One Week in Switzerland: the Perfect Itinerary for Adventure Lovers

My one week in Switzerland itinerary is perfectly designed to help you get the most out of your trip to this awe-inspiring central European country.

This one week itinerary is fast-paced, visiting 5 different towns in Switzerland in just 7 days. It’s also heavy on outdoor activities, so it’s perfect for the adventure seeker. However, the Swiss have a knack for ingenious transportation systems that can take you to the highest peaks with ease. Even if hiking isn’t your thing, you can still experience the grandiosity of the Swiss Alps.

Although this itinerary covers multiple cities in a week, Switzerland is a relatively small country and the cities are quick and easy to travel between.

One Week Switzerland Itinerary

One Week Switzerland Itinerary Map

This map outlines the route followed by this itinerary, including travel time by train between each city.

Fly into Zurich
1. Lucerne (1 hour from Zurich)
2. Interlaken (2 hours 20 min from Lucerne)
3. Zermatt (2 hours from Interlaken)
4. Bern (2 hours 15 min from Zermatt)
5. Zurich (1 hour from Bern)
Fly out of Zurich

Day One | Lucerne

Lucerne is one of my favorite cities of all time! With its beautiful wooden bridges, intricately painted medieval buildings, and old-world feel, it looks like the setting of a fairy tale. Easy access to the surrounding mountains, most notably Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi, make Lucerne the perfect place to spend a few days.

To kick off an incredible one week in Switzerland, fly into Zurich and take the train to Lucerne on day one, giving yourself a few hours in the afternoon to explore the city of Lucerne.

Explore Lucerne

I arrived in Lucerne around 2 PM and spent the afternoon exploring this beautiful city. A few of the top sights in Lucerne you don’t want to miss include Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge), the Town Hall Clock Tower, the Lion Monument, the fresco-covered building of Lucerne’s Old Town, and the Musegg Wall.

If you are short on time on day one, no worries. You can catch anything you missed when you arrive back in Lucerne tomorrow afternoon after exploring Mount Pilatus.

Day Two | Day Trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus

Most of day two will be spent on a day trip to Mount Pilatus, one of the tallest mountains in the region with incredible views of the surrounding Alps. The trip to Mount Pilatus will occupy most of your day, but you should have time left in the late afternoon to finish exploring Lucerne if you get started early.

High above the clouds, the views of the Alps from Mount Pilatus are incredible.

The trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus entails a variety of unique forms of transportation, including ferry, cogwheel train, gondola, cable car, and bus, but don’t let this dissuade you! Getting around in Switzerland is a breeze, and Pilatus is 100% worth the trip.

It’s also possible to take an 8km hike from Alpnachstad to Pilatus, a trek that will take roughly 4 hours depending on your fitness level.

Tobogganing in Fräkmüntegg

On the way back to Lucerne, we recommend stopping in Fräkmüntegg to go tobogganing (aka alpine sliding, as we call it in parts of the United States). If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing a toboggan ride before, this will make you feel like a kid again!

You sit in a small cart and zip down the mountain on a narrow track, passing by Swiss cows happily grazing with a perfect view of lake Lucerne below.

Spend the evening catching any sights in Lucerne that you may have missed yesterday and take in your last glimpse of this magnificent city.

Day Three | Interlaken

Interlaken, literally meaning “between lakes,” is a small, laid-back town located between Lake Thun and Lake Bienz that serves as a hub for outdoor adventure activities. And yes, the water really is that blue! The lakes get their color from the minerals in the glacial runoff from surrounding mountains.

Day three is jam-packed with adventures in Interlaken! You will get to experience Lake Thun and Lake Brienz from the water and see a bird’s eye view from the mountains above.

Take the roughly 2 hour 20 minute train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken in the morning. The train leaves every hour at 6 minutes past the hour. I started early and arrived in Interlaken by 9:30am.

Kayaking on Lake Thun

• Cost | $20 – $40

After checking into your accommodation, start your day in Interlaken by going kayaking on Lake Thun. You can rent kayaks from Mountain Surf for about $20 per hour.

Harder Kulm Hike

Harder Kulm is a mountain just outside Interlaken that provides unmatched views of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, Jungfrau, and everything in between. You can reach Harder Kulm by taking a cable car or via a 2.8-mile (one-way) hike.

Upon my Airbnb host’s recommendation, I hiked up the backside of Harder Kulm and I highly recommend you do the same! This route is much less trafficked and I got to see paragliders flying right overhead.

Boat Ride on Lake Brienz

End your day with a relaxing boat ride on Lake Brienz. The cruise gives you a complete tour of the lake, where you’ll experience teal water, see the quaint villages that line the shore and catch a view of the beautiful Iseltwald castle.

Day Four | Schilthorn, Murren and Gimmelwald Day Trip

Day four is another busy day, starting bright and early with an adrenaline-pumping adventure followed by a day of exploring the mountains and little villages around Interlaken.

Paragliding in Interlaken

• Cost | $200+ per person

Day four starts off early, but a rush of adrenaline will wake up your senses. Paragliding in Interlaken was an unforgettable experience, and even though it’s a bit pricey, it’s totally worth it!

Running down the side of a mountain, the wind slowing lifting you off the ground, and gliding through the fresh mountain air with Interlaken stretched out below is truly exhilarating, and to my surprise, easier and safer than you’d think!

While in Interlaken, definitely check paragliding off your bucket list.

Day Trip to Schilthorn and Surrounding Region

In the afternoon, take a day trip to the stunning mountain region surrounding Interlaken, including a trip up to Schilthorn and stops in the small towns of Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, and Gimmelwald.

The journey ultimately takes you to Schilthorn, one of the highest peaks in Switzerland featuring panoramic views of the Monch, Eiger, and Jungrau, and includes several stops along the way:

• Lauterbrunnen: a small town nestled in the valley between stunning sharp cliffs, known for its 72 waterfalls
• Mürren: a charming village with classic Swiss chalets that is not accessible by car
• Birg: A quick stop on the journey up to Schilthorn, featuring a Thrill Walk high in the Alps.
• Schilthorn: one of the highest peaks in the region at an altitude of 2,970 m (9,744 feet), with a stunning view of the Monch, Eiger, and Jungfrau.
• Gimmelwald: another peaceful small Swiss town perched above the Lauterbrunnen Valle

Day Five | Zermatt

Start day five by taking the 2 hour train ride from Interlaken to Zermatt, a small ski village nestled in the Swiss Alps, that lies near the base of Switzerland’s iconic Matterhorn. There are no cars in Zermatt, making it an easy place to enjoy on foot. It’s a small town, so you don’t need more than a day to explore.

Zermatt is a bit out of the way from the rest of the cities on this itinerary. When planning my trip I debated whether it was worth the detour. Ultimately, my desire to see the Matterhorn won out and I decided to go for it.

It was completely worth it! The Matterhorn is more impressive than you could ever imagine. From almost anywhere in Zermatt, you can spot the Matterhorn. I even had a glimpse of its peak from my hotel room (and it was just a cheap hostel!).

Five Lakes Hike

As the name suggests, the Five Lakes hike passes by five lakes – Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee, all with views of the Matterhorn in the background.

While this hike doesn’t get you up close to the Matterhorn, the views are incredible. On a clear day, you can capture a perfect image of the Matterhorn reflecting into 2 of the 5 lakes.

Day Six | Bern

Bern is the capital of Switzerland, known for it picturesque Old Town, city park home to a couple bears (yes, real bears) and the iconic clock tower, Zytglogge. Bern is situated within a U-shaped loop carved by the Aare River.

Depart Zermatt in the morning on day six and take a 2 hour 15 minute train ride to Bern.

Biking the Emmental Cheese Route

The majority of day six is spent e-biking the Emmental Cheese Route, a beautiful ride through the rolling hills of the Bernese Emmental Region, close to the city of Bern but off the beaten path from most travel itineraries.

This self-guided tour is a unique way to see a quieter part of Swizterland, with multiple sights and stops along the way, including a dairy farm in Affoltern.

I did the 35km loop and it took me around 3.5 hours in total, including a 30-minute stop at the dairy farm.

Explore Bern

After dropping off your e-bike, take the train back to Bern. Spend the late afternoon and evening exploring Bern.

Be sure to see the Zytglogge, a medieval clock tower built in the 13^th century. Visit Barengraben (translates to Bear Pit), located just across the Aare River, where you can see Bern’s famous bears.

For an incredible view of the city and Aare River, head up to the Rose Garden, about a 10 minute walk from Barengraben. The Rose Garden is located on a high hill overlooking the city, making for the perfect spot to watch the sunset with a picnic and glass of wine!

Underground Restaurants in Bern

One of the most unique things about Bern is the many restaurants and shops located up and down the main street that are built underground. Entranceways to the cellars are double doors that swing open to staircases leading underneath the buildings. They were built this way to remain cool in the summer and warm in winter.

With temperatures in the upper 90’s and no air-conditioner in sight, the coolness of the underground restaurants was much needed. Stop in and have a beer in one of these unique bars, like Café-Bar Marta, with its cozy, relaxed atmosphere and a selection of local beer.

Day 7 | Zurich

End the week in Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland, situated on the banks Lake Zurich and the Limmat River.

Leave Bern in the morning and take a quick 1 hour train ride to Zurich. Enjoy your last day in Switzerland exploring the city. Highlights of the day include:

• Wander through Zurich’s Old Town, known as Altstadt, where you will find shops, cafes, and restaurants on both sides of the Limmat River. Walk up to Lindenhof park for a great view of the city.
• Take a Limmat Boat ride on Lake Zurich. A Limmat boat is a long, flat boat built to glide underneath Zurich’s bridges that makes for a great way to see the city by water.
• Have a picnic at Zurich Horn, a large park on the shore of Lake Zurich. Take a Limmat boat ride to get there, pack a picnic and a cold drink and enjoy lunch by the river.
• Do a chocolate tasting at the Lindt Factory. For $30 per person, you’ll spend one hour learning all about how chocolate is made while you taste as many different types of chocolate as you desire.
• Visit the Grossmünster church, a Romanesque Style church constructed from 1100 to 1220 with twin towers that were built to honor the patron saints of Zurich, Felix and Regula.
• Explore Zurich West, the trendy up and coming neighborhood where you will find a welcome reprieve from the tourist crowds of Old Town.

One week in Switzerland | FAQs

In the following sections, we’ll cover need-to-know logistics for planning your Switzerland itinerary.

Is one week enough time in Switzerland?

The short answer is no. There are so many incredible hikes and things to do that you can’t possibly cover everything with just one week in Switzerland. However, we’ve squeezed the top highlights from across the country into the perfect itinerary for first-timers.

When is the best time to visit Switzerland?

For this itinerary, I recommend visiting Switzerland during the summer, from June through August. This is the best time for hiking and outdoor activities, when the snow has melted and the weather is warm.

September and May could also be good options, but you do run the risk of snow on the ground and some hiking trails being closed.

How do you get around in Switzerland?

The easiest way to get around in Switzerland is by train – they are clean, timely and efficient. If you will be in Switzerland for more than 3 days, it is most likely worthwhile to purchase a Swiss Pass, which covers trains between cities and most transportation within cities.

For more about the Swiss Pass and getting around in Switzerland, visit our Switzerland Travel Guide.

What does the Swiss Pass cover in this itinerary?

In this itinerary, the Swiss Pass covers the following transportation:

• Trains between Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt and Bern: fully covered
• Public transportation (buses) within the cities: fully covered
• Boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad (first leg of Mount Pilatus Day Trip): fully covered
• Funicular up and Gondola down from Mount Pilatus (Alpnachstad to Krienz): fully covered
• Bus from Kriens to Lucerne (final leg of Mount Pilatus Day Trip): fully covered
• Bus to Lake Thun: fully covered
• Harder Kulm funicular: 50% off
• Boat cruise on Lake Brienz: fully covered
• Train to/from Lauterbrunnen: fully covered
• Gondola + train from Lauterbrunnen to Murren: fully covered
• Round trip Gondola from Murren to Schilthorn: 50% off
• Gondola from Murren to Stechelberg: fully covered
• Funicular from Sunnega station to Blauherd (for 5 Lakes Hike): 50% off
• Train to Burgdorf for biking: fully covered
• Bus ride to Kirchberg for Lindt Chocolate Tasting: fully covered
• Limmat Boat ride: fully covered

Other Switzerland Resources

Planning a trip to Switzerland? Check out these other resources to help you plan your adventures:

Questions about how to spend one week in Switzerland? We’re happy to help! Comment below.