Best places to visit this winter in Switzerland
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Switzerland packs alpine drama, mirror-calm lakes, and postcard-perfect towns into a small, easy-to-travel country. Use this guide to plan a loop that blends big-name icons with quieter corners, plus a dedicated section for skiing in St. Moritz with a direct booking link.
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Start with a hub that fits your flights, then connect regions by train. Distances are short, timetables are precise, and scenic lines like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express turn transfers into highlights. Aim for two or three bases and day-trip from each one.
Switzerland’s largest city mixes lake life with art and dining. Stroll the Altstadt, swim or sail on Lake Zurich in summer, and visit the Kunsthaus for a masterclass in European painting. Nightlife clusters around Langstrasse, while the Uetliberg viewpoint frames the city with Alps on the horizon.
Lucerne’s covered Chapel Bridge and waterfront promenades make it a natural first stop after Zurich. Take a lake steamer to Vitznau, ride the cogwheel up Mount Rigi, or combine boat plus the world’s steepest cogwheel to Mount Pilatus for panoramas over the Vierwaldstättersee. In winter, nearby family ski hills keep beginners happy.
This valley-and-peaks trilogy delivers Switzerland at its most cinematic. Base in Interlaken for convenience, Lauterbrunnen for waterfall vibes, or car-free Wengen and Mürren for alpine calm. Ride to Jungfraujoch for glacial views, or hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau filling the skyline.
Zermatt is a car-free maze of chalets at the foot of the Matterhorn. Ride the Gornergrat railway for a layered panorama of 4000-meter peaks, or take the modern Matterhorn Alpine Crossing toward Italy. In winter, the ski area links to Cervinia with long red runs and reliable snow. Off the slopes, try fondue in a wood-paneled Stube and sunset photography by the river.
The Swiss capital feels like a lived-in museum. Arcaded streets protect shoppers from sun and snow, the Zytglogge clock tower still draws a crowd on the hour, and the River Aare is both a postcard and a summer swimming lane. The Zentrum Paul Klee adds world-class art under wave-shaped roofs.
This wine-terraced shore blends Riviera mood with Swiss order. Lausanne’s Olympic Museum is a must, Montreux charms with its flowered promenade, and nearby Château de Chillon sits right on the water. In July, Montreux Jazz Festival turns the lakeside into one long stage.
Diplomacy meets lake living. Wander the Old Town to St. Pierre Cathedral, photograph the Jet d’Eau, and hop a Mouette boat across the harbor. Day-trip to the Jura for hiking and cheese, or to vineyards in the La Côte region for tastings with a view.
Palms, piazzas, and polenta give southern Switzerland a Mediterranean accent. Base in Lugano to cruise Lake Lugano and hike Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore. Locarno and Ascona offer café life and easy cycling along the Maggia and Verzasca valleys with emerald pools.
High, sunny and stylish, the Engadin mixes big-sky scenery with seamless logistics. The lakes around St. Moritz freeze into winter playgrounds, while summer brings sailing, kitesurfing and endless hiking. The Bernina Pass rail line is one of Europe’s great rides, crossing glaciers and larch forests in a few unforgettable hours.
If carving perfect corduroy is on your wish list, target St. Moritz for its wide groomers on Corviglia, higher-alpine laps on Corvatsch, and family-friendly zones around Celerina and Marguns. Mornings often deliver the best snow and the quietest pistes, which is ideal for first turns or confidence refreshers. For tailored coaching, meeting-point clarity, and small-group options for kids, book through the ski school st moritz.
A pocket-sized region of rolling meadows and jagged limestone peaks. Ride to Ebenalp for clifftop trails and the famous Aescher guesthouse tucked beneath a rock wall. Appenzell town adds painted facades and artisan cheese tastings.
On the Rhine where Switzerland meets France and Germany, Basel blends medieval spires with cutting-edge architecture. Time your visit for Art Basel in June or jump between the Fondation Beyeler, Kunstmuseum Basel and Vitra Campus for a world-class design day.
Slip a day to Sils Maria for painterly lakes, Pontresina for glacier walks, or Guarda and Sent for Romansh heritage under shingled rooftops. The terrain is open and luminous, with long trails that stay sunny even in winter.
Spring brings wildflowers and quiet trails at lower altitude while the high passes still hold snow. Summer is prime for lakes, festivals and long hiking days. Autumn paints the larches gold in the Engadin and the vineyards amber above Lake Geneva. Winter delivers the signature Swiss combo of reliable grooming, mountain restaurants and efficient mountain transport.
Trains are your friend. The Swiss Travel Pass covers most rail, bus and boats, and scenic routes like the Glacier Express require seat reservations. Pack layers year-round, plus sunglasses and sunscreen for high-altitude glare. Book mountain restaurants for peak lunch windows, and use early starts to enjoy emptier paths and pistes.
Day 1 Zurich to Lucerne with an afternoon lake cruise
Day 2 Pilatus or Rigi, then evening stroll in Lucerne
Day 3 Train to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen waterfalls
Day 4 Jungfrau Region hike or Jungfraujoch visit
Day 5 Glacier Express leg to St. Moritz
Day 6 Ski coaching or mountain day in St. Moritz with the ski school st moritz
Day 7 Bern city break, then onward to Geneva or Zurich for flights
When is the best time to visit Switzerland
For hiking, June to September is reliable with long days and open passes. For skiing, January and February deliver the coldest snow, while March offers sunny mornings and softer afternoons.
Do I need a car
Not for a classic itinerary. Trains, boats and mountain lifts connect almost every highlight. Rent a car only if you want flexible detours in rural areas.
How many bases should I choose
Two or three. For example, Lucerne for lakes, Interlaken or Zermatt for peaks, and St. Moritz for the Engadin and skiing.
Is St. Moritz good for families
Yes. Clear meeting points, small-group kids lessons, and dependable grooming make it easy to learn and explore. Prebook lessons and lunch supervision in peak weeks.
Switzerland rewards slow travel. Pick a few strong bases, ride the scenic rails, and mix iconic viewpoints with quiet valley walks and lakeside hours. Add a St. Moritz ski day with expert instruction and you will leave with stronger turns, bigger views and a trip that balances comfort with adventure.
