Switzerland (Suisse) condenses centuries of history and four national languages into a country the size of a pocket atlas. Founded in 1291, the Swiss Confederation evolved from mountain cantons to a modern, neutral nation where punctual trains and pristine lakes are a way of life. You’ll feel the layers: Roman footprints, Reformation echoes, and contemporary design that quietly dazzles.

Chocolate, cheese, and peaks headline the postcard—yet the everyday details are just as compelling. Crystal-clear tap water gushes from public fountains, farm-fresh markets fuel the cities, and mountain trains braid the Alps to make big scenery accessible year-round. Zurich presents the cultural overture; the Jungfrau Region delivers the Alpine crescendo.

Practical notes: Currency is CHF (not the Euro). Trains are the easiest way to move around; consider a Swiss Travel Pass for broad rail/boat coverage and museum access (check current perks and seasonal mountain line discounts). Weather shifts fast in the Alps—dress in layers, pack sun protection, and confirm lift/boat schedules in shoulder seasons.

Getting in and around: Fly into Zurich. For intra-Europe flights, compare fares on Omio Flights. Coming from outside Europe, check long-haul options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. For trains within Switzerland and cross-border routes, use Omio Trains (e.g., Paris–Zurich ~4h, Milan–Zurich ~3h30).

Zurich

Zurich pairs Old Town alleys and church spires with a serious art scene and a famously swimmable lake. It’s a city of café corners, guildhalls turned restaurants, and lanes where Einstein, Lenin, and Dadaists all left footprints. Even better, you can trade galleries for mountaintop views in under 30 minutes.

• Essentials: Altstadt (Niederdorf and Lindenhof), Grossmünster towers, Fraumünster’s Chagall windows, Kunsthaus Zürich, Swiss National Museum, Bahnhofstrasse, Lake Zurich promenade.
• Local moments: Coffee at Café Henrici, a bratwurst from Sternen Grill, a sunset ferry across Lake Zurich, and a quick train to Uetliberg for a skyline-meets-Alps panorama.
• Dining notes: Classic Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (veal in creamy mushroom sauce), seasonal game in autumn, and a vegetarian institution (Hiltl) founded in 1898.

Where to stay: Search apartments on VRBO Zurich or compare hotels on Hotels.com Zurich. Aim for the Altstadt, Enge, or Seefeld for easy walking and lake access.

Interlaken (Jungfrau Region)

Interlaken sits between turquoise lakes Thun and Brienz, backed by the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. It’s your springboard to Lauterbrunnen’s 72 waterfalls, the car-free clifftop village of Mürren, and bucket-list rides to Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn.

• Essentials: Harder Kulm viewpoint (seasonal funicular), Lake Brienz cruise to Giessbach Falls, Lauterbrunnen Valley, Mürren–Gimmelwald, Grindelwald First cliff walk, Eiger Express to Jungfraujoch.
• Tastes of the Alps: Rösti skillets, raclette and fondue, Bernese Oberland cheeseboards, and mountain hut soups that make panoramas taste even better.
• Good to know: Some lifts and boats pause for maintenance in late fall; winter brings sledding and world-class ski terrain. Always check daily operating status locally.

Where to stay: Base in Interlaken/Unterseen for easiest transport. Browse VRBO Interlaken or Hotels.com Interlaken for properties near Interlaken Ost station (best for Jungfrau trains and Lake Brienz boats).

Day 1: Arrive in Zurich

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land in Zurich and ride the quick airport train (~12 min) to Zurich HB. Drop bags and decompress over an espresso and Luxemburgerli macarons at Confiserie Sprüngli on Paradeplatz. Stroll the Altstadt: cross the Limmat to Lindenhof for the classic river-and-spire view, then peek into Fraumünster for Marc Chagall’s stained glass (mid-20th century artistry in a 9th-century church).

Evening: Dinner at Zeughauskeller (historic armory hall; hearty Swiss sausages, rösti, and local beer) or Haus Hiltl (record-holding vegetarian restaurant; try the tofu Zurich-style and the buffet for breadth). Digest with cocktails at Widder Bar (serious whiskey library) or Old Crow (speakeasy feel, encyclopedic spirits).

Day 2: Zurich Icons, Uetliberg, and the Lake

Morning: Breakfast at Babu’s Bakery & Coffeehouse (buttery croissants, sourdough toasts) or Café Henrici (flat whites, airy pancakes) in Niederdorf. Climb the twin towers of Grossmünster for a skyline view, then wander to Kunsthaus Zürich (Alberto Giacometti to Monet; one of Europe’s strong collections).

Afternoon: Grab a classic bratwurst with Bürli bread and mustard at Sternen Grill near Bellevue and walk the lakeside promenade. Hop the S10 train to Uetliberg (25 min) and climb the lookout for a lake-to-Alps panorama; descend via the Planet Trail to Felsenegg (seasonal cable car) or ride back down if time is tight.

Evening: Treat yourself at Restaurant Kronenhalle (art on the walls—Chagall, Miró—Zürcher Geschnetzeltes on the plate; reserve) or go cozy-cheese at Raclette Factory (plates of molten alpine goodness, also does fondue). Nightcap along the cobbles at Raygrodski or a riverside beer at El Lokal.

Day 3: Day Trip to Lucerne and Mount Pilatus (or Rigi)

Morning: Take an early train to Lucerne (~45–50 min; book on Omio Trains). Walk the Kapellbrücke (14th-century wooden bridge) and visit the poignant Lion Monument. Coffee and a Nidlewahe slice at Heini Conditorei.

Afternoon: Pick one peak: Pilatus (boat to Alpnachstad + steep cogwheel up; gondola down via Kriens) or Rigi (boat to Vitznau + cogwheel; broad lake views). For lunch, go traditional at Wirtshaus Taube (Luzerner Chügelipastete—veal-filled pastry) before your ascent. Return to Zurich by early evening.

Evening: Back in Zurich, share small plates at Restaurant Josef (creative, seasonal) or try Zeitgeist for modern Swiss fare. Early night suggested—you’re Alps-bound tomorrow.

Day 4: Train to Interlaken, Lakeside Stroll, and Viewpoints

Morning: Depart Zurich for Interlaken Ost (~2 hours via Bern or Lucerne; CHF ~30–55 2nd class; book on Omio Trains). Check in near Interlaken Ost to simplify mountain day trips. Coffee and a flaky Nussgipfel at Bäckerei-Confiserie Mohler.

Afternoon: If in season (typically late Apr–Nov), ride the Harder Kulm funicular (10 minutes) for a balcony view above town; otherwise walk the Aare river to Unterseen’s historic square. Optional detour by bus/boat to St. Beatus Caves (stalactites, lake views; typically Mar–Nov).

Evening: Dinner at Husi Bierhaus (Swiss classics, huge beer list) or Restaurant Taverne at Hotel Interlaken (seasonal Swiss with a garden vibe). For a casual pint, drop into The 3 Tells Irish Pub; for Swiss spirits, try Bar Rugenbräu tastings if available.

Day 5: Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

Morning: Early train to Grindelwald Terminal (35–40 min). Ride the Eiger Express gondola to Eigergletscher, then the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch (mind-blowing glacial plateau at 3,454 m). Expect ~2–2.5 hours each way; dress warmly. Full fare from Grindelwald Terminal can exceed CHF 200; Swiss Travel Pass holders typically get discounts beyond Wengen/Grindelwald—confirm current pricing on-site.

Afternoon: Explore the Sphinx Observatory, Ice Palace, and the Aletsch Glacier viewpoints. Lunch options on the summit include the self-service Aletsch or snacks you packed from Interlaken. Descend mid-afternoon to avoid late crowds; pause in Grindelwald village for souvenir shops and mountain air.

Evening: Dine in Grindelwald at Barry’s (woodsy chalet ambiance; alpine mac ’n’ cheese with onions is a hit) or C und M Café & Restaurant (house-made cakes and refined Swiss dishes), then ride back to Interlaken. Nightcap at Città Vecchia in Unterseen (low-lit, cozy).

Day 6: Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, and Schilthorn

Morning: Train to Lauterbrunnen (20 min). Visit Staubbach Falls (summer path behind the falls; in winter it’s mostly an ice veil). If open (typically Apr–Nov), tour Trümmelbach Falls—glacier torrents inside the mountain. Ride the cable car to Grütschalp, train to Mürren (clifftop, car-free).

Afternoon: Ascend to Schilthorn – Piz Gloria (2970 m) for 360° Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau views and a Bond museum nodding to “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” Lunch at the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant (book if possible). Descend via Stechelberg and bus back to Lauterbrunnen, watching waterfalls stitch the valley walls.

Evening: Back in Interlaken, go upscale at OX Restaurant & Grill (aged Swiss beef, solid wine list) or keep it alpine at Restaurant Laterne (fondue/raclette in rustic rooms). If you’ve got energy, stroll under the paragliders landing on Höhematte (daylight hours) and wrap up with a lake-fresh gin at Little Thai & Little Bar for a nightcap.

Day 7: Lake Brienz and Giessbach Falls, then Departure

Morning: From Interlaken Ost, cruise Lake Brienz to Giessbach (check seasonal timetables; winter service is limited). Take the short historic funicular up to the Grandhotel Giessbach terrace and walk the paths weaving behind the tiered falls. If boats aren’t running, substitute a Lake Thun loop with stops at Oberhofen Castle and Spiez (train/bus combo; castle interiors vary by season).

Afternoon: Return to Interlaken Ost, collect bags, and train to Zurich Airport (~2h; reserve margin for connections; book on Omio Trains). Quick lunch to-go: Confiserie Mohler sandwiches or a rösti plate at Shanthi (fast Sri Lankan-leaning curries) near the station. Fly out in the late afternoon.

Evening: In transit.

How to book transport:

• Flights (Europe): Compare to/from Zurich on Omio Flights.
• Flights (long-haul): Check Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Trains: Plan and book Swiss and cross-border services via Omio Trains (Zurich–Interlaken ~2h, CHF ~30–55). Morning departures are assumed for moves between cities.

This 7-day Switzerland itinerary balances Zurich’s museums and lake life with the Jungfrau Region’s headline adventures. Expect art and architecture upfront, then ice caves, cliffside villages, and mirror-blue lakes to close the week. You’ll leave with a camera full of peaks—and a new respect for train timetables.