Sightseeing in Switzerland

Top Switzerland tourist attractions for your next walking holiday 

Switzerland is a country where storybook villages meet dramatic peaks, where glassy lakes reflect snow-dusted mountains, and where history lives on in cobbled old towns and medieval castles.  

In this guide, we will take you through some of the best sightseeing places in Switzerland.  

Discover wooden bridges with centuries of history, castles that look lifted from a storybook, fascinating museums, and mountain railways that climb to views you will never forget. 

And of course, no day of sightseeing would be complete without pausing at a lakeside café or stepping into a Swiss chocolate shop to savour something sweet. 

Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities, set beside its glittering lake and framed by mountain peaks.  

The colourful old town is a joy to wander, with cobbled streets, frescoed houses, and lively riverside squares.  

The city is filled with landmarks, from medieval bridges and towers to stirring monuments and fascinating museums.  

Lucerne is best enjoyed on foot, and a guided walking tour is one of the best ways to see its highlights. 

The Chapel Bridge is Lucerne’s most famous landmark and is considered the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe.  

Built in the 14th century, it is decorated with painted panels from the 17th century that tell stories from Lucerne’s history.  

The adjoining octagonal Water Tower once served as a treasury, archive, and even a prison. Today, it is home to the Lucerne Artillery Association, and Alpine swifts return to nest beneath its roof each spring. 

Further downstream, the Spreuer Bridge is another of Lucerne’s wooden bridges. Built in 1408, it is decorated with Kaspar Meglinger’s striking “Dance of Death” paintings.

The bridge gets its name from the chaff once thrown from the town’s mills into the river below, giving it a special link to the daily life of medieval Lucerne. 

Tucked into a rocky grotto within a small park, the Lion Monument is one of the most moving memorials in Switzerland.  

Designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen and completed in 1821, it honours the Swiss Guards who lost their lives in Paris during the French Revolution.  

The sculpture of the dying lion has long been admired for its emotion and detail. Mark Twain described it as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” 

The Swiss Museum of Transport showcases every form of transport from trains and ships to aircraft and space travel.  

Families can enjoy simulators and interactive exhibits, while the Swiss Chocolate Adventure explains how Switzerland became world-famous for its chocolate. 

The Musegg Wall is one of the best-preserved defensive walls in Switzerland. Built in the 14th century, it stretches for 800 metres and is crowned with nine towers.  

Several towers are open to visitors, including the Zyt Tower which still displays the city’s oldest clock. The wall is also a refuge for wildlife such as swifts, lizards, and bats. 

Surrounded by dramatic peaks and alpine meadows, it is a perfect starting point for sightseeing and excursions. 

Take the train down the valley to Interlaken, often called the adventure capital of Switzerland.  

Here you can wander through the old town with its half-timbered houses, enjoy a glass-roofed boat cruise on the turquoise waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, or ride the funicular up to Harder Kulm for views of the lakes and surrounding mountains. 

For a deeper dive into local cuisine, go for a tour and tasting at the Rugenbräu Brewery, which has been making alpine ales in the Bernese Oberland for decades. 

One of the region’s most unforgettable experiences is the Jungfrau Railway, easily reached from Grindelwald. The train climbs through the mountains to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps.

Before Zermatt became famous for the 19th-century race to climb the Matterhorn, locals here were busy farming the green pastures. You can still spot many of the old wooden chalets today, with colourful flowers spilling from their window boxes.  

The village is car-free, so it’s perfect for wandering around the shops, bars, and cafés. Grab a seat on a sunny terrace, order a coffee, and enjoy the incredible view of the Matterhorn. 

Gornergrat: A family-friendly mountain 

For a fun day out, take the cog railway up to Gornergrat. The views of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa massif are spectacular. At the top, you can meet the black-nosed sheep grazing in the fields, visit the highest Alpine garden in Europe, or follow one of the family-friendly walking trails. 

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

You can also hop on the funicular up to Sunnegga for playgrounds, picnic spots, and swimming lakes.  

Known as Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, it’s a real Alpine adventure. There’s a restaurant, a small cinema about local wildlife, and even an Ice Palace where you can explore tunnels beneath the glacier. 

Glacier Garden Trail 

For something a bit different, try the Glacier Garden Trail. It starts at Riffelberg and winds through rocky landscapes once covered by the Gorner Glacier.  

Along the way, you’ll spot glacial potholes, smooth rock slabs, and stunning views of the Matterhorn. The walk is about 6 km and takes just under two hours. It’s best from June to October, and good walking shoes are a must. 

Montreux sits on the north-east shore of Lake Geneva, tucked between bright blue waters and the forested slopes of the Alps.  

The mild climate has always attracted visitors, from monks who first planted the Lavaux vineyards to the musicians and travellers who came to stay in its elegant hotels. 

Lake Geneva is the largest lake in Switzerland and perfect for exploring by boat. Ferries and paddle steamers glide between the lakeside towns, so you can hop on and off with a day pass. Stop in Vevey for museums and galleries or visit Lausanne for its café culture and the Olympic Museum. 

For an unforgettable view, take the Rochers de Naye cog railway from Montreux. The journey climbs high above the lake and ends with sweeping views and great walking paths. 

The Lavaux Vineyards were planted by monks in the 11th century and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sunny terraces slope down towards Lake Geneva and make up one of the most beautiful wine regions in Switzerland.

Walk the Terrasses de Lavaux Trail, an 11-kilometre route through vineyards and small villages, and stop for a tasting along the way. 

Back in Montreux, enjoy a glass of local wine with fresh fish or a plate of le petit chaude cheese on a terrace overlooking the water. 

Montreux is a great base for exploring by train. The town sits on the scenic Simplon line and is close to several famous routes. Take the cog railway up to Rochers de Naye for more incredible views, or join part of the Via Alpina Trail back down to the village. 

If you love food, the Chocolate Train is a must. Travel in beautiful vintage carriages through vineyards and meadows to Gruyères, where you can visit the cheese dairy and wander the medieval streets. Then continue to Broc to tour the Cailler-Nestlé chocolate factory for a sweet finish to your day.