Switzerland holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Switzerland holiday in Europe
Switzerland is the postcard country of the Alps: snow-covered peaks, deep blue lakes, chocolate, cheese, and watches. The panoramic train routes are among the most beautiful in the world, connecting cities like Zurich, Lucerne, and Geneva with breathtaking nature. Expensive, but worth every cent.
Capital
Bern
Language
German, French, Italian, Romansh
Currency
Swiss Franc (CHF)
Time zone
UTC+1
Flight time from DE
approx. 1 hour (or 3-4h by train)
Entry requirements
Identity card (Schengen)
Deals for Switzerland:
Which hotels in Switzerland are recommended?
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Switzerland — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
The Dolder Grand
Zürich, Schweiz
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz
Bad Ragaz, Schweiz
Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola
Lugano, Schweiz
Hotel Villa Honegg
Ennetbürgen, Schweiz
InterContinental Genève by IHG
Genf, Schweiz
Fairmont Hotel Le Montreux Palace
Clarens, Schweiz
Hotel Beau-Rivage Palace
Lausanne, Schweiz
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Interlaken, Schweiz
What are the highlights of Switzerland?
The best-known highlights of Switzerland include Matterhorn & Zermatt, Lucerne & Lake Lucerne, Jungfraujoch, Glacier Express, Interlaken.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Matterhorn & Zermatt
The most iconic mountain of the Alps (4,478m) and the car-free mountain village at its feet.
Lucerne & Lake Lucerne
Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, Pilatus, and Rigi – a Swiss picture-book landscape.
Jungfraujoch
"Top of Europe" at 3,454m – accessible by cogwheel train with a view of the Aletsch Glacier.
Glacier Express
The slowest express train route in the world: 8 hours of panorama from Zermatt to St. Moritz.
Interlaken
Adrenaline capital between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz: paragliding, canyoning, and skiing.
Hotels in Switzerland
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
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Reise-SIM für Switzerland
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Switzerland. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
The best time to visit Switzerland is June–September (hiking), December–March (skiing). In summer: 18–28°C. In winter: -5–5°C.
Recommended travel time
June–September (hiking), December–March (skiing)
Summer
18–28°C
Winter
-5–5°C
How much does a holiday in Switzerland cost?
A holiday in Switzerland costs roughly 100–150€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 150–250€ mid-range and 250–500€ for luxury travel.
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
100–150€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
150–250€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
250–500€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
How long is the flight from Germany to Switzerland?
From Germany you reach Switzerland in approx. 1 hour (or 3-4h by train).
What travel tips are there for Switzerland?
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Swiss Travel Pass saves a lot on trains, buses, and boats
Tap water is drinkable everywhere and of excellent quality
Supermarket chains Migros and Coop for affordable food
Hiking trails are perfectly marked – follow the yellow signs
Order fondue only in the cold season – a Swiss tradition
What do people eat in Switzerland?
Typical dishes in Switzerland are Fondue, Raclette, Rösti, Bircher Müesli, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, Swiss Chocolate.
These dishes you must try!
Which regions and places in Switzerland are worth visiting?
30 regions, cities and highlights in Switzerland
Cities
Arosa
Arosa is a picturesque spa resort at 1,800 m altitude in Graubünden and one of the sunniest ski resorts in Switzerland. The Arosa Lenzerheide ski area offers 225 kilometers of …
Davos
Davos is the highest town in Europe at 1,560 meters and combines world politics with alpine lifestyle. Known for the World Economic Forum, the place offers much more: 300 …
Engelberg
Engelberg is a charming monastery village in Central Switzerland, dominated by the imposing Titlis at 3,238 meters. The Benedictine monastery from the 12th century gives the place …
Grindelwald
Grindelwald is located in a breathtaking valley basin at the foot of the notorious Eiger North Face and is one of the most famous mountain villages in Switzerland. Since the 19th …
Lauterbrunnen
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the deepest valleys in the Alps and, with its 72 waterfalls cascading down vertical rock faces, has already inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to create …
Locarno
Locarno on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore is the sunniest city in Switzerland and the venue for the famous International Film Festival. The Piazza Grande — one of the most …
Saas-Fee
Saas-Fee, the "Pearl of the Alps," is a car-free mountain village in the Valais, surrounded by a ring of thirteen peaks over 4,000 meters – a density of summits that is unique in …
Wengen
Wengen is a car-free mountain village on a sun terrace above the Lauterbrunnen Valley and part of the legendary Jungfrau region. The Lauberhorn races — the most traditional …
Zürich
Zürich, the largest city in Switzerland, combines medieval old town romance with cosmopolitan openness and a breathtaking location by the lake of the same name against the …
Bern
Bern, the federal city of Switzerland, is an underrated gem among European capitals. The completely preserved medieval old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 …
Lucerne
Lucerne on Lake Lucerne is the postcard ideal image of Switzerland: Snow-covered Alps reflect in the crystal-clear lake, medieval bridges cross the turquoise-green Reuss, and the …
Geneva
Geneva is the international city of Switzerland and one of the most cosmopolitan metropolises in Europe. As the seat of the United Nations, the Red Cross, the World Health …
Basel
Basel is located at the tri-border area of Switzerland, Germany, and France and is the undisputed cultural capital of Switzerland. With over 40 museums in close proximity — …
Interlaken
Interlaken, nestled between the emerald green Lake Thun and the deep blue Lake Brienz, is the gateway to the majestic Jungfrau region and one of the most spectacular alpine …
Zermatt
Zermatt is the legendary mountain village at the foot of the Matterhorn (4,478m), perhaps the most famous and photographed mountain in the world. The car-free village at an …
St. Moritz
St. Moritz is the epitome of luxury winter sports and is considered the birthplace of alpine winter tourism. Since 1864, when hotelier Johannes Badrutt persuaded English summer …
Lugano
Lugano is the largest city in Ticino and uniquely combines Mediterranean lifestyle with Swiss perfection. The city hugs the shores of Lake Lugano, framed by the local mountains …
Montreux
Montreux is the pearl of the Swiss Riviera and unfolds a charm on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva that has captivated artists, musicians, and nobility since the 19th century. The …
Davos Klosters
Davos Klosters is much more than the annual meeting point of the World Economic Forum — the highest city in Europe (1,560m) and its charming neighboring community Klosters …
Areas
Jungfraujoch
The Jungfraujoch — at 3,454 meters the "Top of Europe" — is the highest railway-accessible point in Europe and a place that fascinatingly blurs the line between tourism and alpine …
Berner Oberland
The Berner Oberland is the most spectacular mountain region in Switzerland and offers a density of natural wonders that is unmatched. The legendary peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and …
Engadin
The Engadin is an 80-kilometer-long high valley in Graubünden, known as one of the sunniest and most picturesque regions of Switzerland. With over 300 sunny days a year, …
Jungfrau Region
The Jungfrau Region is the heart of the Bernese Oberland and unites the most spectacular mountain landscapes of the Swiss Alps in a compact area. Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, and …
Valais
Valais is the canton of superlatives and the wild heart of the Swiss Alps. With 41 peaks over 4,000 meters, including the legendary Matterhorn (4,478m) and the highest elevation …
Ticino
Ticino is the Italian-speaking southern Switzerland and offers a Mediterranean lifestyle on Swiss soil. Palm-lined lake promenades, sun-drenched piazzas, rustic grottos, and a …
Lakes
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne, also known as the Lucerne Lake, is the quintessential Swiss lake — fjord-like in shape, surrounded by steep mountains, steeped in history and myth. According to …
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) is the largest lake in Western Europe and extends in a crescent shape over 73 kilometers between Switzerland and France. With its combination of alpine …
Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich stretches for 42 kilometers southeast of Zurich and is much more than just the favorite recreational area of the Zurich residents. The crescent-shaped body of water, …
Complete guide for Switzerland
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
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Plan your Switzerland holiday now with our free tools.
How do I plan a holiday in Switzerland?
Switzerland is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, offering Alps, Hiking, Skiing and much more. The best time to visit Switzerland is June–September (hiking), December–March (skiing), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 100–150€ (Budget) to 250–500€ (Luxury), Switzerland is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Bern, Switzerland can be excellently explored. The official language is German, French, Italian, Romansh, and the currency is Swiss Franc (CHF). From Germany, you can reach Switzerland in approx. 1 hour (or 3-4h by train). Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Fondue, Raclette, Rösti, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Switzerland has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Switzerland holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Switzerland is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
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