10 Day Winter Magic Itinerary

Olivia - (olliechinny)
Itinerary created by
Olivia
What you’ll do

Immerse yourself in Switzerland's enchanting winter wonderland with this 10-day itinerary, blending stunning alpine landscapes, charming towns, and festive Christmas experiences!

Day 1: Zurich
Arrive in Zurich and explore the historic Old Town. Enjoy some window shopping on Bahnhofstrasse before diving into the festive atmosphere at Zurich's Christmas markets.

Day 2: Mount Pilatus & Lucerne
Take a day trip to Mount Pilatus and visit the world’s highest Christmas market, surrounded by breathtaking alpine views. Explore Lucerne’s Old Town, i. End the day with an optional dinner by the lake.

Day 3: Interlaken & Harder Kulm
Transfer to Interlaken and take in the panoramic sunset views from Harder Kulm, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

Day 4: Jungfraujoch/Schilthorn & Sledging
Start your day with optional paragliding over Interlaken. Visit the Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn for incredible high-altitude experiences. In the afternoon, enjoy sledging from Eigergletscher to Grindelwald or explore beginner-friendly ski slopes at Kleine Scheidegg/Männlichen.

Day 5: Grindelwald-First & Lauterbrunnen
Visit Grindelwald-First for stunning mountain views and optional skiing. In the afternoon, explore the picturesque village of Lauterbrunnen.

Day 6: Zermatt
Transfer to Zermatt, a car-free village at the foot of the Matterhorn. Spend the day shopping, exploring the Old Town, and learning about the region’s mountaineering history at the Matterhorn Museum.

Day 7: Gornergrat & Murini Viewpoint
Take a trip to Gornergrat for spectacular views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding peaks. For early risers, an optional sunrise visit to a secret viewpoint offers unforgettable vistas.

Day 8: Montreux & Chillon Castle
Enjoy a day trip to Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Explore the medieval Chillon Castle and soak up the festive atmosphere at the Montreux Christmas Market.

Day 9: Glacier Express to St. Moritz
Board the Glacier Express for a breathtaking journey through snow-covered landscapes, traveling from Zermatt to St. Moritz. Enjoy the stunning panoramic views from the comfort of this iconic scenic train. Overnight in St. Moritz.

Day 10: Departure
End your winter adventure with a leisurely morning in St. Moritz before returning to Zurich or heading to the airport for your departure.

Best period: November-March

A 4X4 car is NOT necessary

Note: Christmas market experiences are listed as OPTIONAL as they are available only between 24 Nov - 23 Dec. If you are visiting after this period, please leave the activities out of your itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival in Zurich & Exploring the City

Welcome to the start of your Swiss winter adventure! After arriving in Zurich, you’ll have the chance to explore this charming city at your own pace. Understanding that you may be feeling tired or jet-lagged after your journey, today’s activities are kept optional and flexible, allowing you to decide how much or how little you’d like to do.

  • Optional Activities in Zurich: Take a leisurely stroll through Zurich’s Old Town (Altstadt), known for its narrow, cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture. Visit Lindenhof, a peaceful hilltop park offering views over the city and the Limmat River. For those interested in exploring Zurich’s cultural landmarks, stop by the impressive Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, which are steeped in history and feature stunning stained-glass windows.

  • Window Shopping on Bahnhofstrasse: If you have the energy, head to Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's world-famous shopping street. Admire the luxurious boutiques and browse the window displays, even if you're not in the mood for shopping.

  • Visit the Christmas Markets: The highlight of your first day in Zurich is the chance to visit its enchanting Christmas markets. Head to the Zurich Main Station (Christkindlimarkt), where you’ll find the largest indoor Christmas market in Europe, complete with a glittering Christmas tree decorated with Swarovski crystals. Another beautiful option is the Sechseläutenplatz market, located near the Opera House, offering stunning views of Lake Zurich alongside its festive stalls.

    • Insider Tip: Arrive at the markets earlier in the afternoon to avoid the evening crowds and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.

Take your time today to ease into the Swiss winter ambiance, and make sure to rest up for the adventure-packed days ahead!

1

Choose the option that fits you the best

Swas Hotel by Living Downtown
Swas Hotel by Living Downtown
Spacious Apartment Hotel 12 minutes away from Zurich
Category
Hotel
THE FLAG Zürich
THE FLAG Zürich
Chic hotel with artsy vibes
Category
Hotel
Est. Price
$
Storchen
Storchen
Elegant luxury boutique hotel in Zurich
Category
Hotel
Boutique Hotel Seefeld
Boutique Hotel Seefeld
Boutique Hotel in charming Seefeld district
Category
Hotel
Est. Price
$$

5.4 km (3.4 mi)

17 min

2

This one is optional

Grossmünster Church
Grossmünster Church
Famous landmark of Zurich
Category
Sightseeing
Fraumünster Church
Fraumünster Church
Elegant Church with History
Category
Culture
Lindenhof
Lindenhof
Most scenic view point in Zurich
Category
Sightseeing

1.3 km (0.8 mi)

5 min

3

Choose the option that fits you the best

Bernadette
Bernadette
Stunning restaurant next to Zurich Opera House
Category
Restaurant
Fondue-Tram
Fondue-Tram
Cheese fondue on tram ride
Category
Activity
Est. Price
$$
Est. Duration
2-3h

76 m (0 mi)

4

Wienachtsdorf at Sechseläutenplatz
Wienachtsdorf at Sechseläutenplatz
Zurich's prettiest christmas market!
Category
Sightseeing

1.7 km (1.1 mi)

6 min

5

Singing Christmas Tree
Singing Christmas Tree
Festive Christmas market with a singing tree choir!
Category
Culture

Travel Passes

Half-fare card

Specifically for this itinerary, I would recommend the Half-Fare Card.

in summary, you will pay 190CHF for the half-fare card (it is valid for a month), and every subsequent tickets for trains, buses, cable-cars will be half the price with 50% off the purchase value. Take note that you need to buy the tickets ON TOP of your half-fare card. You can purchase them either directly on the SBB app (for regular bus,trains,trams) or at the physical counters. For special mountain excursions, go to the website to book online.

If you get the half-fare card and have kids under 16 travelling with you, you can obtain the Junior card which costs only 30CHF (valid for a year) and they travel subsequently for free for the whole transportation network (it INCLUDES cablecars and special mountain excursions).

Swiss Travel Pass

If you prefer a more fuss-free experience not having to buy train tickets all the time, you can get the 6 day Swiss Travel Pass which covers you for unlimited transportation on the entire Swiss transport network. Take note that special cable cars and mountain excursions are excluded, but comes with 25-50% discounts.

Kids under 16 travel for free with each accompanying adult holding a Swiss Travel Pass.

Rental cars

Hertz and Europcar are good options for car rentals in Switzerland. If you need private transfers arranged to and fro airport, use Intui.Travel.

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