18 days in Switzerland Itinerary

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

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Sun): have fun and explore at Chaplin's World, then get in on the family fun at Swiss Vapeur Parc, and then steep yourself in history at Chateau de Chillon.

To see maps, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, read Montreux road trip app .

Doha, Qatar to Montreux is an approximately 11-hour combination of flight and train. You can also do a combination of flight, bus, and train. The time zone difference moving from Arabia Standard Time to Central European Time is minus 2 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sun) to allow enough time to take a train to Zermatt.

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

Escape the urban bustle at Parasailing & Paragliding and Lauterbrunnen Valley Waterfalls. Change things up with these side-trips from Zermatt: Interlaken (Seilpark Interlaken, Harderkulm, & more) and Bumblebee Hanggliding Interlaken (in Matten bei Interlaken). Next up on the itinerary: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at The Matterhorn, explore the striking landscape at Gorner Gorge, and play a few rounds at Golf Club Matterhorn.

For reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Zermatt attractions planning tool .

Traveling by train from Montreux to Zermatt takes 3 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) so you can catch the train to Bern.

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

Head to UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern and Federal Building (Bundeshaus)for some retail therapy. Your inner history buff will appreciate Central Railroad Station and Castle of Gruyeres. Venture out of the city with trips to Lenk im Simmental (Iffigfall, Simmenfalle, & more) and Thun-Panorama (in Thun). There's still lots to do: stop by Gysi AG Chocolatier Suisse, ponder the design of Mosesbrunnen, take in the exciting artwork at SOON Galerie, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Haus der Religionen - Dialog der Kulturen.

To find photos, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Bern online tour planner .

Getting from Zermatt to Bern by train takes about 2.5 hours. In July in Bern, expect temperatures between 30°C during the day and 15°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Mon) to allow enough time 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.

Visiting Aletsch Glacier and Grindelwald-First will get you outdoors. Step out of Grindelwald with an excursion to Trümmelbachfälle in Lauterbrunnen--about 34 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Jungfraujoch, get to know the fascinating history of Kleine Scheidegg, get all the equipment you need at Molitor, and tour the pleasant surroundings at The Eiger Trail.

For where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Grindelwald trip maker site .

Traveling by car from Bern to Grindelwald takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) so you can go by car to Zurich.

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

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Old Town and Fraumünster Church. Get outdoors at Ufschotti Park and Lake Lucerne. Change things up with these side-trips from Zurich: Lucerne (Hofkirche & Mt Pilatus) and Rhine Falls (in Neuhausen am Rheinfall). Next up on the itinerary: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Zurich, kick back and relax at Strandbad Mythenquai, pause for some serene contemplation at Grossmunster, and stop by Glen Fahrn 'the Pearl' Zurich.

To see where to stay, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, use the Zurich journey builder tool .

Traveling by car from Grindelwald to Zurich takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In August, daytime highs in Zurich are 28°C, while nighttime lows are 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 6th (Tue) to allow time for travel back home.