The 25 most beautiful visits to do in Switzerland

What are the most beautiful visits to do in Switzerland on the nature side?

1- The lakes

If there's one thing you're going to see in Switzerland, it's lakes! The country has nearly 1,500 of them, spread across its entire territory! Beautiful places to visit in Switzerland.

The best known, and the largest in Europe for that matter, is Lake Geneva. With an area of more than 580 km², it's ideal for many activities, including swimming, hiking and water sports. Incredible landscapes and magnificent cities surround it and maintain its great reputation: it's one of the most beautiful lakes in the country.

Lake Bienne is also worth the detour, located at the foot of the Jura. Surrounded by vineyards, it promises beautiful walks on foot, by bike, or by boat to discover it from all angles. Switzerland is known for its impressively turquoise blue lakes: one of the most beautiful examples is Lake Brienz, which reveals magnificently clear water surrounded by green or snow-covered mountains, depending on the season. A real gem!

The more adventurous will go to Lake Triftsee which, in addition to offering magnificent landscapes, has a suspension bridge 100 meters high that has become a very popular tourist attraction. And we understand why, as it's certainly one of the most spectacular suspension bridges in the Alps! Finally, Lake Lucerne is also a major must-see, offering the greatest diversity of landscapes in Switzerland.

2- The mountains

A true symbol of Switzerland that culminates at 4,478 meters, the Matterhorn is a surprising glacier that presents a pyramidal shape that can be recognized from afar. The most experienced can embark on the difficult ascent of this mount, but otherwise you can go up by train or on foot to the summit of Gornergrat where you will have a magnificent view of this very particular peak.

Among the other mountainous sites that you must not miss in Switzerland, we find the Furka and Grimsel passes, both located on the same road and revealing breathtaking landscapes at more than 2,400 meters altitude. The Great St. Bernard Pass is also a must-see, located on the border with Italy! An ideal place for great cyclists, but also for motorists who will be able to stop regularly to admire the spectacle.

Did you know? I bet you've already bought – or at least seen – a pack of Toblerone in the aisles of a supermarket. But have you noticed that on the packaging, there's a strange mountain that is drawn? Well, this peak is none other than the Matterhorn, the most famous mountain in Switzerland! Because yes, this brand of delicious chocolate is actually of Swiss origin... Everything makes sense!

3- The Swiss National Park

Located in the canton of Grisons, in eastern Switzerland, the Swiss National Park is a true natural treasure. It's one of the first national parks created in Europe, in 1914, as well as the country's largest nature reserve. UNESCO-listed, it reveals incredibly rich fauna and flora and landscapes sublimated by the mountains that make up most of the park. Hiking, mountain biking, animal observation and of course a great nature break await you in one of the best protected parks in the Alps, a place to visit in Switzerland!

4- The Eiger

A true paradise for winter sports, the Eiger is a mountain that's clearly worth the detour. You'll see it from the small mountain village of Grindelwald, and you can climb it to hike or ski on its slopes that face one of the most beautiful valleys in Switzerland. There are dozens of possible excursions and you'll have the opportunity to discover the incredible Aar gorges, 1 hour from Grindelwald, which are unmissable when visiting this region!

5- Valais

The canton of Valais is one of the best known in Switzerland: it's a real natural pearl – like many places in Switzerland as you'll have understood! If it's not to enjoy its many ski slopes in winter, you'll find plenty to do in this magnificent space. It's actually composed of 45 peaks over 4,000 meters high that guarantee perfect ski areas and spectacular summer landscapes. One of the most beautiful places to visit in Switzerland.

Valais offers a concentrate of activities of all kinds that it owes to the great diversity of its landscape: hiking, mountain biking, skiing, tasting the best local specialties, visiting mountain villages, vineyards, discovering alpine lakes or walking in the forests... There's something for everyone!

6- The Aletsch Glacier

To continue your discovery of the canton of Valais, head to the breathtaking Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. Thanks to the cable car that has been installed at Moosflush, you'll be able to reach one of the most beautiful landscapes you can see in the country. No wonder it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001... A hike awaits you at the cable car arrival for those who wish to push the visit even further!

7- The Bernese Oberland

Another big star of the Swiss Alps, the Interlaken region brings together meadows, lakes and mountains that you can discover along the many trains and cable cars set up for visitors. An unforgettable landscape that combines the green of the fir forests and the crystal-clear waters of the lakes and offers all possible and imaginable activities. A region that knows how to impress its visitors whatever the season. Sport, adventure, traditions and culture will be on the agenda in the Bernese Alps!

Among the things to see in this region, there are the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains; the Lauterbrunnen valley, nicknamed the valley of 72 waterfalls; the Schynige Platte, which offers magnificent hikes to enthusiasts; the Giessbach Falls or the pretty villages of Thun and Iseltwald.

8- The Interlaken region

Located in the Bernese Oberland region, Interlaken is both the name of a town located between Lakes Brienz and Thun, but also of the entire region that surrounds them. An ideal starting point for visiting the surroundings during your travels, Interlaken is also a lively place where many parties and festivals are organized to perpetuate Swiss traditions.

9- The Rhine Falls

It's a magnificent natural spectacle that awaits you if you decide to visit the Rhine Falls. They are among the largest in Europe and have an impressive flow. Accessible on foot or by boat, they are among the unmissable places in Switzerland. Head to Laufen Castle to start this unique excursion in Switzerland!

10- The Trümmelbach waterfalls

Still different from a classic waterfall, the Trümmelbach waterfalls reveal an amazing setting: they are the largest underground waterfalls in Europe! Because yes, it's inside the gorges that you'll be able to witness this grandiose spectacle given by the almost 20,000 liters of water per second that flow through the rocks.

11- Mount Pilatus

It's aboard the steepest cogwheel train in the world that you can reach the famous Mount Pilatus, one of the most beautiful in Switzerland. A breathtaking panorama will await you at the top, overlooking a multitude of peaks and the magnificent Lake Lucerne. You can explore the most beautiful mountain paths or hurtle down the slopes on a toboggan depending on the season you choose to visit this unmissable mountain!

Did you know? The magnificent Bernese Oberland region has no less than 800 lakes, more than half of the total number found throughout the country! It also has more than 350 kilometers of ski slopes and more than 200 km of hiking trails. What's certain is that you won't risk getting bored in this region!

What are the essential activities to do in Switzerland?

22- Take the Glacier Express

It's certainly one of the most fascinating attractions in Switzerland... The Glacier Express is a train that connects Zermatt to Saint-Moritz through the incredible landscapes of three regions: the cantons of Valais, Uri and Grisons. Three territories that reveal unique natural riches that combine mountains, lakes and forests for a trip to the heart of the country's most beautiful panoramas. Guaranteed love at first sight.

With an average speed of 36 km/h and bay windows that go up to the roof, the Glacier Express was designed to allow its passengers to enjoy magnificent views during their journey. 8 hours of green, steep, sparkling, snowy landscapes, in short breathtaking whatever the season and the place where you decide to start this journey... It's therefore an activity that I can only advise you to do if you have the opportunity. An extraordinary escapade that will take you across nearly 300 bridges and 91 tunnels!

• Count between 150 and 300€ for the Zermatt – Saint-Moritz one-way journey depending on the season, meals chosen and class selected.

23- Explore the Lavaux Terraces

Switzerland's largest vineyard opens its doors for a fascinating discovery of the country's wine-making traditions. But the Lavaux terraces are also and above all known for being one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland, because the vines are arranged in an impressive and vertiginous way along Lake Geneva. An audacious arrangement that even earned them their listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Nothing better than setting off to discover these landscapes on foot! It's by hiking that you can best enjoy the panoramas over Lake Geneva and understand the real challenge of this vineyard: you'll see, you'll probably have to go through somewhat steep paths to see all its beauty! A challenge that Man has managed to overcome by introducing vines into the already existing setting, thus combining exceptional and historical know-how with preserved nature...

• The hike that allows you to discover the Lavaux terraces is 11 km, so about 3 hours of walking. It's rather easy, except that there's a small positive elevation of 440m. You can otherwise do only part of it on foot and take the train for the rest. The small tourist train is also an option!
• Before your visit, don't hesitate to inquire about cellar visits and tastings you can do on site.

24- Taste local gastronomy

Country of cheese and chocolate, Switzerland is a perfect destination for those who love gastronomy! And what's good here is that culinary specialties are very different depending on the regions you go to. Influenced by French, German and Northern Italian cuisine, it offers many regional dishes all as tempting as each other.

Great star of Swiss gastronomy: raclette! Yes, it's from here that this delicious cheese melted over a wood fire served with potatoes, pickles and onions comes. Its great rival, fondue, is also a recipe that was created in the Swiss mountains. We also find röstis, these fried potato pancakes that are mixed here with cheese, onions and bacon, or birchermüesli, a breakfast composed of wheat or oats, milk, honey and apples. These are the main national dishes.

Some examples of cheeses of Swiss origin:

• Swiss Gruyère
• Emmental
• Vacherin fribourgeois
• Raclette
• Tête de moine

Did you know? Switzerland is the country that consumes the most chocolate in the world: about 8 kg per person per year! It's closely followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. Among the brands that Switzerland produces, we find Suchard, Lindt, Favarger, Cailler, Villars or Toblerone (an item that everyone knows).

25- Ski down the slopes

With no less than 48 peaks that exceed 4,000 meters altitude, Switzerland holiday destination is a true paradise for those who love practicing winter sports. You'll find ski resorts in almost all regions of the country and you'll have the choice: whether for an intensive stay, a family getaway or simply to walk in the mountains, there's everything!

The best Swiss resorts:

• Zermatt
• Saint-Moritz
• Grindelwald
• Gstaad
• Engelberg
• Wengen
• Aletsch Arena
• Davos-Klosters-Serneus