Switzerland - the landlocked heart of Europe. Known for chocolate, cheese and the best Alpine views.
This 5-day Lucerne and Zurich itinerary will let you experience the very best the country has to offer. Whether you're here for Swiss culture, scenic train rides, or adventurous mountain excursions, this guide has it all!
Day One
Land into Zurich airport and take the hour train to Lucerne. Nestled on the shores of Lake Lucerne, this charming city is famed for its fairy-tale Old Town, historic landmarks, and stunning lake and mountain views.
Book a hotel in the old town to enjoy classic chocolate box architecture including the Kapellbrücke, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
Spend the rest of the day wandering the winding streets and window shopping at the various stores including high end watch shops like Rolex, Omega and Breitling.
Pop into Suite Lounge & Bar - a rooftop bar by the train station - the best place for panoramic views of Lucerne and the lake.
Day Two
Head to the water front for a coffee and nussstengel - puff pastry filled with finely chopped nuts like hazelnuts - at Luz Seebistro next to pier 1.
Once you've filled up, head to the ticket booth and jump on a boat across the lake to Vitznau. You can either opt for a roundtrip lunchtime cruise where you can have lunch on the boat without disembarking or jump off at Vitznau and take the cogwheel railway up to the top of Mount Rigi.
If you decide to jump off the boat, the railway will get you to the top of the mountain in about an hour. Enjoy unparalleled Alpine views, hiking trails, or thermal spa relaxation at Rigi Kaltbad.
You can either take the railway back down, or take the alternate route down using the cable car to Weggis. Return back to Lucerne for a late lunch.
Take a brief stroll from the town center in the afternoon to the Lion of Lucerne, a tribute to the Swiss Guards lost in 1792 during the French Revolution. This renowned monument in Switzerland attracts around 1.4 million visitors annually.
In the evening, head to one of the many restaurants offering the classic Switzerland dish of fondue - a dish of melty cheese with potatoes, bread and plenty of other sides to dip in.
Day Three
Time for another Swiss delicacy - chocolate. Take the train from Lucerne north to Kilchberg and tour the famous Lindt Chocolate Museum and sample Swiss chocolate straight from a fountain. The famous chocolate brand has called Kilchberg its home since 1845 and now has a museum open for chocoholics to enjoy.
The museum takes you through how cocoa is grown, the chocolate making process and the history of chocolate in Switzerland. Of course, there is plenty of chocolate to try along the way, including melted chocolate from fountains, machines which drop a square into your hands and a buffet of Lindor balls at the end.
The tour, including an audio guide takes around an hour and a half and costs around £15. If you're not all chocolate-d out, head to the cafe to indulge in hot chocolate with liquid Lindt chocolate and buy enough chocolate to fill a suitcase in the shop.
Get the train back to Lucerne and grab something salty from a bakery like Bachmann to counteract all that sweetness.
Once you've recovered from the sugar hit, take a walk up to the Musegg Wall and it's nine towers. Once the towns defences, it's now home to endangered bats and views over the town.
Day Four
Today's the day you head up the highest mountain in the Lucerne region - Mount Pilatus.
Take the bus towards Kerns, and walk the short distance uphill to the cable car station. The small cable car gondolas will take you to the middle station where you swap to the Dragon Ride - a large smooth cabins which float you to the highest station, 2132 metres above sea level. It takes around an hour to get to the summit.
In winter, snowshoe walks, skiing and sledging is possible in the crisp snow, while in summer hiking routes are available. There's even a toboggan slide! If you go on a cloudy day, you might get to experience a complete whiteout - a surreal experience.
Once you have your feet back on solid ground, head to Wirthause Taube for filling plates of sausages and rosti.
Day Five
Today is departure day - but you might have time to squeeze in one more activity. Head back to Zurich on the train and jump on a sightseeing bus tour. This hour and a half long trip will give you and overview of the largest city in Switzerland, and if you have enough time, a boat trip on Lake Zurich to round up your time.
Final Tips for Your Switzerland Trip
✅ Best Time to Visit: May–October for warm weather & hiking, December–March for skiing & winter sports.
✅ Swiss Travel Pass: Consider buying the Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited train, boat & bus rides.
✅ Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF). Many places accept Euros, but CHF offers better rates.
✅ Packing Tips: Bring layered clothing, sturdy walking shoes, and a power adapter for Swiss plugs.
