Itineraries for Your Trip to Swiss Alps
1 Week in the Swiss Alps for First Timers
Before I moved to Switzerland, my knowledge of the Alps was naive at best, envisioned as a Narnia-like land filled with mythological fauns and permanent snow. I’ve learned from my many mountain forays since then that the Swiss Alps are not a monolith. Stretching some 220 miles (350 kilometers) west to east, they encompass diverse cultures, communities, and landscapes, from the towering peaks of Valais to the rolling ranges of Graubünden.
With one week in the Swiss Alps, there’s time to get a flavor of several distinct regions and visit some of the most famous peaks. Here’s my tailored itinerary for making the most of your first time here.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a day on Zermatt’s slopes, set against the iconic backdrop of the Matterhorn.
Winter is frigid, but summer can be surprisingly sunny—don’t forget your sunscreen and caps.
Begin your Alpine getaway in Interlaken, a resort town in central Switzerland near Geneva, Zurich, and Basel Airport. Use the Swiss Travel Pass to arrive with ease, likely in the afternoon. Night sledding is a popular local activity, perfect for catching a first glimpse of the Alpine landscape under the moonlight.
Interlaken is a gateway to three famous Alpine summits: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. A day trip to Jungfraujoch is essential. Ride the cogwheel mountain train to the saddle for views of the peaks and Aletsch Glacier. Prioritize the Sphinx Observatory’s viewing platform, the Ice Palace sculpture gallery, and Snow Fun Park.
Continue to Zermatt, often considered the Alpine capital of Switzerland and home to some of the range’s highest peaks, including Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn. Now’s the time to hit the slopes and experience what the Alps are famous for. The Sunnegga ski area is accessible from Zermatt and offers beginner-friendly runs on some of the region's sunniest pistes.
Zermatt is also the perfect place to do bucket-list experiences like paragliding. Take a weight off and enjoy bird’s-eye views of the Toblerone mountain and beyond. Paragliding isn’t just for winter—it’s equally memorable to take in Zermatt’s lush landscapes in summer.
Draw your week to a close on the Glacier Express, traveling from Zermatt to St. Moritz. This 8-hour train journey traverses Alpine bridges and tunnels for epic views. Once in Engadine, you'll see the big peaks with views of Piz Bernina as you ski on Diavolezza or try the slightly easier slopes of Corviglia.
For a relaxed last day with a different perspective on Alpine life and landscapes, venture into the Engadine Valley. With miles of well-maintained, signposted trails, hiking or biking it is the perfect ending—or keep the adventure going onboard the Bernina Express to Tirano, Italy.
