Zoe Lodge

Explore this guide to a week of road tripping through Switzerland.

A wood bridge over water crossing into a building lined street — View of Chapel Bridge in Lucerne. Zoe Lodge.

After completing our journey through Austria, another week meant another leg of the road trip, this time taking us winding through the chalets and mountain villages of Switzerland. From high-end shopping in Zurich to high-elevation hikes in Zermatt, here are some recommendations for the ultimate Swiss road trip.

Mountain behind a city — View from Museggmauer. Zoe Lodge.

First Stop: Lucerne

Perched on the edge of Lake Lucerne and surrounded by sights such as Mount Pilatus and Mount Titlis, Lucerne is a picture-perfect destination for Swiss beauty, architecture and luxury. We spent one night in Lucerne, but we all wished we had dedicated at least two to three nights to fully explore the city and its surrounding areas.

5 Must-See Attractions:

Chapel Bridge - This 14th-century covered bridge and tower straddles the Reuss River where it enters Lake Lucerne. It is filled with 17th-century artworks and is one of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Museggmauer - The old fortress walls of Lucerne provide unmatched views of the city, lake and mountains nearby, with nine towers and a path atop open free to the public.
The Lion Monument - Another famous landmark, this monument gets high foot traffic during the day, so I would recommend visiting in the evening. The poignant war memorial is a must-see due to its large scale and emotional significance.
Altstadt “Old Town” - Lucerne’s Old Town is largely closed off to cars, allowing pedestrians to explore the intricate architecture, streets for shopping and local dining undisturbed.
Lake Lucerne - With its bright blue waters and picture-perfect scenery, Lake Lucerne is a must-visit, whether it’s via dinner cruise, pedal boat or lakeside path.

Restaurant Recommendations:

Twiny Station: This hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop can be found in the middle of Altstadt with great prices, friendly staff and a wide variety of delicious, freshly-made sandwiches. Lucerne is expensive, so this is a great budget dining option for a quick lunch by the river.

Opus: The riverside Mediterranean restaurant has great views, weekly specials and a wide selection of cocktails and wines served on a broad patio overlooking the crystal-clear water of the Reuss.

Mountains surrounding a valley — View of Lauterbrunnen from the Wengen hike. Zoe Lodge

Second Stop: Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen

We stayed in the village of Lauterbrunnen for two nights, and though we didn’t stay overnight in Interlaken or Grindelwald, their proximity to each other and Lauterbrunnen allowed us to spend about a day in both. All three locations are known for their outdoorsy nature and mountain activities, with Interlaken being a popular paragliding spot, Grindelwald home to numerous cable car routes and Lauterbrunnen known for its mountainous hikes and gorgeous waterfalls.

walking path along a cliff — First Cliff Walk in Grindelwald. Zoe Lodge.

5 Must-See Attractions:

Grindelwald First - Rather than the expensive and crowded multi-gondola ride to Jungfrau, or as it is also known, the “Top of Europe,” we went up the other side to Grindelwald First, a less crowded and more affordable option that still provides spectacular views, high elevation trails and the famous First Cliff Walk.
Wengen - A small resort village overlooking Lauterbrunnen, Wengen is accessible via a short train ride up the mountain or a steep yet spectacular hike to the top.
Unterseen Old Town - This charming downtown center in Interlaken has shops, cafes and views of local paragliding expeditions surrounding the bright blue waters of the Aare.
Staubbach Waterfall - The almost 300-foot waterfall can be seen from the entire Lauterbrunnen valley, with the option to make a short trek to a trailhead underneath the falls for even more spectacular views.
Grindelwald Main Street - The main stretch of Grindelwald is worth a visit on its own, packed with souvenir shops, sporting boutiques and rustic Swiss restaurants and cafes.

Restaurant Recommendations:

Velo Cafe - We stopped for lunch at this casual cafe in the middle of Interlaken, which serves all-day breakfast, brunch and coffee. It had a charming, rustic atmosphere and delicious vegetarian dishes.

Funky Chocolate Club - A dessert and coffee spot for Swiss chocolate lovers, this colorful cafe serves famous strawberries doused in Swiss chocolate, as well as other chocolate-based drinks and desserts.

Hotel Oberland - This hotel restaurant serves traditional Swiss cuisine on a front deck, providing breathtaking views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley while visitors enjoy classic cheese fondue.

Third Stop: Zermatt

Basking in the shadow of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a hotspot for the outdoorsy traveler all year round. Packed with ski resorts, hiking trails, bike paths and outdoor adventure parks, this car-free alpine village requires at least two nights’ stay to explore and experience it to the fullest.

suspension bridge over forests — Furi Suspension Bridge. Zoe Lodge

5 Must-See Attractions:

Gornergrat Railway - This historic train takes travelers from Zermatt to the summit of Gornergrat Ridge for incredible views of the Matterhorn and the valley below.
Kirchbrucke - A bridge in the city center over the Vispa, Kirchbrucke is a famous photo location for visitors to capture the view of the Matterhorn and the village in the background.
Forest Fun Park - For the adventurous who aren’t completely sold on mountain-climbing, this outdoor activity park is a great alternative, with ziplines and obstacle courses for the whole family.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise - The highest gondola station in the Alps, this attraction takes visitors to a viewing platform and restaurant area overlooking the glaciers and mountains of the Zermatt region.
Furi Suspension Bridge - This pedestrian bridge spans over a 300-foot gorge, offering an intense view of the waters down below. To access it, one must take a steep yet picture-perfect hike out of the valley that provides stunning sights of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains

Restaurant Recommendations:

Grampi’s - A cozy two-story Italian restaurant overlooking the main street of Zermatt, Grampi’s serves as a perfect and more affordable place to refuel after a long day of outdoor activities.

Arctic Juice & Cafe - A good stop for healthy and filling breakfast, brunch and lunch, this small cafe serves juices, smoothies, coffee and organic recipes.

stone bridge in town over a river — View of the Aare in Bern. Zoe Lodge.

Fourth Stop: Bern

The unofficial capital city of Switzerland is a bustling and beautiful hub, packed with ornate buildings, luxury shops and endless culture and activities. While we only spent an afternoon in the city on the way to Zurich, we would’ve loved to have spent at least a night or two in order to properly experience the city.

5 Must-See Attractions:

BearPark - Also known as the “Bear Pit,” this park was created around the original 16th-century pit where Swiss royals housed bears that they had received as gifts. The pit was expanded into a larger park along the river to provide more humane exposure, and visitors can see three bears up close in their habitat alongside the Aare.
Zytglogge - The clock tower in the city center was constructed in 1405 and is still working today, featuring ornate architecture and sun and moon hands.
Einstein’s House - Albert Einstein’s former residence in the city center has since been transformed into a museum about the life and accomplishments of the great scientist.
Bundeshaus - Also known as the Federal Palace or the Parliament Building, this stunning complex is the seat of the Swiss government, offering tours and a viewing gallery for visitors.
Kirchenfeldbrücke - This is a grand bridge across the Aare open to pedestrians that provides fantastic views of the casino, river and the rest of the city.

A man with a boat on a river through a city — View from Lindenhof. Zoe Lodge.

Fifth Stop: Zurich

One of Switzerland’s largest and most famous cities, Zurich definitely deserves more than a one-night stay to truly appreciate all of its cultural elements and explore the city in-depth. It’s a lively area with a lot of history and much to explore.

5 Must-See Attractions:

Fraumunster Church - An elegant church perched along the Limmat river, the Fraumunster is known for its copper spire and artful stained-glass windows that visitors can see by booking a tour.
Zurich Opera House - An ornate venue constructed in the 1800s, this opera house is open for ticketed performances of the ballet and opera, as well as visitor tours.
Lindenhof - The site of a former Roman fortress has since been transformed into a park with giant chessboards and excellent city views.
Museum Rietberg - This is an art museum housed in a 19th-century estate located in Rietpark alongside the river.
Old Town - Marked by tiny cobblestone streets, a blend of historic buildings and modern shops, Zurich’s old town is a hub for tourists looking to experience the city’s charm.

Restaurant Recommendation:

Trattoria Sempre - This is an Italian-style small plates restaurant with pastas, pizzas and salads for sharing, with friendly service and a comfortable atmosphere. The restaurant is colorfully decorated, with famous porcelain-plate-adorned bathrooms and newspaper-plastered walls.

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