100 free things to do in Switzerland

Traveling can be expensive. Especially in Switzerland, one of the most expensive countries in the world, trips can really strain your budget. But we have good news. There are plenty of things you can do for free in Switzerland, allowing you to save money.

With its abundant nature, stunning landscapes, and unique culture, Switzerland offers an incredible variety of recreational activities. Whether you're a family, a sports enthusiast, a nature lover, or a cultural traveler, you'll definitely find something here.

In this article, you'll find a diverse selection from various categories like Food & Drink, Cities, Transportation, Culture & Museums, and much more. Have fun planning your next outing that will save you a lot of money.

Free food & drink in Switzerland

Eating and drinking doesn't always have to be expensive. There are a few insider tips where you can sample or dust off something for free

1. Kambly Guetzli factory shop

In the Kambly factory store in Truebschachen you can try out all the delicious creations of the legendary Swiss brand. Afterwards you will have the opportunity to buy the unique Guetzli in large quantities and at discounted prices.

2. fill your water bottle at the fountain

Switzerland is richly blessed with an abundance of drinking water. Everywhere in Switzerland you will find fountains where you can fill up your water bottle for free. If it is not drinking water, it will be marked with a sign to that effect

3. Show Cheese Factory Emmental

You probably know the name Show Cheese Factory in Emmental because it's where one of the most famous cheese types is produced: Emmental cheese. Unfortunately, not all offers are free. However, from the shop, you have a direct view into the production and can watch the cheese-making process for free.

Free Transport in Switzerland

Getting from one dream destination to another can become pricey over time. Luckily, there are a few ways to utilize free transport.

4. Use Public Transport with the Guest Card

Many cities and towns, such as Basel, Bern, Interlaken, Montreux, and even the entire Canton of Ticino, issue a free guest card to visitors who stay at least one night. This includes the use of public transport and discounts for other attractions.

5. Rent a Bike for Free

Through the initiative “Switzerland Rolls,” you can rent a bike for free for the day in larger Swiss cities like Bern, Geneva, and Zurich.

6. Grand Tour of Switzerland

The Grand Tour of Switzerland is a self-guided road trip through the whole of Switzerland that you can customize according to your needs. On MySwitzerland you will find all the information you need for this beautiful route through Switzerland.

Free things to do in Swiss cities

In Swiss cities, there is a very diverse selection of things you can do for free. With these tips, you can explore and experience a lot without spending a lot of money

7. city tour with actor Lugano

In Lugano, there are free weekly city tours with professional actors. For more information, contact Lugano Tourism.

8. free walking tour

In many Swiss cities such as Zurich, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, Interlaken, Lucerne, Solothurn you can find so called Free Walking Tours. These city tours are free of charge. At the end of the tour you can voluntarily give a tip of the value that the tour had for you. You can find all available cities on Free Walk

9. city model of Zurich

In the basement of the city planning office in Zurich, there is a maple wood city model of Zurich on a scale of 1:1000. You can visit the more than 50,000 buildings free of charge from Monday to Friday.

10. libraries

In every city you will find several libraries that are open to the public. Here you can use the WLAN for free, grab an exciting book or simply take shelter from the rain. The Central Library in downtown Zurich is particularly large and beautiful.

11. city walls

Some Swiss cities still have remnants of old city walls that can be walked on. The Musegg Wall in Lucerne and the Ring Wall in Murten are two very nice examples of this. But you can also find publicly accessible city walls in Gruyères and Fribourg.

12. monuments

Freely accessible historical sites and imposing monuments can be found all over Switzerland. One of the most famous monuments is certainly the Lion Monument in Lucerne. But you can also admire the Tellsplatte, the Suworow monument at the Teufelsbrücke near the Schöllenenschlucht or the Strassburg monument in Basel for free.

13. Archaeological Windows Zurich

At the City Planning Office in Zurich, you can pick up a key that opens the windows to Zurich's past. With this key, you can dive into the history of various buildings, crypts, secret alleys, and cellars. You only need to leave an ID as a deposit for the key.

14. Guided Tour of Gotthard Tunnel Village Göschenen

The "old" Gotthard tunnel is the longest railway tunnel of the 19th century. On this tour, you'll learn more about the fascinating development of traffic at Gotthard and gain insights into the measurement points, the customs bridge, the cemetery, and the blasting demonstration in the viewing tunnel.

Free Museums and Cultural Offerings in Switzerland

There’s an incredible amount to discover culturally in Switzerland. Fortunately, most Swiss museums are free to enter. Additionally, there are many other experiences like castles, festivals, and street art tours that you can enjoy for free.

15. Tour of the Federal Palace

During the session breaks, free tours of the Federal Palace in Bern are offered from Tuesday to Saturday. During the week, the tours are in German and French, and on Saturday, they are also available in Italian and English. You can reserve your tour up to three days in advance.

16. Free Museum Visit

Switzerland has over 1,100 museums. Many of them are either completely free or offer free admission on certain weekdays or at specific times. Some of the free museums include the Natural History Museums in Fribourg and Solothurn, the Money Museum in Zurich, the Johanna Spiry Museum in Hirzel, the Omega Museum in Biel, and the Musée des Beaux Arts in Lausanne. If you have a museum pass, like the one available with Raiffeisen membership, you can visit over 500 Swiss museums for free.

17. Castles and Fortresses

For many of Switzerland's castles and fortresses, you need to pay an entry fee to visit the interiors. However, they are also very impressive and worth seeing from the outside, which is free. Some castles that are freely accessible include Schloss Frauenfeld (Thurgau), Schloss a Pro in Seedorf (Uri), the visitor center and vegetable garden of Schloss Prangins (Vaud), and Schloss Habsburg (Aargau).

18. CERN

Entry to CERN, the largest particle physics lab in the world, is free. You can find it just a few kilometers from Geneva, in Meyrin.

19. DIY Street Art Tour in Lugano

In Lugano, you can take your own street art tour with the virtual guide from Arteurbana.

20. Augusta Raurica

Augusta Raurica is one of the most significant Roman archaeological sites in Switzerland. While it's not completely free to visit, you can explore the outdoor areas with their monuments, all the sights, and the animal park without an entrance ticket.

21. Visiting Churches

Churches in Switzerland are accessible for free. You won’t find long queues or high entrance fees like you might in cities like Paris or Rome. In some churches, you can even climb the tower, but that usually costs an entry fee.

22. Juggler Festivals

During the summer months, there are more juggler festivals, or busker festivals, happening in Switzerland. Here, performers from all over the world showcase their artistic acts. You can find juggler festivals in places such as St. Gallen, Lenzburg, Basel, Lucerne, Bern, Neuchâtel, Interlaken, and many more. Admission is free, but the artists really appreciate any voluntary contributions you make, which help them make a living.

23. Samichlaus (St. Nikolaus)

On December 6th, Samichlaus walks through the streets of Switzerland with his donkey. He reminds us of the compassionate bishop of Myra and brings children sweets, fruits, and nuts. A cool tip: a special pre-Christmas spectacle takes place in Basel. Here, you won't see the Samichläuse on a sled, but on Harleys. If kids recite a verse, they also get tasty treats.

24. Streetfood Festivals

Between April and September, there are Streetfood Festivals at various locations across Switzerland. Entrance to the festivals is free, although you’ll obviously have to pay for food afterwards. How much you spend is up to you.

25. Music Festivals

In many cities, there are free music events, especially during the summer. These include the music weeks in Winterthur, the New Orleans Festival in St. Gallen, “em Beppi si Jazz” in Basel, and various concerts at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

26. Free Concerts and Open Airs

Beside all the big and often expensive open-air events, there are also plenty of free events. These include the Openair Wollishofen, the Landenbergfest in Wipkingen, the Stolze Openair in Zurich, the Floss Festival in Basel, and Rock am Weier in Wil SG.

27. City and Lakeside Festivals

Almost every city holds a city festival once a year. This includes the “Lozärn Fäscht” in Lucerne, the Bern city festival, the Chur festival, the St. Gallen festival, and the Basel Federal Celebration. Additionally, many lakeside cities frequently, though not always annually, host lakeside festivals. This includes places like Zurich, Rapperswil-Jona, Biel, Spiez, and Romanshorn. The big firework displays are particularly spectacular.

28. Street Parade

The annual and largest techno party in the world, which takes place in Zurich, is free to attend and happens every August.

29. Fasnacht

Between the end of February and the beginning of March, Fasnacht takes place in Switzerland, particularly in the Catholic cantons and in Basel. During this carnival, people dress up and celebrate both in the streets and in bars, restaurants, and clubs. In the streets, you can participate in various parties for free and watch the parades.

Free Activities with Animals in Switzerland

Watching animals, learning more about them, and exploring their habitats is often an exciting experience for both young and old. In various forests or wildlife parks, you have the opportunity to observe a variety of animals for free.

30. Wildlife Parks

There are numerous wildlife parks across Switzerland that are free to access. These include:

• the wildlife park Roggenhausen in Aarau
• the wildlife park Peter & Paul in St. Gallen
• the animal park Lange Erlen in Basel
• the animal park Biel
• the alpine wildlife park in Interlaken
• the wilderness park in Zürich
• and the wildlife park Heitern in Zofingen.

31. Bear Park Bern

You can discover the Bear Park by the Aare in Bern, which covers around 5,000 m², for free. Here, you can visit the bears Björk, Finn, Ursina, and Berna right next to the old town of Bern.

Squirrel Forest

In squirrel forests, such as in Arosa, Lenzerheide, or Bougy, you can get up close and personal with the cute little critters. If you bring some hazelnuts along, they'll be even happier to see you.

33. Largest Stork Colony in Switzerland

In Altreu on the Aare River, you’ll find the largest stork colony in Switzerland, near Solothurn. The Witi Information Centre offers exciting insights about the feathered residents that live in around 60 stork nests in Altreu.

34. Bird Paradise Bois Neuf

This semi-artificial water area between Étagnières and Assens in the canton of Vaud is a great spot for observing countless bird species. You might see kites, mallards, and maybe even a kingfisher with a bit of luck.

35. Alpine Drive / Alpine Return

The Alpine drives and returns have a long tradition in Switzerland. In early summer, the cows, and sometimes goats, are taken by the herders up to the alpine pastures. They spend the summer there before being driven back down to the valley in the autumn during the return. You can watch this impressive procedure from the roadside.

36. Cattle Shows

Another tradition is the cattle shows held across Switzerland. You can compare them to a beauty pageant for farmers and their cows, where the most beautiful cow is crowned, and there's plenty of food and drink. These social events occur at various times throughout the country between summer and autumn.

37. Le Roselet Horse Retirement Home

In Les Breuleux, in the Jura region, you can visit the horse retirement home for free and interact with the four-legged seniors. Here, horses, ponies, and donkeys spend their twilight years and enjoy the company.

38. Juckerhof

The Juckerhof by Lake Pfäffiker in the canton of Zurich is especially known in autumn for its amazing pumpkin exhibition. However, you can visit the farm for free all year round. Kids can have fun in a straw castle, at the “Geisslipark” with cheeky goats, at the natural playground, and with exciting barefoot experiences in the apple orchard.

Free Activities with Nature & Plants in Switzerland

To get closer to and explore the natural and plant life of Switzerland, you don’t need to go to an expensive park. There are many options where you can experience Switzerland's spectacular nature for free.

39. Botanical Gardens

A large number of botanical gardens in Switzerland are free to visit. This includes gardens in St. Gallen, Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lausanne, Fribourg, and Neuchâtel.

40. Ricola Herb Garden

The five different herb gardens are located along popular hiking routes in Switzerland and invite you to explore and relax. From May to September, you have the chance to admire the gardens, discover herbs, and learn more about their healing properties.

• Ricola Herb Garden Zermatt

41. Rhine Falls

The largest waterfall in Europe is located near Schaffhausen, measuring over 150 m wide and 23 m high. Here, you can experience a truly gigantic natural spectacle. You can view the waterfall from both the northern and southern banks. From the northern side, you have the chance to admire the waterfall free of charge. However, there is a parking fee if you arrive by car.

42. Waterfalls

Most waterfalls in Switzerland are freely accessible. This includes the Staubbach Falls, the Giessbach Falls, the Engstligen Falls, and of course, the world-famous Rhine Falls.

43. Jaunbach Gorge in La Gruyère

The gorge in western Switzerland offers an overwhelming mix of natural spectacles and is a highlight for any family outing. The Jaunbach meanders through the gorge, leaving waterfalls, grottos and many surprises in its wake

44. Rhine Gorge

The Rhine Gorge is one of the most fascinating landscapes in Switzerland and is also known as the "Grand Canyon of Switzerland". The gorge is up to 400 m deep and about 13 km long. It is located between the mouth of the Hinterrhein near Reichenau and Ilanz and offers gigantic hikes with great views.

45. Lookout Towers

In Switzerland, there are countless lookout towers offering amazing views of the surrounding area. Some of these towers can even be climbed for free. This includes the Bachtel Tower in Hinwil, the wooden Chutzenturm in Frienisberg Forest, the Hasenberg Tower on Hasenberg, the Gurten Lookout Tower in Bern, the Nature Observation Tower Weitsicht in Altenrhein, the Birdwatching Tower by the Klingnau Reservoir, and the viewing platforms in the Rhine Gorge.

46. UNESCO World Heritage

Explore remarkable stories of humanity and the Earth at 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Switzerland. Most of them can be visited for free. This includes the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona, the Old Town of Bern, the Jungfrau-Aletsch area in the Swiss Alps, as well as the Albula and Bernina regions featuring the Rhaetian Railway.

47. Visit the National Park

Unlike many other countries, you can visit the national park in Switzerland for free. The Swiss National Park in the Engadin features a unique natural environment and wildlife. The park offers stunning hiking routes and pristine nature. You'll also find many adventure trails and nature educational paths.

48. Visit a Nature Park

The landscapes and nature of Switzerland are marked by unique natural spectacles. The nature parks offer a fantastic opportunity to explore and marvel at the unique surroundings.

• Nature Parks of Switzerland

49. Suspension Bridges

A bit of a queasy feeling in your stomach, weak knees, but breathtaking views: that’s what Switzerland’s suspension bridges promise. The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge on the Europaweg above Randa is the longest suspension bridge in Europe at 494 m long and rewards you with a stunning view. There are many other suspension bridges you can cross for free, such as the Goms Bridge, the Carasc, and the Skywalk at Lauitobel.

50. Mont Vully Caves

The caves of Mont Vully were excavated in sandstone for defense during World War I. Today, the 200-meter-long tunnel serves as a unique playground for kids. There’s so much to discover, ensuring endless fun.

Free Things to Do in Switzerland for Families & Fun

Spending time with family should be fun and enjoyable, but it can quickly get expensive. Luckily, there are some great activities that can be done for free, making them highlights for the whole family.

51. Crime Pass

Become a detective and solve exciting criminal cases in various locations throughout Switzerland. You can easily register on the website and receive the puzzles via email. Here you can find out more and sign up directly.

52. Playgrounds / Adventure Playgrounds

From swings, slides, climbing towers, to rope bridges and much more. A visit to an outdoor playground will make kids' hearts soar. The Robinson Playground Grotzenwäldli in Engelberg, for example, offers an exciting pirate adventure and is a thrilling experience for all visitors. Other fantastic free playgrounds include the Robinson Playground in Muttenz, the La Cigale Playground in Lausanne, the Adventure Playground Seeburgpark in Kreuzlingen, and the Schattwäldli Playground in Zug.

53. Street Chess

A game of chess outdoors sound like your thing? At street chess, players gather at public chess spots to play with oversized pieces. You can find these spots in many Swiss cities, such as Zurich on Lindenhof, at the Grossmünster terrace, and on the Hohe Promenade. There are also street chess fields in Bern, Lucerne, and Geneva.

54. table tennis

A round of table tennis is fun and brings people together. In Zurich you'll find two ping-pong tables near the main train station and in Basel on Güterstrasse. You will also find ping pong tables open to the public all over Switzerland, where you can let off steam. Have a bat and a ball ready and you're ready to go.

55. Swiss Family Fireplace

If you feel like grilling a sausage outdoors after a hike or just because, check out the Swiss Family Fireplaces website. Here you can easily find out where the nearest barbecue site is and what else you should bring. Here you can find more information about the super equipped fireplaces.

56. kite flying

Flying a kite is not only fun for the little ones and is often not as easy as it looks. If there is enough wind, you can fly a kite on the next hill or in the next large open meadow. Make sure that you are far away from trees and power poles

57th Treasure Hunt Ascona

During the treasure hunt you have to solve exciting riddles and get to know the small town in Ticino from its most beautiful side. The treasure hunt takes about 1:30 hours and if you are lucky you can even win an overnight stay at the Parkhotel Brenscino in Brissago. Here you can learn more about the treasure hunt in Ascona.

58. geocaching

Geocaching could be called a modern scavenger hunt, because here coordinates and information from the Internet are used to find the treasure, the "cache". The caches can be hidden anywhere in Switzerland and lead you to interesting places. All you need is a GPS receiver or a smartphone. For geocaching, there is a free basic version as well as a paid pro version.

59. Boccia al Bosco

"Boccia al Bosco" is a ball track hike in the Verzasca Valley. Here you combine a wonderful walk with the game of bocce. At the same time you can enjoy the beautiful nature of Ticino. The pleasure goes over 5 km and is a great experience especially for children. One ball costs 7 CHF. However, if you bring your own, you pay nothing for the walk.

60. play path St. Gallen

The Spielweg in St. Gallen and the surrounding area is a special initiative for all weather conditions and different target groups. At 65 play locations spread throughout the city, parents and children, grandparents, clubs and youth groups all have fun. You don't have to follow any particular order and can just go for it

61. swing with panoramic view

The swing with panoramic view not only looks unbeatable on Instagram, but also brings real heart-pounding and fun. You can find the swings from Swing the World in many places in Ticino, Grisons and Vaud

Free theme trails in Switzerland

In Switzerland you will find countless theme trails on a wide variety of topics. Whether it's fruit, planets, bridges, senses or jokes, really everyone will find an entertaining and exciting theme trail here.

62. Simmental House Trail

On the Simmental House Trail you will find many old Simmental farmhouses, impressive carpentry and special wooden buildings. The trail starts in Wimmis, leads through beautiful countryside and ends in Boltigen. Of course you can also walk smaller sections.

63. planetary paths

On a planetary path, you get a little closer to the universe. Here you'll usually find a scaled-down model of the solar system set up along the way. Great trails are the Aargauer Planetenweg, the Glarner Planetenweg, the Planetenweg Laufen and the Planetenweg Effretikon-Kyburg. To name just a few examples.

64. history trip Rütli

The famous meadow on the Rütli seems quite normal and unspectacular, but this is where history was made in 1291. Three original cantons met on the meadow and founded the Waldstätte alliance. Today you can visit the birthplace of Switzerland here and find an exciting open-air exhibition with insights into the myths of the Rütli, William Tell, Treib-Seelisberg railroad and much more

65. theme trail Morgarten

The Morgarten Trail takes you back to the time of 1315. Seven animated stations await you along the way, where you can experience exciting audio plays. Here you will meet figures such as Duke Leopold, Knight Heinrich von Hünenberg and many more. The trail runs between Sattel parish church and the battle monument in the hamlet of Morgarten on Lake Aegeri.

66. fruit paths

Switzerland's fruit trails teach you a lot about locally grown fruit and take you through picturesque landscapes. The Fricktaler Chriesiwäg leads you through a cherry tree landscape. Here you will find fantastic photo motifs, delicious cherries and lots of interesting information about cherry growing. The Altnauer Apfelweg leads you through the beautiful village of Altnau with its numerous apple orchards.

67th Cultural Learning Trail "A life between village and alp"

The trail is located in the Valais on Bettmeralp. Here you can immerse yourself in the past and learn how earlier inhabitants managed their daily lives between village and alp. Experience a dreamlike scenic environment and marvel at typical farmhouses.

68. beaver nature trail Pfyn

It is no coincidence that the beaver nature trail is located in the small village of Pfyn, because more than a quarter of the beavers in Switzerland have their habitat in Thurgau. Here you can learn everything about the animals and discover their habitat. On the total of 4 km you can expect many tree works of the beavers and with a little luck you will also get to see the animals. Especially in the early morning hours or in the evening at dusk, the cuddly little animals are on the move.

69. fairy tale trail Samnaun

Experience the famous children's book "The Adventures of Murmina and Murmin" and learn the exciting story of the marmots. On the tour many informative panels, magnificent wooden figures and a very special task await you: the rescue of Murmin's family. On the fairy tale trail you can not only listen, but also actively participate.

70. St. Gallen Bridge Trail

The 8 km long St. Gallen Bridge Trail takes you through the unique river landscape of the Sitter and Wattbach nature reserve. Many protected animals live in this area and a fascinating landscape awaits you. You will also encounter 18 viaducts, suspension bridges and many different bridges with information boards about history and technology.

71. adventure trail Präz

On the Präz adventure trail, you and your family will dive into the world of Tilla and her friends and visit the exciting Heinzenberg castle ruins. Along the way there are eight exciting adventure spots from the stories of Tilla and her friends. At the same time you can enjoy the fantastic view of Domleschg

72nd adventure trail in Walzenhausen

Download a free app for the adventure trail. Along the way, you'll be immersed in a captivating and interactive story about the castle ruins and the Grimmenstein monastery. You'll set off in search of a treasure and can look forward to a great surprise at the end

73rd Sensory Journey Toggenburg

In Ebnat-Kappel you can embark on a very special sensory journey. You will be guided along a circular path through the forest and green meadows and come across various stations. These stations deal with the topics of feeling, listening, looking, climbing and balancing. A little tip: There is a cozy barbecue area at the end of the trail.

74. Globi Trails in Brunni and Lenzerheide

Globi has been one of the most famous children's book characters in Switzerland for ages. In the beautiful holiday resort of Lenzerheide, you can meet him in person and hike on a fantastic trail dedicated to him. In the sun-kissed Brunni Engelberg, you'll find the special “Globis Alp Playground.” Here, kids can have fun in the water area, climbing landscape, and many other play options.

75. Joke Trail Heiden

The Joke Trail is a wonderfully entertaining, leisurely hike from Heiden to Walzenhausen in the Appenzellerland. On the 8.5 km long path, you'll find a total of 40 joke panels for both young and old. This way, the hike will never get boring and is a fun experience for the whole family.

76. Barefoot Path in Ticino

The Barefoot Path leads through the Val Lavizzara along the banks of the Maggia River. Over 500 meters, you’ll encounter 18 exciting stations that stimulate your senses in different ways. Walking barefoot is good for your health and gives you a unique connection to nature.

77. Ibex High Trail at Lac des Dix

The Ibex High Trail at Lac des Dix is an exciting and informative themed circular path. The walk takes about four hours and offers many thrilling experiences for children as well. At information stations, you’ll learn about flora and fauna, and the path passes through the realm of ibexes. With a bit of luck, you might even spot some.

78. Alpine Experience Trail Lötschental

The Alpine Experience Trail on the Lauchernalp brings its visitors closer to the everyday life of an alpine farm. Along the way, there are 14 stations. Here, children can learn how milking and cheese-making works, which plants bloom in the area, and how alpine farming affects the surrounding landscape.

79. Cheese Factory Path

Embark on a special hike and dive into the rich tradition of cheese-making in La Gruyère. On this circular route, you’ll walk from Pringy towards La Loue to Moléson. Here, you can get a glimpse of an alpine cheese dairy in summer. From there, continue to Reyes Devant over the Chalet du Montgeron d’en Bas back to Pringy. A little tip: a visit to the medieval Gruyères is a perfect way to end your hike.

80. Kastanienweg Murg

At Kastanienweg by the Lake Walen, you'll embark on an exciting journey exploring the world of chestnuts. In Murg, over 1850 sweet chestnut trees thrive. The path also offers stunning views of the Lake Walen and the Churfirsten mountains.

81. Laternliweg on Schwägalp

The 3 km long Laternliweg on Schwägalp brings joy not just to children's eyes. Here, you stroll under the glow of more than 80 lanterns, soaking up the magic of winter. To make the experience even better, feel free to warm up with a delicious punch or enjoy a tasty raclette afterwards.

82. WWF Beaver Trail

The beaver is Europe's largest rodent. On the Beaver Trail by the Rhine, you can discover the world of beavers and learn a lot about these animals and their habitat. Along the 4 km route, you'll find ten intriguing information panels about beavers and can look for gnawing and paw prints yourself. With some luck, you might even spot the animals at dusk.

Free Activities by Water in Switzerland

Water plays a big role in Switzerland. There are countless lakes, waterfalls, and rivers. You can enjoy many thrilling or relaxing activities for free.

83. Boating

Boating is one of the easiest and most fun summer activities in Switzerland. If you bring your own inflatable boat, you can paddle on any river, but at your own risk. A particularly popular river for boating is the Aare. On the stretch from Thun to Bern, you'll find countless beautiful spots where you can stop for a picnic.

84. Swimming in the Lake

On a lovely summer day, there’s hardly anything better than being by the lake, enjoying nature, and cooling off with a swim. In Switzerland, there are many freely accessible beaches you can visit. Some particularly beautiful ones are the bathing island Lorelei in Seedorf, the Katzensee beach in Zürich-Affoltern, the Marzili in Bern, La Spiaggetta in Arbedo, and the sandy beach Gäsi in Glarus North.

85. Kneipp

Kneipp is a special natural healing method that strengthens the immune system. One of the longest and most beautiful Kneipp trails in Switzerland is in Blitzingen and is almost 2.6 km long. The Kneipp facility in Zurich is also very popular and is located on the campus of the ETH. In the middle of the Jura, you will find a great Kneipp trail near Rebeuvelier

86. Marzili Baths in Bern

The Marzili outdoor pool has a direct connection to the Aare. You can look forward to a pleasant cool down in the Aare or do your laps in the 50 m swimming pool. For the little ones there is another children's pool

87. Caribbean feeling at the Lake of Uri

The Lorelei bathing islands on the Lake of Uri offer a Caribbean feeling in the middle of Switzerland. The islands are located in the Reuss delta right next to a large nature reserve. A relaxing South Seas atmosphere awaits you here. All you need is sunscreen, sun hat, bath towel, parasol and swimwear. You should bring your own food, because there are great barbecue places here

88. Salavaux Beach

Salavaux beach is located on Lake Murten and is the longest freshwater beach in Europe. Here you get a real feeling of a southern seaside vacation. The sandy beach is very shallow and therefore perfect for children. It's best to come directly in the morning, so you can get a parking space and choose a nice place to lie down.

89. moated castle near Brugg

The "moated castle" near Brugg in Aargau consists of the confluence of the three rivers Aare, Limmat and Reuss. It is located in the middle of a spectacular landscape. Among connoisseurs, the moated castle is also known as the "Amazon of Switzerland". You can visit the area both on foot and by bike.

90. Largest Swimming Pool in Switzerland

At 15,000 m², the Weyermannshaus outdoor pool in Bern is not only the largest swimming pool in Switzerland, but also the most water-rich in Western Europe. The pool offers not just standard swimming areas, but also diving platforms, children’s play pools, water slides, a playground, table tennis tables, a beach volleyball court, and much more.

91. Magical Water Adventure

This adventure world is in Grächen and offers you and your family a thrilling exploration along the Suonen. Grächen is situated at 1,600 m above sea level on a plateau. Up here, water flows from the Riedbach into four Suonen around the village. The adventure world guides you along these channels, and you'll also encounter a magical mountain lake.

Free Activities in Switzerland for the Active & Sporty

Whether in summer or winter, staying active and engaging in sports feels great. Besides jogging or walking, here are some varied tips for fun activities you can do for free.

92. Bike Parks

Across Switzerland, you'll find bike parks accessible for free for every skill level. Here, you can start your first attempts on a bike as a beginner or refine your tricks as an expert. A particularly great and free bike park is located in Oberriet in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley. The park’s motto is “Learn and Experience.”

93. Natural Ice Rinks

Ice skating is a special winter highlight year after year. In Switzerland, there are many natural ice fields that you can use for free. You only need to bring your own skates. One particularly special natural ice field is in Avers Juppa at over 2,000 m above sea level. Other fantastic and free natural ice rinks can be found in Prilet, on the Bettmeralp, at Oeschinensee, and in Churwalden.

94. build an igloo

If you don't want to build a snowman, you can try a new challenge and build your own igloo. You'll need some skill, a bit of technology and, of course, enough snow. Good luck!

95. vita course

A great change from jogging or walking in the forest is a Vita-Parcours, because these are courses laid out in the forest with various sports equipment. You can find free Vita courses in forests all over Switzerland.

96. finn track

Finn tracks are also a sporty alternative to the usual jogging circuit. The special thing about the Finn tracks is the soft ground, which consists of sawdust, sawdust shavings and other soft material. Thus, these tracks are particularly easy on the joints. Although a bit more strenuous to walk on than a gravel path or a paved road.

97. sledding on the "hill

Tobogganing is also one of the special leisure highlights in the winter months. You don't necessarily have to take a lift up the hill and buy a sledding ticket to have fun. Smaller hills also bring a lot of fun and action. You can find such hills almost everywhere in Switzerland.

98. Slow Up

Slow Up days are special, car-free days that take place in selected locations throughout Switzerland. On these days, roads are closed to cars and opened for cyclists. The Slow Up events occur regularly in different regions and offer a fantastic experience for any cycling enthusiast.

99. Via Ferrata

The sport of climbing has become increasingly popular and is definitely a great experience for the whole family. In Switzerland, you can explore free via ferratas. Among them is the Chäligang via ferrata in the Bernese Oberland. This route provides fun and challenge for the entire family. There is also a special climbing paradise in Braunwald in the Glarus region, where you'll find many via ferratas with various levels of difficulty.

100. Outdoor Gym

An outdoor gym is a perfect way to get active with friends or family in the fresh air. Great outdoor gyms can be found, for example, in the street workout areas in Zurich, the street workout park in Lucerne, and various street workout parks in Geneva and surrounding areas.

As you can see, excursions in Switzerland don’t always have to be expensive. There are plenty of things you can do for free in this costly country. We wish you lots of fun on your next budget-friendly adventure.