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Top 10 things to do in Switzerland

This destination is known for its super efficiency, world class chocolate, delicious cheese and quality watchmaking. The scenery is simply stunning and there is a lot to see and do whether the country is bathing in sunshine or covered in snow. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are our top 10 things to do in Switzerland.


Gurten Festival promotion poster listing line-up
Join the A-List Gurten Festival (12-15 Jul) attracts thousands of music fans to picturesque Berne. This compact event is easy to navigate with a great community feel, plus cheese smothered pretzels and ice-cold Swiss milkshakes keep energy levels where they should be. Berne hostel provides a perfect base. City Sights Zurich’s intriguing old town and a rich array of galleries will keep you busy with a full day of sightseeing. After dark go club-hopping, Zurich has proportionately the largest number of clubs per person in Europe. The free paper 20 Minuten will help you to explore them. The Zurich hostel provides you with the perfect place to drop. Lake Geneva Find time for the mesmerizingly beautiful Lake Geneva, also known as Lac Léman. Take a boat cruise to enjoy the scenery at its best. You’re also not far from Chocolaterie Tristan in Bougy-Villars, a little artisanal factory making the most unique chocolates. The Geneva hostel gets great reviews so book today!
Snowy landscape with the iconic Junfraujoch
The Top of Europe Experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe). At 3454m Europe’s highest altitude station is reached by travelling through an Alpine wonderworld of ice, snow and rock. The Interlaken hostel is right next door to the rail station!


St Gallen Festival OpenAir St Gallen (28 Jun-1 Jul) is one of Switzerland’s oldest outdoor festivals easily reached from the city centre. Relax listening to world class bands in the valley of the river surrounded by trees – perfect! The St Gallen hostel is a vibrant and friendly place to rest your head. P.S Whilst you’re here don’t forget to try the cheese! Graubünden Visit the villages in the Graubünden region where houses date back to the 13th century. Here they speak an ancient language called Romanch, which has died out everywhere else but here. This is a very interesting place to visit and there are a few Graubünden hostels to choose from.
Rushing water scene with forest background
Swim the Rhine Every August the Rheinschwimmen takes place in Basel with up to 3000 participants and accompanying boats. It’s a fun way to cool off and the free sightseeing tour of the medieval old town is a bonus! Stay at the Basel hostel when it’s time to get dry! Chillout in Vals Stunning Vals is an area renowned for its thermal baths. Vals is not alone, there are many hot springs, natural spas and pools to relax in the Graubünden region and once again any of the HI hostels would provide a great base to explore this outstanding place. Locarno’s Film Festival Locarno comes alive every August playing host to an international film festival. The town is also a good starting point for many hiking and biking trails in the Ticino valleys. If you haven’t guessed yet this is the Italian part of Switzerland and is just beautiful…Locarno hostel is fantastico!
Colourful dressed people on the street parade through Zurich
Street Parade Zurich! Street Parade is one of the largest techno parties in the world held on the shores of Lake Zurich. This festival promotes freedom, fun and friendship which makes soaking up the atmosphere extra special. The Richterswil hostel is right on the lake too so you’ll not have far to go for your comfy bed and hot shower after a hard day partying!
As part of our EUROPE OPEN! Campaign, book your hostel in Switzerland (or any other European destination) before 31 May 2012 for the chance to win your booking for FREE plus £200 spending money. For Terms & Conditions please read here.
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