15 days in Switzerland Itinerary

The capital and political center of Switzerland, Bern sits on a peninsula formed by the U-shaped River Aare.

Take a break from the city and head to Jungfraujoch and Parasailing & Paragliding. Musee International d'Horlogerie and Einstein House (Einsteinhaus) will appeal to museum buffs. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Bern: Galerie Wydi (in Wilderswil), Grindelwald (Grindelwald Museum & Maennlichen) and Harderkulm (in Interlaken). There's lots more to do: stop by UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern, admire the sheer force of Trümmelbachfälle, examine the collection at Zentrum Paul Klee (Paul Klee Center), and identify plant and animal life at Barenpark.

For more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Bern holiday planner.

Washington, USA to Bern is an approximately 18-hour combination of flight and car. Traveling from Washington to Bern, you'll lose 6 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Washington in May, with highs in Bern at 66°F and lows at 44°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Montreux.

Mostly known for its world-renowned jazz festival, Montreux serves as a picturesque lakeside resort town on the Swiss Riviera.

Start off your visit on the 11th (Tue): see the interesting displays at Chaplin's World, look for all kinds of wild species at Corniche Lavaux Vineyards, then explore the historical opulence of Chateau de Chillon, and finally see the interesting displays at Queen Studio Experience.

To see traveler tips and tourist information, use the Montreux day trip tool.

You can drive from Bern to Montreux in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Tue) early enough to drive to Geneva.

Geneva brings the world to one small city with a huge expat population and the highest number of international organizations in any one city.

Step out of the city life by going to Lake Geneva and Bains des Paquis. Do some cultural sightseeing at International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and Patek Philippe Museum. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Geneva: Tristan Carbonatto Chocolatier (in Perroy) and l'Arboretum du Vallon de l'Aubonne (in Aubonne). The adventure continues: get great views at Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre, ponder the design of The Geneva Water Fountain, don't miss a visit to The Flower Clock, and get curious at CERN.

For maps, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Geneva journey builder app.

You can drive from Montreux to Geneva in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Expect a daytime high around 66°F in May, and nighttime lows around 47°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Lucerne.

In north-central Switzerland, Lucerne represents a small city boasting a well-preserved old town.

Take a break from the city and head to Mt Pilatus and Lake Lucerne. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Bahnhofstrasse and Altstadt Luzern. Change things up with these side-trips from Lucerne: Zurich (Uetliberg Mountain, Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich), &more). Next up on the itinerary: see the sky in a new way at Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, admire the masterpieces at Museum Rosengart Collection, pause for some photo ops at Lion Monument, and see the interesting displays at Bourbaki Panorama.

To find photos, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Lucerne visit planning tool.

Getting from Geneva to Lucerne by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or fly; or take a train. In May in Lucerne, expect temperatures between 65°F during the day and 48°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Tue) so you can go by car to Appenzell.

Appenzell District is a district of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden in Switzerland. Kick off your visit on the 19th (Wed): take an in-depth tour of Museum Appenzell, pause for some serene contemplation at St Mauritius Church, look for gifts at Appenzeller Schaukaserei, get engrossed in the history at Appenzeller Volkskunde-Museum Stein AR, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Laurenzen, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Kathedrale St.Gallen.

To find reviews, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read our Appenzell trip planner.

Traveling by car from Lucerne to Appenzell takes 2 hours. May in Appenzell sees daily highs of 65°F and lows of 48°F at night. On the 20th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.