Magical One Week Switzerland Itinerary
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Switzerland's cities and epic landscapes are straight out of a fairytale. Switzerland is the perfect destination if you love beautiful cities filled with castles and beautiful architecture or love to hike, ski, sail, or get out in nature. This One Week Switzerland Itinerary will give you the best of both!
We spent 8 days and 7 nights in Switzerland in August 2021, and stayed in the German-speaking part of Switzerland (in case you didn't know, Switzerland has 4 official languages!). We spent 5 nights in Zurich and 2 Nights in Wengen/Lauterbrunnen.
Keep reading to find out more about this magical one week Switzerland Itinerary!
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Traveling to Switzerland
From Raleigh, we flew to Washington DC, and then onto Zurich, Switzerland.
[I don't think other airports were operating international flights at this time because I spoke with a Swiss girl headed to Geneva and she couldn't fly there directly.]
Our total travel time would have been about 10 hours, but we got delayed at IAD :( We actually were supposed to arrive in Zurich at 8 AM local time, but instead we didn't get there until almost 3 PM!
We were disappointed to lose over half a day on our trip, but we didn't let that stop us from having a good time :) Thankfully I mentally prepared for a situation like that, which made it so much easier to handle. Check out my post on Coping with Travel Anxiety to learn how you can easily cope with stressful situations on the road!
Zurich at night
Things You Need to Know About Switzerland
General:
Switzerland is not part of the European Union (EU) but is part of the Schengen Area. Starting in 2024 you will have to fill out an ETIAS application to enter the EU if you’re traveling from a visa-free country. It costs 7EUR and you will need your passport to fill out the application.
Money Stuff:
The currency is Swiss Franc (CHF)
We had no problem paying by credit card everywhere we went. I recommend getting a good travel card with no international fees before you go!
Yes, Switzerland is expensive. We spent about $300 USD per day on food, activities, and shopping.
Languages:
There are 4 official languages in Switzerland: German, French, Italian and Romansh. English is widely spoken, and we only had an issue communicating once in Lauterbrunnen.
Safety:
I felt very safe! Everywhere I went was clean, well-lit, and people were friendly. I don't normally keep my phone in my back pocket while traveling, but I did the whole time we were in Switzerland.
Major Cities:
The capital is Bern, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Geneva is the French-speaking capital of Switzerland and is very international, with the United Nations (UN) and other NGOs there.
Zurich, known as the center of Swiss banking, is the largest city in Switzerland.
Where to Stay in Switzerland
On our Magical One Week Switzerland Itinerary, we stayed 5 nights at the AMERON Zurich Bellerive au Lac and 2 nights at Maya Caprice Boutique Hotel & Spa in Wengen. Wengen is in the Lauterbrunnen municipality, so if Lauterbrunnen is on your bucket list, this is the perfect place to stay to experience the whole region!
Staying at AMERON Zurich Bellerive au Lac
AMERON Zurich has just opened in April of 2021, so it was literally brand new. The onsite restaurant officially opened shortly after our departure (but we got lucky and ate there while we stayed!).
The AMERON Zurich is an Art Deco style boutique hotel right on Lake Zurich. It has an on-site restaurant & bar, gym, conference room, and some seriously stunning views of Lake Zurich.
View from Balcony at AMERON Zurich
The Rooms
The AMERON Zurich has 5 room types, and we stayed in the Premium Room. It had an AMAZING view of Lake Zurich, and the cute balcony with chairs was the perfect place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.
A comfortable bed is a must-have for me (#chronicpainlife), and the king-size beds were soft with plenty of pillows to choose from. The room also had ultra plush robes, and I spent a good amount of time in mine!
Marble bathroom at Ameron Zurich Bellerive au Lac
Bathroom in Premium Room
Sitting Area in Premium Room
Premium Room Bed
The Restaurant/Bar
Restaurant Studio Bellerive is on the first floor of the AMERON Zurich. The restaurant is committed to using sustainably sourced, fresh, and in-season food for its elegant and authentic menu.
I had fish (thank you beef allergy!) and Andrew had pasta with duck. I love trying local wines whenever we travel, and the wine we had with our dinner was spectacular!
Unfortunately, I was starving by the time we got our food and forgot to take photos of it :)
I definitely recommendmaking a reservation if you want to dine here! They give priority to guests staying at the hotel, so just let the front desk know you would like to eat there.
This is also the breakfast area, and I loved admiring the Art Deco decor every morning while we ate.
Staying at Maya Caprice Boutique Hotel & Spa
Maya Caprice Boutique Hotel & Spa is a luxury mountain retreat with the best view in Wengen.
At this health and wellness focused hotel, you can relax with the sauna, hot tub, or massage after a long day of hiking. Maya Caprice also features an on-site restaurant (with gluten free options!), panoramic terrace, lounge/bar, and gym.
Maya Caprice Boutique Hotel & Spa in Wengen, Switzerland
The Rooms
Maya Caprice has 6 room types, and we stayed in the Superior Double Room. I love a good view from my hotel room, and the view from our balcony did not disappoint. We basically had a front row seat to Jungfrau and Eiger!
The rooms are updated and clean, and we had soft, warm bathrobes here too. The king size bed was not as comfortable as our Zurich hotel's and I definitely needed some more pillows (#slidesleeperprobs). But opening our windows to the peaceful mountain air at night was amazing.
You can't beat the sunrise over the breathtaking Swiss Alps either. Our room seriously had the best views in Wengen!
View from Restaurant Caprice
The Restaurant
You have to have a romantic meal at Restaurant Caprice. The locally-sourced, Tuscan-inspired food was delicious and they even had gluten free options! It really makes me feel welcome when I can tell the staff my food allergies and they come back with a list of things that are safe for me to eat.
The view while we ate dinner was amazing too. It was so romantic watching the sunset over the Alps while drinking wine and enjoying a meal together.
Dessert at Restaurant Caprice
One Magical Week in Switzerland Itinerary
We spent 8 days and 7 nights in Switzerland exploring Zurich, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mannlichen, Thun, and Liechtenstein.
We actually were headed to Greece, but changed our minds last minute and decided to go to Switzerland instead. Thankfully we had travel insurance, so changing our plans was no problem.
I tell you this because when we changed our plans, we booked a hotel in Zurich for the duration of our trip. After we had everything booked (and time to do some research) we added on two nights in Wengen, so we actually had two hotels for two nights. It worked out nicely though because we were able to leave our large suitcases safely in Zurich and travel light in the Lauterbrunnen area!
Here's how we created our One Week Switzerland Itinerary. If you’re looking for a packing guide, I’ve got you! Check out this post Summer in Switzerland Packing List.
Grossmunster from Lindenhof Park
Day 1: Arrival in Zurich, Lindenhof Park, Exploring
The first day of our one week Switzerland itinerary started in Zurich. After we landed & collected our luggage, we hailed a taxi to our hotel. Don't make our mistake! Order an Uber. Our taxi was expensive, and our Uber on the way back to the airport was less than half the cost.
I took a much needed shower at the hotel, then we headed out to start exploring Zurich. AMERON Zurich is about a 15 minute walk from the Altstadt (Old City in Zurich).
Limmat River view from Lindenhof Park
Where to Explore in Zurich
We explored Zurich over several days (it took up the majority of our one week Switzerland Itinerary), but I am going to list everything in this section so you know exactly what to do :)
You definitely have to check out Bahnhofstrasse. It's one of the most expensive and exclusive shopping streets in the world, featuring about every luxury designer you can think of. I definitely window shopped along this street ;) Some of the stores have prices on their window displays and WOW I don't know where people get that kind of money! (but if you do let me know LOL)
Trams at Paradeplatz
While you walk along Bahnhofstrasse, you will run into Paradeplatz, the heart of Swiss banking. Both UBS and Credit Suisse have their offices there (and Credit Suisse's building is GORGEOUS). It is one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the world.
Bahnhofstrasse ends on one end at Bürkliplatz where you can take a boat cruise on Lake Zurich, and the other at Zürich Hauptbahnhof (the main train station).
St Peter's Church from Limmatquai
You also want to explore along the Limmat River. From here you will have spectacular views of Grossmunster, Fraumunster, and St Peter's church. There are many shops and cafes along the street, so you will have plenty of options for food and drink.
Grossmunster from across the Limmat River
If you wander deeper into the Altstadt, you will find Augustinergasse, one of the cutest streets in Zurich! These colorful housesand large bay windows along the winding cobbled street give some serious fairytale vibes.
There are so many cute streets in the Altstadt, no matter where you wander you are sure to have a great time!
Augustinerstrasse Houses
Lindenhof Park
You will eventually come across Lindenhof Park during your wanderings. The park has some of the best views in Zurich! It also features playground equipment, giant chess, and a beautiful rose garden.
Lindenhof Park
If you go to the side overlooking the Limmat River, you can get an amazing photo of Grossmunster. I recommend going at sunset for this photo. The one I got during the day is beautiful, but I think it would have been even better at sunset.
If you want to save a few dollars, have a picnic up here and enjoy the views!
Grossmunster from Lindenhof Park
Day 2: Exploring Zurich, Thermalbad & Spa, Dinner at Hotel
No trip is complete for me without a trip to the spa! Zurich's Thermalbad & Spa (now known as Hurlimannbad & Spa) is a unique and modern take on traditional Roman & Irish spa. The spa is located in the old Hurlimann brewery, and each hot tub is in large wooden casks. Their rooftop pool has some of the best views in Zurich!
Andrew and I did the Toi & Moi Private Spa Day. We spent about five hours there for the treatment, and it was the perfect way to relax after our long journey to Switzerland. If you aren't interested in a full spa day, you can buy a day pass to the thermal spa or the Roman/Irish Spa. There's no photography allowed inside the building, so leave your camera at your hotel!
While you are in the area, make sure to check out the B2 Boutique Hotel (located just behind the Thermalbad & Spa). The story behind the place is incredible! Sit and enjoy a coffee while you admire another former part of the Hurlimann Brewery now turned into a beautiful library.
B2 Boutique Hotel
After our relaxing day at the spa, we had dinner at Restaurant Studio Bellerive (see above for the review). AMERON Zurich is right on the shores of Lake Zurich, so after dinner we went for a stroll along the waterfront. The sunset from there was seriously amazing! Stop by a gelato stand and grab a bench by the water to end your day on the best note.
Sunset from Lake Zurich waterfront
Day 3: Train to Lauterbrunnen, Dinner at Hotel in Wengen
There are so many places you could visit in a one week Switzerland itinerary, but I highly recommend the Swiss Alps! We took the train from Zurich to Wengen, but you can also drive. I recommend taking the train (especially if you did not rent a car for your whole trip) because you will have to leave your car in Lauterbrunnen anyways. Wengen is a car-free village!
Note on the Swiss Pass: We did not buy one because the cost of our tickets was less than the pass. But if you are planning on using the train a lot, the Swiss Pass would be good for you.
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
From Zurich, the train takes about 3 hours. You will have to get off the train at least once (we got switched trains in Bern) and again in Lauterbrunnen. When you get off in Lauterbrunnen, there is another train that will take you up to Wengen, but you can also spend time exploring Lauterbrunnen and take a later train to Wengen.
Staubbach Falls in Laterbrunnen
In Lauterbrunnen, you definitely want to see Staubbach Falls. There is a hike up behind the waterfall, it is short but steep and slippery. Bring good shoes!
On the other end of town, there are great hiking trails and a great view of the waterfall. We didn't make it over there because I was hungry, but I highly recommend checking that spot out as well. It is definitely the most Instagrammable spot in Lauterbrunnen!
View from behind Staubbach Falls
When you get on the train to Wengen, make sure to get a window seat! The views are spectacular and you will pass by many waterfalls as you go up the mountain.
After we checked in at Maya Caprice Boutique Hotel, We had dinner at Restaurant Caprice with an amazing view of the Swiss Alps (read more above). The sun sets early in the Alps, so be prepared for it to get darker a little earlier!
Train to Wengen from Lauterbrunnen
Day 4: Explore Wengen, Cable Car to Mannlichen
When you stay at Maya Caprice, you get a 50% discount coupon for the cable cars in the Jungfrau Region. Take the cable car up to Mannlichen for the day. In the summer, the cows are up there. In September, there is a ceremony where the cows are herded down to Lauterbrunnen for the winter. If I had known that I might have booked the trip a month later :)
Cow in Mannlichen
I loved hearing the cowbells jingling as they walked around in Mannlichen! Watch out for cow patties though ;)
There are some great hikes, and if you turn left after getting off the cable car, you can hike to the highest point for a panoramic view all the way to Interlaken! You can also hike from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg (about 3 miles one way), known as the "Panoramaweg." Thankfully you can take the train from Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen if you don't want to hike 6 miles round trip.
View of Eiger and Jungfrau from Mannlichen
After our day in Mannlichen, we returned to Wengen for some exploring. For the best photo spot, I recommend walking through town away from the train station until you find a small church and park. There you will have a perfect view of Jungfrau and Eiger! On your way back, make sure to stop in one of the stores and buy a cowbell souvenir.
Us in Wengen
Day 5: Train back to Zurich, Stop in Thun
We realized that the train tickets are good for about 24 hours, so we decided to make a short stop on the way back to Zurich in Thun. Thun is located on the Aare River and Lake Thun, with a beautiful castle overlooking the city. If I had to direct a fairytale movie, I would pick Thun for the set!
Thun, Switzerland
The town is not very big, so you can easily see the highlights in half a day. From the train station, head to the covered bridge closest to Lake Thun (the lower loch). You might get lucky and see some surfers riding the waves!
Surfer in Thun
Cross the bridge and head down Obere Hauptgasse, the main shopping street. Stop in at a cute cafe or shop along the street! The street leads right to Rathausplatz, the Town Hall Square, where you will have an awesome view of Thun Castle. From there, hike up to Thun Castle and Stadkirche Thun. For an amazing view of Thun, the lake, and surrounding area, climb to the top of Thun Castle. Entrance fee is 10 CHF.
View from Thun Castle
Next, walk to Stadkirche Thun and look for a small bench to theright. It's a great photo spot if you want to get you + the castle!
Thun Castle
Last, walk to the upper loch for some photos all the way down the river. If you go across, you'll be right back at the train station. Hop on the next train back to Zurich!
Day 6: Cruise Lake Zurich, Sunset/Blue Hour Photoshoot
We were pretty tired at this point from all the walking, so we slept in and rested for the morning. After lunch, we walked to Bürkliplatz to take a cruise on Lake Zurich. There are 4 options: mini, short, long, and "fun" cruises (night time, brunch, themed, etc). Find prices and times here!
Sailboat on Lake Zurich
I wanted to capture Zurich at sunset/golden hour, so we got dressed for dinner and headed to the Altstadt. As it got darker, the lights started to come on, and I realized just how pretty Zurich is at blue hour. If you want to do a photoshoot, I recommend getting there about 90 minutes before so you have plenty of time to hit all the good spots.
Golden hour in Zurich
Afterwards, we had dinner at Santa Lucia Paradeplatz. They had gluten free options, which was really nice!
Day 7: Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a microstate that is about 90 minutes away from Zurich, which makes for an easy day trip. You will need to take a train and then a bus to get there.
Stop in Balzers to see another beautiful castle.Burg Gutenberg sits high on the hill and the hike up there will give you some really nice views of the countryside. Unfortunately, it was closed for entry when we went, but you can usually tour the inside.
Don't make our mistake! The best photo spot of the castle is on the outskirts of Balzers, away from where you will get off the bus. I didn't see it until we were on the bus leaving Liechtenstein.
Burg Gutenberg in Balzers, Liechtenstein
Next, get back on the bus and head to Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. We stopped for lunch at Brasserie Burg. There are some really cool museums nearby, like Postmuseum Vaduz or Liechtenstein National Museum. Don't forget to stop at the main square, which reminds me so much of the Wizard of Oz!
Liechtenstein Parliament
St. Florin Cathedral is also right there, and you can explore the cute garden, or walk around the front to get an epic view of the church.
You can hike up to Vaduz Castle, where the Prince of Liechtenstein lives. You won't be able to go inside, but there are still plenty of Instagrammable spots around the castle.
Vaduz Castle
A day is plenty of time to see everything in Liechtenstein unless you want to go hiking. A day trip is a perfect addition to a one week Switzerland itinerary!
Day 8: Return Home - Wrap up One Week Switzerland Itinerary
Our flight left mid-morning, so we weren't able to see anything else on our last day. I recommend taking an Uber to the airport, it is much cheaper than a taxi!
After our magical one week in Switzerland itinerary, I was tired and happy. I definitely didn't want to leave, and there is so much more of Switzerland to explore!
Final Thoughts on One Week Switzerland Itinerary
I hope this has convinced you to try my magical one week Switzerland itinerary! Switzerland is definitely at the top of my list of favorite places I've traveled. I think it's perfect if you have anxiety or are highly sensitive because it is not over-touristed, there's plenty of nature, it's clean and safe, and you have plenty of options! The only downside is that it is very expensive.
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