Switzerland

Switzerland is alpine drama made effortless: trains run to a station carved into the mountain at 3,454 m (Jungfraujoch, above the Alps' longest glacier), panoramic carriages cross 291 bridges on the Glacier Express, and towns like Lucerne and Interlaken sit postcard-ready between lakes and peaks. You never need hiking boots — though you may want them.

Best time to visit

Late June to early September for open trails, running lifts and wildflower meadows; mid-September–October is quieter and crisp — and Jungfraujoch stays snowy whatever the month.

Worth your days

Top attractions in Switzerland

Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe

Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 m, reached from Interlaken via Kleine Scheidegg — walk the Ice Palace tunnels and step onto the Sphinx terrace above the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps.

Glacier Express

The 'world's slowest express' — around eight hours from Zermatt to St. Moritz over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels, and across the 2,033 m Oberalp Pass, all behind panoramic glass.

Interlaken

A resort town wedged between the blue-green of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz — the Harder Kulm funicular puts both lakes and the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau wall in one view.

Lucerne & the Chapel Bridge

A preserved medieval old town on its lake, crossed by the 14th-century Kapellbrücke — one of Europe's oldest covered wooden bridges — with Mt. Pilatus rising behind.

Chillon Castle, Montreux

A moated 12th-century island castle on Lake Geneva's shore near Montreux — among the most-visited historic buildings in Switzerland.

GoldenPass route

The panoramic rail line linking Interlaken to Montreux — from Bernese Oberland chalets down to Lake Geneva vineyards in an afternoon.

Do it properly

Activities & experiences

• Rail excursion to Jungfraujoch with the Ice Palace and Sphinx terrace
• A panoramic segment of the Glacier Express
• Boat cruise on Lake Brienz or Lake Thun
• Sunset funicular to Harder Kulm above Interlaken
• Mt. Pilatus 'golden round trip' by boat, cogwheel and cable car
• Chillon Castle visit along the Montreux lakeside walk
• Swiss chocolate and cheese tasting
• Optional paragliding over Interlaken