Picnic spots in Switzerland: Amids Nature's Splendor

1. Lucerne: Lakeside Bliss 

Lucerne is quintessentially Swiss. With its azure-hued lake surrounded by mountains, frescoed historic buildings, waterfrontfront promenades, and sun-baked plazas; it doesn’t get any more Swiss than this. It is also the venue for music festivals that aren’t rivalled elsewhere. This town offers everything from archaeology and history to entertainment and infotainment. Some must-visit attractions here are - Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, and Swiss Transport Museum, among others. With such diverse attractions, Lucerne is one of the best picnic spots in Switzerland. 

Located between Lake Thun on the west and Lake Brienz on the east, this destination is as pretty as it can get. The city has some of the best summer holiday resorts in the whole country. Key among the highlights here is Höhematte. It is a marvel of clever and structured urban planning. It consists of over 35 acres of open space and boasts attractions like flower gardens, hotels, cafes, etc. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful destinations in all of Switzerland and it provides scenic vistas that will immediately form some of your core memories. Some of the other major attractions you should check out are -  paragliding over snow, paddle steamer cruise around the lakes, chairlifts and cable cars; snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and so on. 

Jungfraujoch is well known for hosting the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Great Aletsch Glacier.  While this glacier which is coincidentally the longest in Europe might steal all the limelight, the train journey to Bernese Overland should not be slept on. It is a unique way of experiencing Europe on the rails. The stop also happens to be the base for some famous treks to the mountains nearby and has some of the oldest Swiss resorts in history. All these factors make it one of the must-visit tourist attractions of the country. With beauty all around, Jungfraujoch makes for one of the best picnic spots in Switzerland.

Lying on the Swiss/French border, Lake Geneva is Europe’s biggest Alpine Lake. The UN city prominently lies in the midst of snow-capped peaks and features gardens, parks, and promenades surrounding the shimmery lake. The old town has a signature rustic charm that makes it a good spot to stroll among historical buildings. Some of the major attractions you should visit here are - the Opera House, Grand Theatre, and the Montreux Jazz Festival in June/July, among others. With so much on offer, it certainly is one of the most spell-binding tourist attractions in the country. 

The iconic peak hosts the charming village - Zermatt. It is a top-tier international resort with world-class restaurants, quiet and quaint chalets, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Sharing a border with Italy, the peak stands at a height of 4,478 metres. What’s both striking and noticeable is that the steep faces of the peak lie in the natural direction of the compass points. A great initiative taken by the authorities is to ban motor vehicles to preserve the air quality and peaceful ambience. Some key attractions and engagements you should try out are - biking, and climbing in the surrounding mountains, skiing in winter on a slope of 300 kilometres, swimming and tennis as well as hiking, and much more. 

Lying on the northwestern end of Lake Zurich, Zurich is the largest city in the country and also a transportation hub. It has a diverse lineup of cultural treasures like galleries, cafes, quaint heritage shops, and vibrant streets. Tourists shouldn’t forget to visit some key attractions like - shopping at Bahnhofstrasse, Gothic chateau, penguin parade, Kunsthaus Zurich – the museum of fine arts, among others. 

Founded in 1914, the Swiss National Park is one of the oldest reserves around. Located in the Alps of Engadine Valley, it is undoubtedly one of the most famous places in Switzerland. With over 170 square kilometres of pine forests, this is the place to be if you fancy yourself a nature lover. There is plenty of wildlife to explore here with over 5000 species of animals to be found. These can include wildlife like - marmot, red deer, ibex, and much more! Key attractions here include - limestone crags, mountain treks, Flower-dotted hollows, shrubs and streams. With its ever-present call of adventure, the Swiss National Park is one of the best picnic spots in Switzerland. 

Located by the shores of the iconic Lake Geneva, Chateau De Chillon has inspired several great artists. Some of the greats like - Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, and Lord Byron have written about this architectural marvel. The complex houses 25 buildings, these are clustered around three courtyards. It is hailed as one of the most exotic travel destinations in the country. Some of the attractions one should look into are the gothic underground rooms, the chapel featuring 14th-century paintings, heritage architecture, and the great halls. 

With snow-washed peaks, glaciers, alpine forests, and clear lakes - St Moritz is one of the world’s best mountain destinations for some good reasons. This destination’s cult-like following and popularity can be simply understood by the fact it has hosted not one, but two Winter Olympics. Some of the key attractions you should look into are - lakes, health resorts, hiking, biking, glacier skiing, skating, bobsledding, tobogganing on the famous 1.2 km long Cresta run and much more! 

Bern is the place where history and the present come together in a perfect amalgamation. It is a world that both exudes old-world charm as well as freshness of the changed world. One can find traces of history here in the cobbled streets leading to cathedrals along with panoramic vistas. All of these views along with others are enough to keep this place in your mind for a long time. Some of the key attractions for checking out here are - the Bern Museum of Art, Bear Park, Zytglogge Medieval Clock, and Rose Garden among others. 

The given list of destinations all makes for excellent picnic spots in Switzerland. The next step of your journey involves booking a travel itinerary to the fantastic country that is Switzerland. To help you book the best itinerary, we suggest you head to PickYourTrail. We offer you the most customisable travel itinerary, bundled with excellent customer support through our expert travel consultants. So, don’t waste even a second and get a booking on Pickyourtrail to set off on your next memorable adventure.