Winter wonderland – five days in Switzerland
Switzerland is definitely amongst top five winter European destinations If you dream of a white Christmas, spectacular snowy landscapes, and red noses worthy of Rudolph the Reindeer, Switzerland is an excellent idea, if only for a few days!
Landing in Zurich
I recommend you start with Zurich, which is easily available by plane, even though you may find that flying to Basle and taking the train to Zurich might be cheaper 😉 You can spend one whole day wandering in the city, starting from Lake Zurich, to the world-famous Zurich Opera House and narrow old town streets. Enjoy the beautiful architecture and urban layout, soak in the busy, lively atmosphere along the Limmat and the Sihl, and don’t forget to take breaks for pictures – there are plenty of historic churches and charming bridges on the way. A trip to the Uetliberg is another picturesque option, as the road leads through a beautiful, thick forest, which looks spectacular covered in snow. You can admire a panoramic view of Zurich and the lake from the top. This will be a beautiful beginning of your Swiss adventure and an excellent base camp for one-day excursions exploring this Alpine paradise!
Moon-like Melchsee-Frutt
Picture this: incredibly beautiful – out-of-this-world beautiful, in fact – vistas illuminated by the setting sun, combined with an eight-kilometer toboggan run… doesn’t it sound like a perfect plan for a trip with the kids? I have already written about this place HERE. And as if this wasn’t enough, the place also offers night sledging combined with fondue served in an atmospheric restaurant which smells delicious of cheese and Gluhwein. Chilled after a long walk and sledging, you can really chill (the pun is intended 😁 ) enjoying this traditional Swiss dish.
Flumserberg – a paradise for little skiers
Flumserberg is an ideal ski resort for children. Conveniently located near Zurich, it has ski runs galore for skiers of all levels and plenty of skiing schools, as well as an excellent infrastructure and numerous routes for long, winter walks overlooking turquoise Walensee lake and a beautiful mountain range – a breathtaking view! However, I recommend you avoid visiting at weekends, as it does get overcrowded 😉 There is a free bus service from the parking lot to the top.
Fairytale Mürren
Mürren looks like an Alpine dream come true ❤️ it is located directly above the famous Lauterbrunnen valley with the iconic Staubbach Falls (the valley is available for walks with a stroller). There is a cable car that will take you directly to Mürren, from which you can admire spectacular views of the whole valley and the famous Swiss trio: Jungfrau-Eiger-Mönch. The village is closed to traffic, but there are plenty of walking routes just perfect for winter trips, and you can easily take your kids on a sleigh 😉 At night Mürren transforms into a fairytale, intimate paradise illuminated by thousands of beautiful, tiny lights. You should try raclette and rösti in one of its traditional restaurants. Yum!
Oeschinensee – magical all year round
This lake is wonderful both in winter and in summer. It is located approximately two hours away from Zurich (by car), next to Kandersteg, from where you can take a well-maintained route to the lake. There is plenty of snow, but the route is walkable even with a stroller. The lake, surrounded by mountains, is almost overwhelmingly beautiful – it is possible to walk around it. There is a nice restaurant where you can warm up after the walk. Fun fact: that’s where I saw some 3-month-old baby without a hat, outside, in -10 degrees… it was literally for a several seconds, but the memory still sends a cold shiver down my spine 😁
A winter trip to Switzerland is a perfect idea if you want to see and experience a true winter wonderland, full of snow, magic, and dreamy atmosphere. I call this trip “5 cantons in 5 days” :D Catchy, isn’t it? And easily doable!
