16 days in Switzerland & Barcelona Itinerary

Best known as home the Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt serves as a chic ski resort town of the Swiss Alps.

Escape the urban bustle at The Matterhorn and Fly Fish Zermatt. Get a sense of the local culture at Cave La Romaine and Fondation Opale. Get out of town with these interesting Zermatt side-trips: Golf Club de Sierre (in Granges), Parc naturel Pfyn-Finge (in Sierre) and Thermalquellen Brigerbad (in Brigerbad). The adventure continues: take some stellar pictures from Gornergrat, take in panoramic vistas at Sunnegga, take in the dramatic scenery at Gorner Gorge, and examine the collection at Matterhorn Museum - Zermatlantis.

For maps, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Zermatt trip builder app.

Tel Aviv, Israel to Zermatt is an approximately 10.5-hour combination of flight and train. You can also do a combination of flight, shuttle, and train. The time zone changes from Israel Standard Time (IST) to Central European Standard Time (CET), which is usually a -1 hour difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Grindelwald.

As one of the country's oldest ski resorts, Grindewald serves as a prime example of a cozy Swiss ski town.

Visiting Jungfraujoch and Maennlichen will get you outdoors. Do some cultural sightseeing at Kleine Scheidegg and Alpiglen. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Grindelwald: Luftseilbahn Wengen-Mannlichen (in Wengen), Brienz (Lake Brienz & Axalp) and Blumental Panorama Trail (in Murren). Next up on the itinerary: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at The Eiger, take in the dramatic scenery at Staubbach Waterfall, tour the pleasant surroundings at Grindelwald-First, and appreciate the views at Lauterbrunnen Valley Waterfalls.

To see traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Grindelwald trip planner.

You can drive from Zermatt to Grindelwald in 3.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Zurich.

The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.

Visiting Lake Zurich and Lake Lucerne will get you outdoors. Get some cultural insight at Old Town and Bahnhofstrasse. Explore Zurich's surroundings by going to Ruinaulta Rheinschlucht (in Versam), Flims (Caumasee & Trutg dil Flem) and Heidiland (in Bad Ragaz). Next up on the itinerary: look for all kinds of wild species at Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona, take in the dramatic scenery at Rhine Falls, examine the collection at Zurcher Spielzeugmuseum, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Rigi.

To see photos, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, use the Zurich holiday planner.

Drive from Grindelwald to Zurich in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. September in Zurich sees daily highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Barcelona.

Barcelona, the country’s second-largest city, is a cosmopolitan urban center known for its throbbing youthful energy and stellar architecture.

Visiting Camino de Ronda and Playa Cala Sa Boadella will get you outdoors. Get a sense of the local culture at Basilica de la Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Barcelona: Scuba & Snorkeling (in Sant Feliu de Guixols), San Pol Beach (in S'Agaro) and Playa Cala Rovira (in Platja d'Aro). The adventure continues: take a stroll through Las Ramblas, stroll around Parc Guell, enjoy the sand and surf at Lloret Beach, and pause for some serene contemplation at Barcelona Cathedral.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Barcelona vacation planner.

You can fly from Zurich to Barcelona in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Zurich in September: high temperatures in Barcelona hover around 30°C and lows are around 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) to allow time to fly back home.