Have you ever been somewhere so stunning that it makes you want to cry? For me, that place is Switzerland. The Gorges de la Jogne feels like an elven kingdom, Montreux’s lake promenade is a paradise garden, and Geneva surprises with its massive fountain and warms the soul with bubbling cheese fondue. Yes, maybe it sounds sentimental, but I truly felt overwhelming gratitude for experiencing such beauty. That’s why I want to share my Switzerland trip itinerary and take you on a virtual journey through this article—to showcase this country’s otherworldly beauty and help you discover what to see in Switzerland along the way.
Location: Switzerland. Start & End in Geneva.
Cost: Mix of paid and free attractions
Length: 4.5 days
Transportation: By car. But parts of the itinerary could be done by public transport too
Quick Note on Logistics of this Switzerland Trip Itinerary
Before diving into our Switzerland trip adventures, here’s a quick overview of the logistics. This Switzerland trip itinerary covers four and a half days. Since I was visiting friends who live here, we traveled by car, so I would recommend renting a car or bringing your own vehicle to follow this Switzerland trip itinerary. But don’t worry—even if you rely on public transportation, all the sights mentioned should be accessible (except for one mountain, but I’ve included an alternative you can reach by bus).
Arrival Evening in Geneva, Switzerland
Une Fondue au Fromage, S’il Vous Plaît
Or, in English—one cheese fondue, please!
Our flight was delayed, but nothing melts away travel stress like a pot of bubbling, melted Swiss cheese. If you’re wondering what to do on your first night in Geneva, I would recommend to start with a local dining experience. My friends recommended Bains des Pâquis as a place where locals gather for fondue. Here, you order at an outdoor counter and enjoy your Swiss fondue indoors in a casual shared space with long wooden tables.
The First Challenge of Our Switzerland Trip – Ordering the Cheese Fondue
It’s a challenge because everyone here speaks French.
How are your French skills? Mine are practically nonexistent, but I’m up for the challenge…And when it goes well, there’s a real sense of accomplishment.
After placing the order, you can head inside to find a free spot amidst the lively chatter of people. Once you find a seat, a friendly staff member appears out of nowhere, setting a small stove on the table in front of you and lighting it.
While you wait, you can soak in the energetic conversations around you, until they bring you your pot of melted cheese, a basket of bread, and a pepper grinder. Then it is time to dig in.
First lesson of our Switzerland trip
How to Properly Eat Cheese Fondue?
Keep the pot on the stove so the cheese is bubbling. Spear a piece of bread with the fork, then dip it into the hot cheese. Give it a good swirl! Pull it out, crack some fresh black pepper on top, and enjoy. P.S. – The cheese is boiling hot, so try not to burn your tongue!
Day 1 of Our Switzerland Trip
Montreux: A City So Beautiful It Inspires Songs
Quoting Queen’s song A Winters tale: “Am I dreaming? Am I dreaming?”
The city of Montreux in Switzerland is undeniably dreamy. Despite the crowds gathered around the iconic Freddie Mercury statue, it retains an atmosphere of serene beauty.
What to see in Montreux, Switzerland?
Here’s a quick rundown of Day 1 of our Switzerland trip itinerary in Montreux:
1.Chillon Castle – This breathtaking medieval fortress rises dramatically from the crystal-blue waters of Lake Geneva. Wander through its grand halls, admire ancient wall paintings, and explore dungeons where prisoners were once chained.
2.Montreux Old Town – A tiny but charming district with cobbled streets, historic architecture, and flower-filled copper cauldrons. The area’s winding alleys and beautifully preserved facades make it one of Switzerland’s hidden gems.
3.What’s a trip to Switzerland without mountains? Montreux definitely has the vibe of a resort town, but this beautiful Swiss city also hides a green mountain trail, where the more active visitors can stretch their legs and get a view of the town from above.
4. And for those who don’t see themselves as hikers, there’s good news – a beautiful panoramic view of Montreux can also be enjoyed while sitting on the wall of St. Vincent’s Church. The church itself exudes a romantic, ancient atmosphere, making it worth a stop on your Switzerland trip
5. The view of the crystal-clear blue water, the mountains, and the hundreds of colorful flowers along Montreux’s lake promenade will likely haunt me for the rest of my life. It’s definitely the highlight of today’s itinerary.
But if you want to discover more details about each of these places, check out our immersive travel story about a day in Montreux.
A Quick Stop in Bulle, Switzerland
Tonight, we’re staying in Bulle – another small Swiss town that exudes old-world romance. This atmosphere is created by a small castle and charming old houses. If only we had more time to explore…
But with how packed our Switzerland trip itinerary is, we can only take a quick stroll through the town this time as we search for a bakery to grab some breakfast. However, if you had an extra day on your Switzerland trip, I’m sure you’d find plenty of cute, picturesque spots to explore in Bulle.
By the way, French isn’t the only French influence in Switzerland. Just like in France, you’ll find amazing bakeries here where you can enjoy your morning coffee with croissants, macarons, and tarts.
Day 2 of Our Switzerland Trip
Broc: The Ultimate Swiss Experience
Let’s play a game – name something that people associate with Switzerland, and I’ll tell you where you can find it in Broc.
What shall we start with? Maybe Switzerland makes you think of chocolate? Good call! Let’s talk about the oldest chocolate brand in Switzerland.
Switzerland Chocolate Experience in Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory
There won’t be any Oompa Loompas or suspicious ‘accidents’ like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but you will have the chance to learn a little more about the history of chocolate, how it’s made, and of course, fulfill that childhood dream of eating as much chocolate as you can.
And don’t worry – we’ll walk off all that chocolate at the next stop of our Switzerland trip itinerary.
Switzerland’s Otherworldly Nature : Gorges de la Jogne
Maybe Switzerland makes you think of stunningly beautiful nature? Oh, yes! And this time, we’re not talking about the mountains (not yet) or the crystal-clear lake waters. Continuing with the movie theme – just like Alice, we’re heading to Wonderland: Gorges de la Jogne, a breathtaking valley nestled between towering cliffs, with a crystal-clear stream flowing below.
But instead of entering Wonderland through a rabbit hole, we’ll enter through a dark stone tunnel. On the approximately 4.5-kilometer hike (there and back), you’ll encounter waterfalls, cliffs, massive stone boulders, and other magical natural wonders of Switzerland.
It’s hard to pick favorites, but I’ll admit – this was my absolute favorite stop of the entire Switzerland trip.
Second lesson of our Switzerland trip
In the French-speaking part of Switzerland, it’s customary to greet people while hiking in the mountains or walking along nature trails. So, when everyone you pass says bonjour, don’t worry – they’re not your long-lost French relatives, it’s just a polite gesture. So go ahead, start greeting people too!
Switzerland Castle Experience: Château de Gruyères
Maybe Switzerland makes you think of mountains, castles, or charming old cottages? Well, surprise – near Broc, there’s a place where all of these come together in one perfect spot. At the top of the hill stands Château de Gruyères, behind whose walls lies a whole medieval town.
And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a Swiss cow in the surrounding area. After all, what would a trip to Switzerland be without saying hello to a few cows?
This was the short version of the day 2 itinerary of our Switzerland trip, but if you want to learn more about these attractions check out my full travel story about Broc.
But now, it is time to head back to Geneva spend the next couple of nights there.
Day 3 of Our Switzerland Trip
Finally, Time to Climb a Mountain (But Not in Switzerland!)
Now, let’s really dive into mountain climbing. But not in Switzerland – in France. What? Why?
Even though both Geneva and Montreux are framed by stunning mountains, the ones you see aren’t actually in Switzerland – they’re in France. But they’re so close that the only difference is that you’ll need to pack your passport and euros instead of Swiss francs.
I’ve got two options for you to choose from.
Option 1: Le Petit Montrond (Our Choice)
Due to the rainy weather, we opted for a short hike to Le Petit Montrond (which translates to ‘The Little Round Mountain’), hoping the rain would ease up. It turns out that rainy days have their own kind of charm.
Third lesson of our Switzerland trip
Just because it’s raining at the foot of the mountain doesn’t necessarily mean it will be raining at the top. Sometimes, by the time you reach the summit, you manage to rise above the clouds.
This mountain is usually chosen because the hike is easy, and from the top, you can see Mont Blanc. Here’s a little secret – while we managed to avoid the rain, we didn’t get to see Mont Blanc. All we saw was a large white cloud. But even in the rain-drenched, misty mountain views, there’s something wildly romantic about it
Read the full travel story to find out what to expect there.
Option 2: Mont Salève (A Mountain I Visited on My Previous Trip To Switzerland)
As an alternative, if it’s not raining and you’re up for a proper hike – or if you don’t have access to a car (since Le Petit Montrond can only be reached by car) – head to Mont Saleve , a mountain I hiked four years ago on my previous Switzerland trip.
It’s easy to reach the base by bus from Geneva, but be prepared for a 5-6 hour hike (round trip).
The trail mostly winds through forest paths, with some sections involving stairs. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of the breathtaking panoramic views – including a stunning view of Geneva below.
About halfway through, you’ll pass a small mountain village, and at the top, in the meadows, you’ll likely meet some mountain cows. And just so you know, four years ago, I really did see Mont Blanc from up there…
Day 4 of Our Switzerland Trip
Exploring Geneva
Although both Switzerland towns share the same lake, the atmosphere in Montreux and Geneva is quite different. In Montreux, you feel like you’re on an upscale vacation – you want to put on a straw hat and sunglasses and simply soak in the moment. In Geneva, you’re swept up in the hustle and bustle of the city, where everything and everyone feels incredibly important.
But Lake Geneva offers a peaceful haven in the heart of the city. So, it only makes sense that the first walk on the last day of our Switzerland trip would be along the stunning lake promenade.
Lakeside Attractions of Geneva, Switzerland
Here is the short version of our itinerary:
- Snap a photo with the iconic Flower Clock.
- You can’t miss the Jet d’Eau. This fountain is so massive that we could even see it from the mountain – which was in another country…
- Spend some time at one of Lake Geneva’s beautiful beaches.
- Take a ride on the charming little water tram.
But the beautiful blue waters of lake Geneva isn’t the only eye treat this Swiss city offers. So after a break it is time for the next round of exploration.
Forth lesson of our Switzerland trip
If you’re curious about when the sun will explode and the Earth will meet its end – you can find it out by checking the timer on the facade of the Geneva Museum of Art and History.
Geneva Old Town Itinerary
While wondering around Geneva Old town, I would recommend to stop by:
- The Bastion Park. It’s the perfect spot when it’s time for a game of chess…
- St. Pierre Cathedral, which looks like someone pieced it together using different historical architectural styles, almost like a Lego set.
- The Old Town’s narrow streets. The atmosphere is best captured while wandering along the cobblestone alleys, adorned with flags and fountains. Your task: find the building with a facade decorated with human heads – decorative ones, of course. A hint: it’s a popular museum. To be honest, the museum didn’t quite captivate me, but the building itself is fascinating.
Read the full travel story and Geneva itinerary to experience a virtual walk through Geneva, Switzerland and learn more about these attractions.
Where does the time go? Just like that, four and a half active days filled with adventures and breathtaking views in Switzerland have flown by. I won’t lie – I’ve spent quite a bit of money along the way. This was definitely an adventure-packed trip, rather than a relaxing one, which means another vacation might be in order after this one.
Still, Switzerland is an incredibly beautiful corner of the world, and I truly enjoyed every moment of this Switzerland trip itinerary. I hope you enjoyed it too.
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