Located in the heart of Europe and famous for its delicious chocolate, stunning natural scenery and punctuality,
Switzerland is one of the most beautiful destinations where to spend a family holiday.
Whether you’re interested in admiring the towering Alps, skiing and snowboarding, sightseeing its most important cities and towns or eating tons of chocolate, Switzerland has something to seduce every member of the family.
And, despite it being pricey and off-budget for many of us, it’s also true that we can always choose a region or city to start discovering and exploring this wonderful country.
At Bonzah we love travelling, having new experiences and cherishing unforgettable memories.
This is why we’ve compiled a thorough list with the highlights you can’t miss in your Swiss bucket list!
Switzerland offers interesting travel passes that make it easy, fast and more affordable to travel by train, bus and boat and explore the country.
Of course, it’s always possible to rent a car. You need to be at least 20 and US citizens require an American driver’s license, and the others require international driver’s license.
It’s advisable that you make the car rental arrangements before leaving for Europe.
Consider purchasing a car rental damage insurance policy before as well as it will help you to save some money.
Table of Contents
Bern
The Swiss capital is charming and captivating.
Although it’s generally opaqued by Zurich or Lucerne, Bern is a must-see on your list of places to visit.
Located on a peninsula by the fast-flowing Aare river, it seduces visitors with quiet cobbled lanes with ancient sandstone-arcaded buildings in its interesting medieval nucleus, wooded hills and the majestic Alps on the horizon.
Compact, relaxed, whimsical, you’ll fall in love with it!
Its postcard-perfect beauty never fails to impress visitors eager to enjoy the essence of the Swiss experience.
The Old Town is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There you can admire the XIII century Zytglogge (a working astrological clock), the Gothic Münster Cathedral and many fountains and statues that date back to the XV and XVI centuries.
If visiting Bern in summer, venture outdoors to the Bear Park to see bears in their natural habitat or enjoy some water sports at the Aare river itself.
All year round, museums are a great way to explore the city’s rich cultural life.
Some of its excellent museums are the Bern Historical Museum, Zentrum Paul Klee (home to the world’s largest collection of works by Paul Klee), the Alpine Museum of Switzerland, or the Einsteinhaus (where Albert Einstein spent some of his life).
Visitors are encouraged to climb up the tower of the Cathedral to enjoy panoramic views of the city!
Don’t miss the charming markets held in the Parliament Square.
You’ll be able to admire the Parliament Building and its Renaissance-style.
Zurich
Zurich is one of the most lovely cities in Europe and another important Swiss destination.
Despite its small size, it offers plenty of things to see and do.
With the winding alleys of the Old Town, its charming shops and the Limmat river traversing the city all contribute to the charm and gorgeousness of the city.
It’s the largest city in Switzerland and its most popular tourist destination.
Located on the northern end of Lake Zurich, with the waters of River Limamat running through it and all the foot of the Swiss Alps, it’s enjoyable all year round.
Known as an important European and international financial and banking hub, it has earned the title of the most expensive Swiss city.
Those interested in luxurious lifestyles, high-end shopping and delicious chocolate will find themselves at home here.
There are plenty of things to see and do in Zurich.
The Landesmuseum, also known as the Swiss National Museum, is one of the most interesting cultural venues to visit.
It’s home to important art collections that date back to the prehistoric ages.
For more art, don’t miss the Kunsthaus Zurich and its impressive collection of paintings from the Middle Ages to present time.
Another favourite is the Rietberg Museum, with a strong focus on Chinese, Indian and African art!
The Grossmünster church and its twin towers have become the symbol of the city and its most recognizable attractions.
You can’t miss climbing them up to enjoy great views of the city from up there!
The Old Town invites you to get lost wandering along its cobblestone streets, quaint shops and cafés.
Apart from the many art galleries in the area, the Fraumünster Church will definitely catch your attention.
Those looking for a luxurious shopping experience will find the finest watches, pieces of jewelry and high-street brands in Bahnhofstrasse.
Zurich is also a great city to visit with kids. Zurich Zoo is fantastic.
The youngest members of the family will have lots of fun at the penguin parade, the elephant park of the Madagascar pavilion!
Besides, there are over a dozen museums that are very children friendly that offer educational and entertaining exhibitions.
Uetliberg is Zurich’s mountain.
You can easily reach the top on foot from the base or by train from downtown.
Whichever way up you choose, there are stunning panoramic views of the whole city, the Alps and the lake.
Uetliberg is also a great location for those interested in outdoor activities.
Locals and visitors love going mountain biking or exploring its hiking trails in the summer.
In winter time, those trails are covered in snow and offer lots of opportunities for sledding or snowshoeing!
Lucerne
In a country of uncountable Instagram-worthy locations, Lucerne won’t disappoint you at all.
Considered by many as one of the most beautiful Swiss cities, specially charming in winter with the Christmas market and its pretty scenery sprinkled in snow.
The views of the Alps are spectacular from Lake Lucerne and around the Chapel Bridge!
In a way, Lucerne is the essence of Switzerland and a good starting point for anyone willing to explore the center of the country.
It’s one of the most picturesque Swiss cities.
Compact in size, with friendly vibes and surrounded by a superb scenery, it has a striking medieval town famous for its cobbled streets and interesting medieval architecture.
Take your time to slow down and admire the many fountains and statues you’ll find and look for nice souvenirs to take back home.
In addition, as cars aren’t allowed here, pedestrians can walk around freely.
While in Lucerne, check out the Dying Lion carved out in honor of soldiers that died in France, the Richard Wagner Museum, a XV century home where the German composer used to live and the stunning collection of works of art at the Museum Rosengart.
There you can admire two unique groups of works by Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso and works by XIX and XX century masters such as Monet, Cézanne or Matisse.
Kapellbrücke or Chapel Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in the city and one of the must-see-can’t miss locations in Lucerne.
This covered wooden bridge that dates back to the XIV century is lovely whether you are near it or walking across it.
It stretches across Lake Lucerne and its interior contains artwork from the XVII century depicting important events in the country’s history.
Attached to it there’s an old water that used to serve as a dungeon, an archive and a treasury vault in medieval times.
Mount Pilatus is a great hiking destination in the city.
It’s composed of many beautiful peaks, being Tomlishorn the highest.
The views from above are absolutely stunning! Another great experience to enjoy in Lucerne is taking a boat ride in Lake Lucerne across its deep blue waters.
Geneva
Geneva is the third largest city in Switzerland.
It’s not only beautiful but also an important international and political hub as it is where the UN and many international organizations are based.
Located in the French-speaking area of the country, it will probably take you a bit to really appreciate how charming and picturesque it is.
Geneva is nestled in the south of Lake Geneva and has the impressive Mont Blanc as backdrop.
It welcomes visitors with a pleasant climate year round and beautiful walkways and parks everywhere you go.
One of its most famous features is a flower clock.
It’s the biggest of its kind in the world and it is made of more than 6000 live flowers that grow and bloom at different times, thus making it change colours periodically.
The city is also filled with amazing landmarks and museums.
One of them is the iconic Jet d’Eau, a huge fountain seen from the Lac Léman waterfront that spews water 145 meters into the air.
Bains des Paquis is probably the best place to see it while enjoying some delicious Swiss dish in any of the many cafés in the area.
The Old Town is another area that can be missed.
Its nook cobbled streets are lined with shops and cafés and its square was originally a Roman forum.
The Cathédrale St-Pierre, at the heart of the Old Town, is beautiful.
It’s almost 1000 years old and it’s famous because of its archaeological museum and the stunning panoramic views it offers from its North Tower.
Geneva is also a great city for those interested in art and culture.
The Musee des Arts d’Extreme-Orient is home to art from China and Japan, the Barbier-Mueller Museum, the Patek-Philippe museum, the Museum of Natural History or the Museum of Art and History are also very interesting.
The Reformation Wall serves as a reminder of Geneva’s history as the homeland of Reformation.
It spans 325 feet long and 30 feet high and it is home to many carved images and statues that depict the individuals and events that took part in the moment.
While in Geneva, don’t miss the chance to spend some time admiring the lovely views of Lake Geneva.
It’s a great place as well to enjoy water sports such as windsurfing, sailing, rowing, swimming and even scuba diving!
Enjoy a Ride on the Bernina Express!
Riding the Bernina Express is one of the most memorable things you can do while in Switzerland.
It takes you through the Alps as you admire historical sites and breathtaking views at every turn.
The train trip will take you from the town of Chur to Tirano, in Italy crossing the canton of Graubünden on a 4-hour ride.
While the first section overlaps with a section of the Glacier Express Route, the second section offers views of the highest peaks in the region and the third section will seduce you with great views of the southern scenery along Lakes Lugan and Como.
To make sure you don’t miss anything, you’ll have panoramic seats that overlook unspoiled mountain landscapes.
The glass-free Cabrio coaches bring you closer to nature in fact and let you take great pictures of the breathtaking scenery.
There aren’t many more spectacular ways of crossing the Alps than in a ride in the Bernina Express.
Jungfraujoch
The Jungfraujoch is an Alpine wonderland that fully deserves the nickname of Top of Europe.
The Jungfraujoch is a glacier saddle between two mountains and it’s one of the highest and best landmarks in Switzerland.
Afraid of the altitude?
There’s plenty to do from mountain climbing, to tobogganing or hiking.
The Jungfrau railway is probably the most famous attraction. It’s the highest railway station in Europe at 3.454 meters above sea level and it starts at Kleine Scheidegg.
There’s also an observation terrace and scientific observatory.
There are many popular walks including Panorama Way, the Gletscherschlucht and Öpfelchüechliweg.
If you’re not that active, you can ride gondolas and cable cars to scenic viewpoints over the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
This one-of-a-lifetime experience is perfect for those who love the mountain scenery, pristine lakes, chilly air and majestic peaks!
