5 Days in Switzerland: Unique Itinerary & Route

Switzerland is one of those places where after five minutes of researching where to go, you’re left likely to feel overwhelmed. Of course, we mean this in the best possible way.

There is an abundance of extraordinary places to see and things to experience. How can you possibly put together a Switzerland itinerary for 5 days?

With this guide, we’ll dive into a unique and memorable Switzerland itinerary which allows you to visit a handful of prominent sites plus a few hidden gems. This itinerary is versatile and designed for travellers who aren’t easily tuckered out.

Whether it’s your first time in Switzerland, you’re on a honeymoon trip or even visiting the Alps with kids, this breezy itinerary will help you make the most of 5 short days in Switzerland. 

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Is 5 Days in Switzerland Enough?

Although Switzerland isn’t particularly a large country, it’s not the swiftest country to travel around. The main reason for this are the Swiss Alps.

Navigating around the extensive mountain range isn’t as easy as hopping on one straight motorway from one end of the country to the other. It takes time.

Among the hills and peaks are lakes, cities and villages nestled in at the bases of some iconic mountains. These too aren’t always in plain sight and won’t be super quick to reach.

Still, many of Switzerland’s highlights and must visit places are easily accessible given the excellent infrastructure put in place that tourists and travellers can take advantage of. So, it is possible to see a lot of Switzerland in just 5 days. Will you see all of or even most of it? Not at all! And we definitely don’t recommend that as a goal. 

Packing too much into an itinerary that’s shorter than one week can be very overwhelming, almost to a point where it’s no longer fun. Spending 5 days in Switzerland will allow you to view many spectacular sights.

However, there’s just so much to be explored in Switzerland which can easily take weeks (months or years!) to accomplish. Save the rest for another time.

The realistic Switzerland itinerary for 5 days you’ll find below includes a perfect blend of different Swiss sites.

From famous locations to lesser known attractions, this 5-day Switzerland itinerary never compromise on what’s most important – witnessing the natural beauty of Switzerland.

5-Day Switzerland Itinerary

To provide you with the most practical route, this Switzerland itinerary for 5 days departs from Zürich. This is because most international travellers will likely fly into Zürich and the option to rent a car there is easy.

With this looped road trip route, it allows you to pick up and drop off a rental car in Zürich.

If you wish to skip Zürich because you are not flying, the journey can easily begin in Bern or Basel instead. The itinerary and route can also be completed in reverse!

Itinerary Quick List:

• Zürich
• Gruyères
• Lake Geneva
• Zermatt
• Spiez
• Grindelwald
• Brienz
• Thun
• Bern
• Basel

Switzerland 5 Day Itinerary Route

Day 1: Zürich and Gruyères

Day 1 Itinerary Overview

• Explore Zürich
• Depart Zürich and travel to Gruyères
• Explore Gruyères
• Depart Gruyères and travel to Vevey
• Spend one night in Vevey

Travel Time

The distance between Zürich and Gruyères is 184 km or 114 miles. The drive will take 2 hours and 15 minutes. From Gruyères, you can reach the city of Vevey in just 30 minutes.

Places to See in Zürich

Zürich can give off a serious banking feel so as a tourist, your time is best spent exploring Altstadt (old town). At the center of Zürich is Lindenholf which is the ideal place to spend a few hours when visiting the city. Lindenholf is a park at the top of Zürich with beautiful views of the city beneath as well as the Limmat River which flows through the center of town. Within this same neighborhood and below the park, you will find many sights to see within walking distance. Highlights include:

• Bahnhofstrasse – Shopping street
• Paradeplatz – Historic town square
• Fraumünster Church and Münsterhof Town Square
• Grossmünster – Romanesque cathedral
• Limmatquai and Rathausbrücke – Riverside promenade
• Rentenwiese – Lakeside park with a botanical garden and zoo

Places to See in Gruyères

The French-speaking village of Gruyères is a medieval fortress perched on a hillside. It may easily be one the most fairytale like places in Europe. The historic quarter of Gruyères is a small village and must be reached on foot from a parking lot below the town. More obviously, Gruyères is also known for its cheese and a 5 day Switzerland itinerary is not complete without a whole bunch of cheese. Highlights to see in Gruyères include:

• La Maison du Gruyère – Cheese shop and factory
• Château de Gruyères – 13th-Century castle with a view
• HR Giger Museum – Fascinating modern art museum
• Cité médiévale de Gruyères – Historic town square
• Chocolaterie de Gruyères Sàrl – Iconic chocolate shop
• Le Moléson – A defined mountain peak with views of Lake Geneva

Night 1: Where to Stay in Vevey

Base Vevey – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Modern Times Hotel Vevey – Book with Booking.com

Astra Vevey Hotel & Restaurant – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Vevey House (hostel) – Book with Hostelworld

Day 2: Lake Geneva and Zermatt

Day 2 Itinerary Overview

• Explore the cities on Lake Geneva
  • Vevey, Montreux and Villeneuve
• Depart Lake Geneva and travel to Zermatt
• Explore Zermatt and Matterhorn
• Spend one night in Zermatt village

Travel Time

The distance between Vevey and Villeneuve is 18 km or 11 miles. The drive will take less than 20 minutes in total but you will likely want to stop in Montreux along the way. From Villeneuve, you can reach the town of Zermatt after 134 km (83 miles) and two hours.

Places to See Along Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is vast but this Switzerland itinerary for 5 days includes a glimpse of it along the east coast. Lake Geneva is crescent-shaped and interestingly split horizontally between France and Switzerland.

Along its coast sit a number of larger yet charming cities such as Vevey and Montreux. Just above, you’ll find some of the most mesmerizing vistas of Lake Geneva. Some highlights to see in or near these lakeside towns include:

• Chaplin’s World in Vevey – Former Swiss home to Charlie Chaplin
• Plage de la Grotte in Vevey – Crystal clear swimming beach
• La Fourchette de l’Alimentarium in Vevey – An oversized fork landmark in the lake
• Statue de Freddie Mercury in Montreux – Bronze statue of Freddie Mercury
• Château de Chillon in Montreux – Lakeside castle
• Rochers de Naye – A cog train that departs in Montreux and takes you to one of the most spectacular panoramic views of Lake Geneva. The severely underrated journey leads you 1,600 meters up and to a free natural botanical garden.
• Route de L’Hongrin – An easier Lake Geneva viewpoint to reach by car and from Villeneuve.

Places to See in Zermatt

If you plan on reaching Matterhorn summit during day 2, just make sure you begin the day early. The last descending gondola from Matterhorn is usually at 17:00 (5pm) which means you’ll want to arrive in Zermatt by early afternoon.

Or, you can do an early morning Matterhorn cable car ride on Day 3 instead before departing Zermatt. 

From Zermatt village, there is a large number of different gondola/lift route options. Reaching Matterhorn and the Glacier Paradise is the most popular attraction by far. Other highlights include:

• Schwarzsee – 2583 meter stop along the way to Matterhorn
• Matterhorn Museum
• Kirchbrücke or Zermatt Matterhorn Aussichtspunkt – Two perfect viewpoints of Matterhorn
• Ricola Herb Garden Zermatt – Picturesque community garden with Alpine huts

Night 2: Where to Stay in Zermatt

Haus Ascot – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Matthiol Boutique Hotel – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

SchlossHotel Zermatt Active & CBD Spa Hotel – Book with Booking.com

Zermatt Youth Hostel – Book with Hostelworld

Day 3: Spiez and Grindelwald

Day 3 Itinerary Overview

• Depart Zermatt and travel to Spiez
• Explore Spiez
• Depart Spiez and travel to Grindelwald
• Explore Grindelwald
• Spend one night in Grindelwald

Travel Time

The distance between Zermatt and Spiez is 100 km or 62 miles. The drive will take 2.5 hours. From Spiez, you can reach the town of Grindelwald after 35 km (21 miles) and less than one hour.

Places to See in Spiez

The town of Spiez sits unassumingly on Lake Thun but will marvellously surprise you. It’s off the beaten path for most travellers which is what makes it so enjoyable. The town itself is beautiful, as most Swiss towns are, but the castle and viewpoints are what makes this stop so special. Highlights in the town of Spiez include:

• Schloss Spiez – A medieval castle with landscaped gardens
• Katzenstein and Rebbergweg – Vineyard trail with sweeping lake and mountain views
• Strandweg – Waterfront trail with lake access

Places to See in Grindelwald

A visit to Gindelwald will likely be centered around reaching Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe.” Although the journey to reach the summit is rather expensive, it’s a must see item on this Switzerland itinerary for 5 days.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in addition to being the highest railway station in Europe. A visit to the top will definitely not be forgotten and is simply worth it. Other highlights in Grindelwald include:

• First Cliff Walk – Pedestrian walkway suspended on a cliffside
• Swiss Chocolate Chalet – Exquisite chocolate shop
• Locherbodenstrasse – Picture perfect walking trail with towering mountains above and river flowing beneath

Where to Stay In Grindelwald

Jägerstübli Grindelwald – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Berghaus Männlichen – Book with Booking.com or Tripadvisor

Bergwelt Grindelwald Alpine Design Resort – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Grindelwald Youth Hostel – Book with Hostelworld

Day 4: Brienz And Thun

Day 4 Itinerary Overview

• Depart Grindelwald and travel to Brienz
• Explore Brienz
• Depart Brienz and travel to Thun
• Explore Thun
• Spend one night in Thun

Travel Time

The distance between Grindelwald and Brienz is 36 km or 22 miles. The drive will take just under one hour. From Brienz to Thun, the journey will be another hour and 48 km (30 miles).

Places to See in Brienz

Undoubtedly, Brienz’s highlight is Brienzersee (or Lake Brienz), the beautiful lake which Brienz is situated on. Brienz boasts heavenly view of the Alps, a glorious promenade and many spots to access the lake, if you’re visiting in the summer time. Additional highlights include:

• Brienz Aussichtspunkt – Viewpoint above the town overlooking the lake
• Strandbad Brienz – Beach with clear lake waters
• Wildpark Brienz – Small zoo, perfect for children
• Brienz Rothorn Bahn – Steam train ride to the top of Brienzer Rothorn

Places to See in Thun

The town of Thun is underrated and often overshadowed by larger neighbouring cities like Bern. Due to this, Thun is a bit quieter to enjoy, doesn’t feel touristy and allows you to see something a little different while everyone else is flocking to nearby Lucerne. Thun has been deemed as a summer capital for Switzerland and rightfully so with its lovely lake, river and mountains within stone’s throw. Highlights in Thun include:

• Schloss Thun – 12th-century hilltop castle
• Flusswelle Thun and Mühleschleuse – Historic yet functional covered bridge and dam system
• Mühleplatz – Lively town square
• Quai de l’Aare – Riverfront promenade
• Schadaupark & Schloss Schadau – State park with a grand villa, gardens and picnic lawn

Where to Stay in Thun

Boutique Hotel Schlossberg – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Congress Hotel Seepark – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Hotel Krone Thun – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Day 5: Bern and Basel

Day 5 Itinerary Overview

• Depart Thun and travel to Bern
• Explore Bern
• Depart Bern and travel to Basel
• Explore Basel
• Spend the last night in Basel

Travel Time

The distance between Thun and Bern is only 30 km or 28 miles. The drive will take a mere 30 minutes. From Bern to Basel, the journey will be a little over one hour and 100 km (62 miles).

Places to See in Bern

Contrary to popular belief, Zürich is not the capital of Switzerland. Bern is! A stop on this Switzerland itinerary for 5 days has to include checking out the country’s capital city.

Bern is Switzerland’s fifth-most populated city with medieval architecture and roots dating back to the 12th century. Highlights that should not be missed in Bern include:

• Berner Münster – A beautiful Gothic cathedral and prominent Bern landmark
• Schwarzes Quartier – An ancient yet hip neighbourhood with cocktail bars and a waterfront walkway
• Nydeggbrücke – Swiss heritage site of a significant bridge over the Aare River
• Aussichtspunkt Aargauerstalden – Viewpoint of Bern
• Zytglogge – Astronomical clock
• UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern – UNESCO listed old centre of Bern
• Einsteinhaus Bern – An apartment once rented by Albert Einstein, now museum
• Käfigturm – A Baroque tower built in 1644

Places to See in Basel

The last stop on this Switzerland itinerary for 5 days is Basel. Basel’s distinct location is different from many other major cities in Switzerland because of its scenery. Instead of never-ending views of the Alps, Basel offers a change with lush hills and green forests instead.

It is also a university city which means it’s young, dynamic and bursting with art. Highlights in Basel include:

• Spalentor – One of the last remaining gateways to the city’s ancient fortress walls
• Altstadt Kleinbasel – The most fun neighbourhood in Basel with boutique shops, galleries and diverse food options
• Kaserne Basel – Performing Arts Theater
• Mittlere Brücke – Historic stone bridge over the Rhine River
• Kunstmuseum Basel – Notable fine arts museum
• Basler Münster – Cathedral with origins from the 9th century
• Minster Cathedral Square – Energetic and picturesque town square
• Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel – Massive toy museum extending over 4 floors
• Zoo Basel – Consistently ranked as one of the best zoos in the world

Where to Stay in Basel

GAIA Hotel Basel – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Hotel Märthof Basel – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Hotel Spalentor – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

SET Hotel.Residence – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Hyve Hostel Basel – Book with Hostelworld

How to See Switzerland in 5 Days

For the sake of truly experiencing an epic 5 days in Switzerland, this itinerary is based on getting around by car. Now, if this is your first time in Switzerland or even Europe, do not be quick to dismiss a road trip Switzerland. Here’s why:

• Switzerland as a country is very orderly. They do not accept chaos which translate to every part of Swiss life, including on the road. Driving in Switzerland is so easy. If you know how to drive in America, Canada or the UK, you can drive in Switzerland.
• If you are still hesitant about driving in the Alps, choose to complete a trip in the summer. Although roads are maintained in winter, driving in Switzerland in the summer is even less complicated. 
• Car rentals are not as crazy expensive as you’d expect. Compared to the price of train travel in Switzerland, a rental car is as equally of an affordable method of transportation. 

By driving, you’ll be able to see many places and sites in Switzerland that are both planned and unplanned. That’s the beauty of a road trip.

By limiting yourself to only train travel, you’re quite literally only staying on the tourist path. With a car, you’ll also be able to visit what you want to see, when you want to see it.

A road trip avoids having to stick to a strict itinerary and catching trains, trams or buses at exact times. Have yourself a true vacation and set your own schedule.

Alternative Ways to Get Around Switzerland

We understand that the thought of driving in the Alps can still be unnerving, especially if it’s your first trip to Switzerland. There are other ways to get around Switzerland for 5 days and train travel is the most common for visitors.

This particular itinerary is not ideal to be completed by train or bus but it is still possible, with the exception of one itinerary item. As long as your expectations are set on longer commuting times, you can travel throughout Switzerland by train in 5 days.

If you are considering train travel, the Swiss Travel Pass will likely prove itself (€€€) worth it with this itinerary. Without the unlimited travel pass, train travel can be pricey and a 15 minute train ride can still cost you over €20. Head here to learn more about the Swiss Travel Pass and if it’s right for you.

Another alternative to driving your own car or rental car is to consider ride sharing. BlaBlaCar is very popular throughout Switzerland and a great way to get around the country on a budget. Ride sharing gives you the endless possibilities of a road trip without the commitment of driving yourself.

The Best Time to Go to Switzerland

Switzerland is a consistent vacation hotspot for many reasons but the biggest thing that sets it apart is that it’s perfect to visit year-round. This is good news if you’re only available a certain time of year to make it to Switzerland.

But it’s also bad news for anyone looking to score better hotel deals based on seasonality. Although Switzerland is a gorgeous place to visit any time of the year, there is still a period you may want to avoid.

Summer

Summer in Switzerland sounds like quintessential Europe to most and you wouldn’t be wrong to think so! The sun, green grass and blue skies… it sounds idyllic, right? The one thing that’s often missing from this conjured up image are the crowds.

Unfortunately, visiting Switzerland in warm weather isn’t the most clever idea which means you will not be alone.

Spending 5 days in Switzerland in the summer can still be enjoyable if you steer clear of July and August. Visiting in early or late summer (May – June or September) ensures beautiful weather, clear roads and a few less people around.

Winter

Unlike other locations that are frequently travelled to, visiting Switzerland in winter doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cheaper. Since Switzerland is a massive ski and winter sport destination, accommodation and transportation can be just as pricey.

Aside from slight savings, it’s still beneficial to visit in winter. Why? Most travellers tend to flock to ski resorts during this time which means other types of attractions will have less tourists. 

Conclusion: For a smoother road trip in Switzerland, plan a trip in late spring or early fall. This time of year is ideal for spending time outdoors and hiking. If you are confident about driving in potential snow, a Switzerland trip in January – February will stretch your money the furthest.

What to Pack for 5 Days in Switzerland

A Switzerland itinerary for 5 days means you won’t have to pack too much, especially if you’re visiting during the summer. Yes, you can buy almost anything you may forget once you’re in Switzerland but it’s nice to come prepared. Below are some essentials you definitely do not want to leave home without.

• Pocket binoculars to see everything from wildlife to hikers reaching the highest peaks!
• Travel backpack that doesn’t look too touristy
• A light down jacket that’s versatile for any season
• Functional yet not bulky rain coat
• Collapsible and reusable water bottle because water isn’t cheap in Switzerland
• Reliable adapter for Swiss outlets
• Sunscreen for summer and winter
• Travel insurance that’s valid in Switzerland

Switzerland Travel Resources

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator