaintops of the area. Our recommendation is Jungfraujoch – known as the “Top of Europe”. You’ll be at 3,454 metres (more than 11,000 feet) above sea level with a view of the longest alpine glacier. If you would like to stay at lower heights, there are multiple hiking and walking routes in the area to enjoy a day in nature.
DAY 10: GRINDELWALD AND LAUTERBRUNNEN
You have the whole day to explore more of the thrilling Grindelwald area. There are so many opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. You could hike up to the Rosenlaui glacier gorge or take a cable car or train up a different mountain than yesterday. These are ideal if you enjoy unparalleled views and access to walking trails. A visit to the Lauterbrunnen valley will offer you a chance to see the majestic 300-metre-high (1,000-foot-high) Staubbach waterfall. Or you can take a cable car to the top of Schlithorn mountain, offering great views of the Bernese Alps
DAY 11: FROM MOUNTAIN PEAKS TO LAKE LUCERNE
Drive to Lucerne, a picturesque city set on the shore of Lake Lucerne. Here you can spend your afternoon strolling around the city, enjoying its stunning medieval architecture. Don’t miss Kapellbrucke, the landmark wooden bridge built in 1333, connecting the Old Town to the other side of the river. Other highlights include the Musegg city wall with its 9 towers, the Jesuit Church and the Lion Monument.
DAY 12: LAKE LUCERNE AND MOUNT PILATUS
From the shores of Lake Lucerne you can reach a few mountaintops and get even more gorgeous alpine views. Mt. Pilatus, Mt. Rigi and Stanserhorn all have cable cars and/or trains that can take you to their peaks. If you would like to stay by the lake, you can hop on one of multiple boat tours on Lake Lucerne. Alternatively, you could go dip your toes in the refreshing lake, hit the hiking trails or have a leisurely walk around town like the locals.
