Not sure where to base yourself in Switzerland? Answer six quick questions and we'll suggest which Swiss region suits your trip best, with destination guides to start reading. Most first-time visitors combine two or three regions connected by SBB trains.
Switzerland's regions in a nutshell
- Bernese Oberland (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen & Mürren): dramatic 4,000m peaks (Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau), 72 waterfalls, and historic cogwheel railways.
- Central Switzerland (Lucerne): medieval Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne paddle steamers, and easy ascents of Mt. Pilatus, Rigi, and Titlis.
- Valais (Zermatt & Matterhorn): car-free chalet village beneath the iconic Matterhorn pyramid with year-round glacier skiing and Gornergrat views.
- Zurich, Bern & Basel (Zurich · Bern · Basel): walkable medieval river cities, world-class art museums, and Switzerland's fastest rail hubs.
- Lake Geneva & Vaud (Geneva · Montreux & Lavaux): French-speaking riviera, Chillon Castle, and UNESCO terraced vineyards.
- Graubünden (St. Moritz & Engadin): high-altitude lakes, golden autumn larches, and the UNESCO Glacier & Bernina Express routes.
- Ticino (Lugano & Locarno): Italian-speaking palm promenades, emerald valleys, and stone grotti taverns.