5 Days in Switzerland - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Swiss Alpine Adventure: Lucerne & Interlaken

First-time visitors and travelers seeking a leisurely pace and a balance of active adventures and cultural experiences will enjoy this summer Lucerne and Interlaken itinerary. You'll have the chance to take a scenic boat ride on Lake Lucerne, attend a Swiss folklore show, ride the cable car up to Rigi Kaltbad for views of the Alps, kayak on Lake Brienz, and take a cogwheel train to the summit of Jungfraujoch and explore the Ice Palace tunnels.

On arrival in Zürich, you'll have free time for a paddleboat ride on Lake Zürich and a stroll through the medieval streets of the Altstadt (Old Town), pausing for raclette (grilled cheese) in a local café. In the afternoon, catch the train to Lucerne for a cruise on Lake Lucerne with views of forested hills and the snowcapped Swiss Alps, followed by a folklore show and some cheese fondue and zürcher geschnetzelte mit rösti (veal and mushroom stew with pan-fried potato) at Stadtkeller Restaurant. A day trip to Rigi-Kulm offers the chance to ride the cable car to Rigi Kaltbad and capture postcard-perfect photos of the Alps from the summit. 

On Day 3, take the train to Interlaken for a kayak tour on Lake Brienz, where you can see the Ringgenberg Castle and sunbathe or swim at Strandbad Beach. Then, board the train to Grindelwald and catch the Eiger Express aerial gondola to Glacier Eiger Station, where you'll switch to a cogwheel train, Europe's oldest, that ascends to the summit of Jungfraujoch. Here, you can take in the crisp air and views of the Aletsch Glacier, explore the Ice Palace tunnels, and grab some chocolate from the world's highest Lindt store. Finally, squeeze in one last adventure with an e-bike tour around Bödeli before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Swiss Winter Adventure: Engelberg, Grindelwald, Zermatt & Chamonix

Snow enthusiasts who enjoy outdoor activities paired with spa treatments will enjoy this winter adventure that includes a night in France. Highlights include snow tubing at Mount Titlis, snowshoeing in Grindelwald, sledding on Mount Gornegrat, a massage at the CBD Spa in Zermatt, and skiing (or snowboarding, if preferred) and spa treatments in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

Pick up your rental car in Zürich and head south to Engelberg, where you'll ride a gondola and a revolving cable car up Mount Titlis. Savor views of the Alps and a slice of pizza from the highest pizzeria in the world, then walk through the Titlis Glacier Cave, cross the Titlis Cliff Walk suspension bridge, or experience the thrill of snow tubing. End the day with chocolate fondue and a horse-drawn carriage ride through Engelberg. The next morning, drive to Grindelwald for a snowshoe hike, then stop for cheese fondue and glühwein (mulled wine) at a mountain restaurant before sledding past frozen waterfalls.

On Day 3, drive farther south to Zermatt and enjoy the thrill of the Alps' highest sled run at Mount Gornegrat, followed by a massage and steam bath at the CBD Spa. You'll then cross the border to Chamonix, France, for a day of skiing in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley and a relaxing spa treatment at QC Terme Chamonix. Rise early on your final day and meet your guide at the cable car station in Chamonix. From here, you'll ascend Aiguille du Midi by cable car and be treated to tales of Alps explorers and views of glaciers and the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps before driving to Geneva for departure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Switzerland by Train

If you enjoy train travel and a mix of culinary, historical, and outdoor experiences at a slightly faster pace, you'll enjoy this Swiss train journey from Zürich to Geneva. Along the way, you'll ride on the world's steepest cog railway to Mount Pilatus, hear about Lucerne's medieval past on a walking tour, hike the Höhenweg Trail, take the train to Zermatt for a gondola ride to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, sample Swiss wines on a tasting tour at Lavaux Vineyards, and experience Geneva's Old Town on a mini-train ride.

After touching down in Zürich, you'll board the train to Lucerne, where you'll enjoy a trip to the summit of Mount Pilatus, ascending the mountain on the world's steepest cog railway and descending via the "Dragon Ride" aerial cableway to Fräkmüntegg. After taking a gondola to Kriens, you'll return to Lucerne on a trolley bus where you can try some chügelipastete (veal and creamy mushrooms in puff pastry), then wrap up your day with stories of medieval life on a "Nightwatchman Walk" through Old Town. The next day, take a train to Grindelwald, where you'll kayak on Lake Brienz and hike the Höhenweg Trail. 

Then, board the train to Zermatt for a gondola ride to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe's highest mountain station, where you can take the summit lift for views of 14 glaciers and 38 Alpine giants, including Mont Blanc. The following day, hop on the train to Montreux for a private tour and tasting (via minivan or vineyard train) at the UNESCO-listed Lavaux Vineyards. Finally, catch a train to Geneva, where you can choose a final adventure—a mini-train tour of Old Town, a cruise on the Rhône River, or a visit to a Swiss chocolate shop—before heading to the airport for your flight. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Swiss Food & Wine Experience in Lugano

Travelers keen on culinary experiences and seeking a relaxed pace will appreciate this food and wine itinerary. You'll have the opportunity to sample wine and cheeses at a family-run estate in Morcote, participate in a food and wine tour of Lugano's Old Town, embark on a tasting tour of the Maggia Delta, and try Zincarlin cheese and Mendrisiotto wines on a bike ride through Vall da Mucc. The itinerary ends on a high note with a hot-air balloon ride over southern Ticino and Italy.

Get your first tastes of Switzerland, including gelato and nocino (walnut liqueur), with a food and wine tour of Old Town on arrival in Lugano. The following day, ride the ferry to Morcote, where you'll sample six wines paired with local cured meats, Alpine cheeses, and artisanal bread at Tenuta Castello di Morcote, a family-owned estate. You'll also have time in Morcote to walk along the lakeside promenade, nibble Swiss sweets in a local chocolate shop, and indulge in a Swiss-Italian dinner before returning to Lugano.

Next, take a train to Ascona for a tasting tour of the Maggia Delta that includes varietals such as chardonnay, bondola, and kerner, then continue to Locarno where you can admire Piazza Grande's colorful facades and visit the archaeological museum at Castello Visconteo. On Day 4, bike through the Vall da Mucc, stopping to sample Zincarlin cheese and hear stories of the medieval village of Bruzella, and ending with lunch and Mendrisiotto wine tasting at Grotto Del Tiro. Your culinary journey culminates with a hot-air balloon flight over southern Ticino and Italy's pre-Alpine region. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Swiss Christmas Highlights: Zürich, Lucerne, Montreux & Geneva

This Christmas-themed highlights tour is ideal for those who want to experience holiday festivities and food. You'll warm up with mulled wine and a fondue cruise in Zürich before visiting Glacier Cave at Mount Titlis and shopping the Christmas markets in Lucerne. Step back in time in Montreux, where a medieval castle tour and medieval-themed Christmas markets await. Finally, in Geneva, you'll partake in a fondue cooking class and then immerse in the city's Christmas festivities, including ice skating at Carouge Christmas Market and seasonal eats at Plainpalais Christmas Market.

Immerse in the festivities on arrival in Zürich, where you'll shop the city's Christmas markets, savor mulled wine, and indulge in a three-hour cheese fondue cruise on Lake Zürich. The following morning, you'll travel by train to Lucerne for a full day on Mount Titlis, including a visit to the Glacier Cave and a walk over Europe's highest suspension bridge. You'll also have time on Day 2 to visit the Christmas Market in Lucerne's historic Old Town and check out the artisanal Craft Market. Next, board the train to Montreux to listen to medieval tales on a guided tour of Château de Chillon.

Enjoy a medieval-themed Christmas market or catch the cog railway to Santa Claus's grotto atop Rochers-de-Naye Mountain, then shop the craft stalls at the Montreux Noël Market on the festively-lit promenade. Board a train to Geneva, where you'll join a fondue cooking class, then take your pick of the city's Christmas markets and festivals, perhaps perusing crafts at Marché de Noël à la Fusterie or ice skating at Carouge Christmas Market. Soak up the holiday vibes with a sampling of Plainpalais Christmas Market's seasonal treats and a walk through Old Town's decorated streets before departure. Learn more

More Great 5-Day Switzerland Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Switzerland? Check out these other five-day Switzerland itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.