Choose from 99 Fun Things to Do in Switzerland
ShowingFilter 21-40 of 99 listings.
Felsenegg
A cable car takes nature lovers in five minutes from Adliswil to Felsenegg, a view point on the Albis mountain range. It is one of Zürich’s most popular recreation areas and at 800 meters, you have a breathtaking view over Lake Zürich, the small towns lining the shores and the towering, snow-capped mountains in the distance. Numerous walking and hiking trails as well as a restaurant on the summit serve as an escape from the hectic everyday life. From Uetliberg for example, the Planetenweg, a planet trail that reflects the distances in the solar system, leads to Felsenegg. Every meter of the path corresponds with one million kilometers in space and the two-hour walk takes hikers from the sun past planets – little metal spheres embedded in boulders - all the way to Pluto.
Just 20 meters from where Pluto can be found, the bright red Restaurant Felsenegg awaits, where you can get a drink on the patio and enjoy the view over the Sihl Valley, Türler Lake and the Säuliamt district. While the views are spectacular during the day, don’t hesitate to visit at night either, when the sprawling city of Zürich can be seen spreading out as a sea of light in the darkness.
Practical Info
It is very easy to get from Zürich to the Felsenegg lookout point. First, take the S4 train for 15 minutes to Adliswil, from where signs guide the short way to the cable car station. The cable car runs every day from 8:05am to 9:50pm in summer and from 9:05am to 8:05pm in winter.
Address: Switzerland
Hours: Summer: 8:05am-9:50pm, Winter: 9:05am-8:05pm
From $ 60
Geneva EthnograMuseum (Mus ee d'ethnographie de Genève)
The Geneva Ethnography Museum (Musée d'ethnographie de Genève) holds the largest ethnographic collection in Switzerland–its 80,000 objects and 300,000 documents are beautifully arranged in exhibits highlighting all parts of the world. With rotating exhibitions, an extensive anthropology library and an upstairs gallery featuring music from around the globe, there is enough material to interest an expert and entertain those taking a look around. Though most of the descriptions are in French, the new museum is worth a visit, having reopened in 2014 in an iconic, Swiss-designed pavilion reminiscent of an Asian-style pagoda.
Though the building looks small, its peaked roof gives way to huge exhibition spaces below. The permanent exhibition covers two rooms and is free to enter, while the temporary exhibition changes yearly and is paid for. A tour of both is a good way to spend an hour in the city, with less people around in the morning.
Visitors with a Geneva Pass can enter both exhibitions for free, with the added benefit of unlimited public transportation and admission to over 40 other attractions, including Geneva's Natural History Museum and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
Insider’s Tip: Whatever you do at the Geneva Ethnography Museum, plan for a stop at the Marie Madeleine Lancoux library. The all-white room is filled with books and daylight, its diamond-shaped windows illuminating the high-arched ceilings and all 45,000 books.
Practical Info
Geneva Ethnography Museum is located on boulevard Carl-Vogt. It’s just an eight-minute walk from Plainpalais tram station (lines 12 and 15) and also from a parking lot on Avenue Henri-Dunnant (rates are 1 CHF per every half hour). The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm, but it’s closed on Monday. Admission to the permanent collection is free; admission to the temporary exhibits costs 9 CHF.
Address: 65 boulevard Carl-Vogt, Geneva 1205, Switzerland
Hours: Tues–Sun: 11am–6pm; Closed Monday.
Admission: Varies
From $ 27
Geneva Contemporary Art Centre (Centre d'Art Contemporain Genève)
Established in 1974, the Geneva Contemporary Art Center was the first contemporary art institution in the French speaking part of Switzerland. Designed as a space for production, research and experimentation, it has no permanent collection but instead has hosted more than 300 temporary exhibitions since its founding. The center is known for discovering new talent and introducing emerging Swiss and international artists to Geneva and the rest of the country. It shares space with the Centre de la Photographie Geneve, the Musee d’Art Moderne et Contemporain and the Fonds d’Art Contemporain and features a 1,000-square meter exhibition space, a cinema, an artist’s residency, a library and a children’s workshop.
Practical Info
The Geneva Contemporary Art Center is in the heart of the city, about a 20-minute walk from the historical center. It is also easily accessible by public transportation. Take bus 1 to the Ecole-Medecine stop or bus 2 or 19 to the Musee d’ethnographie or Bains stops. You can also take tram 12 to Plainpalais or tram 15 to Cirque.
Address: Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 10, Geneva, Switzerland
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm
Admission: 5 CHF; free on first Sunday of each month
From $ 27
English Garden (Jardin Anglais)
Some 20 percent of Geneva is covered in parks, of which the most popular is the English Garden, or Jardin Anglais. Boasting a superb position on Lake Geneva, this space has served as a prime meeting point for locals and tourists alike since 1854, its grand trees, stately fountains and sculptures of the city's noteworthy artists evoking the elegance of an unhurried age. A bandstand hosts concerts in the warmer months.
A national monument commemorating Geneva joining the Swiss Confederation in 1814 is another highlight, while the star attraction of over 50 years is the floral clock, one of the city's best-known symbols. These days, it's a delightfully eccentric display, with the passing of time marked not only by the hands but also by the seasonal flowers that make up the arrangement. And at around 2.5 yards, the second hand is the longest in the world.
Practical Info
As central as it gets, the Jardin Anglais is situated where the Pont du Mont Blanc alights on the southern shore. It’s a short downhill walk from the Old Town.
Address: Quai du Général-Guisan, Geneva 1204, Switzerland
Admission: Free
From $ 65
Harder Kulm
Interlaken’s nearest mountain, sandwiched between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Harder Kulm is the easiest way to get a taste of the Bernese Alps without having to don your hikers. An eight-minute ride on the funicular railway – a modern version of the carriages that have traversed the 1,322-meter summit for the past 100 years - will land you at the top, affording staggering views over the neighboring mountains on the breathtaking ascent.
The dramatic vistas might be the mountain’s biggest selling point – best viewed from the garden terrace of the mountaintop castle-cum-restaurant or by gawping through the glass floor of the vertigo-inducing Two Lakes Bridge – but there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Spot ibex in the Alpine Wildlife Park, let the kids loose in the playground, enjoy the easy 1.5-hour circular Theme Trail or stick around until dusk when regular folklore evenings take over the mountaintop. Serious hikers have plenty of options for working up a sweat too – a number of trekking routes run along the mountain and climbers can always forgo the funicular in favor of a challenge.
The dramatic vistas might be the mountain’s biggest selling point – best viewed from the garden terrace of the mountaintop castle-cum-restaurant or by gawping through the glass floor of the vertigo-inducing Two Lakes Bridge – but there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Spot ibex in the Alpine Wildlife Park, let the kids loose in the playground, enjoy the easy 1.5-hour circular Theme Trail or stick around until dusk when regular folklore evenings take over the mountaintop. Serious hikers have plenty of options for working up a sweat too – a number of trekking routes run along the mountain and climbers can always forgo the funicular in favor of a challenge.
Address: Switzerland
From $ 27
Geneva Old Town
Geneva’s Old Town (Vieille Ville) contains some of the city’s foremost attractions, including the Barbier-Mueller Museum, the Cathédrale St-Pierre and the Maison Tavel. It is also the site of the International Museum of the Reformation, which underlines Geneva’s importance in the great religious upheavals of the 16th century, particularly through the work of French theologian John Calvin, who lived and preached here.
But this historically significant district offers much more than just indoor pursuits; exploring the area on foot is a pleasure, with a number of the narrow, winding streets closed to traffic and numerous cafes offering refueling stops along the way. The beautiful Place du Bourg-de-Four is the traditional center of the Old Town and a great place to enjoy an early evening drink.
Practical Info
From the main railway station, Gare de Cornavin, take bus number 5 to Palais Eynard and make your way downhill through the Old Town on foot.
Address: Geneva 1204, Switzerland
Admission: Free
From $ 101
HR Giger Museum
Gruyères is a Swiss village world-famous for the production of cheese but this cute little Alpine enclave has an eccentric surprise tucked up its sleeve. Known for surreal and sometimes disturbing paintings, film props, album covers and – most famously – the mechanical monster from Alien, the renowned Swiss artist HR Giger (1940–2014) moved here in 1997, buying the medieval Château St Germain. The following year he opened the world’s biggest collection of his work in a wing of the castle; not for the faint-hearted, this is no ordinary exhibition but a fully immersive adventure on the dark side of art, made all the more striking by the chocolate-box sweetness of the surrounding village.
Among Giger’s weird and macabre SciFi models, props, sketches and drawings for the film sets of Alien, Dune and Poltergeist is some of his graphic erotica, all clearly labeled ‘Adults Only’ and displayed in sepulchral gloom. The exhibition also features a short movie on his life, the Academy Award he won for Alien and artwork from his own private collection, which includes pieces by Ernst Fuchs and Salvador Dalí. Following a tour of the museum, most visitors head to the cavernous Giger-themed bar for a restorative strong drink.
Practical Info
Château St Germain, Gruyères. Open Apr–Oct daily 10am–6pm; Nov–Mar Wed–Fri 1pm–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–6pm. Admission adults CHF 12.50; seniors & students CHF 8.50; children under 18 CHF 4. Best accessed on foot through the pedestrianized village, which can be reached by rail or by car along the E27 motorway, taking the Bulle exit. Some of HR Giger’s work is unsuitable for young children.
Address: Château St Germain, Gruyères, Fribourg, Switzerland 1663, Switzerland
Hours: Open Apr–Oct daily 10am–6pm; Nov–Mar Wed–Fri 1pm–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–6pm
Admission: Adults: CHF 12.50; Children: CHF 4
From $ 13
Glacier Express
The bright-red Glacier Express passes over glaciers, across gorges, and above river valleys through Switzerland’s spectacular mountain scenery. This narrow-gauge line is the only direct service between the exclusive ski resort of Zermatt and chic St. Moritz—and is considered among the most beautiful scenic trains in Europe.
The Basics
The Glacier Express train is fitted with picture windows and glass skylights so passengers can admire the breathtaking scenery of the Swiss Alps along the panoramic route that winds through the cantons of Valais, Uri, and Graubunden. Much of its track runs along and through the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes.” On its 180-mile (290-kilometer) journey, the train makes five stops, passes under 91 tunnels, and goes over 291 bridges and viaducts; its highest point is the Oberalp Pass between Andermatt and Disentis, which sits at 6,667 feet (2,033 meters). You can take a one-way trip in a single day, or stop off at the towns along the way and stay overnight in Zermatt or St. Moritz for a three-day, round-trip journey. To fully appreciate the stunning landscape and easily manage your seat reservation and connections, book a Glacier Express tour and make the trip accompanied by a private guide.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Known as “the slowest express train in the world,” the full journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz takes 7.5 hours.
- Tickets for children between the ages of 6 and 16 are half the adult price; children 5 years old and younger are free.
- Tickets must be booked in advance and seats are reserved.
- Lunch is not included in the ticket price.
- Glacier Express trains are accessible for wheelchair users.
How to Get to There
Most passengers board the Glacier Express at Zermatt or St. Moritz, though you can purchase tickets for shorter sections of the route. From Interlaken, take a train to Brig and board the Glacier Express there; from Lucerne or Zurich, take a train to Chur to make your connection. From Geneva, connect to the Glacier Express in Zermatt.
When to Get There
The Glacier Express service runs daily, with the exception of a few weeks in fall when service is suspended. For lush Alpine scenery, take one of the three trains that depart each morning in the summer. For dramatic winter views, book the one daily departure that runs from December to May.
Other Linked Routes
Additional train lines that link to the Glacier Express route run to Davos in the Engadine, and to the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Bernina Express route to Lugano (via Tirano) on the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore.
Address: Zermatt: MGB Bahnhof Zermatt; St Moritz: Via Grevas, Switzerland
Hours: Hours vary by season.
Admission: Fares vary
From $ 505
Jungfrau Glacier
The Jungfrau, a sky-high saddle in the Swiss Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers jaw-dropping views of the Bernese Oberland’s massive glaciers and snowy peaks. Travel by narrow cog railway to Jungfraujoch and stand on “the Top of Europe” as you gaze out at the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in Europe, and far, far beyond.
The Basics
Visiting Switzerland’s Jungfrau region is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. The journey up the steep Alpine slopes—via a narrow cog railway—is simply exhilarating. Buy a ticket in advance and board the train for a journey that leads you by the foot of the notorious Eiger North Wall and through a mountain tunnel before arriving at the 11,330-foot (3,454-meter) Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station and the setting for the Sphinx Observatory, an international weather research facility. Guided day trips from Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Bern include tickets for the cog train and, in some cases, stops at other scenic spots in Bernese Oberland. Jungfrau Travel Pass holders can ride the cog railway for free.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Jungfrau is covered with ice and snow nearly year-round, even in midsummer. Wear a windproof jacket and bring gloves, a hat, and a scarf.
- Stay hydrated to avoid altitude sickness.
- Book train tickets in advance as they frequently sell out.
- The cog railway and the Jungfraujoch are accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The only way to get up to Jungfraujoch is via the cog mountain train. Board the train from Interlaken Ost, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wilderswil, Wengen, or Kleine Scheidegg. The journey from Interlaken to Jungfrau takes about two hours.
When to Get There
Jungfraujoch is open year-round. July and August are the busiest months. Clouds tend to come in later in the day, so arrive early for the best views.
What to See at the Summit
For the best view from Jungfraujoch, head to the terrace in the Sphinx Observatory. From here you can see the Great Aletsch Glacier, which at 14 miles (23 kilometers) is the largest glacier in the Alps and the longest in all of Europe. Also on view are a crowd of majestic Alpine peaks and—on a clear day—the borderlands of Germany and France. You can also explore the Ice Palace, where intricately carved ice sculptures are on display, and visit the café and souvenir shop.
Address: Switzerland
From $ 97
Geneva Flower Clock
A masterful marriage of horticulture and technology, the Geneva Flower Clock is one of Geneva’s most striking landmarks, a gigantic clock face fashioned from over 6,500 plants and flowers. Located in the picturesque Jardin Anglais (English Garden), the iconic timepiece was built in 1955 in honor of the city’s internationally renowned watchmaking industry and is now one of Geneva’s most photographed sights.
This is no mere monument – the Geneva Flower Clock is also a fully functioning clock, among the largest of its king in the world, with a diameter of 5 meters and a seconds hand reaching over 2.5 meters long. The impressive floral arrangement now features eight dials and is replanted 4 times a year, with local landscapers creating ever-more elaborate designs each time, utilizing seasonal blooms and on-trend color schemes.
This is no mere monument – the Geneva Flower Clock is also a fully functioning clock, among the largest of its king in the world, with a diameter of 5 meters and a seconds hand reaching over 2.5 meters long. The impressive floral arrangement now features eight dials and is replanted 4 times a year, with local landscapers creating ever-more elaborate designs each time, utilizing seasonal blooms and on-trend color schemes.
Address: Flower Clock, Quai du Général-Guisan, Geneva, Switzerland
From $ 65
Glacier 3000
A snow-coated wonderland perched high in the Vaud Alps of Western Switzerland, the Glacier 3000 resort is a one-stop destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Just an hour from Montreux, it offers spectacular mountain views, ample opportunities for hiking and skiing, and a huge range of adrenaline-fueled activities.
The Basics
After riding the cable car to the 9,842-foot (3,000-meter) mountaintop of Glacier 3000, visitors can take in the views from the Botta restaurant and terrace, ride the Ice Express chairlift, and brave the Peak Walk by Tissot, the only mountain peak suspension bridge of its kind in the world. Guided tours run from Montreux, Geneva, and Lausanne, often combined with a stop in the village of Les Diablerets or at viewpoints around Lake Geneva.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Tickets for Glacier 3000 include entrance to the Fun Park, Glacier Walk, the Ice Express chairlift, and the Peak Walk.
- It can be chilly on the mountaintop even in the summer months, so be sure to wear appropriate clothing.
- The cable car and Botta restaurant are both wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
To get to Glacier 3000, take the Ski Bus from the town of Les Diablerets to the cable car station in Col du Pillon. Les Diablerets can be reached by train from Montreux via Aigle, or Gstaad (both around an hour away).
When to Get There
The Glacier 3000 area is open all year-round, aside from a month of annual scheduled maintenance (typically late September to early October). The best time to visit depends on your chosen activities—skiers will want to visit in the winter season (October to May), while some activities, such as the alpine coaster and snow bus, are only open in the summer months (June to September).
Outdoor Adventures at Glacier 3000
Along with more than 16 miles (26 kilometers) of ski and snowboard runs and a snow park, winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing, sledding at the Fun Park, and glacier hiking, while summer visitors can choose from a range of hiking trails or tackle the Via Ferrata climbing route. Other activities include dog sledding, helicopter flights over the glaciers, snow bus rides, and the Alpine Coaster, the world’s highest toboggan run.
To get to Glacier 3000, take the Skibus from the town of Les Diablerets to the cable car station in Col du Pillon. Les Diablerets can be reached from Geneva via Lausanne, Montreux, and Aigle, while it can be reached from Zurich via Bern, Spiez, and Zweisimmen.
Address: Les Diablerets, Switzerland
From $ 81
International Museum of the Reformation
Come learn everything there is to know about Switzerland’s famous 16th century reformation, where theologians like Martin Luther and John Calvin (a Geneva resident) broke off from the Roman Catholic church, effectively eroding the people’s faith in the Papacy and in many of the Catholic doctrines. The International Museum of the Reformation presents the history of Protestantism from its very humble beginnings right here in Geneva, explaining its conception of mankind and the world it lives in through diverse iconography and detailed chronicles, and addresses issues like polemics and various interpretations of the Bible; in fact, the museum is home to over 500 artefacts pertaining to the history of reformation in Geneva, including original scripts penned by Calvin and Luther themselves. An underground passageway even connects the IMR to the archaeological site under Saint-Pierre Cathedral next door, where the vote was taken for the Reformation in Geneva in 1536.
As the Reformation museum is located in the heart of Geneva’s most historic quarter, many city tours will at the very least whizz past it, like this Geneva City Tour or this exhilarating Segway tour of the Old Town.
Insider’s Tip: Don’t miss the Calvin and Geneva room on the main floor, which explains how 16th-century Geneva became a refuge for thousands of exiled Protestants hailing from all parts of Europe, from the Netherlands to Italy and everywhere between.
Practical Info
The International Museum of the Reformation is located in Old Geneva and is very well connected: it is possible to get there by car (as the museum is on a pedestrian street it is not possible to park directly on-site; parking Saint-Antoine is close by on Boulevard Emile-Jaques-Dalcroze and costs 1.- CHF for every 20 minutes), by public transit (trams 12, 14, and 18 at Place de Neuve stop) as well as on foot from most of Geneva’s main attractions. It is open Tuesdays to Sundays between 10am and 5pm.
Address: 4 rue du Cloître, Geneva, Geneva Canton 1204, Switzerland
Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays between 10am and 5pm
From $ 27
Jesuit Church
Lucerne's Jesuit Church is the first expansive baroque church built north of the Alps in Switzerland. It is a beautiful and historical site, emphasizing the Catholic tradition of veneration of saints and visual culture. When the Jesuits brought the Counter Reformation to Lucerne in the 17th century; the elaborate church, dedicated to Francis Xavier, was constructed between 1666 and 1677. Architects from Italy and Austria built what many believe to be the most beautiful Baroque church in Switzerland.
Today, Jesuit Church is a major tourist attraction and often serves as a concert venue while it has almost no role in local church and religious life. The powerful-looking Baroque church features beautiful Roccocco interiors and a vault redecorated in the 18th century.
Practical Info
The Jesuit Church lies next to the Reuss riverbank, extremely close to the Chapel Bridge. It is worth a visit in Lucerne to admire the marble stucco and lovely paintings.
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 11A, Lucerne 6003, Switzerland
From $ 23
Einstein Museum (Einsteinhaus)
Nobel Prize-wining physicist Albert Einstein (1879–1955) resided in a sandstone-fronted second-floor apartment in Bern between 1903 and 1905 while working at the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property. Although he lived and worked in the city for seven years, 1905 was pivotal to his life as he developed his Theory of Relativity, turning scientific perceptions on their heads and laying down the foundations of modern physics. His modest two-room apartment in the heart of Bern’s UNESCO-listed Old Town (Altstadt) is now a museum showcasing his family life with wife Mileva Marić and son Hans Albert.
To celebrate the centenary of Einstein’s life in Bern, the apartment was restored in 2005 to feature period furniture and décor. The suite of rooms feature original family photographs and permit a sneaking glance into the private life as well as the unorthodox genius of one of the world’s brightest intellectuals. On the third floor of the townhouse is an exhibition celebrating Einstein’s many achievements in physics plus a 20-minute video detailing his life in Switzerland.
Practical Info
Located at Kramgasse 49 in Bern, the site is open daily from February to December 10am to 5pm. Adult admission costs CHF 6, while seniors, students, and children under 18 pay CHF 4.50. The museum can be reached on an easy walk from the railway station in under 10 minutes. Otherwise, take trams 6, 7, 8, or 9, or bus No. 12, to the Zytglogge (Clock Tower).
Address: Kramgasse 49, Bern 3000, Switzerland
Hours: Feb–Dec daily 10am–5pm
Admission: Adults: CHF 6; Seniors, students & children aged under 18: CHF 4.50
From $ 103
Grimsel Pass
Locals know that Grimsel Pass has a sacred place in Swiss history, as traders once rode donkeys along the dangerous paths of Grimsel to transport local cheese to far flung regions of the country. This painstakingly beautiful wild mountain road connects Goms in Valais to the Hasli Valley in the Bernese Oberland. Travelers who venture along Grimsel Pass will bear witness to rugged granite cliffs, towering snow-capped peaks, crystal clear reservoirs and plenty of lush green foliage. And while the pass is home to some of the country’s main power producing plants, visitors will find that much of the land still remains untouched.
Travelers can hike the two-hour loop around a man-made lake and absorb the breathtaking wonder of the surrounding beauty or hop aboard the aerial cable car from Handeck to Gerstenegg and take it all in from above. And those who are interested in the powerhouse facilities can register for guided tours that start in Innnerkirchen.
Practical Info
Grimsel Pass closes during poor weather in the winter months; however, the cable car still functions for skiers in pursuit of perfect powder. While the pass’s beauty is undeniable, the northern side of Grimsel is scattered with power lines and reservoir walls that can interrupt an otherwise incredible view.
Address: Grimsel Pass, Switzerland
From $ 174
Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory
Named for the rocky crag it perches upon, the Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory was built in 1937 and stands 384 ft (117 m) above the Jungfraujoch–Top of Europe railway station. Starring on the silver screen, the Sphinx is a futuristic hub made of steel and glass, containing a weather observation station, laboratories and a vast telescope. Thanks to the clarity of the air up at 11,716 ft (3,571 m), top names in science and meteorology are attracted to work there and their living quarters are also in the building. Although the observatory is closed to visitors, its panoramic terraces were opened to the public in 1996 and are reached by foot tunnel and high-speed elevator from Top of Europe.
The 360° views from the Sphinx open out onto a year-round winter wonderland of snow-clad Swiss Alps spanning the Eiger and peaks in France, Germany and Italy. The summit of the Jungfrau stretches up behind the observatory and the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed Aletsch Glacier, which is the longest in the Alps at 13.75 miles (22 km), lies at its foot, icy blue and glittering in the sun.
There are few visitor facilities at the Sphinx, but a choice of restaurants and the Eispalast (Ice Palace) at Top of Europe. Also it gets cold up there, so take gloves, hat, warm clothes and sturdy footwear.
Practical Info
3801 Fieschertal, Interlaken. Open 9am–4.15pm daily, the observatory is reached by the cogwheel railway via Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch–Top of Europe. Ticket prices start from CHF 102 one way (less with a Swiss Half Fare Card) and admission to the Sphinx is included in the price. Trains run every half hour from 6.35am until 4.35pm, with the journey taking 2.5 hours.
Address: 3801 Fieschertal, Interlaken, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
Hours: daily 9am–4.15pm
Admission: train tickets start at CHF 102. All admissions are included in the price.
From $ 236
First Cliff Walk
Seeming to defy gravity, the First Cliff Walk by Tissot is a metal walkway desperately clinging to the cliffside in Switzerland’s Jungfrau region. The suspension bridge and viewing platform offer adventurous travelers heart-racing views over the Alps and give the ethereal sensation of flying over the valleys below.
The Basics
Perched above the village of Grindelwald, on the edge of famous Eiger mountain, the First Cliff Walk is not an activity for the faint of heart. It is accessed via an Alpine gondola that swings up through the hills to the station at Grindelwald-First. From there, you can walk out along the dizzying suspended path to the viewing platform that stretches 147 feet (45 meters) out into open space over a sheer drop below. The views are as breathtaking as the experience getting to them. For an added thrill, try the nearby zipline or book a full-day adventure tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- First Cliff Walk is ideal for adventure travelers.
- Entry to the cliff walk is included with a paid gondola ticket.
- There’s an on-site restaurant and souvenir shop as well as bathroom facilities.
- The narrow and unstable walk is not accessible to wheelchairs.
How to Get There
The First Cliff Walk is located at the gondola station of Grindelwald-First, on the lower slopes of Eiger in the Swiss Alps. It’s accessible by car or train from Bern or Zurich to Grindelwald, and then by transfer to the gondola.
When to Get There
The walk has seasonal opening hours aligned with the gondola’s operating hours. It is generally open from 8am to 6pm April to August, 8am to 5pm in September, and 8am to 4:30pm in October. It may also be open from late November to March during ski season, but check before visiting.
Visit Grindelwald Village
Surrounded by Eiger’s north face on one side and Wetterhorn on the other, Grindelwald is a classic example of an Alpine village. In winter it serves as a popular ski resort, and in summer it becomes the base for walking and mountain biking holidays in the Jungfrau region. With wooden Swiss chalets, cosy cafés and restaurants, and impressive scenery, it’s a must-visit destination for travelers coming to the region.
Address: 3818 Grindelwald, Grindelwald, Swiss Alps, Switzerland
Admission: Varies
From $ 195
Furka Pass
The Furka Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps that reaches a high of nearly 2500 meters above sea level. Considered one of the best drives in Europe, it connects the town of Gletsch in Valais with the town of Realp in Uri. The pass may be best known as the site of a memorable car chase scene in the James Bond film, Goldfinger. A drive along the pass starts from Gletsch with a few tight switchbacks before turning into a long path along the rock face of the valley for about six kilometers, providing scenic views of the surrounding area. The road then gets steeper toward the top of the pass and the route down the other side is quite narrow and steep.
The pass also brings visitors within a few hundred meters of the Rhone Glacier, the source of the Rhone River. Stopping at the Hotel Belvedere, just short of the top of the pass, is a good opportunity to walk to the glacier, just two minutes from the hotel. Don’t miss the glacier grotto, an ice chamber that is built anew each year.
Before starting out, visitors may want to check out the short nature hike near Gletsch that provides information about the pre-glacier era. Also in Gletsch is the train station for the Furka steam train to Realp.
Practical Info
The Furka Pass is part of a three pass ride that includes the Furka, Grimsel and Susten Passes. Visitors can ride over the pass by car, mountain bike, motorbike or by the Alpine PostBus. There is also a steam train that runs from Gletsch to Realp.
Address: Switzerland
Hours: Open May-Oct
From $ 505
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
The Red Cross is one of the numerous international bodies associated with Geneva. This museum pursues its progress from the mid-19th century, when local businessman Henry Dunant first conceived of a transnational group which would help the afflicted in times of need. The chronologically arranged exhibits follow this great humanitarian organization through the unparalleled destruction of the 20th century to the present day, where the Red Cross (or Red Crescent in Muslim countries) represents a banner of hope in trouble spots and scenes of natural disaster the world over.
Exhibits tell the story through text, video, sound, interactive displays, as well as an archive of some seven million index cards documenting prisoners of war, a testament to the ideals of the Geneva Convention. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, also known as the Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, is a monument to humanity’s best impulses in the face of its worst.
Exhibits tell the story through text, video, sound, interactive displays, as well as an archive of some seven million index cards documenting prisoners of war, a testament to the ideals of the Geneva Convention. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, also known as the Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, is a monument to humanity’s best impulses in the face of its worst.
Practical Info
From the main Gare de Cornavin train station, take bus number 8, destination OMS or Appia, and alight at Appia bus stop.
Address: 17 Avenue de la Paix, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
Hours: Closed Tuesdays
From $ 27
Freddie Mercury Memorial
Standing nearly 10 feet tall on the lovely lakeside promenade in Montreux – the home of the second-largest jazz festival in the world – and gazing over to the foothills of the Alps in the distance, the Freddie Mercury Memorial has become a place of pilgrimage for die-hard Queen fans. Larger than life, made of bronze and always adorned with garlands and flowers, his statue was created by Czech sculptor Irena Sedlecka and placed in this spot in 1996, as a celebration of the iconic pop star who made Montreux his home and whose band recorded seven albums at Mountain Studios, which they eventually bought.
Freddie died of AIDs in 1991, and on the Montreux waterfront he is now remembered in a typically flamboyant stance, arms outstretched and head flung back, emulating his pose on the cover of the last Queen album, Made in Heaven. The statue looks particularly dramatic in the evening hours, as the setting sun creates a colorful backdrop. A memorial day dedicated to Freddie is held annually in Montreux on the first weekend in September.
Practical Info
Located at Place du Marché, the memorial is free to visit and best accessed on foot.
Address: Place du Marché, Montreux 1820, Switzerland
From $ 163