The Ultimate Guide for Planning a Trip to Switzerland

Known for being one of the most beautiful and serene places on the earth, Switzerland is almost everyone’s dream destination. This country is full of surprises, be it the scenic views it offers, the delicious cuisine, its rich art & history or the fascinating culture. This place is different things to different people. From foodies to art enthusiasts, thrill seekers to nature lovers, it has something for everyone. That is why a Switzerland package from India is definitely in order.

Reasons to Visit

Now, you must be wondering what makes Switzerland worthy of this praise! Here are a few reasons why this country is the most popular tourist destination in entire Europe:

Delicious Food

When we talk about Swiss cuisine, two things immediately come to our mind - cheese and chocolate. Though they are very famous among food lovers, the cuisine has a lot more than that.  There are a number of regional dishes like Saffron Risotto, Raclette (hot cheese dribbled over potatoes) and Landjager (semi-dried sausages) reflecting French, Italian, or Germanic roots. You can also enjoy some rustic Alpine classics which are based on Swiss staples like root vegetables and cheese. In short, for foodies, every time is the best time for a Switzerland trip. No matter what season or month of the year it is, you can find a long list of mouthwatering dishes to treat your taste buds with.

Picturesque Views

One of the best things about choosing Switzerland as your holiday destination is that you get to see plenty of gorgeous landscapes. From the towering peaks of Jungfraujoch to the panoramic passes of Great St. Bernard and Furka, Switzerland offers some truly amazing, Instagram-worthy views.

Lively Cities

Despite being a relatively small country (area-wise), Switzerland has enough to bring to the table. Surprisingly enough, this country has a number of lively, cosmopolitan cities. Be it swish Zurich with its high-end boutiques or the capital city of Bern, here you can find the perfect balance between fast-paced urban life and calm & serene country life.

Unparalleled Hiking

The best thing about Switzerland is that it offers enough things for both nature lovers and thrill seekers. The country’s well-marked and maintained hiking trails are a major attraction and allure hiking enthusiasts from all over the world. You can either go for a multi-day trek across the mountain highlands or pick one of the day hikes along user-friendly trails. Whatever your choice, one thing is guaranteed – the adrenaline rush.

Enchanting Islands

If you want to explore some off-beat places in Switzerland, you can plan a visit to the small, tranquil islands this country boasts. If sitting on the shore while admiring the vastness and listening to the gushing sound of water seems like your idea of having fun, there can be no place better than this. On these islands, you can find everything from botanical gardens and castle ruins to historical hotels and restaurants serving delicious food.

Exceptional Skiing

With a number of adventure activities and sports, Switzerland is definitely a paradise for adventure-lovers, skiing being among the most popular ones. The winter season is the best time to visit Switzerland for snowfall and adventurous activities. From Olympic-level to family-friendly slopes, you can find a number of options to enjoy skiing. The most famous spots to enjoy this adventure sport are St. Moritz, Zermatt, Andermatt, Gstaad, and Verbier. And, the best thing is, all these skiing spots are well-connected to nearby resorts and hotels. You have a number of options to choose from, like cable cars, high-speed lifts, and trains.

When to Visit?

With towering Alpine peaks, stunning views and shimmering nights, Switzerland is an all-year-round destination as every season offers different things and has its own charm. There is no particular best time for Switzerland as the country can be seen in different shades and colours at different times of the year. However, the best time to visit Switzerland depends on several things, like what kind of vacation you are planning for. Here is what you can expect while travelling to Switzerland in different seasons.

Summer

The peak season for tourism in Switzerland is between June and August. During these months, the temperature fluctuates between 19°C and 32°C with overall pleasant weather. This is the best season to visit Switzerland as the weather remains just perfect for indulging in outdoor activities. Also, this is the time of the year when a number of celebrations and local festivals take place in the country, so you will get a chance to take a closer look at Swiss culture.

Autumn

In Switzerland, autumn starts in September and lasts till December and during these months, the temperature ranges between 8°C and 15°C. Those misty mornings suggest the onset of winter when summer is bidding goodbye now. During this time, you can enjoy a few festivals, like the Grape Harvest Festival (held in the month of September). At this time, you will find less tourist crowd, so if you are someone who wants to witness the beauty of this place without the hustle-bustle of peak tourist season, this is definitely the best time to travel to Switzerland.

Winter

During the winter season, Switzerland turns into a dreamland. With snow-clad mountain peaks, bone-chilling temperatures and glistening snow everywhere, the months between December and February are definitely the best months to visit Switzerland. Especially, for tourists from countries that have a warmer climate, this is the best-suited time. So, the winter season is the best time to visit Switzerland from India as you get to experience a lot of adventure sports and witness the beauty of this country enveloped in white snow.

Lesser-Known Facts

Now that you know almost everything about this wonderland, let’s dive deeper and find out a few lesser-known fascinating facts about Switzerland. There are a lot of things that make this captivating country one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

• This country has about 7000 lakes, Lake Geneva being the largest of all with an area of 580 km². So, if you want to go on a lake-hopping tour, there is no place better than Switzerland.
• The highest railway station in Europe is located in Switzerland. It is built on top of the Jungfraujoch, at a height of 3454 meters.
• The country is also home to the world’s longest staircase. With a height of 1669 meters, this has a total of 11674 steps.

Now you know all the reasons why Switzerland should be your next holiday destination and what is the best time to plan a trip, it is time to plan your Swiss vacay. To make things more convenient, we will also help you to obtain your visa for Switzerland from India. You can have the complete focus on holidaying while leaving the planning part to us!