How Long to Stay in Switzerland

With stunning natural scenery, cities that are magnets to the jet set from the world over, and a fairy tale ambiance tying it all together, Switzerland is a country filled with staggering beauty. With the luxurious city of Zurich in the north, the metropolis of Bern in the west, and the marvelous Swiss Alps lining the south, you will find plenty of exciting sights in this gorgeous country no matter where you go. In addition to its sights, Switzerland is also famous for its activities. If you are wondering how many days you should spend in Switzerland, you will at least not have to worry about running out of events to fill your itinerary. Test your skills at some of the world's best skiing slopes in the Swiss Alps, hike amid the mountains and lakes of Graubünden, and go out on a chocolate and cheese-eating spree in quaint Swiss towns. Read on to discover amazing itineraries for your Switzerland trip.

Spending 4 days in Switzerland allows you to enjoy some of the country’s most well-loved hikes in the Alps, visit a couple of beautiful cities like Zermatt, Geneva, or Bern, and taste the delicious cuisine such as fondue and chocolate. Indulge in a short lakeside escape, surrounded by iconic mountains, before visiting the underrated vineyards of Lucerne to recharge your batteries while appreciating the natural beauty of Switzerland. You can, of course, utilize what little time you have in Switzerland to explore one well-known region. Here are some itinerary ideas for a mini holiday in Switzerland.

If you’re thinking about spending 5 days in Switzerland, you have your pick of alpine hiking adventures, lakefront relaxation, or even a whistlestop foodie tour full of cheese and local wine. For a five-day Swiss itinerary, you can opt to visit two or three places on a cohesive tour, or spend the whole trip exploring one city or region like Zurich or Zermatt. Whether you want to strap on your hiking boots and take on iconic routes around the Matterhorn or the Eiger, or you prefer to soak up the alpine sun on the shores of Lake Geneva, or a trip that combines the two, there are plenty to see during a trip to Switzerland.

Do not be fooled by Switzerland’s size. For this stomping ground of the world’s richest punches way beyond its weight. Give yourself a week if all you want to do is zoom through its idyllic countryside and picture-postcard cities. But for a more wholesome experience, we suggest that you spend 10 days in Switzerland. Allow the lush landscape of Interlaken to stir the inner poet in you and explore the breathtaking vistas of the Swiss Alps. Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth cheese, and chocolates elevated to an art form in Gruyères, then walk lockstep with the who’s who of the world in Zurich. All the clichés about Switzerland being a picture-perfect destination are true. Prepare to be delighted with our 10-day Switzerland tours below.

With 6 days in Switzerland, you can easily visit three or four amazing places, such as the picturesque mountain village of Grindelwald, the fashionable streets of Zurich, and the bustling ski town of Zermatt. Alternatively, you can base yourself in one place and enjoy day trips and adventures. For instance, if you stay around Lake Lucerne, you can easily spend your days wandering the wine terraces of the Valais, hopping on boat tours, or enjoying hiking in the surrounding mountains. With so much to see and do in a little under a week, you’ll want to use your time wisely. Lucky for you, we have these fabulous 6-day Switzerland tour itineraries to aid you in planning your trip.

Planning to spend an extended holiday of two weeks in Switzerland? You can easily see all the best spots in the country, from the shores of Lake Lucerne to the heights of the Jungfraujoch Observation Deck and everything in between. Visit eight or more destinations on an organized tour that will take you around historic cities like Bern, Basel, and Zurich; foodie hotspots of Lavaux and Gruyere; and the mountain heartlands of Interlaken and Zermatt. Alternatively, you can take a more active break and check out some of Switzerland’s most beloved multi-day hiking and cycling routes. Here are some itinerary ideas for a two-week trip to Switzerland.

With 9 days in Switzerland, you can cover a huge distance of the country, from the wine terraces of Vevey to the mighty slopes of the Matterhorn and the Eiger. You can easily visit seven or eight destinations, including trendy cities like Geneva and Zurich, alongside alpine hikes and cycling adventures. 9 days is also an ideal amount of time to experience the unique alpine culture, taste the delicious cuisine, and relax and unwind on the world-class lakes, like Lake Lucerne and Lake Geneva. Combine amazing shopping experiences, tons of fondue, and multi-day hikes with views that’ll take your breath away. Below are some 9-day Switzerland trip itineraries for inspiration.

Switzerland is an outdoorsy paradise perfect for a multi-activity adventure. A week-long tour of the country will take you in the shadow of the Matterhorn, around the picturesque Lake Lucerne, and high above glaciers on a cable car ride. With 7 days in Switzerland, you can also choose to explore its beloved cities like Zurich, Geneva, and the capital, Bern. Better yet, you can spend a couple of days in the mountains, treat yourself to the cosmopolitan cities for a day or two, and still have time for some rest and relaxation near the Swiss vineyards. Here are some itinerary ideas for a week-long trip to Switzerland.

With 8 days in Switzerland, you can take on some of the world’s best multi-day hikes that take you past the Eiger, Matterhorn, or Monte Rosa. Alternatively, you can hop from one lakeside city to another, from Geneva to Lucerne to Lugano. Or you could book an organized tour, which can take you across four or five different destinations. With sweeping alpine railways, like the Glacier Express, getting around Switzerland is as much an experience as the destination itself. Read on to discover amazing itineraries for an 8-day trip to Switzerland.

With 12 days in Switzerland, you can easily cover eight or nine destinations. Take your time as you enjoy the views of the snowy peaks of Zermatt, explore the historic old town of Bern, or travel from the shore of Lake Lucerne to the slopes of the Jungfrau. With a 12-day Switzerland itinerary, you can also choose to spend the whole time exploring the magical hiking trails, crossing alpine meadows and towering peaks, or jump across the border into neighboring Italy, Germany, Austria, or France for a day or two. With some of the best mountain and lakefront scenery in the world, Switzerland is well worth slowing down and taking 12 days to experience to the fullest. Below are some of our best itineraries for a 12-day trip to Switzerland.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Alps, Switzerland offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, cultural richness and thrilling adventures, making it the ideal destination for travelers of all kinds. From the tranquil shores of Lake Geneva to the historic streets of Lucerne and the picturesque hiking trails in the Swiss Alps, you can capture the essence of Switzerland in just 11 days. So the only question is whether to spend your 11 days immersing in one or two fascinating cities, or embark on a whirlwind tour from east to west, covering much of what Switzerland has to offer.