Best things to do in Switzerland

Discover spectacular views of an icy Alpine wilderness at the very top of Europe by visiting Jungfraujoch, the continent's highest train station. Nearly two million people travel to this winter wonderland each year, lured by its panoramic views of mountains and glaciers, skiing, and snowboarding. Opened in 1912, the Jungfrau railway line passes through a tunnel that took several thousand workers over a decade to drill. The station sits 3,454 m (11,330 ft) above sea level, with the Sphinx viewing house providing sweeping vistas of the largest glacier in the Alps, a World Heritage Site. The adjoining commemoration hall displays memorials to miners who died building the railway and features a giant and incredibly detailed snow globe. Saunter through the Ice Palace, a year-round frozen hallway featuring ice sculptures. Dine in one of several panoramic restaurants, pick up a box of Swiss chocolates, and test your golfing skills in a hole-in-one challenge above the glacier. No matter the time of year you're visiting, don't forget your camera, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Fed by crisp mountain waters, Lake Zurich once served mostly for passenger traffic and cargo transport. Today the sprawling lake counts among Switzerland's top tourist destinations, luring visitors with its sightseeing boat tours, walking paths, and lush parks, set against a chain of photogenic hills. Used to supply clean water to the surrounding cities, the lake is 40 km (25 mi) long and about 3 km (2 mi) wide. The city of Zurich wraps itself around the northwestern end of lake and provides a base for cycling tours and paddle steamer cruises along the sun-kissed and prosperous "Golden Coast." Zurich's well-developed lakefront areas boast several immaculate beaches, a big draw for active vacationers from all over the world.

See the Alps by taking a guided boat tour on , located in the heart of Switzerland. The lake covers a total area of over 114 sq km (44 sq mi), much of its shoreline rising steeply into the surrounding mountains. Most of the visitors choose to experience this picturesque region by taking a trip on one of the paddle steamers linking the tucked-away resorts spread along the lake's shores. You can also circumnavigate the lake by road, which follows a scenic route and passes through several tunnels. However you choose to travel, be sure to visit the mountain meadow on the far southeastern shore of the lake, the birthplace of the Swiss nation.

One of Western Europe's largest bodies of water, Lake Geneva sits on the northern side of the Alps. Shared by Switzerland and France, the lake serves as one of the continent's most popular year-round travel destinations, its pristine natural areas a favorite stomping ground for both hikers and skiers. The Swiss side of the lake features a string of picturesque cities, the largest of which is Geneva. This city serves as a hub for paddle steamer cruises, providing a slow but scenic way of connecting to other ports on the lake. After visiting the region's old wineries, castles, and thermal baths, head to one of the lake's tranquil beaches, backed by rugged mountain scenery and shady woodlands.

For panoramic views of Lucerne and the surrounding region, take the world's steepest cogwheel railway to the top of Mt Pilatus. During medieval times locals believed that a dragon lived at the summit of this soaring massif; several 17th-century accounts tell of a winged creature flying between the mount's caves. Today the towering mountain draws visitors with its walking trails, which range from extremely steep and challenging scrambles for serious adrenaline junkies, to easy hikes for everyone else. On clear days the hiking paths offer views that stretch as far as the Black Forest in southwestern Germany. You can also reach the summit by riding the aerial cableway or the panorama gondola, departing from the town of Kriens. The cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm only operates from mid-May till mid-November. The cable-car and gondola from Kriens up to Pilatus operates also in winter.

For a classic train experience in the Alps, hop on Gornergrat, one of the highest railway lines in Europe. Opened in 1898, the railway takes sightseers and hikers from the resort village of Zermatt to the very top of a rocky ridge in the western part of the Alps. The first electric rack railway built in Switzerland, the line passes through a popular skiing area, noted for its 29 peaks reaching above 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in elevation. On clear days the line's terminus at the top of the ridge offers unbeatable views of the surrounding mountaintops, as well as the second largest glacier in the Alps.

Gaze down at sparkling glacial lakes and snowy mountain peaks as you paraglide or parasail over the Swiss Alps on a guided tour from Interlaken. You needn't worry about a thing--your professional pilot will handle all the equipment and make sure you get proper safety instructions before takeoff. Once you launch from a grassy slope, you'll be able to appreciate beautiful bird's-eye views of Lake Thun, Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger mountains, and the charming village of Beatenberg. The entire experience lasts from 90 minutes to 2 hours.

See Europe's oldest covered footbridge and view the collection of paintings depicting various scenes from Lucerne's rich history at Chapel Bridge. An age-old bridge spanning the calm waters of the Reuss River, the 14th-century wooden structure once formed part of a defense system built to protect the city from possible enemy invasions. As you walk across it, look up to see the paintings on the interior triangular frames, added in the 17th century. Next to the bridge stands a 40 m (140 ft) tall octagonal tower, formerly a prison and torture chamber. Don't forget to bring your camera: the bridge and its tower count among Switzerland's most photographed historic monuments, drawing architecture buffs from distant corners of the world.

The city's historic heart, the atmospheric Old Town serves as one of the area's major tourist attractions, famed for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture and cobblestoned lanes flanked by trendy shops, galleries, and restaurants. A convenient starting point for tours around the city, the district stretches along both banks of the Limmat River. Begin your walk through medieval Zurich at the Old Town's landmark bridge, which connects two monumental cathedrals situated on opposite sides of the river. From there you can easily reach the nearby shopping streets, packed with hip cafes and quirky boutiques. In the evening the neighborhood's bars and clubs become the center of Zurich's lively nightlife.

Looking just like an illustration from a book of fairy tales, Chateau de Chillon sits on the eastern end of Switzerland's largest lake. Made famous by the poet Lord Byron, who used it as a setting in one of his well-known works, the 13th-century castle ranks among the country's most visited historic monuments. For a sense of the its medieval past, take a guided tour through the courtyards, towers, dungeons, and grand halls, packed with period furniture and artwork. Although many visitors choose to take the bus or even walk here from the nearby town of Monteux, you can also reach the castle by hopping on one of the lake's many guided boat excursions.

Carved in rock to commemorate the Swiss soldiers who died during the French Revolution, the touching Lion Monument inspired Mark Twain to call it "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world." Designed by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen in 1819, the colossal monument depicts a mortally wounded lion taking his final breath in a sheltered stone lair, his front paws resting against the broken symbols of the French monarchy. Surrounded by lush trees, the dying lion seems far removed from the city's noise, his facial expression one of heart-rending agony. Don't forget your camera.