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Switzerland is a beautiful country. Nestled in the center of Europe and featuring the highest peaks of the Alps, Switzerland is a country of striking nature. As a relatively small country it is also a great destination for a family holiday.
While touring Switzerland, we remained in the Interlaken region. Strategically located between two sizable lakes (Lake Thun and Lake Brienz) with the Alps towering above, Interlaken`s central position renders it ideal for exploring the Mittelland and Bernese Oberland areas of Switzerland. Towards the end of our visit, we drove to Geneva and spent two days there. If feasible, aim to visit during the spring and summer months. Switzerland showcases itself best for family travel in June and September but we recognize most families will holiday in July and August when it is busiest yet still magnificent.
Switzerland For Families – Recommendations
- Jungfrau – This famous rail journey extends into the highest point of Europe, conveying travelers through stunning scenery for around two hours each way. The prolonged rail trip presents an auspicious chance to carefully observe Swiss towns up close. Along the route it is necessary to switch trains twice, and the final train passes within an ice tunnel deep inside the mountain. Reaching an elevation of about three thousand meters, the Jungfrau peak remains snow-covered throughout the year. At such a lofty altitude, breathing proves somewhat taxing but we did enjoy building a snowman outside and engaging in fun winter activities on the snow. Inside one can find an ice sculpture exhibition as well as scenic views overlooking Europe. When returning downward by train, opt to take an alternate direction. Tickets for this memorable excursion may be obtained at Interlaken’s central train station.
- Open air museum — located in Ballenberg this open air museum highlights historical farms and homes from across Switzerland. It’s a wonderful place where you can hike in a beautiful setting, pet the animals, and see how people lived 200 years ago. Plan to spend a good portion of your day here as it covers quite a large area.
- Bern is approximately 30 minutes by automobile from Interlaken. It’s a comparatively smaller city with an attractive downtown region. We wandered around the core area, took in a beautiful church and had a picnic in the local park. Bern is home to a lovely natural historical museum featuring exquisite displays on native wildlife animals.
- Murren is an alpine village seemingly untouched by time. Nestled between mountains and inaccessible by automobile, the ideal way to visit with family is take the cable car up and down. Plan to arrive around lunch to dine while admiring the splendid vista. The cable car continues higher to Schilthorn peak housing a famed revolving restaurant too.
- Geneva – located on the border with France on the tip of Lake Geneva, the city became world renowned for its tall waterspout in the center of the lake. The fountain propels 500 liters of water per second to a height of 140 meters at a speed of 200 km per hour, and can be seen from anywhere in Geneva. It recommends taking a stroll along the lakefront promenade to admire up-close perspectives of the fountain. The text mentions a compact botanical garden near the lake that has beautifully arranged flowers. It suggests going for a walk into downtown and visiting the lovely toy store of Franz Carl Weber where kids will enjoy playing with the toys. Renting small motorized boats on the lake is also described as a fun activity
- The scenic drive around the magnificent Lake Thunersee winds through charming villages and stately mansions offering stunning perspectives of the lake and the mountains. Castles are great for imparting history to children. While various fortresses line the shores of Lake Thunersee, we chose to explore the Oberhofen Castle located right on the water. Constructed in the 12th century, the fortress belonged to the influential Habsburg family and has continually changed and updated over the eras. It is currently a department of Bern`s historical museum and houses 16th-19th century furniture and interior décor from Berne. Our kids loved learning about the past at the exhibition and enjoyed exploring the grounds with their beautiful lakeside setting.
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I hope these attractions will help guide you in the right direction for your vacation in Switzerland. Whatever activities you choose to participate in in Switzerland, the wonderful outdoor opportunities, the natural beauty, and stunning views will win you and your kids over.
About the Author:
We love exploring various places and didn`t want to give that up when our children arrived. As we balanced caring for 3 kids during our travels we`ve learned that despite the challenges of traveling with children it`s a great bonding experience. We created the Travellingbunch blog to share our kids` perspectives on the locations we`ve visited, hoping these tips will help other families in their journeys. Have a wonderful time.
