7 days in Switzerland itinerary: Cheese, chocolate, and charm

Got a week? Get to Switzerland!

We’ll show you how to easily turn a 7-day Switzerland itinerary into a week of Alpine wonders.

Image Credit: Getty Images, @ Didier Marti. Image Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Day 1: Zürich, where the old meets the über cool

Morning: arrival and Old Town

Hit the ground running in Zürich by dropping your bags at the hotel and diving straight into the Altstadt (Old Town). Lose yourself in its quaint, cobblestone mazes and swoon over medieval vibes. Don’t miss the Grossmünster and Fraumünster, with the latter being home to Marc Chagall’s kaleidoscope windows.

Lunch: chow down in Old Town

Fuel up at a snug café in the Old Town. Dive into a plate of Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, a creamy veal dish that’ll make you forget about calories.

Afternoon: Bahnhofstrasse and Lake Zürich

Stroll down Bahnhofstrasse where the price tags make great window shopping. Later, walk along Lake Zürich or rent a paddle boat for some fresh Swiss air.

Evening: melt into Swiss cuisine

End your day with a melting pot of Swiss cheese fondue at one of the best fondue restaurants in Zürich, or try sizzling raclette. When in Zürich, right?

Image Credit: Getty Images, @ Didier Marti. Image Location: Lucerne, Switzerland

Day 2: Lucerne, a small city straight out of a storybook

Morning: train to Lucerne

Hop on a train from Zürich to Lucerne. The journey takes just under an hour, sometimes as quick as 41 minutes, and is packed with ‘gram-worthy scenes. Check into your hotel and kick off at the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower — fairytales start here.

Late morning: Old Town and Lion Monument

Roam Lucerne’s frescoed Old Town and pay your respects at the tear-jerking Lion Monument, dedicated to fallen Swiss Guards.

Lunch: lakeside dining

Snag a table at a lakeside eatery. Locals highly recommend Restaurant Mill'Feuille, Restaurant Schiff, and Seehaus Grill.

Afternoon: Lake Lucerne cruise

Cruise on Lake Lucerne. The mountain views are free and fabulous.

Evening: dine Swiss-style

Wrap up in Lucerne with dinner at a charming spot — because you can never have too much Swiss food.

Image Credit: Getty Images, KavalenkavaVolha. Image Location: Interlaken, Switzerland

Day 3: Interlaken, a traditional resort town in the mountains

Morning: train to Interlaken

Catch an early train from Lucerne to Interlaken (the ride can take as little as 1h 46m) and settle into your adventure base.

Late morning: Harder Kulm

Hop on the funicular to Harder Kulm for views that’ll blow your mind. It’s like the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau are photobombing you!

Lunch: top of the world

Grab lunch with a view at Harder Kulm’s summit. It’s literally dining in a postcard.

Afternoon: choose your own adventure

Interlaken is your oyster — paraglide, kayak, or hike your heart out.

Evening: more Swiss yum

Another night, another chance to dig into the local cuisine. Find a cozy nook and feast.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Grant Faint. Image Location: glaciers at Jungfraujoch, Switzerland

Day 4: Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe

Morning: train to Jungfraujoch

The journey from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch may not sound exactly straightforward, but the whole trip takes less than 2 hours. First, take a train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald Terminal via the Bernese Oberland Railway. From there, take the Eiger Express tricable gondola directly to the Eigergletscher station. Finally, from Eigergletscher, take the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch—Top of Europe. The views along the way are so stunning you wouldn’t tire of them even in 2 years.

Lunch: Alpine munch

Eat your lunch staring out at the Aletsch Glacier. At the Self Service Restaurant Aletsch in Jungfraujoch, you can enjoy your meal with a front-row seat to this icy wonder. It’s the coolest lunch spot — pun intended! Alternatively, the panoramic sights of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau from the highly-rated Restaurant Eigergletscher at 7,612 feet are equally stunning.

Afternoon: Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory

Get lost in the Ice Palace, a cool spot carved right into the glacier. You’ll wander through ice tunnels and check out awesome ice sculptures. Then, head up to the Sphinx Observatory, perched super high at 11,716 feet. The views from up there are absolutely killer — you’ll see mountains and glaciers all around. Perfect for snapping some epic photos!

Evening: chill in Interlaken

Kick back in Interlaken. You’ve earned some downtime.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Jordan Lye. Image Location: Zermatt and Matterhorn, Switzerland

Day 5: Zermatt and the Matterhorn, peak perfection

Morning: train to Zermatt

Travel to the car-free haven of Zermatt. This scenic train ride from Interlaken Ost via Spiez and Visp takes around 2h 15m.

Late morning: Gornergrat Railway

Take the Gornergrat Railway for epic snaps of the Matterhorn. Get your camera ready!

Lunch: mountain feast

Enjoy lunch at the mountain restaurant, WALDHAUS, where the view is on the house.

Afternoon: hike or muse

Hike Zermatt’s trails or muse over local history at the Matterhorn Museum.

Evening: chalet chic

Dine in a cozy chalet. Try the local Valais fare — it’s hearty and heartwarming.

Image Credit: Getty Images, EThamPhoto. Image Location: Montreux, Switzerland

Day 6: Montreux, the laidback Riviera

Morning: train to Montreux

Head to Montreux, the chill kid by Lake Geneva. It’s a leisurely 2h 33m ride from Zermatt with a quick change in Visp, and the views along the way will keep you great company.

Late morning: Château de Chillon

Explore Château de Chillon, an island castle that’s more than just old stones. The castle was the setting for Lord Byron’s famous poem The Prisoner of Chillon, inspired by the imprisonment of François Bonivard, a Genevan monk and politician, in the dungeon of the castle. Byron even carved his name on one of the pillars in the dungeon.

Lunch: lake views and tasty chews

Have lunch by the lake, where the scenery competes with the cuisine. Check out Restaurant Côté Lac, part of the historic Clinique Valmont, which has nearly 120 years of history. The art nouveau style and famous guests like Renoir, Degas, and Fitzgerald add to the charm.

Afternoon: Queen and quiet

Stroll Montreux’s streets, check out Queen: The Studio Experience (a music museum dedicated to the British rock group Queen), or float around on Lake Geneva.

Evening: dine with a view

End your day with dinner looking out over the lake. Montreux knows how to romance.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Sean Pavone. Image Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Day 7: Geneva, cosmopolitan close

Morning: train to Geneva

Zoom over to Geneva. It’s sleek, chic, and full of diplomatic mystique.

Late morning: UN and Red Cross

Visit the United Nations for a dose of global affairs, then reflect at the Red Cross Museum.

Lunch: Geneva on your plate

Try some fondue or perch fillets at a local café. Cafe de la Paix and Fabbrica Pasta are among locals’ favorites.

Afternoon: Old Town and St. Pierre Cathedral

Meander through Geneva’s Old Town and climb St. Pierre Cathedral for views worth the leg burn.

Evening: last supper, make it count

Savor a farewell dinner at Le Chat-Botté, Restaurant Les Armures, or Auberge de Savièse. Reflect on your Swiss blitz — it’s been real, and it’s been spectacular.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Nikada. Image Location: Landwasser Viaduct, Switzerland

FAQs for your 7 days in Switzerland itinerary

What’s the best way to get around Switzerland?

A Swiss travel pass is your golden ticket. Trains, buses, boats? All aboard. It’s the ultimate travel hack!

How much time should I spend in each city in Switzerland?

Give yourself at least a day in the big cities like Zürich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Geneva. For scenic spots like Zermatt and Jungfraujoch, plan on 1-2 days to soak it all in.

Which languages are spoken in Switzerland?

Switzerland has four main languages:

German: Most people speak German, especially in the central and eastern parts of the country, like Zürich, Bern, and Basel.
French: You’ll hear French in the western areas, including Geneva, Lausanne, and Montreux.
Italian: Down south in Ticino and parts of Graubünden, folks speak Italian.
Romansh: This one’s pretty rare and mostly spoken in Graubünden. It’s a unique little piece of Swiss culture.

Even a simple “merci” can go a long way in Switzerland. Check out 18 French phrases to learn if you’re hopping on a train from Switzerland to Paris during your trip!

How should I pack for the unpredictable Swiss weather?

That’s right, the weather can flip faster than a Swiss coin, so pack layers to stay comfy no matter what.

Any more special tips for first-time visitors?

Free walking tours in major cities are awesome, always carry some cash because not all places take cards, and don’t forget to validate your Swiss Travel Pass before you start your journey.

Image Credit: Getty Images, margouillatphotos.

What Swiss foods should I try?

Switzerland is a foodie paradise, and there are some dishes you absolutely shouldn’t miss:

Fondue: This iconic Swiss dish features melted cheese served in a communal pot. Dip bread, potatoes, or veggies into the cheesy goodness.
Raclette: Another cheesy delight, raclette involves melting cheese and scraping it over potatoes, pickles, and onions. Perfect for a cozy meal.
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes: A creamy veal dish from Zürich, typically served with Rösti (crispy potato pancakes). It’s comfort food at its finest.
Älplermagronen: A hearty alpine macaroni dish made with potatoes, macaroni, cream, cheese, and onions, often served with apple sauce.
Berner Platte: A meat lover’s dream, this dish includes a variety of meats like beef, pork, and sausages, all cooked with sauerkraut and potatoes.
Nusstorte: A sweet treat from Graubünden, this nut tart is made with caramelized walnuts and a buttery pastry crust.

For drinks, try Swiss wine, especially from the Lavaux vineyards in the Lake Geneva region, known for excellent Fendant and Pinot Noir. Sip on Rivella, a unique Swiss soft drink made from milk whey, or warm up with Alpine herbal tea, a blend of local herbs and flowers. Don’t miss Swiss hot chocolate, rich and creamy, perfect for a chilly day, and Kaffee fertig, a coffee with a splash of Schnapps, popular in colder regions.

Which scenic train routes should I add to my next trip to Switzerland?

Apart from the routes specified in this itinerary, consider hopping on the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, or the GoldenPass Line for some jaw-dropping views. Your camera roll will be bursting with awesome pics!

This 7-day Switzerland itinerary with some insider’s tips is your backstage pass to the best of the country, with a side of undeniable charm and insider smarts. Pack your bags; Switzerland wows you like clockwork!

Header Image Credit: Getty Images, agustavop. Image Location: St. Moritz, Engadine Valley, Graubunden, Switzerland