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Introducing Switzerland

Get to the heart of Switzerland.
Switzerland is all about quintessential Alpine scenery, perfectly preserved medieval towns, and international cities that run on a famously precise schedule. This central European nation is small but surprisingly diverse—shared borders with France, Italy, and Germany have produced distinct regional cultures. One unifying factor is the Alps: the mountain range takes up a whopping 65% of Switzerland’s total area, making this an ideal destination for active fun (and iconic views) all year. 

When is the best time to visit?
Snowy Switzerland is a skier's paradise, and it's no surprise that January and February are peak tourist months. This goes for the Alps of course, but applies to the cities too—Bern, for example, looks great under a layer of winter white, and its Christmas markets are a must-visit (for the delectable Swiss chocolates alone).

The country is also idyllic in summer, as travelers trade ski lifts for hiking boots and hit the Alpine trails. You can enjoy great outdoor excursions during the slower spring and fall seasons, too—September is a particularly great “off” month to visit, as the summer crowds are gone yet the weather is still pleasant, and the scenery ever-wonderful.

Where should you go?
Certainly, you’ll want to visit Switzerland’s picture-perfect capital of Bern, whose medieval Old Town is home to the towering Zytglogge clock tower. And of course, you’ll want to experience the Alps. There are many hiking trails in these world-famous mountains, all signposted and easy to follow. Head to St. Moritz and Zermatt for some of the best skiing in Europe.

Zurich is a beautifully kept city, and this is where serious shoppers will want to spend time. It's also a nice stop on your way to or from Germany by train. See much of the Swiss countryside in a short time on the GoldenPass railway line from Montreux to Lucerne and takes about 5.5 hours (switching trains at Interlaken). It runs through three mountain passes with spectacular views of lakes, waterfalls, and Swiss chalets. 

How many days do you need?
If you simply want to travel through the Swiss countryside and visit a few postcard-worthy cities and towns, you can do so in well under a week. To properly take advantage of Switzerland’s winter sports and excursions, two weeks is ideal. In this timeframe, you could embark on a number of great day-long or even multi-day hikes—or ski at multiple resorts—with time to relax at a few chalets along the way.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 10 days

Switzerland Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Lauterbrunnen valley
Map of Best of Bernese Oberland - 5 days
Best of Bernese Oberland - 5 days

Hike from hut to hut under the snowy facades of some of the most famous peaks in the Swiss Alps with this five-day itinerary. As you hike past the iconic peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, you'll make your way through Alpine pastures, glacial lakes, and rushing waterfalls, with stops on mountaintop tramways and charming villages in between.

Lauterbrunnental
Map of Bernese Oberland Traverse - 7 Days
Bernese Oberland Traverse - 7 Days

Take a classic Swiss hut-to-hut hike through the Bernese Oberland mountains on this week-long trek. You'll go from scenic valley to scenic valley as you traverse past the bases of some of the best-known mountains in the Alps, such as Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, making your way through waterfalls, cliff faces, and dairy pastures.

Vineyards of the Lavaux region by Lake Geneva
Map of Exploring the Wine Regions of Mont Blanc - 6 Days
Exploring the Wine Regions of Mont Blanc - 6 Days

Sample some of the world's best wines as you circle around Mont Blanc from Switzerland to Italy to France. Visit vineyards nestled in the idyllic countryside in the foothills of the Alps, where ancient grape varieties still produce rare and high-quality wines. Taste local wines in the terraced hills of Lavaux, Switzerland, and toast to the breathtaking views from Pointe Helbronner in France with a glass of Cuvée des Guides — moments and wines to be remembered!

Lac de Moiry
Map of Chamonix to Zermatt Walker's Haute Route - 10 Days
Chamonix to Zermatt Walker's Haute Route - 10 Days

Visit traditional Swiss villages, explore high-elevation alpine lakes, and cross high rocky passes as you trek through the Alps on this 10-day itinerary from Chamonix to Zermatt. Head east across the mountain range as you traverse mountainsides, hike along glacier foothills and look for wildlife (like ibex and marmots). Spend your nights in lakeside mountain huts and cozy towns, falling asleep to the sound of the wind and water. 

Lake Moiry as seen from Corne de Sorebois
Map of Chamonix to Zermatt Walker's Haute Route - 7 Days
Chamonix to Zermatt Walker's Haute Route - 7 Days

Hike through thick pine forests, visit traditional Swiss villages, and look for wildlife (like ibex and marmots) on this 7-day trekking itinerary through the Swiss Alps. Cross the high-elevation Col de Riedmatten Pass, traverse mountainside, and hike along glacier foothills as you make your way east towards Zermatt, which sits at the base of the Matterhorn. At night, cozy up in huts and small villages that retain an authentic alpine feel.

Crossing Col de Balme
Map of Chamonix to Zermatt Walker's Haute Route - 12 Days
Chamonix to Zermatt Walker's Haute Route - 12 Days

You'll explore high alpine passes, pass through thick pine forests, hike along the base of glaciated peaks, and much more on this 12-day trekking itinerary. Start your trip in Chamonix—the French 'Capital of Alpinism'—then head east into Switzerland, arriving 10 days later in Zermatt at the base of the Matterhorn. As you hike through the Alps, you'll spend your time looking for wildlife, breathing in the fresh alpine air, and taking in the views, ending each day with comfortable stays in villages and mountain huts.

Switzerland Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip
The spectacular Landwasser Viaduct (photo courtesy of Scaliger
Switzerland's Best Train Rides

Switzerland's rail network is one of the world's best, defying steep mountain gradients, threading through dramatic valleys and around beautiful lakes to showcase the country's...

Our Latest Switzerland Content

Visit Switzerland's famous Christmas markets in Bern, Lausanne, Geneva, Montreaux, and Lucerne
Map of Festive Christmas Highlights of Switzerland - 10 Days
Festive Christmas Highlights of Switzerland - 10 Days

Make this Christmas one for the books as you jet off to the winter wonderland that is Switzerland in December. This 10-day whirlwind adventure covers the best locales and activities, from browsing the Christmas markets in Geneva and Zürich to strolling Bern's UNESCO-listed Old Town. In between, you'll enjoy chocolate tours and cooking classes, visit historic castles, ride cable cars up to glaciers, and more.

Paragliding over the Alps
Map of  Active Alpine Adventure in Switzerland & France - 10 Days
Active Alpine Adventure in Switzerland & France - 10 Days

Hop between the soaring Alpine landscapes of France and Switzerland on this adrenaline-filled 10-day itinerary. Take advantage of the pleasant weather in spring or summer to do some mountaineering, river rafting, paragliding, and cruising its turquoise lakes by boat. You'll also ride e-bikes to romantic waterfalls, hike the UNESCO-listed vineyards of Lavaux, and go canyoning in Annecy.

Spend a day skiing in St. Moritz
Map of Winter Escape to the Swiss Alps - 10 Days
Winter Escape to the Swiss Alps - 10 Days

No need to let this winter be drab and bleak when you can jet off to the iconic Alps for a cold-weather holiday you won't soon forget. During this 10-day Swiss vacation, you'll enjoy many highlights, including ski days in St. Moritz, ice skating in Interlaken, and cable car rides up the Matterhorn—you'll even take a fondue boat cruise. As an added bonus, the trip starts with snowshoeing near the Italian border.

Switzerland Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map Best of Bernese Oberland - 5 days
Best of Bernese Oberland - 5 days
View article
Map Bernese Oberland Traverse - 7 Days
Bernese Oberland Traverse - 7 Days
View article
Map Exploring the Wine Regions of Mont Blanc - 6 Days
Exploring the Wine Regions of Mont Blanc - 6 Days
View article

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Switzerland
Travel specialist Tomaz Martinek
active 20 hours ago

Tomaz Martinek

I knew I want to work in travel industry since my high school years. I was born in Slovenia's capital and spend my youth dreaming about showing other people our lovely country and travelling the...

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Travel specialist Valentine Julien
active 15 hours ago

Valentine Julien

Valentine is the girl from the French Alps! She worked as a tailor-made trip planner in Sri Lanka & Maldives, and was an event organizer for extreme sports competition in Switzerland. She...

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Travel specialist Mathilde Dubuisson
active 15 hours ago

Mathilde Dubuisson

After having wonderful opportunities of trips in Europe, I really became passionate about traveling ✈️ My name is Mathilde, I am 25 years old and I grew up in Troyes, in the Champagne region 🍾...

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Travel specialist Thomas Bringuy

Thomas Bringuy

My passion for the Alps started very young when hiking with my grand-father in the German Alps. Since that time, I have never stopped going into the mountain, it is part of my way of life....

read more...

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Trip Reviews for Switzerland

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Our trip was very well organized with every detail attended to...
Switzerland | Aug 29 - Sep 25, 2023

Karen
Karen R.
Scottsdale, AZ | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2023
Our trip was very well organized and the attention to detail helped us every step of the way. We contacted KimKim with a request and a general outline of the places we'd like to see and the length of time we intended to spend traveling. Our specialist worked with us to refine the details, arranged our accommodations, our travel and numerous tours at each stop. She also made suggestions about places of interest and restaurants at the spots where we didn't book a guided tour. We climbed, hiked,... Read more

Our trip was very well organized and the attention to detail helped us every step of the way. We contacted KimKim with a request and a general outline of the places we'd like to see and the length of time we intended to spend traveling. Our specialist worked with us to refine the details, arranged our accommodations, our travel and numerous tours at each stop. She also made suggestions about places of interest and restaurants at the spots where we didn't book a guided tour. We climbed, hiked, kayaked, cycled and sampled local cuisine. Our hike to Kliene Scheidegg and the bike tour of Lauterbrunnen were lovely. It was our first taste of wild garlic and we loved it! We traveled through Switzerland and Northern France ending in Paris. Kimkim made it the trip of a lifetime.

Activity Reviews
Panorama Hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
Panorama Hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
Switzerland

The views available on this walk are amazing, the trail is uncrowded and the air is pristine. So much fun!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Swiss Travel Pass
Swiss Travel Pass
Switzerland

This was genius! It allows you to travel everywhere using any means of transportation. It seemed a little pricey at first until you realize everything it does for you. Highly recommend!

Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Villefranche sur Saône | Replied on Oct 07, 2023

Bonjour Karen,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback, it was a real pleasure to organize your 25-day combined trip to Switzerland & France! I hope you had a great time!
See you soon in Europe,
Valentine

Tomaz and his colleague Zala did a wonderful ...
Switzerland | Sep 16 - Sep 22, 2023

Graham
Graham H.
Greensboro, NC | Reviewed on Oct 04, 2023
Tomaz and his colleague Zala did a wonderful job helping us plan our trip to Switzerland. Tomaz took all of our "wants" and condensed it down into a doable itinerary that included everything we wanted. Zala worked on all the logistics and gave us detailed information about the hotels, excursions/adventures, and travel means (trains, buses) included in our trip. We did not have one bit of trouble getting to and from our destinations and we were given all our tickets, vouchers, etc. It was... Read more

Tomaz and his colleague Zala did a wonderful job helping us plan our trip to Switzerland. Tomaz took all of our "wants" and condensed it down into a doable itinerary that included everything we wanted. Zala worked on all the logistics and gave us detailed information about the hotels, excursions/adventures, and travel means (trains, buses) included in our trip. We did not have one bit of trouble getting to and from our destinations and we were given all our tickets, vouchers, etc. It was wonderful! This is our second time using KimKim and we will definitely use them again.

Hotel Reviews
Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel Grindelwald
Grindelwald

This hotel was amazing! The location was excellent--we could walk to and from the train station, to restaurants and shops. The view was breathtaking, the staff of the restaurant and the bar so nice and personable. The amenities were great too--a pool, a sauna and steam room, breakfast included (and so delicious). One night there was live music on the patio. By far this was our favorite hotel in Switzerland.

Authenticity & Character
The history of the hotel was so interesting. Family owned, still to this day and we often saw the owners! There were pieces of the hotel's history (furniture, knick knacks, receipt books, old books) and old photos throughout the lobby and the hotel.
Location
So easy to get to all shops, restaurants, train station.
Staff
Everyone was wonderful, from check in to restaurant staff, to housekeeping, to the bar staff. They all made us feel welcome and were so friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wonderfully comfortable room/bed, super clean. We loved it.
Eastwest Hotel
Geneva

A bit off the beaten path, but still in the heart of Geneva. We arrived at night and were leaving the next morning so we didn't have time to explore the city. The bed was comfortable, the room clean, the staff very nice and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Looked like it was in a great spot to walk to places. However walking there from the train station took us through a sketchy section of street.
Staff
Very friendly and offered suggestions for things for us to do (had we had the time)
Cleanliness & Comfort
Romantik Hotel Julen
Zermatt

This quaint hotel was delightful. The decor was so cozy and cute and the location was great. We could walk to every excursion we had booked. The bed was very comfortable, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and the breakfast was great.

Authenticity & Character
The wooden decor, the beautiful flowerboxes, the location. It was all just lovely.
Location
Excellent location in the heart of Zermatt.
Staff
Very helpful. Went over all the room amenities when we got there. Held our luggage for us after we checked out while we did an excursion. The staff of the restaurant was great as well.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Schweizerhof
Zürich

Very centrally located, clean, super friendly staff. We got there and were able to change our clothes (it was hotter than we thought!) and they stored our luggage for us while we did an excursion. The bed was comfortable and breakfast was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was in the heart of Zurich. Easy to walk to the train station, restaurants, shops.
Staff
Everyone was very friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable bed, clean room.
Activity Reviews
Paragliding
Switzerland

Oh my gosh, this was the best experience ever! We were both so nervous about doing this but it was incredible. My guide Veit was wonderful and put me at ease. He was so friendly and once we got airborne I was relaxed and able to enjoy this amazing experience. It went by so fast and I cannot describe how exhilarating and peaceful it was. Just incredible!

Quality of Experience
Experienced guides, safety first, very friendly, amazing views. It was incredible.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Veit was the best. He and I just chatted while floating around in the air, no big deal! He made me feel very safe and comfortable.
Zürich city guided walking tour
Zürich city guided walking tour
Switzerland

Our guide Urs was a joy. He was very interesting and knowledgeable about Zurich. We walked several miles, covering lots of ground and history and seeing so many interesting sights. He stopped for photos and at the end of the tour he gave us a local restaurant recommendation which was delicious. We loved that it was just us, not a group, as it would've been hard to have a lot of people listening to him unless you had headsets. This was so much more personal. He was a pleasure to talk to and definitely takes pride in his job. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Very interesting and we loved walking around the city.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Super knowledgeable guide who loved talking about Zurich.
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on Oct 24, 2023

Hi Graham, thank you! We are very glad you had such an amazing trip! We look forward to seeing you back soon!

Thank you Thomas and Rashi for creating such ...
Switzerland | Sep 8 - Sep 18, 2023

V
Vadim B.
Orangevale, CA | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2023

Thank you Thomas and Rashi for creating such a memorable experience. The Swiss Oberland views and hike locations were spectacular and thank you for putting it together on such short notice. I will definitely be using you to book more trips in the future.

Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy
Thomas
Thomas Bringuy
Local specialist in Chambéry | Replied on Oct 16, 2023

Thanks so much Vadime ! See you for a next trip.