Switzerland is a place that delivers a triple threat of natural grandeur, medieval legacy, and modern culture. It has everything you want and need, and probably even more. So join us on this tour as we take you through the best attractions in the Montreux and Zurich region, giving you the best of all three distinct flavors of the land – history, current culture, and nature. When you arrive at Zurich Airport, the first thing you should do is purchase the Swiss Travel Card, which gives you immediate access to all public transit inside the country, including bus, rail, and boat, as well as an access pass to a wide list of local attractions in each city. We highly recommend the First Class category for a pleasant, accelerated, and picturesque journey around the region.

Now that you’ve obtained your all-access card, it’s time to take a picturesque train trip to the Lake Geneva region, which is three hours from Zurich Airport, to see Montreux Riviera. Montreux, a city defined by some of the world’s most prominent pop culture personalities, is an unforgettable visit for anyone. Montreux needs no other reason to be one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world, having received the stamp of approval as Charlie Chaplin’s home for the last 25 years, appearing on Freddie Mercury’s “Made In Heaven” album, and even inspiring Prince to write a song based on the Lavaux vineyards in the region.

A Cruise To Château de Chillon

The Riviera Tour, a two-hour paddle steamer boat cruise that lets you take in the scenic landscape of the Lake Geneva region, the charming towns surrounding Montreux including Villeneuve, Le Bouveret, and St Gingolph, and a spectacular first view of the legendary Château de Chillon, is at the top of our Montreux itinerary and will help us familiarize ourselves with the city. After a delicious lunch on the boat, simply get on the bus for a 30-minute excursion that will take you right to the doorstep of Château de Chillon, Switzerland’s most visited historic monument dating back to the 12th century.

This spectacular water castle has a complex history ranging from the 12th to 16th centuries, beginning with the original owners, the counts of Savoy, and ending with the subsequent tenants, the Vaud residents. The guided tour is highly recommended for an in-depth look at the complete architecture and the stories recorded inside the hallways. After you’ve had your fill of culture and history, treat yourself to a meal at Café Byron, the legendary lakeside café with a stunning water view of the castle.

Railway To Rochers-de-Naye

For nature lovers and hikers, Rochers-de-Naye is the alpine route to visit to experience the magnificence of the Swiss and French Alps and the panoramic perspective of Lake Geneva’s coasts. To get there, there is an all-year cogwheel train that departs from Montreux and is also the highest railway in the canton, taking you all the way to the summit of the mountain at over 1,600 meters in altitude. The summit is only a short walk away after you reach the end of the train.

Alternatively, if you prefer to take a leisurely drive up, you may proceed to Col de Jaman and then get off for a two to three hour climb to the top – ideal for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts during the warmer months of spring and summer. There are also a variety of other hiking and mountain climbing trails of varying difficulty to accommodate all travelers, but if you prefer to skip the hike, you can take your time taking in the beautiful sights and taking a leisure walk inside the La Rambertia alpine botanical garden, which houses, cultivates, and preserves over 1,000 alpine species.

The Power Of Arts At Plateforme 10

When in Montreux, all art and culture enthusiasts must visit Plateforme 10 in Lausanne, one of Switzerland’s burgeoning art districts and cultural hotspots that has lately gained global prominence. Plateforme 10 is one of the nation’s largest cultural developments, stretching over 25,000 square meters and currently housing countless outstanding museums such as the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA), the Cantonal Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (MUDAC), and the Cantonal Museum for Photography.

It is set to open in July 2022. (Photo Elysee). This is undoubtedly a site where a whole day should be allotted to leisurely soak in the numerous ethnic identities and displays. After that, you may return to Montreux and stop at Vevey, renowned as the “Pearls of the Swiss Riviera,” where the esplanade promenade along the beaches of Lake Geneva will provide you with an experience unlike any other. The bronze Charlie Chaplin monument and the rising silver fork that spouts out of the lake, both located near the Alimentarium food museum, are two of the primary attractions there.

The World Of Charlie

On the subject of Charlie Chaplin, one of the top must-see attractions on the Swiss Riviera is undoubtedly the Chaplin’s World museum, the world’s only venue dedicated to the iconic comic and icon. This interactive museum will shed light on the incredible history and lifeworks of Charlie Chaplin, including letters, pictures, and authentic furnishings held by the actor, and will be housed within the late actor’s old residence, where he remained following his departure from the US in 1953.

Along with those, there will be customized wax figurines of Chaplin and his pals, such as Albert Einstein, that visitors can engage with to learn more about him. If you are a great admirer of his, be sure to check out the collection of his performances and home movies, as well as the nearby complex, which has recreations of Hollywood film stages from his flicks.

A Run Around Zurich

Aussenansicht des Kunsthaus Zürich.

After your thrilling adventures in Montreux, it’s time to return to Zurich to catch your flight home, but while you’re there, you can make a brief stop at Zurich West, the city’s trendiest neighborhood known for its creative atmosphere. Begin your day at Im Viadukt, a stretch of designer stores, art galleries, local food markets, and more located beneath Zurich’s famous railway arches. From there, take a journey down to the Freitag flagship shop, a must-see for fashionistas, to get your hands on the distinctive goods created from recycled truck tarps before going into the strand of antique stores and varied furniture retailers.

Zurich West, a former industrial district, also has some of the most unusual constructions designed by famous architects. We recommend stopping by the Zurich Tourist Information Centre to get a tour guide who can provide you with a detailed understanding of the area’s history and culture. Finally, travel over to Frau Gerold Garten, which is right adjacent to the Freitag flagship shop and has an open concept garden with various pop-up eateries, live music performances, and art exhibits. The ideal approach to unwind and rest before returning to Zurich Airport for your trip home.