The Top 10 Most Exciting Things to Do in Switzerland
There is a reason that Switzerland is called ”the playground of Europe.” The place has an inviting scenery that makes it hard to ignore - beautiful mountains, the curvy Alpines, lovely villages, lakes, and more. All these conspire to make Switzerland part of most travelers’ bucket list that must be crossed off. Here, we explore the top 10 most exciting things to do in Switzerland.
1. Ride the Famous Swiss Train
The Brienz Rothorn Railway has facilitated the thrills of travelers since 1892. The journey takes you on a breathtaking trip from Brienz, along the Alpines and the waters of Lake Brienz, all the way to Rothorn Kulm. Rothorn is 7,362 feet above sea level, and that is exciting. At the top, you get treated to an even more memorable sight of close to 700 mountain peaks. The way to Rochers-de-Naye is filled with eye-popping French and Swiss Alpines and a clear view of Lake Geneva.
2. Go on a Pilgrimage to Einsiedeln
The Einsiedeln Abbey is one of the most popular tourist attraction sites in Europe known for its history as an iconic pilgrimage site. This site dates back to the 10th Century when monks set up camps there. There, you get to experience some really cool and engaging activities like going on scavenger hunts on the Monkstrail, hunting for the clues inside the Chapel of Grace with the Black Madonna, and checking out the stables where monks have been keeping their top breeds of horses at Cavalli della Madonna for hundreds of years. If you’re there at 4:30 p.m., you get the opportunity to have a guided tour of the library at the monastery and even join the choir in the performance of the beautiful hymnal prayer known as the Salve Regina.
3. Experience the Magic of Lucerne
Lucerne is a typical Swiss town that embodies the fun-filled atmosphere of a delightful place to do exciting things. The town boasts some of the most inviting sceneries in Europe - including Glacier Garden, the Chapel Bridge, Mount Pilatus, the Lion Monument, Lake Lucerne, and Hofkirche. Sailing Lake Lucerne is a top priority that lets you see the famous lakeside towns and get surrounded by mountain peaks and buildings from way back in medieval times. It’s a journey back in time. You also get to take in the entire landscape of Lucerne from a 7,000-foot-high vantage point atop Mount Pilatus.
4. Ski and Hike at Zermatt and Matterhorn
Zermatt is a beautiful and historical Swiss town right at the foot of the Matterhorn, with Alpine scenery that has inspired people and businesses in the area for long. As a matter of fact, the Matterhorn mountain top inspired the branding of the popular Swiss chocolate brand known as Toblerone. If you really want to experience the unique view of the Matterhorn, you can catch a train to Gornergrat and watch all the beauty from an altitude of over 3,000 meters as the train makes its way up. You can enjoy trekking up, down, or around the mountain or skiing, depending on the season. If you’re a lover of riding horse-drawn carriages and chalets, you’ll find that in Zermatt as well. Other iconic points of interest that you might want to include in your activities here are Sunnegga, Breithorn, and Hinterdorf.
5. Patrol the Swiss-Italian Border on Lake Lugano
The border between Switzerland and Italy is marked by Lake Lugano at Ticino. It is a lakeside city with a touch of the Mediterranean atmosphere, architecture, and even cuisine. A refreshing adventure starts here when you take a walk along the shores or tour the lake by boat or steamer. You get to see the beautiful and vibrant lakeside gardens, jewelry stores, high-end boutiques, and bookshops. You can shop for vegetables and fruits on sale depending on the season. If you love open-air museums, you’ll find the Swissminiatur at Melide. Ticino is also home to the popular Tower of Capitano and the Church of Santa Maria del Sasso.
6. Experience Zurich – The Swiss Capital
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and also its capital. It serves both as a cultural and economic center. Based on its beauty and attractions, touring Zurich is a top-lister among the top most exciting things to do in Switzerland. You can be sure to find fun exploring the Swiss National Museum, hiking along the shores of Lake Zurich, tasting the treats from the Lindt Chocolate Shop, watching the chocolate fountain, and strolling the shopping streets. If you get lucky, you will find Zurich’s Munsterhof Fountain dispensing wine instead of water. The fountain is specially designed for this attraction. Most of the others only dispense water. The most interesting part is that some of the 1,200 fountains in the city date back to the 15th Century. Zurich really has a rich history.
7. Go Sledding and Skiing in St. Moritz
St.Moritz is also dubbed “the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism.” True to fact, this place boasts world-class attractions like trendy restaurants, hotels, and downhill skiing trails. It is a great place for winter skiing and sledding. If you happen to get there during Summer, you can enjoy golfing, hiking, biking, and water sports. As a matter of fact, the Olympics have been hosted at St. Moritz on two different occasions.
8. Get to Aletsch to See the Largest Glacier in the Alps
There is a massive glacier at Valais, Switzerland, that is the largest one in the entire Alpine region. It is called the Aletsch Glacier, and it is also a World Heritage site verified by UNESCO. That’s how big a deal this glacier is, and you might want to try not to miss it. Even more fascinating is the fact that, with a day’s pass (the Aletsch Explorer Pass), you get to witness the nice vistas and incredible hiking trails in the glacier from a top-tier vantage point in the MGbahn train or the ski resort cable cars in the Aletsch Arena.
9. Fall in Love With the Art in Appenzell
If you happen to be a lover of art, Switzerland caters to your needs at Appenzell. There, you can find beautiful decorative signs hand on doors at every store, restaurant, and hotel in this town. This traditional art is even more profound along the Marktgasse and Hauptgasse streets.
10. Lose Your Breath at the Rhine Falls
The waterfalls at Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen are one of the most breath-taking sights in Switzerland, and they certainly make their way into the top 10 most exciting things to do in Switzerland. The waterfalls cover a width of 130 meters and are 25 meters high, and you get to set sights on them from any of the several viewing decks set up. If you are there in August, you get to admire the fireworks displays that market the celebrations for Switzerland’s National Day.
Want to Visit or be a Swiss Resident?
Many people who visit these beautiful places in Switzerland end up becoming permanent residents. Switzerland is just that attractive. If you love any of the places in the country, including properties in Ticino and other places, Suisse Immobilien Group can find the perfect residence for you. You can get a nice place tailored to your budget and preference in no time. That way, you get to enjoy the top 10 most exciting things to do in Switzerland all the time.