Switzerland is kinda ridiculous. Honestly, you look at the photos and assume there’s some heavy-duty filtering going on, but then you step off the train in Lauterbrunnen and realize the grass really is that green. It's almost annoying how perfect it is. But here’s the thing—Switzerland is expensive. Like, "should I buy this sandwich or a small piece of property?" expensive. If you’re going to spend the money, you’ve basically got to make sure you’re hitting the spots that actually live up to the hype.
Most people just head to Zurich and think they’ve seen it. Don’t do that. Zurich is great for a watch and some high-end chocolate, but the soul of the country is tucked away in the valleys and on the literal tops of mountains.
Whether you’re there for the 2026 ski season or a summer hike through wildflower meadows, these are the top ten places in Switzerland to visit that won’t make you regret the currency exchange.
1. Zermatt: The Mountain That Everyone Recognizes
You know the Matterhorn. Even if you don't think you do, you’ve seen it on the Toblerone wrapper (well, until they had to change the logo recently). Zermatt is the village at the base of this giant jagged tooth of rock.
The best part? No cars.
You arrive by train, and the only things moving around are these tiny electric taxis that look like milk crates on wheels. It’s quiet. If you want the best view without climbing, take the Gornergrat Railway. It’s a cogwheel train that’s been running since 1898. It crawls up to 3,089 meters, and suddenly you’re staring at 29 different peaks that are all over 4,000 meters high. It’s dizzying, literally.
2. Lauterbrunnen: The Valley of 72 Waterfalls
If you only have time for one spot, make it this one. It’s a deep U-shaped valley with massive limestone cliffs on both sides. There are 72 waterfalls here. 72.
👉 See also: Minneapolis Institute of Art: What Most People Get Wrong
The Staubbach Falls is the one you see in all the TikToks, dropping nearly 300 meters right next to the village. But for something cooler, go inside the mountain at Trümmelbach Falls. It’s a series of ten glacial waterfalls hidden behind the rock face. You take a tunnel lift up, and it’s loud, wet, and slightly terrifying in the best way possible.
3. Lucerne: The "Starter" City
Lucerne is basically Switzerland’s "Greatest Hits" album. You’ve got a stunning lake, an old wooden bridge (Chapel Bridge), and mountains like Pilatus and Rigi looming over everything.
Pro tip: Skip the overcrowded shops in the center for ten minutes and walk up to the Musegg Wall. It’s a medieval fortification with nine towers. You can climb some of them for a view of the city that doesn't cost a dime.
4. The Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe
This is a bit of a tourist trap, but it’s a spectacular one. You take a train that literally tunnels through the Eiger mountain to reach the highest railway station in Europe.
At the top, you’re at 3,454 meters. You can walk on the Aletsch Glacier, which is the largest glacier in the Alps. Just a heads up: the air is thin. You’ll find yourself getting winded just walking to the cafeteria. Also, check the webcam before you buy your ticket. If it’s cloudy, you’re paying $200 to stand inside a very expensive marshmallow.
5. Bern: The Capital That Doesn't Feel Like One
Bern is the capital, but it feels more like a sleepy medieval village. The entire Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
✨ Don't miss: Michigan and Wacker Chicago: What Most People Get Wrong
Instead of looking at the Parliament building the whole time, go find the Zytglogge. It’s an astronomical clock from the 13th century. Every hour, a little mechanical parade of bears and a jester comes out. It’s charmingly low-tech. Also, people here literally jump into the Aare River and float through the city to get home from work in the summer. It’s a vibe.
6. Lake Geneva and the Lavaux Vineyards
Most people go to Geneva for the UN or the giant fountain (Jet d’Eau). Forget that. Head east toward Montreux.
Between Lausanne and Montreux, you’ll find the Lavaux Vineyards. These are terraced vineyards that drop straight into the lake. It’s been a wine region since the Roman times. You can hike the "Swiss Wine Route" through the vines, stopping at tiny cellars for a glass of Chasselas. It's easily one of the most beautiful walks in the country.
7. Appenzell: Where Traditions Go to Stay
If you want to see the Switzerland from the storybooks—the one with the cows wearing giant bells and men in traditional embroidery—go to Appenzell.
It’s rolling green hills instead of jagged peaks. It’s also home to the Seealpsee, a lake that reflects the mountains so perfectly it looks like a mirror. You have to hike about an hour uphill from Wasserauen to get there, but there’s a mountain guesthouse at the top where you can get a cold beer and some local cheese. Worth every drop of sweat.
8. St. Moritz: High-End Glitz
St. Moritz is where the world's elite go to hide. It’s hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Even if you aren't a billionaire, the frozen lake in winter is something to see. They play polo on it. They race horses on it.
🔗 Read more: Metropolitan at the 9 Cleveland: What Most People Get Wrong
In the summer, it’s a playground for high-altitude hikers. The "Champagne Climate" (yes, they actually call it that) means it’s sunny about 322 days a year.
9. Lugano: The Italian Slice
Ticino is the Italian-speaking canton, and Lugano is its crown jewel. You’ll see palm trees. You’ll eat risotto instead of fondue.
It’s weirdly Mediterranean for a landlocked country. Take the funicular up to Monte Brè. It’s supposedly the sunniest spot in Switzerland, and the view over the lake toward Italy makes you feel like you’ve accidentally crossed the border.
10. The Rhine Falls
Located near the town of Schaffhausen, these are the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. They aren't the tallest, but the sheer volume of water is intense.
You can take a boat that goes right into the basin, or even better, one that drops you off at a rock in the middle of the falls. Standing there with thousands of gallons of water thundering past you every second is a massive adrenaline hit.
How to Actually Get Around
Don't rent a car. Seriously.
The Swiss train system is the gold standard for a reason. If a train is scheduled for 10:02, it leaves at 10:02. Not 10:03. Get the Swiss Travel Pass. It’s expensive upfront (roughly CHF 244 for 3 days in 2nd class for 2026), but it covers almost every train, bus, and boat in the country. It also gets you into over 500 museums for free.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Season: If you want to hike high-altitude trails like the 5-Lake Hike in Zermatt, don't go before July. Snow lingers longer than you'd think.
- Download the SBB Mobile App: This is the only app you need. It gives you real-time platform changes and tells you exactly how crowded a train will be.
- Book "Saver Day Passes" Early: If you aren't getting the full Swiss Travel Pass, you can buy these up to 60 days in advance on the SBB website for as low as CHF 29. They sell out fast.
- Pack a Reusable Bottle: Swiss tap water is arguably better than the bottled stuff, and there are fountains everywhere. Buying water in Switzerland is a rookie mistake that adds up to $50 a week easily.
Switzerland is a "once in a lifetime" trip for most, but if you do it right, you'll spend your flight home trying to figure out how to move there. Just be ready for the fact that nothing back home will ever feel quite as clean or on-time again.