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Top 10 attractions in Switzerland

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Chillon Castle
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Switzerland

Chillon Castle

7.6
4.6/5
263 reviews

Chillon Castle stands on a small rocky island jutting into the eastern end of Lake Geneva, facing the lakeside town of Montreux and connected to the shore by a wooden bridge. The entire castle follows the contours of the oval island rock, surrounded by water on all sides. From the shore, it appears to float on the lake, with its gray-white stone walls and reddish-brown conical towers reflecting the lake and mountain scenery like a painting. The land-facing side is studded with arrow slits and shooting ports, forming a heavily fortified defense structure, while the lakeside features elegant Gothic arched windows, once the residence of the House of Savoy—a harmonious blend of strength and grace in this ancient waterborne fortress. The earliest written records of the castle date back to the mid-12th century, though its central keep was built in the 11th century, predating documented history. Strategically located on a vital north-south European trade route, merchants traveling to Rome via the Great St. Bernard Pass would pass by its gates. The House of Savoy leveraged this position to collect tolls and expanded the castle into their summer palace in the 13th century. After Bernese forces captured it in 1536, it successively became a bailiff's residence, armory, and prison. The castle's fame stems partly from its dungeon: François Bonivard, abbot of Geneva's St. Victor Abbey, was chained to a pillar here for years after opposing the Duke of Savoy's control of Geneva, until his rescue by the Bernese. In 1816, Lord Byron visited, immortalized the story in his poem "The Prisoner of Chillon," and carved his name on the pillar. Rousseau featured it in "Julie, or the New Heloise," while Hugo and other literati also wrote about it. Crossing the wooden bridge into the castle reveals courtyards, halls, bedrooms, the keep, and dungeons—like stepping through a three-dimensional medieval history book. The underground prison is particularly noteworthy: its walls are built from the island's natural rock, topped with Gothic vaulting typically reserved for cathedrals, with Byron's inscribed pillar still standing. Several grand halls once hosted Savoyard feasts, their windows framing Lake Geneva's vistas. The Bernese bedroom displays an elaborate four-poster bed with heating, a bathroom, and running water—remarkably advanced for its time. The Chapel of St. George preserves 14th-century religious murals, rare survivors of Reformation iconoclasm. The armory exhibits medieval to 17th-century weapons—swords, halberds, arquebuses, crossbows, and armor—offering insights into period warfare. Visitors should linger: beyond interior artifacts, the lakeside path offers classic panoramic views of this aquatic fortress.

Switzerland · Veytaux
Lake Brienz
No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Switzerland

Lake Brienz

7.4
4.5/5
102 reviews

Lake Brienz is located at the northern foot of the Alps, named after the village of Brienz on the northeast side of the lake, while Interlaken lies on its southwest side. Surrounded by steep peaks, a boat tour on Lake Brienz offers breathtaking views of the Alpine scenery. The glacial meltwater carries fine rock flour, giving the entire lake a rare turquoise hue that becomes especially vivid on sunny days. Paired with the steep cliffs and dense forests on both shores, every snapshot looks like a postcard—a highly distinctive hallmark of this lake. Themed cruise with rich experiences Lake Brienz cruise offers various types of experiences. In addition to regular sightseeing cruises, it also provides special themed cruise activities, such as "breakfast cruise", "Indian dinner cruise tour", or "fish and jazz tour" on the cruise ship deck, etc. These are worth experiencing for travelers who love Swiss cuisine. Visit the village of Brienz The village of Brienz on the east shore of the lake is a particularly quiet small town, with fewer visitors during the off-peak season, making it perfect for strolling. You can also take the historic steam train—the Brienz-Rothorn Railway—to reach Rothorn. Giessbach Falls Another destination of the Lake Brienz cruise is the Giessbach Falls, where white waterfalls cascade down from 500 m high into the lake, crashing against rocks with a deafening roar, creating a spectacular sight. Beside the falls stands the Giessbach Hotel, resembling a fairytale castle full of dreamy charm. Cycling and hikes around the lake Lake Brienz is also ideal for cycling around the lake, with well-planned bike routes that allow you to experience the beauty of the lake up close. There are significant elevation changes during the ride, and fog may occur in rainy weather, so it is recommended to choose a suitable route based on your fitness level. Of course, there are also popular hiking trails here, such as walking along the southern shore of Lake Brienz, starting from Bönigen and passing through Iseltwald to reach Giessbach.

Switzerland · Iseltwald

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Experiences you can't miss in Switzerland

Featured Day tours in Switzerland

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Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe 1-day tour [comfortable bus/professional multilingual guide/includes 10% discount coupon for the outlet]
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4.8/5
· 499 reviews· 395 booked
Duration: 12.6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
97.2% of travelers recommend
7% off
7% off
FromBRL 1,624.30BRL 1,746.56
Switzerland Grindelwald + Lauterbrunnen + Interlaken 1-day tour|Roaming the Bernese Oberland
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4.6/5
· 5 reviews· 82 booked
Duration: 8.1 hrs
English
Free cancellation
244 travellers saved
FromBRL 587.02
Geneva: Lauterbrunnen,Grindelwald& Interlaken Panoramic tour
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5.0/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 14 hrs
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FromBRL 732.76
Ticket Firstbahn to Grindelwald First - Top of Adventure
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 114 booked
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FromBRL 483.67
Zurich City Sightseeing + Lindt Home of Chocolate 1-day Tour|Includes Lake Zurich cruise
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4.4/5
· 5 reviews· 66 booked
Duration: 2.8 hrs
English
Free cancellation
77 travellers saved
FromBRL 621.15
Switzerland Rhine Falls + Stein am Rhein House Painted with Frescoes 1-day tour [Boat ride available/Guide commentary included]
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FromBRL 437.31BRL 470.23

Featured Culture & history in Switzerland

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Swiss Travel Pass
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4.9/5
· 1k reviews· 20.6k booked
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43 consecutive positive reviews
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FromBRL 1,578.19BRL 1,696.98
From Zurich: Lake Lugano & Ticino Private Tour
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Duration: 6 hrs
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From Zurich: Fully Customizable Private City & Region Day Tour
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Duration: 5 hrs
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From Zurich: City Highlights & Rhine Falls Waterfalls Private Tour
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Duration: 6 hrs
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1-day tour of Lake Zurich + Zurich Old Town + Grossmunster in Switzerland (with guide)
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Duration: 4.7 hrs
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FromBRL 347.97BRL 374.17
FIFA Museum: Entry Ticket
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23 booked
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FromBRL 174.78

Featured Outdoor & sports in Switzerland

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Half-day Geneva city sightseeing tour in Switzerland | Optional Lake Geneva cruise
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FromBRL 341.29
Paragliding Tandem Flight in Interlaken
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4.9/5
· 348 reviews· 77 booked
Duration: 1.5 hrs
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86 consecutive positive reviews
FromBRL 1,209.10
Interlaken: Tandem Paragliding Flight with Pilot
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4.9/5
· 664 reviews· 43 booked
Duration: 1.5 hrs
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35 consecutive positive reviews
FromBRL 1,210.08
Interlaken: Airplane Skydiving over the Swiss Alps
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4.9/5
· 191 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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99.5% of travelers recommend
FromBRL 2,854.78
Mürren: Paragliding over Lauterbrunnen Cliffs and Waterfalls
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4.9/5
· 168 reviews
Duration: 1 hr
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100 consecutive positive reviews
FromBRL 1,336.69
1-day tour to Saint Moritz + Bernina Red Train from Milan | Round-trip | Alpine Scenery
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4.6/5
· 8 reviews· 79 booked
Duration: 7.2 hrs
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256 travellers saved
FromBRL 866.87
From Milan: Bernina Train and St. Moritz Day Trip
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4.6/5
· 1.7k reviews· 56 booked
Duration: 12–13 hrs
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FromBRL 608.54

Featured Eurail pass in Switzerland

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Swiss Half Fare Card
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4.8/5
· 159 reviews· 6.9k booked
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23 consecutive positive reviews
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FromBRL 932.00BRL 1,002.16
Berner Oberland Pass [Official Agent/BOP Card/Immediate Ticketing/Jungfraujoch Lucerne Bern and other regional trains]
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FromBRL 1,491.20BRL 1,603.45
Interrail Eurail | European 33-Country Rail Pass (Up to 50% Off! Includes European SIM Card/Multi-Date Consecutive/Flexible Ticket)
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4.6/5
· 146 reviews· 6k booked
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Jungfrau region pass
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58 booked
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FromBRL 1,321.30BRL 1,420.76
Matterhorn Gotthard pass (choose 2 days/3 days/5 days/Zermatt region within one month)
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FromBRL 774.67BRL 832.98
Geneva lake - Alpine region pass (5-day/7-day consecutive)
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7% off
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FromBRL 1,299.44BRL 1,397.25
Lucerne travel pass (3-day/4-day/5-day/10-day consecutive/Lucerne travel pass)
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7% off
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FromBRL 1,624.30BRL 1,746.56

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Free things to do in Switzerland

What travellers say about Switzerland

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Hossain Hoq Prohor11 September 2026
5.0
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe is one of Switzerland’s most spectacular mountain destinations, offering an unforgettable experience high in the Swiss Alps. Surrounded by magnificent snow-covered peaks, vast glaciers, and breathtaking alpine scenery, the journey to the summit is an adventure itself. The panoramic views from the top are truly mesmerizing, especially on a clear day when the mountains seem to stretch endlessly into the horizon. Walking through the snowy landscape feels like entering a winter wonderland. The impressive Aletsch Glacier adds even more beauty to the experience. Jungfraujoch is a must-visit destination for travelers who love mountains, snow, photography, and extraordinary natural landscapes.

Jungfrau

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Anonymous user29 September 2026
5.0
Purchased package tickets including attractions must be exchanged for paper tickets at the manual counter before use. Package tickets must be purchased at the foot of the mountain; tickets for attractions on the mountain are not sold at the designated areas.

First

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Anonymous user18 September 2026
5.0
This place is absolutely must visit and good chocolate tasting. There is a Cafe on site. Must reserve tickets early as tickets can sold out for that day.

Lindt Home of Chocolate

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118***488 January 2026
5.0
Very convenient; you can enter the museum and take a boat ride.

Swiss Pass

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Gully2 February 2025
5.0
It is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. In summer time, you’re almost guaranteed to have great weather. There are multiple paths to hike for more and less experiences trekkers.

Golden Pass Railway

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草凡人19 April 2025
5.0
Take the train to Montreux and stroll along the shore of Lake Geneva. Beyond the water are the snow-capped mountains, stretching quietly. Chillon Castle is on a small stone island near the water. It is not big, but it takes you back to medieval Europe. It is worth a visit.

Chillon Castle

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Sobel Phang29 October 2024
5.0
The Matterhorn is one of the most iconic mountains in the Swiss Alps, renowned for its distinctive pyramid shape and stunning beauty. The surrounding area, particularly Zermatt, provides a charming alpine village experience with a range of outdoor activities. The Gornergrat railway offers spectacular panoramic views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding peaks.

Matterhorn

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Anonymous user27 October 2026
5.0
The package is good for value. Transport catered. The gliders are professional and very assuring.

Paragliding Experience in Interlaken by Paragliding Interlaken

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yanke17 July 2025
5.0
Lake Geneva, which shares the same name as the city, is very vast, with a sapphire-like color and sparkling in the sun. From Geneva Airport, you can take a train to Nyon, a small town on the shore of Lake Geneva. The hotel rooms there are large, and the lake view rooms also have terraces to enjoy the lake view. The breakfast is very rich and cost-effective. From the dock in Nyon, you can take a boat to the French flower town opposite and experience the fun of crossing two countries in half an hour. The price of the flower town is lower than that of Switzerland, and it is very pleasant to enjoy authentic French food there.

Lake Geneva

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横竖是二温小迪14 November 2024
4.0
The last boat from Interlaken East Station to Lake Brienz was at 15:07, and when we went there, the boat had just left. The staff taught us to take the bus to Brienz, and then catch the boat at 16:40, and take the boat from Brienz back to Interlaken. We bought a second-class Swiss pass, which allows free boat rides. There are not many seats in the second-class cabin, but there are more open-air seats. If you are afraid of the cold, you can get on the boat earlier. I sat in the restaurant at first and thought I had to consume, but after sitting for a while, I realized that there was no mandatory requirement.

Lake Brienz

Trip Moments in Switzerland

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Switzerland?

Don't miss these attractions in Switzerland: Jungfrau, First, and Lindt Home of Chocolate. If you like Day tours, try Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe 1-day tour [comfortable bus/professional multilingual guide/includes 10% discount coupon for the outlet]. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Swiss Travel Pass.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe 1-day tour [comfortable bus/professional multilingual guide/includes 10% discount coupon for the outlet], Switzerland Grindelwald + Lauterbrunnen + Interlaken 1-day tour|Roaming the Bernese Oberland, and Geneva: Lauterbrunnen,Grindelwald& Interlaken Panoramic tour. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 9 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Switzerland is around BRL 437.31 – BRL 2,051.84. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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