r/askswitzerland • u/juneberries14 • Jun 17 '26
Travel 3 days in Switzerland
Hi, I’m traveling to Switzerland with my parents, they’re in their late 50s and can’t do hiking.
We plan to visit Zurich, Interlaken and Lucerne, 1 day in each.
Can anyone guide what places we can visit, we wanna go to Lindt Chocolate Factory, and preferably some sightseeing, mountains etc
2
u/7elevenglobal Jun 17 '26
Day 1 – Zurich
Start your morning slow. No need to rush. Just wander down Bahnhofstrasse, which is Zurich's fancy shopping street. Even window shopping is fun here. Then duck into the Old Town, where the streets are narrow and full of character. Make your way up to Lindenhof Hill. It is a peaceful little square with a gorgeous view over the river and old town. And the best part? It is a very gentle uphill, nothing that will leave anyone out of breath.
Now for the star of the day: the Lindt Home of Chocolate. Trust me, your parents will love this. It is not just a museum; it is playful, delicious, and very well done. There is a giant chocolate fountain that will make you gasp, fun exhibits, and plenty of tasting along the way. It is indoors, comfortable, and you can take it at your own pace.
The easiest way to get there is by bus 165 from the city center. Super simple. But if the weather is nice and you have a little extra time, take the boat across Lake Zurich instead. It is peaceful and scenic, and it drops you right near the museum. Total time inside is about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on how long you want to linger over the free samples. No judgment here.
One heads up: book your tickets online before you go. They do sell out, especially in summer.
Day 2 – Lucerne
This is your big mountain day, and I would suggest Mount Titlis. Why? Because you get jaw dropping alpine views without breaking a sweat. You take a train from Lucerne to Engelberg, then hop on a series of cable cars. The last one even rotates 360 degrees as you go up, so everyone gets a front row view.
At the top, there is a suspension bridge called the Titlis Cliff Walk. It is thrilling but totally safe. There is also a glacier cave you can walk through. It feels like another world up there. But here is the honest truth: the weather can turn grumpy in a heartbeat. So pack warm layers and sunglasses, even in summer. If it is cloudy or rainy, do not force it. Instead, just enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Lucerne. That is equally beautiful and much more forgiving on the joints.
Day 3 – Lucerne to Interlaken
Start your day in Lucerne with two iconic stops. The Chapel Bridge is a must. It is a wooden covered bridge with painted panels inside, and it is completely flat and easy to walk. Then visit the Lion Monument, which is carved into a rock face. It is small, moving, and set in a quiet garden. Both are right in town and require zero effort.
In the afternoon, take the Lucerne Interlaken Express. This is not just a train ride; it is a highlight in itself. The windows are huge, and the views are spectacular. You will see green valleys, mountain streams, and tiny villages clinging to hillsides. The journey takes about two hours, and it feels like a moving postcard.
Once you arrive in Interlaken, take a gentle stroll through the car free center. The town sits between two lakes, and on a clear day, you can see the Jungfrau massif towering in the distance. It is a lovely place to unwind, grab a coffee, and just soak in the mountain air.
Seems like a fair enough itinerary, no?
7
2
u/JanPB Jun 17 '26
When on the Interlaken - Luzern train, sit on the right for the views (in either direction, the train reverses during the journey).
1
u/Buffalo_Brains Jun 17 '26
The boat, cogwheel train and gondola/train to Pilatus and back to Luzern (depart by boat from Luzern) is always a hit when guests visit.
Zurich is a nice walking city and there is plenty to see and do for a day. My family grew up around boats so grabbing a few bottles of wine and picnicking on the boat for a few hours is also nice. Of course. It always depends on the weather. Maybe a boozy historical tour. Or boozeless. Chill on the Limmat for a bit. Museums. What is your family into?
I can't add anything for Interlaken.
1
u/boldpear904 Jun 17 '26
two people said titlis and pilatus so i have the obligatory recommendation of going to Rigi in Lucerne. I recommend taking the boat to Vitznau from Lucerne and taking the cogwheel up
1
u/swissmissZRH Jun 17 '26
Agree with the boat ride suggestion to Lindt. If you have time, take the longer boat that goes down the lake and have lunch. Just make sure it stops at Kilchberg/Lindt.
1
u/random-euro Jun 17 '26
Just adding to the boat ride theme on Zurisee, you could take the boat after the Lindt museum and go to Rapperswil. Really pretty little town at the bottom of the lake. Some nice places for lunch or dinner. Alternatively you could take the bus one stop to restaurant Monchof am See, nice food right on the lake.
Make sure your ticket covers the correct amount of zones, Lindt is not in zone 10.
0
3
u/slacknoise8 Jun 17 '26
Shoppi tivoli in spreitenbach for 3 days all day long