A 7-day itinerary for Switzerland
Crystal-clear alpine lakes. Crisp mountain air. Cobblestoned villages. Multicoloured wildflowers around every corner. The soundtrack of gushing waterfalls in your ears. Snow-capped peaks as far as the eye can see.
Welcome to Switzerland.
This landlocked country in central Europe, bordered by France, Italy, Austria, Germany and Liechtenstein, is on the map because of its insanely gorgeous Alpine landscapes, picture-perfect lakes and postcard-worthy towns. Sitting right in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is a dream destination for many, but with world-class hiking, skiing, scenic train journeys, and chocolate-and-cheese-fuelled adventures, I’d say it’s a destination perfect for the outdoor adventurer. Making the most of Switzerland is a wonderfully active experience.
Switzerland had long held a place high on my bucket list, and ticking it off was every bit worth the wait. It’s a compact country with an incredible diversity of experiences and landscapes, all packed into a relatively small area, making it the dream destination for a week-long summer road trip.
In this 7-day Switzerland itinerary and travel guide, I’ll take you from the bustling streets of Zürich to the dramatic peaks of the Bernese Oberland and the Mediterranean-style shores of Lake Geneva. You’re in for a treat. Let’s dive in!
Getting to and around Switzerland
Switzerland balances astounding natural beauty with impeccable organisation. Public transportation runs like clockwork, hiking trails are well-maintained, and even in remote villages, you’ll find clean facilities and helpful locals.
The easiest way to explore the country is by train. The rail system is efficient and comfortable, and the scenery out the window makes many routes feel like attractions in themselves. Many stations have luggage storage facilities, which aren’t too expensive and free you to explore unburdened between journeys.
An important thing to note is that Switzerland operates with strict curfews and business hours. This can affect everything from transportation and restaurant serving times, so always plan ahead.
When to visit Switzerland
Summer offers great weather for hiking and outdoor activities, and the sun can set as late as 9:45 pm, so you can pack a lot into one day if you travel at this time of the year.
That said, mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable.
Temperatures can drop drastically between base and summit, and we experienced everything from blue skies and sunshine to pouring rain, sometimes within the same hour.
My advice? Always pack extra layers, carry compact waterproof gear, and embrace the unpredictability (safely, of course).
How to budget for your Swiss adventure
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Switzerland is not cheap. Restaurant meals can easily cost 25-40 CHF per person, and transportation is unavoidably pricey.
Investing in a Swiss Half Fare Card gives you 50% off most trains, cable cars, and mountain railways. Look into regional passes for areas where you’ll be staying for several days. They quickly pay for themselves and cut down costs significantly if you plan to visit lots of different places. We used the 4-day Berner Oberland Pass.
To manage costs, we stayed in budget-friendly hotels and Airbnbs where we stocked up on groceries (including a shameless abundance of chocolate varieties to taste) and cooked for ourselves.
A 7-day itinerary for a summer road trip through Switzerland
Day 1: Old town elegance meets lakeside charm in Zürich
A series of flight cancellations and changes led to an unexpected layover in Geneva. The silver lining? I flew into Zürich over mesmerising views of Lake Geneva.
Spend your first day wandering the medieval lanes of Altstadt, Zürich’s old town, past the colourful facades of Augustinergasse and up to Lindenhof for a gorgeous hilltop view of the city. On sunny days, Lake Zurich is alive with swimmers, sunbathers, dogs, and picnickers. The Limmatquai promenade leads you towards the lakeside, where street performers entertain crowds, and countless cafés and kiosks offer everything from gelato to cocktails.
Zürich’s infectious summer energy was the perfect way to kick off our adventure before hopping on the train to Lucerne.
Day 2: Hiding among the clouds on Mount Pilatus
Lucerne’s enchanting old town blends poetically with riverside and mountaintop views. The Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), dating back to the 14th century, is one of Europe’s oldest wooden bridges and is especially magical at dusk when it’s illuminated.
The first of many gondolas took us all the way up to the Esel viewpoint of Mount Pilatus, in anticipation of postcard-worthy panoramic views. The clouds, however, had other plans, wrapping themselves tighter around us as we climbed higher. Riding the world’s steepest cogwheel railway down more than made up for the poor visibility at the top, though, offering more intimate views as we wove down through the clouds, between rolling hills.
Next stop: Interlaken.
Take the Golden Pass Line from Lucerne to Interlaken, which ranks among Switzerland’s most scenic train rides, winding through pristine valleys, past bright blue lakes, and beneath towering peaks.
Our home base for the next few days was the quaint village of Wilderswil, tucked inside the mountains and infused with small-town Swiss character.
Day 3: Waterfall hopping and mountain frolicking around Interlaken
It’s apt that Grindelwald shares its name with a well-known fictional wizard, because it truly does feel like magic. The gondola ride up to First is like floating through the pages of National Geographic.
Step off the gondola and straight onto the First-Bachalpsee trail.
The route is around 6km and takes 2-3 hours, depending on pace and rest time. Paved with bright green grass and yellow wildflowers, it winds between patches of snow and partially frozen lakes, streaming waterfalls, and curious wildlife. Despite some steep hills and rocky patches, it’s a moderate hike that ends back at First.
If you need to refuel, the Berggasthaus First restaurant offers a variety of food and drinks, encased in breathtaking 360° mountain views.
After drifting back down to Grindelwald, spend the afternoon waterfall spotting in Lauterbrunnen. The glacial valley is lined with sheer rock walls, framed by base jumpers dancing through the air and ribbons of water cascading from impossible heights. Explore the glacier-fed Trümmelbach Falls as they weave dramatically through caves and thunder out into the sunlight, forming glorious rainbows. PSA: Bring a raincoat.
Among the 72 waterfalls scattered along the trail is Staubbach. One of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Europe, you’re invited to climb up for a glimpse into its world.
Standing behind the rushing water, as it glows in golden hour light, feels like being let in on a secret; seeing the world through the waterfall’s eyes as you take in the vast, yet somehow intimate beauty of the valley below.
Day 4: The hills of Mürren are well and truly alive
Take the cable car from Stechelberg to the car-free village of Mürren, and then take the funicular from there to Allmendhubel.
This is the starting point for the North Face Trail, a stunning 7.4 km hike that takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours. The trail leads you through floral meadows, past tinkling cowbells and rushing streams, the towering peaks of the Alps watching over you. The rain, clouds, and sunny blue skies took it in turns to accompany us on our journey, which somehow made it ever more exhilarating.
I may or may not have spent the entire duration belting the words to The Hills are Alive from The Sound of Music.
The route ends back in Mürren, where you can recharge and warm up with a coffee and fondue before heading back to Stechelberg.
End the day by taking the funicular up from Interlaken to Harder Kulm for panoramic sunset views overlooking Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. Its picturesque restaurant has a castle-like feel, complete with local musicians playing the traditional Swiss alphorn for diners as they take in the spectacular views surrounding them.
Day 5: Where mountains and music meet Lake Geneva
Entering Switzerland’s French-speaking region was a fascinating cultural shift. The linguistic and cultural diversity within one small country is part of what makes Switzerland so intriguing.
Montreux is an idyllic base for a couple of days on Lake Geneva. Stretch your legs along the promenade, soaking in the rainbows of flowerbeds framing the path, and the vastness of the deep blue lake nestled in the surrounding mountains.
Don’t forget to say hi to Freddie Mercury, whose statue commemorates his love affair with Montreux and the music he recorded there with Queen.
Walk (or take a bus) over to Château de Chillon, a 12th-century castle built on an island of rocks. It is widely recognised as the most visited historic building in Switzerland.
End the day with a delicious meal at 1820.
Day 6: Giant forks and final alpine views
Grab a delicious breakfast at Arctic Juice & Café before riding the cogwheel up to Rochers-de-Naye. The summit is coated in flowers, with an alpine garden showcasing the region’s diverse vegetation. Winds can get heavy, so take care as you wander through the hilltops.
If you fall victim to obstructive cloud cover threatening your views, ride it out in one of the restaurants in the main building. The immensity of beauty when you finally gaze out into endless views of the Alps, Montreux, and Lake Geneva is worth the wait.
Descend to Montreux and spend the afternoon exploring Vevey, a charming lakeside town just a short train ride away. It feels slow and calm, yet fun and quirky, with plenty of eclectic shops to browse. Make sure you visit David Chocolatier, whose intricate chocolate art blew our minds.
Swimmers and sunbathers gather along the water, locals dine leisurely in outdoor bars and cafes, and live bands delight your ears. Vevey’s quirky claim to fame is a 26-foot-tall fork sculpture perched in the water by the lakeshore.
Installed by the Alimentarium food museum, it celebrates the town’s culinary innovation.
Day 7: Adieu, Switzerland
Zürich welcomed us back with rain, which was a great excuse for some last-minute shopping. A cosy café called Wild Bowls offered the perfect shelter in the storm (I’m still dreaming of the enormous, nourishing oat bowl I devoured). The airport is only a short train journey away from Zürich’s city centre, and is well signposted, so it’s easy to find your way around.
If Switzerland is calling to you, answer. Plan ahead to avoid mishaps and stay frugal, charge your camera, and grab those hiking boots that are begging for an adventure. In our tech-obsessed world, getting out into the earth is grounding, rejuvenating, and a humbling reminder of the staggering beauty this planet of ours has to offer.
Have you been to Switzerland??
Anything you’d add to this Switzerland itinerary?
Love as always and happy adventuring…
Talia Goldman
You can follow Talia’s adventures on Instagram here.
