9 days in Switzerland Itinerary

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

Change things up with these side-trips from Lucerne: Zurich (Bahnhofstrasse, Lake Zurich, &more). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Lucerne, pause for some photo ops at Lion Monument, take in the awesome beauty at Rigi, and admire the landmark architecture of Lucerne Station.

For ratings, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Lucerne trip planning website.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Lucerne is an approximately 10-hour flight. The time zone changes from Gulf Standard Time (GST) to Central European Standard Time (CET), which is usually a -3 hour difference. Traveling from Dubai in July, expect Lucerne to be cooler, temps between 29°C and 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough 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.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): take some stellar pictures from Jungfraujoch and then take in the awesome beauty at The Eiger. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the striking landscape at Aletsch Glacier, then explore the activities along Lake Brienz, and then fly down the slopes at Grindelwald-First.

To find ratings, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, read Grindelwald sightseeing planner.

Getting from Lucerne to Grindelwald by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Zermatt.

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

On the 28th (Fri), stroll through 5 Lakes Walk, take in the awesome beauty at The Matterhorn, then don't miss a visit to Riffelsee, then explore the different monuments and memorials at Mountaineers' Cemetery, and finally take in panoramic vistas at Gornergrat.

To find more things to do, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Zermatt visit planner.

You can drive from Grindelwald to Zermatt in 3.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Fri) early enough to take a train to Bern.

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

On the 29th (Sat), take a stroll through UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern, then fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour, then contemplate the waterfront views at Aare River, and finally make a trip to Clock Tower - Zytglogge.

To see where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Bern visit planner.

Take a train from Zermatt to Bern in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In July in Bern, expect temperatures between 30°C during the day and 15°C at night. On the 30th (Sun), you're off to home.