Switzerland in 9 Days: The Ultimate Itinerary for Cities, Alps & Vegan Eats

Written By Keri Leigh

Ahhh, Switzerland… 😍

This country had been sitting on my bucket list for forever, and I finally made it happen with some of my best friends! Spoiler alert: it was even better than I imagined (and yes, the chocolate really does taste different here).

If you’re planning your own Switzerland adventure, this 9-day itinerary covers the highlights: fairy tale towns, jaw-dropping mountain views, scenic hikes, and plenty of chocolate breaks in between. I’ve also sprinkled in vegan-friendly tips, money-saving hacks, and honest notes on what was (and wasn’t) worth it.

Let’s dive in!

✨ Before You Go: What to Know About This Itinerary

  • Vegan Options: Don’t worry, Switzerland is pretty vegan-friendly! I’ll note vegan eats in each city, but as a pro tip grocery stores like Coop and Migros clearly label vegan items. We typically bought pre-made items from Coop and then PB&J supplies to make sandwiches for lunch.

  • Cash Money: We brought zero cash and never had an issue. Just note that some hotels charge a small city tax that may require cash (though many accept card too).

  • Hiking Tips: Altitude is real here. Even “easy” hikes can feel tougher if you’re not used to the elevation.

  • Weather Considerations: Four seasons in one day is a thing, especially when in-between seasons and especially in the mountains, so bring clothes that can be easily layered and a raincoat!

  • No Car Needed: Skip the rental car! Switzerland’s public transport is world-class. Trains, buses, and trams will get you everywhere—even to mountain towns like Grindelwald and Zermatt.

  • Grocery Store Hack: At the grocery store, make sure you weigh produce and get the scan sticker before heading to checkout. Also, keep in mind that the grocery stores may be closed on Sunday, so be sure to get what you need before then!

  • Natural Water: Be sure to bring a reusable bottle and refill using their tap water! It is not only safe, but delicious!

  • Swiss Travel Pass: Everyone will say to get this, but we priced it out and it wasn’t worth it for us—it would’ve been $300 more than just buying individual train tickets. But that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be worth it for you! Just price it out first!

  • Cities vs. Mountains: Honest opinion? Swiss cities are cute but not super packed with “must-dos” compared to other European cities. The real magic is in the Alps—so if you’re short on time, prioritize the mountains.

  • Starting and Ending Point: We flew in and out of Zurich but immediately hopped on a train to Lucerne when we landed (only about an hour) then ended in Zurich. Highly recommend this flow!

  • Storing Luggage: When between locations, if you aren’t staying at a hotel, store your luggage at the train station! There is storage at every single station and it is very easy to use - no reservations needed!

  • Alpine Cattle Descent: This is a yearly tradition of where the cows are brought down from the mountain for the winter and a parade is put on for the event where the cows are dressed in flower crowns. This typically happens around mid-September - mid-October so be sure to see if this is happening when you’ll be there! We were unfortunately a week early for this in Grindelwald. 😭

🌱 Vegan Options at Coop

Here are pictures of what I got often from the Coop and to show how clearly marked it is as vegan!

Overview of Full Itinerary:

✈ Fly into Zurich Airport and take the (hour) train from the airport straight to Lucerne!

DAY ONE: Lucerne

Lucerne is straight out of a storybook with its half-timbered houses, lakeside setting, and mountain backdrop. It’s also super walkable, which makes it the perfect place to shake off jet lag.

Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) 

🕐 Estimated Time: 10 - 15 min

The iconic covered wooden bridge from the 1300s, complete with flower boxes and painted panels under the roof that show scenes of Lucerne’s history. It’s the kind of place where you’ll immediately want to take a million photos.

Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche)

🕐 Estimated Time: 10 - 15 min

A lesser-known gem, this church is beautifully peaceful with stunning Baroque interiors. A good “wow” moment without the tourist crowds.

Walk Along the River Reuss

Stroll the waterfront lined with colorful houses and restaurants—this is the postcard view of Lucerne. Perfect for grabbing a coffee and people-watching.

Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrucke)

🕐 Estimated Time: 10 - 15 min

Another historic wooden bridge, smaller than Chapel Bridge but with darker, moodier paintings depicting the “Dance of Death.” Totally different vibe and really cool to compare the two.

Musegg Walk

🕐 Estimated Time: 45 min - 1 hour

Head up the stairs and walk along this medieval wall with nine towers (some of which are open to climb). The views over Lucerne and the lake are stunning!

📍Pro tip: Be sure to set your GPS to Allenwindenturm in order to get to the correct tower to start at. Not all of the doors were unlocked to each tower when we went and it took us a while to figure out which one we needed to go to to enter.

Lion Monument

🕐 Estimated Time: 10 - 20 minutes

A famous carved lion in the rock, honoring Swiss Guards who died in the French Revolution. Mark Twain even called it “the saddest and most moving piece of stone in the world”—and he wasn’t wrong.

Meggenhorn Castle & Gardens

🕐 Estimated Time: 45 min - 1 hour

A fairytale-style castle on Lake Lucerne surrounded by gardens. You can wander the grounds for free, and it’s a peaceful break from the bustle of the city.

📍Pro tip: Public transportation will get you mostly here. You will have to walk about 10 min from the bus stop to the castle, but since this is a little bit out of the city center it is worth it to take the bus!

📝Personal Note: You can pay money to get into the castle and it isn’t much, but it also wasn’t super worth it. We went through the castle within like 20 minutes

✨ Optional Lake Lucerne Activities

If you’ve got extra time, Lake Lucerne itself is a destination:

  • Lake Cruise – Hop on a scenic boat cruise for panoramic views of the mountains and charming lakeside villages. It’s relaxing and gives you a whole different perspective of Lucerne.

  • Sailing – If you want something more active, you can rent a sailboat or book a sailing experience. Perfect if you’re traveling in summer.

  • Paddle Boating – A fun and budget-friendly option, especially if you just want to float around and soak up the views.

✨ Optional Day Trip

You can also take the cogwheel train or gondola up to Mount Pilatus for epic views.

Personally, we skipped it since we were exhausted from travel and just wanted to soak up the city vibes and take it easy.

🌱 Vegan Options in Lucerne:

  • Karl’s Kraut

  • Café Bar Volière

  • BaBa Luzern

  • tibits

  • PazO Bowl

  • Max Chocolatier Boutique

  • Majorelle

  • Veganitis

  • Disco Pizza

  • Amorino (Gelato)

Gelato while taking in views of Lake Lucerne

DAY TWO: Lucerne ➡ Interlaken ➡ Grindelwald

View of lake and mountain on train

This day is a mix of travel and sightseeing by stopping in Interlaken along the way!

Train Ride: Lucerne to Interlaken

🕐 Estimated Time: 1.5 hours

📍Pro tip: you can store your luggage in lockers at Interlaken station so you can wander hands-free.

Explore Interlaken

🕐 Estimated Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

A cute town sandwiched between two lakes with mountain views in every direction. Great spot for a quick stroll, snack, or shopping.

Harder Kulm

🕐 Estimated Time: 1 hour

A funicular takes you up to Interlaken’s local mountain for panoramic views of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, and the peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. It’s touristy, but the views are worth it if you have time.

Adventure Sports

  • Paragliding: Interlaken is the adrenaline capital of Switzerland, and paragliding here is one of the most iconic experiences.

  • Kayaking: We almost did this, but the weather wasn’t on our side (classic Switzerland). Still, if the sun’s out, the turquoise lakes are unreal.

Train from Interlaken to Grindlewald

🕐 Estimated Time: 30 minutes

After your Interlaken stop, hop back on the train to Grindelwald.

🌱 Vegan Options in Interlaken:

  • Velo Cafe

  • Aarmühle Restaurant & Bar

  • Delhi Darbar Indian Restaurant

  • Vittorio Vanini

    • Definitely make sure to stop here for chocolate and gelato! They are very informative on what options were vegan! One thing about me — I am always going to find where I can get chocolate and gelato!

DAY THREE: Grindelwald

View from our lodge

Grindelwald felt like walking into a snow globe—charming chalets, green meadows, and peaks towering above. Even just strolling around town is an experience in itself.

Stroll Grindelwald’s Streets

🕐 Estimated Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

Take your time wandering the little shops, bakeries, and views of the Eiger mountain. It’s the perfect “slow morning” vibe.

📝Personal Note: I get Christmas ornaments as a souvenir and Grindelwald is where I got mine for Switzerland!

Glacier Canyon (Gletscherschlucht Grindelwald)

🕐 Estimated Time: 1 hour

A wooden walkway takes you through the roaring Lütschine River canyon with dramatic rock walls and waterfalls. Super atmospheric, and only a short bus ride or 20-minute walk from town.

📝Personal Note: We walked back afterward and it was lovely—saw horses, alpine meadows, and more incredible views of the town.

Friedhof Grindelwald (Cemetery)

🕐 Estimated Time: 15 - 30 minutes

A beautifully kept mountain cemetery that overlooks the valley. Peaceful, quiet, and honestly, one of the prettiest spots in town.

Optional Day Trip: Jungfraujoch (“Top of Europe”)

The famous (and pricey) train ride up to the Jungfrau. The Jungfraujoch is a saddle connecting two major 4000ers of the Bernese Alps: the Jungfrau and the Mönch; lies at an elevation of 11,362.

📝Personal Note: Locals told us not to bother on a cloudy day since you might not see anything at all. I also learned that it’s marketed as the “Top of Europe,” but technically it isn’t really the highest point. So with that said, I don’t regret not going. It’s cool in theory, but it felt like a gamble with both the weather and the price tag.

🌱 Vegan Options in Grindelwald:

  • Barrys Restaurant, Bar & Lounge

  • BaseCamp Restaurant

  • Umami Japenese Restaurant

DAY FOUR: Grindelwald ➡ Zermatt

Spend the morning exploring Grindelwald First, an adventure hub perched high in the mountains, before hopping on the train to Zermatt.

Take the gondola all the way to the top. Arrive early—lines get long quickly, and weather can change fast.

Cliff Walk

🕐 Estimated Time: 15 minutes

A sky-high walkway clinging to the edge of the mountain. It’s thrilling but safe, with jaw-dropping panoramic views. You will also get to see alpine cattle here (as long as they haven’t been brought down for the winter)!

🎊 Fun Fact: The alpine cattles wear bells so that the farmers are able to locate them when it is foggy!

Hike to Bachalpsee Lake

🕐 Estimated Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

From the gondola, you can hike to this alpine lake for that classic Switzerland photo moment. Moderate difficulty, about 45 minutes each way.

First Flyer Zipline

🕐 Estimated Time: Depends on the length of the line

This adrenaline-packed ride zips you down toward the next station. Tickets are purchased on-site and are separate from the gondola cost.

Mountain Cart / Trottibike

🕐 Estimated Time: Depends on the length of the line

For downhill fun, you can ride a mountain cart or a trottibike to the next station. Lines can get long, so another reason to get here early!

💡 Note: This will also depend on the time of year. We were here in September, but during winter months this turns into a ski/snowboarding area, so some of these activities may not be available due to snow.

📝Personal Note: We wanted to do the mountain cart, but we got a late start and by the time we got down here the wait was already at an hour so we passed it and went back up to the restaurant for lunch. We looked again on the way back down and the wait was at an hour and a half, so take the advice to get there early if you want to do it all without having to wait in line forever!

Lunch Break

🕐 Estimated Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

You can either head back up into Grindelwald to eat OR go back up the gondola and eat with a view at the mountaintop restaurant (Berggasthaus First — they do have vegan options) OR if you packed a lunch, you can have a picnic up at the top! We saw lots of people doing this and we thought it was a great idea!

📍Pro tip: Only go on a good weather day and get there as soon as it opens. Each activity has an additional fee, so plan your budget accordingly and you pay for it once you are in line.

Then make sure to stop for gelato at Kalte Lust!

Train from Grindelwald to Zermatt

🕐 Estimated Time: 3 hours (most likely with train changes)

After your mountain adventure, hop on the train to Zermatt, the car-free village at the foot of the Matterhorn. I would suggest taking an evening train so you aren’t rushed for time!

DAY FIVE: Zermatt

Zermatt is alpine perfection—charming streets, chocolate shops, and the Matterhorn towering overhead.

Gorner Gorge

🕐 Estimated Time: 30 minutes to get across bridge

A wooden walkway leads you through a dramatic gorge with waterfalls. Lots of steps and it leads you to multiple other hiking trails.

Explore the Town

🕐 Estimated Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

Wander the streets, pick up Swiss chocolate (Sprüngli is where it is at for us vegans — soooo many options!), and take in the mountain village vibe.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

🕐 Estimated Time: 3 hours

Europe’s highest cable car station. 45 minutes to the top, but dress warmly—the platform is freezing. Only go on a clear day and if you have the clothes for it; otherwise, the cost isn’t worth it.

Optional Hikes

Smaller hikes or alpine exploration around Zermatt are plentiful. Grab your camera, your snacks, and your reusable water bottle.

Murien Hill Viewpoint

🕐 Estimated Time: 30 minutes

If you’re up for a little bit of a harder walk in the city, head up to this viewpoint overlooking Zermatt (the last 5 min are all up stairs). A Court of Thorns and Roses fans: many believe this was the inspiration for Velaris, and honestly? I can totally see it.

For non-ACOTAR readers, it’s still a gorgeous spot to catch a sunset over the village.

📝Personal Note: We missed the perfect sunset because our train left right then, and the night before it was pouring. Timing makes all the difference or of course you can use editing like I did to get that Night Court vibe! ✨

🌱 Vegan Options in Zermatt:

  • Alphitta

  • Restaurant Gitz-Gädi

  • GoldenIndia Grindelwald

  • Casa Mia

  • Manud

  • Sprüngli

    • All the chocolate!

DAY SIX: Zermatt ➡ Bern

5 Lakes Hike (5 Seenweg)

🕐 Estimated Time: 4 - 7 hours (depending on how much you stop)

One of the best ways to see the Matterhorn from different angles. Moderate but long, so pack plenty of snacks, water, and a layered jacket/raincoat.

🗺 Route: Start with the Sunnegga funicular, transfer to the gondola to Blauherd, and follow the trail back down. You will see markers for 5 Seenweg!

📝Personal Note: Don’t expect large lakes—the “5 lakes” are more like ponds. Still, views are stunning and the trail is incredibly scenic. There are also (thankfully) lodges along the way let you refill water or grab a quick bite. This was great for when it started sleeting and we needed to seek refuge! We sat at the lodge for about an hour as we waited for the sleet to pass and played Uno!

Train to Bern

🕐 Estimated Time: 3 hours (train changes possible)

After the hike, head to Bern via train. Evening train recommended if you want to maximize mountain time!

DAY SEVEN: Bern

Switzerland’s capital has serious medieval charm with its cobblestone streets, clock towers, and views of the Aare River. It’s small, walkable, and easy to explore in a day.

Bern Cathedral (Berner Münster)

🕐 Estimated Time: 45 min - 1 hour

The tallest cathedral in Switzerland. You can climb the tower for panoramic city views (totally worth it even with sore legs from the 5 Lakes Hike the day before). Inside, look for the detailed Last Judgment sculpture above the main door—it’s stunning.

Rosengarten

🕐 Estimated Time: 30 minutes - 1 hour (depending on if you sit and hang out)

A small rose garden perched above Old Town with sweeping views of Bern’s rooftops and the river bend. Beautiful, but manage expectations—it’s more like a cozy park than a full botanical garden.

Walking Tour

🕐 Estimated Time: 1 hour (typically - depends on which one you do)

Bern is packed with little details: arcaded streets, the astronomical clock (Zytglogge), fountains topped with quirky statues, and Einstein’s old apartment. I would suggest finding either a audio self guided walking tour or book a guide!

📝Personal Note: I wish we had done a self-guided audio tour here. Walking the streets was lovely, but having more context would’ve made it feel richer!

🌱 Vegan Options in Bern:

  • beans & nuts

  • Bakery Bakery

  • Swing Kitchen

  • Drip Roasters Café

  • Crêperie Gelateria AMINOS

DAY EIGHT: Bern ➡ Zurich

Train from Bern to Zurich

🕐 Estimated Time: 1 hour

Take the morning slow in Bern—maybe revisit your favorite café or stroll along the river—before catching the afternoon train to Zurich. This way, you can enjoy your morning and avoid rushing.

Once you’re in Zurich, settle in and rest up for your last day.

DAY NINE: Zurich

Zurich is Switzerland’s biggest city, but don’t expect the classic “hop-on hop-off” tours—you’ll want to explore on your own or grab a self-guided audio tour.

Self-Guided Tour

🕐 Estimated Time: 1 hour (typically - depends on which one you do)

We did the Dark Side of Zurich Self Guided audio walking tour since we love tragic stories. Zurich doesn’t have guided ghost / dark tours, so this was a fun substitute. Spooky legends + city history = win-win.

👉 Find it here

Fraumünster Church

🕐 Estimated Time: 15 minutes

Famous for Chagall stained glass windows… but honestly? We didn’t think it was worth the entry fee. Save your francs for coffee or chocolate.

Old Town Stroll (Altstadt)

🕐 Estimated Time: 1 - 2 hours

Wander cobblestone alleys, peek into boutiques, and admire medieval towers. It’s compact but full of charm.

📝Personal Note: We were here on a Monday, and almost all the museums were closed. Plan accordingly if museums are high on your list.

🌱 Vegan Options in Zurich:

  • Veganitas

  • Roots

  • Klara’s Kitchen

  • Wild Bowls

  • Hilt (Oldest Vegetarian Restaurant in the world)

  • The Bagel Shop

  • Beetnut

  • Vittorio Vanini (yes, the same as the one in Interlaken!)

Switzerland is the kind of place that spoils you for everywhere else—towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and cozy towns that feel straight out of a fairy tale.

Whether you follow this 9-day itinerary to the letter or just use it for inspiration, you really can’t go wrong here. Just remember: bring layers, budget for not only food, but gondolas (they’re pricey but worth it), and never say no to Swiss chocolate or gelato! 🍫

Until next adventure! 👋

Keri Leigh
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