25 days in Switzerland Itinerary

Geneva brings the world to one small city with a huge expat population and the highest number of international organizations in any one city.

Get some cultural insight at Chateau de Chillon and Patek Philippe Museum. Get some historical perspective at Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre and Escaliers du Marche. Explore Geneva's surroundings by going to Montreux Lakeside (in Montreux), Fondation Pierre Gianadda (in Martigny) and Lausanne (Cathedrale de Lausanne & Laser Game Evolution Lausanne). The adventure continues: explore the activities along Lake Geneva, admire the local landmark of The Geneva Water Fountain, get curious at CERN, and appreciate the history behind Reformation Wall.

To find maps, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Geneva day trip site.

San Diego, USA to Geneva is an approximately 18-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 9 hours traveling from San Diego to Geneva. Prepare for cooler weather when traveling from San Diego in December: high temperatures in Geneva hover around 6°C and lows are around 0°C. You'll set off for Bern on the 4th (Wed).

The capital and political center of Switzerland, Bern sits on a peninsula formed by the U-shaped River Aare.

UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern and Gruyeres Castle are good opportunities to explore the local culture. The Cathedral of Bern and Mosesbrunnen will appeal to history buffs. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Bern: Interlaken (Swiss Chocolate Chalet, Parasailing & Paragliding, &more), Lauterbrunnen Church (in Lauterbrunnen) and Luftseilbahn Wengen-Mannlichen (in Wengen). Next up on the itinerary: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Jungfraujoch, admire the local landmark of Simsonbrunnen, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Eglise Saint Theodule, and see the interesting displays at HR Giger Museum.

To find where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Bern trip planner.

You can take a train from Geneva to Bern in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Geneva in January, plan for slightly colder nights in Bern, with lows around -3°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) so you can go by car to Lucerne.

In north-central Switzerland, Lucerne represents a small city boasting a well-preserved old town.

Popular historic sites such as Jesuitenkirche and Franziskanerkirche are in your itinerary. Do some cultural sightseeing at Altstadt Luzern and Musegg Wall. Next up on the itinerary: explore the activities along Lake Lucerne, explore the world behind art at Museum Rosengart Collection, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Markuskirche, and take in the views from Chapel Bridge.

To see more things to do, maps, and tourist information, go to the Lucerne trip builder app.

Traveling by car from Bern to Lucerne takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 4°C in January, and nighttime lows around -2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Schaffhausen.

The Canton of Schaffhausen is a canton of Switzerland. Kick off your visit on the 11th (Wed): see the interesting displays at IWC Museum, then step into the grandiose world of Munot, and then wander the streets of Altstadt Schaffhausen. Here are some ideas for day two: tour the pleasant surroundings at Rhine Falls, contemplate the long history of Stein am Rhein, and then get engrossed in the history at Museum Kloster Sankt Georgen.

For more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, read Schaffhausen road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Lucerne to Schaffhausen takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Schaffhausen are 4°C, while nighttime lows are -2°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) so you can go by car to Zurich.

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

Get some historical perspective at Old Town and Friedhof Fluntern. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Bahnhofstrasse and Landesmuseum. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Zurich: Rhine Falls (in Neuhausen am Rheinfall) and Gewerbemuseum Winterthur (in Winterthur). There's still lots to do: explore the activities along Lake Zurich, see the interesting displays at Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich, experience the emotional art of opera at Opernhaus Zurich, and take an in-depth tour of Haus zum Rech.

Ask Inspirock to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Zurich fast, fun, and easy.

Getting from Schaffhausen to Zurich by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In January in Zurich, expect temperatures between 5°C during the day and -1°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to drive to Lugano.

Located in the popular holiday region of Ticino, Lugano is the largest Italian-speaking town in Switzerland.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Tue): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Santa Maria degli Angioli, then explore the activities along Lake Lugano, and then get great views at Monte San Salvatore. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 18th (Wed): make a trip to Piazza della Riforma, then explore the historical opulence of Castelgrande, then step into the grandiose world of Castelli di Bellinzona, and finally get engrossed in the history at Castello di Montebello.

For where to stay, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Lugano trip planner.

Traveling by car from Zurich to Lugano takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of flight and train. While traveling from Zurich, expect a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Lugano, ranging from highs of 9°C to lows of -1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Neuhausen am Rheinfall.

Neuhausen am Rheinfall is a small municipality best known as home to Rhine Falls, a tourist attraction and Europe's largest waterfall.

On the 19th (Thu), step into the grandiose world of Schloessli Woerth, explore the historical opulence of Schloss Laufen, then take in the dramatic scenery at Rhine Falls, and finally take in panoramic vistas at Town Tower. Keep things going the next day: contemplate the waterfront views at Klingnauer Stausee, then don't miss a visit to Traegerverein Cheisacherturm, then don't miss a visit to Gemeindehaus Rafz, and finally admire the striking features of Reformierte Kirche Wiesendangen.

For traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Neuhausen am Rheinfall online sightseeing planner.

Getting from Lugano to Neuhausen am Rheinfall by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Lugano in January: highs in Neuhausen am Rheinfall hover around 5°C, while lows dip to -1°C. On the 21st (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.