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Switzerland has a lot to offer, and you can explore most of it while on a 90-day Schengen visa. To help you make the most of your time, we have put together a list of the must-visit places in Switzerland.
If you are looking for the ideal place to stay while exploring the glorious countryside and fascinating cities that Switzerland has to offer, you might consider Lenk, in the Bernese canton, which is one of the newest digital nomad hubs. That’s why we chose it to be our workation village as it mixes comfortable and affordable accommodation with high-speed internet, diverse coworking spaces, and an inspiring and growing community of digital entrepreneurs.
Bern
Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is the closest major city to Lenk and is one of the most beautiful in the country. It sits on a peninsula and on the Aare River and the city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that feels like it has been transported directly from the 16th century.
Must-visit sites include the tallest cathedral in Switzerland, the Zytglogge medieval clock tower, the Rose Garden, the six-kilometer shopping arcade, and the Bern Museum of Art. The city is also known as the City of Bears and has the animal on its flag. So, of course, no trip is complete without visiting the Bear Park.
Bern is about a one-hour drive from Lenk and there are also direct trains that take less than two hours.
Zurich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, one of the most interesting cities in the region, and the most eco-friendly. It is known as a hub for international banking and fine cultural displays. Despite the modern side of Zurich, the center of the city is lined with cobbled streets and quaint buildings hiding cafes, restaurants, and galleries. There are more than 50 museums and 100 art galleries in the city.
Those looking for exciting nightlife will enjoy Zurich, which has more bars per capita than any other city in Europe. You can also find live music on any night, including Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Rock.
Zurich is located in the west near the French border and can be reached from Lenk by car in about 2.5 hours.
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is the largest Alpine Lake and has a coveted position on the border between Switzerland and France. Snow-capped peaks sit beside the lake and cast incredible reflections over the crystal clear, but chilly, waters. It is a popular destination for ice bathing.
The area is surrounded by parks, gardens, and historic villages. There is also the Jet d’Eau, a fountain in the lake that shoots water 150 meters into the air. The Chateau de Chillon, the castle that inspired artists such as Lord Byron, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and Victor Hugo, is also on the lake.
The lake is just 62 kilometers from Geneva. It is only about an hour and a half from Lenk to Lausanne, one of the largest villages on the Lake, and two and a half hours to the main city.
Lausanne
Lausanne is also located on Lake Geneva, on the northern bank. It is famous as the base of the International Olympic Committee but is also a lively university and commercial town. The center is a historic city that is mostly car-free and there are plenty of medieval, atmospheric alleyways hiding cafes and boutiques.
The town is surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes, and you can sample both local wines and dishes in the city’s restaurants. Lovers of art and culture will also appreciate the many museums and galleries including Art Brut in Beaulieu Castle, the Musee de l’Elysee, and the Fondation de l’Hermitage.
Lausanne is less than two hours from Lenk by car and there is also a fast train ride that takes only three hours.
Interlaken
The Interlaken region, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, is one of the country’s most popular holiday regions with the unspoiled countryside and quaint-looking villages that sit over strong infrastructure, including internationally respected restaurants and high-speed Wi-Fi.
In the warmer months, you will find hiking, climbing, abseiling, and kayaking. When the show arrives, skiing and snowboarding take over with resorts opening across the region. Adrenalin seekers can head to the high peaks, while more casual skiers can enjoy the scenery at the lower elevations.
Lenk is located just south of the Interlaken area, and you can reach the main village by car within about an hour.
Lauterbrunnen & Grindelwald
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is located in one of the most impressive valley troughs in the Alps. As you explore the colorful Alpine meadows, you can also find 72 individual waterfalls, perfect for swimming, if you are brave enough to face the cold! The largest is Staubach Falls, which is almost 300 meters high.
Just 17 kilometers from Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald is ideal for high-altitude walking and skiing. Ski lifts transport skiers to peaks 2500 meters up. It offers some of the best views of the famous three peaks of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.
Lauterbrunnen is less than an hour and a half from Lenk by car, or you can rent a bike and make the trip in less than four hours.
Lucerne
While Switzerland is home to many beautiful lakes, one of the most stunning is Lucerne, which hosts a medieval old town and is overlooked by towering mountains.
This is a place to get away from it all, as it is another classic town where cars are forbidden. Instead, walk waterfront promenades, visit historic buildings, and get closer to the water on one of the town’s many bridges. It is a mecca for classical musicians and orchestras, and the annual International Music Festival always impresses.
Lucerne is about a two-hour car journey from Lenk and is located between Bern and the small neighboring country of Liechtenstein.
St Moritz
St Moritz is the icy answer to beach resorts with grand lakes, crisp glaciers, jagged peaks, green alpine forests, and sunshine over fields of white snow. The best resorts in the region are located in St Moritz.
Here you will find some of the world’s best skiing, including the 1.2-kilometer Cresta Run. There is also snowboarding, bobsledding, and tobogganing. There is hiking, biking, and water sports in the summer, plus glacier skiing for the truly keen.
St Moritz is in the east on the Italian border and it takes almost five hours to drive there from Lenk.
The Matterhorn
The Matterhorn is one of the highest mountains in the Swiss Alps, on the border with Italy, and is known for its iconic pointed peak! The tip stands 4,478 meters above sea level, and each of the four steep faces points in the direction of one of the compass points.
To visit, head to the village of Zermatt at the base of the peak, which feels like an open-air museum with world-class restaurants. No motorized vehicles are allowed to destroy the ambiance of the village. Bring your skis in the winter and your swimming trunks and hiking boots in the summer.
Nearby is the Jungfraujoch, a scientific observatory placed on a mountain peak 3,454 meters above sea level at the start of the Great Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in Europe. It is the ideal place for stargazing.
It is less than a four-hour drive from Lenk to the Matterhorn.
Rhine Falls
The Rhine Falls span 150 meters and are the largest waterfalls in central Europe. They are best visited in the summer when the ice melts and waters explode down the cliffs from a Jurassic limestone ledge 25 meters high.
The Rhine Falls are north of Zurich and can be reached from Lenk in three hours by car.
Lake Lugano and Ticino
If you are looking for more Mediterranean vibes, then head to this town on the Italian border in the Italian-speaking canton of the country. Here you will find citrus fruits, figs, and palms, and Italian-style piazzas and wine.
Lake Lugano can be reached by car from Lenk in about four hours.
Exploring Switzerland
While these are the top places to visit in Switzerland, there are many more incredible places to discover while you are in the country. There is the grand city of Geneva, the medieval town of Gruyeres, the Swiss Grand Canyon, Oberhofen Castle, and the Swiss National Park.
Switzerland currently does not offer a digital nomad visa, but EU citizens are free to visit, and international visitors can stay for up to 90 days on a Schengen tourist visa.
If you are looking for a base for yourself as a digital nomad while in Switzerland, you should consider the digital nomad village at Lenk. Read our full guide on what to expect from Lenk and what to do there.
