Switzerland Winter Vacation Recap

At the beginning of the year, my husband and I headed to Switzerland for a magical nine days of Swiss bliss. We had never been to Switzerland before and were excited to explore this beautiful country. So we decided on a trip that would take us through several cities: Zurich, Lucerne, and Interlaken. Our trip was a whirlwind, and I'm so glad we were able to fit in so much! The weather was perfect, and the scenery was breathtaking.

We had so much fun exploring Switzerland and were sad to leave when our trip came to an end. There are still so many cities I want to visit! You could literally spend three to four weeks in this country exploring, not to mention traveling during different seasons for different experiences. I plan to go back in the spring to see the beauty Switzerland offers during that season.

In summary, my trip to Switzerland was fantastic. We loved every part of our Swiss experience and can't wait to return! So if you're looking for a great place to visit on your next vacation, I highly recommend Switzerland.

Why Visit Switzerland in the Winter?

Visiting Switzerland in the winter is such a great experience. The Swiss Alps are beautiful and accessible year-round, but the winter season offers a whole new set of activities that can't be matched by any other time of year! From skiing and snowboarding to snowmobiling, ice skating, and sledding — there's no shortage of ways to enjoy these mountains during this season.

If you're planning a trip to Switzerland in the near future or just dreaming about it while stuck inside during our lackluster cold weather (which, let's face it, is most of the winter here), then keep reading for all my tips on enjoying all that Switzerland has to offer in this chilly time of year!

Zurich

Our first stop was Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland. It's also the financial capital of Switzerland, so it has a very modern feel — especially when you compare it to other cities like Lucerne or Interlaken, which have more traditional Swiss architecture. Overall, Zurich is a great place to start your journey because there are tons of things to do here!

Where To Stay

Widder Hotel

We started with a two-night stay at Widder Hotel. The hotel is about a ten-minute walk from the train station and is close to plenty of shopping and dining options. The hotel features 35 rooms and 14 suites, all bespoke and individually designed. The rooms are spacious, bright, and airy, with a mix of historical materials and modern charm. We stayed in the Design Queen room with heated bathroom floors that we loved!

The concierge at the Widder was super helpful in helping us find a restaurant or shop nearby and even providing transportation guidance. If you want to stay in, have a drink at the Widder bar, a staple of the Zurich bar scene with a wide selection of liquor. While we went out for most of our meals, we ate at the hotel for breakfast. The complimentary breakfast was delicious and offered an extensive list of options, with mimosas included.

Overall, we highly recommend this boutique hotel for its prime location and excellent customer service.

Schweizerhof

We ended our trip by returning to Zurich and staying one night at Schweizerhof. This 140-year-old hotel combines classic charm with contemporary luxury, boasting modern accommodations and a staff that treats guests like royalty. This hotel is right across from the train station, making it a #1 pick if you are flying in and out of Zurich.

I was blown away by the service of this hotel, even having stayed only one night. As soon as we entered the hotel, we were served champagne. Our stay here was the end of my birthday trip, and they placed a mini cake and bottle of wine in our room on arrival. The complimentary breakfast here was fantastic, with plenty of options to choose from. My favorite part of the hotel was the classic bellman outfits that just exude 5-star vibes.

We loved this hotel and would definitely return in the future!

What to Do

National Museum: The National Museum is a great way to spend a few hours exploring the history of Switzerland. The museum has plenty of interactive exhibits that are fun for both adults and kids. It’s located right in the middle of Zurich, so it’s easy to get there by foot or public transportation!

Lindt home of chocolate: The Lindt Chocolate shop is a great place to visit if you’re a chocolate lover. They have tons of delicious treats and samples to try, including their famous chocolates. Take a self-guided tour and join the “Creative with all your senses” chocolate bar-making class (highly recommend this experience).