11 Best Things to Do in Switzerland That Are Actually Worth the Money

Jungfraujoch is Switzerland's single most iconic experience. Sitting at 3,454 metres above sea level, it's home to Europe's highest railway station, the vast Aletsch Glacier, the Sphinx Observatory, and an underground Ice Palace carved directly into glacier ice.

The journey up is part of the experience. The Jungfrau Railway tunnels through the Eiger, with stops offering views cut directly into the mountain face, before emerging into permanent snow at the summit. Book your slot in advance during peak summer; this is the most visited attraction in the region, and same-day tickets can sell out by mid-morning.

• Highlights: Ice Palace, Sphinx Observatory, glacier plateau walk, Eiger Express gondola
• Approximate cost: CHF 120–220 (~₹12,000–₹22,000) 
• Best time to visit: May to September

The Glacier Express is one of the world's most scenic train journeys and a true staple among fun things to do in Switzerland. It runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz through deep valleys, mountain villages, and dramatic viaducts across the Swiss Alps. The panoramic windows make the roughly 8-hour ride feel like a moving observation deck, especially while crossing the Landwasser Viaduct 

It's one of the most popular inclusions in Switzerland honeymoon and scenic itineraries. However, the seats fill up in peak season, so book a few weeks ahead if you're travelling June through September.

• Highlights: Panoramic Alpine scenery, Landwasser Viaduct, onboard dining 
• Duration: Around 8 hours 
• Best season: Year-round

Lauterbrunnen Valley, surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls, is one of the most photographed places in Switzerland. It's home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Switzerland. Hiking to the Staubbach Falls, the underground Trümmelbach Falls, and exploring peaceful alpine villages like Mürren and Wengen are some of the best activities in Switzerland.

• Top experiences: Staubbach Falls, Trümmelbach Falls, Mürren and Wengen villages, funicular to Harder Kulm viewpoint 
• Best season: April to October

Interlaken is Switzerland's adventure capital, sandwiched between Lakes Thun and Brienz. Tandem paragliding here means taking off from a mountainside and landing with panoramic views of both lakes below you. For those tracking down adventurous things to do in switzerland, you don’t need to have prior experience as a paraglider, since you fly with a certified instructor. 

• Approximate cost: CHF 180–250 (~₹18,000–₹25,000) 
• Best season: April to October

Switzerland’s rail network is considered one of the best in the world, and many train routes are attractions in themselves.

These routes are especially popular with couples, families, and anyone who'd rather sit back and watch the Alps go by than plan a driving route. Many are covered, wholly or partly, by the Swiss Travel Pass, which is worth checking before buying separate point-to-point tickets.

Rhine Falls is the largest waterfall in Europe and one of the easiest day trips from Zurich. During peak summer snowmelt, enormous volumes of water crash over the rocks, creating dramatic viewpoints and boat experiences.

Visitors can take boat rides close to the falls, walk along viewing platforms, and combine the visit with the nearby medieval town of Stein am Rhein.

Approximate Cost

• Public viewpoints: Mostly free
• Viewing platforms: CHF 5–7 (₹500–₹700)
• Boat rides: CHF 8–20 (₹800–₹2,000)

Best Season: April to October

Switzerland's lakes double as both scenery and transport network. Scenic cruises run across the major lakes through spring and summer, often on historic paddle steamers. You can enjoy your time by cruising on lakes such as Lake Lucerne, Lake Geneva, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz.

If Lucerne is your base for a lake cruise, pair it with a walk across Chapel Bridge in Lucerne beforehand. It's a five-minute walk from the train station and the natural starting point for a day around the lake.

• Approximate cost: CHF 30–80 (₹3,000–₹8,000); many routes are included with the Swiss Travel Pass. 
• Best season: May to September, with July and August offering the warmest weather and clearest views

Mount Titlis, near Lucerne, is one of Switzerland's best year-round mountain excursions. It's famous for the Titlis Rotair, the world's first rotating cable car, offering 360-degree Alpine views during the ascent. At the summit, you can explore glacier caves, cross Europe's highest suspension bridge, and try snow activities even in summer.

• Approximate cost: CHF 90–140 (₹9,000–₹14,000) 
• Best season: Year-round; December to March for snow, May to September for clearer mountain views

Zermatt is a car-free alpine village nestled at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn. Tracking down the best things to do in Zermatt, Switzerland, usually involves riding the Gornergrat Railway for legendary panoramic viewpoints. If you want to experience the absolute peak of Switzerland's things to do in winter, Zermatt offers world-class, year-round glacier skiing that completely redefines winter sports.

• Top experiences: Gornergrat Railway, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Winter Skiing.
• Best Season: December to April for snow; June to September for clear hiking trails.

Swiss food experiences are an essential part of any trip and easily secure a spot on any list of the things to do in switzerland. The country’s cuisine blends German, French, and Italian influences, with regional dishes changing across different parts of the country. Food and chocolate experiences are especially popular with families and honeymoon travellers. 

• Must-try experiences: Cheese fondue in Gruyères, raclette in Valais, Swiss chocolate tasting, lakefront cafés in Zurich and Lucerne, wine tasting in the Lavaux vineyards
• Approximate cost: Cheese fondue meal CHF 25–40 (₹2,500–₹4,000); chocolate tasting tours CHF 15–40 (₹1,500–₹4,000); wine tasting CHF 20–50 (₹2,000–₹5,000); raclette meals CHF 20–35 (₹2,000–₹3,500)

Switzerland has one of the most extensive and well-marked hiking trail networks in the world, with routes suited to everyone from casual walkers to serious trekkers. Popular hiking spots in Switzerland include the trails around Lauterbrunnen and Mürren, the Five Lakes Walk near Zermatt, and gentler valley walks around Interlaken that don't require technical experience.

Yellow trail signs mark walking times rather than distances, which makes route planning straightforward even for first-time hikers. June through September offers the clearest trail conditions at higher altitudes.

• Best season: June to September