55 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.

Geneva is known for sightseeing, nature, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the activities along Lake Geneva, see the interesting displays at Patek Philippe Museum, get a sense of history and politics at Palais des Nations, Genève, and ponder the design of The Geneva Water Fountain.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Geneva road trip planner.

Larnaca, Cyprus to Geneva is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of car, ferry, bus, and train. The time zone difference moving from Eastern European Standard Time to Central European Standard Time is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Larnaca in November, you will find days in Geneva are cooler (11°C), and nights are little chillier (3°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Montreux.

Mostly known for its world-renowned jazz festival, Montreux serves as a picturesque lakeside resort town on the Swiss Riviera.

Change things up with these side-trips from Montreux: Absinthe La Valote Martin (in Travers), Lausanne (Le Port d'Ouchy, The Olympic Museum Lausanne (Musee Olympique), &more) and Musee Gruerien (in Bulle). There's still lots to do: explore the historical opulence of Chateau de Chillon, play a few rounds at Franck Ollivier Golf Pro, see the interesting displays at Fondation Pierre Gianadda, and take in the pleasant sights at Montreux Lakeside.

To see photos, maps, reviews, and tourist information, use the Montreux attractions planner.

You can drive from Geneva to Montreux in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a train. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Zermatt.

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

Explore Zermatt's surroundings by going to Word Nature Forum - UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch (in Naters), Burgkirche Raron (in Raron) and Alpine Trails (in Visp). There's lots more to do: enjoy breathtaking views from Gornergrat, get a new perspective on things with Fly Fish Zermatt, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kapelle Schwarzsee "Maria zum Schnee", and see the winter wonderland with Matterhorn Diamonds Ski School.

Start your trip to Zermatt by creating a personalized itinerary on Klarna Trips.

Traveling by car from Montreux to Zermatt takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) so you can take a train to Bern.

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

Get out of town with these interesting Bern side-trips: Theatre romain (in Avenches), Interlaken (Harderkulm & Parasailing & Paragliding) and Ambra Minerals (in Murten). The adventure continues: take a stroll through UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern, explore the activities along Lake Brienz, admire the natural beauty at Rose Garden (Rosengarten), and get great views at The Cathedral of Bern.

For maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Bern route planning tool.

Getting from Zermatt to Bern by train takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive. In December, daily temperatures in Bern can reach 5°C, while at night they dip to -3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) early enough to drive to Basel.

Situated where the Swiss, German, and French borders meet, Basel is considered the hub of Dreilandereck, this "three countries corner." Its location makes Basel a center of culture and history, brimming with important theaters and museums.

Explore Basel's surroundings by going to Traegerverein Cheisacherturm (in Laufenburg), Saint-Ursanne (Fontaine du Mai & Cloitre de St-Ursanne) and Etangs de Bonfol (in Bonfol). There's still lots to do: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basel Minster, experience rural life at Ferme de la Combe Tabeillon, make a trip to Town Hall, and explore the world behind art at Museum Tinguely.

For maps, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, read our Basel online trip itinerary maker.

Drive from Bern to Basel in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. December in Basel sees daily highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Mon) so you can take a train to Schaffhausen.

The Canton of Schaffhausen is a canton of Switzerland. Change things up with these side-trips from Schaffhausen: Historisches Museum Thurgau (in Frauenfeld), Biberweg (in Eglisau) and Seeburg Park (in Kreuzlingen). The adventure continues: admire the sheer force of Rhine Falls, snap pictures at Rheinbrucke Diessenhofen–Gailingen, go for a walk through Sackelamtshusli, and see the interesting displays at Ebianum Baggermuseum & Events.

To find photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Schaffhausen road trip website.

Getting from Basel to Schaffhausen by train takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive. December in Schaffhausen sees daily highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) so you can drive to Appenzell.

Appenzell District is a district of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden in Switzerland. Change things up with these side-trips from Appenzell: Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona (in Glarus) and Witzweg (in Heiden). There's still lots to do: take in the awesome beauty at Santis der Berg, examine the collection at Museum Appenzell, admire the masterpieces at Kunsthalle Ziegelhutte, and trek along Lillyweg.

For other places to visit, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Appenzell day trip website.

Drive from Schaffhausen to Appenzell in 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 4°C in January, and nighttime lows around -1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) so you can go by car to Lucerne.

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

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Lucerne: Zurich (Confiserie Sprungli, Old Town, &more). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Lucerne, wander the streets of Altstadt Luzern, see the interesting displays at Bourbaki Panorama, and snap pictures at Chapel Bridge.

To find photos, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Lucerne holiday planner.

Getting from Appenzell to Lucerne by car takes about 2 hours. In January, daytime highs in Lucerne are 4°C, while nighttime lows are -2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sat) early enough to fly back home.