You have many options if you want to travel by car through Switzerland. There are those who prefer to choose two or three destinations and make trips from there to get to know the surroundings and others who prefer to move from city to city knowing more about each destination.
Of course, where to start the roadtrip depends on your travel itinerary and where you come from.
To organize this guide we are going to start in the south and from there go from west to east, ending in Zurich. We chose this modality: traveling from city to city dedicating several days to each place to be able to enjoy it more, rest a bit from driving and learn from each destination.
It is important for this type of trips to book hotels with free cancellation to have the freedom to define the itinerary as you go, for example, in case you consider a destination deserves a few more days.
Join us on this virtual road trip:
LUGANO
One of the most beautiful places! In 2 days you can travel perfectly.
For lunch, one of the best places is La Cucina di Alice on Riva Vincenzo Vela, the street that goes along Lago di Lugano (the lake). The çeasar salad with shrimp is delicious!
For some good (and huge) pizzas: Spaghetti Store, also facing the lake.
Some things to see in this city: Piazza Riforma, its historic center (where you will find the Town Hall and various palaces), Lugano Cathedral, Monte San Salvatore, Via Pessina (especially if you are a lover of gastronomic shopping), Via Nassa (for clothing stores, jewelry stores and antiques), Lugano Lake, Ciani Park, Monte Bré.
From Lugano you can continue to the Geneva/Lausanne side directly, but we recommend making a stop beforehand in the Swiss Alps specifically in ZERMATT. On the way there are 2 interesting destinations to visit: Fiesch (to see the glacier) and Bellinzona (read more below).
FIESCH
It is where the longest glacier in Europe is located: Aletsch (22km long). You can go while in Lugano (aprox 2 hours away) or on the way to Zermatt. Take the cable car up Mount Eggishorn.
BELLINZONA
It is the castles area. It doesn't take long, it's small and it's easy to walk through. You can take the opportunity to walk for a while, stretch your legs and continue with the roadtrip.
ZERMATT
Where Mount Matterhorn is located (the one you see on the Paramount Pictures intro).
You cannot enter by car, you have to leave it in Tasch and take the train (approx 1h).
With 1/2 days it's fine, it's very small. A good option if you don't have that many days is to arrive very early, stay for the day and leave in the afternoon or the next day (check for the train's schedule).
If you go in winter, the snow reaches the city so you see people skiing down the mountain practically to their house.
SION
It is a town that is located around two hills, on one you see the church and on the other the castle. You can simply see it on the way to Geneva/Lausanne.
GENEVA
In general, you can do it in 2/3 days.
To stay we recommend the International and Terminus hotel. It usually has good prices; it is clean, quite big and very well located.
LAUSANNE
It deserves to stay several days (3/4 is a good measure) since there are many things to do in the city and surroundings.
In Lausanne, there is a very good little bar to go at night, it is called The Great Escape. It is very informal, there are few tables, you can have a drink and eat something. From the patio you can see the whole city from above.
The best burgers are at: Les Boucaniers.
There is a very cool area that has some bridges with bars below. Very good to go at night.
To go shopping: Quartier du Flon. It's outdoors.
There is a small store on the street called Maison L. Secondhand pour la femme, it sells vintage clothes from Channel, Dior, etc.
Being in Lausanne you can go to Montreaux for the day. If you go, be sure to visit the Chateaux Chillon.
You have the best view going down a path to the right until you reach some rocks from where you can take the best photos of the castle. There are tours to explore it inside if you want to.
To eat in Montreaux, the best pizza is at La Metropole and you'll find the best tartare at Le Suisse Majestic (it is quite expensive).
On the other side of Lake Geneva (which is located on the shores of Lausanne, Geneva and other towns/cities) you see France. Therefore, another great activity to do while in one of these cities is to go to Nyon (it is very close to Lausanne) and cross by boat to Yvoire, France. A dream town. You can eat a good shrimp risotto at De La Vieille and then lie down to rest in the gardens facing the lake before walking its beautiful streets.
BERN
Switzerland's capital. It is small and very cute, you can do it in 1/2 days.
A great place to eat with city views is the Rosenngarten Restaurant, it is best to go at sunset and then see how the city lights up at night.
INTERLAKEN
A MUST. It is the heart of Switzerland and where the most beautiful landscapes are. It has two lakes that have many small towns around them (hence the name: "between lakes"). It doesn't matter which one you go to, the key is to stay a couple of days and visit the surrounding towns such as: Brienz, Lauterbrunnen, Spiez, Girndelwald, Bachalpsee.
In one of those little towns there is a place to eat at night called Lido da Elio, pizza and pasta with an impressive view of the lake.
Lauterbrunnen is a small town where cascades fall through the stones.
Grindelwald is one of the most beautiful places.
Spiez is also very nice, it has a very cute little beach in a yacht club to rest and have lunch.
LUCERNE
It is very cute. With 1 or 2 days you can visit it very well.
Some activities to do: boat ride, get to know the Kriens neighborhood, Mount Pilatus and the Glacier Garden (Gletschergarten).
ZURICH
It can also be covered in a few days.
For shopping: Globus Magnus. It also has several places to eat.
A good rooftop (that also opens at night): Modissa.
For snacks and drinks, the restaurant of the Hotel Zum Storchen overlooks the street and the river.
An alternative is to stay here and go for the day to Lucerne and other interesting points in its surroundings such as:
CAUMASEE
It is approximately 1.30hs/2hs from Zurich and it is to go for the day. It is a lake near Films that is fed by underground sources.
You have to pay an entrance fee and you have to bring change for the parking lot. It has a place to buy food and drinks.
It is very very beautiful, you are allowed to get into the lake and rest for a while in the forest. HIGHLY recommend! This pictures talks by itself:
