Best Day Trips from Zurich, Though it is best recognized as the global banking and finance industry’s nerve center, Zurich is a dynamic and multifaceted destination.
Zurich is the financial hub of the globe, yet it is also a wonderfully bustling urban with enough to see and do outside of the office.
An excursion to Zurich is not complete without a canoe ride on Lake Zurich, a stroll through historic Grossmünster and Fraumunster, and a perambulation through hip and contemporary Kreis 5. Afterward, you must break free of the confines of the city in order to discover the rest of Switzerland.
There is a wide range of attractions to explore, from pristine alpine peaks to quaint local shops and restaurants.
Best Day Trips from Zurich
Mount Titlis
The ski resort at Mount Titlis in the Uri Alps is among the most visited in all of Switzerland.
A day trip to Mount Titlis from Zurich is enjoyable for anybody, regardless of whether or not they enjoy winter activities.
The TITLIS Rotair, the first revolving cable car in the world, provides breathtaking views of the mountainous terrain below.
At Mount Titlis, you may go tobogganing, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking.
Mount Titlis is a great place for families to get outside and have some fun.
Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch, located in the Bernese Alps between the mountains Jungfrau and Mönch, is sometimes referred to as “the Top of Europe.”
Visit the Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau during your day trip to Jungfraujoch to take in breathtaking views of the enormous Aletsch Glacier.
The three highest mountains in the Bernese Alps—Jungfrau, Mönch, and the less well-known but no less impressive Eiger—can be seen from the observation car of the Jungfraujoch cogwheel train.
Any intrepid traveler should make the journey to Jungfraujoch from Zurich for a day trip.
Grindelwald
At the base of the Bernese Alps, Grindelwald serves as the entry point to the breathtaking Jungfrau mountain range.
The center of Zurich is about 138 kilometers from this well-liked ski town.
Ziplining at First, sledding at Faulhorn, and hiking at Bachalpsee are just a few of the popular day trips from Grindelwald.
Rolling green pastures laced with walkways, many waterfalls, and gorgeous trickling streams surround the settlement.
Grindelwald is the perfect place to visit if you want to see real Swiss countryside.
Interlaken
Interlake, located in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland’s central region, is a lovely lakeside vacation town.
Interlaken’s name comes from the fact that there are lakes to the east and west of the city.
Interlaken is located between the deep blue waters of Lake Brienz and the shallower blue waters of Lake Thun, and is separated by a waterfall.
Interlaken has a reputation for having excellent shopping arcades where one may find a wide variety of products and services.
The traditional Swiss timber buildings that span the Aare River provide for stunning photographic subjects.
Several fantastic day treks for all levels of fitness begin in Interlaken.
Lucerne
Medieval buildings and a mountainous, snowy background have made Lucerne famous.
The tranquility and beauty of Lake Lucerne is a major magnet for tourists.
It’s possible to hop on a paddle steamer and get a new perspective on the city.
Perhaps the most recognizable feature of Lucerne is Kapellbrücke, a long, curving bridge adorned on either side with works of art.
It would be simple to spend an entire day just strolling from one charming street to the next in Lucerne, as the city is so full of them.
The Museum Sammlung Rosengart is a must-see for any art lovers taking a day trip to the area.
Mount Pilatus
Superstition and mythology abound atop Mount Pilatus, making it a fascinating place to discover everything from giants and dragons to the secrets of the gods themselves.
Jump on the cogwheel train at Kriens and you’ll be whisked up to Krienseregg, where you can get the best views of Mount Pilatus.
As you fly through the air in a gondola, you’ll get to see stunning panoramas of the surrounding mountain range.
You can take a short break at Krienseregg, and then hop back on the gondola to ride to Fräkmüntegg, which is the next stop before the summit of Mount Pilatus.
The final gondola ride takes you up the 2,132-meter-high Pilatus peak via the Dragon’s Ride.
Engelberg
One of the most revered monasteries in all of Europe can be found in Engelberg.
In 1120, Benedictine monks built the Engelberg Baroque monastery. There are currently more than three resident monks in the monastery.
Engelberg is a small town in Switzerland that is well-known for its artisanal cheeses.
The hamlet itself is picturesque, and there are several gift shops to peruse that are owned and operated by locals.
The Engelberg Ironworks, which are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, may pique the curiosity of many.
If time is of the essence, you can combine a trip to Engelberg with a quick stop in Lucerne.
Rigi
Rigi is a mountain range in central Switzerland that is part of the Alps.
Rigi is an amazing natural phenomenon because it is surrounded on almost all sides by water.
Rigi’s peak provides stunning panoramas of the watery landscape below, including Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug, and Lake Lauerz.
The Rigi peak stands at an impressive 1,798 meters above sea level, and while it is feasible to hike to the summit, most visitors prefer to use the mountain railway for a more leisurely experience.
One of Switzerland’s best-kept secrets, Rigi is also known as the Queen of the Mountains.
Appenzell
Appenzell is a charming Swiss hamlet that looks like it was plucked straight from a postcard.
Appenzell, Switzerland, is a picture-perfect village with its traditional Swiss chalets, green pastures, and distant Alpstein mountains.
Hiking is, unsurprisingly, the most common pastime in Appenzell, with the Hoher Kasten, Saxer Lüke, and the Marwees being particularly well-liked as destinations for expeditions of this kind.
For some, these might as well be mountains rather than hills; in any case, they’re the kind of trails that only serious hikers would want to tackle.
Museum Appenzell, a fascinating alternative to the steep slopes, displays artifacts from the town’s rich and varied past.
Kleine Scheidegg
The Kleine Scheidegg is a mountain pass in the Bernese Oberland between the Eiger and the Lauberhorn.
The amazing Swiss cogwheel trains take you on another day journey from Zurich.
On top of the Kleine Scheidegg, visitors have the option of taking it easy while taking in the scenery or venturing farther into the mountains.
The start of the Jungfrau Eiger Walk, which features stunning panoramas of the Eiger glacier, can be found right here.
You may spend the day reading, sipping coffee, and taking in the breathtaking view from one of the mountain’s many restaurants if you don’t feel like hiking.
Basel
Basel, Switzerland, is a flourishing metropolis located on a bend in the Rhine River.
This multiethnic city on the border between France and Germany is fascinating.
Get out of the mountains! From Zurich, a day trip to culturally rich Basel is a must.
Basel’s old town, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is just one example of the city’s rich past.
The red sandstone Town Hall of the Marktplatz is an excellent first stop.
The Basel Minister, a Gothic cathedral with not one but two soaring spires, may be reached from here.
An enjoyable day in Basel can be enriched by a visit to the Beyeler Foundation, which houses a fantastic collection of modern and contemporary art.
Fribourg
Fribourg, 156 kilometers from Zurich, is a quaint and enchanting Swiss city.
Fribourg, as one of Switzerland’s most well-preserved medieval cities, is a must-visit.
Fribourg is an excellent departure point for a day trip from Zurich if you’re looking to take it easy.
Fribourg, situated on the River Sarine, is filled with charming cafes and shops.
The highlight of the day is a visit to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, whose stained-glass windows are works of art.
The Musée d’art et d’histoire, the Espace Jean Tinguely, and the Musee Gutenberg are just a few of the many museums in the area.
Gruyere
In spite of its widespread recognition as the cheese capital of the world, the region of Gruyere actually boasts a rich heritage well worth discovering.
The highlight of the day is a visit to Gruyeres Castle.
This chateau dates back to the 13th century, and it is still fortified today.
The birthplace of Gruyere cheese, la Maison du Gruyere, must be seen on any vacation to the region.
Traveling to the factory not only allows you to stock up directly from the source, but also provides insight into the making of Gruyere and the secret to its peculiar flavor.
If you’re a chocolate fan, don’t bother visiting La Maison Cailler, Switzerland’s oldest chocolate factory, and instead head to la Maison du Gruyere.
Mount Stanserhorn
The first CabriO cable vehicle was installed on Mount Stanserhorn.
There is a wide variety of options for tourists to enjoy Mount Stanserhorn.
The historic funicular will take you on a scenic ride across the fields, while the modern CabriO cable car will whisk you there quickly.
The marmot park may be found at the peak of Mount Stanserhorn, and it is inhabited by many adorable marmots.
Many tourists choose to eat lunch at the Rondorama restaurant, which spins 360 degrees.
It’s a complete anomaly, yet not only is it a lot of fun, but the cuisine is excellent as well.
You may see the top of Mount Stanserhorn and Lucerne and Lake Lucerne on the same day if you are pressed for time.
St Gallen
St. Gallen is located in eastern Switzerland, to the south of Lake Constance.
St. Gallen is rich in historical and artistic significance as the site of the Abbey of St. Gall.
The library at the Abbey, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the only part of the building to escape the devastating fire that swept through the rest of the Abbey in 937.
The highlight of a day trip to St. Gallen is a stop in the Abbey Library.
Since the entire Old Town is now off-limits to vehicles, you can stroll and people-watch to your heart’s content.
St. Gallen is close enough to Appenzell that you might see both in a one day.