Where to begin when planning your trip to Switzerland? There is so much to see and do, so many stunning locations to visit and lots and lots of outdoor activities – it can be overwhelming to know where to start when trying to etch out an itinerary!

Me and my boys have been coming to Switzerland in the summer for over 6 years now, and I have compiled a list of our favourite places to visit, giving an overview on what we love about them to help you to narrow it down.

Lauterbrunnen Valley

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is a special place,  with soaring cliffs cutting a narrow valley through the Bernese region of the Alps.

There are an amazing 72 waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen Valley, the most easy to find, and the most recognisable, is  Stubbach Falls; from the small town of Lauterbrunnen you can follow the picturesque trail right past the thundering waterfall.

There is so much to do here – we have had great experiences on walks, bike rides, cable car rides, and more in Lauterbrunnen.

Fronalpstock

Fronalpstock is a mountain in Switzerland, accessible by chair lift from the village of Stoos. The main view point is fenced and safe for small children, with a restuarant, picnic area and playground

There is also the Stoos ridge line walk, which is an amazing panoramic walk that is suitable for older kids, which offers amazing uninterrupted views of the alps.

Grindelwald First

Grindelwald is another must visit town on a trip to Switzerland! It’s located high up in the mountains- the drive up to the town on  the twisty turning mountain path is scenic in its own right, and once you get to Grindelwald, it does not disappoint, with the towering mountains of the Eiger and Monch (and many more) towering over you as soon as you exit the car or train!

Grindelwald is an enjoyable tourist town, with mountain equipment stores and souvenir shops as well as numerous cafes and restaurants, but the real gem here is the mountain station of Grindelwald First. Highlights apart from the amazing views include activities such as riding the flying fox, mountain carting track,  trottibiking ( a cross between a scooter and a bike) not to mention a restaurant and playground, and this is also the startpoint for a short walk (suitable for kids) to the gorgeous Bachalpsee Lake.  This is also a good spot for watching all the paragliders setting up and running off the edge of the mountain! We all thought that was pretty cool.

Trummelbach Falls

Trummelbach falls is not your average waterfall. Located in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, this unique and breathtaking waterfall is a must see- it is the only accessible waterfall of this kind in the world. Photos really do not do it justice and it has to be experienced in person to appreciate the magnitude of the powerful water tumbling through the rocks.

Tons of water power through the mountain, the sheer force of it carving multiple waterfalls within the rock; it really is a totally awe-inspiring spectacle.

The noise of the water rushing through narrow tunnels and spilling over the crevasses is deafening, and splashes from the falls create rainbows and prisms reflected in the mist. You can get a lift inside the mountain up to the highest point and then walk down the steps to see each waterfall,  viewing 10 waterfalls in total that are visible.

There are areas inside that are dark (although it is dimly lit), and the floors and steps are wet and can be slippy- anyone with mobility problems bear that in mind. You also have to be over the age of 4 to enter for safety reasons.

Schynige Platte

Head to Wilderswill Station and get the cog wheel train up to Schynige Platte. This was honestly one of the best things we did on our last trip to Switzerland, and I can’t wait to experience it again when we go back this year.

The old-fashioned carriages are a novelty, the train goes slow and steep, and as it climbs, the views become so spectacular. When you reach the end of the line, Schynige Platte Station, you are rewarded with uninterrupted views of the alps and the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch mountains.

It’s a short 5 minute walk up hill to the cafe and restaurant, complete with play area. This is also the start of a short wildflower trail, suitable for younger kids, as well as the start of some serious walks – you will probably share the train up with lots of hikers.

The boys loved the playground area so much I was able to complete the Panorama Trail ( 2 hours approx), I left the boys with James, and they played quite happily the whole time! I think the kids would have  managed the walk, though, had it not been quite so hot (30c). My youngest was only 4, so might have struggled a bit at the time, but now, with some more walking experience and being 5.5, I think he will smash it when we go back!

Schilthorn

The Shilthorn is a impressive and accessible mountain near to Lauterbrunnen, the gondola is located at Stechelberg (only 5k away), you can walk or ride along the paved trail through the valley from Lauterbrunnen town, or take the road and drive there.

From Stechelberg, you take the gondola up to the top (Piz Gloria) for the restaurant, shop, and AMAZING mountain views! I really felt like I had cheated and got the same views as if I had summitted a mountain!

It is expensive to get to the top and back, but you can if you like pay less to get off at one of the stops before Piz Gloria; either Gimmelwald, Murren, or Birg.

Gimmelwald and Murren are lovely stops (keep reading for details), and Birg is the location for a thrill walk ( which is free) – glass bottom walkways and an observation deck.

Gimmelwald

The first time we visited Gimmelwald was by accident as we weren’t paying attention to what gondola station we needed to get off at!

Gimmelwald is the first station on the Shilthorn/ Piz Gloria gondola, and it’s well worth the stop.  It’s a tiny mountian hamlet, which is unbelievably quaint and awesome mountains views – they seem so massive in front of you and really dwarf you- it’s a totally different perspective than from higher up the mountain.

There is a little play park as soon as you step off the gondola, which is great for little kids and there is also a hostel and pub serving drinks and pizza, a really cute honesty shop and a couple of places selling local produce from there homes- and that’s it!

It’s so quiet and pretty, it’s like quintessential postcard Switzerland. We loved it and got some great photos and relaxed in the park with the boys and had a short stroll down the main street.

Murren

Murren is a gorgeous mountain village, which is the second stop on the gondola from Stechelberg on the Shilthorn Mountain.

Just walking the quiet streets, stopping in the cafe for a coffee, browsing the shops, and admiring the views is an absolute joy. We have been here to visit the village and to take a walk, and on another visit, we took the funicular railway from Murren up to Allemendhubel, which is an amazing view point, playground and recreation area in the mountains. It’s a great one with the kids.

Our boys were entertained for hours in the large play area with tunnels and a water play labyrinth,as well as a flower activity trail to complete.

As always, the views were out of this world and vistas of the bernese alps, glaciers and the Eiger, Monch, and Junfrau mountains were spectacular.

Lake Thun and Lake Brienz

The town of Interlaken sits in between two large beautiful lakes- Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Each Lake has its own character and are equally as beautiful; we love to visit both, and the clear, clean waters of both lakes are perfect for swimming.

Lake Thun is the best Lake to drive around. It has a stunning road that hugs the lakeside, and a scenic drive here is a must. There are lots of places to stop for a swim, walk or to enjoy the view. St Beatus Caves, located on Lake Thun, is definitely a great day trip in the area, with extensive underground caves, bridges, and waterfalls.

Lake Brienz has crystal clear waters that look turquoise in the sunshine, its the largest of the two lakes, and resembles a Norwegian ford with steep montain slopes towering on each side of the lake. We enjoy the  lovely promenade with deck chairs, a swimming area, and play equipment along the shoreline.

There are a few nice cafes, restaurants and gardens here – it’s a lovely place for a nice lunch when you are visiting the area.

Aare Schultz

Aaer Schultz, (Aare Gorge) is a spectacular gorge you can walk along on a cliff side path that has been carved out of the rock, over tunnels, and on footbridges’.

You can see the amazing colour of the glacial waters and waterfalls that flow from the gorge – it really is stunning and a must-see!

We have been on a rainy day and a sunny day – we were advised is a good excursion for a rainy day in Switzerland as the water flows faster and the waterfalls are more impressive, and you alre also protected from the rain as you are under underhanging rocks for a lot of the time.

All this is true and we had a great time however we decided to return to see this wonderful place when it is sunny, as the turquoise colour of the water is stunning in the bright light.

We started on the eest side entrance (Meiringen side), which has a large visitors centre, cafe and a big play area for the kids.

The East side has a small cafe and shop area and limited parking. You can choose any side to start the walk. We started on the west side and simply walked back along the gorge to get back to the car. If you started on the east side, the playground on the westside would be a nice half way reward for the kids.

Lots of people combine this with a trip to the nearby Reichenbach Falls.

Oschininsee

This famous lake is a real stunner and comes highly reccomended for a day trip in Switzerland. Oschininsee can not be reached by car. Park your vehicle at the station and et the cable car to the upper mountains station, and it is an easy, relatively flat 25-minute walk to the lake side.

It is perhaps the most beautiful lake we have ever seen, with snow-capped mountains enclosing it in a circle, the water is a stunning blue and perfect for swimming.

We spent all day here playing in the water, walking in the forest around the shore and hiking up to the magnificent viewpoint in the mountains.

They have boats available to hire and a cafe and restaurant up here aswell.

Zermatt

Nothing says Switzerland  like this iconic mountain – Zermatt is the place to go to see the most distintive of peaks, the Matterhorn. This maginicent mountajn overlooks this charming Swiss village, where you can take the Gornergrat Railway for stunning panoramic views or visit the Matterhorn Museum to dive into the region’s mountaineering history. There are lots of places to walk or ride to enjoy the incredible alpine scenery.

Ticino

The Ticino region in Switzerland is a unique blend of Swiss and Italian culture. Known for its sunny climate and stunning landscapes, Ticino boasts picturesque towns, sparkling lakes, and lush mountains. Explore the charming streets of Lugano and Locarno, enjoy boat rides on Lake Maggiore, and discover the enchanting castles of Bellinzona. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the numerous hiking and biking trails, while the local cuisine, rich with Italian flavours, is a real highlight.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a blend ofhistorical charm and plenty of activities for all ages. Nestled by the stunning Lake Lucerne and surrounded by mountains, the town offers picturesque views and a cozy atmosphere. Families can stroll across the iconic Chapel Bridge, explore the fascinating exhibits at the Swiss Museum of Transport, and enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the lake. Don’t forget to visit the impressive Lion Monument and take a scenic ride up to Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi.

Montreux

Montreux is a charming town nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, famous for its stunning scenery and laid-back vibe. It’s a perfect spot for a relaxing getaway, offering beautiful lake views, and lovely lakeside promenades. We loved exploring the markets on the lakeside and the stunning historic hotels and other buildings.

My husband really enjoyed Montreux, he is a big fan of the UK rock band Queen, who spent a lot of time writing albums at Montreux – in interviews band members described the town as heaven on earth.  They have a great museum here with alot of memorabilia from the band and the lead singer Freddie Mercury, including lots of photos, instruments, and handwritten lyrics. There is also the iconic statue of Freddie Mercury looking out on to Lake Geneva.