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  • What To Do In 9 Days In Switzerland, Paris, And Amsterdam: The Best Way Of Touring Europe

27 Mar 2023

After wandering amid the tropical destinations of the world, Priyank and Mitali decided to head to the cooler places next. With a desire to witness snow and some brilliant European architecture, this traveler duo decided to spend 9 days in Switzerland, Amsterdam, and Paris. Let their charming journey tell you how to plan an awesome-sauce holiday in Europe for yourself!

My wife and I are very fond of nature and winter. We have been to many beaches before and this time we planned to witness snow. This is why we had selected Europe for our next getaway.

I had traveled via TravelTriangle 4 times before, so I obviously reached out to them for this trip as well. They helped a great deal in planning an executing my trip, and making it so wonderful and memorable!

Details Of Our Trip To Switzerland, Amsterdam & Paris

Trip Type: Family Trip Cost: INR 3,46,720/- No. Of People: 2 Trip Duration: 8 Nights 9 Days Inclusions: Breakfast, airfare, airport transfers, accommodation, sightseeing, Amsterdam HOHO tour, Eiffel Tower ticket, travel insurance Exclusions: Lunch, dinner

Highlights Of Those 9 Days In Switzerland, Amsterdam, Paris

Day 1: Amsterdam Canal Cruise Day 2: Amsterdam Hop-on Hop-off City Bus Tour Day 3: Transfer from Amsterdam to Paris by train Day 4: Eiffel Tower and the Seine Sightseeing Cruise Day 5: Transfer from Paris to Lucerne by train Day 6: Panoramic views from Jungfrau Day 7: Interlaken tour Day 8: Rhine Falls Day 9: Departure

  Top 20 Things To Do In Switzerland On Your Europe Holiday In 2022

Weather In Europe

May marks the onset of the summer season in Europe and is a rather pleasant time for sightseeing and engaging in various activities in Europe. The average temperature at this time stays at around 23 degree Celsius.

We really enjoyed the weather. It was totally awesome! There was soothing rainfall one moment, and lots of sunshine the next. We could also play in the snow as we had wanted, and enjoy cool windy evenings. At the high altitude areas like Mt Titlis and Jungfrau, the weather was much like the ideal Switzerland weather in winter!

Best Experiences Of Our Trip To Switzerland, Amsterdam & Paris

We would like to share the most awesome experiences we had our tour so that you don’t miss out on them when you’re taking your own trip to Europe.

1. Amsterdam Canal Cruise

canal cruise view

We totally enjoyed the canal cruise on the evening of our arrival in Amsterdam. All you do here is simply watch the lit colorful European houses and streets pass you by and you sail calmly over the water. But that too has a charm of its own. It’s an utterly relaxing and peaceful activity and will give you gorgeous views of the city from a great perspective. It’s a must-try for all those visiting this city, especially the first-timers.

Hiking In Switzerland: A Guide For Embarking On A Journey With Splendid Views In 2022!

2. Amsterdam Hop-On Hop-Off City Bus Tour

Frank House Museum

This is a great option for those who like to explore at their own pace. With our HOHO Bus (or Boat Pass), we could hop on a bus (or boat) from the designated HOHO stops and tour the city leisurely and comfortably. The bus took us to various attractions around the city Frank House Museum, Jewish Cultural Quarter, Artis Royal Zoo, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, Madame Tussauds, and many more. We had the option to conveniently get down at any stop and get on another bus from the same stop once we were done with that particular attraction. This bus also has an audio guide for all the attractions it covers in 18 different languages. It’s the best way to tour this amazing city!

3. Eiffel Tower Tour In Paris

outstanding view of Eiffel Tower

We were blown away by the outstanding views of Paris from the top of this world-famous tower. The whole city looks just mesmerizing from up here, and we could see for miles into the distance. We could admire the views of many attractions from the top, including the River Seine, the Medieval Notre Dame Cathedral, Montmartre District, the stunning Sacre Coeur Church, and some beautiful bridges in the distance. We also clicked plenty of attractions against this massive structure when were at the bottom. We just couldn’t get enough of the beautiful Eiffel Tower.

4. Seine Sightseeing Cruise

Stedelijk Museum

This is another fabulous cruise ride that we undertook, and loved every bit of it! The Seine Cruise took us in the heart of Paris and let us bask in the exceptional views of the bridges and monuments of this fascinating city while it glittered at night. Just like Amsterdam, Paris too comes to life at night and we had the best views of all the action from our lavish seats on this enormous cruise ship. It was one of the best things we did during our 9 days in Switzerland.

  Hiking In Switzerland: A Guide For Embarking On A Journey With Splendid Views In 2022!

5. Panoramic Views From Jungfrau Glacier

at the Jungfrau Glacier

We were totally excited about our tour to Jungfrau and for seeing the snow, and needless to say, it was way more beautiful than we had expected! We got to understand why being surrounded by the Swiss Alps is one of the best feelings in the world! With our Swiss Pass, we took a train to the scenic town of Kleine Scheidegg, and then another train from there to get to the most magnificent mountains of Jungfrau that sit at an elevation of 4,158 meters in the Bernese Alps. We had a great time playing in the snow and clicking hundreds of pictures. The beauty of the snowy views from up here cannot be described in words!

6. Rhine Falls Boat Ride

the gorgeous countryside

The boat ride under the Rhine Falls takes you under this gigantic waterfall for just a moment or two, but that is enough to get you completely drenched! Thought the boat ride didn’t last that long, the experience was overwhelming, and the beauty of this place left us speechless! If you do not wish to go boating here, you can simply watch the waterfall from the viewing platforms or the elevator, and its beauty will still blow your mind. This tour too was a part of our Swiss Pass.

7. Train Rides Across Europe

having meal

We could easily commute by train from one city to another in Europe with the help of our Swiss Pass. but it’s not just the ease of travel that made this an awesome experience for us, but also the comfort and stunning views of Europe that we were blessed with en route. From the charming European houses and architecture of the cities to the gorgeous countryside, we never got tired of the surreal vistas wherever the trains took us. Eurail took us past postcard-perfect rural settings, rolling fields that looked like carpets of green, wooded houses adorned with flowers, black and white cows grazing peacefully, shimmering rivers, snow-capped mountains, neat rows of tall pine trees, and so much more that is forever etched in our minds!

  Treat Your Taste Buds With Luxury At These 10 Best Restaurants In Switzerland!

Our Accommodation In Switzerland, Paris & Amsterdam

Hotel Ramada Amsterdam – this is located very close to the city center so it was pretty easy for us to go around and check out the places nearby. The rooms were awesome and provided us with fabulous views of this city. We have not seen such clean rooms in our entire lives! The hospitality was great and the staff was quite helpful. They even provided me printouts of my tickets upon request.

Hotel Paris Louis Blanc – This is located right in front of the metro station and the market, which was very helpful for us. Though the rooms were small and not up to the mark, the hospitality was great and totally made up for it!

Hotel Drei Könige Lucerne – Again, the location was perfect since the property is located near the train station. Through the rooms were very small, they gave us such beautiful views of the city! The staff was very helpful, but we feel they should be a little flexible with their policies. There were limited options in food.

Apart-Hotel By Hilton Zurich – This property is located right next to the airport and the rooms are very nice. The staff was very helpful and friendly. However, the food here isn’t up to the mark.

Food In Europe

You will easily be able to find Indian food in Switzerland and the other two cities at every nook and corner and the taste will be good. The food in Europe is generally costly but the variety and taste will surely make up for it. No matter where you choose to dine – restaurants, cafes, food trucks, roadside vendors – you will always find that the food is of great quality, superb taste, and very hygienic. And while European food may be dominated by meat, you will find endless options of good vegetarian food at every corner. There are a great many Indian restaurants in Amsterdam , Paris, Switzerland, and other cities of Europe.

  13 Astounding Things To Do In Interlaken In 2022, The Adventure Capital Of Switzerland!

Our Shopping Experience In Europe

If you’re looking for the best things to buy from Europe, you must head to Zurich and Paris which are two amazing shopping destinations. You will be able to grab quality goods like clothes, perfumes, cosmetics, bags, and much more at considerably generous prices.

What To Pack For A Switzerland Trip

The weather in Switzerland can get unpredictable even in May. And while it will be generally cold there with frequent rain and sunshine, the weather in Paris and Amsterdam will be slightly warmer than that of Switzerland. So, don’t forget to pack the following items for spending 9 days in Switzerland, Paris, and Amsterdam.

  • Hats or caps
  • Full-length bottoms
  • Clothes that can be worn in layers
  • Light-weight long sleeve shirts
  • Scarves or stoles
  • A jacket, sweatshirt, or coat
  • Umbrella or raincoat

Some Paris, Amsterdam, And Switzerland Travel Tips

We have some advice for people traveling to Europe. Sticking to these can make sure you have a smooth and comfortable holiday experience there.

  • Do not litter.
  • Carry some amount of packaged food with you.
  • Don’t use your card to withdraw money from any ATM. They charge a very high rate.
  • Gloves and a winter jacket are a must for mountain expeditions.
  • Keep your Swiss Pass handy at all times.
  • Do not overstuff your luggage. Plan your clothing for each day and only pack what you’ll need.
  • Prefer hotels that are near to the city centre.
  • Beware of pickpockets and thieves in Paris. Do not leave your belongings unattended and do not stop to sign for any cause as it could be a trick to steal your belongings.
  • Keep your important travel documents handy, especially your passport. Make sure you have pictures or scanned copies of all your travel documents on your email. Don’t carry too much cash.
  • Don’t forget to get your phone recharged for international roaming. You will need the internet for figuring out directions, nearby restaurants, and much more.
  • English isn’t a widely spoken language in various towns and cities of Europe, so you will have to rely on Google a lot.

Our Experience With TravelTriangle

Other than a misunderstanding with the agent and confusion at the time of airport transfer during departure, everything else was fine. We would like to suggest that the travel agents should always stay in touch with the traveler even regarding the smallest of things, and take all actions only after the approval of the traveler, especially when it involves confirming the visa interview dates.

  Our Trip To Europe In May Was Nothing Less Than A Dream Come True!

Now that you know how much fun this lovely couple had during those 9 days in Switzerland, when will you be planning yours? All that you have to do is get in touch with TravelTriangle’s experts and let them plan a kickass vacation in Europe for you and your loved ones that is well within your budget. And once you’re back, don’t forget to write to us about your fabulous trip experience!

Common Queries We Had While Planning Our Holiday

We had a small number of doubts while we were planning our holiday and considering what we should do in 9 days in Switzerland and other places. Now that we’re back, we would like to answer them to help others book their trip comfortably.

Is Switzerland expensive to visit?

Yes, Switzerland can turn out to be an expensive destination for Indian travelers. The food as well as commuting within the country is in itself a costly affair, especially around the peak season between March and June.

How much does a meal cost in Switzerland?

The food in Switzerland tends to be costly, especially if you’re eating in a proper restaurant. A meal for 2 people in a mid-range restaurant in Switzerland can cost somewhere between INR 4,000/- to INR 7,000/-. In order to cut down on your cost of food in Switzerland, make sure you carry some packaged knick-knacks for small hunger pangs in between meals. The street food in Switzerland is absolutely hygienic, delicious, and of great quality no matter which part of the country you’re in. So, you can buy food from roadside vendors and food trucks too instead of sitting in lavish restaurants that will also charge you for the service and comfort they provide.

What is the cheapest thing to buy in Switzerland?

You can buy souvenirs in Switzerland for a really low price. Items like fridge magnets, key chains, t-shirts, postcards, cow miniatures, decorated pine cones, hats, mugs, Swiss bells, and shot glasses won’t cost you much. Even the original and authentic Swiss cheese can be bought at any grocery store or food market for dirt cheap rates. However, the typical and popular Swiss goods like Swiss knives, watches, and chocolates, they can turn out to be a little expensive.

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Know Germany

Amsterdam, Germany, and Switzerland with This Epic Itinerary

If you’re planning a trip to Europe and looking for an adventure that combines the best of Amsterdam, Germany, and Switzerland, then you’re in the right place. In this itinerary, you’ll discover the vibrant culture and history of Amsterdam, explore the stunning landmarks of Germany, and indulge in the scenic beauty and delicious delights of Switzerland. Let’s dive in and plan your ultimate Amsterdam Germany Switzerland itinerary!

With this itinerary, you’ll be able to experience the highlights of three amazing countries in just 11 days. From the charming canals of Amsterdam to the majestic mountains of Switzerland, you’ll get to see it all. So pack your bags, get ready to explore, and let’s create memories that will last a lifetime with this Amsterdam Germany Switzerland itinerary.

Discovering Amsterdam: A City of Canals and Culture

Amsterdam is one of the most charming and picturesque cities in Europe, with its winding canals, historic architecture, and world-renowned museums. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or simply looking for a romantic getaway, Amsterdam has something for everyone.

Start your adventure by exploring the city’s iconic canals, which offer a unique perspective on the city’s stunning architecture. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Anne Frank House, one of the city’s most popular attractions, or the Van Gogh Museum, which boasts the largest collection of works by the legendary artist.

Exploring the Best of Germany: From Historical Landmarks to Modern Marvels

Germany has so much to offer, from its rich history to its modern marvels. Start your German adventure in Berlin, where you can experience the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall , and the incredible street art scene. Next, head to Munich, where you can explore the beautiful architecture, enjoy a beer in one of the city’s many beer gardens, and visit the famous Neuschwanstein Castle . And don’t forget about the stunning natural beauty of the Black Forest , which you can discover on a scenic drive or hike.

But Germany isn’t just about history and nature – it’s also home to cutting-edge technology and innovation. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart or the BMW Museum in Munich to learn about the latest in automotive engineering . And if you’re interested in space and astronomy, the Deutsches Museum in Munich has an impressive collection of exhibits on these topics. With so much to see and do, your trip to Germany is sure to be unforgettable.

Indulging in Swiss Delights: From Scenic Train Rides to Chocolate Tasting

Switzerland is a country that truly indulges all your senses. From its breathtaking landscapes to its mouth-watering chocolates, there’s something for everyone. And what better way to explore this beautiful country than by train? Switzerland boasts some of the most scenic train rides in the world, offering views of the stunning Alps and picturesque countryside.

One of the most famous train rides is the Glacier Express, which takes you on a 7-hour journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz. This ride will take you over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, offering spectacular views of the Swiss Alps. Another popular train ride is the Bernina Express, which takes you on a journey through the Swiss Alps and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

But Switzerland isn’t just about its stunning landscapes. It’s also a chocolate lover’s paradise. Swiss chocolate is known worldwide for its smooth, creamy texture and delicious taste. Some of the most famous chocolate brands in Switzerland include Lindt, Toblerone, and Nestle.

When in Switzerland, don’t forget to visit some of the famous chocolate factories and indulge in a chocolate tasting experience. You can also take chocolate making classes and learn the art of chocolate making from the experts.

Whether you’re a nature lover or a chocolate lover, Switzerland has something for everyone. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready for a journey of a lifetime!

Day 1: Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is a great place to start your European adventure. With its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and vibrant culture, Amsterdam is a city that has something for everyone. On your first day, you can explore the city’s famous museums such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Anne Frank House. Take a stroll through the charming streets of the Jordaan neighborhood and stop by the flower markets to see the beautiful tulips that the country is famous for. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing dinner at one of the city’s many restaurants and try some local Dutch cuisine.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent a bike and explore the city on two wheels like a true Amsterdammer. Cycling is a popular mode of transportation in the city and there are many bike rental shops around. Make sure to visit Vondelpark, the city’s largest park, and take a leisurely ride through its scenic trails. With so much to see and do in Amsterdam, your first day in the city is sure to be an unforgettable one.

Day 2-3: Berlin

Get ready for a whirlwind adventure as you explore the bustling city of Berlin over the next two to three days. From historical landmarks to modern marvels, Berlin has something for everyone.

Day 2: Historical Landmarks

Start your day by visiting the iconic Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of Germany’s reunification. Then, head to the Reichstag building, which houses the German parliament, for a stunning view of the city from its glass dome.

Next, visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, a somber but important site that serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II . From there, head to Checkpoint Charlie, the famous crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War.

End your day by taking a stroll along the East Side Gallery, a 1.3-kilometer section of the Berlin Wall that features over 100 murals painted by artists from around the world.

Day 3: Modern Marvels

Start your day at Potsdamer Platz, a bustling public square that showcases the modern architecture and commercial energy of Berlin. From there, head to the Berlin Zoo to see over 20,000 animals from around the world.

Next, visit the Museum Island, a complex of five museums that houses some of the world’s most impressive art collections. Make sure to check out the Pergamon Museum, which features ancient artifacts from the Middle East and beyond.

End your day with a visit to the iconic Berlin TV Tower, the tallest structure in Germany, for a breathtaking view of the city at sunset.

With so much to see and do in Berlin, you won’t want to leave this vibrant and exciting city.

Day 4-5: Munich

If you’re a fan of beer, you’re going to love Munich! This Bavarian city is home to some of the world’s best breweries and beer gardens, making it a paradise for beer lovers. But that’s not all Munich has to offer. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and abundance of cultural attractions, Munich is a city that’s sure to delight every traveler.

Start your visit by exploring the historic city center, where you’ll find landmarks like Marienplatz, the Neuschwanstein Castle, and the Residenz Museum. The Marienplatz is home to the famous Glockenspiel, a clock tower that chimes and reenacts historical events twice a day.

No visit to Munich would be complete without a trip to the Hofbräuhaus, one of the oldest and most famous beer halls in the world. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a stein of Bavarian beer while soaking up the lively atmosphere and traditional German music.

For something a little different, head to the Englischer Garten, a vast public park in the heart of Munich. Here, you can relax in the sunshine, wander through the beautiful gardens, and even catch some surfers riding the artificial waves in the park’s river.

Munich also has a thriving art scene, with numerous museums and galleries showcasing everything from classical art to contemporary works. Some of the must-visit institutions include the Pinakothek der Moderne and the Lenbachhaus.

And of course, no trip to Munich would be complete without indulging in some traditional Bavarian cuisine. From hearty sausages and schnitzels to sweet apple strudel and fluffy dumplings, there’s no shortage of delicious food to try in this foodie paradise.

Overall, Munich is a city that has something for everyone. So whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, a beer enthusiast, or just looking to relax and enjoy some delicious food, you’re sure to have an unforgettable time in Munich.

Day 6-7: Zurich

Switzerland is famous for its natural beauty, and there’s no better place to experience it than in Zurich. With a perfect blend of modernity and tradition, Zurich offers something for everyone. Start your day by taking a stroll along the picturesque Limmat River, which flows through the heart of the city. Don’t miss the historic Fraumünster Church, known for its stunning stained glass windows created by Marc Chagall.

If you’re a fan of art, the Kunsthaus Zürich museum is a must-visit. With an impressive collection of artwork spanning from the Middle Ages to the modern era, you’ll be sure to find something that catches your eye. And for those interested in Swiss history, the Swiss National Museum is the perfect place to learn about the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Of course, no visit to Switzerland would be complete without indulging in some Swiss chocolate. Head to the famous Confiserie Sprüngli for a taste of some of the best chocolate in the world. And if you’re feeling adventurous, take a scenic train ride to nearby Lucerne for even more chocolate tasting and breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps.

As evening falls, make your way to Zurich’s trendy Niederdorf neighborhood for some delicious Swiss cuisine and a lively atmosphere. With so much to see and do, Zurich is the perfect destination for a memorable and unforgettable trip to Switzerland.

Day 8-9: Interlaken

Interlaken, the charming town located between two alpine lakes in the heart of Switzerland, is a must-visit destination on your epic itinerary. Nestled in the Swiss Alps, Interlaken offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, crystal clear lakes, and lush green valleys.

Start your day by taking a scenic train ride to Jungfraujoch, also known as the “Top of Europe.” At an altitude of 3,454 meters, Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

After taking in the stunning views, head back to Interlaken and indulge in some adventure sports. From paragliding and bungee jumping to skiing and snowboarding, Interlaken has something for everyone.

If adventure sports are not your thing, take a leisurely walk around the town and explore the quaint shops and cafes. Don’t forget to try some delicious Swiss chocolate at one of the local chocolate shops.

In the evening, unwind with a cruise on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, and enjoy the serene beauty of the alpine lakes.

Interlaken is a true paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike. Make sure to add it to your itinerary and experience the best of Switzerland.

Day 10-11: Geneva

If you’re a lover of all things luxurious, then Geneva is the perfect place for you to wrap up your epic journey through Amsterdam, Germany, and Switzerland. From world-class shopping to Michelin-star red restaurants, Geneva has everything you need to indulge in the finer things in life.

Start your first day in Geneva with a visit to the iconic Jet d’Eau fountain, which shoots water up to 140 meters in the air. From there, make your way to the Old Town to explore the charming cobblestone streets and medieval architecture. Be sure to stop by the St. Pierre Cathedral, a stunning gothic church that dates back to the 12th century.

For lunch, head to Les Armures, a historic restaurant that’s been serving up traditional Swiss cuisine since the 17th century. Try the famous fondue, made with a blend of Swiss cheeses and served with crusty bread for dipping.

In the afternoon, take a stroll through the Parc des Bastions and check out the Reformation Wall, a massive monument that celebrates the key figures of the Protestant Reformation . From there, head to the Museum of Art and History to admire the impressive collection of art and artifacts from around the world.

On your second day in Geneva, start with a visit to the Palace of Nations, the headquarters of the United Nations in Europe. Take a guided tour to learn more about the organization’s history and mission. Afterward, head to the Patek Philippe Museum, which showcases some of the world’s most exquisite timepieces.

For lunch, head to Chez Philippe, a cozy bistro that’s known for its creative takes on classic French dishes. Afterward, take a scenic boat tour on Lake Geneva to soak up the stunning views of the Swiss Alps.

In the evening, treat yourself to a luxurious dinner at La Réserve Genève, a Michelin-starred restaurant that specializes in contemporary French cuisine. Finish off your meal with a decadent dessert and a glass of Swiss wine before bidding farewell to your unforgettable adventure through Amsterdam, Germany, and Switzerland.

Final Thoughts: Your Unforgettable Amsterdam, Germany, and Switzerland Adventure Awaits!

As your epic adventure comes to an end, take a moment to reflect on the incredible experiences you’ve had in Amsterdam, Germany, and Switzerland. From cruising down the canals of Amsterdam to marveling at historical landmarks in Berlin and Munich, and indulging in Swiss delights like chocolate and scenic train rides, this journey has been nothing short of unforgettable.

But don’t let your journey end here. Take the memories and experiences with you as you continue to explore and discover new adventures around the world. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll find yourself back in the charming streets of Amsterdam or the breathtaking mountains of Switzerland.

Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey, and until next time, safe travels!

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switzerland tourism amsterdam

Home | Travel | Amsterdam to Switzerland in 8 days

Amsterdam to Switzerland in 8 days

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By Rachael Devaux

Jun 01, 2017, Updated Nov 06, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy .

switzerland tourism amsterdam

My first trip to Europe was a dream and I want to live it over and over again. I traveled to 4 countries and 11 cities in 10 days by boat and I’m already itching to go back.

The thing is, I’ve never really been drawn to cruises. I’m not sure if it’s the thought of being herded along with the other passengers of the ship, feeling nauseous in the large swells, only having x number of hours to explore each city, etc. It’s just never quite been at the top of my list. That was until I had the opportunity to travel with Amadeus River Cruises on an itinerary from Amsterdam all the way down to Basel, Switzerland. Traveling to Europe has especially been a goal of mine for the past year or two, so this trip truly came at such a great time.

Leaving from Seattle, my boyfriend, Bridger and I made the direct flight to Amsterdam via Delta Airlines and arrived one day before needing to board the ship for an 8-day, 7-night cruise. We got so lucky with an entire row to ourselves on the plane. I slept most of the way since it was an overnight flight, but Bridger somehow managed to watch 3 movies and last through the night.

Seeing as neither of us have been to Amsterdam before, we wanted to explore as much of it as we could before leaving the city.

amsterdam

Amsterdam immediately became one of my favorite places I’ve traveled to and will definitely be back for a longer stay. I initially thought of Amsterdam as the party city of Europe, but I was completely mistaken. The canals, the history, museums, shops, sites, people, etc. were so beautiful and different from anything I’ve seen before. We stayed in an AirB&B located near the Rijksmuseum and the start of the canals. Everything was in walking distance, which we did a lot of once arriving from the airport.

bakersroasters

Bridger and I went to Bakers and Roasters for our first meal off the plane (recommended by many) and, of course, I ordered the avocado toast with fried eggs and bacon. Winner. every. time. Maybe it wasn’t the most authentic dish of Amsterdam, but hey, I must feed my cravings while away from home (literally). From there, we shopped, we walked, we took pictures at the I Amsterdam sign, we walked passed the Anne Frank house (unfortunately, we didn’t buy tickets in time to secure a spot and although we knew we could wait in line after 3pm to get in, we didn’t want to waste 3 hours of our extremely short trip in line). The Anne Frank Museum was the one thing I wish I could’ve experienced— it’ll be part of our next trip for sure!

picture1

The second day in the city we woke up to light rain and grey weather, nothing we aren’t used to living in Seattle. We walked 30 minutes to breakfast at one of the cutest café’s, CT Coffee + Coconuts. Good vibes, bean bag chairs on the upper floor, light & bright décor. Bridger and I both got the CT Full Breakfast, which included avocado egg toast, coconut yogurt with muesli, fresh fruit and a gluten-free almond and buckwheat flour pancake with coco whip. We were in heaven. Plus, with every successful healthy café or restaurant run, Bridger becomes more tolerant of our wild goose chases in foreign cities 😉

picture2

After breakfast, we made our way to the Van Gogh Museum—an activity I’d easily recommend to anyone traveling to Amsterdam. That was actually the first museum I’ve ever been to (I think I can only go downhill from here…?). The next stop on our (my) agenda was dedicated to finding MATCHA.

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I had stopped in many shops & coffee stores (there’s a big difference) up until that point, disappointed that ‘matcha latté’ wasn’t a familiar term. [My stomach has a very hard time digesting coffee, so this has been my outlet for the past six months]. The one place I heard that carried matcha was Lavinia Good Food and I decided their matcha latté was one of the best I’ve ever had.

We boarded the Amadeus Silver II Ship later that morning, the cruise boat that would take us from Amsterdam down the Rhine River to Basel, Switzerland.

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It was a decently sized ship for being able to travel by river. It fit about 160 people, consisted of three floors, plus an entire sun deck on the top, had a large restaurant, a bar, a very small exercise room, a private lounge, and a shuffleboard and life-size chess table on the sun deck (surprisingly, we got great use out of these two). The bedrooms mimicked a 5-star hotel room with lots of storage space inside the bathroom and closet and included either a small balcony or a floor-to-ceiling window that opened halfway to the outside. I was very impressed, to say the least.

Bridger and I, and the other members to our group (about 12 people) were immediately treated to a canal cruise on a smaller boat with a tour guide that showed us the sites around Amsterdam. I was slightly bummed when they announced there was going to be a cheese tasting (I’m intolerant to cow’s milk), but fortunately, Amsterdam has some of the best goat cheese I’ve had in my life! This canal tour was one of the highlights of my whole trip. We learned so much more about Amsterdam and saw parts of it we didn’t see the day before. The first night aboard the cruise we stayed in Amsterdam and had time for one last exploration of the city after dinner. I had been told by several of my followers that café Winkel 43 was THE place for the famous Dutch apple pie—I agree!! We (purposefully) walked through the Red-Light District on our way back to the ship to see what it was all about. Let’s just say it was quite the tourist attraction— we saw families, guided tours, and elderly walking the window shop doors. It was an experience, for sure.

Waking up to a full breakfast buffet / menu was a pleasant start to the day… mainly until I saw an entire table devoted to freshly made breads, rolls and pastries, and a buffet loaded with foods I don’t usually eat on the day to day. Basically, I projected myself gaining about 12 pounds over the course of the trip. I checked the daily breakfast menu to see only 4 options—omelette, blueberry pancake and two others I can’t recall because I’m sure I disregarded immediately. At that moment, I knew it was going to be a challenge eating healthy the rest of the trip.

dinner

Fortunately, Bridger reminded me of my ‘modification abilities’ and being able to ‘always make things work,’ which gave me a small sense of relief. Both because Bridger is always thinking on the bright side and because he’s right, I really do always try to make things work by finding the healthiest options with what’s offered. I spoke with our waiter and asked if they had avocado and fried eggs (my typically morning routine). They did, and from that point on, the waiter knew my affinity for avo and added it to every one of my plates after that. He got me. I quickly realized how accommodating the kitchen staff on board was, especially when it came to my lactose-intolerance. All the meals delivered to me on the cruise were modified based on my dietary restrictions. They brought me salads sans dressing, sub olive oil and balsamic vinegar, the cream-based soups were swapped for broth-based, I was given fresh berries for dessert instead of cakes, sorbet, or anything else that was on the menu. The chef was amazing and every single dish was top-notch.

After breakfast, the group and I toured more of Amsterdam by bus, visited 2 different museums, walked the canals, (I ventured off to get another matcha from Lavinia), then met back up with the cruise ship in Hoorn, a small town north of Amsterdam. From there, we cruised the [sea] until arriving in Cologne the next day.

Activity Recommendations for Amsterdam, The Netherlands:

  • Buy tickets at least a month in advance for the Anne Frank House tour
  • Buy tickets for the Van Gogh Museum. You’ll have to commit to a certain time block ahead of time just FYI
  • Rent bikes and ride through Vondelpark (be careful—biking is a big deal)
  • Take pictures in front of the I Amsterdam sign located in the museum district
  • Canal cruise
  • Go to De Negen Straatjes (The 9 Streets) for great shopping

Food Recommendations for Amsterdam (Places I went + recommendations from my followers):

  • Bakers and Roasters
  • CT Coffee + Coconuts: 3 stories filled with plants, big bean bag chairs, great menu–the pancakes were amazing
  • Lavinia Good Food: matcha latté
  • Winkel 43: famous Dutch apple pie
  • Food Hallen: people referred to it as the Chelsea Market of the city with lots of different restaurants. Not touristy
  • The Avocado Show: everything on the menu includes avocado
  • MarQt: great healthy grocery store. They carry the almond and coconut based yogurts I brought with me on the cruise boat, made by Abbot Kinney (the coconut was delicious!)
  • SLA: make your own salad
  • Cold pressed juice: best.. well, juice
  • Hummus bistro or Sir Hummus for hummus
  • Little Collins
  • Stroopwaffle: the best when made on the spot from a food cart/truck
  • Betty Blue: café near Waterlooplein
  • Café Walem: open-faced sandwiches
  • De Kas: massive glass building great tasting menu farm-to-table food
  • Alchemist Garden
  • Zest for Life
  • Roots Amsterdam
  • The Pancake Bakery
  • Pluk: coffee
  • Back to Black: coffee

I got up early, per usual, and had planned to get in a good workout before I started my day. Little did I know, keeping a daily exercise routine during the river cruise was a lot to ask. At that hour, the small exercise room equipped with 3 bikes, 1 rower, 3 sets of low-weight dumbbells, a Swiss ball, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors was in use by several of the older ladies on the ship. No worries. I hit the sun deck for some laps instead. Not until about the 15 th lap did I see one of the guys we had been hanging out with during the trip walk up to meet me, looking tremendously exhausted I might add. He kindly informed me that the “thuds” I was making from running on the deck was keeping he and his girlfriend awake… Welp. That surely ended any exercise program I would’ve been able to do the next 5 days on the ship. He assured me the noise was coming from the other man exercising on the deck, but I didn’t buy it. Thankfully, the fitness room became available shortly after and I got in a short circuit workout.

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Cologne was the next stop on the itinerary and such an incredible city. We had only a few hours to tour before shoving off to the next stop, so we had to be deliberate in the sites we wanted to see. Stop #1, the Cologne Cathedral. Words can’t describe how beautiful the gothic architecture was of this building. It was so picturesque even when I was standing just 5 feet in front of it. I learned this after the fact, but my grandfather and his division helped liberate Cologne in 1945.

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*Cologne Cathedral

The Cathedral took 632 years to build and was partially destroyed by 14 bombs during World War II. The windows that we saw were originals back from when it was built and they only survived because they were removed by the people of the city and brought outside the city just before the war, and reinstalled once it was over. It was the tallest cathedral in the world upon completion, but currently remains the fourth tallest cathedral in the world.

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Hommage, a healthy café was just 2 miles from the cathedral, so naturally, I opted out of the beer tasting excursion and hauled Bridger along with me. It was so quaint and cute. I wanted everything on the menu, but we settled with the avocado bread with a cheese spread, smashed avocado, fried egg and sundried tomato, a galette filled with goat cheese, honey and walnuts, and a chocolate avocado smoothie. Had time allowed, I would’ve given into their lemon pound cake, vegan cheesecake, crepes and juices.

That night was the showcase dinner, something special our cruise director put together for our small group to show off our chef’s culinary capabilities. It may have been one, if not the best, meal of my life. The chef created healthier alternatives sans dairy just for me to enjoy, which was very special. Salmon carpaccio with dill relish, grilled shrimp over couscous and veggies, lemon sorbet with rosemary and gin (arguably my favorite dessert all trip). Picture eating this extraordinary meal while the sun was setting over the Cologne Cathedral in the distance as we continued our way down the river.

Waking up in a different location every day without having to unpack made for such an enjoyable and easy trip. It really took the thought out of having to plan out the minor details and worrying about unpacking and packing up in each city we visited. Not to mention the housekeeping staff who cleaned our room + made our bed each day, left the daily itinerary, two water bottles and any other requests we had each day in the room.

The weather was also on our side the entire week we were on the ship. I packed for rain based on the forecast, but the weather was in the 70s/80s most days.

Shuffleboard kept us busy on the ship when we had any down time (yes, we surprisingly utilized way more than the older crowd on board). But at the same time, I didn’t feel as though we were on the ship too long at any given point between cities, which was nice. It was this afternoon that Bridger, Jeff, Marie, Jess (friends we made on the ship) and I wanted to get in a sweat, so we took to the back of the upper deck and did 4 rounds of 25 lunges, 25 burpees, 25 airs squats and 25 pushups. We couldn’t have asked for a more scenic view during our workout traveling down the Rhine River!

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We toured Cochem, Germany, which included a guided tour inside a castle. Up until this point we all seemed a bit star-struck by the medieval castles and ruins (this soon changed after we went through “castle country”). After the castle tour, we had a wine tasting. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the fondest of wine at this point in my life, and I rarely drink, but I can enjoy a glass of white wine every now and then. Coincidentally, Germany, the Rhine especially, is well-known for their Riesling wines, which was the wine we got to try that day. Understanding the history behind the families who have grown grapes for hundreds of years was so fascinating. Following the tasting, some of us went looking for dinner but most of the restaurants weren’t so accommodating when it came to letting us in the restaurant due to the closing hour. The restaurant we so happened to pick wasn’t so supportive of my dietary restrictions (no dairy) when it came to ordering so I decided the ship was the safest place for a meal.

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Koblenz and Rüdesheim were next on the itinerary. Koblenz was a beautiful little city to wake up to. I got up very early with several other of our friends on the boat who are very into CrossFit and who made a point to scout out CrossFit gyms at every location we stopped at.  Since I hadn’t tried CrossFit, what better time than in Germany? From my current understanding, CrossFit is broken down like this: warm-up 5-10 minutes, skills work 10 minutes, the actual workout 20-25 minutes, cool down 10 minutes. The specific workout we did this day consisted of 30 sec on, 30 sec off, five times through of kettlebell swings. Next was 20 minutes AMRAP (as many reps as possible) of Cindy (there are a standard group of CrossFit workouts named after girls), which included 5 pullups, 10 pushups and 15 air squats that was to be repeated until the 20 minutes were up. I loved it! The coach was awesome and paid much attention to form. The three locals in the class were kind for letting us join their workout, and we all got a great sweat out of it.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to explore the city, except my only mission to find a matcha latté. (If any of you reading this are as into matcha as I am, I’m sure you can identify with me in these situations). I discovered one shop that did, and was THAT girl who jogged with a backpack and latté to make it back on the ship before it shoved off.  It was funny having to explain to the people we were with that matcha to me is like coffee to most.

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The stretch between Koblenz and Rüdesheim was one of the most beautiful parts of the Rhine Valley, otherwise known as ‘Castle Country.’ Dozens of castles, steep vineyards, little villages. It was all so picturesque.

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Rüdesheim is a small winemaking city with narrow cobblestone alleyways, various restaurants and tiny bars. We didn’t spend much time there since the shops were closing for the day, but it was nice to walk around.

Two of the people in our group had birthdays on the same day, which was great because we got to celebrate with them. And seriously, what better way to celebrate your birthday than by cruising by castles along the Rhine River through Germany?? Answer: there is no better way. Sign me up!

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We arrived in Mannheim early morning and took a small charter bus along the Autobahn to Heidelberg, Germany. Located right along the river, this city has a beautiful red-roofed landscape and a massive castle overlooking it. I spotted the healthiest café of the entire trip here—Your Good Love. It had quite a large menu that included everything from fresh juice, pastries, chia puddings, acai bowls, and sandwiches to coffee and matcha. I was in heaven, and just so happened to be lucky enough to visit because they just opened 2 months prior. Chia pudding, smoothie bowl, matcha and a croissant was Bridger and I’s appetizer before meeting the others for lunch at an authentic German restaurant where we ordered all the food: sausage and sauerkraut, wiener schnitzel, fries, pretzels, etc. After our bellies were full, we rode the funicular (tram) up to the Heidelberg Castle from the main city (about a 3-minute ride). This castle was the biggest I’ve seen. Once we crossed over the bridge to get in, it was like a small village. It housed the largest wine barrel in the world, with a capacity to hold 55,345 gallons of wine.

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I remember feeling very dehydrated at this point, probably due to the length of time we were walking in the sun + staying up late celebrating the birthdays the night before. I guzzled down as much water as I could before we made our way to Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest towns, to meet back up with our ship. The crew set up a Pirates themed dinner aboard the ship (the older crowd on the boat got a kick out of it)!

Recommendations for Heidelberg:

  • Your Good Love café: fresh juice, pastries, chia puddings, acai bowls, sandwiches, coffee, matcha
  • Heidelberg Castle

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Strasbourg was hands-down one of my favorite stops of the trip. France in Spring is gorgeous. We took a short bus tour around the city, walked through a fresh market, took pictures in front of the cathedral, and walked the streets, taking in all that Strasbourg had to offer. It was exactly how you’d imagine France: a man playing an accordion in the street, bicyclists passing by on cobblestone streets. Such a magical place.

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I tried my first ever macaron, got yet another soft pretzel from the market (so dangerously good), and walked through many, many bakeries. I would go back in a heartbeat!

We got back on the ship after 4 hours touring Strasbourg and had only one stop left of the cruise, Basel. We utilized the hot weather by sitting on the upper deck while we went through our last several locks. Over the course of the 8-day cruise, the Amadeus Silver II went through a total of 18 locks.

The last day on the ship we arrived in Basel, Switzerland. Bridger and I grabbed a train from here to head back up north to Dusseldorf, Germany to meet a few of our friends from home.

I’ll admit Basel wasn’t my favorite city of the trip. We somehow managed to arrive on a National Holiday, which left most shops closed, I couldn’t pinpoint any healthy restaurants, the language barrier was awfully difficult, Switzerland is absurdly expensive, and the staff at the restaurant we chose to eat at wasn’t accommodating, whatsoever. Perhaps I would’ve felt differently if we had shown up on another day, but I was glad to only have a few hours to kill before catching the train.

Bridger purchased first class train tickets to Dusseldorf (bless his soul)—we had more legroom and there was AC, which made for a comfortable 5-hour trip back along the same river we cruised down just days before.

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We settled in our Dusseldorf AirB&B then met our friends for dinner on my last night in Europe.

The next morning, Bridger and I took the streets of Germany with our luggage and walked in the direction of the airport. Since Dusseldorf lacks Uber (tends to be the easiest and cheapest form of transportation in most places around the world), we thought we’d try finding a taxi, bus or tram to get us there quick. I’m sure we walked at least a mile, bags in hand, before hopping on a bus to be dropped off near the airport.

The travel time getting home was much more exhausting than the flight over. I flew from Dusseldorf to Atlanta (9 hrs 10 mins), had an hour and a half layover, then flew 4.5 more hours to Seattle. Restless leg syndrome was so real by the end of the trip! I made sure to get up every few hours to stretch.

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All in all, this was a trip of a LIFETIME. I got to experience new culture in different cities, make new friendships and travel Europe with the love of my life. When can I go back???

My favorite cities of the trip include: Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg and Strasbourg.

How I stayed healthy during the trip: I’m someone who lives for a daily routine. Every morning at 6am I start my day by going to the gym, then making a hearty breakfast at home afterwards. I knew even before this trip that I wouldn’t be able to continue my daily exercise routine, and especially my everyday eating habits, which I accepted. But to be honest, if I were to go on this trip even a year ago I would’ve prepared quite differently and my suitcase would have been at least ¾ of the way full of prepared snacks. It’s taken me quite a while to finally be comfortable with living a life unplanned as to what my next meal will be. For so long I was strict with what I’d allow myself to eat away from home and almost felt a sense of anxiety if I didn’t know if/what food would be available wherever I went. Coming to the realization that life shouldn’t be wasted on worrying about which boundaries to stay inside of has lifted so much stress from my life. I now focus on eating a diet rich in plants (a variety of colors for different nutrients), wild fish, organic meats, healthy fats, and low sugar– which is enough structure for me to live a happy life.

Although my suitcase wasn’t completely packed with food, I still brought my favorite necessities like:

  • Primal Kitchen Collagen Bars
  • Vital Proteins Collagen Peptide packs
  • Bulletproof Brain Octane
  • Brazil nuts
  • Roasted sunflower seeds
  • Eating Evolved chocolate
  • Multivitamin

Life is all about balance, even on vacation. You have to pick and choose what you want to indulge in. On this trip I began each day with a breakfast high in healthy fats, fiber and protein to keep me energized and sustained until lunch. This usually consisted of several eggs, veggies, 1/2 an avocado and a few Brazil Nuts. In no way was I going to deprive myself of the European cuisine during this vacation, I just made sure not to go overboard. I ate as healthy as I could on the boat for the most part (the chef was too amazing, I had to indulge a few of the nights), and let myself eat whatever the different cities had to offer while we explored, such as goat cheese, soft pretzels, wiener schnitzel, german sausages, pizza and macarons. If you make the choice to eat a wholesome diet the majority of the time, your body will be more forgiving when you do decide to treat yourself on certain occasions.

Exercise I utilized the small gym on the ship 3 out of the 7 days doing my own programmed circuit workouts, I jogged on the sun deck one day (that was a fail—read above), took my first ever CrossFit class in Germany and completed one circuit workout on the sun deck. The rest of the time was dedicated to walking through the cities. As a personal trainer, working out is a huge passion of mine and has become my morning ritual. It helps energize me for the day and keeps me in routine, which is why it doesn’t take much effort for me to want to be active on vacation.

More Facts About Amadeus River Cruises This cruise was only 60% full with guests, most of which were above 60, but Bridger and I made friends with a younger crowd of corporate event planners, CrossFitters and travel agents on the ship. I can see why the older individuals are drawn to these types of cruises, but at the same time, I also see river cruises becoming very popular for millennials wanting to travel across the world without having to plan every detail or switching hotels every several days. Initially, thoughts of a river cruise didn’t seem interesting to me, at the slightest. After taking a cruise down the Rhine River, I am so happy I could experience it and can’t wait to go on another cruise in a new location! It was truly a 5-star hotel and restaurant on water and I couldn’t have been more impressed with the entire trip.

Amadeus River Cruises include local cuisine, free flowing local wine and beer with lunch and dinner, wifi, incredible hospitality from the staff and crew, bikes on board to take with you to explore the cities, planned excursions, etc. Amadeus is the only company operating river cruises on the European waterways to be awarded the “Green Certification” seal of approval for their sustainable tourism.

Their itineraries include 8, 10 and 15 day-long cruises.

*Feedback Wanted* I’m so excited to announce that I have the opportunity to host a river cruise similar to this exact trip through Amadeus River Cruises next year in a location TBD (most likely somewhere in Europe). I need you  to let me know if you’d be interested in traveling with ME! I will be planning the entire menu with the chef, hand selecting the cities we would stop at, the activities we would do on and off the ship (including workouts), etc. We will be catering to healthy individuals wanting to explore new destinations around the world and getting to spend time with like-minded individuals. Comment below if this is something you think you could do and if there’s enough interest, I can get started planning!!!

If you have any questions or feedback of the trip, please leave below in the comment section!

Categorized as: Travel

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Welcome! I’m Rachael.

I enjoy sharing my love for food and fitness. I'm a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and a New York Times Bestselling author. Here you'll find all kinds of recipes and kitchen hacks, as well as workouts and fitness motivation. Enjoy! — xx Rachael

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Hi Rachael, you have had an amazing journey in Europe. I can clearly say it by looking at your tour images. In Europe, Switzerland is one of the most favorite places of mine. I like to get around using the train service. But the cruise tour has some interesting facts, and I am thinking to give it a try.

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24 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Amsterdam

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Mar 18, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. With its universities, academies, and research institutes, along with more than 40 museums, numerous theaters, and entertainment venues, Amsterdam is also the country's leading cultural center.

In addition, the city is famous for its many well-preserved historic homes. Laid out in a pattern of concentric segments in the shape of a fan, these well-preserved heritage buildings are built on piles driven through an upper layer of mud into the firm, sandy bottom up to 18 meters below.

All told, some 6,750 buildings dating from the 16th to 18th centuries are crowded into an area of 2,000 acres that's dissected by 160 canals (grachten), themselves home to numerous houseboats. Little wonder then that Amsterdam is an awesome city to explore on foot, with many picturesque bridges linking the city's 90 islands. Eight of these are in fact old wooden bascule bridges, including the Magere Brug (Mager Bridge), one of the city's most frequently photographed.

Discover the best places to visit in this dynamic city with our list of the top attractions and fun things to do in Amsterdam.

1. See the Art Collections at the Rijksmuseum

2. visit anne frank house, 3. experience great art at the van gogh museum, 4. explore the jordaan neighborhood, 5. family fun and flowers at vondelpark, 6. people watch at dam square, 7. tour the royal palace of amsterdam, 8. west church (westerkerk), 9. rembrandt house museum, 10. visit one of the world's oldest botanical gardens, 11. go wild at artis: amsterdam royal zoo, 12. see the views from oude kerk's tower, 13. learn about dutch art at stedelijk museum amsterdam, 14. take a tranquil stroll through the begijnhof, 15. jewish historical museum, 16. nieuwe kerk (new church), 17. pay your respects at the national monument, 18. go shopping in kalverstraat and vlooienmarkt, 19. explore the city's history at the amsterdam museum, 20. get smart at nemo science museum, 21. eye film institute netherlands, 22. see the tall ships at the national maritime museum, 23. museum of the tropics, 24. hermitage amsterdam, where to stay in amsterdam for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to amsterdam, map of attractions & things to do in amsterdam, best time to visit amsterdam.

Rijksmuseum

One of Amsterdam's most popular attractions — and certainly its most important art repository — the Rijksmuseum (National Museum) was founded in 1798 to house the country's huge collection of rare art and antiquities. The museum's impressive collection includes a million cultural artifacts dating from the 13th century to the modern day, among them more than 8,000 important paintings spread across 250 rooms of this sprawling building.

In addition to its paintings, the Rijksmuseum boasts a well-stocked library of more than 35,000 books and manuscripts, as well as numerous fascinating displays dealing with the development of art and culture in the Netherlands. Of special note are its collections of traditional handicrafts, medieval sculpture, and modern art styles.

A variety of themed English language guided tours are available. For a special experience, try the fun art history canal cruise taking in many of the sites represented in the Rijksmuseum's collections, or book a table at the museum's Michelin-starred restaurant .

English language guided tours are available. To avoid line-ups (nearly 2.5 million people visit each year), book tour tickets in advance online.

Address: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam

Official site: www.rijksmuseum.nl/en

Exterior of the Anne Frank House

On the Prinsengracht stands Anne Frank House (Anne Frank Huis). Dedicated to the all-too-short life of one of the world's best-known Holocaust victims, this is the actual home in which Anne's family hid for much of WWII.

The Frank's were Jewish refugees from the German city of Frankfurt, and it was here that Anne wrote the diary that became an international bestseller after the war. It was published just a few years after her death at age 15, just two months before the war ended.

Much of the home has been kept as it was during Anne's time, and it serves as a poignant monument to a tragic period of history. A word of caution: tickets do sell out up to two or more months in advance, so be sure to plan ahead and purchase your tickets ahead of time online.

Address: Prinsengracht 263-267, 1016 GV Amsterdam

Official site: www.annefrank.org/en/

Cherry trees outside the Van Gogh Museum

A must-visit for art fans and historians, the spectacular Van Gogh Museum has been one of Amsterdam's top attractions since it opened in 1972. Dedicated to the often troubled life and extraordinary artistry of one of the country's most-revered painters, this modern Gerrit Rietveld-designed structure is home to the world's largest collection of Van Gogh paintings and artifacts, much of it donated by his brother, Theo, and other family members.

Boasting an impressive 200 paintings, 500 etchings and drawings, as well as 700 letters written to (and by) friends and family, the collection is split into key periods of the artist's life: his realistic works (1880 to 1887), including the famous The Potato Eaters , and his Impressionist period from 1887 to 1890, which saw the creation of perhaps his best-known work, V ase with Sunflowers .

A highlight of a visit is the amazing "Meet Vincent Van Gogh Experience," a fascinating multimedia presentation of the painter's life and times through vivid digital reproductions of his work.

Also of interest are works by Van Gogh's contemporaries, including such leading artists as Paul Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. If time allows, be sure to check the availability of the museum's educational workshops in such disciplines as painting and photography. A café, shop, and library are also located on-site.

Address: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ, Amsterdam

Official site: www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en

Houseboats and old buildings in Jordaan

Jordaan is the most popular of Amsterdam's neighborhoods and is well-known for its mix of residential areas with garden courtyards, lively markets, and upscale boutiques and eateries. The area is also home to plenty of fun things to do, from taking a pleasant stroll along the many picturesque streets to spending time visiting the many top-rated tourist attractions located here.

Although best known as the location of Anne Frank House , the area is also home to lesser-known treasures like the Woonboots Museum , a floating museum dedicated to houseboats, and the interesting (honestly!) Amsterdam Cheese Museum .

On Saturday mornings, Lindengracht turns into a huge open-air market, where you can find local crafts, produce, flowers, and goodies perfect for filling a picnic basket. Monday mornings, it is Westerstraat that fills with 200 vendors' stalls, this time selling a wide range of goods in a flea-market-style bazaar. Jordaan's restaurants and cafés have become the trendy place to sit and people-watch while enjoying traditional Dutch folk music.

Vondelpark

The largest and most visited park in Amsterdam, Vondelpark occupies 120 acres and contains no end of fun things to do. In addition to expanses of green space dotted by peaceful ponds and traversed by ample paths, the park is home to a lovely rose garden featuring more than 70 different types of the flower.

It also has a variety of sculptures and statues, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities, including rollerblade rental and the Vondelpark Open Air Theater , which serves as a venue for musical and stage productions from May through September.

If you haven't packed a picnic, don't worry: the park is also full of cafés where you can enjoy a snack or a full meal.

Dam Square

Dam Square is one of the most tourist-packed areas of Amsterdam, and for good reason. Its most prominent feature is the 17th-century Royal Palace (Koninklijk Palace) , former home of the Dutch royal family and present-day venue for royal functions.

Dam Square is also home to top tourist attractions such as the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) ; Madame Tussauds wax museum; and the National Memorial Statue , which is dedicated to Dutch soldiers who lost their lives in World War II.

This huge public square is, naturally, lined with numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops, and is usually full of vendors selling food and souvenirs. Tourists will also find a Ferris wheel, perfect for getting a different perspective, as well as plenty of entertainment, ranging from street performers and buskers to first-rate music festivals.

Royal Palace of Amsterdam

Formerly the Town Hall, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam ( Koninklijk Paleis van Amsterdam ) serves as the King's residence when he's in the city. Its construction was a monumental task when started in 1648 and required the sinking of 13,659 piles to support the mammoth structure.

Based upon the architecture of ancient Rome, the exterior is strictly classical, while the interior is magnificently furnished, its apartments decorated with a wealth of reliefs, ornamentation, marble sculptures, and friezes. Check out the spectacular ceiling paintings by Ferdinand Bol and Govert Flinck, pupils of Rembrandt.

Other highlights include one of the finest furniture collections in the world, and the City Treasurer's room with its marble fireplace and ceiling paintings by Cornelis Holsteyn. You'll also see the Hall of the Aldermen, also containing paintings by Bol and Flinck.

The largest and most important room is the Council Hall, sumptuously decorated and one of the most beautiful staterooms in Europe. English language guided tours are available, and useful audioguides are included with admission.

Location: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147, 1012 RJ Amsterdam

Official site: www.paleisamsterdam.nl/en

Netherlands - Royal Palace - Floor plan map

Located next door to the Anne Frank Museum, Amsterdam's West Church (Westerkerk) is one of the most popular churches to visit in the city. It's certainly one of the most picturesque.

Completed in 1630, this attractive Renaissance church is unusual due to its many internal and external Gothic features. Its 85-meter tower, popularly known as "Langer Jan" (tall John), is the highest in the city. On the tip of its spire is a large replica of the emperor's crown, placed there in memory of Emperor Maximilian of Austria. Inside the tower, a carillon proclaims the hours.

Other highlights include a fine organ dating from 1622, along with an interesting marble column placed here in 1906 in memory of Rembrandt. The great artist was originally buried outside the church, but was later reinterred inside. A gift shop is located on-site.

Address: Prinsengracht 279, 1016 GW Amsterdam

Official site: www.westerkerk.nl/

Rembrandt statue in Rembrandt Square

Rembrandt, along with his wife Saskia, spent the happiest (and most successful) years of his life in the house on the Jodenbreestraat, now home to the Rembrandt House Museum (Museum Het Rembrandthuis). It was here, in the Jewish Quarter, that he found models for his Biblical themes, and where he painted the sights from his many outings along the canals.

Rembrandt lived here for 20 years, and the house has been furnished in 17th-century style with numerous etchings and personal objects. English language guided tours are available.

Just a two-minute walk away is Zuiderkerk (South Church), where three of Rembrandt's children are buried, as well as one of his pupils. Constructed between 1603 and 1611, it was the first Protestant church to be built in Amsterdam after the Reformation and was designed by architect Hendrick de Keyser, who is also buried here.

After extensive restoration, it is now a center for local cultural activities and events. Another Rembrandt-related destination in the city is Rembrandt Square , home to numerous cafés and restaurants, along with a statue of the famous painter.

Address: Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam

Official site: www.rembrandthuis.nl/en/

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

Amsterdam offers a surprising dose of nature in the very heart of the city. Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, the city's botanical garden , is one of the world's oldest and should definitely be included in your sightseeing itinerary.

Founded in 1638, this much-visited attraction began life as a humble herb garden for doctors and apothecaries. Today, it features rare plants and trees, exotic flowers, and a large hothouse encompassing different tropical zones.

Highlights of a visit include exploring the lovely old pavilion, a hexagonal structure that dates back to the late 17th century, plus the 1870s Orangery. The Palm House is also notable, in particular for its architectural style (it was designed in the Amsterdam School style).

Plant enthusiasts are also in for a treat, as the gardens are home to a wide variety of rare plant and tree species. Worth mentioning are examples of the Persian Ironwood tree, plus numerous tropical species in the historic hothouse. For those wanting to linger longer, there's an on-site café.

Address: Plantage Middenlaan 2a, 1018 DD Amsterdam

Official site: www.dehortus.nl/en/

Red ruffed lemur at the Artis, Amsterdam Royal Zoo

Less than a five-minute stroll away from the botanical gardens is Artis , Amsterdam's excellent "royal zoo." This world-class attraction was established in 1838 and is one of the oldest zoos in Europe .

It spotlights a variety of creatures from around the globe in a shady garden setting dotted with numerous historical buildings. The aquarium, for example, was constructed in 1882 and features exhibits including a coral reef system and a fascinating peek under an Amsterdam canal.

Other highlights include the nocturnal animal house, zoological museum, Insectarium, Butterfly Pavilion, and Planetarium. There's also a library that features an extensive collection of historic books, prints, and artworks.

Also of interest near this fun nature-based attractions is a replica of the Normaal Amsterdams Peil, the NAP, which shows the average water level of the North Sea.

Address: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam

Official site: www.artis.nl/en/

Oude Kerk (Old Church)

The Oude Kerk (Old Church) — built in 1306 and the city's oldest structure — remains unchanged since Rembrandt's time. The first hall church in North Holland, this splendid piece of architecture became the model for many other churches in the region.

Numerous additions were added over the centuries, such as the large side chapels from the early 1500s. Also dating from this period is a portal leading to the Iron Chapel, where documents showing the city's privileges, including the freedom from tolls granted in 1275, were kept locked behind an iron door. The tower was added in the 16th century and has a carillon from 1658 that's considered one of the finest in the country. It also offers great views over the city.

The interior of the church has features dating from before the Reformation, including three magnificent windows from 1555 from the Dutch High Renaissance, and finely-carved wooden choir stalls. These days, the building is well-known as a venue for contemporary art exhibits.

After exploring this beautiful historical building, take a two-minute stroll across the bridge to Zeedijk , one of Amsterdam's oldest streets. Many houses along here lean at an angle from the vertical, and the 15th-century house at No. 1 is thought to be the oldest surviving building in the city .

Address: Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX Amsterdam

Official site: www.oudekerk.nl/en/

Oude Kerk in Amsterdam - St Nicolaas - Floor plan map

Founded in 1895, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam — in English, the Municipal Museum Amsterdam — houses one of Europe's most impressive modern art collections. With a focus on 19th- and 20th-century Dutch and French painting, the museum features works by a number of renowned art movements, including De Stijl.

Other important works include examples from Van Doesburg, Mondrian, and Rietveld; Pop Art, with works by Rosenquist and Warhol; and painters such as Chagall, Dubuffet, De Kooning, and Matisse. The sculpture garden also contains examples by Rodin, Moore, Renoir, and Visser.

English language guided tours are available, as are fun family workshops. A shop and restaurant are also located on-site.

Address: Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam

Official site: www.stedelijk.nl/en

The Begijnhof

The Begijnhof is one of those rare tranquil inner-city spots that many tourists simply don't notice as they hustle from attraction to attraction. And that's a shame, as this stunning old corner of Amsterdam simply begs to be explored.

Although most of the old homes are occupied, the tiny lanes and pathways around them provide public access, so don't be shy to wander freely. You'll be rewarded with views of well-kept green lawns — the courtyards — surrounded by some of the oldest houses in Amsterdam, including its only remaining wooden house from the 14th century.

Originally occupied by a commune of pious Catholic women (begijnen), the area's small chapel is still open for services and saw the last of these women buried here in 1971.

Address: 1012 AB Amsterdam

Official site: http://begijnhofkapelamsterdam.nl/english-information/

Jewish Historical Museum

The Jewish Historical Museum (Joods Historisch Museum) is housed in four redundant synagogues, one of which, the Grote Synagogue, dates back to 1670. Highlights include a large collection of religious artifacts, such as silver Torah containers, Torah robes, and decorated Torah headdresses, as well as hangings and ceremonial canopies (of particular interest is the white marble Holy Shrine).

The museum also has a large library, while in the Upper Synagogue, the Obbene Sjoel, there's a kosher restaurant. Be sure to check the museum's website for details of its concert program, which includes candlelight performances by renowned local and international artists .

Of note outside the museum is the Docker Monument , erected to commemorate a strike in 1941, when workers refused to co-operate with the deportation of their Jewish fellow citizens.

Also of interest is the Portuguese Synagogue , a late-17th-century temple that houses the Ets Haim Library , the oldest of its kind. For a more in-depth look at this fascinating history, join one of the special English language tours of the Jewish Historical Museum that includes the historic Jewish Quarter.

Address: Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, 1011 PL Amsterdam

Official site: https://jck.nl/en

Nieuwe Kerk

Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), used as the coronation church of Dutch monarchs since 1814, lies in the heart of Amsterdam next to the Royal Palace in Dam Square ("The Dam"). This historic square was built around 1270 to separate the Amstel from the IJ and gave the city its name.

Today, the square and the church are used for public functions such as antique fairs and art exhibitions. Regular organ concerts also take place in this 15th-century church. A striking feature is its magnificent pulpit from 1649, a marvel of Baroque wood carving decorated with the four evangelists and figures symbolizing Faith, Hope, Charity, Justice, and Prudence. The church also has an organ from 1670, an exceptionally beautiful choir screen cast in bronze, and fine choir stalls.

Also of interest are the tombs of famous Dutchmen including PC Hooft and Nicolaes Tulp, and the Baroque tomb of Admiral Michiel de Ruyter who died in 1679. The stained-glass windows are beautiful; one of them dates from 1650 and depicts the granting of the city's coat of arms by William IV, while the Queen's Window from 1898 commemorates the coronation of Queen Wilhelmina.

Address: Dam, 1012 NP Amsterdam

Official site: www.nieuwekerk.nl/en/

Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam- St Catherine - Floor plan map

On the opposite side of The Dam, the National Monument (Nationaal Monument op de Dam), a spectacular 22-meter-high obelisk, was erected here after the Second World War as a memorial for its victims and a symbol of Liberation.

It was designed by J. J. P. Oud and decorated with sculptures by J. W. Rädeler symbolizing, among other things, War (four male figures), Peace (a woman and child), and Resistance (two men with howling dogs). Embedded in the obelisk are urns containing earth from the 11 provinces, and a 12th urn contains earth from the cemetery of honor in Indonesia.

The monument was dedicated by Queen Juliana on 4 May, 1956, the national day of remembrance. Every year on this date, wreaths are laid here and a two-minute silence is observed throughout the Netherlands.

During other times, the monument is a place where young people from all over the world meet. If you'd like to learn a little more about the history of the Netherlands during WWII, then a visit to The Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum) is a must. In addition to portraying the role of the resistance during the German occupation, the museum provides a great deal of information related to civilian life during this harrowing period of history.

Address: Dam, 1012 JL Amsterdam

Kalverstraat and Vlooienmarkt

There comes a point in every vacation when a little shopping therapy is needed. Amsterdam boasts many great places to shop, whether for high-end luxury goods, local crafts, or fun souvenirs. The best known — and usually the busiest — is the Kalverstraat with its many smart boutiques, galleries, perfumeries, cafés, and restaurants. While the crush of humanity can be a little intimidating (especially on a Saturday), it's an outing you won't soon forget.

For a completely different shopping experience, head over to the Vlooienmarkt, Amsterdam's famous flea market, held here since 1886. It's a veritable smorgasbord of wares, with everything from antiques and food to clothes, both new and used.

Most of the best shopping streets in Amsterdam fan out from the Muntplein , a city square that was once home to a sheep market in the 15th century. Rising above the square is the Munttoren (Mint Tower), which dates from 1672 when Amsterdam was the site of the mint for two years while the French occupied Utrecht.

Another unique shopping experience awaits at the Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt), a historic floating market that once sold every type of plant imaginable (while a few flower stalls remain, many of the remaining businesses are souvenir shops).

Amsterdam Museum

Housed in the former municipal orphanage built in 1414, the Amsterdam Museum consists of a number of spacious courtyards where visitors can learn about the constantly changing role of Amsterdam in the country and in the world. Highlights range from prehistoric finds and the town's original charter to items from the present day, as well as displays describing how the land was reclaimed from the sea.

The inner courtyards are also fun to explore and house other highlights such as the old shooting gallery. There's also an on-site café. The library possesses a rich collection of literature on the history of the city, and graphics and drawings can be viewed by prior arrangement.

English language guided tours are available, and a café is located onsite.

Address: Kalverstraat 92, 1012 PH Amsterdam

Official site: www.amsterdammuseum.nl/en

NEMO Science Museum

Rising high above the water like the hull of a mighty warship, this ultra-modern structure has housed the NEMO Science Museum since 1997, and more than 20 years later is no less impressive than the day it opened.

Located in the city's old eastern docks, this world-class science center is spread across five floors, each chock-a-block full of fun (and informative) interactive exhibits that appeal to families with kids of any age.

Highlights include areas dedicated to the human body and the mind, countless hands-on, high-tech gizmos and gadgets, plus a number of short movies. A playground, a museum shop, and a rooftop café are located on-site, the latter making a great spot for a break while you enjoy the views across the city.

Address: Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX Amsterdam

Official site: www.nemosciencemuseum.nl/en/

EYE Film Institute

Another ultra-modern building worth taking a look at, even if it's just from the outside, is the EYE Film Institute Netherlands . With its sharp angles and ultra modern design, it almost resembles an alien spacecraft, and certainly grabs the attention.

Opened in 2012, the EYE houses the country's national film collection, along with copies of pretty much every foreign movie ever shown in the Netherlands, and it looks quite different from every angle. If you do get inside, in addition to catching one of the frequent movie screenings, you'll enjoy viewing the excellent film-related exhibits.

English language guided tours are available, as well as a variety of workshops and learning opportunities geared to specific age groups. A great restaurant is located on the premises, and there's also a gift shop on-site.

Address: IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam

Official site: www.eyefilm.nl/en

National Maritime Museum

A must for those interested in ships and the long rich history of Dutch military and merchant fleets, the National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) is a must-visit. The museum provides a fascinating insight into the impact this small nation of seafarers had upon the world over the centuries, using its many displays to showcase its impressive collection of maritime-related artifacts.

In addition to exhibits focusing on sailing and shipping, the museum houses a vast area of model ships, historic weaponry, maps, and artwork, including many depicting some of the important sea battles involving the Netherlands.

The museum building itself boasts a long history. Built in 1656, it served for much of its life as a naval warehouse. A highlight of your visit will be exploring the impressive Amsterdam , an accurate replica of one of the country's most famous vessels. Guided tours of the ship and the museum are available, as are English-language audio guides. A restaurant and a shop are situated on-site, too.

Address: Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK Amsterdam

Official site: www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.com

Museum of the Tropics

The Museum of the Tropics (Tropenmuseum), established in 1864, is a fascinating excursion for those with an interest in the history of the Netherlands' former colonies.

Set in a cavernous hall built especially for it, the museum contains numerous displays of art and everyday objects from tropical and subtropical areas.

It's fun to explore as you wander around the authentic bazaar and peek inside the houses of the Far East, as well as the fully stocked oriental shop. The museum also hosts regular concerts of Eastern and Asian music using traditional instruments. English language guided tours are available.

Address: Linnaeusstraat 2, 1092 CK Amsterdam

Official site: https://tropenmuseum.nl/en

Hermitage Amsterdam

Another great museum collection can be enjoyed at Hermitage Amsterdam , an outpost of the famous location in Saint Petersburg.

Opened in 2009 in a majestic old building dating from the 1680s known as the Amstelhof, the museum features permanent exhibits focusing on the long-standing relationship between Russia and the Netherlands, as well as one that portrays the history of the building itself. There's a lovely courtyard garden worth visiting, along with a good restaurant.

Address: Amstel 51, 1018 DR Amsterdam

Official site: https://hermitage.nl/en/

If you're traveling to Amsterdam for the first time, the best area to stay is in the World Heritage-listed city center, also known as the "Canal Ring." Amsterdam Central Railway Station borders this area to the north; the Leidseplein and the Museumplein (home to the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk Museum) lie to the south; and the Jordaan neighborhood, with its art galleries and trendy cafés, occupies its western edge. Most of the city's top tourist attractions lie within this compact and easily walkable area. Here are some highly rated hotels in these charming neighborhoods:

Luxury Hotels:

  • In a collection of 17th-century palaces on the prestigious Herengracht, in the heart of the city, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam pampers guests with its personal concierges, Michelin-starred restaurant, spa, and elegant decor.
  • Also on the Herengracht, Ambassade Hotel occupies an ensemble of 17th-century canal houses, and its plush rooms and suites feature Louis XVI-style furnishings and modern accents.
  • Steps away from the Anne Frank House, The Toren is a family-run, boutique hotel in two historic canal houses, with individually decorated rooms and suites.

Mid-Range Hotels:

  • A 10-minute walk to Amsterdam Central Railway Station, the pet-friendly boutique Hotel Sebastian's has chic rooms that echo the dramatic style of its luxury sister property, The Toren.
  • If you plan to focus on museums, the homey Hotel Fita is steps away from Museumplein.
  • Right next to its namesake station and a short stroll from the city center, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Amsterdam Centraal Station features compact, light-filled rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and Apple iMacs.

Budget Hotels:

  • Within walking distance of Museumplein and the Leidseplein, the eco-conscious Hotel La Boheme accommodates guests in clean rooms with comfy beds. Rates include breakfast.
  • Adjacent to Museumplein, Hotel Museumzicht is full of character, with a steep staircase, discerning artwork, and homey guest rooms.
  • Near Dam Square and the Jordaan neighborhood, Clemens Hotel also has steep stairs, which lead to cozy, compact, and comfortable guest rooms.

Amsterdam Day Trips:

  • If you have time to head outside the city, there are some great tours available. To see the beautiful Dutch countryside, including the famous windmills and small fishing villages, take a Zaanse Schans Windmill, Markem and Volendam Half-Day Trip from Amsterdam . This scenic tour includes transport by coach, a short boat ride between fishing villages, a visit to a cheese factory and clog maker, and free entrance to a windmill.
  • If you want to visit another city, the Bruges Day Trip is a full-day excursion with coach transport to and from Bruges in Belgium and includes five hours of free time to enjoy some sightseeing. This is an easy tour that will save you the hassle of planning, driving, and parking.

When it comes to visiting Amsterdam, the high season isn't necessarily the best time to go - aside from higher prices, you'll also have to deal with huge crowds and humid weather. Shoulder season (spring and fall) is more pleasant , more affordable, and easier to maneuver. Or you can always visit in winter to get the best deals and some charming holiday lights.

Spring : If you're coming to the Netherlands for tulips, this is the right season. April is the month for tulips , although flowering season runs from mid-March to early May. Spring is also sunnier and typically dry, with temperatures around 10 to 12 degrees Celsius during the day. It's great weather to walk around and for day trips outside Amsterdam, including a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens, where over seven million flowers bloom in spring.

Spring nights can be chilly, so bring a scarf and layers if you're visiting in March or April. King's Day on April 27th (as well as the weekend immediately before or after) is a major street celebration in Amsterdam -expect large crowds, expensive accommodations, and lots of noise if you visit around that time.

Summer : Summer has nice weather but is a very busy season in Amsterdam. If you're heading to popular attractions such as Anna Frank's house, you'll find long lines and waiting times. With canal cruises in full swing, even enjoying the water will be harder, and parks will be full of locals picnicking and enjoying the sun.

The summer months are great for bicycle rides, if that's something you want to try - especially if you're heading to the countryside and dreaming of idyllic rides with windmills in the background. A busy city means higher prices, so book your hotel early if you're looking for deals.

Summer weather is hot and often humid in Amsterdam. It's hard to predict what each month will feel like, but you can expect temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius in June and as high as 30 degrees Celsius in July, the hottest month . August is also hot but can be rainy and grey.

Fall : If you're planning on spending lots of time sightseeing, Fall is the best time to visit . Crowds thin out, prices start to go down, and the cities become more manageable.

The later you arrive in the season, the better all these conditions will be - though by early November , the weather will be cold and wet. Temperatures in November are usually in the single digits, and you'll see lots of drizzle and the occasional snow flurries.

September and October are better weather-wise, though temperatures can be unpredictable: some years you'll experience sunnier days and temperatures in the mid-teens, while other years, the temperature stays around 10 degrees Celsius with lots of grey, rainy days.

The earlier you arrive in the season, the longer and warmer the days will be, but a light jacket is always a must - evenings can be windy and chilly even in September.

Winter: Amsterdam winters are windy and cold, but the temperatures rarely dip below freezing . With average winter temperatures around 3 to 4 degrees Celsius, the city will feel much warmer than other destinations in Northern Europe, and spending time outdoors will not be too bad as long as you have the proper jacket, waterproof boots, and perhaps a scarf to bundle up.

January is the coldest and windiest month, with short, grey days where the sun sets at around 4:30pm. Although snow is rare in the Netherlands, if it's going to happen, it's likely to happen in January. Don't let that scare you off, through — the canal boats are beautiful when covered in a thin blanket of snow.

Visiting in winter does have its benefits, especially if you arrive during the Christmas Markets season. Amsterdam is home to many seasonal markets, from trendy, chic locations selling design products to Victorian-style markets where you'll find traditional crafts and sweets, like the spiced pepernoten biscuits.

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Great City Getaways : The massive port city of Rotterdam offers plenty of great things to do , from exploring the superb collection of historic vessels in the Maritime Museum and Harbor Museum, to wandering its streets and enjoying its mix of both old and new architecture. The country's capital of The Hague should also be included on your Netherlands travel itinerary and is home to no end of museums, galleries, and historic buildings. Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the country and is especially popular for the romanticism of its cathedral and cathedral square.

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Small Town Attractions : The historic city of Breda is extremely popular for its well-preserved mix of historic architecture, ranging from medieval fortifications to the charming merchant's homes of its old town square. Another stop for the Allies, Eindhoven is well-known for its world-class museums and the nearby traditional villages, including one that remains largely unchanged since Van Gogh famously included it one of his paintings. Lovely Delft is another must-visit , as much for its charming public squares as it is for its famous Royal Dutch Delftware porcelain, a tradition that can still be enjoyed centuries later via factory tours.

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Netherlands Vacation Ideas : The bustling city of Arnhem will forever be remembered for its roll in WWII, when it featured as the "bridge too far" for Allied troops, whose bravery is remembered in. numerous museums and monuments here. Medieval Maastricht is perfect for those wanting a smaller city experience, and is especially popular for its remarkably intact 6th-century church and treasury. Finally, the Netherlands is not without stunning scenery, some of the best of which can be enjoyed in Hoge Veluwe National Park , the country's largest nature preserve and home to everything from thick woodlands to sand dunes.

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The 11 most incredible places to visit in Switzerland: be inspired

Kerry Walker

May 22, 2024 • 10 min read

Summer morning on Oeschinensee Lake.

Switzerland really is this stunningly beautiful here in the Bernese Oberland region © fokke baarssen / Shutterstock

Nowhere is perfect, but let’s face it,  Switzerland gets pretty darned close. 

The Alps ripple across 60% of the country, and the landscapes and towns look like they have been dreamed up by a particularly imaginative child. We’re talking glacier-capped peaks, crash-bang waterfalls, turreted castles of the fairy-tale kind and lakes in the most surreal shade of turquoise blue. Red trains curl up mountains to improbable heights and clanging cowbells ring out across hilly meadows that you can skip down with Heidi-like glee.

Even the culture-filled cities have magnificent backdrops of vineyards, lakes or rivers, and the mountains are never more than a whisper away. As natural beauty goes, Switzerland is off the charts. That makes it a joy to travel around , whether by train, bus or car. Here are the 11 best places to visit in Switzerland.

Jungfrau Peak reflected in the water of a hearth pond at Kleine Scheidegg

1. Jungfrau

Best for outdoor activities

The idyllic Jungfrau region is the icing on the Alpine cake of Switzerland’s  Bernese Oberland . Sky-high peaks, glaciers and thundering falls elicit gasps of wonder wherever you go. Grazing the 4,000m (13,123ft) mark are Switzerland’s "big three:" Eiger (Ogre), Mönch (Monk) and Jungfrau (Virgin), enshrined in mountaineering legend.

Take a once-in-a-lifetime ride up to the everlasting snow at Europe’s highest train station, 3,454m (11,332ft)  Jungfraujoch . Hike, ski, sled and zip-line among mountains of myth in  Grindelwald , enjoy waterfalls galore in  Lauterbrunnen  and tackle every kind of extreme sport imaginable in  Interlaken (skydiving, ice climbing, glacial bungee jumping – you name it). The Jungfrau region is the great outdoors on a blockbuster scale.

Planning tip:  Rush this region and you’ll regret it. Allow a week or more to dive in deep if you have the time. It's worth it. Great bases for dropping your bags include the astoundingly pretty villages of Wengen and Mürren.

A city old town with a turquoise river running through it

Best for stepping back in time

Bern often pops up in those I-can’t-believe-it’s-the-capital trivia questions, but frankly, Switzerland’s first city deserves more love. The cobbled, flag-bedecked medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage treat with 6km (3.7 miles) of covered arcades, cellar shops and bars, fantastical folk figures topping 16th-century fountains and the eye-grabbing Zytglogge . Framed by wooded hills and split in two by the turquoise Aare River, this red-roofed city looks good from pretty much every angle. It’s pure storybook stuff for kids, too, with its giant who snacks on children (the Kindlifresserbrunnen ) and resident bears .

Sights-wise, you’ll be drawn to big-hitters like the Einstein-Haus (where the genius and Nobel laureate developed his theory of relativity), the Kunsthaus (with its outstanding fine arts collection) and Renzo Piano’s wavy Zentrum Paul Klee (Bern’s answer to the Guggenheim).

Planning tip: In summer, the action’s on the water with swimming, tubing, rafting and paddleboarding along the Aare River, so bring your swimsuit. A classic float takes you from Camping Eichholz to Marzili, with knockout views of the Old Town.

Exterior of Castle Chillon, one of the most visited castles in Switzerland.

3. Geneva and Lake Geneva

Best for a cosmopolitan city experience

In Switzerland’s western crook, crescent-shaped Lake Geneva (Lac Léman to Francophones) is a joy to behold with its mountain backdrop, spirit-lifting views, vineyards and shoreline necklaced with handsome cities and castle-crowned towns.

Marked by its rainbow-kissed Jet d’Eau fountain and Mont Blanc peeping up on the horizon, Geneva wraps around the lake’s southern shore. The worldly city makes an excellent launchpad for exploring with big-hitting museums and galleries to absorb, botanical gardens to stroll, lidos to swim, Old Town cafes to hang out in and bright-yellow mouettes ferrying locals across the water – surely one of the world’s most scenic commutes.

Detour: It’s a quick boat or train hop to Lausanne , which can culturally give Geneva a run for its money, especially with its Plateforme 10 arts district , the lovely terraced vineyards of the Lavaux wine region (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and flower-draped Montreux , host to one of the world’s most famous jazz festivals, with the picture-perfect Château de Chillon right on its doorstep.

Here are the best times to visit Switzerland  for skiing, partying or sampling local life

Man on a rock next to a lake with a reflection of Matterhorn at dawn in Switzerland

Best for hiking, skiing and rock-climbing

No peak has more pulling power than the 4,478m (14,692ft) Matterhorn, a terrific, gnarled fang of rock that flings up above the seductive, timber chalet-filled Alpine resort of Zermatt . It's Switzerland’s mountain icon, so beloved by the nation that it inspired the pyramid shape of Toblerone chocolate.

Zermatt is more than a one-mountain wonder. Climbers have been rocking up here since the mid-19th-century, and it’s still a magnet for challenging summit ascents today. Otherwise, come to hike, ski and gaze over a sea of glaciers and 4,000m (13,123ft) peaks at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise . 

Detour : Fancy popping over the mountains for pranzo (lunch) or putting one snow-booted foot in Switzerland and the other in Italy? Go for a ride on the cloud-grazing cable car from Zermatt to Testa Grigia. The views from the top are out of this world.  

5. Swiss National Park 

Best for wildlife (and wildflowers) spotting

Switzerland has just one national park? Yes, we know it’s a shock, but trust us it’s a good one. Snuggled away in a remote corner of the country’s southeast on the border with Italy, the 172 sq km (66 square mile) Swiss National Park is the Alps in overdrive: a nature-gone-wild spectacle of high moors, forests, wildflower-freckled pastures, waterfalls, jewel-colored lakes and mountains as high as the sky, where ibex, chamois, marmots, deer and golden eagles roam and fly free.

Here wildlife rules and human intervention is kept to a conservation-driven minimum. And long may it stay that way, say park authorities. Amen. This mountainscape is so pristine, ancient and unaltered that dinosaur tracks are still regularly found here.

Lace up your boots for phenomenal hikes such as the challenging 21km (13 mile), eight-hour return stomp from Zernez to the Lakes of Macun, where 23 lakes of sapphire, azure and turquoise blue shimmer on a high-Alpine plateau with extraordinary views of the snow-capped Bernese, Silvretta and Ortler Alps.

Planning tip: Start off on the right foot with the inside scoop on walking trails and ranger-led guided hikes at the visitor center in Zernez.

A sunny day at Piazza Collegiate in Bellinzona, Switzerland

6. Bellinzona

Best for piazza dining

With a trio of medieval castles plonked on hilltops with dress-circle views of the Alps rearing beyond, good-looking, good-living Bellinzona in Ticino is like an espresso shot of Italy in southern Switzerland. You’ll find a generous splash of Italian flair, food and culture in its historic center, woven with flower-draped alleys, Renaissance churches and cafe-rimmed piazzas that brim with life, laughter, clinking glasses and the out-of-tune toll of countless campaniles. 

Detour: Top of any wish list is seeing the castles, among them the medieval stronghold of Castelgrande , which can be drawn out into a full day’s activity (bring water, comfortable shoes and possibly a picnic). From the ramparts, views reach out across vine-streaked, castle-studded hills.

Find out what to order when  eating and drinking in Switzerland

7. Jura Mountains and Lac de Neuchâtel 

Best for road tripping

In the dark forested hills along the French–Swiss border, the Jura Mountains are a natural wonder. This peaceful region has a beauty all its own: meadows of green, ancient forests, rocky outcrops overlooking a trio of lakes against an Alpine backdrop and slow-paced villages and valleys little changed in centuries. 

Begin with a road trip . Kick off at the Jura Vaudois Nature Park for hikes with dress-circle views of Lake Geneva and Gruyère cheese tastings at rustic Alpine huts. Swing north to Lac de Joux, the watchmaking village of Le Sentier, and Vallorbe, honeycombed with Switzerland’s biggest (and most impressive) limestone caves.

Detour: Tag on a trip to Lac de Neuchâtel and you can bathe in the thermal waters of Yverdon-les-Bains, tip-toe off the map in the lushly rolling Val-de-Travers (birthplace of absinthe) and the crescent-moon canyon of Creux du Van . Cultured Neuchâtel is a fitting climax with its fantasy of a lavishly turreted château.

See more of Switzerland on one of these classic road trips

Young man walking with swiss cow on mountain footpath. Mount Pilatus, Lucerne,

8. Lake Lucerne

Best for sunset promenades

Reclining on the shores of its glittering namesake lake , Lucerne is a walkable, medieval dream of a city that has a magic you can’t quite put your finger on. It will grab you when you are strolling along the promenade as the sun sets in a blaze of gold and pinks or as you cruise across its waters to mountains of myth: 2,132m (6,995ft) Mt Pilatus , where Wagner raved about the Alpine panorama and Queen Victoria trotted on horseback, and 1,797m (5,896ft) Rigi , with a light so sublime Turner painted it in three different moods.

The little city punches far above its weight culturally with its iconic medieval Kapellbrücke bridge leaping across the Reuss River and the Jean Nouvel–designed KKL arts center and Sammlung Rosengart harboring a prized private collection of Picassos. Ambling past the belle époque hotels lining its shores, the same views that captivated Goethe, Queen Victoria and Wagner in the 19th century will hold you in their thrall.

Local tip: With more time on your hands, you can really get out on the lake. Cruise across fjord-like, mountain-rimmed Lake Uri for a taste of Switzerland’s geographical and spiritual heartland. Boats ply the glassy turquoise waters to Rütli , birthplace of the Swiss nation.

9. Appenzell and northeastern Switzerland

Best for a bucolic Swiss experience

Northeastern Switzerland might not have the in-your-face drama of higher realms of the Alps, but it nevertheless delights in its own serene, deeply rural way with dairy country unraveling to meet the mountains and half-timbered, gaily muralled towns all fit for a postcard. This pocket-sized region is perfect for a family vacation with a hit of culture and gentle adventure.

Begin in St Gallen, with a spin round its World Heritage Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library), a literary marvel and a feast of rococo art and architecture. Move on to folksy, ridiculously pretty Appenzell, popping into the Schaukäserei to sample regional cheeses.

Muscling further south into the Alps, head on up to Säntis at 2,501m (8,205ft) for views embracing six countries and then go to Werdenberg , a tiny speck of a medieval hamlet home to Switzerland’s oldest timber chalets.

Detour: Factor in a visit to nearby Vaduz , Liechtenstein ’s princely, castle-topped capital on the banks of the Rhine. If you’re up for an adventure, it’s the trailhead for the 75km Liechtenstein Trail , enabling you to hike around an entire country in the space of a weekend.

Woman sitting on a bench next to the Rhine River in Basel, Switzerland

Best under-the-radar city experience

Popularity-wise, poor old Basel barely gets a look. But that’s a mistake. Straddling the Rhine, this city has everything going for it: world-class art in some of the country’s best galleries, a hot food scene, avant-garde buildings bearing the hallmark of Pritzker Prize–winning architects and an upbeat cafe culture.

Allow several days for a satisfying romp of the center, where must-sees include the Kunstmuseum and its fine arts collection, the Renzo Piano-designed Fondation Beyeler and the Frank Gehry-designed Vitra Design Museum . Linking the latter two cultural showstoppers and skipping over the border to Germany and back is the Rehberger-Weg , a 5km, 24-stop art trail best explored on foot or by bike. 

Planning tip: Basel endears itself most to those who look beyond the trophy sights, with sundown drinks by the river or a wild swim in the Rhine. Rent a Wickelfisch (a fish-shaped waterproof bag) at the tourist office, strip to your swimming suit and go with the flow, floating downstream past the city’s landmarks.

People swimming in the river in Zurich city centre

Best place to live

Regularly landing at the top in quality-of-living surveys, urban dynamo Zürich never seems to miss a beat: from cool waterside bars on the banks of the Limmat River to its alley-woven Old Town, where the twin-spired Romanesque Grossmünster , founded by Charlemagne in the 9th century, shines with Augusto Giacometti’s rainbow of stained glass. 

Old Masters hanging in the outstanding Kunsthaus gallery, Le Corbusier’s boldly colored architectural creations and the edgily post-industrial Züri-West neighborhood, home to the Schiffbau , presenting cutting-edge arts in a former shipbuilding factory, notch Zürich's culture cred up even further.

Planning tip: In mid-August, Zürich throws one of Switzerland’s wildest parties: the techno-pumping Street Parade. Hot summer days also see locals swapping business suits for swim suits at the city’s Badi-Bars, lakefront and riverfront pool bars with an upbeat party vibe such as Rimini .

This article was first published Sep 20, 2021 and updated May 22, 2024.

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Switzerland is high on the wish list of many Eurail travelers. You can explore Switzerland by rail with a Eurail Pass and travel through the snow-capped Alps, alongside beautiful mountain lakes and across rolling green hills. Switzerland's stunning nature and charming cities make this a country you don't want to miss!

Train types in Switzerland

You can enjoy a large choice of Swiss trains, each type ready to transport you across the country as well as to and from other European countries. Switzerland's national railway company is the  SBB  (Schweizerische BundesBahn). Use the  Interrail train timetable  or  SBB timetable  to check times for trains in Switzerland.

Click here to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network with all trains included (2 MB).

  • Domestic trains
  • High-speed trains
  • Night trains
  • Scenic trains
  • Private trains

Map with main train connections in Switzerland

There are a number of train types in Switzerland ready to transport you across the country, and to and from other European countries by day and night. Switzerland's national railway company is the  SBB  (Schweizerische BundesBahn). Use the  Eurail train timetable  or  SBB timetable  to check times for trains in Switzerland.

Regional trains in Switzerland

The main rail network in Switzerland is made up of the following regional and intercity trains:

RegioExpress  trains link regional destinations with larger Swiss cities.

Regio  trains connect local towns. 

InterCity  trains link major Swiss cities like Basel and Geneva.

InterRegio  trains connect Zurich and Geneva with cities across the whole of Switzerland. These trains make more stops than InterCity trains.

  • Zurich:  Your Interrail Pass is valid for the S-bahn of Zurich  except lines S4, S10 and S18 .
  • See our  Timetable  for more details about availability.

Click here  to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network (2 MB)

Travel tip:

There's an international regional train connection between Chiasso and Milan (Italy). This connection is a great option if you want to avoid  reservation fees .

On the  Eurail timetable  RegioExpress trains are listed as "RE", and Regio trains as "R". InterCity trains are listed as "IC", and InterRegio trains as "IR". Regional and Intercity trains do not require seat reservations. Reservations are however recommended for Intercity trains during high season (May-September) and public holidays.

High-speed trains in Switzerland

International high-speed trains in switzerland .

These high-speed trains operate to and from Switzerland:

  • Basel – Frankfurt – Cologne – Hamburg
  • Basel – Stuttgart – Munich
  • Reservations are compulsory during summer season (June 1st until September 1st)
  • Interlaken - Basel – Frankfurt – Berlin
  • Zürich - Basel – Frankfurt – Hannover – Hamburg - Kiel
  • Zürich – Salzburg – Vienna – Bratislava/Budapest
  • Zürich – Innsbruck – Graz 
  • Interlaken/Zürich – Basel – Cologne – Hamburg 
  • Zürich – Milan – Genova/Bologna/Verona/Venezia 
  • Geneva – Lausanne – Milan 
  • Basel – Bern/Luzern – Milan 
  • Zürich – Frankfurt – Dresden – Prague (Overnight)
  • Zürich – Stuttgart 
  • Zürich – Frankfurt – Hamburg (overnight) 
  • Zürich – Frankfurt – Amsterdam (overnight) 
  • Zürich – Frankfurt – Berlin (overnight)
  • Frankfurt – Basel – Milan 
  • Zürich – Munich (Reservations are compulsory from June 1st until September 1st)
  • Zürich – Basel – Paris 
  • Lausanne – Geneva – Paris 
  • Lausanne – Dijon – Paris 
  • Geneva – Lyon – Marseille (Only 01 July till 27 August)

Domestic high-speed trains in Switzerland

Domestic high-speed Swiss trains are called  InterCity Neigezug (ICN) . ICN trains transport passengers quickly and in comfort from one side of the country to the other.

Night trains in and between Switzerland

International night trains.

The following night trains connect Switzerland with Austria, Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Czechia, Slovenia, and the Netherlands:

ÖBB Nightjet : Zurich – Basel – Hamburg

Zurich – Basel – Düsseldorf – Amsterdam

Zurich – Basel – Berlin

Zurich – Linz – Vienna

EuroNight: Zurich – Graz

Zurich – Vienna – Budapest

Zurich – Innsbruck – Prague

Zurich – Basel – Dresden – Prague

Zurich – Villach – Ljubljana – Zagreb

Scenic train routes in Switzerland

Switzerland is famous for its beautiful scenic landscapes. The following scenic train routes offer special conditions for Eurail pass holders:

Bernina Express : Chur – Lugano via Tirano (Italy)

Chocolate train : Montreux – Broc-Chocolat

Centovalli Railway : Locarno (Switzerland) – Domodossola (Italy) 

Golden Pass : Luzern – Interlaken – Montreux

  • Glacier Express : Davos/St. Moritz – Zermatt
  • Jungfrau Railways : Interlaken – Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen – Jungfraujoch

Click here  to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network with all trains included (2 MB)

Private railway companies in Switzerland 

The Swiss railway network is operated not only by the SBB, there are a lot of private railway companies as well. Some of these companies are included in your Eurail Pass while other companies offer discounted travel.

Click here  to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network with all trains included (2 MB). 

Popular connections

  • Domestic routes
  • International routes

Reservations

How to make reservations for swiss trains.

Eurail reservation self-service system

Administration costs when booking through Eurail self-service

  • € 2,- p.p.per train
  • Additional € 9,- per order (for paper tickets)

With railway carriers

  • SBB Ticket Shop : Domestic trains
  • DB (German railways) : International trains to Germany
  • ÖBB (Austrian railways) : Domestic and international trains 
  • SNCB (b-europe) : Only Eurocity trains to Italy and TGV Lyria to France 
  • ÖBB Nightjet : Only Nightjet and Euro Night
  • ČD (Czech railways) : Domestic and international trains
  • Bernina Express (Rhatische Bahn) : Only Bernina express scenic trains 
  • Glacier express : Only Glacier Express scenic trains

Other platforms

  • Rail Europe : TGV (Lyria), Eurocity to Italy, Bernina Express

By calling the SBB (Swiss railways) booking center

  • +41 0848 44 66 88 (open 24/7). 
  • You will get a direct connection when calling this booking center. The Swiss SBB booking center can deliver your reservations to all  European  countries. Delivery costs are CHF8 (approx. €6.50). This call center may charge a booking fee. You can also pick up your reservations at main Swiss train stations. Just go to the ticket office with your order number. This call center can make reservations for the majority of European high-speed and night trains.

Locally at the train station in Switzerland

An explanation of how each booking platform works can be found here:  How do I book my reservations

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Get your Pass for Switzerland

Global pass.

Be free to visit Switzerland along with the other 32 Eurail countries.

Standard prices from $ 233

Tips and tricks

Quick facts.

Capital: Bern

Population: 8 million

Language: German, French, Italian

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)

Dialing code:+41

Swiss hub stations

Switzerland's main hub stations are  Basel SBB ,  Bern ,  Geneva ,  Lausanne ,  Luzern  and  Zürich HB . From these train stations it's possible to connect to trains to most of Switzerland's main cities.

Station facilities

Stations in Switzerland usually have excellent facilities, often including:

Luggage lockers

Foreign exchange desks

Restaurants and cafés

Tourist information offices

ATM cash machines

Elevators and escalators

Access for disabled passengers

Spelling of city names

On Swiss train timetables and at train stations in Switzerland, you'll usually find the local spelling of Swiss cities and stations.

Here is the local spelling of some popular Swiss cities:

Geneva = Genève

Lucerne = Luzern

Get inspired

Lucerne, Switzerland

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Our Europe Trip Itinerary: Amsterdam, Prague & Switzerland

Our Europe Trip Itinerary: Amsterdam, Prague & Switzerland

It was absolutely crazy to be packing our bags for our second europe trip in the summer of 2015 when we had never been on one until March earlier in the year. It so happened that the   first trip   was so great that when we got down to planning our second vacation of the year, we circled back to Europe.

Keeping into account our budget, number of days and connectivity, below is what our itinerary looked like:

Day 1 – 3: Amsterdam

switzerland tourism amsterdam

Our first stop was Amsterdam and it turned out to be a tremendous start to the vacation. The weather was just perfect. Lots of sunshine and just the right amount of chilly in the evenings. The city had a fun summer vibe in August with its lively canals, cafes, coffee shops, boat houses and streets dotted with trams, bicycles and horse carriages. The people are the friendliest and the happiest bunch we’ve come across in all of Europe we’ve been to, so far.

Getting around in Amsterdam was on their trams. Very easy to catch as they pick-up and drop-off right on the road. Rest of the time was mostly on foot. In fact, it was pleasure to walk around here.

In terms of things to do , we visited the  Rijksmuseum  to get a glimpse of art and culture and the  Anne Frank house  (read the diary before going if you can). Strolled around in  Central Station  and  Damstraat  area to take in the hustle-bustle. A leisurely  canal cruise  was a great way to absorb the city sights and walks along the canals were just wonderful.

On the third day we ventured out of the city and visited  Zaanse Schans  and it turned out to be a fairy tale place. There were old windmills which still work, cute little houses, a couple of shops selling cheese, chocolate and souvenirs, a clogs workshop, a restaurant offering the yummiest dutch pancakes, a stunning blue lake, swans, ducks and fat chubby sheep.

Day 4 – 5: Prague

switzerland tourism amsterdam

To get to Prague , we took an EasyJet flight from Amsterdam. 1:30 hours later we landed in this historic town.

Although the locals and the tourists wear modern clothes and carry gadgets and selfie sticks, you can’t help imagining how the place would have been in earlier times. Especially, when you are in Old Town Square and ahead from there on the 14 th  century Charles Bridge. Evenings in Prague are magical – the castle lit up in the distance, the many red, green and yellow roofs adorn the space under it, city lights tinkle, the water in the Vltava river ripples, the Charles Bridge stands still with its sculptures looking down upon the passersby and some beautiful melody plays from an artist’s violin. It’s so beautiful and dramatic, it can move one to tears.

Getting around in Prague was on trams or on foot. We had purchased the  24hr public transport card  and it helped when we were too tired to walk.

We stayed in old town itself and so walked up to and back from  Old Town Square  (Astronomical clock, Tyn Church etc.) and  Charles Bridge  all the time. Visited the  Prague Castle  and covered ‘Circuit B’ – Old Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica and the Golden Lane.

On the second day, took the funicular to  Petrin Hill  and went to the tower top to soak in the pretty city views. The bright red roofs spread across between the castle, the bridge and the river was something I didn’t want to miss. Also walked upto the  John Lennon Wall for some insta-worthy pictures. And a leisurely  boat ride  at dusk on the  Vltava  was therapeutic.

Day 6 – 10: Interlaken and around

switzerland tourism amsterdam

For the last leg of our Europe trip, we flew to Zurich on Swiss air. Less than 2 hours later we touched town in Switzerland . After visiting two cities, we had decided a bit of countryside will be good for us and so we skipped Zurich altogether and took the train straight to Interlaken from the airport.

Interlaken was our base and to get around from here we had purchased swiss rail passes in advance.

Interlaken was the perfect location. As the name suggest, it is situated between two lakes (Brienz and Thun) and surrounded by hills all around. We had rented a cozy studio through Airbnb giving us the option of preparing light meals at home as eating out can leave a hole in your pocket.

On one of the days, we decided to go for a hike from  Mannlichen  to  Kleine Scheidegg.  It is a 5.5km walk which should normally take about an hour to complete. It took us a little longer as we took a couple of pit stops to admire the place. The walk is easy and perfect for families with young children and you get enjoy great views throughout the hike.

Interlaken  to  Zermatt  turned out to be an amazing day trip for us. While originally not part of the itinerary, we decided to go for it after some deliberation. More so, as we were put off by the hordes of tourists making a bee-line for Jungfrau.  Instead, we zeroed in on  Matterhorn Glacier Paradise , accessible from Zermatt. While getting to Jungfrau lets you ride to the highest railway station,  getting to Matterhorn means you get to ride to the highest cable car station. And that is an adventure in itself!

The Alps, the peaks, the trek, Swiss rail and the many train rides, the cable ride, the lakes, the villages, our log studio, the pretty lane in Interlaken where we stayed, the brilliant blue lakes, the vistas and the sight of paragliders high up in the mountains … Switzerland did not disappoint!

And this is where a most memorable journey came to a close. We hope our trip gives you something to start planning your own euro adventures. And if you have any questions, leave them in the comments and we’ll try to answer as best as we can.

Here’s a map of our whole trip with the main cities in black markers. The purple markers are the places we visited within the cities. We’ve also marked the places we stayed at and some eateries we liked and remember – note the icons and zoom in to see more clearly.

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Wander Bunnies

Our europe trip itinerary: barcelona, paris, venice and rome, things-to-do we most enjoyed in scotland, you may also like, exploring malta in winter: a warm retreat in..., 4 wonderful weekend / day trips from london:..., vegetarian greek food finds in athens, greece, best things-to-do in athens, greece, long weekend itinerary: in the picturesque cotswolds in....

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Love the photos! I thought Amsterdam was amazing, and your photos make me want to go back straight away!

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Thanks Becky! 🙂

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You are lucky to have visited Amsterdam during the summer ,lovely city indeed 🙂

Yeah absolutely! 🙂

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I was there I was there! 😀

You were? When? 😀

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switzerland tourism amsterdam

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  • Direct daily services from Basel SBB in under 7 hours.
  • Environmentally friendly: from Basel around 10 times less CO 2 emissions than by plane.
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  • Head straight from Zürich HB and Basel SBB to Amsterdam by night train.

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From Zürich HB and Basel SBB, you can travel directly to Amsterdam every evening on the night train – it’s environmentally friendly and comfortable. You can also benefit from attractive direct connections from various Swiss stations during the day. Buy tickets online; order group tickets via the form.

Travel in comfort by train from Basel directly to Amsterdam.

Trains to Amsterdam.

Direct daytime connections..

Direct connections mean you can get to Amsterdam quickly and comfortably without changing trains. 

From Basel SBB to Amsterdam: journey time around 7 hours;  direct connections in the online timetable .

Services on the train.

The ICE offers the following services:

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Night train.

A night train runs every evening from Zürich HB and Basel SBB to Amsterdam. For a relaxed journey.

Outward journey.

  • From Zurich main station on the Nightjet, departure at 21:59, arrival in Amsterdam at 09:14.  Direct connections in the online timetable  (only direct connections).
  • From Basel SBB on the Nightjet, departure at 23:10, arrival in Amsterdam at 09:14.  Direct connections in the online timetable  (only direct connections).

Return journey.

  • From Amsterdam on the Nightjet, departure at 20:30, arrival at Zurich main station at 06:20,  direct connections in the online timetable  (only direct connections).
  • From Amsterdam on the Nightjet, departure at 20:30, arrival at Basel SBB at 06:20,  direct connections in the online timetable  (only direct connections).

Comfort categories and services on the night train.

Details on how to buy tickets, the different comfort categories and the services on night trains can be found on our Nightjet page.

Buying tickets and group tickets.

Purchase tickets to Amsterdam easily online.

For information on booking group travel to Amsterdam, please visit the international group tickets page . 

Interrail is an inexpensive and flexible way to travel to Amsterdam. Tip: Discover the city as part of an Interrail trip through the Benelux or other countries – you’ll often travel cheaper than with Point-to-Point Tickets.

Train & hotel.

Combining your train and hotel? No problem!

Book your train travel and your hotel easily and directly yourself.

Good to know: It’s best to book a group journey abroad as early as possible. The processing time required for international group ticket requests and reservations is at least 15 working days before departure; journeys to and via Germany require at least 25 working days.

From Basel SBB: journey time around 7 hours;  direct connections in the online timetable .

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Booking requests for group journeys abroad can be submitted using an online form. Our international group travel specialists will contact you within a few days.

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Switzerland Toursim

Switzerland Tourism: Packages & Detailed Official Info [2024]

Blog section, introduction.

Switzerlands tourism is loved by all across the globe because of its pristine natural beauty. Picture yourself surrounded by the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Alps and charming villages that dot the serene lakeshores – each moment, a stroke on a canvas painted with breathtaking beauty.

As you embark on your Switzerland tour , the landscapes that unfold before you are just the beginning of the enchantment. Switzerland is a tapestry intricately woven with the precision of Swiss watchmaking, the sweetness of world-renowned chocolate, and the richness of artisanal cheesemaking. It's not merely a destination; it's an immersive experience, a sensory adventure where tradition and modernity come together in perfect harmony.

Beyond the picture-perfect tourism, Switzerland stands tall as a global leader in innovation and craftsmanship. Every meticulously crafted timepiece, every velvety piece of chocolate, and every wheel of meticulously aged cheese reflect a reputation that resonates worldwide, enhancing the allure of the country.

Embark on your Swiss adventure, and you'll quickly discover that the appeal of this country goes beyond its natural wonders. It's a seamless blend of the old and the new, where each village, city, and alpine retreat tells tales of a rich history and vibrant culture. Travellers from every corner of the globe are drawn to this magnetic force that is Switzerland – not just a tourist destination but a promise of exploration.

Unravel the magic of Switzerland, where every moment becomes a snapshot of beauty, history, and the essence of an unforgettable journey. Let's venture into a world where landscapes, flavours, and experiences linger in your memory long after you've left the captivating shores of this remarkable country.

Switzerland Tourism Destinations

Switzerland Toursim Destinations

Jungfrau Region:

Picture this – you're at Jungfraujoch , the "Top of Europe." It's a mountain pass that gives you jaw-dropping views of the Alps. And the journey to get there is just as exciting, thanks to the Jungfrau Railway, one of the highest railways globally. Trust me; the views are worth it!

Interlaken:

Nestled between Lakes Thun and Brienz, Interlaken is like something out of a fairytale. The town is surrounded by mountains, perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and boating. It's the ideal starting point for exploring the Bernese Oberland region – a nature lover's paradise. Harder Kulm gives a beautiful vantage point to bask in the beauty of Interlaken.

Lucerne is straight out of a storybook with its medieval charm and views of Lake Lucerne. You can take a boat trip to Mount Pilatus or Rigi for some Instagram-worthy snaps of the Alps. Lucerne is a magical mix of history and nature – perfect for those who love a bit of both! Also, Lucerne is the most visited destination in Switzerland.

Imagine a village at the base of the famous Matterhorn mountain – that's Zermatt. It's a snowy wonderland in winter, perfect for skiing and snowboarding. But don't think it's just a winter destination. In the summer, Zermatt is a hiker's paradise with stunning mountain views in every direction.

Standing tall in Zermatt, Matterhorn is the world’s most photographed mountain. It is also an inspiration to the world’s famous chocolate - Toberlone.

Take a look at mighty Matterhorn with a stunning view from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Geneva is not your average city – it's by the beautiful Lake Geneva and is home to big international organisations. But that's not all; it's also a cool spot for shopping and soaking in some culture. Museums, theatres, and fancy boutiques – Geneva has it all.

Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland, is a vibrant metropolis that seamlessly blends modernity with a rich cultural heritage. Tourists flock to the picturesque Old Town (Altstadt) to explore its narrow cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and iconic landmarks such as Grossmünster and Fraumünster.

The city's pristine Lake Zurich, surrounded by parks and promenades, offers a serene escape. At the same time, the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world's premier shopping streets, caters to those seeking luxury and upscale retail experiences.

You can experience the Rhine Falls, Europe’s biggest waterfall, and the Zurich tour in a day.

Things to Do in Switzerland

Things to do as per Switzerland Toursim

Switzerland offers various activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Some of the most popular things to do in Switzerland include:

● Skiing and snowboarding:

● sightseeing:, ● culture and history:, ●food and wine:, here are a few tips for planning your trip to switzerland.

Switzerland Toursim planning tips

● When to go:

● how to get around:, ● where to stay:, ● what to eat:, ● what to pack:, switzerland currency.

Currency in Switzerland

Switzerland's official currency is the Swiss Franc, abbreviated as CHF (Confoederatio Helvetica Franc in Latin).

The symbol for the Swiss Franc is usually represented by "Fr." or "CHF." The currency is widely used across Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein, which shares a customs union with Switzerland.

You can always get a Forex card to avoid the hassle of currency exchange in the country.

Here is a glance at today’s 24 May 2024 exchange rate.

Switzerland Weather

Couple enjoying cosy weather in Switzerland

Switzerland experiences diverse weather conditions due to its varied topography and elevation. Here are some general observations about the weather in Switzerland:

Alphine Climate

An alpine climate characterizes Switzerland, and the weather can vary significantly depending on the region and altitude. The Swiss Alps influence local climates, with higher elevations generally experiencing cooler temperatures.

Four Seasons

Switzerland has distinct four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season brings its own unique charm and outdoor activities.

Summer (June to August)

Summers are generally mild to warm, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). In some lowland areas, temperatures can occasionally exceed 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Summer is a popular time for outdoor activities and tourism.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn sees cooler temperatures, especially in higher elevations. The landscapes are often adorned with vibrant fall foliage. Temperatures can range from mild to cool.

Winter (December to February)

Winters are cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing, especially in mountainous regions. The Swiss Alps are renowned for their ski resorts, attracting winter sports enthusiasts.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is characterised by milder temperatures, with nature coming to life as flowers bloom. Daytime temperatures can range from cool to mild.

Regional Variances

Weather conditions can vary between different regions of Switzerland. The northern lowlands may have different weather patterns compared to the southern Alpine regions.

Switzerland generally experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year.

Switzerland tourists cycling

Switzerland is a multicultural country with a rich history and heritage. The country's four official languages are German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Each language region has its own unique culture and traditions.

German Switzerland is the largest language region in Switzerland. It is home to the country's two largest cities, Zurich and Geneva. German Switzerland is known for its efficient and orderly way of life. It is also home to many world-class museums and art galleries.

French Switzerland is located in the western part of the country. It is known for its laid-back lifestyle and its beautiful scenery. French Switzerland is also home to the city of Lausanne, which is home to the International Olympic Committee.

Italian Switzerland is located in the southern part of the country. It is known for its Mediterranean climate and its picturesque villages. Italian Switzerland is also home to the city of Lugano, which is known for its lakeside setting and its casinos.

Romansh Switzerland is the smallest language region in Switzerland. It is located in the eastern part of the country. Romansh Switzerland is known for its traditional way of life and its beautiful mountain scenery.

Food and drink

Switzerland Tourists enjoying hot chocolate

Switzerland is like a foodie's paradise – and if you're unfamiliar with fancy culinary terms, don't worry! Let us break down some of the awesome Swiss dishes that you absolutely have to try:

● Raclette:

● zürcher geschnetzeltes:, ● bündnerfleisch:.

So, there you have it – a crash course in Swiss deliciousness. Don't stress about pronouncing the names perfectly; just dig in and enjoy Switzerland's awesome flavours!

Switzerland is also known for its high-quality wine and cheese. Some of the most well-known Swiss wines are Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Chasselas. And when it comes to cheese, you can't go wrong with Gruyère, Emmental, or Appenzeller.

Switzerland Train Pass

Any information on Swiss tourism is incomplete without mentioning tourists’ most preferred pass: Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss Travel Pass allows travellers to travel across Switzerland by train, bus, boat and tram with unlimited access.

Consecutive and flexible Swiss Pass is available in 3, 4, 6, 8 and 15 days, with first and second-class options.

Along with unlimited travel, it offers free entry to 500+ museums, free entry to a couple of mountains, and up to 50% off on mountains such as Jungfrau, Matterhorn, and Titlis.

It is available in an e-swiss pass, so no physical copy is required.

This pass is also known as Switzerland train pass, Swiss Pass, and Swiss Rail Pass.

With its captivating landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Switzerland Tourism beckons you to embark on a lifetime journey. Whether you're exploring majestic Alpine peaks or charming cities or engaging in thrilling activities, Switzerland is the gateway to an unparalleled travel experience.

Book your Swiss tour today and immerse yourself in the magic of Europe's heart. As you traverse the country's pristine valleys and snow-capped mountains, marvel at the breathtaking scenery and serene atmosphere.

Discover the unique charm of each village and town, where history and culture come alive. Indulge in the delectable cuisine and exquisite wines, savouring every bite and sip.And, of course, every Swiss adventure is complete with embarking on thrilling activities, from skiing and snowboarding to hiking and mountaineering.

Related Articles

6 days in switzerland itinerary – step-by-step itinerary for 2024 travel (by swiss travel expert).

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Switzerland

Whether you choose a Rhine River cruise, a land journey, or our Bridges Family travel experience the soaring panoramas of the Alps and the serene beauty of her glacial lakes will take center stage as you discover Europe's crown jewel.

Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

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Welcome to Switzerland

Alpine adventures abound in one of the world's favorite year-round playgrounds. There is nothing better than climbing through the Alps by cogwheel train to the Jungfraujoch or the Matterhorn at "the top of Europe" as the view takes your breath away. Savor cultural delights from velvety chocolate to the gastronomic celebration of gooey cheese ready for dipping... enjoy the urban edge and charming architectural styles of Bern, and other treasured cities with unexpected nods to unique, modern aesthetics.

Visit one of the world's top-ranked cities in which to live... zurich, switzerland.

Switzerland's largest city, Zurich today is a global leader and a world capital of banking (not to mention of chocolate), and consistently ranks high among the world's cities in quality of life. But this modern metropolis on Lake Zurich has a long, rich history that stretches back some 2,000 years, and you'll enjoy experiencing some of it with Tauck – including Bahnhofstrasse, the exclusive shopping boulevard connecting Lake Zurich with the main railway station… Old Town, with its Niederdorf pedestrian area, whose winding streets are lined with shops, artisan studios, and restaurants… and a plethora of interesting architecture, fountains, squares, and churches like the Romanesque Grossmünster.

Join the "beautiful people" at the chic Alpine resort town of St. Moritz

Lovely vistas of sparkling lakes and majestic peaks greet you in the high alpine resort town St. Moritz in Switzerland's Engadine Valley. Set on the southern slopes of the Albula Alps, the town has been a popular winter sports destination for well over a century. St. Moritz has played host to the Winter Olympic Games twice – in 1928 and 1948 – and the world championships of alpine skiing in 1934, 1974, 2003 and 2017. Besides skiing, other winter sports including snowboarding, tobagganing and bobsledding are popular in St. Moritz, home to the world's last remaining natural bobsled run (built up with only snow and water, without artificial means), which opened in 1904. The resort, which enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine every year, ranks among the most famous – and glamorous – ski resort areas in the world, where celebrity spotting is almost as popular as the skiing.

Tauck Exclusive – Reception at the Jungfraujoch Ice Palace

Enjoy cocktails and more at the "top of europe" with an exclusive private reception at the jungfraujoch's ice palace.

As your mountain railway train ascends into the majestic Swiss Alps, you'll arrive at Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the Eiger, then board a cogwheel train for the scenic climb to Europe's highest railway station, at the Jungfraujoch (perched at 11,333 feet above sea level). Here, at "the top of Europe," you'll find a restaurant, observatory, research station, a gallery of ice sculpture, and breathtaking views of the glacier-clad Bernese Alps, often called Switzerland's "jewel in the crown." And you'll enjoy a Tauck Exclusive... a private cocktail reception at the Ice Palace… taking time. of course, to savor the astounding views of the lofty peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch surrounding you!

Bellevue Palace Bern

More than a century of history in the shadow of the alps.

The only grand hotel in the heart of Switzerland's capital, Bellevue Palace Bern a national institution – the official guest house of the Swiss government for over 150 years, in fact. Whether you arrive for a romantic weekend, an eventful holiday or an official visit, the hotel's stylish and discreetly luxurious rooms and suites leave nothing to be desired. All offer classically elegant furnishings combined with modern-day comforts, harmonious colors and stunning views. Thanks to our hospitality, you are sure to feel at home.

Rhine Falls, Schaffhausen

Experience the largest waterfall in europe – the rhine falls, near schaffhausen in northern switzerland.

Located near the town of Schaffhausen on the Rhine River in northern Switzerland, the Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) is the largest plain waterfall in Europe, Set on the "High Rhine," the falls are 150 meters (490 feet) wide and 23 meters (75 feet) high. They were formed during the last ice age – approximately 14,000 to 17,000 years ago – by erosion-resistant rocks narrowing the riverbed. Travelers, artists and authors have been awed by the Rhine Falls for centuries; in the 19th century, J. M. W. Turner created several paintings of the falls, while "Frankenstein" author Mary Shelley wrote glowingly of it in her "Rambles" in the 1840s. With Tauck, you'll experience the Rhine Falls on a boat excursion from nearby Schaffhausen – with time to explore this historic town with its fine Renaissance-era buildings decorated with exterior frescoes and sculpture, and its circular 16th-century hilltop fortress, the Munot, in the center of town.

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From Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe" with its breathtaking views, to the lakeside resort town of Lugano, Switzerland delights on all levels, whether it be by land journey, river cruise or a family adventure with the kids. In Lausanne... Zermatt... St. Moritz... and Bern as you breath in the fresh air, modern and medieval architecture, history and much more.

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Europe Destination Management Company

Amsterdam, Paris & Switzerland

from 0 review

08 Days/07 Nights

Description

  • Holland Country Side Private Tour – Zannse Schans & Volendam – Wind Mills, Wooden Shoe making workshop, Cheese making demonstration, Dutch Fishing Village
  • Amsterdam Canal Cruise Sightseeing Tour
  • Brussels City Tour, en-route
  • Paris City Sightseeing Tour
  • Eiffel Tower (02nd Level standard)
  • Visit to Champagne Region en-route to Swiss
  • Excursion to Mt Titlis with Ice Flyer
  • Sightseeing Visit Zurich & Lucerne
  • Visit to Rhinefalls and Blackforest GERMANY – Cuckoo Clock Tour
  • Visit to Disneyland Paris – on optional cost @ 65 Euros PP
  • Mt Jungfrau - on optional @ EUR 165 PP

Day-1: Arrival in Amsterdam

Today We will Arrive at Amsterdam Airport according to the fight timing Standard Check in Time at Hotel - 03:00 pm Evening Enjoy Amsterdam Canal Cruise & Spend Some Free Time for Own Leisure Amsterdam is best seen from the water, and on this 1 hour 15 minute canal cruise you’ll experience the best of this historical city. You’ll come across new buildings, bridges, and much more in a city that’s rooted in history but continues to change. Evening return transfer to your hotel and overnight.

Day-2: Amsterdam - Zannse Schans - Volendam - Amsterdam

Today we discover the charms of the Dutch countryside on this day trip from Amsterdam and visit the picturesque towns of Edam, Volendam, Marken, and Zaanse Schans. Learn about Dutch culture, admire quintessential Dutch lighthouses, and explore a cheese factory, Learn about the traditional wooden clog shoe at a clog factory. Late afternoon return to Amsterdam and enjoy Amsterdam City tour with your driverguide and spend some free time in the city Visit the world-famous 17th century capital of Holland. Enjoy the historic buildings, beautiful museums and pleasant ambiance. Go for a boat tour on the canals, stroll through Vondelpark, and go shopping in the inner city. Amsterdam is a unique city!

Day-3: Amsterdam – Brussels - Paris

Today in the morning we will Check out from the Hotel and Depart to Paris via stopover in Brussels Enjoy Brussels City Sightseeing and Spend some free time for your own leisure. See the famous Grand Place and discover the city’s historic center. Pass the Manneken Pis, stroll by the Royal Galleries, enjoy a panoramic view from Mont des Arts and much more. Discover history in an entertaining and accessible way, and enjoy the city by your local driver cum guide Late Afternoon Continue drive to Paris, On arrival check in at your hotel and relax Overnight at hotel in Paris.

Day-4: Paris Sightseeing

# PARIS - It’s a whole world in one city! Paris is unarguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the capital of France, City of Love, City of art and of fashion.

Each of its neighborhoods can be explored as a different country, from the village of Montmartre, to the Latin Quarter, through to the cradle of the Île de la Cité. And every stone tells us about art, from the iconic Louvre to the futuristic Louis Vuitton Foundation. Paris is a permanent celebration of culture, as well as gastronomy. There are a thousand things to do and see in Paris and however much time you have here, it won’t be enough: Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, stroll down the Champs Elysées, visit the Louvre, see many shows and exhibitions, or simply wander along the banks of the Seine...read in French in the Tuileries garden, and quite simply take the time to experience the Parisian way of life! Stepping into this whirlwind that takes you from frenzy to romanticism will leave you with enduring memories. You will be much more proficient in French and you will become aware of your ability to communicate in the language of Molière.

Day-5: Paris – Swiss

Today in the morning we will Check out from the Hotel and Depart to Switzerland on your Private Luxury Van Discover near Epernay a famous historic village and Grand Cru classified vineyard in the historic Champagne hillsides classified as World Heritage Later transfer Swiss Switzerland isn’t just beautiful - it’s actually outrageously so.

Switzerland a country renowned for its magnificent natural beauty, snow-capped Alps peak, and tantalizing and tasty chocolate and bollywood movie shooting. All these features make a great attraction of this country named Switzerland.

Day-6: Mt Titlis & Lucerne

Moring meet the driver guide at your hotel and depart for full day excursion to Mt Titlis & Lucerne Explore the charming Swiss city of Lucerne before taking an incredible ride up Mount Titlis on an exciting tour. Take in breathtaking, 360-degrees views of the Swiss Alps from the Rotair revolving cable car and enjoy an inspiring visit to the Ice Grotto. Experience the glaciers of Mount Titlis at 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level, Enjoy amazing views from the unique Rotair revolving cable car, Get an up-close look at the glaciers from the Ice Flyer chairlift, Ride through snow along the mountainside, Soak in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Swiss Alps Take a city tour of Lucerne, take a short tour of the city’s most important sights, including a photo stop at the famous Lion Monument or Vierwaldstätter Lake, depending on traffic. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore the city on your own. Late evening return to your hotel and overnight.

Day-7: Excursion to Rhinefalls & Blackforest

Morning meet your driver at hotel and depart for full day excursion to Rhinefalls and Blackforest GERMANY Evening return to your hotel and overnight

Day-8: Zurich - Departure from Zurich

Today Check out in the morning Later Transfer to Zurich Airport to board the return flight “Bring Sweet and wonderful memories back to your home to share with your Friends and Family.”

Included/Excluded

  • 02 Nights Accommodation in Amsterdam at 03 Star Hotel
  • 02 Nights Accommodation in Paris at 03 Star Hotel
  • 03 Nights Accommodation in Swiss at 03 Star Hotel
  • 07X Breakfast at Hotel
  • All Sightseeing on Private Basis by Driver
  • A Private Mercedes Van Throughout the Tour from Airport to Airport with Professional Driver
  • VAT Included
  • Lunch / Dinner
  • Personal Expanses
  • Flight Tickets

Tour's Location

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Swiss Voyages

Swiss Voyages

Switzerland Destination Management Company

Amsterdam, Paris & Switzerland

Amsterdam, paris & switzerland, covered cities : amsterdam, zannse schans, volendam, brussels, paris, swiss, mt titlis, lucerne, rhinefalls, blackforest, zurich.

Duration : 08 Days/07 Nights

Day-1: Arrival in Amsterdam

  • Today We will Arrive at Amsterdam Airport according to the fight timing
  • Standard Check in Time at Hotel - 03:00 pm
  • Evening Enjoy Amsterdam Canal Cruise & Spend Some Free Time for Own Leisure
  • Amsterdam is best seen from the water, and on this 1 hour 15 minute canal cruise you’ll experience the best of this historical city. You’ll come across new buildings, bridges, and much more in a city that’s rooted in history but continues to change.
  • Evening return transfer to your hotel and overnight.

Day-2: Amsterdam - Zannse Schans - Volendam - Amsterdam

  • Today we discover the charms of the Dutch countryside on this day trip from Amsterdam and visit the picturesque towns of Edam, Volendam, Marken, and Zaanse Schans. Learn about Dutch culture, admire quintessential Dutch lighthouses, and explore a cheese factory, Learn about the traditional wooden clog shoe at a clog factory.
  • Late afternoon return to Amsterdam and enjoy Amsterdam City tour with your driverguide and spend some free time in the city
  • Visit the world-famous 17th century capital of Holland. Enjoy the historic buildings, beautiful museums and pleasant ambiance. Go for a boat tour on the canals, stroll through Vondelpark, and go shopping in the inner city. Amsterdam is a unique city!

Day-3: Amsterdam – Brussels - Paris

  • Today in the morning we will Check out from the Hotel and Depart to Paris via stopover in Brussels
  • Enjoy Brussels City Sightseeing and Spend some free time for your own leisure. See the famous Grand Place and discover the city’s historic center. Pass the Manneken Pis, stroll by the Royal Galleries, enjoy a panoramic view from Mont des Arts and much more. Discover history in an entertaining and accessible way, and enjoy the city by your local driver cum guide
  • Late Afternoon Continue drive to Paris, On arrival check in at your hotel and relax
  • Overnight at hotel in Paris.

Day-4: Paris Sightseeing

# PARIS - It’s a whole world in one city! Paris is unarguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the capital of France, City of Love, City of art and of fashion.

  • Each of its neighborhoods can be explored as a different country, from the village of Montmartre, to the Latin Quarter, through to the cradle of the Île de la Cité. And every stone tells us about art, from the iconic Louvre to the futuristic Louis Vuitton Foundation. Paris is a permanent celebration of culture, as well as gastronomy.
  • There are a thousand things to do and see in Paris and however much time you have here, it won’t be enough:
  • Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, stroll down the Champs Elysées, visit the Louvre, see many shows and exhibitions, or simply wander along the banks of the Seine...read in French in the Tuileries garden, and quite simply take the time to experience the Parisian way of life!
  • Stepping into this whirlwind that takes you from frenzy to romanticism will leave you with enduring memories. You will be much more proficient in French and you will become aware of your ability to communicate in the language of Molière.

Day-5: Paris – Swiss

  • Today in the morning we will Check out from the Hotel and Depart to Switzerland on your Private Luxury Van
  • Discover near Epernay a famous historic village and Grand Cru classified vineyard in the historic Champagne hillsides classified as World Heritage
  • Later transfer Swiss

Switzerland isn’t just beautiful - it’s actually outrageously so.

  • Switzerland a country renowned for its magnificent natural beauty, snow-capped Alps peak, and tantalizing and tasty chocolate and bollywood movie shooting. All these features make a great attraction of this country named Switzerland.

Day-6: Mt Titlis & Lucerne

  • Moring meet the driver guide at your hotel and depart for full day excursion to Mt Titlis & Lucerne
  • Explore the charming Swiss city of Lucerne before taking an incredible ride up Mount Titlis on an exciting tour. Take in breathtaking, 360-degrees views of the Swiss Alps from the Rotair revolving cable car and enjoy an inspiring visit to the Ice Grotto.
  • Experience the glaciers of Mount Titlis at 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level, Enjoy amazing views from the unique Rotair revolving cable car, Get an up-close look at the glaciers from the Ice Flyer chairlift, Ride through snow along the mountainside, Soak in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Swiss Alps
  • Take a city tour of Lucerne, take a short tour of the city’s most important sights, including a photo stop at the famous Lion Monument or Vierwaldstätter Lake, depending on traffic. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore the city on your own.
  • Late evening return to your hotel and overnight.

Day-7: Excursion to Rhinefalls & Blackforest

  • Morning meet your driver at hotel and depart for full day excursion to Rhinefalls and Blackforest GERMANY
  • Evening return to your hotel and overnight.

Day-8: Zurich - Departure from Zurich

  • Today Check out in the morning Later Transfer to Zurich Airport to board the return flight

“Bring Sweet and wonderful memories back to your home to share with your Friends and Family.”

  • 02 Nights Accommodation in Amsterdam at 03 Star Hotel
  • 02 Nights Accommodation in Paris at 03 Star Hotel
  • 03 Nights Accommodation in Swiss at 03 Star Hotel
  • 07X Breakfast at Hotel
  • All Sightseeing on Private Basis by Driver
  • A Private Mercedes Van Throughout the Tour from Airport to Airport with Professional Driver
  • VAT Included
  • Lunch / Dinner
  • Personal Expanses
  • Flight Tickets
  • Holland Country Side Private Tour – Zannse Schans & Volendam – Wind Mills, Wooden Shoe making workshop, Cheese making demonstration, Dutch Fishing Village
  • Amsterdam Canal Cruise Sightseeing Tour
  • Brussels City Tour, en-route
  • Paris City Sightseeing Tour
  • Eiffel Tower (02nd Level standard)
  • Visit to Champagne Region en-route to Swiss
  • Excursion to Mt Titlis with Ice Flyer
  • Sightseeing Visit Zurich & Lucerne
  • Visit to Rhinefalls and Blackforest GERMANY – Cuckoo Clock Tour
  • Visit to Disneyland Paris – on optional cost @ 65 Euros PP
  • Mt Jungfrau - on optional @ EUR 165 PP

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Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards with Amsterdam (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam) Tour

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Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards with Amsterdam (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam)

Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam) Tour

Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam)

Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Switzerland (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam) Tour

Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Switzerland (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam)

Rhine Highlights - Rhine Gorge > Koblenz (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam) Tour

Rhine Highlights - Rhine Gorge > Koblenz (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam)

Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Switzerland - Rüdesheim > Rhine Gorge Tour

Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Switzerland - Rüdesheim > Rhine Gorge

Zurich - Lucerne & Jewels of the Rhine - Ludwigshafen - Heidelberg Tour

Zurich - Lucerne & Jewels of the Rhine - Ludwigshafen - Heidelberg

Rhine Highlights (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam) Tour

Rhine Highlights (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam)

Zurich-Lucerne & Jewels of the Rhine & Amsterdam Tour

Zurich-Lucerne & Jewels of the Rhine & Amsterdam

Rhine Highlights - Koblenz (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam) Tour

Rhine Highlights - Koblenz (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam)

Zurich - Lucerne with Tulips & the Rhine - Ludwigshafen – Schwetzingen Tour

Zurich - Lucerne with Tulips & the Rhine - Ludwigshafen – Schwetzingen

Rhine Christmas Markets with Switzerland - Koblenz (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam) Tour

Rhine Christmas Markets with Switzerland - Koblenz (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam)

What people love about river cruise tours from zurich to amsterdam.

Impressed by the work done to get us on board at a very late date. The trip itself was the usual wonderful Scenic Cruise. The two tour guides, Franz and Alec were outstanding and all the personnel on The Opal made the trip wonderful. The Hotels in Switzerland were all top notch. Our tours visiting Castles and Towns were as good as we remembered others from earlier tours. Our admiration and respect for Scenic remains very strong.

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To Switzerland by train

On vacation to Switzerland? Treat yourself the comfort of the train and travel to many destinations in Switzerland. For example, discover the highlights of the country such as Zurich, Basel or Bern. Visit authentic mountain villages, bustling towns, impressive glaciers and refreshing lakes.

Find tickets for your train to Switzerland

Search your destination in Switzerland

Our destinations in switzerland, train to basel.

Enjoy the medieval town and stunning architecture.

Train to Bern

Narrow alleys and sandstone houses. This is the Swiss capital Bern!

Train to Geneva

The city lies on the shores of Lake Geneva, with its famous fountain.

Train to Zürich

Highly recommended! Beautiful old town and magnificently beautiful lake.

Train to Kandersteg

In the heart of the Swiss Alps and surrounded by a stunning mountain range.

Ski destinations in Switzerland

It takes less than 10 hours to get to the Swiss mountains by train. After this comfortable journey, you're ready to relax and ski or snowboard!

Interrail Pass

Want to travel a few days, two weeks or even a month through Europe? With the Interrail Pass, Europe will be at your feet!

Swiss Travel Pass

With the Swiss Travel Pass you can discover the breathtaking Swiss countryside and receive attractive discounts for many mountain railway lines.

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Questions train to Switzerland

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  • Travel Planning Guide

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Switzerland vs. the Netherlands for Museums & Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Food

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  • Pros & Cons
  • Museums & Attractions
  • Culture & History
  • Small Towns
  • National Parks
  • Adventure & Outdoor Activities
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Backpackers
  • Transportation
  • More time in Switzerland or the Netherlands?
  • Which is Cheaper, Switzerland or the Netherlands?
  • When to Visit Switzerland or the Netherlands?
  • Weather: Switzerland vs. the Netherlands

Should you visit Switzerland or the Netherlands?

Which is cheaper to visit which is more expensive for vacation.

Which country should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Switzerland and the Netherlands. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

We'll start with a quick overview, and below we will go into all of the details.

Switzerland

Basel, Switzerland

Switzerland is a adventurous, beautiful, and mountainous country. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, hiking, and mountains.

In the heart of Europe, this mountainous nation is full of culture and beautiful scenery. The Alps are great to explore any time of the year, as are the world-class and cultural cities of Switzerland. This country is the perfect combination of history, art, outdoor adventure, and nature, and that's why so many visitors come every year.

Netherlands

Amsterdam

The Netherlands is a vibrant, historic, and beautiful country. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, theater, history and culture, and nightlife.

The relatively small country of the Netherlands is densely populated and is host to world-class cities, amazing history, and plenty of cultural attractions. Also commonly referred to as Holland, much of this country's land has been reclaimed by the sea and is crisscrossed by canals and man-made waterways historically used for shipping and trade. Today, the Netherlands is a modern, diverse, and developed nation that still offers plenty of historic and cultural charm with beautiful old buildings, windmills, farmland, cheese shops, and bike paths. Amsterdam is the most popular city for visitors, as it contains famous museums and historic architecture along canals and streets filled with bicycles. Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht also have museums, history, and culture to explore, even though they see less tourists than Amsterdam.

Switzerland and Netherlands: Pros and Cons

  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Great culture, history, and arts
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Good for hiking
  • Beautiful national parks
  • Numerous outdoor activities
  • Great road trips
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Good nightlife
  • Less popular at Christmas
  • Less hiking options
  • Not as many national parks
  • Less adventure activities
  • Less outdoor activities
  • Not as many road trip options
  • Less popular with couples

Amsterdam, Netherlands

How is Switzerland different from the Netherlands?

Which is better for a holiday.

Below we will examine the differences and similarities between Switzerland and the Netherlands. With this information, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Switzerland or the Netherlands?

Interesting museums and landmarks can be found in both Switzerland and The Netherlands , but many consider The Netherlands to be a step above.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, The Netherlands has many famous sights for visitors. With art, culture, history, science, nature, and more, this country has a large number of must-see museums that should be on everyone's itinerary. Amsterdam offers a number of famous art museums such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum. Also here you'll find the famous Anne Frank house, dedicated to the young girl that hid with her family in the attic during the Holocaust. Even more art museums, historic and modern, are found in the major cities such as the Mauritshuis, Escher in Het Paleis, the Groninger Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum and Rembrandt Museum in Amsterdam. If you're looking for some family-friendly activities, check out the Naturalis in Leiden (a natural science museum), the NEMO Science museum in Amsterdam, the Railway Museum in Utrecht, the Maritime Museum in Amsterdam, and the Open Air Museum of Arnhem. Also, many of the castles around the country have been turned into museums for exploration and historic purposes.

See also Cheap Activities in Amsterdam for Budget Travelers , and The Museums of Amsterdam .

Switzerland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Multiple cities offer plenty of opportunities to explore museums. Basel, for example, is known as the city of museums because it offers so many from art to culture to toys to science. Bern, Geneva, Zurich, and Lucerne also have museums of all types, whether they showcase art, history, technology, or culture. There's a museum for everyone here.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Culture, Arts, and History?

You'll find great culture, arts, and history when visiting both Switzerland and The Netherlands .

Switzerland has many famous historic and cultural sights and attractions worth visiting, and is one of the main reasons why poeple come here. The cities here have a culture and history all of their own. With museums, castles, restaurants, cafes, and beautiful architecture, the Swiss cities offer plenty of historical and cultural activities. Even the countryside provides opportunities to understand the idyllic and mountainous lifestyle of the region.

The Netherlands is a terrific destination to visit for history, arts, and culture, as it has many sights worth visiting. With cities dating back thousands of years, a large collection of art and history museums, numerous historic sites such as castles, windmills, forts, and cathedrals, and historic architecture everywhere you look, it's no surprise that people visit the Netherlands for its deep history and unique culture. Historic cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, Arnhem, and many others provide that quintessential Dutch vibe with historic buildings lining beautiful canals. You'll also find old castles and forts along with world-class art museums. Don't miss the Van Gogh museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. Also, make sure you add the historic Open Air Museum of Arnhem to your list, as well as the Mauritshuis in the Hague. Just north of Amsterdam you can find the Zaanse Schans, a town with historic windmills along the river that showcases the life and history of this water-borne nation. No matter what your interests may be, you'll find something for everyone in this culturally rich country. Even if history isn't your passion, you can't miss the beauty in it.

See also Free Things to do in Amsterdam .

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Big City Activities?

You'll find a similar number of great big city activities in both Switzerland and The Netherlands .

Because of the large cities in Switzerland , visitors will find many sights and attractions. The major cities here are very nice to visit and offer plenty of sights and attractions. Lucerne, for example, sits on a lake and offers restaurants, nightlife, museums, and history around every corner. Other major cities include Basel (the city of museums), Bern, Geneva, and Interlaken. Each has their own vibe, but all offer something interesting for guests.

Since The Netherlands has large cities, you'll find plenty of things to do. Amsterdam is a very popular destination for travelers coming to Europe because it offers historic architecture, world-class art museums, boat trips along the scenic canals, the infamous red light district, and more. Rotterdam and The Hague also offer plenty of big city activities such as museums, theater productions, and great cuisine. While Amsterdam is often included in many traveler's European tours, the other cities in the Netherlands get overlooked despite their terrific attractions.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Small Towns and Villages?

Switzerland offers more villages and small towns to explore than The Netherlands.

You'll find plenty of local activities in all of the small towns and villages in Switzerland . Small towns with a charming atmosphere and stunning views are what Switzerland is all about. In the Alps, visitors will find no shortage of gorgeous mountainside villages with traditional Swiss architecture, mountain vistas, and plenty of surrounding activities. For example, check out Murren or Lauterbrunnen near Interlaken, or Stein am Rhein, or Zermatt. And in the winter they are just as beautiful as in the summer.

The Netherlands is a great destination to visit small towns and villages just waiting to be explored. If you seek small towns with plenty of charm and history, Holland offers plenty of them. Many towns and smaller cities here have a historic vibe with canals, windmills, local agricultural products, museums, and more. Gouda, Leiden, Arnhem, Haarlem, Naarden, Edam, and Giethoorn are just some of the places worth visiting. They offer local cuisine, cute cobblestone lanes, historic churches, and friendly people.

Is the Food Better in Switzerland or the Netherlands? Which Country Has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will appreciated the dining options available in Switzerland a bit more than The Netherlands.

Switzerland has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Of course, you can't visit without tasting the fondue. But Swiss food goes beyond cheese, as you'll also find great steaks, fresh fruits and vegetables, and an influx of German, French, and Italian cuisine at local restaurants.

The Netherlands offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Traditional Dutch foods often include fried snacks such as krokets, small pancakes known as Poffertjes, fried fish, and world-famous cheeses. Furthermore, plenty of terrific restaurants serving a variety of European and global cuisine can be found across the country, especially in the larger cities. Food here tends to be fresh, and the dining and restaurant scene is very active.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Nightlife?

Most visitors prefer the nightlife in The Netherlands .

The Netherlands is a must-see party destination. Amsterdam is a haven for nightlife, as it attracts a large number of visitors looking for entertainment. The red light district is full of bars and nightclubs, as are other areas of the city. You can also find theater productions and fine dining experiences, too. Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Leiden, and other cities also offer plenty of nightlife options with a wide array of bars, cafes, clubs, and theaters.

Amsterdam : The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

See also Party Hostels in Amsterdam .

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Switzerland. Some of the major cities offer bars, clubs, restaurants, and theatres for those looking to go out at night. Geneva, Basel, Bern, and Lucerne are all fairly active in the evenings.

Is the Shopping Better in Switzerland or the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is generally considered to be a more popular shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in The Netherlands. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and the Hague are all full of shops where visitors can find everything from fashion to gifts to local arts and crafts. And each of these cities are large enough that different neighborhoods offer a variety of personalities each with their own shopping vibe. Some of the historic areas tend to cater to tourists and sell gifts and crafts, while the fashion neighborhoods and malls offer the latest trends in local boutique shops. Art galleries are also quite common, as are chain clothing stores, tourist shops, and cheese shops, but there's something for everyone. Even smaller cities that attract tourists will offer good deals, trendy boutiques, and local crafts. Look for some interesting finds in Utrecht, Amersfoort, Leiden, Den Bosch, Haarlem or other smaller cities.

Switzerland is a great destination for shopping. The larger cities of Geneva, Lucerne, Bern, and Basel are popular with shoppers looking to find the latest fashion trends or local arts and crafts.

Zurich : Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Geneva : Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Christmas?

Switzerland is usually the more popular destination around Christmas.

With so many activities, Switzerland is a top place to visit during Christmas. Christmas here is very popular, and the alpine setting makes it magical. Many cities and towns will decorate their churches and town squares with Christmas trees and other decorations, and many also have markets, festivals, theatre shows, and more.

The Netherlands is a fun destination over Christmas. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, and many other Dutch cities decorate their historic city centers with Christmas lights, large trees, and other holiday decor. Additionally, many towns also host parades and festivals to celebrate the holiday season. One of the most popular is the arrival of Sinterklaas, a boat and horse parade that tours Dutch cities and excites the children with his arrival. Many shops also sell festive gifts and delicious treats. Some of the cities also host ice skating rinks and festivals with children's games to bring out the holiday crowds. And if you're looking for a fun Christmas market, check out those held in Dordrecht and Maastricht, or the cave-market in Valkenburg.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Hiking?

Switzerland is generally considered to be a better destination for hiking.

Switzerland is well-known for its hiking and trekking. All across the country, visitors will find hiking trails of all skill levels. Some are very easy, such as those that leave from alpine villages and meander through farmland. Others are only for experts, like the edge-of-the-cliff trails high up in the peaks. Most are somewhere in the middle and suitable for most hikers, and offer stunning views of the Alps along with the occasional stop at a mountainside café.

Zermatt : There are countless hiking trails in the area that cater to all levels of fitness. Almost all trails offer some sort of view of Matterhorn, and it's possible to enjoy a great view without much effort. It's also possible to do a multi-day trek while staying in mountain huts which will get you well into the amazing scenery.

Interlaken : Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Grindelwald : Hiking in the area offers spectacular views of the Bernese Alps including Wetterhorn, Eiger, Jungfrau, and Breithorn. There are trails that cater to all levels and hiking is the best way to explore the countryside.

The Netherlands has hiking trails for those that seek them out. Despite its smaller size and lack of mountains, plenty of beautiful hiking routes are found all over the country. With a variety of national parks and wildlife areas, many of these trails are easily accessible to the major cities. Some are found along the coastline where you'll hike among sand dunes and along the shore. Others are inland in the forest and follow rivers or canals with the occasional castle or historic ruins mixed in to the itinerary. So, if you're looking to get out of the city for some fresh air, a day hiking is a good option.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for its National Parks?

Switzerland is generally considered to have more national park destinations than The Netherlands.

Switzerland is well-known for its national parks and wilderness areas. With 19 national parks, this country offers a diverse set of natural areas to explore away from crowds and development. As this is the Alps, many of these national parks are in mountainous alpine settings, and they offer great views, hiking, and an accessibility to nature that is hard to find in many other countries. Some are rugged, while others are pastoral, and a few are also agricultural (with vineyards).

The Netherlands is a good destination to visit the national parks. The 21 national parks are spread across the nation and serve to protect wildlife and cultural areas. Many of the parks are quite small compared to what other countries offer, but they are still beautiful and significant for what they provide. Some of the most popular include Weerribben-Wieden, De Biesbosch, and Zuid-Kennemerland.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Adventure Travel?

Switzerland generally offers more adventure travel options for travelers than The Netherlands.

Switzerland offers a great deal of adventurous and exciting experiences. Many visitors here partake in snow skiing and snowboarding in the winter. In the warmer months, you can experience paragliding, river rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, cliff walking, bungee jumping, ropes courses, and mountain coasters. This country seems to pride itself on extreme sports in some of the mountain areas, or at least provide every type of sport to visitors.

The Netherlands has a few adventure travel activities for those that seek them out. Although it's a small country, visitors can still find adventurous activities along the coast and in some of the natural areas. The beaches offer kite surfing and wind surfing opportunities. Also, plenty of travelers like to go kayaking or canoeing on the many canals and waterways. Zip-lining and ropes courses can be found around the country, such as the Euromast in Rotterdam. Also, almost every city has a rock climbing gym. And if you're really interested in climbing, check out the tallest climbing wall ever built in Groningen.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Outdoor Activities?

Overall, Switzerland is considered to offer more outdoor activities and attractions to visitors.

The huge number of outdoor activities in Switzerland is one of the main reasons people come to visit. As a country totally immersed in the mountains, the outdoors are the main attraction here. Visitors can explore the Alps on foot, or by horseback, or on skis. Ropes courses and zip lines are found throughout the nation, as are camping and rock climbing. Fishing and boating are common in the rivers and lakes, too. It's easy to get out of the cities and into the mountains, and this accessibility makes the outdoors that much more fun here.

The Netherlands is a good destination to visit the outdoors, as there are some fun activities. A number of hiking trails, biking paths, and running trails can be found almost everywhere in the country. Boating, kayaking and canoeing are popular almost everywhere, too. Most cities and towns have kayak rentals if you're interested. The beaches are also popular spots for outdoor activities such as swimming, camping, and hiking. And with a variety of national parks and wilderness areas that are all easily accessible via public transit from the nearest city, the Netherlands makes it easy to get out and enjoy nature.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for a Road Trip?

Switzerland is usually considered to be a better destination to explore on a road trip than The Netherlands.

Taking a road trip through Switzerland is very good way to see the countryside and smaller destinations. A drive through the Alps is an amazing experience. It's hard to find anywhere else where you are surrounded by beautiful mountains while also exploring historic villages, pastoral farmlands, and world-famous cities.

The Netherlands is generally not the best destination for road trips, but it has a few options. Getting around by car is not difficult since the distances to drive are fairly short. On a road trip you can see the many small towns of the countryside, the agricultural regions, historic windmills, old castles and forts, and more. Also, a trip up and down the coastline is quite easy and very scenic, too.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Families?

Families may find more to do in Switzerland than The Netherlands.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Switzerland is very family-friendly. With cultural cities, gorgeous mountains, outdoor activities, mountain resorts, and terrific food, it's no surprise that this country is very family friendly. The small towns in the Alps offer a mix of relaxing and adventurous things to do such as hiking, exploring playgrounds, admiring views, and visiting farms. It's easy to get around almost anywhere in the country with public transit, too.

Interlaken : While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

See also Hostels in Geneva for Solo Travellers, Couples, and Families , Hostels in Lucerne for Backpackers, Couples, and Families , and Hostels in Lausanne for Backpackers, Families, and Couples .

The Netherlands is a very family-friendly place to visit. Plenty of family-friendly activities can be found in the cities and countryside, such as amusement parks, the beach, historical attractions, biking, boating, and more. Numerous amusement parks are located throughout the country. Also, most of the cities have family-friendly museums such as the NEMO Science Museum or the Maritime Museum in Amsterdam, the Natural Science Museum in Leiden, the Railway Museum in Utrecht, or the Open Air Museum in Arnhem. Several zoos are also found throughout the country. And of course, don't forget about LegoLand and the Sea Life center in Scheveningen.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Couples?

Couples will find a longer list of romantic activities in Switzerland than The Netherlands.

Switzerland is a great country if you're traveling as a couple. Gorgeous mountain views are just the beginning, as Switzerland also offers the chance to relax in a cozy mountain chalet up in the Alps after a day of hiking or adventure sports. Here, couples can truly experience a wide variety of activities, whether they are athletic, historical, or cultural. The charming hotels, natural beauty, and delicious food just add to the already amazing experiences.

Zermatt : Couples who seek an adrenaline filled adventure will be in heaven in this iconic alpine destination. There are breathtaking views of Matterhorn, stunning hikes, impressive skiing, and a charming town where you can enjoy a great meal after a day filled with adventure.

Interlaken : The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

Murren : This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

See also Hostels in Geneva for Solo Travellers, Couples, and Families , Hostels in Lucerne for Backpackers, Couples, and Families , and Hostels in Bern for Backpackers, Solo Travelers, and Couples .

The Netherlands is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Amsterdam is the most popular city to visit, and contains plenty of historic and charming hotels and B&B's which couples find to be very romantic. Elsewhere in the country, similar accommodations can be found that make for a terrific couple's getaway as you can enjoy romantic restaurants, outdoor cafes, scenic boat rides, and cultural activities.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Travelers usually think of The Netherlands as a better destination for backpackers than Switzerland.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit The Netherlands. With a large number of somewhat affordable hostels, cheap transportation, affordable food options, and low cost attractions, most major cities in the Netherlands are popular with backpackers and budget traveler. Keep in mind that travel costs here are fairly high, though. So, while hostels are less expensive than hotels, they are still not cheap. But with plenty of options and a party atmosphere, Amsterdam especially is very popular with the backpacker and budget-travel crowd.

Amsterdam : With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

See also Best Hostels in Amsterdam , Party Hostels in Amsterdam , and Amsterdam Hostels Near the Red Light District .

Plenty of budget travelers visit Switzerland. Plenty of hostels and outdoor activities can be found throughout the country, allowing budget travelers to explore the cities and mountains on their own. However, since Switzerland is a fairly expensive country, this tends to keep budget travelers away. Plenty of visitors come for outdoor backpacking and camping in the wild, though, as the scenery is top notch.

See also Hostels for Backpackers in Zurich , Switzerland's Best Budget Hostels , and Interlaken Hotels & Hostels Near the Train Station (Interlaken West) .

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Better for Students?

For students, both Switzerland and The Netherlands are great places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Switzerland . A variety of study abroad and student programs can be found around the country, most notable in the larger cities of Lucerne, Bern, and Basel.

Zurich : The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

See also Hostels in Switzerland for Backpackers and Students .

The Netherlands is a good country to visit for students. With large universities in the major cities and a great infrastructure for younger budget travelers, students will find plenty of opportunities to explore the country and meet up with others. Many of the university areas of the major cities offer extensive nightlife scenes and affordable activities. Utrecht has one of the largest in the nation, as as such the city has a young and vibrant vibe. Amsterdam, Leiden, and Groningen also have large student populations and the accompanying atmosphere for student life, too.

The Hague : This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

See also Hostels in the Netherlands for Backpackers, Students, and Budget Travellers .

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands Easier for Transportation? Which is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Switzerland and The Netherlands both offer transportation to get you around.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Switzerland can take you anywhere. The Swiss rail system is fast, efficient, and comfortable. It's very easy to get around between the major cities and small towns, and also easy to reach the peaks of mountains and higher-up towns, too. Major cities and even smaller areas all have some form of public transit. In the mountain areas, this often takes the form of gondolas and old cog-railways up to higher elevations, making travel part of the fun.

  • Traveling by train is extremely popular.
  • It's possible to travel by bus.
  • It's quite common to travel by car.
  • Travel by airplane is possible.

The Netherlands has a great public transit system. As a relatively small country with a high population density, getting around in the Netherlands feels like traveling around a city instead of a country. The national train system operates routes on a regular schedule so that you can find a train anywhere at least every hour if not more frequently. And when you're in a city, the bus and tram systems are fantastic, efficient, affordable, and frequent. You won't need a car as a visitor, but if you choose to hire one, you'll find high-quality roads, too. Finally, many of the islands in the north are accessible with public ferries running on frequent schedules. As you probably know, much of the infrastructure in the Netherlands is built around bicycles, so don't be afraid to grab some fietsen and make your way around town on the dedicated bike lanes. It's common to rent bikes at the station if you arrive in a different city by train or bus, or bike rentals are available at many shops around the cities, too. Overall, the transit system in the Netherlands is amazing.

  • It's fairly easy to travel by bus.
  • Travel on ferry boats is possible.
  • It's possible to travel on cruise ships and excursions.
  • It's possible to travel with an organized tour.
  • It's possible to travel by car.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands more Comfortable for a Trip?

Switzerland and The Netherlands are both modern and comfortable places to visit.

People often come to Switzerland because it is such a comfortable and luxurious destination. Despite the rugged terrain of the Alps, the overall travel infrastructure of this country is second to none. Swift, clean, and efficient public transit is everywhere, and sometimes it will even take you all the way to the top of the mountain peak. Small towns in the Alps are connected to all of the major cities. Hotels are often high-end and provide plenty of comforts, even those at the lower price points. Resort areas are common, too. The cities are modern with enjoyable amenities such as cafes, restaurants, and museums - and the clean public transit can take you around town.

The Netherlands is extremely comfortable for travelers as it is a modern destination with plenty of amenities. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and other cities in the country all offer high-end, luxurious accommodations, fine dining restaurants, and extensive tour options for anyone wishing to travel in style. Even if you don't want to spend large amounts of money, this country is very modern with a high standard of living, and that is reflected in the mid-range and budget hotels, too. It's hard to find an uncomfortable place here, as the tourist infrastructure is vast and thorough.

Is Switzerland or the Netherlands more Touristy?

Switzerland and The Netherlands are both quite touristy, seeing a large number of visitors every year.

Plenty of tourists come to Switzerland every year, as it's a popular destination. This country is a travelers dream, but its not undiscovered. Plenty of visitors come to this fairly small European nation every year to admire the beauty of its mountains and explore the culture of its cities. During peak travel times (summer and the winter ski season), it can be hard to find a hotel unless you book ahead. You'll find plenty of other visitors when you arrive, especially in the major cities and at top tier attractions such as Jungfrau peak.

The Netherlands is very touristy. Amsterdam in particular is extremely popular with tourists, and many parts of the city can be quite crowded most of the year. From the red light district to the museums and boat tours on the canals, it's often hard to avoid tourists here. On the other hand, other cities in the Netherlands enjoy significantly less visitors and offer similar cultural and historic activities without the crowds. It's quite easy to get around by train, so take the time to visit another city or two during your trip to avoid the crowds.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland , The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland , The Best 10-Day Tours in Switzerland , The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland , The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland , The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland , Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland , The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland , The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland , The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland , The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland , The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland , The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Zurich , The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva , The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich , The Best 2-Week Tours from Zurich , The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands , The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands , The Best River Cruises in Netherlands , The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam , The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands , The Best Luxury Tours to Netherlands , The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands , The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands , The Best Adventure Tours to Netherlands , The Best Tours for Seniors to Netherlands , The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Amsterdam , The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam , and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam .

Should I spend more time in the Netherlands or Switzerland?

How long in switzerland or the netherlands.

Both Switzerland and the Netherlands have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Switzerland than in the Netherlands . Usually, 5-14 days is a good amount of time for Switzerland, and 3-7 days is enough time in the Netherlands.

Families should spend more time in Switzerland than the Netherlands. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Switzerland, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Switzerland than the Netherlands. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Switzerland that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in the Netherlands than Switzerland if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in the Netherlands.

  • How many days should I spend in Switzerland or the Netherlands? Ideal Length of Stay --> Switzerland 5-14   Netherlands   3-7

A weekend in Switzerland or the Netherlands?

The destination of Switzerland offers adventure travel, national parks, and history and culture. Visiting national parks can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the history and culture, nightlife, and food when visiting the vibrant destination of the Netherlands. This country offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Switzerland or the Netherlands?

Switzerland is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This country offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife, food, and water sports when visiting the beautiful destination of the Netherlands. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Switzerland or the Netherlands?

The stunning country of Switzerland offers history and culture, skiing, and nightlife. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the food, water sports, and shopping when visiting the destination of the Netherlands. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this country.

Two weeks in Switzerland or the Netherlands?

The beautiful country of Switzerland offers history and culture, skiing, and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time at the national parks on their trip. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for two weeks. Two weeks is often enough time to do most activities.

Many people enjoy the food, water sports, and shopping when visiting the Netherlands. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Two weeks may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Which country is cheaper, the Netherlands or Switzerland?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

  • Switzerland Prices Netherlands Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day Switzerland $ 287 Netherlands $ 191

The average daily cost (per person) in Switzerland is $287, while the average daily cost in the Netherlands is $191. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each country. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Switzerland and the Netherlands in more detail.

Accommodation

  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person Switzerland $ 169 Netherlands $ 101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room Switzerland $ 338 Netherlands $ 202

Compare Hotels in Switzerland and the Netherlands

Looking for a hotel in Switzerland or the Netherlands? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

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Hotels in Switzerland

Hotels in the Netherlands

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Local Transportation

  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. Switzerland $ 38 Netherlands $ 29

Typical Local Transportation prices in Switzerland

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Switzerland:

  • Cable Cars (for 2) $ 66
  • City Pass (2) $ 29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Switzerland

Also for Switzerland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Nice to Geneve: $2,750
  • Private Transfer from Nice to Geneve: $2,609
  • ZURICH: VAN LUX 6 PAX TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT ZURICH TO DAVOS: $1,651
  • ZERMATT: VAN STANDARD 6 PAX TRANSFER FROM TO AIRPORT ZURICH: $1,596
  • ST. Moritz Luxury Private Transfer to Zurich Airport: $1,420
  • Private Group transfer Zurich Airport - Interlaken: $1,321
  • TASCH: SUV LUXURY 4 PAX TRANSFER FROM TO AIRPORT ZURICH: $1,210
  • ZURIGO: SUV LUXURY 4 PAX TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT TO DAVOS: $1,210
  • SUV LUXURY TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT ZURIGO to MILANO MALPENSA: $1,210
  • TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT MILANO MALPENSA TO ZURIGO: $1,210
  • Geneva Airport (GVA): Private Transfer to Meribel (FR): $1,148
  • Private Transfer Zurich Airport to Zermatt Tasch Station: $1,094

Typical Local Transportation prices in the Netherlands

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in the Netherlands:

  • Ride on Tram $ 3.48
  • Renting a Bike $ 16
  • One Hour Canal Cruise $ 11
  • Single Day Transit Pass $ 2.83
  • Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport $ 3.70
  • Taxi Ride $ 11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in the Netherlands

Also for the Netherlands, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Amsterdam: Private Transfer to/from Bruges: $837
  • Amsterdam: Kinderdijk & Delft Private Day Trip w/ Transfers: $815
  • Amsterdam: Private Transfer to/from Brussels: $750
  • Amsterdam: Private Transfer to/from Antwerp: $598
  • Amsterdam: Private Transfer to Bruges: $391
  • Amsterdam vip group transfers: $380
  • Amsterdam Cruise Port: Private Transfer to The Hague hotels: $338
  • Amsterdam and Rotterdam: 1-Way Private Transfer: $315
  • Rotterdam: Private transfer to/from Schiphol Airport: $315
  • Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam: $299
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Dordrecht: $293
  • Luxury transfer From Amsterdam Schiphol airport to Rotterdam Cruise terminal : $288

Is it cheaper to fly into Switzerland or Switzerland?

Prices for flights to both the Netherlands and Switzerland change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.

  • Food Meals for one day Switzerland $ 63 Netherlands $ 50

Typical Food prices in Switzerland

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Switzerland:

  • Tea at Interlaken $ 33
  • Breakfast for 2 $ 13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Switzerland

For Switzerland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $66
  • Zürich Food Tour: $99
  • Lugano: Self-Guided Food Tour: $99
  • Zermatt: Evening Tapas Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $120
  • Lake Lucerne: Candlelight Dinner Cruise: $142
  • Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $144
  • Geneva City Tour with Cooking Class: $146
  • Sunset hike with outdoor Cheese Fondue dinner: $152
  • Geneva: City Tour and Fondue Cooking Class: $186
  • From Zurich: 2-Day Mt.Titlis including 4-course dinner: $495
  • Interlaken: Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $737
  • Food tour in Geneva: $2,421

Typical Food prices in the Netherlands

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to the Netherlands:

  • Afternoon Tea $ 6.53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in the Netherlands

For the Netherlands, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $8.32
  • Amsterdam: Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $14
  • Amsterdam: Self-Guided Food Tour in De Jordaan Neighbourhood: $14
  • Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $31
  • Utrecht: City Boat Tour & Balkan Restaurant Lunch OR Dinner: $32
  • Amsterdam: Evening Canal Cruise with Pizza and Drinks: $32
  • Amsterdam: Exclusive Burger Dinner Cruise: $38
  • Amsterdam: Pizza Cruise with Drinks: $41
  • Food Tour: In the Food-steps of Haarlem: $41
  • Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket with A GOLD MENU Hard Rock Dinner: $43
  • Self-Guided Rotterdam BiteMe Food Tour: $43
  • Haarlem's Food-steps: A self-guided Food Tour: $44

Entertainment

  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc. Switzerland $ 57 Netherlands $ 29

Typical Entertainment prices in Switzerland

For Switzerland, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:

  • 1 Day Bicycle Rental $ 34
  • The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee $ 35

Tours and Activities in Switzerland

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Switzerland.

  • Iseltwald, Aare Gorge and Lake Brienz Experience in Switzerland: $293
  • (KTG353) - Winter Tour: Gruyeres, chocolate tour from Geneva: $171
  • (KTL303) - Winter Tour Montreux and Chaplin's World from Lausanne: $158
  • (STTG04) - Sightseeing Cruise at Geneva with Wine and Aperitif: $33
  • (STTZ01) - Zurich Open Top Bus Sightseeing Tour : $25
  • 007 Elegance: Private Tour to Schilthorn from Interlaken: $483
  • 007 Elegance:Exclusive Private Tour to Schilthorn from Basel: $631
  • 007 Elegance:Exclusive Private Tour to Schilthorn from Bern: $631
  • 007-Elegance: Exclusive Private Tour Schilthorn from Zürich: $631
  • 1 Hour Sunday Vintage Tram Shared Tour in Basel: $23
  • 10-Hour Customized Private Tourfrom Zurich or Lucerne by Car: $1,184
  • 2 days hiking private tour sleeping on mountain hut: $429

Typical Entertainment prices in the Netherlands

For the Netherlands, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:

  • Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum $ 6.53
  • Entry for two to the Anne Frank House $ 18

Tours and Activities in the Netherlands

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for the Netherlands.

  • 2 hours Shared Utrecht Walking Tour: $2.66
  • Amstagram Tour & Moco Experience: $54
  • Anne Frank Story & Neighborhood Walk Tour in Amsterdam: $47
  • Cheese, Wine with Unlimited Drinks in Amsterdam Luxury Cruise: $55
  • "Our Utrecht" City Tour with Lunch & Beverages: $60
  • "Remastered" Audiovisual Experience in Rotterdam: $27
  • 1 Hour Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour : $111
  • 1, 2 or 3-7 Days Nightclubs & Best Nightlife in Amsterdam Ticket: $14
  • 1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $166
  • 1-Hour Canal Cruise in the Evening : $22
  • 2 Hour Exclusive Canal Boat Cruise w/ Dutch snacks & Onboard Bar: $43
  • 2 Hour Exclusive Canal Cruise: Including drinks & Dutch snacks: $64
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day Switzerland $ 26 Netherlands $ 24

Sample the Local Flavors in Switzerland

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Switzerland:

  • Zurich: Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $33
  • Basel: Pub Crawl Meet People and Hidden Bars and Clubs: $33
  • Swiss cheese and charcuterie wine tasting: $51
  • Activity in private minibus, wine tasting in Valais: $78
  • Wine Tasting in Valais: $85
  • Informative wine tasting with Italian appetizers in the secure wine cellar: $157
  • Lake Lucerne Region Wine Tasting: $275
  • Pinot Noir & Pinot Wine Tour to Baden-Württemberg: $280
  • Fantastic, full day, private wine tour to Alsace!: $285
  • Half Day Private Cheese & Wine Tasting in Vineyard in Basel: $292

Sample the Local Flavors in the Netherlands

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in the Netherlands:

  • Rotterdam: Beer Brewery Noordt Tastings with Optional Tour: $8.15
  • Rotterdam: Heineken Building former brewery | Guided Tour: $8.15
  • Dordrecht: Distillery Tour with Dutch Gin & Genever Tasting: $10
  • The Hague Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Delft Pub Trail : Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Haarlem Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Amersfoort Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Utrecht Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Rotterdam: Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $13
  • Haarlem Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $22
  • Utrecht Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $22
  • Leiden Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $22

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Switzerland and the Netherlands, we can see that Switzerland is more expensive. And not only is the Netherlands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to the Netherlands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in the Netherlands and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Switzerland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Switzerland than you might in the Netherlands.

The Hague, Netherlands

When is the best time to visit Switzerland or the Netherlands?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Because Switzerland is a mountainous nation and in the heart of Europe, you can expect cold, snowy winters here. But the summers can be warm, sunny, and pleasant. These warmer months are a great time to come for hiking and outdoor activities, as is the fall.

The northern European climate of the Netherlands experiences four seasons, with rainy winters and mild summers. While the temperatures are often cold in the winter, it only snows periodically. Summers can be quite comfortable as they are not too hot.

Should I visit Switzerland or the Netherlands in the Summer?

Both the Netherlands and Switzerland are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Switzerland because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to the Netherlands this time of year.

Bern is a little warmer than Amsterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

  • Summer Average Temperatures July Bern 21°C (70°F)   Bern   17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Switzerland or the Netherlands in the Autumn?

Both the Netherlands and Switzerland during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Switzerland this time of year. Also, many travelers come to the Netherlands for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bern is a little warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Amsterdam. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

  • Autumn Average Temperatures October Bern 13°C (55°F)   Bern   11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Switzerland or the Netherlands in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Switzerland and the Netherlands. Many travelers come to Switzerland for the skiing, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to the Netherlands in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Amsterdam can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. In January, Bern is generally a little warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

  • Winter Average Temperatures January Bern 3°C (37°F)   Bern   2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Switzerland or the Netherlands in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Switzerland as well as the Netherlands. Many visitors come to Switzerland in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to the Netherlands for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Bern is a little warmer than Amsterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in April than Amsterdam. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

  • Spring Average Temperatures April Bern 11°C (52°F)   Bern   8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Bern

Related articles for switzerland, related articles for the netherlands.

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    Food Recommendations for Amsterdam (Places I went + recommendations from my followers): Bakers and Roasters. CT Coffee + Coconuts: 3 stories filled with plants, big bean bag chairs, great menu-the pancakes were amazing. Lavinia Good Food: matcha latté. Winkel 43: famous Dutch apple pie.

  4. The Ultimate 3-Day Amsterdam Itinerary (By A Local)

    A 72-hour I Amsterdam City Card costs €100 ($110) and fits perfectly with this three-day itinerary. It saves you money in the end. It includes public transport within the city, free entry to a lot of museums, a free canal cruise and a free one-day bicycle rental. Go figure!

  5. Switzerland Travel & Vacation

    Find the perfect accommodation for your needs and choose from a wide selection of hotels, holiday apartments, group accommodation, alpine huts, farms, hostels, bed & breakfasts and campsites. Accommodation Camping. Whether it's right by the water or up in the mountains: you're bound to find your favourite campsite here.

  6. The best time to visit Amsterdam

    October to February is best for budget travelers. Wallet-friendly accommodations make the low season a great time to travel. You won't freeze thanks to mild temperatures - usually around 37°F (3°C) - although expect some gray and dreary conditions. October in Amsterdam is a whole cozy mood. Warm, autumn colors erupt across the city's ...

  7. Rhine River Cruise with Amsterdam and Switzerland

    Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today - and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey. Our 7-night Rhine river cruise sails from Amsterdam and Switzerland and includes 2-nights in Berne. Visit the Jungfrau and enjoy an exclusive castle dinner.

  8. Amsterdam to Switzerland

    Train, night bus • 13h 17m. Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Maastricht Intercity. Take the night bus from Maastricht to Zurich Bus Station N831. SFr 71 - SFr 131.

  9. 24 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Amsterdam

    Discover the best places to visit in this dynamic city with our list of the top attractions and fun things to do in Amsterdam. On This Page: 1. See the Art Collections at the Rijksmuseum. 2. Visit Anne Frank House. 3. Experience Great Art at the Van Gogh Museum. 4.

  10. 11 of the best places to visit in Switzerland

    3. Geneva and Lake Geneva. Best for a cosmopolitan city experience. In Switzerland's western crook, crescent-shaped Lake Geneva (Lac Léman to Francophones) is a joy to behold with its mountain backdrop, spirit-lifting views, vineyards and shoreline necklaced with handsome cities and castle-crowned towns.

  11. Switzerland By Train

    InterRegio trains connect Zurich and Geneva with cities across the whole of Switzerland. These trains make more stops than InterCity trains. S-Bahn (suburban trains) is a network of trains that operate within most big cities. Zurich: Your Interrail Pass is valid for the S-bahn of Zurich except lines S4, S10 and S18.

  12. Our Europe Trip Itinerary: Amsterdam, Prague & Switzerland

    Day 4 - 5: Prague. To get to Prague, we took an EasyJet flight from Amsterdam. 1:30 hours later we landed in this historic town. Although the locals and the tourists wear modern clothes and carry gadgets and selfie sticks, you can't help imagining how the place would have been in earlier times.

  13. By train to Amsterdam

    Direct daily services from Basel SBB in under 7 hours. Environmentally friendly: from Basel around 10 times less CO 2 emissions than by plane. Free: WiFi and ICE entertainment portal. Head straight from Zürich HB and Basel SBB to Amsterdam by night train. Price/purchase. From Zürich HB and Basel SBB, you can travel directly to Amsterdam every ...

  14. Switzerland Tourism: Packages & Detailed Official Info [2024]

    Consecutive and flexible Swiss Pass is available in 3, 4, 6, 8 and 15 days, with first and second-class options. Along with unlimited travel, it offers free entry to 500+ museums, free entry to a couple of mountains, and up to 50% off on mountains such as Jungfrau, Matterhorn, and Titlis.

  15. 10 Best Tours & Trips from Amsterdam to Zurich 2024/2025

    5. Best cruise yet. Passengers and crew were amazing. On shore activities were good too. Romantic Rhine & Moselle - Nijmegen (Start Amsterdam, End Zurich) Michaeljohnson 24 Oct, 2022. 5. April was amazing all the knowledge of the places we visited. A credit to the ship nothing was too much trouble lots of fun.

  16. Switzerland Tours & Europe Vacations

    Experience Tauck's award-winning escorted tours of Switzerland. 800-788-7885 or your travel ... Whether you choose a Rhine River cruise, a land journey, or our Bridges Family travel experience the soaring panoramas of the Alps and the serene beauty of her glacial lakes will take center stage as you discover Europe's crown jewel.

  17. Amsterdam, Paris & Switzerland

    Embark on a captivating journey with our Amsterdam, Paris, and Switzerland tours. Experience the beauty, culture, and charm of these iconic European destinations. ... EUROPE TRAVEL BUREAU (A unit of EBIX Europe Ltd.) UK Office: Walsingham House, 35 Seething Lane, London, EC3N 4AH. Switzerland Office: Stockerstrasse 38, CH-8002,

  18. Amsterdam, Paris & Switzerland

    Amsterdam Canal Cruise Sightseeing Tour. Brussels City Tour, en-route. Paris City Sightseeing Tour. Eiffel Tower (02nd Level standard) Visit to Champagne Region en-route to Swiss. Excursion to Mt Titlis with Ice Flyer. Sightseeing Visit Zurich & Lucerne. Visit to Rhinefalls and Blackforest GERMANY - Cuckoo Clock Tour.

  19. 10 Best Zurich to Amsterdam River Cruises

    Rhine Highlights with Switzerland (Start Zurich, End Amsterdam) 5.0 (2 reviews) Impressed by the work done to get us on board at a very late date. The trip itself was the usual wonderful Scenic Cruise. The two tour guides, Franz and Alec were outstanding and all the personnel on The Opal made the trip wonderful.

  20. Travel comfortably to Switzerland by train

    Train from Amsterdam to Switzerland Within 8 hours in Switzerland ICE International Night train Book your train tickets to Switzerland online now with NS International! ... From Amsterdam, travel time to Basel is 6.39 hours. To Zurich, the journey by train is 8.09 hours. Travel time is longer if you travel by night train.

  21. Zurich to Amsterdam train tickets from US$38.50

    The cheapest tickets we've found for trains from Zurich to Amsterdam are US$38.50. If you book 30 days in advance, tickets will cost around US$98, while the price is around US$132 if you book 7 days in advance. Booking on the day of travel is likely to be more expensive, so it's worth booking ahead of time if you can, or check our special ...

  22. Should you visit Switzerland or the Netherlands?

    Amsterdam is the most popular city for visitors, as it contains famous museums and historic architecture along canals and streets filled with bicycles. Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht also have museums, history, and culture to explore, even though they see less tourists than Amsterdam. Switzerland and Netherlands: Pros and Cons

  23. 57 Switzerland Tour Package Starts @ 𝐑𝐬.142132 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙉𝙤𝙬

    Amsterdam Swiss Paris Delight Group Departure 2024 Package: 10: Days/9 Nights Hotels, Flights, Transfers, Visa ... Popular Switzerland tourist places are all well-connected by road. If you are taking a Europe tour package involving travel to multiple countries including Switzerland, you will most likely be travelling by road between the various ...

  24. Travel. Explore. Celebrate Life Podcast with Neil and Sunila Patil

    Tune in to Travel. Explore. Celebrate Life for an amazing adventure! If you like this episode, check out our other interesting episodes on - Exploring Switzerland: Zermatt and Matterhorn Alpine Border Crossing; - Tokyo Traveller's Toolkit: Neighbourhoods, Cuisine, and Crossings; - Amsterdam Revealed: Canals, Tulips, Bicycles, and Beyond;