A First-Timer’s Luxury Trip to Switzerland
Say the word Switzerland, and immediately the mind goes to Swiss chocolates, luxury watches, postcard-perfect scenery, and of course, if you are a 90s kid like me -Shahrukh Khan-Kajol in DDLJ ! This country is my personal magnet, drawing me back every year with the promise of new adventures, towns, and experiences.
Cosily nestled amidst 5 countries—France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Italy—Switzerland effortlessly dazzles first-time visitors with its breathtaking beauty and luxurious charm. The country is so small that it has a maximum north–south length of 220 kilometres (less than Delhi to Jaipur) and an east–west length of about 350 kilometres (just like Delhi to Shimla)). Known for its neutrality, this peaceful nation has stayed away from military conflicts for over 500 years, which makes it an absolutely safe and serene destination for travellers.
Switzerland has 4 distinct language regions - French, Italian, Romansh and German. However, in most places, locals speak English especially in the tourist towns. Despite being in Europe, Switzerland uses its own currency - Swiss Francs. But don’t worry, nearly all establishments accept Euro banknotes, but you will get your change only in Swiss Francs.
If you’re as obsessed about Switzerland as I am, (after 8 visits, I think I’ve earned that title!) I can give you the ultimate insider guide on where to go, what to do, and what to see, especially if this is your first time going to Switzerland.
...being obsessed with Switzerland
Day 1
Zurich - The First Impression of Swiss Glam
Zurich (pronounced zyoo-rik) is the largest city of Switzerland and is in the North-Central part of Switzerland. I would suggest flying non-stop with Swiss Air or Air India to begin your Swiss adventure in style. I’ve had great flying experiences with both Swiss Air and Air India. Both airlines operate at convenient times so you can probably gain an entire day when you land.
Stay@Zurich
Zurich has some amazing hotels. I’ve personally stayed and loved the following:
Baur au Lac
Widder
La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich
Do@Zurich
Zurich is home to incredible shopping like luxury brands and Swiss watches. Wander through Bahnhofstrasse for some window shopping and grab a cup of authentic Swiss hot chocolate at one of the cosy cafés nearby.
If you are planning to go in Autumn (September to November), you can go to Uetliberg Mountain for some stunning fall foliage and city views.
If you’re going after winter, you can attend the Sechseläuten, a spring festival celebrated in Zurich that marks the start of spring and the end of winter. The festival is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of April and has parades, music, horses, flowers, flags and the burning of a wooden snowman effigy called the Böögg.
If you’re going to be in Zurich in August, don’t miss the world’s biggest techno and electro music festival called the Zürich Street Parade.
Luxury, history, and a touch of Swiss charm
A city of contrasts
Watching the sunset from Uetliberg
FUN FACT
Nearly 1 million people attended the Zürich Street Parade in 2023!
Pro Tip@Zurich
I cannot stress this enough - Buy a Swiss Pass—it's like a VIP pass to explore the country in the most cost-effective yet luxurious way. The pass works on all kinds of transport - trains, buses, boats, and even discounts on mountain rides. You also get free access to museums and discounts on many tourist attractions.
Eat@Zurich
FUN FACT
Switzerland has the 2nd highest per capita chocolate consumption in the world, after Germany. In 2022, the average Swiss person consumed 11.8 kilograms of chocolate per year!
Pro Tip@Zurich
Even local Swiss brands of chocolates like Villars, Cailler, Läderach, Camille Bloch etc are available in 24/7 or other stores and are as good in quality and taste as the premium brands. You’ll get 4-5 bars for just €7 so they are the best gifts to bring back home to your friends and family.
Day 2-3
Lucerne - Culture, Class, Concerts
To shift the gears from city adventures to something more art-based, go in for a relaxed, culture-soaked intimate getaway in Lucerne (pronounced loo- sern).
Stay@Lucerne
Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern
Art Deco Hotel Montana
Do@Lucerne
Visit during the World Band Festival Lucerne from August to mid-September for a diverse array of formats, including symphony concerts, chamber music, recitals, debuts, late night events etc. Flanking the Summer Festival are short festivals, two in spring and one in fall.
For those visiting in January, don’t miss the city’s vibrant transformation during the Lilu Light Festival. Other than great, soulful music, you can also wander around admiring the city’s mediaeval architecture and the contemporary vibe of the city.
Mt. Pilatus is a great place to visit all year around for sensational views but the best season is in summer (May to October) for hiking and outdoor activities.
Mt. Pilatus
World Band Festival
Lilu Light Festival
Eat@Lucerne
In Lucerne the music, and your trip, is best enjoyed with traditional fondue. Lucerne comes under the German speaking area of Switzerland, where Fondue is traditionally considered a winter dish. In the French parts of Switzerland, you’ll get Fondue even in the summer months.
If you or your partner are sausage lovers, make sure to visit some of Lucerne’s traditional Swiss restaurants:
The other good ones are:
Day 4-5
Interlaken - Luxe Ride to Picturesque Beauty & Romantic Escape
The next day, take a scenic train ride from Lucerne and go south towards the Jungfrau region and arrive at Interlaken (pronounced Inter-laa-kuhn). The journey takes 1h 49m and costs between $65 - $120. Trains run every 33 minutes, so you won’t need to run after it like Kajol did in DDLJ. Just wait and hop on the next one.
Stay@Interlaken
There are quite a few quaint hotels all with excellent locations in and around Interlaken. Here are some of my recommendations:
Grand Hotel Beau Rivage
Boutique Hotel Bellevue Interlaken
Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Do@Interlaken
Interlaken is a gorgeous town nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brien but don’t let it fool you into thinking there’s no adventure there. For those who love the outdoors and the crisp mountain air, I would recommend hitting the Panorama Trail, a 2-hour hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg in the Jungfrau Region that’s great for beginners or those wanting an easy, picturesque walk. Don’t forget to lift your eyes up now and then take in views of the sheer cliff faces, the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains and the icy-blue glaciers.
In the summer you can take a charming ride on the Schynige Platte Railway, a mountain railway in the Bernese Highlands area of Switzerland, which connects the town of Wilderswil, near Interlaken, with the famous wildflower gardens of the Schynige. The best season to enjoy it is from June to October for breathtaking views and alpine flowers.
Summer is also the time for a lot of music festivals in Switzerland. In Interlaken, the Greenfield Festival is typically held in the month of June. Featuring international bands and set in a breathtaking location between two lakes and mountains, it is a must-visit for those of you who are rock and metal fans .
For the lion-hearted, there is bungee jumping, and even paragliding over Lauterbrunnen’s majestic waterfall—the perfect place where your Swiss adventure meets the ultimate Instagram moment.
Gliding through icy trails
Watching the Jungfrau glow
Pure Alpine magic
Eat@Interlaken
The region is famous for its meringues topped with cream, a treat you won’t want to miss if you have a sweet tooth. Before settling in for the night, try a coffee spiked with schnapps - they have different names like pflümlischumli or kaffeefertig etc and make for a perfect nightcap.
Pro Tip@Interlaken
Rent a car and take a scenic drive to one of the most beautiful villages you’ll ever lay eyes on—Lauterbrunnen. It’s so pristine, you’ll find yourself stepping carefully, so you don’t disturb its picture-perfect beauty! Once you arrive, you’ll need to park and explore on foot, as Lauterbrunnen is a car-free village—just like nearby Murren, another charming spot brimming with lazy, romantic vibes.
Day 6-7
Zermatt and the Matterhorn - The Window to Europe’s Alpine Grandeur
From Interlaken, take a train further south to Zermatt (pronounced zuh-muht), home of the iconic Matterhorn. If you're an adrenaline junkie, Zermatt is the place to be – go skiing in winter, hiking or mountain biking in summer, or simply take in the views of the beauty of Switzerland’s most famous peak.
Stay@Zermatt and the Matterhorn
Zermatt is a great place for skiing and snowboarding all year round, which is why the place is full of holiday rentals for families and tourists who come and stay for longer durations (1-3 weeks). For tourists like us, you can choose to splurge a little and book into some of the most luxurious upscale hotels where tariff starts at an average of 900 Swiss Francs per night (approx Rs 88,000 per night). I will, however, recommend boutique accommodations which are easier on the pocket, but have equally gorgeous views and rooms. You’ll find something good between 300-500 Swiss Francs. Here are some of them that I’ve stayed at:
Luxury Options -
Hotel Antika
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Hotel Riffelalp Resort 2222m
Do@Zermatt and the Matterhorn
Visiting Zermatt is incomplete without a visit to the Matterhorn (pronounced ma-tuh-hawn). Don’t miss the chance to go up to the viewing platform on this 3000-metre ridge for breath-taking, unforgettable views of nature’s marvels. Standing there, I always feel a profound sense of tranquillity and awe that makes me pause, just to take in the sheer vastness of the snow-covered peaks.
One of the most interesting ways to experience the grandeur of the Matterhorn is to attend the Zermatt Unplugged, an acoustic music festival that typically runs in mid- April every year and is held at the Foot of the Matterhorn. Five days, over 100 concerts, 16 stages, international artists and the spectacular mountain backdrop of Zermatt- you will remember Matterhorn and Zermatt forever!
For those more inclined towards art, beauty and scenery, may I suggest a ride on Europe's highest open-air cog railway - Gornergrat Railway. It takes passengers direct from Zermatt station through galleries and tunnels, across forests of larch and Swiss stone pine, and past rocky ravines and mountain lakes right up to the summit of the Gornergrat. A quick 33 minutes and a vertical climb of 1,469 metres later, you arrive at the observation platform that offers the most panoramic views of the Matterhorn.
You could also ditch the railway and give your hiking shoes a good workout with either the Riffelseeweg Trail to the Riffelsee lake (which takes about 2 hours), or the Gorner Gorge Hike (which takes about 1 hour) that takes you through a stunning gorge with waterfalls, making it perfect for beginners looking for a unique experience.
Riding up to Gornergrat
A quiet café with rich espresso <3
A postcard-perfect winter scene
FUN FACT
The summit station on the Gornergrat has Europe’s highest-altitude hotel: the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat. Have an Insta-worthy stay here for about 360 Swiss Francs a night.
Eat@Zermatt and the Matterhorn
Zermatt has a nice big concentration of Michelin star restaurants that tantalise the palate and the other 4 senses as well. Here are my top picks:
Pro Tip@Zermatt and the Matterhorn
Do not miss the Glacier Express scenic train ride if you're craving an 8-hour visual feast of the Swiss Alps. You can even porter your baggage ahead, leaving you hands-free to take in the views.
Day 8-9
St. Moritz - The Playground of the Rich
If you want a 7-8 day itinerary, you can take a train back from Zermatt to Zurich and continue your onward journey to another country. However, if you’d like to get a sneak peek at how the ultra rich of the world holiday in Switzerland, give yourself 2 more days and come straight to St. Moritz (pronounced Saa-Moritz).
Yes, I know you are not a millionaire. But neither am I. And it didn’t stop me from exploring my passion for travel and luxury.
Stay@St. Moritz
Surprisingly, St. Moritz is far more accessible (and in some places, has many affordable boutique stays) than you think.
Luxury Hotel options -
Badrutt's Palace Hotel
Hotel Schweizerhof St.Moritz
Carlton Hotel St. Moritz
Do@St. Moritz
Take a 2-nights skiing holiday, rent a pair of ski boots, and spend a little on a ski instructor. Believe me, this will probably become one of your most unforgettable memories, skiing down the Level 1 (beginner slopes), terrified and excited all at the same time.
On day 2, take a change of pace, and amble around the city. St. Moritz is home to some of the world's most famous designer stores like Versace, Cartier, Hermes, Bulgari and many more, so you might get tempted to drop some serious dough and indulge yourself.
If you’re planning to go in January, you might catch the International Hot Air Balloon Festival, where you’ll see the most unique and extravagant balloons of all shapes and sizes.
Golden sunlight kisses 🌤️
A solo escape into the Swiss Alps
Snow crunching under my boots
Eat@St. Moritz
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining at St. Moritz. From Michelin-star restaurants to bistros, St.Moritz has something for everyone:
Day 10
Schilthorn - Bring out the ‘James Bond’ in You
No trip to Switzerland is complete without visiting Schilthorn (pronounced shill-torn), famously known as the setting for a James Bond movie.
Stay@Schilthorn
Tourists usually stay at the nearby town of Murren, which has some incredible boutique hotels. You can choose from the following:
Hotel Eiger Murřen
Hotel Alpina
Hotel Belvedere
Do@Schilthorn
Ride the cable car up to the top, and walk to the exquisite 360-degree revolving restaurant. Do remember to make a reservation at the restaurant the day before. If you’re up for something more exciting, definitely try the Big Thrill, which is opposite to the Skyline walkway. It is a high-wire walkway in the Swiss Alps, suspended almost 1000 feet above ground on the rocky face of a mountain. I remember going through a whirlwind of emotions as I navigated a 200 metre walk on glass, steel and mesh, crawled through a tunnel, walked with my eyes closed on a glass-bottomed floor, and eventually came out to the other side!
For those with… umm.. muscles of steel, you can try your hand at paragliding and BASE jumping at the nearby village of Murren.
The Winter Sports season will start November 2nd for the weekends, and the through December 7 till April 30th 2025, so if you want to experience the skill and thrill of snow sports from up close, it doesn’t get better than this.
Alpine cocoa <3
Icy wonderland
Wrapped in winter’s glow
Pro Tip@Schilthorn
On October 13, 2024, the existing cable car between Birg and Schilthorn will run for the last time to make way for the new one!
Eat@Schilthorn
Since you will be staying at Murren, most of your meals will be either here or en route to Schilthorn. Here are some of the places you can choose from:
You can take the train back to Zurich from Schilthorn (a 3 hr journey, don’t forget to porter your luggage ahead using your Swiss Pass!), and then continue your onward journey from there.
Switzerland may be known for its high prices, but with these curated experiences and insider tips..
..you can enjoy its luxury without breaking the bank. Whether you’re bungee jumping over Interlaken, paragliding in Lauterbrunnen, or sipping hot chocolate while admiring the Matterhorn, Switzerland offers adventures rich in beauty and luxury. From scenic train rides and affordable fine dining to action-packed activities, there’s a luxury experience waiting just for you. So pack your woollens and get ready to indulge your wanderlust for Switzerland in style.
