Switzerland is a beautiful place for vacations, including lot of Fun Switzerland activities you can try! With the gorgeous mountains and beautiful lakes, there are many adventurous activities for those who dare to leave their comfort zone. Such activities include hiking certain routes, flying on a zip line, getting wet with water sports and skiing down a fun ski slope. Read on to see what travellers recommend for their fun Switzerland activities!
Fun Switzerland Activities
These fun Switzerland activities can be for tourists and locals alike, making these some of the fun things to do in Switzerland during travels. A lot of the below mentioned activities are at different Switzerland destinations, so it’s great to check out where you will visit and what there is to do there!
Hike the 5 Lakes Trail in Zermatt
Hike in the heart of the Swiss Alps on the 5 Lakes Trail (5-Seenweg), one of the most picturesque hikes in Switzerland with views of the Matterhorn along the way. The trail is located just outside of the mountain village of Zermatt, famous for its world-class skiing and hiking.
The 6.8 mile trek is rated as a moderate difficulty and takes you past five scenic lakes: Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grunsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee. Pay special attention to the lakes, because you can see the reflection of the Matterhorn in three of them. Along the trail you will see gorgeous views of the rugged landscape and walk along pine trees and wildflowers with the majestic Matterhorn standing tall in the distance. Pack a swimsuit., because once you reach Leisee you can reward yourself with a refreshing dip into the lake! It’s one of the best things to do in Zermatt in summer.
The season for the hike is from June-October. To get to the trailhead take the gondola from Zermatt to Blauherd. You will then descend 454 m and ascend 155 m before reaching Sunnegga. From Sunnegga, take the gondola back down to Zermatt. The hike should take you around 2.5 hours.
Once you’re done your hike, unwind at the spa in your chic boutique hotel or discover Zermatt’s culinary and shopping scene.
Written by Cecily from Groovy Mashed Potatoes
Boating and Kayaking on Lake Lucerne
One of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland is Lucerne. The city is comfortably nestled between Mount Pilatus, Mount Titlis, and Lake Lucerne. There’s no better way to take in the city than from the water.
There are a number of ways to get on the water depending on your preference. Kayaking and canoeing tours are available for half or full days. The tours are a great way to get an intimate look at the lake, learn the history of the area, and enjoy a picnic lunch.
For those that prefer a more relaxed view of the lake, a steamboat is a wonderful option. You can learn the inner workings of the steam engine or just relax in the sun and take in views of the Swiss landscape as it floats by. Steamboat cruises last anywhere from 1-5 hours depending on the tour length.
Be sure to bring sun protection for the water as the sun can be deceiving. You don’t want to spend the vacation with sunburn. If you want to swim in the lake, bring your own bathing suit and towel.
Lucerne has a rich history that is often overlooked when in Switzerland. If you have time to spend a night in this charming city, you won’t be disappointed.
Written by Pamela from The Directionally Challenged Traveler
Hiking Giswilerstock
Giswilerstock is a 1,825 metre (6,000 foot) mountain in Obwalden not far from Lucerne. There is an easy hiking route to the summit which offers fantastic views above the clouds and across nearby Lake Sarnen.
The picturesque hiking trail starts near the village of Giswil and continues through alpine meadows before entering lush pine forest. There is a hut with firewood where you can stop for lunch have a barbecue if the weather is fine.
The trail continues up a rocky path to the summit where a large wooden cross indicates you have reached your goal. Here, there are benches where you can sit and enjoy the views. It is a local tradition to enjoy a sip of Gipfelwein (peak wine) to celebrate your ascent.
Starting and finishing from the Fluonalp guest house, restaurant and dairy and returning along the same route takes around two hours. There is also a longer round-trip on the Bargmandli trail which takes around five hours to complete. It’s definitely one of the fun Switzerland activities you should try at least once!
When returning, you should pop into the Fluonalp dairy and try the local speciality Giwilersuppe; an alcoholic “soup” made from coffee, plum schnapps, a whole prune, and topped with locally made thick cream.
Interesting fact: the dairy heard of Giswil has been granted full citizenship and the locals joke that the cows have more rights than they do!
How to get there: multiple daily trains from Lucerne take just 25 minutes to reach Giswil.
Best time of year to go: Spring and Summer are the best times to hike Giswilerstock. Avoid winter as the snowfall can exceed three metres!
Written by Steve Rohan from The Trip Goes On
Swimming in the River Rhine
Swimming in the Rhine is an incredibly fun activity you can engage in Basel. The town at the border of Switzerland, Germany, and France is known for its rich cultural heritage. But the refreshment that cultural visitors find in the river waters is the one that highlights their stay.
Especially in summer months, Rhine is the artery of the city, a vivid promenade, a place to meet friends for a drink, or for some Mediterranean-style suntanning in this country without sea.
The river stream is strong, and only the best swimmers should tame it. However, a special waterproof bag has been designed, the Wickelfisch. It enables storing your dry clothes before entering the river, but it also helps casual floating.
Armed with colourful bags, thousands of locals and tourists float down the Rhine in this unique way of sightseeing. It might seem unusual at first glance, but could you really expect less from the city that even allows bathing in fountains?
Basel is in love with water, and every August the city celebrates a massive event called Rheinschwimmen. While that’s certainly a floating rush-hour, you can take a swim on your own whenever the weather seems right. That is typically between May and September.
Swimming in the Rhine is fun and affordable, one of those free things to do in Basel, which is not really considered the cheapest place in the world. But then again, you don’t have to be rich to have priceless experiences!
Written by Ivan Kralj from Pipeaway.com
Exploring Chillon Castle
Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Switzerland you should not miss!
The castle’s history spans nearly 1,000 years and can be divided into 3 different eras: the Savoy period (12th-14th centuries), the Bernese period (16th-18th centuries), and the Vaudois period (18th century to present day). During these stages, the castle had various purposes: it served as an aristocratic residence, a military fortification, and also as a prison.
Today it is open to visitors for tours that show different parts of the building, including the underground rooms and banquet halls. It’s possible to visit the castle on a self-guided tour and you can also opt for a guided tour, led by one of the official guides who can provide more information about the castle.
The castle is open daily, from 9 am to 6 pm from April to October and 10 am-5 pm between November and March. The entrance to Chillon Castle is 10.50 CHF for adults and 6 CHF for children.
The easiest way to get to Chillon Castle is by car, there is a large parking lot available near the castle. In case you don’t have a car, the castle is also accessible by bus or train, or even by boat!
Written by Krisztina from She Wanders Abroad
Trottinetting in Adelboden
Switzerland is filled with a huge variety of active family adventures in every season. A favourite summer activity in the mountains of the Bernese Alpine village of Adelboden is renting a trottinette. Located a 45-minute drive from the Swiss capital, Bern, the village bills itself as “Trottiland,” and in summer, one can easily see why this activity is one of the most fun things to do in Adelboden.
A trottinette is a motor-less, two-wheeled scooter, on which you can stand and ride. Participants purchase trottinette tickets for the Sillerenbühl gondola, which departs from the village to ascend Silleren and pick up the scooter. Then it’s a fun and fast ride down the winding, paved mountain trails back to the village. Equipped with hand brakes for both front and back wheels, the trottinette is one of the most fun ways for families to spend the day descending down the 28 miles of trails and partially-dedicated roadways.
It is important to note that the roadways are shared with cars, and it is the responsibility of every trottinette rider to obey the rules of the road ride carefully. For kids to ride alone, they must be at least 8 years old and able to activate the brakes.
Written by Claudia Laroye from Claudia Travels
Mount Stanserhorn Cabrio
Located just 15 minutes outside of Lucerne in the village of Stans, the Mt Stanserhorn CabriO car is an incredible experience to have while visiting Switzerland.
The ride to the top of Mt Stanserhorn actually consists of taking two separate cable cars. The first portion of the journey to the summit is by the Oldtimer Funicular Train.
Built in 1893, the train originally consisted of 3 sections of track to reach the top of the mountain. Nowadays, only the bottom portion, which was restored in 2009, is still in operation. The middle and top portions were replaced by the CabriO Cable Car in 1975.
The CabriO cable car is the world’s first cable car to offer a roofless upper deck. Coupled with a lower level that is almost completely wrapped in windows, the 360-degree panoramic views are absolutely breathtaking!
The ride to the top takes 24 minutes, with the cable car traveling at approximately 8 meters per second. The fresh mountain air and beautiful vistas from the outdoor observation deck are beyond compare!
The summit at Mt Stanserhorn offers a couple of different observation decks, as well as a gift shop and full-service restaurant with a rotating floor. A walking path is also accessible to take visitors around the summit, or if they prefer, to the official peak. The walk takes about 30 minutes and is not very difficult.
At 6,227ft, the peak offers amazing views of the Black Forest in Germany, as well as a total of 10 different lakes.
Tickets can be purchased for either a round trip or a one-way fare, with some guests choosing to hike the mountain in one direction. Just be forewarned, the hike consists of a steep and narrow path, and will take a minimum of 4 hours to complete.
Written by Marianne from Pasta Pretzels & Passports
Fräkigaudi Toboggan Run at Fräkmüntegg, Lucerne
Embedded into the gradually-inclining side of Mt Pilatus lies Fräkigaudi Toboggan Run, an absolute must to include on a summer Lucerne itinerary. For fun Switzerland activities with friends and family, this one should be at the top of the list!
Featuring a lengthy, winding curved steel track (1.35 kilometres, to be exact), the Fräkigaudi Toboggan Run is the longest summer run of its kind in Switzerland. The run opens in April and remains active until October on fine days, while it closes throughout winter as it becomes buried beneath snow.
Leaving bags at the starting point, riders pay CHF 9 per for a few moments’ of excitement and breathtaking views. Vistas over Lake Lucerne and the surrounding region below are complemented by the sounds of bells from cows grazing on the grassy fields besides the run.
Jump into a toboggan, push the lever forward, lean into the corners and enjoy the ride! The run has a few tunnels and is surrounded by rolling hills against alpine scenery.
Riders set their own pace throughout the run, whether it be speedy or leisurely. The only downside is getting stuck behind someone who is going VERY slow as there is no way to go around them – speedy folks should always go first.
Don’t forget to look up to spot the Pilatus cable cars going overhead to and from the mountain summit. The toboggans have their own zip line to be returned to the starting point on top of the hill. Riders can remain on their toboggan and be taken back if they’re wanting to ride again!
Written by Alyse from The Invisible Tourist
Skiing in St Moritz
St Moritz is a chic and elegant ski resort town in Switzerland. As one of the best luxury ski resorts in Europe, visitors can expect high-end amenities and exceptional fine dining. But the real fun lies in the ski offering, with St Moritz providing some of the best winter sports provisions in the world. The St Moritz resort boasts three separate ski areas with 350km of runs. It’s perhaps not best suited to those just starting out with skiing or snowboarding, but intermediates and experts will find plenty to keep them entertained. The popular Corviglia area above the town offers an enticing collection of red runs, while experts can enjoy the vast off-piste areas. With the ski area situated at a high altitude, snow conditions are reliable. There are also snow cannons covering around 80% of the pistes to support the natural snowfall. Modern ski lifts mean that waiting times are minimal, so skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the mountain seamlessly. St Moritz offers a number of other fun winter activities, for those who want to try something different to skiing or snowboarding. These include, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, bobsleigh, curling, winter hiking, horse-drawn sleigh rides on Lake Silvaplana and more. It’s easy to see why St Moritz is such a wonderful destination for fun winter activities in Switzerland.
Written by Jessie Moore from Pocket Wanderings
Exploring Mount Titlis Glacier
Mount Titlis is a true snow wonderland packed with fun things to do, and the best part is that you can visit it in any season. Its summit is at 3,238 meters above sea level, and it’s a glacier covered in snow all year round.
Apart from the stunning nature, Mount Titlis is also famous for having the first rotating cable car in the world, for its incredible skiing and snowboarding pistes, hiking trails, and two other unique and fun attractions: the glacier cave and the cliff walk.
As soon as the cable car arrives at the top station find your way to the glacier cave. It’s a 150 meters long cave, like a passage under the thick ice on the top of the mountain. The ice there is up to 5,000 years old, can you believe it? It’s beautiful to see and very cold to feel. The temperature inside the cave is usually around -1.5ºC. Frosty!
After the cave, be ready for more fun Switzerland activities. Go for a stroll on Titlis Cliff Walk which is the highest suspension bridge in Europe. You can walk over a 100 meters long bridge overlooking the glacier and mountains at 3,041 meters above sea level. Definitely not an activity for those afraid of heights, but a must-do when visiting Mount Titlis.
Once you are done with the glacier cave and Titlis Cliff Walk, I suggest you stop for a hot chocolate and enjoy the slopes if you are traveling during winter. If you are visiting Mount Titlis in any other season, check their website for all the activities offered. There is always something fun happening there.
Listed as one of the top things to do in Lucerne, visiting Mount Titlis is easy as it only takes 45 minutes by train to get there. But if you want to enjoy a proper holiday in the mountains, then you can stay in the tiny town of Engelberg located at the mountain feet.
It doesn’t matter if you are going for a day or for a week, there are many activities and things to do on Mount Titlis to keep you and your family busy and happy.
Written by Natalie Deduck from Love And Road
Kayaking at Lake Brienz
Lake Brienz is famous for its stunning turquoise water colour. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and has a gorgeous setting. The best way to explore the area is to get on the water.
There are several companies offering boat tours. But if you are adventurous and want a truly unique experience then kayaking Lake Brienz is your best option. Kayak rental is available at Interlaken at the Hightide Kayak School. If you are a complete beginner you can choose to do a guided tour.
The lake has several attractions that you can explore including some lovely beaches that are great for a swim. Schnäggeninseli (Snail Island) is the only island in the lake and among the largest in the Bernese Oberland. It is also a really cool experience to paddle under the Iseltwald cliffs. However, the highlight is to paddle to Giessbach Falls. A truly unique experience to be in a kayak at the bottom of the 392 m high waterfall. You will also have a nice view of the Grandhotel Giessbach and the charming historical funicular.
The paddle from Interlaken to the waterfall and back takes about 7 hours. It is 23 km, so you will need to be quite fit. There is an opportunity to drop your kayak off at Brienz, making the paddle shorter.
Written by Eniko from Travel Hacker Girl
Exploring Seealpsee Lake
Switzerland has stunning landscapes and numerous lakes. This, in addition to the Swiss Alps, helps provide opportunities for numerous fun activities one can partake in while in Switzerland.
While many tend to visit Lucerne for boating on the Lucerne, there’s a less visited yet equally picturesque lake in the Alps, Seealpsee.
The Seealpsee lake is what one would call a mirror lake due to its mirror reflections when undisturbed. It is located at an altitude of 1141 metres above sea level and the reflections of the mountains by its side make doing any activity by the lake truly memorable.
It is quite rare to find visitors here by the lake as the lake is situated by a hiking path in the Alps, thus people tend to take a pit stop here for a short while and then continue on their hike. However, in summer it is worthwhile to spend a couple of days here to watch the cows lazily grazing while you go boating on the lake!
You can rent a boat from the lodge located in Seealpsee, and take it out on the lake. You could also go kayaking on the lake.
Written by Lavina from Continent Hop
Paragliding in the Lauterbrunnen Valley
Most people know Lauterbrunnen Valley for its steep granite walls and pointy steeple; photographers and tourists alike have walked the valley and photographed its charm.
Yet they all miss out on the best vantage point: the sky. Paragliding in the Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the best fun Switzerland activities – in fact, this location is one of the best places for paragliding in the world.
The activity starts in a mountainside town along the valley – usually Murren – which is only accessible by gondola or hiking trail. Once strapped into your guide and briefed on the process, you’ll take a few running steps before the wind catches the paraglide and you’re airborne.
From here, you’ll soar through the valley. The tiny towns that dot the valley floor will seem even smaller from above. You’ll fly by waterfalls – 72 of them – some of which you couldn’t even see from the ground. Snow-capped mountains will line the horizon on either side. Gradually you’ll lose elevation until the end of the activity, when your feet will softly meet the ground.
While you’re in the valley, consider staying at The Mountain Hostel, a cozy hostel perched on the side of the mountain and only reachable by gondola. There are also dozens of hiking trails in the area. Sure enough, there’s more to do in Lauterbrunnen Valley than simply photographing it!
Written by Mikaela from Voyageur Tripper
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