Summary
- From Interlaken: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
- From Lucerne: Titlis Full-Day Tour – Eternal Snow & Glacier
- From Zurich: Day Trip to Grindelwald & Interlaken
- Geneva City Tour
- James Bond “Goldeneye” Bungee Jump from the Contra Dam
- From Zürich: Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls
- Mt. Pilatus by Cable Car and Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise
- Bern: 1-Hour Must-See Express Tour
- Basel: City Tour in a Vintage Streetcar
- Interlaken: Night Sledding with Fondue in the Swiss Alps
- Tandem Paragliding in Interlaken
- Zurich: Culinary Tour by Tuk-Tuk
- Queen of the Mountains: Day Trip to Rigi and Lucerne
- Igloo Building with House-Warming Party
- Snowmobile Tour of Madesimo & South Side of the Splügen Pass
This small nation, located in Central Europe, has consistently been an attractive destination for travelers, owing to its blend of charming cities and remarkable natural landscapes. Picture crystal-clear lakes, snow-capped mountains, and verdant valleys adorned with meadows.
A selection of intriguing cities renders Switzerland an excellent location to visit, from the compact capital of Bern to the financial hub of Zurich and the diverse cultural landscape of Geneva. For those seeking adventure, Interlaken is the prime destination, offering exhilarating activities such as skydiving, paragliding, and mountain biking.
If you wish to bring back souvenirs, no country produces chocolate as exquisite as that found in Switzerland, and for those willing to indulge, the world’s most intricate watches are crafted here.
To ensure your experience in this Alpine paradise is memorable, we have compiled a list of 15 exceptional tours available in Switzerland. Therefore, relax, explore, and commence planning your next holiday.
1. From Interlaken: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
This excursion is imperative for railway aficionados, as it transports you to the highest railway station in Europe, Jungfraujoch. Your day commences with a brief coach ride from Interlaken to Grindelwald, where you will have the opportunity to board the cogwheel train.
Throughout the journey, you will be treated to magnificent views of the snow-blanketed peaks, including Jungfrau, Mönch, and the notoriously challenging Eiger.
Upon arriving at the lofty Jungfraujoch station, you will have the opportunity to admire the breathtaking vistas from the Sphinx Observation tower and plateau, which afford stunning panoramas of the surrounding landscape. Additionally, explore the tunnels of the glacial Ice Palace and experience the chill of its surroundings.
Return via the cogwheel train before your coach transports you back to Interlaken.
2. From Lucerne: Titlis Full-Day Tour – Eternal Snow & Glacier
This five-and-a-half-hour tour will introduce you to the enchanting winter wonderland of the Titlis glacier, regardless of the season of your visit.
Experience a scenic drive through the Alpine landscape in a coach bound for Titlis, followed by a ride on a rotating cable car that showcases breathtaking views of the stunning surroundings.
Furthermore, this tour includes engaging activities such as exploring the Glacier Cave, riding the ice-flyer chairlift, experiencing Europe’s highest suspension bridge, and partaking in a summer sleigh ride.
Conclude your day with a restful coach journey back to Lucerne.
3. From Zurich: Day Trip to Grindelwald & Interlaken
Discover the magnificence of the Bernese Oberland with this full-day excursion from Zurich. A scenic coach journey will deliver you to Interlaken before proceeding to the glacier village of Grindelwald.
Here, you will have the opportunity to view the iconic triple peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, along with enchanting vistas from various lookout points in the village.
During the afternoon, indulge in some retail therapy in Interlaken, where you will uncover an array of jewelry, watches, and chocolate, before returning to Zurich.
Optional extras on this tour include cable car rides and “trottbikes.”
4. Geneva City Tour
While Switzerland is undoubtedly renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, it would be remiss not to allocate time to explore one of its marvelous cities. This walking tour of Geneva’s old town offers you the chance to accomplish just that.
This two-hour experience showcases the prominent sights of Switzerland’s second-largest city, including the United Nations Offices, the Jet d’Eau fountain, and the famed flower clock, among others. An affable and knowledgeable guide will provide insights throughout your journey, including while traversing the city’s tramway.
Guided tours are available in both English and French.
5. James Bond “Goldeneye” Bungee Jump from the Contra Dam
This excursion is exclusively for the most courageous tourists, enabling you to emulate Pierce Brosnan’s memorable jump from the Contra Dam, one of the largest in the world.
Situated in the Italian-speaking region of southern Switzerland, the dam is not only iconic due to James Bond but has also appeared in various other television shows and films.
You will receive training prior to the jump and will be rewarded with a drink and a certificate upon completion, as this documentation will serve as proof of your daring adventure.
6. From Zürich: Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls
This five-hour tour, guided by a multilingual English and German expert, will take you through the enchanting lowlands of Northern Switzerland, replete with vineyards and picturesque villages.
During the excursion, you will visit Schoss Laufen’s medieval castle, as well as the crowning highlight of the tour – Europe’s tallest waterfall, the Rhine Falls, where you will have the opportunity to take a panoramic glass lift to fully appreciate the grandeur of the cascades.
On your return journey, stop at Schaffhausen to admire its exquisite architecture before heading back to Zurich.
7. Mt. Pilatus by Cable Car and Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise
This journey to one of Switzerland’s most breathtaking mountains is an ideal summer outing, offering the chance to ride a cable car, take the steepest train in Europe, and relax on a one-hour lake cruise.
After a brief transfer from Lucerne to Kriens in the morning, you will board a cable car and marvel at the panoramic mountain views from its windows. For the adventurous, there is an opportunity to hike to the mountain peak, or alternatively, you may opt to enjoy lunch (not included) at one of the several restaurants while taking in the view.
Your descent will be via the world’s steepest cog railway, followed by a boat cruise on Lake of Four Cantons. After a refreshing cruise, reembark for the return to Lucerne.
8. Bern: 1-Hour Must-See Express Tour
This express tour is perfect for those with limited time in the Swiss capital, showcasing Bern’s most significant attractions within just one hour.
Gain insights into the city’s history from a knowledgeable local guide as you meander through the historical center, where notable cafes and restaurants will be highlighted for you to visit after the tour.
Marvel at the city’s grand fountains, cobblestone streets, and the renowned clock tower. Even though the tour is brief, it is packed with informative content.
9. Basel: City Tour in a Vintage Streetcar
This tour is ideal for travelers short on time. Step into a vintage streetcar and embrace the sights of Basel without the concern of traffic, particularly since the city center is car-free.
The streetcar is a quintessential symbol of Basel, providing an enjoyable means to experience the city while your local guide shares stories regarding its history and culture.
Upon completing the tour, you will retain fond memories of the lively atmosphere from the ride and the knowledge acquired about one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities.
10. Interlaken: Night Sledding with Fondue in the Swiss Alps
This unique and unforgettable experience in Interlaken allows you to be comfortably picked up from your hotel before immersing yourself in the thrill of night sledding beneath a starlit sky.
The gondola will transport you upwards to revel in stunning vistas prior to spending an hour on the slopes, weaving through forests, frozen waterfalls, and alpine meadows.
After your sledding adventure concludes, savor a traditional Alpine meal followed by Swiss fondue, a true cultural experience.
Be sure to dress warmly, as night sledding in a snowy mountain environment can be quite chilly.
11. Tandem Paragliding in Interlaken
Another exciting experience in Interlaken, this tandem paragliding adventure offers the thrill of soaring through the air alongside a trained and certified pilot.
This two-hour tour provides an exceptional opportunity to witness the Jungfrau region from above, regardless of your prior paragliding experience. Pick-up and transportation to the launching point at Beatenberg in Amisbühl are included.
Your flight duration will range from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on daily wind conditions, and you can expect to land with a sense of exhilaration.
12. Zurich: Culinary Tour by Tuk-Tuk
This distinctive tour promises to be unforgettable as you ride in an electric tuk-tuk, guided by a local, which serves as an eco-friendly and entertaining way to navigate Zurich.
A short stop allows for the addition of fondue and a bottle of Swiss wine in the back of your tuk-tuk, which you can savor while exploring the city. Your local guide will provide unique insights into Zurich that are truly engaging.
On this excursion, you will indulge in only the finest regional delicacies. Don’t let this opportunity for an extraordinary and delightful Zurich tour pass you by.
13. Queen of the Mountains: Day Trip to Rigi and Lucerne
As your own guide on this spectacular trip, you will explore the best of the Swiss Alps. After a comfortable bus ride from Zurich, you will enjoy a cable car ride, a cogwheel train voyage, and a lake cruise.
During the tour, you will stop at Vierwaldstättersee, Switzerland’s fourth-largest lake and ascend Rigi, known as the queen of the mountains. Rigi is adorned with spas and thermal baths, providing an ideal setting to unwind upon reaching the summit.
Remember to bring your camera, as the panoramic views from Rigi allow you to see an astonishing 13 lakes from the peak. Additionally, appreciate the sight of Rigi from the vicinity of Lucerne after traveling on the world’s oldest funicular railway, which was established in 1871. After a thrilling day, return to Zurich by coach.
14. Igloo Building with House-Warming Party
This once-in-a-lifetime experience is bound to stand out as a highlight of your trip – how many individuals can say they have constructed an igloo?
This winter activity is facilitated by an expert guide, who will assist you in building your igloo from scratch. After two and a half hours of teamwork and collaboration with your fellow builders, your igloo will be to completion.
As a celebration of your accomplishment, indulge in a housewarming party complete with traditional homemade schnapps and local gingerbread.
15. Snowmobile Tour of Madesimo & South Side of the Splügen Pass
So far, we have covered transportation by funicular, cogwheel railway, cable car, and boat; however, one of the most exhilarating experiences remains – snowmobiling.
Madesimo is regarded as one of the premier winter sports destinations in Switzerland, making it an ideal location to try riding a snowmobile. On this excursion, you will ascend 700 meters, rewarded with glorious views of the winter landscape, Lago Nero, and the Splügen Pass.
A professional guide will accompany you to ensure your safety and comfort throughout your snowmobiling experience.