Four Swiss towns you should include in your itinerary

[This post may contain compensated links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.]

If you’re planning a holiday in Switzerland, you probably have cities like Zurich, Lucerne, Bern and Geneva already on your itinerary.  And whilst these places are all well worth a visit, there are a few other Swiss towns that I encourage you to include in your holiday. 

These four towns may not be totally off the tourist trail but they are, in most cases, less well-known and less visited than those I’ve mentioned above.

Here are four towns that have left a lasting impression on me and that I recommend you include in your Switzerland holiday itinerary. 

Rapperswil

Canton: St. Gallen
Population: 26,000

Location: Rapperswil is located on the south eastern end of Lake Zurich. It is 40 kilometres from Zurich and 164 kilometres from Bern.

On the upper edge of Lake Zurich, just a 35 minute train ride from Zurich, Rapperswil is a pretty Medieval town well worth a visit. 

Known as ‘The Town of Roses’, visitors arriving between June and October can see more than 15,000 roses in bloom in the dedicated rose garden and around the town.

It’s easy to fill a day wandering around the Old Town and alongside the lake where, in the warmer months, you’ll find a number of cafes and restaurants offering outdoor seating.

The town is also home to Switzerland’s longest wooden pedestrian bridge and you can walk the 841 metres from Rapperswil across the lake to Hurden. Other lakeside activities include cruises and pedal boat hire.

Perched above the lake you’ll find Rapperswil’s medieval castle set amongst lovely parklands and St. John’s church and it’s from here that you get wonderful views of both Lake Zurich and across to the Glarus Alps.

Many of the buildings around town feature beautiful frescoes and flower boxes bursting with blooms, so a walk around town is a real feast for the eyes.

Winding cobbled streets and alleyways lead to the town square filled with cafes and restaurants. There are also plenty of eating options along the traffic-free lakeside promenade.

Why I love Rapperswil

Despite being so close to Zurich, it feels like a world away.  I love spending time by lakes and Rapperswil is the perfect lakeside town.

In summer, the lakeside promenade has a real Mediterranean feel to it and the views from the castle are worth the climb up the steep streets.

How to get to Rapperswil

By train – At least six trains per hour operate between Rapperswil’s main train station and Zurich Hauptbahnhof.  Travel time is about 35 minutes.

By lake cruise – A pleasant way to reach Rapperswil is on a lake cruise from Zurich (or vice versa).  Journey time is around 90 minutes.

By car – If you’re driving to Rapperswil, it will take you about 30 minutes from Zurich or 1 hour 40 minutes from Bern.

Schaffhausen


Canton: Schaffhausen
Population: 34,000

Location:  Schaffhausen is on the River Rhine, close to the Switzerland/German border. It is 51 kilometres from Zurich,  92 kilometres from Basel and 168 kilometres from Bern.

Situated on the River Rhine, Schaffhausen is perhaps best known for the nearby Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfalls, but the town holds plenty of other charms that make it worth a visit.

The town is one of the best preserved cities from the Middle Ages and the oriel (bay) windows – 171 of them – featured throughout the Old Town are what makes it really special.  Whilst you’ll see oriel windows in other Swiss towns, it’s the sheer number of them in Schaffhausen that impresses.

It is thought they were built as a show of wealth and prosperity by the merchants who resided in the town centuries ago.

Amongst the car-free streets of the Old Town you’ll find many colourful buildings adorned with oriel windows and intricately painted facades. The Haus zum Ritter is a fine example, with its facade painted with Renaissance frescoes.

Other highlights of the Old Town include Fronwag Tower which houses an astronomical clock made by Joachim Habrecht, and Kirche St. Johann, the parish church which was founded in the 11th century.

I enjoyed my visit to the All Saints’ Herb Garden, a reconstruction of the herb garden planted by the monks in Medieval times. Located next to the cloisters of the ancient monastery, here you can also see the 4.5 ton Schiller Bell which was cast in 1486.

If you have the time, head uphill to Munot Fortress, a circular keep built in the 16th Century, which is the town’s landmark.  The Fortress still has its own keeper who lives in the tower and rings the Munot bells every evening at 9pm!

There are wonderful views of the town’s vineyards and the Rhine River from the Fortress.

Why I love Schaffhausen

The many beautiful oriel windows give the town a real fairytale feel. Combined with the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town, you can almost imagine yourself as part of a Brothers Grimm storybook.

How to get to Schaffhausen

By train – Frequent trains operate between Schaffhausen and Zurich (journey time around 1 hour), Bern (1 hour 50 minutes) and other major cities in Switzerland.

By car – It takes just under an hour to drive to Schaffhausen from Zurich and two hours from Bern.

Grindelwald

Canton: Bern
Population: 4,000

Location: Grindelwald is situated in the Bernese Oberland region. It is 20 kilometres from Interlaken, 74 kilometres from Bern and 140 kilometres from Zurich.

I’ve written before about my love of Lauterbrunnen in the Jungfrau region but another nearby town that I hold close to my heart is Grindelwald.

Larger than Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald offers more shops and services yet still retains that ‘small village’ feel.  There are so many things to do in Grindelwald that it’s no wonder it is a favourite holiday destination all year round.

My visits have always been in summer when there is an abundance of outdoor activities on offer.  Trotti bike rides, mini golf, alpine hikes and cable car rides are just some of the ways I’ve spent my time in the town.

The scenery around Grindelwald is incredible.  In summer the fields are dotted with alpine flowers and fresh mountain air and the sound of cow bells clanging in the distance add to the beauty.

Skiers flock to Grindelwald in winter for over 160 kilometres of pistes which are served by around 30 lifts.  Tobogganing and winter walking are also possible in winter.

Why I love Grindelwald

Getting to Grindelwald is half the fun.  The route, whether by car or train, winds its way uphill amongst lush pastures dotted with typically-Swiss chalets.

All around are spectacular mountains, snow-capped even in summer.   It’s the quintessential Swiss alpine village charm that makes Grindelwald a favourite of mine.

Where to stay in Grindelwald

When it comes to accommodation options in Grindelwald, visitors are spoilt for choice.  Click here to browse the huge range of hotels, apartments and B&Bs in Grindelwald.

I stayed at Hotel Spinne which was great (the infinity pool is a real highlight) and there are lots more options to choose from in my detailed guide to the best hotels in Grindelwald.

How to get to Grindelwald

By train – Trains to Grindelwald travel via Interlaken Ost with journey times around 1 hour 45 minutes (from Bern) and 2 hours 45 minutes (from Zurich – via Interlaken Ost and Bern).

By car – If you have a car and are driving to Grindelwald you should around half an hour from Interlaken, one hour from Bern and 1 hour 50 minutes from Zurich.

🇨🇭 Read next: The Ultimate List of Things to do in Grindelwald
🇨🇭 Listen: Things to do in Grindelwald. A local’s guide to the best activities and excursions

Planning a trip to Switzerland?

At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers.

Want monthly news and podcast updates, helpful travel tips and special deals sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Holidays to Switzerland and we’ll send you a bonus copy of our 21 Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Switzerland guide.

🇨🇭 Check out our exclusive discount offers and save on your Swiss vacation. 🇨🇭

Spiez

Canton: Bern
Population: 13,000

Location: Spiez is situated on the southern shore of Lake Thun in Bern canton. It is approximately 40 kilometres from Bern, 136 kilometres from Basel, 85 kilometres from Lucerne, and 158 kilometres from Zurich.

Spiez in Switzerland has so much to offer, not least its incredible setting. Not only is the town on the shores of Lake Thun, it’s also part of the Bernese Oberland region, renowned for its natural beauty. It has a pleasing resort feel and a breathtaking bay. 

As well as the sparkling waters of the lake, visitors to Spiez can expect a backdrop featuring mountain peaks, rolling vineyards, and lush Alpine meadows. Whether you’re into food and wine, nature, culture, or simply relaxing, Spiez has something for everyone.

Spiez is also a mecca for water sports fans, and of course offers a plethora of boat trips across Lake Thun. From fine dining and luxury spa hotels to winter walks and skiing or sledging in the valleys surrounding the town, Spiez offers opportunities for both relaxation and adventure. 

Highlights of paying Spiez a visit can include wandering through the vineyards or sampling the local wine; or taking a dip in the lake in summer or a boat trip across it during any season. 

Don’t miss seeing Spiez Castle, a site of national significance and a medieval masterpiece, which is topped with turrets and offers sweeping views over the water. Inside, it’s been fully restored, and here you can discover what life was really like during the Middle Ages. 

I love wandering around the pretty grounds and peaking inside the 1,000-year-old church, too.

Spiez also boasts some fine museums. There’s the museum of local history and viticulture for anyone interested in local life and/or winemaking. The small but absorbing toy museum, meanwhile, attracts kids and adults alike.

If you prefer to be outdoors, you can also follow the vineyard discovery trail, or learn all about the so-called Miracle of Bern. This refers to the World Cup final of 1954, when the West German team, who were based in one of Spiez’s hotels, beat the odds to triumph over tournament favourites Hungary in Bern. 

You could also venture further afield while based in Spiez by heading to the Niesen, the Niederhorn, or the Stockhorn. Plenty of other mountain excursions are also available, but these are among the easiest to reach. 

In the wider Lake Thun area, you’ll also find Thun Old Town, Oberhofen Castle, St Beatus Caves, and much more. The relaxed yet smart resort also makes a good base for exploring the Lake Thun area, the Bernese Oberland, or the Jungfrau Region.

Why I love Spiez

When visiting Spiez I adore admiring the pretty bay, with views of the castle and vineyards on the shore behind.

Spiez is also conveniently close to the ever-popular Jungfrau Region, yet feels far removed from the tourist crowds. There is plenty to do in the town and surrounding area, too, during all seasons and for all tastes.

Where to stay in Spiez

Belvedere Strandhotel

My number one recommendation for a place to stay is the Belvedere Strandhotel Spiez. It’s a four star hotel offering panoramic views over Lake Thun and Spiez Castle, including from the rooftop terrace. 

There’s also a heated infinity pool, a private lakeside lido, a sauna, a spa, a gym, and a restaurant and bar that’s popular with locals as well as guests. 

I love the Belvedere and have stayed on two occasions so far. To find out more, take a look at my full review of the Belvedere Spiez.

How to get to Spiez

By train – Spiez is around 30 minutes by car or train from Bern, with half-hourly rail services. It’s about an hour-and-a-half by rail from Basel and Zurich, and there’s usually two services per hour. Spiez is around two hours or so by train from Lucerne. 

By car – You can drive to Spiez in around half an hour from Bern. The town is about an hour and 30 minutes’ drive from Basel, or an hour and 40 minutes from Zurich or Lucerne. 

By boat – You can also travel by boat from Spiez to Interlaken or Thun – or vice versa. Other destinations are also available. Local company BLS Schifffahrt offers lots of boat services across Lake Thun to and from Spiez. These are an experience in themselves, offering stunning Alpine views. Some vessels are historic paddle steamers, and many have restaurants on board offering gastronomic dining while you sail.

🇨🇭Like to include one or more of these towns in your Swiss vacation? Take a look at our Switzerland itinerary ideas and start planning your trip!

These towns are just four reasons that I am #inLOVEwithSWITZERLAND.  Will you include any of them in your next Switzerland holiday itinerary?

This article was originally written in conjunction with Switzerland Tourism but sinces been updated. All words and opinions are my own.