What is worth seeing in Switzerland in summer?

Summer in Switzerland? Why not, especially since you just need to buy a ticket and board one of the panoramic trains. They will take you to most attractions, and along the way, in comfortable conditions, you will admire the Swiss landscapes. Shall we begin?

Switzerland has many winter resorts, but it also attracts crowds of tourists in summer and autumn. And it is these seasons that we want to focus on today. We will show you vineyards, lakes and mountains, but covered with greenery, not snow. With us you will see beautiful cities and areas where you can ride horses. We invite you to read!

The most Italian canton of Switzerland – Ticino

We will start quite unusually, because not with the mountain peaks or lakes for which Switzerland is famous. We will move to the southernmost and most Italian of all cantons – Ticino (Ticino). It is part of Svizzera Italiana, Italian Switzerland. Some people might make a mistake and conclude that they have traveled to Italy. Most of the canton's inhabitants speak Italian (specifically the Lombard dialect), and the Italian atmosphere is clearly felt in the region. It is closer to Milan than, for example, Zurich or Bern.

We recommend Ticino, especially if you are planning to travel by Bernina Express bus. Just get to the last (or first) station, Lugano, and then move on. The city is the largest center of the region and lies on the lake of the same name. The capital is Bellinzona. It is worth visiting during your trip because it houses a complex of three medieval castles and walls. In 2000, they were included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Leventina Western in the Leventina Valley – horse riding in Ticino

Without a doubt, the castles and architecture of Bellinzona are worth seeing, but today we would like to show you Ticino from a slightly different side. You will understand why it is one of the favorite summer holiday destinations in Switzerland. A unique facility awaits not only horse riding enthusiasts in the Leventina Valley. This is Leventina Western, where you can rest, regain strength and mental balance. During your stay, you will travel many kilometers on horseback. You can go trekking between valleys and learn the secrets of yoga.

If you dream of a summer holiday surrounded by nature, would like to forget about measuring time with a watch (or smartphone), wake up and fall asleep to the sounds of nature – this is the perfect place. You can call it a farm, an agritourism farm or a guesthouse. Leventina Western offers a good night's sleep, clean air, beautiful views, and contact with horses and dogs. You can also use ecological products and sleep in a yurt.

Italian Switzerland and its vineyards

Ticino is famous not only for its nature and monuments, but also for its wine. Even though phylloxera devastated the grapevine at one time, it is still a large (fourth largest) wine region in Switzerland. You will find vineyards on both sides of lake Lugano, between Lugano and Rivera in the north and Chiasso and Mendrisio in the south. The canton is divided into two parts by Monte Ceneri, a pass from which you can easily get from Lugano to the capital. The southern part is called Sottocheneri, and the northern one – Sopracheneri. In the first stage, the microclimate is influenced by, among others: lake, so it is not as hot as in areas further south, near the Mediterranean Sea. In turn, in the northern part, geological conditions are similar to those of the Alps.

In the past, wine in this area was more diverse, today mainly Merlot is produced. In wineries you will find pinot noir, syrah, Bordeaux varieties and bondola. Among white wines, you can taste sauvignon blanc or chardonnay, as well as... merlot. Blanc de merlot will surprise many people with its pale color. Which vineyards should you visit? We recommend Vallombrosa in the village of Castellroto. It was here that the first Merlot bushes were planted at the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, Cantine Monti in Cademario, near Lugano, is worth visiting. Importantly, the local slopes are very steep.

Those who like to bring back an expensive souvenir from their vacation can visit Zanini Vinattieri. Some of the most expensive Ticino wines are produced here. The next ones worth getting to know come from the oldest estate in Ticino, Valsangiacomo. It has existed since 1831! In the town of Mendrisio, there are old wine cellars, and the sixth generation produces fresh wine. Products from two estates enjoy good opinions: Tenimento la Prella and Tenimento dell Őr. The last suggestion is Fattoria Moncuccetto in Lugano. It's not so much about the taste of the wine, but about the design of the winery. This is the work of Mario Botta, an architect famous for his innovative designs.

Swiss lakes – perfect for a summer holiday

Tourists love Swiss lakes, so when it comes to summer holiday trips, they could not be missing. You don't have to look far for examples – Lake Lugano is a huge attraction. Switzerland shares it with Italy, with the Swiss part attracting more because of the city. Lugano captivates with its architecture and natural beauty, including a large head-shaped slope. The climate here is reminiscent of the south of Europe (you will see palm trees everywhere). Colorful houses are reflected in the water and boats are bobbing along the shore.

If you take a walk on the south side, you will encounter vaporetto stops along the way. Swiss Travel Pass holders have the option of a free trip, e.g. to Gandria, and you can walk back to Lugano. The Sentiero dell'olivo, or olive tree path, runs by the lake. This is a hiking trail that will delight not only romantics.

Another proposal is Lake Geneva, the largest reservoir in the Alps and Western Europe. You can get there easily thanks to the panoramic train. It is also located on the Swiss border – this time with France. Liner ships run along it to larger cities and small towns. Visiting the resorts by the reservoir will take up most of your vacation! Lovers of luxury can order not only a cruise between the resorts, but also a private trip to the main attractions of Geneva, including the illuminated Jet d'Eau fountain. Water gushes from it to a height of 140 meters.

The lake is really worth seeing, as is Geneva. The next point on the map is Lake Constance, located on the border of Switzerland, Germany and Austria. It is located at the foot of the Alps, and thanks to the railway network you can reach it from most cities in the country. It doesn't matter whether you have previously visited the seat of government, i.e. Bern, have been to Montreux, Interlaken, or are returning from Tirano via St. Moritz. You will get almost to the shore and you can rest there. The climate here is extremely mild, as the area is covered by high mountains, and it is also a beautifully sunny region.

Another famous Swiss reservoir is Lake Lucerne. They also have a mild climate, although their appearance resembles the landscapes of Norwegian fjords. Side-wheelers and lounge ships glide across the surface, which you can use not only during the peak season. If you prefer land, there are plenty of hiking and cycling routes. You can also roller skate. There are many important centers on the shore that we recommend you visit. Crowds of tourists liked Lucerne with its picturesque old part, Weggis at the foot of the Rigi peak, situated in the idyllic Vitznau bay, and Küssnacht with its nice promenade.

Swiss cities – where to go in summer?

These are not all the lakes in Switzerland, and especially not all the cities. Apart from the famous reservoirs, you can also visit the intimate ones that are liked by the locals. Those who love camping and silence will like Schiffenen, in the canton of Freiburg, near Bern. They will also love the reservoir located near the village of Flims, in Graubünden. Lake Cresta has infrastructure that allows for recreation, but provides blissful relaxation. Fishing fans will certainly visit Lioson, a tiny reservoir in the Vodesian Alps. Cool water encourages bathing, especially on hot summer days.

Okay, and what about cities? Which resorts, apart from those already mentioned, are worth visiting on summer holiday in Switzerland? There are many attractive resorts along the panoramic train route, from Zurich, through Chur, to St. Gallen. Numerous points on the tourist map of the country can be found near reservoirs or at the foot of the mountains. There are also those that enjoy views of mountain peaks and, at the same time, crystal clear water. Finally, thousands of holidaymakers choose cities that attract skiing enthusiasts in winter, but also do not let them sleep in summer or autumn. An example is Zermatt, visited during the holiday season by those who want to see the Matterhorn or eat well.

Summer holiday trips to waterfalls

When talking about attractions that can be seen in the warm months, we must mention at least a few words about waterfalls. We will devote more space to them in a separate article "Waterfalls on the Grand Tour in Switzerland", but here we just want to mention that Switzerland really has something to be proud of in this respect. In the Lauterbrunnen Valley alone, there are 72 of them (!), including Staubbach, which is less than 300 meters high.

We have presented only a fraction of the places you can visit during your summer holiday. As you can see, there won't be enough time for all of them, but that only means one thing – you have to plan your next trips!