Switzerland in 12 Days: 2 Recommended 12-Day Itineraries to Switzerland

Check out our Switzerland 12-day itinerary suggestions that will help you explore the mountains of Switzerland and even cross-over to Austria. Plan your 12 days in Switzerland with us!

With this Switzerland 12-day itinerary plan, you can take in charming small alpine towns, historic chateaus, and larger cities without much trouble. Start on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel with its gothic architecture before visiting the 13th-century splendor of Château de Boudry, a castle complete with a wine museum. Wander the medieval streets of Murten before heading to the Old Town of the capital, Bern. Meet chocolate-makers in the city before journeying into the ski town of Zermatt. In Zermatt, you can experience Europe’s highest mountain railway, the Gornergrat, or spend the day hiking the alpine trails in the shadow of the mighty Matterhorn. Next, head to one of the “Pearls of the Swiss Riviera,” Vevey on Lake Geneva, and spend a day at the wine terraces of Lavaux. Next, enjoy a guided tour of the spectacular Château de Chillon and a visit to the Olympic Museum at Montreux. Then, catch a train to Lucerne, where you can wander the 800-year-old streets of the Altstadt and see the iconic 14th-century Chapel Bridge. Enjoy a free day in Lucerne, with the options of taking a cogwheel train from Vitznau to Rigi Klum on the top of Mount Rigi for amazing lake and mountain views or jumping on a cruise tour of Lake Lucerne. See all tours in Switzerland.

This itinerary will take you to three central European nations in 12 days. Start your journey in Vienna, the capital of Austria, known for its opera and the Habsburg dynasty. Visit the iconic Schonbrunn Palace, the home of the imperial family, before stopping off at the Sound of Music hotspots of Melk Abbey and Mondsee's Basilica St. Michael. Then, travel to Salzburg, the home of Mozart, where you can visit his birthplace. Next, board a boat to the stunning Herrenchiemsee Palace and Gardens before sailing onwards to Gstadt in Germany. From here, journey to Munich, with its beer halls, Victory Arch, and mighty glockenspiel. Spend the morning exploring the city before visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. For your final stop in Germany, head to the opulent and beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle and the Bavarian village of Oberammergau. Then, cross back into Austria and visit the Imperial Palace of Innsbruck with its golden roof, or embrace the iconic winter sports scene. Finally, traverse the Engadine Valley into Switzerland for the last leg of your tour. Stay in the stylish resort of St. Moritz for one night, and then hop on the world-class Glacier Express through the picturesque Oberalp Valley to reach Lucerne, known for its lakeside charm and medieval fortifications. On the next day, head to the mighty Stanserhorn with mountain views as far as Germany and France on a clear day. Your tour concludes in Zurich. Describe your ideal 12-day holiday for a customized trip to Switzerland.

While 12 days in Switzerland may seem like a long time, it’s easy to create a varied itinerary that encompasses historic villages, quaint alpine villages, and plenty of natural mountain beauty in one trip. You can also split your itinerary and hop the border into neighboring countries like Germany and Austria to get as many different experiences as you can. Check out our guide on how many days to spend in Switzerland. For more help creating your ideal Swiss itinerary, get in touch with our in-country travel experts, who can put together a personalized trip to Switzerland that suits your interests and needs.

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