Switzerland

Looking for things to do in Switzerland with kids? You’ve come to the right place! This trip balanced major highlights with hidden gems in Switzerland —ideal for first-timers who want both sightseeing and immersive experiences.

Cities visited:

Zurich (2 Nights) 
Bern (1 day)
Interlaken (3 Nights)
Lucerne (2 Nights)

Itinerary:

8 Days in Switzerland: Chocolate, Castles & Alpine Dreams
Switzerland is everything the postcards promise—snow-capped mountains, sparkling lakes, timeless villages, and of course, world-class chocolate. Our 8-day journey took us through historic cities and dramatic landscapes, combining slow travel moments with iconic experiences like the Glacier Express and Jungfraujoch.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to Switzerland or revisiting as a seasoned traveler, here’s how our itinerary unfolded day by day:

Day 1: Arrival in Zurich – Lakeside Charms & Jet Lag Walks
✈️ Arrival Time: 10:30 AM

🏨 Stay: Zurich Marriott Hotel

We landed in Zurich bright and early and headed straight to our hotel. The room wasn’t ready yet, so we dropped our bags and set out for our first Swiss meal.
After lunch, we hopped on a relaxing 1-hour river cruise—a perfect way to ease into the trip while gliding past Zurich’s charming old town and lakeside views. The fresh air and scenic vibe were a gentle antidote to jet lag.

Day 2: Chocolate, Football & Castles – A Sweet Zurich Adventure
🍫 Morning: Visit to Lindt Home of Chocolate and Fifa Football Museum .
The Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg, just outside Zurich, is Switzerland’s largest chocolate museum and a feast for all the senses. The gleaming, modern building—designed by celebrated architects Christ & Gantenbein—features a spectacular nine‑meter‑high chocolate fountain, an interactive multimedia museum tracing cocoa’s journey from bean to bar, and a 500 m² Lindt shop—the biggest in the world . Visitors can follow the craft of chocolate-making in live pilot-plant demonstrations, design their own creation in the “Chocolateria” under the guidance of a Lindt Master Chocolatier, and indulge in samples in the tasting rooms

The Fifa Football Museum is spread over three floors and covering approximately 3,000 square meters (32,500 sq.ft) of exhibition space, the FIFA Museum examines all aspects of the world of soccer. Besides the extraordinary history of FIFA and the Football World Cup, an interactive, multimedia world of experiences illustrates how, across the globe, the game stirs people’s emotions on a daily basis, and influences and inspires them. Along with the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy, the Museum displays over 1,000 items of exclusive memorabilia and apparel, including the national soccer shirts of all the FIFA member associations. A further highlight is the giant pinball machine, which invites visitors to test their own ball skills in a playful manner – guaranteeing plenty of fun, including for non-soccer fanatics.


🏰 Afternoon: Day trip to Rapperswil Castle by Train
Rapperswil Castle is a must-visit for its stunning hilltop location offering panoramic views of Lake Zurich and the distant Alps. Its medieval architecture, complete with towers and stone walls, transports visitors back in time, while the peaceful gardens and roaming deer add a fairytale charm. The castle also houses the Polish Museum, making it a unique cultural stop with both Swiss and international significance. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or just seeking a quiet scenic escape, Rapperswil Castle delivers a memorable and picturesque experience.

🌆 Evening: Stroll through Old Town Zurich and the iconic Bahnhofstrasse shopping street
You can’t miss a visit to Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most exclusive and iconic shopping streets in Zurich, Switzerland. Known for its luxurious boutiques, historic landmarks, and vibrant atmosphere, this boulevard stretches for 1.4 kilometers from Zurich’s main train station (Hauptbahnhof) to the serene shores of Lake Zurich. Whether you’re a fan of high-end fashion, unique Swiss brands, or just looking for a picturesque stroll, Bahnhofstrasse offers something for every traveler. 

Day 3: Capital Day – Bern Bound
🧳 Checked out of Zurich but left luggage at the hotel

🚆 Took a day trip to Bern
We spent the day in Bern, Switzerland’s capital. Its UNESCO-listed old town is full of charm—think clock towers, colorful fountains, and cobbled alleys. After soaking in Bern’s old-world feel, we returned to Zurich to pick up our bags and caught a train to Interlaken, our next base in the Bernese Oberland.

🚉 Evening: Train to Interlaken

🏨 Stay: Hotel Royal St. Georges Interlaken

Day 4: Top of Europe – Jungfraujoch & Harder Kulm
🎟️ Jungfraujoch Day Tour
Our day was dedicated to visiting Jungfraujoch – The Top of Europe, a must-do when in the Alps. The train journey itself was jaw-dropping, climbing high past snow fields and glacier views. Up top, we explored the Ice Palace, observation deck, and snow plateau. We had to take 3 trains to reach all the way to the top of the mountain.

🚠 Evening: Funicular to Harder Kulm
The Harder Kulm is a funicular station at 1,322 metres in the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland, overlooking the towns of Interlaken and Unterseen. That evening, we took the cogwheel train to Harder Kulm, Interlaken’s local mountain, to catch panoramic sunset views over lakes Thun and Brienz.

Day 5: A Scenic Marathon – Glacier Express from Chur to Brig
🚆 Morning: Train from Interlaken to Chur
🚞 Glacier Express to Brig
🚄 Return to Interlaken
This was our most intense day but one of the most beautiful. We took the legendary Glacier Express, often dubbed the “slowest express train in the world,” from Chur to Brig. The scenery—alpine valleys, viaducts, and dramatic gorges—was unforgettable.
It was a long loop, returning to Interlaken by evening, but it gave us a taste of the country’s iconic rail journeys.

Day 6: Slow Morning & Farewell to Interlaken
🐴 Activities: Local sightseeing and horseback riding
🚆 Evening: Train to Lucerne
🏨 Stay: Radisson Blu Lucerne
We spent a relaxing day exploring Interlaken, wandering through downtown shops and cafes, and even enjoying a horseback ride with Alpine backdrops. By evening, we boarded the train for Lucerne, a picturesque lakeside city.

Day 7: Mt. Pilatus – Cable Cars & Cogwheels
🚠 Up: Cable car
🚞 Down: World’s steepest cogwheel railway
🌃 Evening: Strolling through Lucerne Old Town
We dedicated our day to Mt. Pilatus, a dramatic peak overlooking Lucerne. Ascending by cable car and descending via cogwheel train gave us two stunning ways to experience the mountain. The rest of the day was spent wandering through Lucerne’s old town, complete with the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) and lakeside promenades.

Day 8: Goodbye, Switzerland!
✈️ Flight home from Zurich at 5:00 PM
After breakfast and some final souvenir shopping, we made our way back to Zurich for our return flight—full of Alpine memories, chocolate cravings, and 100+ photos to relive the magic.

✨ Final Thoughts
Switzerland delivered a storybook mix of history, natural beauty, and indulgence. Each city had its own flavor:
* Zurich: Urban, clean, and vibrant
* Bern: Storybook charm with political gravitas
* Interlaken: Adventure capital with endless Alpine access
* Lucerne: Romantic, lakeside perfection

Tips:
1. We bought the Swiss pass which may seem a little expensive but was worth it as it covers all the public transportation plus you get discounted tickets to go to Jungfrau mountain
2. If you are doing Glacier Express, book the tickets in advance as that train has only certain ride timings and don’t forget to book a seat as well
3. Trains are awesome to commute between different cities and their frequency is very good. Also, most trains have a child car at the rear so kids can play in there and have fun on the train.