Switzerland Top 10 Must Visit Places

Now that we all had been vacinnated with booster and some country is opening up for tourist like Switzerland it’s time to plan a trip this 2022. I have been to quite a number of country in Europe, I can say Switzerland is one of the country that I would definitely return for the magnificent view of the snowy mountain, blue lakes, turquoise river and the grassy valley dotted with neat farms and small village.  So let me share with you the Top 10 Must visit places in Switzerland.

My trip back in 2016 were about 10days long and I would say it is just sufficient to explore Switzerland entirely from the city to the small villages and ride up to the majestic mountain peak. I would suggest a minimum 7days to see and feel the best of Switzerland.

** * For Switzerland Travel Guide (SOP) during Covid for Malaysian, please click here

1. Zermatt : Gronergratt & Matterhorn 

Zermatt one of village that you should not missed as it is where the magnificient Matterhorn peak located, the famous Toblerone logo. As you arrived in the village, your will be greeted with cottages with colourful flowers on the front and beautiful mountain as backdrop.

Image Source : Google Image

Just how pretty is the village is, during my visit there I didn’t manage to stay in this village we stayed across it. I would highly recommend you to stay here because it’s just so relaxing and a walk around the village would also be very picturesque.

Image Source : Google Image

When you wake up the next day, a cable car ride up to Gronegratt will be great. From the peak you will be able to view the famous 4,478 metres majestic Matterhorn peak from here. The light reflection on the jagged rocky tooth peak just makes the landscape a trully magnificent view in Zermatt.

If you have time you, consider a visit up to Matterhorn as well but if you want to view the Matterhorn peak you have to go to Gronergratt.

If you are into skiing, you are in luck. Zermatt offer all year-round skiing all thanks to the surrounding glacier. Zermatt has ski terrain at altitudes between 2,500 and 3,900 meters. You don’t need to bring any gear, all can be rent from the skiing resort.

Image Source : Google Image

2. Bernina Express through Glacier

The Bernina Express is one of the best way to explore the Alps Glaciers through the beautiful canton of Graubunden, all the way to the old town of Chur to Tirano, Italy in a 4hours ride. The train will cross through narrow valley, several spiral loops, small towns and glaciers. When you arrive at Tirano do make a stop at the small town for a lunch too. There’s really a great restaurant that made really delicous pasta just right outside of the train station.

For the full view of the Bernina Express journey, you can checkout Rhaian Railway Website.

Alternately you could also consider taking Glacier Express if you have more time.

3. Rhinefall

Europe’s highest waterfall, Rhinefall flows at an impressive rate of  600,000 litres per second. The Rhine River Falls is found on a stretch of the Rhine River known as the High Rhine. This is where the waters cascade down to a lower level, creating the picturesque Rhine Water Falls. Be awe by the massive fall.

Image Source: Swissepictours

4. Lauterbrunnen

This small peaceful village located in the heart of the Alps surrounded by lushful alpine valley is a great place to visit when you are in Switzerland. Lauterbrunnen scream Switzerland in every way, the mystical land of snow, waterfall and crisp air. There’s something very magical about this small town, the peace as you enter the village that is dottted with challet, shops, small restaurants and the Trummelbach Waterfall at the back was out of the world. Another Switzerland must visit place for sure.

For those who enjoy hike, you can take cable car to Muren for a easy to moderate hike on the North Face Trails (about 3hours).

5. Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe

As you are in Lauterbrunnen which is also located in Jungfrau region where the Top of Europe Jungfraujoch is located. Jungfraujoch is also where the longest glacier started in Europe and is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Trail. Take a train ride from Lauterbrunnen crossing Wengen to Kleine Scheidehh and then reaching Jungfraujoch.

Image Source: Viator

When we took the ride up, we didn’t have time to stop by Wengen. If you do, that will be a nice village to visit as well. Jungfraujoch is a place where it has a very deep memory for me because that is the place where I see snowflakes for the first time. Trully magical for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Golden Pass Train & Interlaken

Interlaken is like a centre for all excursion in Switzerland, so it’s a good base if you do not want to move around too much just book your stay here. Lake Brienz on the east side of Interlaken is also a great one to visit. The calming turqoise tone with mountain views on the side.

Image Source: Triptipedia

On the west side you can visit Lake Thun, which has a deep blue color. Take a boat ride out to bask in the fantastic panorama view of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.

The Golden Pass Train ride begin from German-speaking Lucerne to French-speaking Montreux. In between are towns like Meiringen, Interlaken, Spiez, Zweisimmen and Gstaad. So, from Interlaken you could take Golden Pass line to Lucerne. From interlaken, the trains runs along river Aare toward east of Interlaken (Jungfrau area). Then the train will head to the beautiful lake Brienz and then the Hasli Valley. Continuing the route you will pass another two more lake before reaching to Lucerne.

Image Source: Swiss Vayages

7. Lucerne

Lucerne city well known for it’s stunning medieval architecture and its stunning location on the edge of Lake Lucerne amid snow capped mountains. Just take a day tour around the city visiting the famous Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument and Jesult Church.

After visiting the medieval town, head to the the Lucerne Lake for a boat cruise to view the stunning panorama view if the snowy Swiss Alps. Just sit back and relax on the main deck and enjoy the view and cruise. From the cruise you can continue the journey to a cable ride up to Mount Rigis.

8. Mount Rigis

If you love flower, a short hike up to Mount Rigis will be the great choice. This is one of my favourite floral scenic walk with colourful wild flowers along the trail. Well there’s a reason why it is called Queen of the Mountains. As you reach the peak you will be rewarded with the view of three lakes, Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz.

After traveling for a few days, a relaxing spa time will be perfect. At Rigi Kaltbad you can bath in mineral waters from the healing Drei- Schewestern-Brunnen spring.

9. Bern

This capital city in the centre of Switzerland also know as old town with distinctive cobblestone streets and beautiful views of the river Aare. It is also listed as Unesco World Heritage Site as it retains it’s historical feautures. Some of the attractions in Bern are Rose Garden just above the Bear Park, River Aare, Zentrum Paul Klee, ALbert Einstein House & History Museum.

Image Source: theculturetrip

10. Lake Geneva

This lovely Lake Geneva will make anyone fall in love at the first sight, The beautiful sunlight that shimmers on the lake in the bright afternoon and the warm hues during the sunset are trully stunning view to watch. Next to the water are tree-lined promenades with palatial townhouses or serene parks like Eaux-Vives, Jardin Anglais, Perle du Lac or Mon Repos. Best spot for a postcard shot.

Image Source: Google Image

It took me a year to plan my trip to Switzerland previously. If you do not want to go through the hassle and scratching your head over the budgeting, transportation (train ride planing can be complicated), accomodation and itinerary, I suggest you check out Switzerland Tour & Holiday Packages from Sedunia Travel. They are customizable and has many different tours from Winter Holiday, Scenic Switzerland by Train, Switzerland Famoust Mountain Peak to Best of Switzerland that will surely suit your needs. 

Now before you book your flight ticket to Switzerland, let me share with you the updated Travel Guide during Covid for Malaysian 2022.

Switzerland Travel Guide (SOP) during Covid for Malaysian

1. Check latest Covid related information

Do check out https://www.bag.admin.ch for daily update for example if there is new covid variant, certain country will be added into quarantin/ no entry list. For now Jan 2022, Malaysia is not in the list so we can enter Switzerland without quarantine

2. Fill up Travel Check List

Just fill up the form at https://travelcheck.admin.ch/home. Just simple question related to your travel.

3. Apply Swiss Covid Certificate 

Most dine in place will require this. It’s 30CHF per application. Apply at https://covidcertificate-form.admin.ch/foreign.

4. Apply for Home Quarantine before departing

You will need to apply 4 – 10 days before arrival date. Do take note Malaysia timing is faster than switzerland so you might have to apply a day earlier from the mentioned timeline. Best is apply before you depart from Malaysia.

Apply at https://hso.moh.gov.my/outbreak-portal-hqa/index.

For the application, you will require below document

• Vacination Card/ Certification
• Identification Card
• Flight Ticket
• Utilities Bill

Result will take about 2-3days. Make sure your home is suitable. Evaluation is based on below criteria:

• Number of persons in said home or residence
• Number of elderly persons in said home or residence (above 60 years of age)
• Number of children in said home or residence (below 12 years of age)
• Number of persons with chronic illnesses in said home or residence
• Number of pregnant mothers in said home or residence
• Number of rooms in said home or residence
• Number of bathrooms in said home or residence
• Number of bedrooms with en suite bathrooms in said home or residence

If home quarantine rejected you can book hotel through MyEg or enquire on the hotel you prefer directly.

5. PCR test before Departure

You need to present a negative PCR test (not older than 48 hours) or a negative rapid antigen test (not older than 24 h) at boarding and upon entry.

6. Fill up Second Entry Form

Fill up form at https://swissplf.admin.ch/formular. It’s the same arrival card that we used to apply. 

Below are the document you require when check in

• Passport
• Vacination card/ certification
• Entry Form
• PCR Test

7. Arrival in Malaysia

Upon arrival, there will be 2 lane 1) Home Quarantine 2) Register Hotel Quarantine. If your home quarantine failed, go to counter where doctor is working. From there on, doctor will ask some question why home quarantine rejected and will then assist to appeal. After that just wait for the result.

*** The appeal is subjective and may not be successful for everyone

While waiting for result you can proceed to do swab tast first.

**First Swab test in Airport is free.

After successfully appeal, doctor will give a letter for grab driver if you intend to take public transport. Then you will also be given another form to fill as successful for home quarantine application.

Then just proceed with public transport to go back to your home for quarantine.

For traveller who complete full vaccination only 7 days quarantine. Swab test will receive around 3 to 4 days and then will be asked to do a second swab test at nearby health clinic.

You will receive sms on 7th day both for test result & removal of pink band and usually will be on the 8th day.

*** Above timeline is subjective and may change from time to time.

Disclaimer: Above info obtained frm Rusila Yusof post in BBM Malaysia FB

Alright I hope above information is helpful for those who will be travelling to Switzerland. Have fun travelling and do tag me @cindytong86 on all your instagram post.

Checkout my other sharing on Switzerland below:

Switzerland Vlog: https://www.cindysplanet.com/2017/06/switzerland-budget-itinerary-golden-pass-bernina-express-glacier.html
Budget & Tips: https://www.cindysplanet.com/2015/09/how-to-travel-to-switzerland-in-budget.html

Day 1 & 2 : https://www.cindysplanet.com/2016/03/switzerland-10d9n-itinerary-day-1-2.html

Day 5 & 6: https://www.cindysplanet.com/2017/06/switzerland-10d9n-day-budget-itinerary-lauterbrunnen-jungfrau.html

Day 7& 8: https://www.cindysplanet.com/2017/06/switzerland-10d9n–interlaken-mt-rigis-lucern-titlis.html

Day 9 & 10: https://www.cindysplanet.com/2017/06/switzerland-10d9n–golden-pass-bern-montreux-geneva.html