Zurich is a must-visit city in Central Europe, and it’s the perfect “home base” for exploring more of the region. So I’ve rounded up the best weekend trips from Zurich.

The Ultimate Switzerland Travel Guide

To plan the rest of your trip, check out my Switzerland travel guide, the best foods to try in Switzerland, and how to travel to Switzerland on a Budget.

Here are the best weekend trips from Zurich!

Lucerne

Known For: its stunning medieval architecture, lakefront location, the famous Chapel Bridge, and the steepest cogwheel railway in the world.

Distance From Zurich: 40 minutes by car, 1 hour by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: do a walking tour of the historic City Center, take the gondola to the top of Mount Pilatus and take the Cogwheel train back down, go boating on the lake, have a traditional fondue meal, and walk across the Chapel Bridge.

Best Accommodations: Art Deco Hotel Montana, Chateau Guetsch, Mandarin Oriental Palace.

Known For: stunning scenery, local shops, hiking, summer tobogganing.

Distance From Zurich: 2 hours by car, 2 hours and 45 minutes by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: Ride the cable car to Grindelwald First and walk the Cliff Walk. Next, have lunch and shop in town and ride the Alpine toboggan. Then on your way back to Lucerne, do a helicopter tour to see the Alps from above.

Best Accommodations: Bergwelt Grindelwald, Hotel Spinne, Aspen Alpine Lifestyle Hotel.

Known For: glacial waterfalls, hiking trails, dramatic cliffs, and quaint villages.

Distance From Zurich: 1 hour by car, 2 hours and 30 minutes by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: See Staubbach Falls from the village and the man-made grotto that leads behind the falls, hike to Trümmelbach Falls, drive to the end of the valley, and take the Stechelberg Gondola to Mount Schilthorn. On your way back to Lucerne, do a helicopter tour to see the Alps from above.

Best Accommodations: Hotel Falken, Hotel Silberhorn.

Bern

Known For: being the “Beer Capital of Switzerland,” the Zytglogge Clock Tower, medieval architecture, and bears.

Distance From Zurich: 1 hour and 30 minutes by car, 1 hour by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: Do a beer tour, stroll through the medieval Old Town, admire the famous Renaissance fountains, climb the tower of Berner Münster, watch the Zytglogge Clock Tower show at the top of every hour, see the city’s famous bears, and walk across the Nydeggbrücke bridge.

Best Accommodations: Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, Hotel Bellevue Palace, Swissôtel Kursaal Bern.

Known For: winter sports, Alpine activities, Imperial architecture, and iconic colorful buildings.

Distance From Zurich: 3 hours and 30 minutes by car, 5 hours by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: ride the Nordkette funicular, go hiking or skiing (depending on the season), cruise on the river, do a walking tour of the Old Town, visit Ambras Castle, see the Swarovski Kristallwelten, and shop on the Maria-Theresien Strasse.

Best Accommodations: The Penz, Hotel Schwarzer Adler, Hotel Nala, Stage 12 Hotel by Penz.

Known For: being the capital of one of the smallest countries in the world, vineyards, castles, Alpine landscapes, and outdoor activities.

Distance From Zurich: 1 hour and 10 minutes by car, 1 hour and 30 minutes by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: visit the Gutenburg Castle and Vaduz Castle, stroll along the pedestrian street in the city center, walk across the Old Bridge, and have a wine tasting at The Prince of Liechtenstein Winery.

Best Accommodations: Residence Hotel, Parkhotel Sonnenhof.

Known For: being the “Adventure Capital of Switzerland,” water activities, Swiss chocolate, fondue.

Distance From Zurich: 1 hour and 40 minutes by car, 2 hours by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: Ride the funicular to the Harder Kulm viewpoint, stroll through Höhematte Park, hike the Schynige Platte trails, walk across the Panoramabrücke Sigriswil, see the St. Beatus Cave and waterfalls, and do a helicopter tour.

Best Accommodations: Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Hotel Royal St Georges Interlaken, Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage.

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