Are you looking for some good places to go in Switzerland? Well, you've come to the right place!
We had previously traveled to Switzerland a few times in the past for layovers in Zurich, or have done a day trip to just Geneva. But last summer we finally decided to do a full trip there, which was an entire week of the most beautiful mountain hikes, epic viewpoints, and beautiful villages that we got to explore.
In our Switzerland travel guide we included the basic places to visit around the country, but in this guide we're sharing all of the really good places to go in Switzerland, including some incredible hidden gems!
*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you. Links are only used on products & services that we've used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience. Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!
Really Good Places to Go in Switzerland: The Main Cities & Tourist Hot Spots
There are so many good spots to go in Switzerland, and we love to share both the popular locations and the hidden gems. First, let's check out the main cities in Switzerland to check out, as well as the most famous hot spots for first-time visitors to check out.
1. Zurich
Zurich is probably the most popular city in Switzerland, as it is the most well-connected location to the rest of Europe.
This city is known as the business capital, but actually has a city center which is small and charming, and there are a ton of great acitivites that you can enjoy, including the incredible annual Zurich Street Parade.
We've been to Zurich a few times now, and even have friends who are living there, so will continue to add to our Zurich travel guide.
2. Geneva
Located right near the French border, Geneva is Switzerland's most cosmopolitan city, and also one of the most politically significant. This is where Europe's United Nations and the Red Cross are located, and it's also a global hub for diplomacy and banking.
While it may not sound crazy exciting as a tourist, it still is a beautiful city situated on Lake Geneva, and is worth a visit, especially if you are coming from France.
3. Bern
Bern is the capital of Switzerland, and is characterized by its medieval architecture. It's famous for its old town, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, being home to the first Lindt factory, and where Einstein's most famous published work stands.
4. Basel
Basel is the third largest city in the country. It's located on the Rhine river, close to the borders of both France and Germany. This city is known as the cultural hub of Switzerland, and is has a beautiful old town, as well as over 40 museums!
5. Zermatt
Zermatt is one of the most beautiful and incredibly good places to go in Switzerland. The mountain village has views of the iconic Matterhorn peak, and is a scene straight from a fairytale.
This town is car-free, and the only way to reach there is by train. It's amazing for hiking in the summer, and for its winter sports at the highest ski resort in all of Europe.
6. Interlaken
Located in the heart of the country, this gorgeous town is wedged right between two big lakes. It is definitely one of the top tourist destinations, and most likely one you'll find on any list of really good palces to go in Switzerland.
Despite the crowds, we have to say that it is truly a magical place, and it has so many awesome spots to offer such as waterfalls, castles, and some of the most incredible viewpoints in the country.
7. Lucerne
There are some really good places to go in Switzerland as far as lake destinations, and Lucerne is certainly one of them.
Just a half hour outside of Zurich is one of Switzerland's most prized lakeside towns. Lucerne measures 44 square miles, and is dotted with cute villages and incredible boutique hotels, making it an excellent place to spend a night or two.
8. Lausanne
Lausanne is the fourth largest city in Switzerland, and is located on Lake Geneva, in the French-speaking region of Vaud. It’s worth visiting for its beautiful architecture, as well as it's connection to the Olympics.
It is home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters, and also has the Olympic Museum and lakeshore Olympic Park as some of its highlights.
9. St Gallen
Located in northe east Switzerland, this beautiful city is known for its baroque cathedral, as well as the gorgeous Abbey Library with 170,000 documents, most which are hand written.
10. Montreux
Another great city to check out on Lake Geneva is Montreaux, which is one the other side of the lake from the city of Geneva. It's known for being a resort town, and having beautiful backdrops of the Swiss Alps around it.
11. Lugano
Located all the way in the south of the country near the border of Italy, Lugano is another beautiful lake worth adding to your Swiss bucket list. Truthfully, as soon as we arrived we felt as if we had already arrived in Italy! With its charming architecture and delicious Italian cuisine, it's the perfect place to experience a slice of Italy before crossing the border.
12. St Moritz
If you're a luxury traveler, then you'll love the luxury alpine resort town of St Moritz. This beautiful town situated on a lake surrounded by mountains also is famous for hosting the winter Olympics two different years, and is a great place for enjoying winter sports.
Really Good Places to Go in Switzerland: Adorable Villages
While many countries in Europe are known for their big cities, most of the really good places to go in Switzerland are certainly in their small villages. Here are a few of our favorites that you should check out.
Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!
13. Grindelwald
Grindelwald is the perfect village to check out if you want to experience some of the most breathtaking mountain landscapes around Switzerland. Like Zermatt, it's amazing for hiking in the summer, as well as skiing in the wintertime, but regardless is stunning to experience year round!
14. Gimmelwald
This small village is located up in the mountains, and is unable to be reached by car. It is super picturesque, and sits at the foot of the Jungfrau protected area, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How To Travel Cheaper and Better in 15 minutes!
How much more would you travel, if it costed you less resources?
With our Free eBook, you will learn how to save money and time on your future trips. Plus, you'll see the exact system we use.
Grab your copy for free when you sign up for our newsletter 👇
15. Lauterbrunnen
If you're looking for some really good places to go in Switzerland, then you won't want to miss out on Lauterbrunnen!
This may just be one of the most picturesque places you'll ever encounter. The adorable village is tucked between the mountains, and is surrounded with waterfalls. This place seriously looks like it's straight out of a fairytale, and is a must-visit for your trip to Switzerland.
16. Murren
If you're looking for good places to go in Switzerland for adventure, then look no further than Murren! This mountain village is home to one of the most epic via ferratas in the world, and is a true bucket list spot.
The town of Murren can be reached by an incredible cable car ride from Lauterbrunnen, followed by a scenic train ride. Despite being a journey to get to, it is truly one of our top recommendations while in Switzerland. Just make sure you book your via ferrata equipment in advance!
17. Chur
This small Swiss village is really a great place to go to if you're looking for sweet locals and authentic Swiss experiences. It has great festivals, stunning viewpoints, and a cozy small town to enjoy. Not only that, but it is a great place to spend the night if you plan on visiting the region of Ticino or Liechtenstein as well.
18. Adelboden
This may have just been our favorite place in all of Switzerland! This quaint village is everything you'd imagine from a Swiss fairytale- with wooden cabins, cozy coffee shops, and breathtaking mountains surrounding it.
It's also the town where you can reach "the most beautiful swing in the world", which we'll be mentioning later on in this article.
19. Foroglio
Foroglio is a true hidden gem. Located in the region of Ticino, it really is tucked away from it all. Despite it not being the most convenient to get to, it's a place that is worth it if you have extra time, are renting a car, and are a lover of quaint and quiet places.
20. Thun
The village of Thun is located on the western bank of Thun Lake, one of the two lakes surrounding Interlaken.
This town is the perfect place to escape the crowds, and enjoy charming streets full of flowers, bridges, and some other great highlights like the prettiest castles in Switzerland.