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tall green mountains with a village of houses below

5 Best Things to Do in Switzerland

Switzerland is a country well known for its beautiful landscapes, snowy mountains, and fondue treats. If it’s your first time visiting Switzerland you may be wondering where to start. Luckily, we’ve the expert knowledge to guide you to the best things to do in Switzerland. Whether you’re looking to take on an iconic mountain or to wander through fairytale castles we have the recommendations for you.

What Are 5 Best Things to Do in Switzerland?

There are so many great things to do while touring Switzerland that it’s difficult to narrow it down to just five, but we’ve managed to do it to make your trip planning as simple as possible. Come with us as we dive into these best things to do and show you which of our tours can help you achieve your ultimate European trip to Switzerland. 

Adventure to New Heights in Grindelwald

Location: Grindelwald, Switzerland
Featured Rabbie’s Tour: Exploring the Landscapes of Switzerland - 6-Day Tour

Grindelwald is a mountainous area of Switzerland known for its striking landscapes, skiing areas, and summer hikes. For keen hikers, you'll enjoy the trek up to the viewpoints that the mountains offer before heading back down into the canyon to explore the village and its beautiful lakes.

According to legend (or history, sometimes it's hard to know), the name was bestowed onto the area by two monks from the nearby Interlaken Monastery. They set out to explore the Lütschinen valleys and, upon their return, reported of the "Grinden" and "Wald" - or "stones" and "forests". 

green mountain region with houses in the village below

Bathe in the Beauty of Lake Maggiore

Location: Lombardy, Switzerland
Featured Rabbie’s Tour: The Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Explorer - 6-Day Tour

Lake Maggiore is located on the south of the Alps, and it spans across two countries - Italy and Switzerland. It's the largest lake in southern Switzerland, covering 212.5 km². It's the kind of place that looks postcard-perfect, with water that glistens in the sunlight and calls for you to dip your feet in. 

Within the lake itself you'll find plenty of islands worth visiting, adding yet more irresistible things to do to your list. Perhaps you'll discover the Gardens of Villa Taranto, or a zipline across the expanse of the lake - if you're looking for a little thrill while on holiday! 

You may have heard of the legend-turned-fact, the story of the Bugatti Type 22 car that supposedly lay at the bottom of the lake. The sinking was said to have happened back in 1936, when Zürich architect Marco Schmucklerski decided he would rather see his gambling-won car at the bottom of the lake rather than pay taxes for it. And in 1967 legend became fact when it was discovered by a diver. It was finally retrieved in 2009 and now resides in a museum in America. But it makes one wonder... what else is at the bottom of this beautiful lake?

bright blue lakes and green mountains in the background with a light stone building in front

Be Inspired by the Iconic Matterhorn Mountain

Location: Zermatt, Switzerland
Featured Rabbie’s Tour: The Vistas of Switzerland & Italy - 13-Day Tour

The Matterhorn sounds like the name of a superhero, doesn't it? In fact, it's one of Switzerland's most famous mountains in the popular Alps region. No trip to Switzerland would be complete without adding the Matterhorn to your to-do list. The mountain stands proud at 4,478 metres tall and is made of four steep faces. It may not be the tallest in the world but writers, historians, and climbers often say that the Matterhorn is one of the most striking and recognizable peaks on the planet. 

Majestic and inspiring, this highly photographed peak is a great challenge for those who choose to climb. But if you'd rather just stand in the shadow of the Matterhorn and admire it from a safe distance, you can do so in Swiss towns such as Täsch and Zermatt.

the Matterhorn mountain with chalet rooftops below

Refresh By the Many Waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen

Location: Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Featured Rabbie’s Tour: Highlights of Italy & Switzerland - 13-Day Tour

The Valley of Waterfalls. Not its official name, but we think it has a nice ring to it. We're talking about the region of Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, a region spouting 72 powerful and striking waterfalls which crash down into the Lauterbrunnen Valley. 

And within the town of Lauterbrunnen is the Staubbachfall Waterfall, the highest free-falling waterfall in Switzerland, cascading down 297 metres in a glorious demonstration of Mother Nature. The world-famous poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was inspired by this impressive waterfall and wrote the poem "Gesang der Geister über den Wassern" in 1779.

Swiss mountain range during summer with green fields surrounding the village of chalets

Step into a Fairytale at Chillon Castle

Location: Lake Geneva, Switzerland
Featured Rabbie’s Tour: The Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Explorer - 6-Day Tour
    
Last but not least, one final thing we recommend to do in Switzerland is to journey back in time by visiting the mediaeval Chillon Castle which is located on an island in Lake Geneva. Chillon is one of the most popular mediaeval castles to visit in the whole of Europe and with its fairytale aesthetic it's no wonder why! It has inspired both novels, poems and films, including being featured in Lord Byron’s The Prisoner of Chillon, Henry James’s novel Daisy Miller, and even inspired the castle in Disney’s 1989 The Little Mermaid. 

A real highlight are the underground rooms at Chillon Castle. With the dramatic gothic design, and its history as a prison, it's no wonder the vaults and dungeon have several legends and stories associated with it. Perhaps most famously, it inspired the work of English writer Lord Byron, who wrote his 19th-century poem The Prisoner of Chillon which featured the protagonist Bonivard. 

castle on the banks of a blue lake with snowcapped mountains behind

Top Three FAQs Before Visiting Switzerland

Thinking about visiting Switzerland soon? We’ve put together the most commonly asked questions about this popular country and have the answers ready for you. So whether you choose to tour this country solo, or grab your friends for an adventure, you’ll be prepared to go.

When is the Best Time to Visit Switzerland?

To avoid busy tourist crowds, but to also experience some nice weather, you’ll want to visit Switzerland in the spring or early summer, or the early autumn. 

What Currency Is Used in Switzerland?      

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc. It can be handy to have your currency already converted prior to your trip, but it’s always best to check the exchange rate first. 

Is Travelling to Switzerland Expensive?  

Switzerland is known for being one of the most expensive countries to visit in Europe. From accommodation to food, it’s certainly pricier than other European countries, so make sure you’ve researched what you want to do and eat ahead of time to make sure you’ve budgeted enough.

With Rabbie’s Tours, some activities are included within your price, but there will be additional optional activities that you can choose to do in your free time on the tour which might cost you extra.

Become a Local in Switzerland With Rabbie’s

Make lifelong memories with your family or friends by joining a Rabbie’s tour this season. We make your trip to Switzerland super easy, just jump on board one of our small-group tours whilst we take you around the stunning sights. Led by knowledgeable drivers and guides, in comfortable vehicles, see the landscapes in all its glory. Ensure you’re signed up to our newsletter and never miss out on knowing our new destinations or tour dates.