14 Best Summer Destinations In Europe - Rough Guides
Wondering about the best summer destinations in Europe? Rough Guides rundown of best places to visit in Europe in July and August has you covered.
Swiss Alps
Running between Italian-speaking Airolo and German-speaking Uri, the epic St. Gotthard Pass is hard to beat. Expect hair-raising hairpin bends, mountain villages, and, uniquely for the <anchor>Swiss Alps</anchor>, bone-shaking cobblestones.
The Swiss Alps Travel Guide | What to do in The Swiss Alps | Rough Guides
The Swiss Alps Travel Guide \| What to do in The Swiss Alps \| Rough Guides

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# The Swiss Alps Travel Guide

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South of [Bern](/switzerland/bern/) and [Luzern](/switzerland/central-switzerland/luzern-lucerne/), and east of Lake Geneva, lies the grand Alpine heart of Switzerland, a massively impressive region of classic Swiss scenery – high peaks, sheer valleys and cool lakes – that makes for great summer hiking and world-class winter sports.

- [Interlaken](#interlaken)
- [Mürren and up to the Schilthorn](#murren-and-up-to-the-schilthorn)

The Bernese Oberland, centred on the [**Jungfrau Region**](/switzerland/bernese-oberland/jungfrau-region/), is the most accessible and touristed area, but beyond this first great wall of peaks is another even more daunting range on the Italian border in which the [**Matterhorn**](/switzerland/valais/zermatt-matterhorn/) is the star attraction.

## Travel ideas for Switzerland, created by local experts

[![Special Golden Round Trip to Switzerland (small group or private)](https://d1bv4heaa2n05k.cloudfront.net/user-images/1638116399838/great-aletsch-glacier-2518676_listing_1638116416195.jpeg)\
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8 days\
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Special Golden Round Trip to Switzerland (small group or private)\
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Stay active on Switzerland's mountains with hikes and cable cars before indulging in delicious Swiss cheese and wines around Lausanne and Geneva. Is there a better way to get a taste of Switzerland than to actually taste it? Pricing is based on a small group tour, enquire for a private tour!\
\
view trip ⤍](https://trips.roughguides.com/trip/8-days-special-golden-round-trip-to-switzerland)

[![Unforgettable Switzerland](https://d1bv4heaa2n05k.cloudfront.net/user-images/1640555863387/river-3666947-(1)_listing_1640555873127.jpeg)\
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11 days\
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Unforgettable Switzerland\
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Discover Switzerland's real natural paradise. Enjoy 11 relaxed days of picturesque scenery, breathtaking views, romantic towns, eternal ice and snow, rural villages and historic buildings. Visit Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva and many other highlights. \
\
view trip ⤍](https://trips.roughguides.com/trip/unforgettable-switzerland)

[![Lakes and mountains for the whole family in Italy & Switzerland](https://d1bv4heaa2n05k.cloudfront.net/user-images/1640034394607/mountains-1645078-1920_listing_1640034401888.jpeg)\
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7 days\
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Lakes and mountains for the whole family in Italy & Switzerland\
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Spend your first 3 nights at Lake Como in Italy, discovering the area by boat or foot, before heading to Zermatt in Switzerland. Zermatt with its peaceful nature is the ideal backdrop for strolls, hikes and other activities with the whole family.\
\
view trip ⤍](https://trips.roughguides.com/trip/lakes-and-mountains-for-family-italy-switzerland)

[![Grand Circle of Switzerland](https://d1bv4heaa2n05k.cloudfront.net/user-images/1640541893590/matterhorn-2704988-(1)_listing_1640541925318.jpeg)\
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10 days\
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Grand Circle of Switzerland\
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Switzerland may be small but is full of unique experiences. Take the scenic Glacier Express, visit the beautiful car-free village of Zermatt, visit the Matterhorn, the famous St Moritz and more on this Swiss highlight trip. \
\
view trip ⤍](https://trips.roughguides.com/trip/grand-circle-of-switzerland)

[![Scenic Trains, Mountains, Lakes and Chocolate](https://d1bv4heaa2n05k.cloudfront.net/user-images/1702441656296/robin-ulrich-QuZ6kOAeW2o-unsplash_listing_1702441667764.jpeg)\
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12 days\
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Scenic Trains, Mountains, Lakes and Chocolate\
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A Swiss adventure, exploring the panoramic trains, majestic mountains, and serene lakes. Savor chocolate delights and immerse yourself in the charm of Zermatt, St. Moritz, Grindelwald, and Montreux, discovering the diverse beauty of Switzerland at every stop.\
\
view trip ⤍](https://trips.roughguides.com/trip/scenic-trains-mountains-lakes-and-chocolate)

[![Medieval Towns & Outdoor Fun - Switzerland and Italy Combo](https://d1bv4heaa2n05k.cloudfront.net/user-images/1702543306959/camille-chambefort-PdOe8dUgiHc-unsplash_listing_1702543318175.jpeg)\
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14 days\
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Medieval Towns & Outdoor Fun - Switzerland and Italy Combo\
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Paraglide over Switzerland's landscape, join a night watchman on a mythical tour through Lucerne, explore Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, as well as cosmopolitan Zurich and Milan. This trip leaves nothing to be desired!\
\
view trip ⤍](https://trips.roughguides.com/trip/medieval-towns-switzerland-italy)

[See all Switzerland travel ideas](/trips?countries=Switzerland)

## Interlaken

**Interlaken** is centred on its long main street, Höheweg, which is lined with cafés and hotels and has a train station at each end, though the best way to arrive is by boat. The town lies on a neck of land between two of Switzerland’s loveliest lakes, and it exists chiefly to amuse the trippers on their way to the mountains.

Interlaken Ost station is the terminus for both main-line trains and those into the mountains coming from Luzern. You could get out at Brienz and do the last stretch to Interlaken Ost by boat. Likewise, from the Bern/Zürich direction, you could take a boat from Thun to Interlaken West.

**Rough Guides tip:** To increase your chances of a great holiday, read [how many days you need to spend in Switzerland](/articles/how-many-days-do-you-need-in-switzerland/).

### Eating, drinking and nightlife

In the evenings most backpackers congregate at one of the busier hostel bars: _Balmer’s_ is the most popular and has cheap beer; _Funny Farm_ (Hauptstr. 36, Matten) is a maverick hostel attracting party-goers with DJs at its _Club Caverne_ till 1.30am ( [caverne.ch](http://www.caverne.ch)).

### Extreme sports

Interlaken is a real hub for extreme sports; paragliders spiral above, landing right in the town centre. If you decide to splash out on an adventure, **Skywings** (033 266 8228, [skywings.ch](http://www.skywings.ch)) will take you paragliding for Fr.160; agencies such as **Alpin Raft** (Hauptstr. 7, Matten; 033 823 41 00, [alpinraft.com](http://www.alpinraft.com)) can arrange everything from rafting to ice climbing or canyon jumping, and can be booked direct or through hostels.

## Mürren and up to the Schilthorn

The cable car from Stechelberg leaps the valley’s west wall to reach the little-visited hamlet of **Gimmelwald**, continuing to the car-free village of **Mürren**. It’s worth the journey for the views: from here, the valley floor is 800m straight down, and a dazzling panorama of snowy peaks fills the sky.

Mürren is also accessible from Lauterbrunnen by taking a cable car to **Grütschalp** and a spectacular little cliff-edge train from there. It’s easy to do a loop by cable car and train. A cable car continues from Mürren on a breathtaking ride (20min) to the 2970m peak of the Schilthorn ( [schilthorn.ch](http://www.schilthorn.ch)), where you can enjoy exceptional panoramas and sip cocktails in the revolving _Piz Gloria_ restaurant, famed as Blofeld’s hideout in the Bond film _On Her Majesty’s Secret Service_.

Also find information on [how to get to Switzerland](/switzerland/getting-there/) and discover [how to plan an unforgettable trip](/articles/how-to-plan-a-trip-to-switzerland/).

_Top image: Zermatt in front of the Matterhorn. Winter in Switzerland © Bernsten/Shutterstock_

### Discover more places in Switzerland

[![Zermatt hiking © Swiss Tourism](https://deih43ym53wif.cloudfront.net/small_Zermatt-Hiking_34391.jpg_3b14da641b.jpg)Valais travel guide](/switzerland/valais/)

### The Rough Guides to Switzerland and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

[![Make the Most of Your Time on Earth](https://rg-shop-images.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/compressed/make-the-most-of-your-time-on-earth/thumbnail_RG-INSPO-MTM.jpeg)](https://shop.roughguides.com/book/make-the-most-of-your-time-on-earth/9781839057786)

[![The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget](https://rg-shop-images.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/compressed/the-rough-guide-to-europe-on-a-budget/thumbnail_9781789197389.jpeg)](https://shop.roughguides.com/book/the-rough-guide-to-europe-on-a-budget/9781789197389)

[![The Rough Guide to Switzerland](https://rg-shop-images.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/compressed/the-rough-guide-to-switzerland/thumbnail_9781789195897-2.jpeg)](https://shop.roughguides.com/book/the-rough-guide-to-switzerland/9781789195897)

#### Find even more inspiration for Switzerland here

[![rocks-of-algarve-portugal-faro](https://strapi-images-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/small_algarve_shutterstock_280989032_cb68cc4b18.jpeg)Best summer destinations in Europe](/articles/best-summer-destinations-europe/)

[![Piazza San Marco in Venice with Gondola](https://strapi-images-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/small_venice-shutterstock_613218920_297e6b9867.jpeg)Your Europe itinerary: 14 routes to explore the continent](/article/your-europe-itinerary-10-routes-to-explore-the-continent/)

[![Tents on a music festival campsite](https://strapi-images-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/small_tent-glastonbury-shutterstock_6584194_061e2512c7.jpeg)20 great places to pitch a tent](/articles/20-great-places-to-pitch-a-tent/)

[![Tangia, mutton dish Marrakechia, Morocco © keeshaskitchen.com/Shutterstock](https://strapi-images-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/small_tangia-morocco-shutterstock_1925064932.jpg_5958516c5c.jpg)20 essential food and drink experiences across the globe](/articles/best-food-in-the-world/)

[![San Miniato town panoramic view, bell tower of the Duomo cathedral and countryside. Pisa, Tuscany Italy © StevanZZ/Shutterstock](https://strapi-images-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/small_san-miniato-landscape-tuscany-italy-shutterstock_1061769251_b46a692254.jpeg)The best places to go in autumn – the editors' picks](/articles/best-places-to-go-autumn/)

[![Reichenbach-falls-switzerland-shutterstock_1087111931](https://strapi-images-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/small_reichenbach-falls-switzerland-shutterstock_1087111931_7ea37ca074.jpeg)Hiking the Via Alpina, Switzerland](/articles/hiking-the-via-alpina-switzerland/)

[![Aerial view over the city of Bern - the capital city of Switzerland © 4kclips/Shutterstock](https://strapi-images-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/small_bern-switzerland-shutterstock_1845136612.jpg_ecb4c93750.jpg)Best things to do in Switzerland](/articles/best-things-to-do-in-switzerland/)

[![Orsula Park in Dubrovnik © Karmela Kortizija/Shutterstock](https://strapi-images-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/small_orsula-dubrovnik-croatia-shutterstock_371139329.jpg_301bc77a94.jpg)The most beautiful places in Europe – chosen by you](/articles/the-most-beautiful-places-in-europe-chosen-by-you/)

[![glacier-express-switzerland-shutterstock_342806360](https://strapi-images-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/small_glacier-express-switzerland-shutterstock_342806360_ef45548797.jpeg)Things to do in Switzerland in Summer](/articles/best-things-to-do-in-summer-switzerland/)

[![Teenager ski jumping in Alta, Utah © CSNafzger/Shutterstock](https://strapi-images-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/small_ski-jumping-alta-utah-shutterstock_1607651017.jpg_e3266e30b3.jpg)Top ski resorts: best skiing holidays destinations](/articles/top-skiing-and-snowboarding-destinations/)

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