Amazing touristic alpine village with famous church and Staubbach waterfall, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, Europe
Why do you need an “Ultimate 10-Day Switzerland Travel Itinerary” before you die??? Because I know you will use it someday. I’ll tell you why!!!!! Have you ever seen any photos from Switzerland and wondered if they are fake and probably photoshopped??!! Bet you say yes!! I had the same opinion until I visited Switzerland, and I am telling you, IT IS REAL!!!!! That’s why you need to keep an “Ultimate 10-Day Switzerland Travel Itinerary” handy.
I could not believe my eyes, therefore, I named Switzerland as “Fairyland” and will provide you the “Ultimate 10-Day Switzerland Travel Itinerary.
Below will be the highlights, tips and my experiences shared with you.
Switzerland is one of the most attracting tourist destinations in Europe specially if you are a nature lover. Very tiny country which you can drive from one side to the other side of the country in just few hours. Beside renting a car, Switzerland has one of the most complete railroad system, because you can absolutely go anywhere with trains, even tiny small country areas and villages on top of the mountains.
Now, sit tight nature lovers and read carefully, I will mention some of the must see places and activities of Switzerland, specially if you like to do some adventures in the nature.
If you don’t have 10 days to be in Switzerland, check out the post on Must STOPS in a 3-Day Trip to Switzerland.
Switzerland
Editors pick:
If I have to pick my top 3 favorite locations in Switzerland, here are my absolute picks:
1- Lauterbrunnen
2- Zermatt
3- Interlaken
Ultimate 10-day Travel Itinerary for Switzerland
Day 1 - Zurich
Niederdof and Oberdorf neighborhoods
Arriving at Zurich International Airport. Start the Switzerland Travel itinerary by exploring the Zurich city. Zurich has some interesting places to see, from walking experience in Niederdof and Oberdorf neighborhoods which streets are parallel to Limmat River. Area offers beautiful historic places to walk and many cute and tiny shops, bars and cafes.
Bahnhofstrasse and the Bahnhof
Welcome to this luxury area, because this street is the most expensive place to own a store by area in the entire Europe. Offers super luxury brands and most of the famous Swiss Watch brands. We explored it around late afternoon and evening and it was amazing. The street continues to Bahnhof train station.
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Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich is right across the historic neighborhoods, which stretches several miles. Home of so many relaxing places by the lake to refresh your mind with cool and clear water. We met a nice family with kids that they were enjoying painting by the river. We made a stop and kids did painting together and had fun.
Day 2 and 3 : Lucerne and day trips from Lucerne
If you need to explore the Lucerne, you need several days but I will tell you what places you must see.
Mount Titlis
Day 2 & 3 of our “Ultimate 10-Day Switzerland Travel Itinerary”. Mount Titlis is on our list which is famous for its all year-round snow capped peak. To get there, you will take the cable car in Engelberg.
The cable car has several stop stations at different elevations and each one offers something unique. Once you take the lift to the top, you can play in the snow, explore the Glacier cave, explore the Ice flyer lift to go to the heart of the snow, even do snow tubing, that’s right!!! In the middle of SUMMER!
There are plenty of activities for kids in visiting center, including playgrounds, small lakes to enjoy taking paddle boats, and beautiful meadows with many animals. Kids would love it
Mount Pilatus
This is another destination to enjoy winter activity in the SUMMER!!!! Tubing, sledding, snow playground. To get there, you need to drive to the cable car station or take a bus from Lucerene.
Lake Lucerne
You don’t want to miss this spectacular area, even if you don’t have time, try to find few hours to take two hour cruise boat which goes to the end of the Lake and come back to Lucerne city. The views of mountains, clear water and houses on each side of the lake is so appealing to your eyes. Don’t forget to pack food or snack for kids.
Day 4 and 5: Interlaken and Lake Brienz, Jungfraujoch
Why it’s called Interlaken? This is a cute little town is located between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. Start you day with driving to Giessbach falls, this historic and beautiful Giessbach hotel which is built on the mountain top and faces the Lake Brienz.
Giessbach fall has more than 10 different cascade levels and with less than 10 minute walk, you can walk by and behind the fall and enjoy the pure freshness. Water has a good quality, you may want to fill up some of your bottles.
Lake Brienz and Lake Thun
After visiting Giessbach Falls and the historic hotel and enjoying the view of Lake Brienz from the top, drive on the north shore of both lakes from Interlaken to Thun then you will see incredible scene of the lake Thun and the mountains, so enjoy half a day or so as a picnic or lunch time by the Lake Brienz.
The source of the lake is the glacier water and the sediments in the glacier water makes the color of the lake to be turquoise. The color is very similar to the glacier lakes in Banff and Jasper National parks in Alberta province of Canada. Even in the summer, however the water is a bit chilly but unbelievably refreshing if you dare to take a dip.
Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is also called: Top of Europe, because this is a the highest in elevation among the train stations. You can get there from Lauterbrunen or Grindelwald. Grindelwald is somewhat between Interlaken and Lauterbrunen. It is not a cheap adventure but for sure it is worth of every penny.
The last train trip is about 45 minutes and you will see some scene that you only would see in your dreams. Snow activities in Summer, multiple restaurants and a lift that would take you up to the 360 degree Sphinx observatory. Be sure to check the local weather to pick a suitable day, as the most sunniest day is the best day for exploring Jungfraujoch.
Day 6 and 7: Lauterbrunnen
There is no doubt, this area deserves several days. If your schedule is tight, then I highly recommend to allocate at least two days of your “Ultimate 10-Day Switzerland Travel Itinerary”. Lauterbrunnen is probably the most picturesque area of Switzerland. Lauterbrunnen is a small town located in the valley of Swiss Alps.
You will see several falls pouring down the cliffs from hundreds of feet above and has more than 70 waterfalls, miles of miles of hiking trails with different difficulty levels, mountain bike trail and much more, therefore this place has been my most favorite place to hike.
Lauterbrunnen can easily compete with other amazing hikes we did around the world, like table mountain hike in South Africa, Highland trail in Glacier National Park, Lake Louise hike in Banff national park and Amalfi coast in Italy.
The Lauterbrunnen village also offers cute, charming stores and restaurants and so many options for accommodations.
We did over 10 miles hike each day. You can take the cable to go top of the mountain and there is a train that you can take to go to the village. You will pass meadows, forests and you can hike up the mountain. This trail is one of the most beautiful hikes we have ever done in our life.
Day 8 and 9: Zermatt
For our day 8 and 9 of “Ultimate 10-Day Switzerland Travel Itinerary”, we will explore Zermatt. From Lauterbrunen to Zermatt, you have to cross the Swiss Alps mountains.
How to get to Zermatt and what to do!!
Since we were driving, we had to go through a tunnel, which was the most unusual tunnel ever. Why? Because, at the beginning of the tunnel, a specific train was pulling hundreds of cars and at the same time, across the tunnel, for over 45 minutes, to get through the Swiss Alps.
If you are driving, the closest you can get to Zermatt is Täsch. From there, you will park your car and take a 15 min ride train to Zermatt.
Zermatt is also very unique in its own specific way because no cars are allowed to drive in Zermatt. So the best way to get to the town is take a train from Täsch. That makes Zermatt so charming, relaxing to take a walking tour with no noise and distraction of the cars.
Zermatt is full of cute stores, restaurants and hotels and I highly recommend you to try its famous Swiss made chocolate stores. The nature in Zermatt is stunning. If you hike in the Zermatt area, you will remember it for the rest of your life! Zermatt also offers lifts to the different elevations of Swiss Alps.
Have you ever heard the name of Matterhorn? If not, I bet you have seen the picture of it. Where? On Toblerone Chocolate wrapping! And guess what? If you like to see that mountain peek by your eyes, Zermatt is the only place on the planet to give you this possibility!
Day 10: Lake Geneva, Bern......... Return to Zurich
Are you ready to return to Zurich and leave this amazing country? How about visiting other attractions on your way? If you say yes, head to Montreux. Cute little town by Geneva Lake which gives you a peaceful view of the Lake Geneva. Spend an hour or so in this beautiful area and then head to city of BERN.
The capital city of Switzerland. You would not have plenty of time if you are planning to continue heading to Zurich, but you will have definitely 2-3 hours to spend and there are plenty of thing to see and do. Pick anything you wish. Do your research to see if you like to spend a night or more and explore more in Bern.
If you happened to stay more in Bern, then you will love this city and would like to live there for few years. The city is built on sandstone ridge with abundance of attractions. From Einstein Haus to Zytglogg clock tower and much more. That’s right, You can see where Albert Einstein lived from 1902 to 1905.
10 minutes train ride will get you to Mooseedorf village where you can enjoy the Moossee Lake.
Gurten is another fantastic activity. South of Bern, also called Peak of bern, this over 2500 feet (850 m) high mountain gives you a 360 degree view of the bar, valley and river and the Three Lake Region. It has several family friendly and kids activities and by climbing the old tower, your view will be get better.
There are so many other museums, gardens and even a Bear Park to explore in Bern. So your “Ultimate 10-Day Switzerland travel Itinerary” will be completed.
Tips and Useful Information
– When it comes to pick transportation system, go with train. Why? As an American, we use to think driving is way more comfortable, but seeing the public transportation in Switzerland convinced us that train is the way to go. You will not have any limitation on where you want to go, and on the plus side you will also get lots of benefits and discounts visiting many of facilities.
– Wake up early to skip lines. In many popular tourist attractions, if you don’t go super early you will spend lots of time waiting in line.
Here is the map to this itinerary.Click on the picture for google map.
