📍 Switzerland

SWISS SUMMER CLASSICS: LAKES, ALPS AND SCENIC RAILS

Cable cars climb toward eternal snows, panoramic trains wind through alpine pastures, horns echo through the passes. Swiss summer is mountain perfection.

≈ 11
Days
572
Km
5
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Lucerne and its lake, car-free Wengen, Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn, Appenzell traditions and Zurich elegance. Take panoramic trains and cable cars to discover Switzerland in summer.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Lucerne

lake city romantic bridges

Lucerne - Photo 1Lucerne - Photo 2Lucerne - Photo 3Lucerne - Photo 4Lucerne - Photo 5Lucerne - Photo 6Lucerne - Photo 7Lucerne - Photo 8Lucerne - Photo 9Lucerne - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) & Water Tower walkabout
2
Old Town (Altstadt) lanes and riverside squares
🎯

Activities

→
Lake Lucerne promenade from Seebrücke to Hofkirche
→
Optional boat cruise on Vierwaldstättersee (short round trip)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 80 km
Travel time: 2h
2
Day

Wengen

chemical-free mountain village

Wengen - Photo 1Wengen - Photo 2Wengen - Photo 3Wengen - Photo 4Wengen - Photo 5Wengen - Photo 6Wengen - Photo 7Wengen - Photo 8Wengen - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Lauterbrunnen village orientation & Staubbach Falls viewpoint
2
Wengen car-free alpine village stroll
🎯

Activities

→
Trümmelbach Falls tunnel lifts and galleries
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Sunset walk from Wengen to Wengwald viewpoint
3
Day

Wengen

chemical-free mountain village

Wengen - Photo 1Wengen - Photo 2Wengen - Photo 3Wengen - Photo 4Wengen - Photo 5Wengen - Photo 6Wengen - Photo 7Wengen - Photo 8Wengen - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe: Sphinx Terrace & Ice Palace
2
Kleine Scheidegg mountain pass panorama stop
🎯

Activities

→
High-alpine plateau walk (Jungfraujoch Plateau path, weather-permitting)
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Rail journey via Wengen–Kleine Scheidegg–Jungfraujoch round trip
4
Day

Wengen

chemical-free mountain village

Wengen - Photo 1Wengen - Photo 2Wengen - Photo 3Wengen - Photo 4Wengen - Photo 5Wengen - Photo 6Wengen - Photo 7Wengen - Photo 8Wengen - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Grindelwald First Cliff Walk by Tissot
2
Iseltwald/Brienz lakeside photo stop (Lake Brienz)
🎯

Activities

→
First area activities (optional: zipline/kart/kickbike)
→
Hot-tub boating with Pirate Bay Nautical Center (Bönigen) or kayak session on Lake Brienz
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 150 km
Travel time: 3h10
5
Day

Zermatt

matterhorn shadow resort

Zermatt - Photo 1Zermatt - Photo 2Zermatt - Photo 3Zermatt - Photo 4Zermatt - Photo 5Zermatt - Photo 6Zermatt - Photo 7Zermatt - Photo 8Zermatt - Photo 9Zermatt - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Zermatt village orientation: Bahnhofstrasse & riverside walk
2
Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis
🎯

Activities

→
Sunnegga funicular ascent & hike between mountain huts
6
Day

Zermatt

matterhorn shadow resort

Zermatt - Photo 1Zermatt - Photo 2Zermatt - Photo 3Zermatt - Photo 4Zermatt - Photo 5Zermatt - Photo 6Zermatt - Photo 7Zermatt - Photo 8Zermatt - Photo 9Zermatt - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 6
🎯

Activities

→
High-altitude trail segments around Gornergrat (short loop)
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Photo stops at Rotenboden/Riffelberg and return to Zermatt
7
Day

Zermatt

matterhorn shadow resort

Zermatt - Photo 1Zermatt - Photo 2Zermatt - Photo 3Zermatt - Photo 4Zermatt - Photo 5Zermatt - Photo 6Zermatt - Photo 7Zermatt - Photo 8Zermatt - Photo 9Zermatt - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn) cable car system (optional if not done Jungfraujoch)
2
Riffelhaus 1853 exterior viewpoint stop (if routing via Gornergrat line in day)
🎯

Activities

→
Paragliding or guided mountain biking (seasonal, weather-permitting)
→
Shopping and café time back in Zermatt
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 230 km
Travel time: 4h30
8
Day

Appenzell

folk tradition alpine culture

Appenzell - Photo 1Appenzell - Photo 2Appenzell - Photo 3Appenzell - Photo 4Appenzell - Photo 5Appenzell - Photo 6Appenzell - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Wasserauen to Ebenalp cable car & Aescher Gasthaus cliffside stop
2
Seealpsee lakeside (short hike from Ebenalp/Wasserauen route)
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking on Ebenalp trails (short loop via Wildkirchli caves)
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Appenzell town center stroll (painted façades & squares)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 100 km
Travel time: 1h20
9
Day

Zurich

lake elegance city charm

Zurich - Photo 1Zurich - Photo 2Zurich - Photo 3Zurich - Photo 4Zurich - Photo 5Zurich - Photo 6Zurich - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Altstadt (Old Town): Niederdorf & Lindenhof viewpoints
2
Bahnhofstrasse window-shopping walk
🎯

Activities

→
Lake Zurich promenade (Bürkliplatz sector) or public bath deck time (seasonal)
→
Fondue dinner in the hills
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 12 km
Travel time: 20min
10
Day

Zurich

lake elegance city charm

Zurich - Photo 1Zurich - Photo 2Zurich - Photo 3Zurich - Photo 4Zurich - Photo 5Zurich - Photo 6Zurich - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Grossmünster & Fraumünster (Chagall windows) quick heritage stops
2
Kunsthaus Zürich (if time permits)
🎯

Activities

→
Last-minute shopping/coffee in Old Town alleys

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - Switzerland

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Summer (June-August): Perfect weather for hiking, warmest temperatures, peak tourist season, highest prices, long daylight hours, festival season.

Winter (December-March): World-class skiing, Christmas markets, winter sports paradise, expensive ski resorts, shorter daylight, magical snowy landscapes.

Spring (April-May): Mild weather, fewer crowds, moderate prices, wildflower blooms, excellent for cultural sites, unpredictable mountain weather.

Fall (September-October): Pleasant temperatures, autumn colors, harvest season, good weather, fewer tourists, excellent value before ski season.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 9 and 13 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Switzerland?

Alpine perfection with pristine mountains, luxury watches, and world-famous chocolate culture. Experience efficient trains, medieval towns, and outdoor adventures in Europe's playground. The country offers incredible hiking, skiing, and luxury experiences with stunning mountain scenery. Switzerland provides reliability, beauty, and luxury in compact Alpine paradise.