Switzerland is worth a visit all year round, but its location as an alpine country in the middle of Europe, makes a visit in winter especially beautiful. While you can enjoy some excellent hiking in summer, Switzerland attracts lots of winter enthusiasts in the cold season. There are so many amazing places to visit in Switzerland in winter. With some of the best ski resorts in Europe, gorgeous snow-covered Alpine peaks, atmospheric Christmas markets in deep snow-covered mountain scenery or brightly lit towns and traditional villages, Switzerland is an Eldorado for winter lovers. Even for non-skiers, the country is one of the best places for a winter vacation.
A highlight during a visit to Switzerland in winter is the traditional cheese fondue for dinner. During the wintertime you will find this typical dish everywhere in Switzerland. Whether at Christmas markets, in the country’s typical fondue chalets or in restaurants all over the country. Home-made cheese fondue, made of local cheeses, is a must-eat during the cold season in Switzerland.
How to Get to Switzerland
For those who cannot travel from neighboring countries by train or car, there are 3 major airports to choose from. Zurich airport is the most centrally located within Switzerland and ideal for onward travel to another destination. Basel airport is in the three-country corner with Germany and France and a popular low-cost airport. Geneva airport also serves international destinations but does not offer as many choices of destinations to fly to and from as the other two options.
How to Move Around in Switzerland in Winter
The easiest and often the fastest way to move around in Switzerland in winter is the train. The SBB (Swiss train company) has an incredibly good rail network and is always on time. Like everything in Switzerland, train travel is not necessarily cheap, especially single train tickets can quickly become very expensive. Ideal for visiting multiple destinations within the country is the Swiss Travel Pass, which includes train, bus and boat travel for one price for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days. Additionally, the ticket offers free admission to over 500 museums and mountain excursions (such as on Rigi mountain). You can buy it by clicking here.
The Best Places to Visit in Switzerland in Winter:
Bern
Bern is the unknown and often overlooked capital of Switzerland. Since 1983, Bern’s picturesque old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The “city of arcades” is perfect for rainy winter days. Thanks to 6km of beautiful arches within the charming old town, you can go shopping, dry and sheltered. There are many, small boutiques and stores to discover here, mixed with cafes and delicious restaurants. A great and free winter activity in Bern takes place on the centrally located Bundesplatz. There you can skate on a large ice rink and do your laps for as long as you like.
Also, don’t miss the Bern Cathedral. The city’s landmark is the largest late medieval church in the country, with the highest steeple in Switzerland. 312 steps lead up to the 100m high tower and offers a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding Alpine peaks.
Interlaken
Interlaken is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland in winter. It is the perfect city to combine outdoor activities and urban flair. The town on the river Aare is ideally situated between two beautiful mountain lakes. A relaxing winter activity on the mirror-smooth Lake Brienz is winter kayaking. On Lake Thun, winter boat trips past picturesque fishing villages and fairytale castles are especially popular. Within the city center of Interlaken, an ice-skating rink runs across the city between mid-December and the end of February. Accompanied by lights and music, “Ice Magic” is a truly unique skating experience.
Jungfraujoch
Another place to visit in Switzerland in winter, can be explored from Interlaken. The Jungfraujoch is one of the most popular destinations in Switzerland, which is why you should avoid a visit on weekends and during the vacations if possible. Already a small adventure before arriving at the “top of Europe”, is the nearly 2-hour train ride from Interlaken which leads through spectacular mountain panorama. On Jungfraujoch, at 3454m.a.s.l. in the middle of majestic glaciers and imposing mountain peaks, there is besides a fantastic view also an impressive ice palace to discover. To get away from the masses, do the easy hike from the Jungfraujoch viewing platform to Mönchsjoch hut which leads through that fantastic world of ice and snow. The region around the Jungfraujoch is additionally a popular ski resort with over 200 kilometers of slopes and views of the infamous Eiger North Face.
The Glacier Express
One winter-highlight in Switzerland is not a place but a train ride. Take the Glacier Express, which connects the mountain villages of Zermatt and St. Moritz. The 8-hour journey between the two winter hotspots, with the most-famous train in Switzerland, is a very special winter experience. The “slowest express train in the world” passes 291 bridges and 91 tunnels on its journey through the Swiss cantons of Graubünden, Uri and Valais. The scenic trip takes you over the 2033m high Oberalp Pass, through the “Swiss Grand Canyon”, a breathtaking deep gorge of the Rhine River and through the UNESCO World Heritage Sites “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch” and “Rhaetian Railway Albula/Bernina“. You will enjoy especially beautiful views of all these natural wonders through the extra-large panoramic windows, which are also located in the train roof.
Zurich
The vibrant city of Zurich attracts in winter with many, different Christmas markets. The oldest Christmas market in the city takes place in the narrow streets of the historic old town. On the Sechseläutenplatz, in front of the Opera, you will find one of the largest Christmas markets in the city. In front of the main train station shines a 15m high Christmas decorated fir. But even outside the Christmas season, Zurich is worth a visit in winter. From the landmark of the city, the Karlsturm of the Grossmünster, you have a beautiful view of the city. A boat trip on the wintry Lake Zurich, with illuminated shores, evening mist and the snow-covered Alps in the background, is also particularly beautiful in the cold season.
The Rigi
The Rigi is the unofficial queen of the mountains. The highest peak of the mountain massif between Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz in central Switzerland has an altitude of just under 1800 meters. It offers 35 kilometers of prepared winter hiking trails. From the easy winter high-altitude hike to the panoramic hike of several hours with a far-reaching view, all possibilities are open. Ideally, the Rigi is very well connected and accessible with several train stations around. By rack railroad or gondola, you can easily reach the summit, Rigi Kulm, from where you have a fantastic 360-degree panorama of 13 lakes and far-reaching views as far as Germany and France.
Zermatt
The small and charming mountain village of Zermatt is an Eldorado for winter sports enthusiasts and calls itself “Home of Winter”, not without reason. The 5-star ski resort is the highest within Europe. For several years in a row, Zermatt was named the best ski resort in the Alps and in 2022 the destination also received the Traveller’s Choice Awards as “Best of the best destination for skiers in the world”. 54 cable cars and 360km of slopes are available for beginners and very advances and skiing pros.
But non-skiers should also visit Zermatt and the world-famous Matterhorn in winter. Beautiful winter hiking trails lead, for example, from the Gornergrat platform, along the Gorner glacier towards the valley. This scenic hike combines fantastic views of the striking Matterhorn as well as easy hiking and marveling at the second largest Alpine glacier. You can buy your cable car ticket in advance, by clicking here.
The best viewpoint in the Zermatt / Matterhorn region is the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. From the highest mountain station in Europe at 3883m.a.s.l. you have an overwhelming view of 38 4000m peaks of the Alps as well as 14 glaciers.
Lugano
The Mediterranean city of Lugano is located in the Italian-speaking part in southern Switzerland and is another not-to-be-missed place to visit in Switzerland in winter. Here you’ll find the rare combination of palm trees and nearby snow-capped mountain peaks in one picture. The best way to see this contrast is to take a winter boat ride on picturesque Lake Lugano. Cute fishing villages nestle on the mountain slopes and exude Italian flair with their winter lighting on palm trees.
With its 925 meters, Monte Brè is considered the sunniest mountain in Switzerland and even in winter the magnificent view of Lugano at its feet, Lake Lugano and the surrounding snow-covered peaks is enchanting. Monte San Salvatore, Lugano’s southern local mountain, is also accessible year-round from the city via the historic funicular railroad. The beauty of visiting this peak in winter is that the air is clearer than in summer and the visibility is usually better, so that even Milan in Italy may be visible in the distance. In fact, Lugano makes a wonderful day trip from Milan.
The Aletsch Glacier
The Aletsch Glacier in the Swiss Canton of Valais is has to be on your list of places to visit in Switzerland in winter. The largest glacier in the Alps is still over 20km long, but the natural wonder is threatened by climate change and melting fast.
The region around the impressive Aletsch glacier, including its “smaller brother”, the Fiescher glacier are protected by UNESCO since 2001 and the first recognized natural heritage of Switzerland. 72km of winter hiking trails run through this beautiful area.
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That’s a perfect list. Interlaken and Jungfrau in winter is indeed amazing! Swiss Travel Pass sounds like the best bet to move around Swiz. The “slowest express train in the world” that passes 291 bridges and 91 tunnels? That’s really caught my attention. I’d totally want to do that on my next trip to Swiz. Goode to know that Rigi is very well connected and accessible with several train stations around. That’s perfect for me, coz I always prefer public transport.
We have been to Switzerland but during the summers and just loved it. But in winters it seems to be an even better proposition. Makes me certainly want to go again. The experience of Glacier Express would be amazing. Jungfraujoch we missed last time and also Interlaken and Bern. So next they would be our targets. Would also love to spend 2 days in Zurich again.