Switzerland

1. Jungfraujoch: Jungfrau is the tallest peak not only in Switzerland but also in the entire continent of Europe. Standing at a height of 4,182 metres, it is known as the top of Europe and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-clad peaks of Monch and Eiger.

You can take a cable car to the top and spend a fun day at the summit visiting the Sphinx Observatory or walking through pathways made inside a glacier! The place offers the best of Switzerland tourism, with its restaurants and eateries offering panoramic views and playgrounds where you can leave your children as you enjoy your meal.

Location: Jungfrau, 3984 Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Timings: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
              Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 AM - 1:15 PM & 2:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Price: Return tickets from Interlaken start from CHF 184 or Rs. 13,500

Checkout & Book:  Zurich to Jungfraujoch Day Trip

2. The Rhine Falls: One of the most stunning sights to see when in Switzerland are the Rhine Falls. These can be found in the town of Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland. These are the largest falls in entire Central Europe and if you really want to witness their strength, you must visit during the summer months of July and August when the ice from the glaciers melts, making the falls swell in size. The Jurassic limestone landscape offers a Stark contrast, making these a sight to behold! You can view them from the viewing platforms or from a cruise on the river.

Location: Rheinfallquai, 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland
Timings: Open 24 hours
Price: Free

Checkout & Book: Zurich City Tour with Rhine Falls

3. St. Pierre Cathedral: St. Pierre Cathedral was originally built (around 1160) as a Roman Catholic Church but later became a significant symbol of the Protestant movement. Between 1536 to 1564 it was the home church of John Calvin, a prominent leader of the Protestant Reformation. His seat can still be found in the north aisle of the cathedral. St. Pierre’s combines the elements of Gothic with Neoclassical architecture to form a stunning building.

The north tower can be reached by climbing a total of 96 steps and offers a clearer picture of the architectural genius of the place. Another sixty steps take you to the south tower which offers panoramic vistas of the city along with a close look at the ancient tolling bells.

Location: Place du Bourg-de-Four 24, 1204 Genève, Switzerland
Price: CHF 8 or Rs. 590 for adults
Timings: Daily, 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM

4. Oberhofen Castle: Sitting at the edge of Lake Thun, the Oberhofen Castle has been a part of the scenery since the 13th century. This old castle with its English-inspired gardens and Bernese-Baroque style architecture along with Prussian styled library and smoking room make it an interesting place to visit and photograph.

It also has an age-old church with interesting architecture that adds more character to the space. It is definitely one of the top places to visit if you are looking for romantic places to visit in Interlaken.

Location: Schloss 4, 3653 Oberhofen am Thunersee, Switzerland
Price: CHF 10 or Rs 733 for adults.

5. The Ruinaulta: If you are a bird-watcher, a hiker or a nature enthusiast in general, Ruinaulta is the place for you! Popularly known as the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' this is a deep gorge surrounded by breathtaking meadows and forested cliffs.

If you are here during the summer months, you can spend your days white river rafting in the rapids of the Rhine River. If you are looking for a relaxed holiday, you can also go canoeing or kayaking on the quieter parts of the river and soak in the views of this 10,000-year-old landscape.

Location: 7104, Versam, Switzerland

6. Lake Geneva: Lake Geneva is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe and is actually shared between the two countries; Switzerland and France. The lake has long been a major landmark not only on Switzerland tourism’s map but also on the world map.

When at the lake, you can spend your time kayaking, canoeing and even water skiing! The waters of the lake are reasonably clean to allow swimming during the summer months. Alternatively, you can also cycle or hike around the lake.

Location: Lake Geneva, Switzerland
Checkout & Book: Geneva City Pass

7. Chateau de Chillon, Montreux: If you want a glimpse of the royal history of this European country, then you must visit this architecturally stunning complex which has inspired writers and painters for generations. Everyone from Lord Byron, Victor Hugo to Jean Jacques Rousseau has tried to capture the beauty of this castle.

It is a vast complex of interconnected buildings that have been clustered around three well-maintained courtyards. Apart from its stunning lakeside location, the lake has many impressive features including Gothic-styled underground rooms, Camera Domini, decorated with beautiful murals and an old Chapel adorned with paintings.

Location: Avenue de Chillon 21, 18
20 Veytaux, Switzerland.
Timings: Daily; 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Price: CHF 12.50 or Rs. 915 for adults.

Checkout & Book:  Chateau De Chillon Tickets 

8. Lauterbrunnen: Lauterbrunnen is a quaint village town in Switzerland and one to visit if you truly want to immerse yourself in Swiss culture without breaking your bank balance. This town is mostly known for its 72 waterfalls, two of which can be found in the middle of the town.

You can follow a trail to see the rest 70 of those and experience some of the most magnificent views offered by the Alps. When here, you can take a cable car to Jungfrau, visit the fierce 10-level Trummelbach Falls and visit the Honesty Store. Lauterbrunnen offers a more affordable side of the otherwise expensive Switzerland tourism.

Location: Lauterbrunnen, Canton of Bern

9. Bern: The capital city of Switzerland, Bern has been sitting around a crook in the River Aare with the oldest part of the town dating back to the 12th century. The old part of Bern is known by the name of Altstadt and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Some of the most popular attractions include Zytglogge,a 13th century tower with a 15th century astronomical clock which is also the town's oldest monument. You can also visit the art museum which is known for its eclectic design and spend your time enjoying a meal by the riverside.

Location: Bern, Switzerland

10. Lake Thun: Lake Thun is situated in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland region. It is a vast lake with dancing blue waters and unparalleled views of the Alps. You can spend your time kayaking on the lake or ride a paddle steamer cruise to the town of Interlaken.

There are several trails that run along the lake and lead to sleepy villages and quaint grasslands. You can also choose to stay at one of the many luxury resorts located on the edge of the lake and enjoy the brilliant views throughout the day.

Location: Lake Thun, Switzerland

Book Now: Switzerland Tour Package From Kolkata

1. Walk on the Chapel Bridge: This is a historic bridge that carries great architectural and cultural importance. Standing on the Reuss River in the city of Lucerne, this bridge was built in the year 1333 to protect the city from outside attacks. Stretching over a length of 670 feet, this is a covered bridge, making it the oldest covered bridge in the entire continent.

Inside the bridge, you will find several 17th-century paintings depicting major events from Lucerne's history. Although several of the buildings were destroyed during a fire, the bridge still remains one of the top tourist attractions in the country.

Location: Kapellbrücke, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland

Checkout & Book: Walking Tour to Chapel Bridge & Old Town, Lucerne

2. Go Wine Tasting: If vineyard or wine interests you, then you have to visit the Lavaux Vineyards that stretch for 30 kilometres between Château de Chillon and Lausanne, along the shore of a lake! The vineyards are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to their rich history that dates back to the Roman times.

This hidden spot on the Switzerland tourism map allows some of the best experiences where you can choose to tour the vineyards and taste the best Swiss wine here. If you happen to be here around the spring season, you can try the wine at discounted rates and sample as many as you like.

Timings: Daily; 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

3. Ride the Albula/Bernina Railway Line: The Albula/Bernina railway line has found its place in the very short list of train lines on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. This train has wide glass windows that run almost the entire length of the sides of the train to offer breathtaking views of the train's route.

It passes through some unspoilt Alpine landscape, iconic viaducts and tunnels that last for several kilometres on end! The entire route extends for 122 kilometres and passes over more than 200 scenic bridges! Different seasons offer varied but equally beautiful scenery from the train.

Location: Chur to Tirano
Price: CHF 148 or Rs. 10,600 for a return journey

4. Visit the Palais Des Nations: When in Geneva, you can actually visit the home of the United Nations. The building which was built to house the League of Nations functioned as the headquarters for the same prior to the formation of the UN.

The grey monument might seem like a regular structure but has been covered with heat-resistant titanium which was donated by the USSR. The place organizes several tours on a daily basis which allow access into not only the building but also to it's 46-hectare park! The park has centuries-old trees and several peacocks that roam around freely.

Location: 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Price: CHF 15 or Rs. 1,104 for adults
Timings: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

5. Spend time at CERN: The European Organization for Nuclear Research was founded in the year 1954 and has been a world-famous name ever since the Large Hadron Collider came into existence. You can go and view the world's largest machine at work as it creates new matter through proton acceleration.

The 27 kilometre-long tube can be viewed on any given day but tours must be booked in advance. This favourite destination of Switzerland tourism is sometimes fully booked months in advance! The place also has dedicated displays for children and a souvenir shop, making it a place where you can bring your family for some learning and fun.

Location: Espl. des Particules 1, 1211 Meyrin, Switzerland
Price: Free
Timings: Monday - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:45 PM

6. Go Skydiving in Interlaken: Interlaken is a prominent town situated in the heart of Switzerland and its location is what makes it the perfect skydiving destination. You can dive from an airplane at a height of 14,000 feet and take in the breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains, glistening lakes and chalet-adorned towns.

The rush of the fall is followed by a calming feeling that you experience as you slowly descend towards the land on your parachute. This is when you get the time to enjoy the bird's eye view of the valleys and mountains. Also, there are skydiving options for people of every proficiency, you can try it tandem or on your own.

Location: Interlaken, Switzerland
Price: Starting from CHF 395 or Rs. 29,000

7. Enjoy the Spray of Jet d’Eau: The predecessor of the present Jet d’Eau was installed in the year 1886 as a safety valve for a nearby project and was moved to its current location only in the year 1891. The present Jet d’Eau is much more of an aesthetic addition and sprays 500 litres of water per second to an altitude of 140 metres.

It is so high that you can also spot it from an airplane upto the height of 10 kilometres! During sunny days, you can expect to spot a rainbow as the water turns into spray and drenches the people sitting around it! If you are lucky, you can also see it illuminated in different colours as it is done a few times every year for humanitarian causes.

Location: Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Genève, Switzerland

8. Ride a Cable Car: Switzerland is a cable-car country and you will find hundreds of cable-car routes strewn all over the place, taking people to the summits of mountains within a matter of minutes! You can take a cable-car ride to the top of Europe, to Jungfraujoch or to the infamous Matterhorn.

The glass-windows of these cable cars allow breathtaking views of forests and waterfalls turning to rugged, snow-covered scenery. Interlaken has around 45 different cable-car routes that you can take from the town. You can also access ski destinations through a cable car when in Zermatt.

Checkout & Book Now: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Tickets

9. Go Boating in the Rhine Falls: If viewing one of Europe’s most fierce waterfalls from a viewing platform is not enough for you, then we suggest you get on a boat and get in there! You can get up and close with the waterfalls as you ride a boat right upto the falls.

A rock jutting out of the water, bang in the middle of the walls, offers one of the best views you will experience anywhere on your map of Switzerland tourism. The views of thousands of gallons of water crashing at full speed are simply unforgettable.

Location: Rheinfallquai, 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland.
Price: CHF 8 or Rs. 590 for a 20-minute boat ride.

Checkout & Book Now: Black Forest Rhine Falls Day Trip From Zurich

Switzerland may not be a pricey destination to visit if you plan carefully and opt for the most meticulously curated travel packages from Thrillophilia. For a pocket-friendly tour you can travel off-season when tourist crowds are thinner and opt for budget accommodations like hostels or guesthouses. Switzerland's excellent public transportation system offers various passes and discounts, making it more economical to get around the country. You can also explore free attractions such as public parks, scenic viewpoints, and hiking trails to experience Switzerland's natural beauty without spending money.

You should spend at least one week in Switzerland to enjoy a wonderful introduction to the country's diverse landscapes and cultural richness. During this time, you can explore the majestic Swiss Alps, experience the vibrant city life of Zurich, and immerse yourself in the unique ambience of either Geneva or the picturesque Ticino region. While two weeks would allow for a more leisurely exploration, one week is sufficient to capture the essence of Switzerland and create lasting memories.

If you are planning for a team outing, then checkout Thrillophilia Mice Tour!

1. Rent A Tiny Chalet In The Mountains: There are several places in the Swiss mountains where you can rent a tiny cabin in faraway locations. There are tiny houses perched on mountain cliffs, in the middle of forests and on the shores of massive lakes. There is nothing more romantic than waking up next to your significant other with breathtaking scenery peeking in through your window.

2. Visit An Old Swiss Castle: There are several age-old castles like the Chillon Castle, the Habsburg Castle and Chateau de Tourbillon which sit on some of the most stunning landscapes in the country. You can visit these places lost in time and go through the pages of history, folklore and legend together.

3. Hike Through Tiny Swiss Towns And Villages: There are thousands of trails all across the country that would take you to remote villages and sleepy hamlets. Here, you can spend hours enjoying the slow pace of life, observing the locals and their way of life as you make memories.

4. Walk Through Glittering City Streets At Night: Switzerland has no dearth of gorgeous cities and you can choose to spend romantic evenings walking through the lit streets of Zurich, Geneva and Bern after the sun goes down. This is when you will be able to see the local night markets, pubs and street performances come to life.

5. Go For A Swim Together: Switzerland has some of the world’s most spectacular lakes strewn all across the country. This means that you are never too far away from a romantic swim with stunning mountain scenery in the background.

Must Book: Switzerland Tour Packages From Mumbai

1. Skiing: Switzerland is a major winter sports destination and its beautiful peaks offer some of the world’s best skiing opportunities. From Zermatt to Interlaken, you can easily access slopes covered in fine, white snow throughout the winter months, allowing people of every age to enjoy the rush of skiing down mountains.

2. Mountain Climbing: When in Switzerland, there is no dearth of mountain climbing opportunities, from Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau to one of the fiercest in the world, Matterhorn. Depending on your expertise and experience, you can choose a mountain to climb.

3. Skydiving: When in Switzerland, especially in the town of Interlaken, you can experience skydiving from a height of 4,000 metres above the ground! It is a truly thrilling experience and if you have no prior experience, you can also choose to go tandem! It is an excellent way of devouring the beautiful Swiss landscape from a bird’s eye view.

4. Canyoning: Switzerland is home to some of the most beautiful canyons in the world, complete with rivers, ravines, streams and waterfalls. This means that you can go and have a fun experience complete with diving from cliff faces, swimming through waters and having an adventure-packed time.

Also Checkout: Tour Packages From Chennai To Switzerland

Yes, as an Indian citizen, you need a visa for Switzerland. You can apply for a Switzerland visa through the Swiss embassy or consulate in India. The process involves downloading the visa application form from the embassy/consulate website and filling it with the necessary details. According to Swiss law, applicants must demonstrate financial means of at least 100 Swiss Francs per day (approximately INR 8,300) for general stays or 30 Swiss Francs or around INR 2,500 per day for students with valid student IDs. To apply for a Visa for trips up to 90 days in Switzerland, you will need recent passport photos, valid Indian passport/travel documents, travel and medical insurance, proof of legal residence, a cover letter with itinerary, flight and accommodation details, civil status proof, and evidence of financial means.

Checkout & Book: London Paris Switzerland Tour Package From India