6 days Switzerland - 3 itineraries from Geneva

Even though Switzerland is small, there’s plenty to see and do in six days. If you’re planning your trip to Switzerland, the following itineraries will help you out.

All of them can be done in six days, starting from Geneva. However, if you prefer to begin your journey from somewhere else, it’s easy to adjust your trip accordingly. Geneva is well connected and can be reached from any other city in Switzerland, especially from cities in the French-speaking part like Lausanne, Montreux, Fribourg, or even Bern.

You’ll notice that we only talk about traveling by public transport, not by car. Most routes can be covered by car if you decide to rent one during your stay in Switzerland. But with our very dense network of trains and buses, traveling by car isn’t really necessary.

If you have more than six days available and see a route you like, you can easily extend it by spending an extra night in some places.

Happy planning!

• Public transport in Switzerland
• The 10 essential travel passes for your train journey in Switzerland
• Everything you need to know about train tickets in Switzerland

1. Itinerary through French Switzerland with chocolate, cheese, wine and the Matterhorn

Highlights on this itinerary:

• Explore the beautiful cities of Nyon, Lausanne and Montreux by Lake Geneva
• Hike to the Dent de Vaulion for some impressive Jura-views
• Have a glass of wine in the Lavaux vineyard terraces (UNESCO)
• Visit Maison Cailler and fill up on Swiss chocolate
• Check out the Chillon Castle by Lake Geneva
• Hike in front of the mighty Matterhorn in Zermatt

Tag 1: Geneva - Nyon - Lausanne

In the morning, you can explore Geneva on your own, rent a free bike from "Genève Roule", or join a city tour. After the tour, grab some takeout for lunch and take the train to Nyon.

This medieval town on the shores of Lake Geneva is surrounded by charming vineyards. Follow the path through the vines to Nyon Castle and enjoy the view. After your lunch break, take the train to Lausanne. Check into your accommodation and make use of your free Lausanne Transport Card.

The picturesque old town of Lausanne is built on three hills and is surrounded by numerous vineyards. It is home to the International Olympic Committee and Switzerland's only metro.

If you want to hear something interesting, head to the cathedral between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM and watch the tower. Since 1405, watchmen have announced the current time from up there in the middle of the night.

• The best sights and activities in Geneva

Tag 2: Lausanne - Lac de Joux / Creux du Van - Lausanne

After breakfast, grab enough food for the day and head straight to Le Pont, a village in the Vallée de Joux. The train ride from Lausanne to the valley takes about an hour.

The Vallée de Joux is part of the Jura Mountains and offers countless hiking opportunities. In the middle of the valley, you'll find a lovely lake called Lac de Joux. The most popular spot in the area is the striking mountain Dent de Vaulion. The hike along the circular route from Le Pont takes about three hours.

The view from Dent de Vaulion stretches from the Vallée de Joux all the way to Lake Geneva and far into France. With the whole day ahead of you, you can spend as much time in the area as you like. Stay at Lac de Joux, take a walk around the lake, or do whatever your heart desires.

When you're ready, you can take the train back to Lausanne and spend the rest of the day exploring the city.

If you're looking for a different challenge instead of visiting Lac de Joux, we recommend the hike to Creux du Van. The Creux du Van is a natural amphitheater about 1,200 meters wide, formed by constant erosion from water and ice. Marmots, mountain goats, deer, and various birds inhabit this area.

The starting point for the hike is in Noiraigue, a village about 1.5 hours from Lausanne. The hike to Creux du Van is quite strenuous and takes up to five hours. Spend as much time in the amphitheater as you want before returning to Noiraigue and Lausanne.

Of course, there can be bad weather in Switzerland, and we recommend not doing this hike in the rain. The rocks can become slippery and dangerous when wet.

• The best sights and activities in Lausanne

Tag 3: Lausanne - Lavaux - Montreux

In the morning, you'll explore Lausanne one last time before heading to Montreux. Drop off your luggage at your accommodation, then make your way to the lakeside promenade in Montreux and check out the Freddie Mercury statue in front of the market hall.

If you're interested in castles, you shouldn't miss a visit to the famous Château de Chillon. To get there, you can either walk along the promenade, take a bus, or hop on one of the regularly running passenger boats.

Even if you’re not up for a castle tour, we recommend making a detour to spend some time by the lake. It's a great spot to relax and snap lots of beautiful photos.

Alternatively, you can head in the opposite direction to Vevey, where you'll find stunning Riviera views and many interesting museums. Just a short train ride west of Montreux, you’ll encounter the famous Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage site. To enjoy the gorgeous views, it's best to get off in Cully or Epesses and follow the marked hiking trail through the vineyards.

• The best sights and activities in Montreux
• Château de Chillon - best offers

Tag 4: Montreux - Gruyères / Broc - Montreux

After breakfast, you’ll take the train to the very touristy but beautiful village of Gruyères. Along the way, between Montreux and Montbovon, you'll find both regular regional trains and the scenic trains of the Golden Pass Line.

Since Gruyères is a favorite among tourists, it can sometimes get a bit crowded. But there’s a reason for this popularity, and in this case, that reason is a medieval village. And cheese.

Lots of cheese.

The Gruyère cheese factory is located just behind the train station. Here, you can watch the traditional Gruyère cheese being made. Of course, you can also sample some. Once you're done snacking, you can either take a bus or follow the path until you reach the center of Gruyères. This walk will take about 20 minutes.

The main attraction in Gruyères is probably the castle, which is open to the public and has an entrance fee of 12 CHF. However, the hidden cobblestone streets and countless souvenir shops may tempt you to stay longer than you originally planned.

After exploring Gruyères and perhaps buying a souvenir or two, you can head to Broc to visit La Maison Cailler. In this visitor center, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Switzerland’s oldest chocolate brand. At the end of the tour, there’s a buffet where you can indulge in a ton of chocolate. Use the train ride back to Montreux to digest your cheese and chocolate overdose and look forward to the evening by Lake Geneva.

Alternatively, you can swap your cheese and chocolate spree for a visit to a glacier. Instead of going to Gruyères, you can take the train to Col-du-Pillon and visit Glacier 3000.

The 360-degree view is breathtaking. And if you’re brave enough, the Peak Walk across the suspension bridge is an experience you won’t forget any time soon.

• Gruyère Cheese Factory
• Cailler Chocolate Factory
• Glacier 3000

Tag 5: Montreux - Zermatt

Today it's time to head to the mountains. So leave Montreux whenever you're ready and make your way to Zermatt. You have the whole day to explore this popular alpine resort.

In Zermatt, the mountain landscape and nature take center stage. If you've come to Switzerland for the stunning mountain views, you’re going to love it here.

Numerous hikes and walks of all difficulty levels will take you to places that will leave you breathless. For example, the popular Zermatter 5-Lakes Walk takes about 2.5 hours. It leads past five crystal-clear mountain lakes and offers impressive views of the Matterhorn along the way.

Another adventure that might make you a bit dizzy is crossing the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world in Randa. It's a whole 494 m long and spans the valley. The round trip to the bridge starts and ends in Randa, which is 15 minutes by train from Zermatt.

If you’d rather skip the hike and see the mountains the easy way, we recommend taking a ride up to Gornergrat. After an incredibly steep train ride, you'll find yourself at an altitude of 3,089 m above sea level. Right in front of the Gorner Glacier and the Matterhorn. Don’t be surprised if you’re completely out of breath when climbing the stairs to the viewpoint—that's not just you, but the thin air.

• The best sights and activities in Zermatt

Day 6: Zermatt - Geneva

There’s certainly more than one day’s worth of things to do and see in Zermatt. Which means today is the perfect time to tick off anything you didn’t get to yesterday. Once you’re ready to leave the alpine air, catch the train back to Geneva.

Additional tips and information itinerary 1

• Upon check-in at your accommodation in Lausanne and Montreux, you’ll receive a Transport Card that allows you to use local transport for free in both cities.
• When travelling from Montreux to Gruyères, you’ll need to transfer in Montbovon. The ride between Montreux and Montbovon is served by regular regional trains as well as the scenic Golden Pass Line. Since this section is often booked out, Golden Pass customer service recommends reserving a seat for this segment. However, if you catch the regional train, you don’t need to worry about that.
• You can also book the chocolate train, which will take you straight from Montreux to the Cailler chocolate factory in Broc. This is also served by the Golden Pass Line.
• Access to Chillon Castle is free if you have a Swiss Travel Pass. And even if you’re not keen on going into the castle, seeing it from the outside is still worth the trip.
• If you have enough time and love being on the lake, you can catch the passenger ship from Lausanne to Geneva. This will take almost four hours but you can get off along the way and transfer to the train anytime.
• The part between Brig and Zermatt is served by the Glacier Express trains. Those leave Zermatt and St. Moritz three times daily and are only for people with a reservation. But there are regular trains commuting between Brig and Zermatt that don’t require a reservation. The best part? The views are exactly the same as with the Glacier Express. Minus the large panoramic windows.

2. Itinerary with five city trips, the Alps, the Jura mountains and three lakes

Highlights on this itinerary:

• Visit the old towns of Bern (UNESCO), Morat and Neuchâtel
• Walk along Europe’s longest freshwater beach
• Challenge yourself to the Peak Walk at Glacier 3000
• Spend two nights in the Bernese Alps in Gstaad
• Travel back in time at the magnificent Château de Chillon
• Enjoy the best of Lake Geneva

Tag 1: Geneva - Bern

In the morning, you can explore Geneva at your own pace, rent a free bike from "Genève Roule", or join a guided city tour. After the tour, grab a take-away lunch and take the train to Bern, the capital of Switzerland.

In this charming city, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, you have so many options for activities. Join a city tour or explore Bern on your own. Stroll through the old town, walk to the Bear Park, check out the Federal Palace, or head back to the Rose Garden for more views of the area.

You can also visit the Gurten - Bern's local mountain - watch the animals at Dählhölzli Zoo, or stop by the Botanical Garden. Take the lift from the train station and enjoy the view from the Grosse Schanze, or go for a swim in the Aare or at Weyermannshaus.

You’ll definitely find plenty to keep you busy in the afternoon. In the evening, we recommend heading up to the Rose Garden for an impressive view of the city.

• The best sights and activities in Geneva
• The best sights and activities in Bern

Tag 2: Bern - Murten - Neuchâtel - Bern

After breakfast, take the train and head to the charming little town of Murten. The journey only takes half an hour, and you don’t even need to change trains. Murten itself is tiny, and you won't need long to explore the town. Stroll through the historic old town and stretch your legs by the lake.

The area around Murten is perfect for cycling, hiking, swimming, or simply enjoying the lake.

By the way, you can find the longest freshwater sand beach in Europe at Lake Murten in Salavaux. This might not impress anyone who grew up by the sea, but for a landlocked country like Switzerland, it's quite remarkable.

When you've had enough of Murten, hop on the next train to Neuchâtel. Spend the afternoon discovering this beautiful city with its lake views and steep streets. If you want even more stunning views, you should take a trip up Chaumont, Neuchâtel's local mountain.

The funicular railway runs from Le Coudre to the summit. From there, you can hike down to Cressier via Trois Cheminées. A bus will take you back to Neuchâtel from Cressier. Alternatively, you can walk around Chaumont and take the funicular back down.

At the end of the day, you can return to Bern and spend another night in the Swiss capital.

• The best sights and activities in Murten

Tag 3: Day Trip from Bern

Bern is located close to a variety of exciting destinations. For instance, there’s Thun and Interlaken, both wonderful places with spectacular views of lakes and mountains.

If you’re interested in mountain lakes, you have two great options from Bern. The Oeschinensee and the Blausee are easily reachable from Bern and definitely worth a trip. The crystal-clear water of both lakes will captivate you.

Just half an hour west of Bern is the medieval town of Fribourg. If you decide to head there, follow the city walk signs that guide you through the impressive old town. The signs take you through steep streets, over old wooden bridges, down to the river Saane, and past the town’s funicular railway. For an even better view of your surroundings, you should climb the 365 steps to the cathedral tower. The river Saane at the foot of the town is a great spot to stretch your legs and grab a snack.

You could even go a bit further and travel to Gruyères and Broc to taste typical Swiss cheese and chocolate. Whatever you do today, make sure to return to Bern for your last night when you’re ready.

• Top Sights and Activities in Fribourg
• Top Sights and Activities in Thun
• Top Sights and Activities in Interlaken
• Thunersee - Best Activities and Prices

Day 4: Bern - Gstaad

You’re probably ready to leave Bern by now. So grab your bags in the morning and hop on the train to Gstaad. You’re in for plenty of scenic treats today. From Spiez to Zweisimmen and onward to Gstaad, you’ll be travelling on the Golden Pass Line. This popular scenic train route connects the centre of Switzerland with the shores of Lake Geneva.

After your second transfer in Zweisimmen, the climb through the Bernese Oberland towards Gstaad begins. This region is an absolute dream for mountain-lovers and pretty much sums up what Switzerland is about. Lakes, mountains, lush meadows with grazing cows, glaciers, tons of hiking trails, wonderful landscapes and cute little villages are abundant in this area.

This is why you’ll be spending two nights up here. Get off in Gstaad, check into your accommodation and head out to explore the Alps. Your hiking options are endless. Find a hike that suits your fitness level and enjoy the views. By the way, Lake Lauenensee is only one of the popular places you can visit up here.

In the evening, if you decide to wander through Gstaad, keep your eyes peeled for celebrities. This place is a playground for the rich and famous. Much like St. Moritz.

Tag 5: Gstaad - Glacier 3000 - Gstaad

If ever there was a day you needed your camera, it's today. The mountain panorama waiting for you at your destination is simply breathtaking. So make sure your battery is fully charged.

The mountain peak we're talking about is the impressive Glacier 3000, easily accessible from Gstaad. After a 35-minute bus ride to Col-du-Pillon, you'll find yourself at the foot of some truly stunning mountains.

Hop on the cable car and enjoy the ride. Once you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with a 360-degree view. On a clear day, you can see some of the most famous mountain peaks in the Alps, including the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc massif, and the popular trio of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

If you're feeling adventurous, take the Peak Walk to Scex Rouge. The Peak Walk is the world's first suspension bridge connecting two peaks. Crossing this bridge is an experience you'll likely never forget.

Depending on when you get back to Gstaad, you might have a few hours to stroll through the town or go on another hike before spending another night in the Bernese Alps.

• Glacier 3000

Day 6: Gstaad - Montreux - Geneva

Time to say goodbye to this beautiful region. Catch the Golden Pass train after breakfast and continue your scenic journey to Montreux, where you have a couple of hours before travelling back to Geneva. Head to the Promenade of Montreux and check out the Freddie Mercury statue just outside the market hall.

In case you’re interested in castles, don’t miss out on visiting the famous Chillon Castle. To get there, either follow the Promenade by foot, catch a bus or take one of the regularly departing passenger ships.

Even if you’re not keen on going into the castle, we still recommend heading out there and spending some time by the lake. It’s a great place to hang out and take a bunch of jealousy-inducing pictures.

Head back to Geneva toward the end of the day and spend the evening in Switzerland’s second largest city.

Additional tips and information itinerary 2

• Upon check-in at your accommodation in Bern, you’ll receive a Transport Card that lets you use local transport for free.
• The Golden Pass Line is fully covered by the Interrail and Eurail Passes as well as the Swiss Travel Pass.
• You can complete the Golden Pass journey without making a reservation. However, the Golden Pass customer service recommends booking a seat for the segment between Zweisimmen and Montreux, as it can get pretty busy during high season.
• Access to Chillon Castle is free if you have a Swiss Travel Pass. And even if you’re not keen on going into the castle, seeing it from the outside is still worth the trip.

3. Itinerary along Lake Geneva and to Interlaken for adventurers and mountain enthusiasts

Highlights on this itinerary:

• Spend a few hours exploring Lausanne and Montreux by Lake Geneva
• Visit the Lavaux vineyard terraces (UNESCO)
• Ride parts of the scenic Golden Pass Line between Montreux and Interlaken
• Discover everything Switzerland stands for in Interlaken: lakes, mountains, rivers, and ravishing landscapes
• Visit Jungfraujoch - aka the Top of Europe
• Take a stroll through Bern, the capital of Switzerland (UNESCO)
• Visit the Camille Bloch chocolate factory in Courtelary

Tag 1: Geneva - Lausanne - Montreux

In the morning, you can explore Geneva at your own pace, rent a free bike from "Genève Roule", or join a city tour. After the tour, grab a takeaway lunch and take the train to Lausanne.

This picturesque old town is built on three hills and surrounded by countless vineyards. It is home to the International Olympic Committee and the only metro in Switzerland. When you're ready, continue on to Montreux, drop off your luggage at your accommodation, and spend the rest of the day exploring Montreux.

If you're interested in castles, don't miss visiting the famous Château de Chillon. To get there, you can either walk along the promenade, take a bus, or catch one of the regularly scheduled passenger boats.

Even if you're not keen on touring the castle, we recommend making a little detour and spending some time by the lake. It's a great place to relax and take plenty of beautiful photos.

Alternatively, you can head in the opposite direction to Lavaux to explore the vineyards. Just a short train ride west of Montreux, you'll find the famous Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage site. To enjoy the stunning views, it's best to get off at Cully or Epesses and follow the marked hiking trail through the vineyards.

• The best sights and activities in Geneva
• The best sights and activities in Montreux
• Château de Chillon - the best offers

Day 2: Montreux - Interlaken

You’re in for plenty of scenic treats today. Spend a few more hours in and around Montreux in the morning before moving on. Leave the Lake Geneva region and start your climb up into the Alps on the Golden Pass Line. After a couple of tunnels, you’ll arrive in the Bernese Oberland, our favourite part of the whole train journey.

This region is an absolute dream for mountain-lovers and pretty much sums up what Switzerland is about. Lakes, mountains, lush meadows with grazing cows, glaciers, tons of hiking trails, wonderful landscapes and cute little villages are abundant in this area.

Even if you don’t have enough time to get off along the way, the ride through this picturesque area is something you probably won’t forget anytime soon. After leaving the Bernese Oberland and coming down the hills, you’ll arrive in Zweisimmen, where you’ll need to transfer to another train.

The last leg of the journey takes you past Spiez and Lake Thun before you finally arrive in Interlaken. Spend whatever you have left of the day exploring this popular town and get ready for a couple of days in this adrenaline and scenery-packed destination.

Days 3 & 4: Free Days in Interlaken

You have more activities to choose from today than you can imagine. It depends on your budget, but in an adrenaline-fueled place like Interlaken, the sky's the limit.

If at all!

Skydiving, paragliding, canyoning, and jet boating are popular activities that will get your adrenaline pumping.

A more relaxed option is a ride on a passenger boat on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. On both lakes, you’ll be treated to incredible views, making you wish you never had to leave. If you want to make a stop during one of the boat rides, you can disembark in Giessbach (Lake Brienz), at the St. Beatus Caves, or in Spiez (Lake Thun).

The Jungfrau region around Interlaken is also a fantastic place for hikers. The number of hiking trails is virtually endless. Regardless of your fitness level and ambitions, you'll find something that suits you here.

Of course, the famous Jungfraujoch—also known as the Top of Europe—is the number one destination that everyone wants to see. Taking the Jungfrau Railway, you'll ascend to the highest railway station in Europe and find yourself amidst the impressive mountain and glacier scenery.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative to Jungfraujoch, we recommend visiting Schilthorn, Schynige Platte, Grindelwald First, or Männlichen instead. The rides to these mountains and the views from the summits will not disappoint.

Other attractions in and around Interlaken include: the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, the chocolate factory at the Funky Chocolate Club, the two mountain lakes Blausee or Oeschinensee, or the Aare Gorge. And let’s not forget the charming towns and villages of Brienz, Spiez, Thun, Lauterbrunnen, or Grindelwald.

We could go on forever here. But we think you’d just be frustrated that you can’t spend the whole week here.

• The best sights and activities in Interlaken
• 12 tips for your first visit to Jungfraujoch
• Schilthorn Piz Gloria
• Schynige Platte - Top of Swiss Tradition
• The best deals for Skydive Interlaken
• Ballenberg Open-Air Museum

Day 5: Interlaken - Bern

We assume that you haven't managed to do everything you wanted in the last two days. So today, you've got another day to explore in and around Interlaken.

However, if you've ticked everything off your Interlaken bucket list, you can continue on to Bern. In this charming UNESCO city, you'll have plenty of activities to choose from.

Join a city tour or explore Bern at your own pace. Stroll through the old town, visit the Bear Park, check out the Bundeshaus, and walk back to the Rosengarten to enjoy the view.

You should definitely visit the Gurten, Bern's local mountain, observe the animals at the Dählhölzli Zoo, or check out the Botanical Garden. Take the lift from the train station and enjoy the view from the Grosse Schanze, or go for a swim in the Aare or Weyermannshaus.

You should have plenty to keep you busy, no matter how much time you have after arriving in Interlaken. In the evening, we recommend heading to the Rosengarten to enjoy the stunning night view.

• The best sights and activities in Bern

Day 6: Bern - Courtelary - Geneva

You can spend a few more hours in Bern in the morning. After that, pack your things and get ready for a visit to a chocolate factory in Courtelary. This unassuming little village is not as innocent as it seems. It's home to Camille Bloch, the company behind Ragusa and Torino. In our opinion, these are two of the best Swiss chocolate brands.

The Camille Bloch visitor center is a fantastic place where you can buy all kinds of delicious chocolate creations. In the exhibition, you'll learn all about the ups and downs of the family business since it started in 1926. There's also a tasty demo station where two chocolatiers create Ragusa and Torino chocolate right before your eyes. Of course, you can taste the result just a few minutes after it cools down.

Take your time and enjoy the delicious chocolate before you head back to Geneva.

• Camille Bloch Chocolate Factory

Additional tips and information itinerary 3

• Upon check-in at your accommodation in Montreux, Interlaken and Bern, you’ll receive transport card that allows you to use local transport for free and gives you additional discounts on attractions and activities.
• Access to Chillon Castle is free if you have a Swiss Travel Pass. And even if you’re not keen on going into the castle, seeing it from the outside is still worth the trip.
• You can complete the Golden Pass journey without making a reservation. However, the Golden Pass customer service recommends booking a seat for the segment between Zweisimmen and Montreux, as it can get pretty busy during high season.

And this concludes our collection of six-day itineraries for Switzerland starting in Geneva. We hope you’ve been able to find something to your taste. Have fun planning your trip.