Exploring Switzerland with kids is a dream for families who want to be outdoors exploring and adventuring – or indoors sampling fondu. Switzerland has some of the best skiing trails in the world and a myriad of exquisite hiking trails perfect for active families, and the views….ahhhh. It’s also a great country to visit if you have no interest in burning calories – after all, this is the cheese and chocolate capital of the continent.
Whether you’re looking to dip food in chocolate fountains or go on wild family adventures, you can do so in one of these top five family-friendly destinations in Switzerland!
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Interlaken
Nestled between two vast lakes, the resort town of Interlaken makes an excellent destination for a family trip. With an abundance of hiking trails to explore and lakeside activities to enjoy, any time spent here will be full of happiness and laughter.
Canoeing and rafting will take up most of your day, or you can bring your own inflatable kayak or stand up paddle board. But, if you venture just a little outside the charming town, you will find the Interlaken Adventure Park (Seilpark). The place is popular for its zip lines and treetop bridges, which are fun for both kids and adults.
In case you find yourself longing for a little peace and quiet, the Höhematte park is where you should head. The vast grassy marks makes an amazing picnic spot, with picturesque mountain views everywhere you look.
A trip to Jungfrau Park is also a must for adrenaline-loving families. It’s open only in the summer though, but it’s certainly worth it to plan your trip around it. Take your kids to Mysty Land, a play area with bouncy castles, climbing towers, ball pits and more than a dozen other fun activities – you’ll have a hard time convincing them it’s time to go home. You can also do a day trip to the top of Jungfrau – it looks amazing.
Check out everything to do in Interlaken here.
Where to stay:
Accommodation here is not cheap, but it is beautiful and it’s all part of the experience.
The Boutique Hotel Bellevue is right on the river Aare and all rooms have balconies overlooking the river and mountains for around $340 AUD per night. It’s in an excellent location and the rooms are lovely.
A triple room at the Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof will set you back $199 AUD, and they have rooms for five people if you have a larger fam for around $290 with breakfast.
The newly opened Hey Hotel looks gorgeous and has family rooms for up to five people starting from $249 or $340 with breakfast.
You can find more Interlaken accommodation here.
Zurich
Although the largest Swiss city might not be at the top of your list of family friendly destinations in Switzerland, it certainly deserves a spot there. With an abundance of fun things to do here – like visiting wineries and cruising on Zurich Lake – the entire family will enjoy their time in Zurich.
And do you know what else is on the menu when you’re in Zurich? All the chocolate you can possibly eat! It’s no secret that Switzerland is one of the largest producers of chocolate in the world, and Zurich is home to all the best shops including Laderach (my favorite), Sprungli and Lindt. Take your kids on a chocolate-tasting tour of the city, or take them to a workshop where you can all make chocolates together (offered by Laderach) – it will be both fun and delicious for everyone. You can even visit the outlet shop at the Lindt factory in the suburbs of Zurich and take home some bargains!
And last but not least, if your kids are interested in time, why not indulge in a little watch history at the Beyer Watch Museum right in downtown Zurich. After all, what better place to learn about watches than Switzerland?
Check out all the activities in Zurich here.
Where to stay:
For stays in the city take a look at CitizenM Zurich and Hotel City Zurich, and for some wishful thinking check out Baur au Lac.
You can see all the Zurich hotels and check prices here.
Lucerne
If you’re visiting Lucerne in the winter months, you have a unique opportunity to take your family on a dog-sledding ride. It’s an incredibly fun activity that both the kids and the parents will love, and it’s certainly an exciting way to spend an afternoon.
Not only do you get to experience the joys of being pulled by a pack of strong huskies, but you can also make friends with the fluffy dogs. Visitors are often encouraged to give the huskies belly rubs and hugs, so we have a feeling your little ones will especially love this activity.
And if you’d prefer to stay in the city, you can always head to the Nature Museum. The permanent exhibits include minerals and crystals, insects and stuffed animals, while temporary exhibits have been known to feature some live animals as well! Your kids will love the gorgeous butterflies, while you admire the impressive wild boars – a visit to the museum is just what you need if you want to keep your trip educational!
And if you’d like a day of pampering take the train up to Mount Rigi and enjoy time in the natural mineral spa baths.
Take a look at all the activities in Lucerne here and find where to stay in Lucerne here.
Zermatt
At the foot of the Matterhorn lies a town known for its gorgeous nature and luxurious hotels. Zermatt is one of the places in Switzerland that attracts people of all ages because it has so much to offer. From exciting ascents of the Matterhorn to thrilling treasure hunts – whether you want to enjoy your time with the kids or leave in the hands of someone you can trust, Zermatt is the place to go.
Zermatt even has a mascot that kids adore – Wolli the Blacknose sheep. He visits the town every Monday in the summer and loves meeting the youngest adventurers! He can even take the entire family on an educating hike, where you not only explore wonderful trails, but also learn about the climate phenomena.
And if you’re visiting in the winter, you can have heaps of fun just skiing and snowboarding. This resort town is known for some of the best skiing trails in the country, and an adventurous family will hardly get bored of them.
Check out everything to do in Zermatt here and where to stay in Zermatt here.
Montreux
Lying on the banks of Lake Geneva, Montreux is often overlooked in favor of Geneva that’s just on the other side of the massive lake. But when talking about family friendly fun in Switzerland, we’d take Montreux over Geneva any day!
For one thing, Freddie Mercury owned an apartment here that you can actually rent. And you can take the entire family on a Queen studio experience – some quality music is always fun for the family!
You should also head south to Chillon Castle in Veytaux – it is absolutely spectacular and it looks and feels like something straight out of a fairytale. While parents can appreciate the exquisite architecture and rich history, kids can have fun roaming around the vast castle grounds and living out their own fairytales.
Another thing you’ll love about Montreux is the proximity of the wilderness. There’s a wildlife refuge just a few minutes outside city proper, with a plethora of hiking trails to explore. Enjoy scenic views of waterfalls, admire the gorgeous flora or just find a spot on one of the extensive plains and make it a fun-filled family day!
Check out where to stay in Montreux here.
About the author:
Anna was born to travel the world having studied languages all her life. She now calls Switzerland home and spends her time writing about her experiences on Expert World Travel.
And if you’re feeling nervous about travelling check out our comprehensive family travel safety guide HOLIDAY SAFE: The complete guide to staying safe when traveling with kids It has everything you need to know about traveling safely on our family holiday or extended trip.