The most diverse stage of all – starting in the trendy city of Zurich, you’ll continue on to Zurich’s wine country, the thundering Rhine Falls and on to the historic book and textile city of St. Gallen before ending up in rural Appenzell.
The stage with the most records – from Europe’s smallest town, Werdenberg, to Switzerland’s oldest city, Chur, and on to the Salginatobel Bridge, Switzerland’s only world monument, before you end up in St. Moritz.
Stage with the biggest change in altitude – from Alpine St. Moritz, at 1,822 metres above sea level, the route descends down into the imposing Bellinzona, at around 240 metres above sea level.
The stage with the most bends – the Tremola snakes its way from Airolo up to the Gotthard Pass. At its most spectacular point, over a length of four kilometres the road climbs a height of 300 metres in 24 hairpin bends, each with its own name.
This is the stage where it’s time to get out – Zermatt is not only known for the Matterhorn, but also for being a car-free village. Visitors must leave their car in Täsch and take the train to Zermatt and back to Täsch, where the journey continues on by car through Valais to Lake Geneva.
The stage with the watchmaking tradition – watchmaking and innovation used to play out mainly in Geneva. Watchmaking soon spread across the Jura mountain range to other regions, including Le Sentier and Neuchâtel.
The stage with the most water – from Lake Neuchâtel, the route takes you to Lake Murten, Lake Schiffenen, Lake Gruyère, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and finally along the Aare River to the capital, Bern.
The stage with the most Swiss history – from Bern, the route leads into the Canton of Uri, the location of the well-known Rütli meadow, where the oath marking the alliance of the three original cantons was sworn in 1291.
There are around 40 museums in the cultural metropolis of Basel. From here, the access road coasts along the Doubs River to the towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, both known for their watchmaking traditions. The route ends in Neuchâtel.
From Chiasso, the route meanders into the palm tree-lined streets of Lugano, a starting point for excursions to several local mountains. It continues to the historic old town of Locarno and then on to Bellinzona with its castles, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
From the cosmopolitan Swiss city of Geneva, where the Jet d’Eau, a 140-metre-high fountain in Lake Geneva, shoots into the sky, the route continues on to Nyon before ending up in Saint-George, which makes up part of the Vaud Jura Park.
Recommended hotels along the Grand Tour of Switzerland
Experience unforgettable moments in first-class accommodation along the Grand Tour of Switzerland. Carefully selected accommodation options not only offer a cosy place for you to retreat to, but also a unique starting point for exploring the picturesque landscapes.
Creators's Cut Switzerland
Six creators, creative challenges and a journey full of contrasts: In the YouTube series, international content creators discover Switzerland in their very own way. On the road from local hosts to hosts, they take on creative challenges and capture the fascinating contrasts of Switzerland – from glittering lakes to vibrant cities, from tradition to innovation, from imposing mountains to hidden gems. Close, real and full of stories that show: Switzerland is more than a journey – it's an experience!
Culinary Grand Tour of Switzerland
Nico Franzoni and Noah Bachofen are gourmet friends. As such, Switzerland Tourism has sent them on a journey across the entire country: through all language regions, to unusual places, and to passionate people who love food. Everywhere they go, it’s all about cuisine and the uniqueness of local flavors. Nico and Noah’s mission: to discover what makes each region truly exceptional.
