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Switzerland’s breathtaking landscapes, ideal for scenic hikes, mountain-view biking, or quiet moments in quaint car-free villages, have long attracted summer adventurers.
Each region offers something distinct: awe-inspiring views from the snow-covered Jungfraujoch—home to Europe’s highest railway station—the cinematic summit of Schilthorn, or the surreal beauty of the Aletsch Glacier.
With sustainable tourism on the rise, Switzerland’s natural wonders are more accessible than ever – starting with convenient transit connections between Prague and Zurich. Swiss International Air Lines offers direct flights between Prague and Zurich four times a day, while Czech Railways operates a daily overnight route between the two capitals.
From high-altitude dining to thrilling alpine adventures by foot, bike, or rail, here’s how to make the most of your Swiss summer holiday.
Schilthorn
The 2,970-meter Schilthorn, located in the Bernese Alps in central Switzerland, isn’t just another mountain – it’s where cinematic history was made. Famous for its role in the James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” this peak offers stunning views and a fun trip into spy trivia.
Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant at the summit, played a prominent role in the film and owes its name to the 1969 production. Diners can enjoy 360-degree views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau while feasting on the kitchen’s signature burger and a glass of Bollinger. James Bond fans won’t want to miss the interactive Spy World exhibition or the panoramic Walk of Fame hike at the top of Schilthorn.
Make your way up the Schilthorn aboard the steepest cable car in the world. Departures are from Stechelberg in the Lauterbrunnen valley every 30 minutes. Don’t miss the Thrill Walk at the Birg station, a 200-meter-long path down to the vertical drops of the rock massif.
Jungfraujoch
Sitting at 3,454 meters, the Jungfraujoch mountain pass is home to Europe’s highest railway stations. Often referred to as the Top of Europe, this UNESCO site offers stunning vistas, real snow, and glaciers – even in the middle of summer.
Start your day in the valley exploring the region’s iconic hiking trails in t-shirts and shorts, before boarding Jungfraubahnen’s modern triple cable car, the Eiger Express, for an afternoon of sledding, snowtubing, ziplining, and skiing.
Don’t leave without exploring the Ice Palace, a labyrinth of tunnels kept at a constant sub-zero temperature with sculpted ice art carved directly into the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps.
Aletsch Arena
The Aletsch Arena – encompassing several villages in Switzerland’s Valais canton, including the car-free havens of Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp – is a hiker’s paradise, with 300 kilometers of paths. Offering breathtaking views, the trails will take you over five suspension bridges and through a forest filled with 1,000-year-old stone pine trees.
Mountain bikers, meanwhile, can look forward to more than 100 kilometers of equally stunning, action-packed routes that vary in toughness, going over paved streets and uneven forested alpine paths. The terrain here offers something for every skill set, with the region considered a premier destination for mountain biking.
TIP: The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships will host races in Aletsch Arena and throughout Switzerland’s Valais region from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14.
The vigorous Stoneman-Glaciara, with an elevation gain of 4,700 meters over 127 km, is one of the area’s most challenging routes, though beginners and families will also be able to find paths more suited to their skill levels.
However, the area’s biggest star is the Great Aletsch Glacier, a geological phenomenon that has shaped the Aletsch Arena over thousands of years. One- or two-day glacier tours can be booked from June through October.
Saas-Fee
Nestled below the Dom, the second highest mountain in Switzerland, Saas-Fee has long been a prime summertime holiday spot. The village has just about everything you might need for rest and relaxation.
TIP: Be sure to get a SaastalCard for your visit to the Saas Valley. The card allows you free access to the Postbus and cable car networks (with the exception of Metro Alpin) during your stay. You’ll also receive discounts of up to 30 percent at participating attractions.
It’s car-free. It’s full of cute little marmots that will pose for pictures in exchange for treats. Its hiking and biking trails – a network that covers more than 400 kilometers – are enviable.
For something truly one-of-a-kind, book a lunch table at Allalin, the highest revolving restaurant in the world, which, just so happens, is attached to a glacier cave.
