Finding the best things to do in Switzerland depends on so many different factors. The planning of your trip is as individual as you are. Depending on the situation, the weather, the season, your preferences or the occasion, you need something completely different. If you want to do something with your dog, your expectations aren’t the same as when you’re organising a bachelor party. Likewise, families with children need other ideas than someone who’s looking for something to do when it rains.
Our goal is to help you organise your trip and give you ideas on what the best thing to do in Switzerland is for you.
Things to do in Switzerland with kids
Discover the right activity for you and your children in Switzerland for your next day out with the family. It doesn't matter what age your kids are. Or whether you prefer a chilled-out day, or if you’re looking for adventure and riddles. There's bound to be something in our collection of family activities that you'll all enjoy.
To start with, we'll share two family-friendly tips with you right here. For example, there are over 500 fireplaces maintained through the Schweizer Familie Fireplaces. These are perfect for a break during a hike or serve as a trip to the countryside. They’re free to visit and are well equipped with a barbecue, firewood and sometimes even with a playground or parking spaces.
Also popular for families are the numerous theme trails and nature trails that can be found throughout Switzerland. Get a good overview of over 200 theme trails on the Switzerland Tourism site.
For more tips and ideas, visit our ideas for your family trip page.
Family excursion to the Gantrisch Nature Park (Photo: Switzerland Tourism Ivo Scholz)
Winter in Switzerland with the family (Photo: Switzerland Tourism Stephan Boegli)Things to do in Switzerland when it rains
If you know anything about the weather in Switzerland, you'll understand that we don't enjoy sunshine for a full 365 days a year. Particularly in spring and autumn, cold, misty rainy days are not uncommon. Even in summer, you might come across the occasional dreary day. However, this is no reason to bury your head in the sand and wait in frustration for the sun to reappear.
Even on those gloomy days, Switzerland offers a vast array of activities. And it's not just indoor pursuits like visiting a museum, spending an afternoon at a spa, or trying to get out of an Escape Room. Outdoor activities such as a walk through a gorge, a kayaking adventure, or a cave exploration can be enjoyed even in less-than-ideal weather. And after a few days of rain, waterfalls are even more breathtaking than they usually are.
As an old saying goes, there's no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of bad weather ideas for you, and we're confident you'll find something to suit your taste.
Relax in a spa when it rains outside (Photo: Grand Hotel Zermatterhof)
Visit a chocolate factory in bad weather (Photo: Chocolarium)Things to do in Switzerland with your dog
Are you planning a trip with your dog? If you'd like to take your four-legged friend along, there are numerous activities in Switzerland where he (or she) is more than welcome. Our collection of ideas for things to do with your dog aims to help you find inspiration and make a decision.
For certain activities, your loyal companion can even tag along for free. If you're travelling with public transport in Switzerland, for instance, this often depends on his size. Small dogs with a height at the withers of up to 30 cm can travel for free in transport boxes, baskets or other suitable containers. However, as soon as he’s out of his basket, like larger dogs, he’ll need to purchase a half-fare ticket.
By the way, one of our favourite tips for something to do with your dog is an Escape Game. This involves you going on an outdoor treasure hunt, trying to solve a challenging puzzle. Sometimes, all you need for these games is a code and your mobile phone. One of our Escape Game partners told us that their customers enjoy playing an Escape Game to add some variety to their dog walk. Perhaps you'd like to try it out sometime?
Snowshoeing with the dog (Photo: Switzerland Tourism André Meier)
Hikes are perfect with the dog (Photo: Switzerland Tourism Lorenz Richard)Outdoor activities in Switzerland
Switzerland is a paradise in terms of outdoor activities. Throughout the year, it offers stunning mountain panoramas, crystal-clear lakes, roaring waterfalls, deep gorges, snow-capped peaks, and other natural wonders. These beckon enthusiasts to indulge in a myriad of activities like hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, skiing, canyoning and boat trips, just to name a few. Adventurers will find it just as rewarding as those who prefer a more relaxed experience.
But there's also plenty to do outdoors in the cities. From guided city tours and Escape Games to scooter rides. In Switzerland, you can be outside in any season and get to know the country in all its facets. Our suggestions for outdoor activities in Switzerland will help you with your planning.
Canyoning is a popular outdoor activity in Switzerland (Photo: Swiss River Adventures)
The view from the Thrill Walk in Birg below the Schilthorn is unique (Photo: Schilthornbahn)Ideas for a bachelor party in Switzerland
We’re getting a bit more specific now. Perhaps you've been tasked with organising a bachelor or bachelorette party? This is no easy task! We’re well aware… After all, everything needs to be perfect for the bride or groom-to-be, right? Depending on the size of the group, your time budget and everyone’s needs, there's a variety of activities you can take into consideration. In our ideas for a bachelor party in Switzerland, you’ll find activities suitable for those who like to relax as well as for adventurers, those eager to learn, riddle lovers, connoisseurs, or explorers. Perhaps you'll even find ideas that can be combined, turning your stag or hen night into a full stag or hen day?
Ideas for a team event in Switzerland
Just like organising a bachelor party, planning a team event also demands a lot from the person in charge. Not sure what to do with your colleagues? Then let our ideas for your team event in Switzerland inspire you. You'll find a variety of (sometimes extraordinary) activities for explorers, food lovers, adventurers, active participants, puzzle enthusiasts, and much more. Regardless of the season in which you're planning, here you'll find the necessary inspiration for your next team event.
Böötle on the Aare (Photo: Switzerland Tourism André Meier)
A round of disc golf is fun as a team (Photo: Lila Disc Golf)Ideas for your first date in Switzerland
Are you planning a first date and still in need of a unique idea? From relaxed and chilled-out to something more active to downright adventurous, there are almost no bounds to your imagination. The question is: What will you opt for? Our collection of first date ideas has plenty of inspiration waiting for you. We wish you plenty of excitement in planning this special event.
Things to do in Switzerland on Valentine’s Day
Every year around the 14th of February, many couples ponder: What on earth are we going to do for Valentine's Day? Perhaps you fancy a romantic candlelight dinner? Or maybe an afternoon at the spa? Or even an exhilarating jet boat tour on Lake Brienz? There are numerous activities to organise for the 14th of February. Find the perfect one for both of you in our ideas for Valentine's Day.
Things to do in Switzerland with a stroller
Planning a family trip in Switzerland suitable for strollers can be a bit of a challenge. That's why we've done the research for you and categorised all our activities that you can do with a stroller. On this page, you'll find a selection of things to do with a stroller to help you plan a day out with your family. You'll be amazed at the variety of options available. Not only can you travel to a mountain peak with most mountain railways, but activities such as Urban Golf, city tours, Escape Games, or even Tuk Tuk tours (if the stroller is foldable) are on the agenda.
On the ship you can take the stroller (Photo: CGN SA)
Likewise on many excursion destinations in the mountains (Photo: Schilthornbahn)Things to do in Switzerland with a wheelchair
A plethora of destinations in Switzerland are accessible and therefore suitable for wheelchairs. This means no one has to miss out on fun activities. Even special adventures such as paragliding, Urban Golf, and fishing are possible. Along with all the other "classics" like city tours, trips to a mountain peak or scenic boat rides, of course.
You’ll find all activities that are marked with the attribute "wheelchair" bundled up on our things to do with a wheelchair page. By the way, a collection of obstacle-free hiking trails can be found in this overview by Schweiz Mobil.
Journey by wheelchair through Switzerland (Photo: Switzerland Tourism Dominik Baur)
Even paragliding is possible with a wheelchair (Photo: Flug Taxi)Ideas for a children’s birthday in Switzerland
It's the highlight of the year for (almost) every child. Their birthday! If you're looking for a unique idea for the next children's birthday, we've got the inspiration you need. From visiting a chocolate factory, a Monstertrotti descent, a hike with cuddly alpacas to a muffin baking course, we've got it all. Be inspired by our ideas for a children's birthday and plan a memorable experience for your child.