Switzerland: 10 Days in Paradise!

Switzerland is often discussed by many as a wonderful place to visit year-round for natural beauty, food, and attractions. Before visiting Switzerland, I was unsure if the country would live up to the hype. In my experience, sometimes over-hyped places may be a disappointment solely because of the hype and expectations surrounding them. I visited Switzerland in September (2024). It was part of a longer trip. I was amazed in the best way possible! I will now explain a 10-day itinerary that I would recommend. It can be modified to fit any fitness level or varied interests. These locations in Switzerland provide a diverse range of things to do and see. They offer a great introduction to the country.

First stop: Zurich!

Zurich (2 days)

Many travelers will enter Switzerland into Zurich International Airport. Upon reaching the city center of Zurich, you may wonder – what’s next? Let me now explain some of the wonderful things to do in Zurich during your 2-day introduction!

My recommendation is to head toward Old Town first. Then, move onto Lindenhof. These are two neighborhoods known for historical architecture. They have a truly Swiss feel. When crossing a bridge between Old Town and Lindenhof, grab a snack from a local bakery. Enjoy the atmosphere before you head to the other side. You can watch boats go by, people pass, and daily Swiss life carry on around you. Additionally, there is a good food street open late known as Niederdorfstrasse Street located near Felix Hotel – Zurich.

The charming streets of Zurich are almost seemingly designed to enchant you enough to get a little lost!

From here, head to the main central train station in Zurich known as Zurich HB for short. The train station is large and can seem intimidating. You can purchase a ticket via a machine at the entrance. Then look at the reader boards to see which track you need to go to. To my recollection, there is also a help desk located inside the station as well.

Pro Tip: Always run your credit cards or debit cards after choosing CHF as your preferred currency. Alternatively, select Swiss Francs (the Swiss currency) when selecting your conversion. Otherwise, your transaction may not process. You might be left without a ticket.

Lucerne (with day trip to Mt. Rigi) (3 days)

A short train ride away is the dreamy town of Lucrene. Along the way from Zurich, you will see wonderful views of Lake Zurich and some of Lake Zug.

Once you reach Lucerne, follow the crowd to your first destination to get your bearings.

The crowds tend to move toward the covered wooden bridges. These bridges are lined by flowers and are the unmistakable symbol of the city! From here, you can wander along the water, grab something to eat, and explore.

Enjoy delicious Swiss eats in this busy small city with plenty to do. Then head back toward the train station. Before reaching it, take a left and head towards the docks. From here, you should find a small boat that departs for Lucerne and goes to Vitznau. From this stop, you will take an old steam train up to Rigi Kulm (Mt. Rigi). From the top on a sunny day, you can see a stunning panoramic view of the neighboring lakes. One day, I intend to go back. My views were of some wonderful mountains and clouds. Sadly, they were not clear enough to see the lakes.

Bern (2 days)

The next stop on your list is Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Known as the administrative hub of the country, this city is in Western Switzerland. Bern is just as picturesque as the rest of the cities previously mentioned.

Bern is a wonderful city to wander. This is primarily due to the fun shops and restaurants. There is also a clock tower located along Kramgasse Street. Many of the parks also provide sweeping views of the city!

Thun (1 day)

Thun is a small, lesser-known city in Switzerland. It is just a quick 30-minute train ride from Bern. This city is so picturesque and well worth a stop! I’ll allow the photos to demonstrate why.

Interlaken (2 days)

The last stop of your Swiss adventure (or at least for this example itinerary) is a visit to Interlaken. Interlaken has earned the nickname “adventure capital of Switzerland.” This is because of the plethora of adrenaline-inspiring activities like bungee-jumping and paragliding available.