The Ultimate Switzerland Bucket List: 21 Experiences You’ll Never Forget

If you’re dreaming of a destination where crystal-blue lakes meet dramatic Alpine peaks, where every village looks like a postcard, and where chocolate and cheese are basically their own food groups, Switzerland belongs at the very top of your travel plans. This is the ultimate Switzerland bucket list - packed with once-in-a-lifetime views, iconic mountains, incredible train journeys, delicious local food and magical towns you’ll want to return to again and again.

Whether you're planning a summer walking trip, a winter escape, or a year-round Switzerland adventure, this guide covers the best things to do in Switzerland.

1. Ride to the Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe

The Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe is one of Switzerland’s most famous attractions - and for good reason. The train ride alone is spectacular, climbing through valleys, meadows and tunnels carved straight into the mountain. At the summit, you’ll find snowy peaks, glacier views and some of the most impressive panoramas in the Swiss Alps. It’s a bit of a splurge ... but you’ll be talking about it forever.

2. Zermatt + Matterhorn Sunrise

Seeing the immense Matterhorn for the first time feels surreal - but watching it turn pink at sunrise? That’s a spiritual experience. Wander the quiet, car-free streets of Zermatt village before dawn, then find a spot where the iconic peak glows in early morning light. It’s Switzerland at its most cinematic.

3. Cable Car to Schilthorn or Grindelwald First

Both summits offer breathtaking views but with very different personalities. Schilthorn-Piz Gloria gives you James Bond vistas, a revolving restaurant and dramatic cliff-side scenery, while Grindelwald First delivers sky bridges, cliff walks and just the right amount of adrenaline. Whichever you choose, you’ll leave with photos so good no one will believe they’re real. Oh - and one of the cable cars to the Schilthorn is actually the steepest in the world!

4. Follow in Queen Victoria's footsteps on Mount Rigi

5. Swim in Lake Brienz or Lake Lucerne

Swiss lake swimming is iconic - and completely unforgettable.
Lake Brienz offers glacier-blue water so vibrant it looks unreal, while Lake Lucerne mixes mountain views with historic charm. The water is cold, refreshing and 100% brag-worthy. 

6. Take a boat ride on Lake Geneva

A Lake Geneva cruise feels effortlessly elegant. Glide past vineyards, mountain backdrops and lakeside towns. Make a stop in Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage wine region, where terraced vineyards roll down into the water. It’s Europe in its most romantic form.

7. Glacier Express

Often called 'the slowest express train in the world', the Glacier Express runs at a leisurely pace for a reason: so you can take in every second of the dramatic Alpine scenery. Panoramic windows reveal deep valleys, snowy peaks and hidden villages. Sit back, relax and romanticise your entire life.

8. Bernina Express (to Italy)

This UNESCO-listed route is one of the most beautiful train rides on Earth. You’ll cross impressive viaducts, pass glaciers, skim lakes - and then suddenly descend into southern Switzerland and Italy, palm trees appear out of nowhere. It’s the perfect cross-border adventure.

9. Wander through the Old Town of Bern

Bern's medieval Old Town feels beautifully untouched by time. Stroll under sandstone arcades, admire bright fountains and settle into a cosy café. It’s slow, charming and full of old-world atmosphere.

10. Explore Lucerne

Lucerne is the definition of a postcard. Chapel Bridge, swans gliding along the water, colourful buildings, and mountain views at every turn. Add a trip to nearby Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi and you’ve got a perfect Swiss day.

11. Stroll Through Montreux

Relaxed, elegant and framed by lake and mountain views, Montreux is perfect for gentle wandering. Walk the lakeside promenade, admire the dramatic scenery, and stop by the Freddie Mercury statue for the obligatory photo.

15. Walking in the Lauterbrunnen Valley

With 72 waterfalls, sheer cliffs and meadows straight out of a fairytale, Lauterbrunnen doesn’t feel real. Tolkien found inspiration here - and you will too. It’s one of the most magical places in Switzerland.

16. Visit Oeschinen Lake

Turquoise water, dramatic cliffs and peaceful forests make Oeschinensee one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps. Rent a rowboat, walk the trails or simply take in the views from the shoreline.

17. Marvel at the Aletsch Glacier

As the largest glacier in the Alps, Aletsch Glacier is both humbling and awe-inspiring. Viewing platforms offer breathtaking panoramas and a sense of just how ancient and powerful this icy giant is.

18. Christmas Markets

Warm lights, snowy streets, mulled wine and festive treats - Switzerland’s Christmas Markets turn the country into a real-life snow globe. You'll often find ice rinks and plenty of shopping opportunities. It’s cosy, magical and perfect for winter travellers.

19. Making the most of the snow

You don't have to be a skier to enjoy the snow. Take a winter's holiday in Switzerland and revel in the stunning alpine landscape. Ride a cable car up to a mountain restaurant for lunch with a view or try your hand at tobogganing. It's one to remember!

20. Ring the cowbells at a local festival

Lean in. Commit. Have fun. It’s loud, chaotic and uniquely Swiss.

You'll hear the lovely sound of tinkling bells wherever you go in the mountains. Why not treat yourself to a souvenir cowbell, found in most tourist shops. 

21. Picnic with fresh bread, cheese and chocolate

Grab a picnic from the supermarket (Coop or Migros), pick a lakeside bench or grassy meadow, and enjoy pure Swiss serenity. It’s simple, cheap and absolutely perfect.

Switzerland is one of the most naturally stunning, effortlessly photogenic and deeply memorable countries in the world. From glacier viewpoints and iconic train rides to storybook towns and chocolate-filled afternoons, this bucket list captures the best things to do in Switzerland whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with friends.