Switzerland pairs storybook scenery with precision and poise. Medieval guild houses gaze over glassy lakes, and within an hour you can swap museum strolls for mountain peaks. This one-week itinerary focuses on two icons—Zurich and Interlaken—balancing culture, cuisine, and high-alpine thrills.

Swiss trains are famously punctual and panoramic, so you’ll travel mostly by rail between neighborhoods, lakes, and summits. The currency is Swiss franc (CHF), and four languages are spoken—German dominates in Zurich and the Bernese Oberland. Dress in layers: even in summer, mountain weather flips quickly.

Food-wise, think beyond fondue. Zurich leads with inventive dining and historic institutions, while the Alps comfort with rösti, cheese, and hearty grills. Prebook popular mountain excursions (Jungfraujoch, Harder Kulm) in peak season, and note that many shops close on Sunday—cafés and sights remain your friends.

Zurich

Switzerland’s largest city is a lake-lapped cultural hub where centuries-old churches share streets with cutting-edge galleries and a powerhouse food scene. Stroll Altstadt’s cobbles, detour to design-forward Zurich-West, then catch sunset along the promenade by Bürkliplatz.

Top sights include Grossmünster’s twin towers, Fraumünster’s Chagall windows, the Swiss National Museum, and the Kunsthaus. On the water, a short Lake Zurich cruise offers Alps-on-the-horizon views. Fun fact: Hiltl claims the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant (since 1898)—and it’s excellent.

• Stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): Classic elegance at Baur au Lac (central park-and-lake setting); boutique value at Hotel Marta (Niederdorf); rail-convenient comfort at Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich (opposite Zurich HB); family-friendly at Novotel Zurich City West (trendy Zurich-West). Browse more: VRBO Zurich | Hotels.com Zurich
• Getting in (flights/trains): Fly into ZRH; from Europe compare fares on Omio Flights. If coming from outside Europe, compare on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. From Zurich Airport to the city center takes ~10–12 minutes by train (CHF ~6–8). Intercity trains across Switzerland on Omio Trains.

Day 1: Arrive Zurich, Old Town orientation

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander the Altstadt: Augustinergasse’s pastel facades, Lindenhof hill for river views, and Fraumünster to admire Marc Chagall’s stained-glass windows. Coffee break at Café Henrici (silky flat whites) or Sprüngli on Paradeplatz (try Luxemburgerli macarons).

Evening: Swiss classics at Zeughauskeller (historic armory hall; pork knuckles and bratwurst), or go heritage-vegetarian at Haus Hiltl (legendary buffet, à la carte zürcher geschnetzeltes—mushroom style). Nightcap at Widder Bar (serious whiskies) or craft beer at Mon Ami on Langstrasse.

Day 2: Lake, landmarks, and chocolate

Morning: Walk the waterfront from Bürkliplatz toward Seefeld, hopping a short lake cruise for skyline-and-Alps vistas (30–90 minutes). See Grossmünster’s Karlsturm for a compact climb and panoramic reward. Brunch at Babu’s Bakery & Coffeehouse (brioche French toast; bustling vibe) or MAME Coffee for award-winning espresso.

Afternoon: Indulge at the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg. Book your timed entry here: Last minute flexible entry for Lindt Home of Chocolate.

Evening: Dine at Le Dézaley (fondue specialists near the cathedral) or Kronenhalle (art-filled institution; Zürcher Geschnetzeltes with rösti). Finish with a lakeside stroll as the city lights ripple on the water.

Day 3: Day trip—Lucerne & Mount Titlis

Full-day guided alpine fix: From Zurich, see Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument, then ride rotating gondolas to Mount Titlis for eternal snow, the Cliff Walk, and glacier cave. Book here: Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich.

Back in Zurich, keep it casual in Zurich-West: Frau Gerolds Garten (seasonal containers-turned-garden kitchen) or Nooba for lively pan-Asian bowls; or settle into James Joyce Pub for a pint and pub classics.

Interlaken

Cradled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken is Switzerland’s adventure capital—yet a gentle place for lake cruises, flowered promenades, and valley walks to thunderous waterfalls. Höhematte Park frames snow-dusted peaks; paragliders land like petals at your feet.

From here, take panoramic trains and cableways into the Jungfrau Region: Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, and the Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe.” Add Harder Kulm for sunset views and St. Beatus Caves for a myth-tinged detour along Lake Thun.

• Stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): Spa grandeur at Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa; historic charm at Hotel Interlaken; wallet-friendly, central Hotel Blume. Prefer the Jungfrau base? Consider Grindelwald gems: Hotel Glacier Grindelwald, Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald, or Grindelwald Youth Hostel. Browse more: VRBO Interlaken | Hotels.com Interlaken
• Getting there (from Zurich): Zurich HB to Interlaken Ost via Bern takes ~1h58–2h10; standard fare CHF ~35–60 one-way. Check timetables and deals on Omio Trains. Consider a Swiss Travel Pass if you’ll ride frequently.

Day 4: Transfer to Interlaken, Harder Kulm sunset

Morning: Train Zurich HB → Interlaken Ost (~2h). Grab seat-left for lakeside views after Thun. Drop bags and stretch your legs along Höhematte Park.

Afternoon: Explore Unterseen’s old-town lanes. Coffee and cake at Confiserie Schuh (house pralines) or Bäckerei Ritschard (flaky nussgipfel). If weather’s fair, book the Harderbahn funicular for a late-day ascent.

Evening: Sunset at Harder Kulm’s sky platforms—Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau aligned. Dinner options: Restaurant Taverne (seasonal Swiss at Hotel Interlaken), Husi Bierhaus (local brews and rösti), or Ox Restaurant & Grill (dry-aged steaks). Night stroll by the Aare River.

Day 5: Jungfraujoch—Top of Europe

Spend the day on glaciers and sky decks with a guided journey from Interlaken via Grindelwald and the Eiger Express. Ice Palace tunnels, Sphinx Observatory views, and the feeling of snow underfoot await. Book here: Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Interlaken.

Back in town, go relaxed at Laterne in Matten (Swiss comfort plates) or trattoria-style at Città Vecchia in Unterseen (handmade pasta, vaulted rooms). If you’ve energy, peek at the starry skies over Höhematte.

Day 6: Lakes and lift-off

Morning: If you’ve ever dreamt of flying, today’s the day: tandem launch over Interlaken’s lakes and meadows. Reserve here: Tandem Paragliding Experience from Interlaken.

Afternoon: Recover with a Lake Brienz or Lake Thun cruise (postcard villages, emerald water). Detour to Giessbach Falls (historic funicular operates seasonally) or the stalactite halls of St. Beatus Caves above Lake Thun.

Evening: Casual Swiss at Bebbis (fondue, rösti, open late) or fine dining at La Terrasse Brasserie inside the Victoria-Jungfrau (seasonal Alpine produce with French technique). Gelato at Gelateria Azzurra for a sweet goodnight.

Day 7: Farewell Switzerland

Morning: Train Interlaken Ost → Zürich Flughafen via Bern (~2h10, CHF ~35–80). Check schedules on Omio Trains. If your flight is late afternoon and you’re ambitious, hop off in Bern for a quick old-town coffee—otherwise, enjoy an unhurried brunch in Interlaken at Velo Café (granola bowls, good espresso).

Afternoon: Fly out. For Europe-bound flights use Omio Flights; for long-haul searches compare on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. Budget CHF 25–35 for airport meals; ZRH security lines are efficient, but arrive early in peak summer.

Evening: In transit.

Optional add-ons if you extend

• Zurich highlights with cable car and ferry: Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride for sweeping lake views.
• Half-day Rhine Falls from Zurich: Rhine Falls & Stein am Rhein for Europe’s largest waterfall plus a perfect medieval town.

Where to eat and drink—quick picks

• Zurich Breakfast/Coffee: Sprüngli Paradeplatz (Luxemburgerli, almond croissants), Café Henrici (flat whites), MAME Coffee (champion baristas), Babu’s Bakery (brunch).
• Zurich Lunch: Sternen Grill (bratwurst with Bürli bread), Hiltl (colorful salads, curries), Lily’s (Asian street-food vibe).
• Zurich Dinner: Zeughauskeller (historic hall), Le Dézaley (fondue), Kronenhalle (classic Swiss with museum-grade art).
• Interlaken Breakfast/Coffee: Confiserie Schuh (chocolates, cakes), Velo Café (light brunch), Bäckerei Ritschard (pastries).
• Interlaken Lunch: Husi Bierhaus (rösti, sausages), Città Vecchia (Italian in Unterseen), The 3 Tells (pub burgers and sport).
• Interlaken Dinner: Restaurant Taverne (seasonal Swiss), Ox Restaurant & Grill (steaks), La Terrasse Brasserie (refined, Alpine-French).

Practical tips

• Passes: If riding multiple trains and boats, price the Swiss Travel Pass against point-to-point fares.
• Mountain weather: Check webcams before summit trips; bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light down layer year-round.
• Costs (2025 ballparks): Coffee CHF 4–6; casual lunch CHF 15–25; nice dinner CHF 40–70 pp; city–city trains CHF 30–60 each way.

In one week you’ll taste Zurich’s culture and chocolate, glide across lakes, and stand amid glaciers with the Jungfrau trio at eye level. It’s a classic Switzerland itinerary—artfully paced, alpine-forward, and fueled by great coffee and better views.