This post gives you the best 10 days itinerary for Switzerland along with essential travel tips every traveler should know.
10 days in Switzerland is a DREAM vacation and this itinerary will show you THE best places you absolutely need to see during your trip.
My 10 days Switzerland travel itinerary fits every season, so it will work great for you if you plan to visit this amazing country in summer or in winter.
I will also include a 14 days itinerary, just in case you have a bit of extra time to explore Switzerland.
10 Days in Swizterland: The Perfect Itinerary
In general, when I read travel blogs, I really appreciate it when they get to the point quickly. I don’t like scrolling down several pages to get the information I am actually interested in.
So, because I value your time I am going to start with the 10 day itinerary and then we’ll get into the Switzerland travel tips at the end of this post.
Here are the best things to do during a 10 days trip to Switzerland set up as a complete travel itinerary. I created for you a perfect mix of city trips and nature adventures.
I’ve also considered a few extra nights in some locations, which will give you the opportunity to make the most of the specific area.
Day 1: ZURICH & LUCERNE
For the purpose of this itinerary, I am assuming you will land in Zurich. To me, it’s the best start for our Switzerland itinerary, but Geneva is a good option too.
Both are some of the biggest cities in Switzerland and definitely deserve a visit.
Zurich is a picturesque, medieval city, located in the North part of the country. It is the largest city in Switzerland and a global financial center.
Best Things To Do in ZURICH
- discover the old town and its winding streets
- have a coffee at Zurich lake and walk along its shore, through the park all the way to the end where the lake opens up
- shop on the famous Bahnhofstrasse. This is the main shopping street, leading from the Zürich central station all the way to the lake, and home to all the biggest luxury shops.
- try the Sprüngli Swiss chocolate at their cafe in Paradeplatz
- take a boat ride to Rapperswil, on the opposite side of Zurich lake
This will take you about half a day, so head over to Lucerne next.
LUCERNE
Lucerne is a famous tourist destination, located about one hour’s drive from Zürich. You will love walking through the colorful old town and stepping on the famous Kapellebrükke (Chapel Bridge, built in 1333) over the river Reuss.
It is also a great starting point for many adventures, such as visiting mount Pilatus or Stoos.
Day 2: WALENSEE & STOOS
Walensee is one of the largest lakes in Switzerland and definitely worth seeing.
It is bordered by high mountains and located about an hour away drive from Zürich. I absolutely love the view and the crystal waters. You can even swim in the lake in summer, but be prepared, it’s pretty cold.
Next, head to Stoos. For any new traveler to Switzerland, I’d say Stoos is a must-see, which is why it’s high on our 10 days itinerary.
This small mountain resort and its Fronalpstock peak (1.922m) offer spectacular views of at least 5 turquoise lakes. You can reach it easily, via the steepest funicular in the world (from Schwyz) and afterward by cable car.
Stoos is also a perfect place for hiking. The best hike you can do is the Stoos ridge hike from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock. Consider extra 2-2,5 hours if you decide to do it.
READ NEXT: 10+ Best Hikes In Switzerland
Day 3 – 4: INTERLAKEN & GRINDELWALD
I am sure you’ve already heard of these 2 incredibly popular destinations in Switzerland and you’re probably wondering if they can both be seen in one day. The answer is definitely yes!
Don’t forget that Switzerland is a pretty small country, so the distances aren’t that big between the main attractions. Plus they have one of the best transport systems in the world.
So whether you are traveling via train or by car, you can definitely visit these 2 gorgeous places in one day.
INTERLAKEN
First, start with Interlaken. A picturesque old town, Interlaken is often the starting point for many mountain adventures such as visiting Jungfraujoch (The Top of Europe), Schilthorn, the Lauterbrunnen region, and more.
Walk through the old town, Unterseen, along the beautiful river Aare and over the famous and very Instagrammable bridge. 🙂
From Interlaken, drive 30 minutes and you’ll be in Grindelwald. (Told you Switzerland is small. 😉 )
GRINDELWALD
Grindelwald is a stunning little village, located in the Jungfrau Region (Bernese Oberland) of Switzerland. It is a hiking paradise in summer and a great ski resort in winter. Grindelwald is also the best place to explore and climb the famous Eiger mountain.
Have a look here for some of the best hikes to do in the area.
WHERE TO STAY IN GRINDELWALD:
I highly recommend spending at least one night here. Check out Hotel Kirchbühl – this is where we spend 4 nights this summer and loved it. You can read the full review here.
10 Day Switzerland Itinerary: Days 5 – 7: LAUTERBRUNNEN & MURREN
LAUTERBRUNNEN
If you’re looking for fairytale mountain views then this is the place for you!
Even the great J.R.R Tolkien has been mesmerized by the beauty of the region which is said to have been the inspiration for the famous Rivendell of The Lord of the Rings.
Take a short walk through the village, and then walk towards Stechelberg. The path will take you along the Lauterbrunnen Valley, past waterfalls and high mountain walls. It starts in Lauterbrunnen, near the famous Staubbach Falls.
The Trümmelbach Falls
If you have some extra time, visit the Trümmelbach Falls, an incredibly impressive natural phenomenon. It is a short 5-10 minute drive from the center of Lauterbrunnen.
(For a 14 days Switzerland itinerary, definitely add this one to the list).
You will see 10 glacier waterfalls carve their way through the inside of a mountain at mindblowing speed. The entry ticket is 14CHF and that gives you access to the elevator in case you don’t want to hike yourself. Definitely take it on the way up, it’s a great experience as you can see the tunnel that has been created inside the mountain through its glass ceiling.
On the way down, you should take the stairs as you’ll have a great view of the Lauterbrunnen Valley from there.
MURREN
Murren is a MUST-SEE whether you are spending 5, 7, or 10 days in Switzerland. It is a magical Swiss mountain village with views that will take your breath away.
It is a car-free mountain resort, situated on top of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, at 1.638m (5.374ft) above sea level.
The moment you step out of the train station you will feel like you can touch the peaks of the Alps surrounding it: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Mürren is also the way to reach Schilthorn peak and its famous Piz Gloria revolving restaurant. You definitely don’t want to miss this experience. Check out the post for all the great adventures that await you there.
WHERE TO STAY IN MURREN:
Spend 2 nights here so you can truly enjoy and experience all the wonderful things the area has to offer.
I can definitely recommend staying at the Eiger Hotel. It is a beautiful, family-run hotel and actually the only 4-star hotel in the village. You will be delighted by the stunning mountain views. Here is the full review of our stay this summer.
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Eiger Guesthouse next door is the perfect alternative.
READ NEXT: The Best Guide to MÜRREN Switzerland: 7 Exciting Activities & Itinerary
10 Day Switzerland Itinerary: Day 8-9: ZERMATT
Spend 2 days at the most beautiful mountain in the world!
There is nothing quite like the Matterhorn mountain anywhere else on earth, so visiting Zermatt and hiking around this gorgeous region should definitely be on anyone’s bucket list.
Consider at least 2 days here to make the most of the area.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN ZERMATT:
- take a ride in the Gornergrat train for some stunning views of the village and the Matterhorn
- visit the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and walk on the glacier at almost 4.000m altitude
- hike down from Gornergrat to Riffelberg for those stunning shots of the Matterhorn reflecting in the lake at Riffelsee
- go up via cable car to Sunnega and Rothorn for some breathtaking panoramic views of the Swiss Alps
- discover a lot more things to do in Zermatt here
PRO TIP: Book the Zermatt Peak Pass for unlimited rides with cable cars. It is pricey (195CHF/person) but it will be the best-spent money, trust me!
READ NEXT: Zermatt Travel Guide & Best Summer Activities
WHERE TO STAY IN ZERMATT
For a pampered, luxury stay with a touch of Alpine coziness then the Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel is the perfect place for you. Check out our full experience including pictures HERE.
For a mid-range option, consider Hotel Mountain Paradise.
In case you didn’t know, Zermatt is a car-free village, so if you are driving, you will need to leave your car at the parking place in Tasch, the nearest village. From here the train shuttle will take you to Zermatt in 20 minutes.
Day 10 of Our Switzerland Itinerary: MONTREUX & GENEVA
The last day of this 10 day itinerary in Switzerland is reserved for driving to Geneva as the last stop of the journey.
From Zermatt, it will be a 3-hour scenic drive, along Geneva Lake, passing by beautiful cities such as Lausanne and Montreux.
MONTREUX
Montreux is a charming little Swiss town on the shore of Lake Geneva and home of one of the biggest jazz festivals, held in July. It is located in the French-speaking area of Switzerland, Canton de Vaud, just one hour’s drive from Geneva.
LAUSANNE
On your way to Geneva you can also stop in Lausanne. This old, medieval city, bordering Geneva Lake offers beautiful views of the mountains around it.
It is a perfect place for wine lovers, the city has the largest number of vineyards in the country and is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
10 Days Switzerland Itinerary – Summary
Here is the summary of the best 10 day itinerary for Switzerland:
- Day 1: Zurich & Lucerne
- Day 2: Walensee & Stoos
- Day 3-4: Interlaken & Grindelwald
- Day 5-7: Lauterbrunnen & Murren
- Day 8-9: Zermatt
- Day 10: Montreux & Geneva
14 Days Switzerland Itinerary
If you have extra days to spend in Switzerland here is what I suggest for a 14 days itinerary:
- Day 1: Zurich
- Day 2: Lucerne & Walensee
- Day 3: Stoos + hike
- Day 4: Interlaken
- Day 5-7: Grindelwald
- Day 8-10: Lauterbrunnen & Murren
- Day 10-12: Zermatt
- Day 13: Montreux & Lausanne
- Day 14: Geneva
If you are a nature lover, skip the city trips and spend more time in the mountain villages.
From my experience, consider at least 3 nights in Zermatt, Grindelwald, and Murren to make the most of these gorgeous areas.
10 Days Switzerland Itinerary – Travel Tips
Is 10 days enough for Switzerland?
Yes, I think 10 days is definitely enough to visit Switzerland. You will have enough time to see the most important cities but also to discover the fairytale villages of the Swiss Alps.
Of course, the ideal time is 14 days, so if you are traveling from the US or Canada (which is quite a long journey), I would definitely recommend spending 14 days just to make sure you make the most of your trip.
How do I plan for 10 days in Switzerland?
It is important to be well prepared for your trip to Switzerland, especially if you are planning to do some hiking as well.
WHAT TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO SWITZERLAND
HIKING GEAR:
- Clothing from a moisture-wicking fabric (check out The North Face for some great options)
- a breathable mid-layer (love this one from Mammut)
- Leggins and waterproof hiking pants (I used them both at higher altitudes)
- Light windproof and waterproof jacket
- Warmer windproof and waterproof jacket (I used them both at higher altitudes)
- Hiking shoes
- Sun hat (super important, do not forget about it)
- Backpack with: water bottle (thermos), SPF for face & body, sunglasses, and snacks for the hike
OTHER ITEMS:
- Swiss plug adapter (the plugs are different in Switzerland from the rest of Europe)
- your camera, Insta360 and everything else you’ve got – you will take a million pictures! 😀
MORE TRAVEL TIPS FOR SWITZERLAND
Here are some other tips to consider when planning your vacation in Switzerland:
- book flights and hotels several months in advance. Hotels get booked quite fast, especially for the winter season. For example, if you are considering spending Christmas or New Year’s Even in a Swiss mountain resort, I’d advise booking a whole year before.
- always make restaurant reservations upfront. This way you are guaranteed a table.
- leverage the Swiss Travel Pass if you are traveling by train, it will give you lots of discounts on public transport.
- buy the Zermatt Peak Pass and the Pass for the Jungfrau Region (you can use it in multiple locations) and it will save you a lot of money.
- book travel insurance
- the local currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF), which in today’s exchange rate is a 1-1 rate with the dollar $.
- you can pay by card in most places, but I recommend having some cash with you just in case. By “some cash”, I mean 50-100CHF, not more.
- most people speak good English in Switzerland, especially in restaurants and hotels so you won’t have any problems from this perspective.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide on how to spend 10 days in Switzerland and the itinerary I’ve created for you. It will take you through the most important cities and nature spots in Switzerland.
Whether you spend 2 days or 14 days in Switzerland, this is a country I guaranteed you will always want to return to as there’s SO much to see and do.
Happy travels! 🙂
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