Country guide · Switzerland
Best places to visit in Switzerland
4 destinations compared, so you can choose where to spend your time.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
For a first trip to Switzerland, start with Geneva: Lake Geneva's jet d'eau, a Calvinist old town and the world's diplomats. Lucerne is the least expensive of the destinations in this guide.
Key facts
- Destinations in this guide
- 4
- Best months overall
- May–September
- Start with
- Geneva
- Least expensive here
- Lucerne
4 places to visit in Switzerland
Best: May–September · 3 days
Geneva
Lake Geneva's jet d'eau, a Calvinist old town and the world's diplomats
Best: June–September · 4 days
Interlaken
Gateway to the Jungfrau region between two turquoise Alpine lakes
Best: May–June and September · 3 days
Lucerne
Covered wooden bridges, lake steamers and Alpine peaks a boat ride away
Compare the destinations
| Destination | Known for | Best time | Ideal stay | Mid-range per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | Jet d'Eau and United Nations | May–September | 3 days | $280–$450 |
| Interlaken | Jungfraujoch and Lauterbrunnen valley | June–September | 4 days | $260–$450 |
| Lucerne | Kapellbrücke and Lake Lucerne steamers | May–June and September | 3 days | $250–$420 |
| Zurich | Lake Zurich and Bahnhofstrasse | May–September | 3 days | $280–$450 |
When to visit Switzerland
Across these destinations the most reliable months are May–September. Timing still varies by place: Geneva is best in May–September; Interlaken is best in June–September; Lucerne is best in May–June and September.
Signature dishes across Switzerland
| Destination | Try first | Also try |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva | Perch fillets | Longeole and Lake whitefish |
| Interlaken | Rösti | Cheese fondue and Cheese toast |
| Lucerne | Lucerne vol-au-vent | Alpine macaroni and Lake perch and whitefish |
| Zurich | Zurich-style veal | Rösti and Cheese fondue |
Events through the year in Switzerland
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Interlaken: Lauberhorn ski races in Wengen (usually mid-January) |
| February | Interlaken: Ice Magic ice rink on the Höhematte (usually December to February); Lucerne: Lucerne Fasnacht — carnival with Guggenmusik bands, starting on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday (February or early March) |
| March | Lucerne: Lucerne Fasnacht in years when Easter falls late (usually February or early March) |
| April | Zurich: Sechseläuten — guild parade and burning of the Böögg snowman (usually the third Monday of April) |
| May | Lucerne: Rowing regattas on the Rotsee (late spring to early summer) |
| June | Geneva: Bol d'Or Mirabaud — major sailing regatta on the lake (usually June); Interlaken: Greenfield rock festival at the Interlaken airfield (usually June) |
| July | Interlaken: Swiss National Day celebrations (1 August); Lucerne: Blue Balls Festival — music by the lake (usually July) |
| August | Geneva: Swiss National Day — celebrations and fireworks (1 August); Interlaken: Swiss National Day fireworks and bonfires (1 August) |
| September | Geneva: Jeûne genevois — local public holiday when bakeries sell plum tarts (Thursday after the first Sunday of September); Interlaken: Jungfrau Marathon from Interlaken to Kleine Scheidegg (usually September) |
| October | Lucerne: SwissCityMarathon Lucerne (usually late October) |
| November | Geneva: Geneva International Film Festival (usually early November); Lucerne: Lucerne Blues Festival (usually November) |
| December | Geneva: L'Escalade — costumed parade, a city run and chocolate cauldrons (usually the weekend nearest 11–12 December); Interlaken: Christmas market in Interlaken (usually December) |
How far apart they are
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva | Interlaken | 142 km |
| Geneva | Lucerne | 190 km |
| Geneva | Zurich | 224 km |
| Interlaken | Lucerne | 53 km |
| Interlaken | Zurich | 92 km |
| Lucerne | Zurich | 40 km |
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I go on my first trip to Switzerland?
Geneva: Geneva sits at the south-western tip of Lake Geneva, where the Rhône flows out of the lake, with France wrapped around most of the canton. The 140-metre Jet d'Eau marks the harbour, the hilltop Old Town climbs around…
+When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
Generally May–September, though it varies by region.