Best things to do in Switzerland with kids

Is Switzerland good for families? Is Switzerland safe to travel with kids? What are the best things to do in Switzerland with kids? If you’re thinking of travelling to Switzerland as a family, be assured that a destination you voted one of the most beautiful countries in the world is safe and satisfying for kids of all ages, with a rewarding range of things to do and see.

Is Switzerland good for families? Is Switzerland safe to travel with kids?

With its visitor-friendly efficiency, tolerant attitudes to breastfeeding in public, generously-stocked pharmacies and unimpeachable safety record, Switzerland is an easy country to travel with children. 

And the good news is, whatever you fancy doing, getting to Switzerland, and getting around Switzerland, is efficient and affordable. All of which means travelling in Switzerland with kids can be an easy, enjoyable experience.

On a practical note, children under the age of 12, and under 150cm in height, will need special booster seats (or front-facing child seats) when travelling by car, including in taxis.

For more general travel tips on how to make the most of family holidays, you might want to read our practical tips for travelling with kids.

Best things to do in Switzerland with kids

If you’re keen to experience sports and outdoor activities in Switzerland and want to show your kids the ropes (and slopes), dedicated pages on My Switzerland provide information on family-friendly resorts, breaks, and activities, including winter sports.

In addition, tourist offices can often provide leaflets detailing level walking paths for pushchairs or beach areas by lakes that are specifically set aside for families. 

When hiking seems like too much hassle, some of the best scenic train rides in Europe are on hand to wow children of all ages. 

Aside from getting active in Switzerland's open air with kids, festivals in Switzerland are frequent, often fabulous, and invariably family-friendly. Everything from global music gatherings to traditional Alpine folk fairs will almost always include child-oriented activities and events. 

In fact, with such a packed calendar, deciding when to go to Switzerland is no easy task. Though arguably best known as a world-class winter sports destination, Switzerland isn’t short of great things to do in summer. 

Ride the Rhätische Bahn in Graubünden

Graubünden, in the southeastern corner of Switzerland, is the setting for one of the most spectacular rail networks in the world — the Rhätische Bahn.  

It’s travelled by the famous Glacier Express that runs from St Moritz and Davos to Chur, and then west over the Alps to Zermatt.  

Elsewhere in the region, an old chalet in the former hamlet of Oberrofels, now renamed Heididorf, has been reborn as “the original Heidi’s House”. 

A scenic trail from Heididorf leads up through woodland to “Heidialp” in the mountains.  The path is punctuated by child-friendly information and activities along the way to “Heidi’s Alp Hut” — purportedly Heidi’s grandfather’s house. 

• Best for central convenience: Freieck. A cosy, charismatic Old Town hotel.
• Best for Old Town charm: Hotel Stern. Book the apartment or maisonette for smart independent living.
• Best for budget travellers: Viva Hostel. A modern hostel with family rooms available.

Discover more places to stay in Chur.

Go to Glacier Paradise on the Matterhorn

When it comes to creating memories of a lifetime, boarding the world’s highest cable car to explore the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise takes some beating. As such, it’s one of the best things to do in Switzerland with kids.

With a spectacular viewing platform, ice palace and cinema lounge, visitors of all ages will be entertained and exhilarated.  

What’s more Zermatt and the Matterhorn in the canton of Valais is a great place for little ones to start skiing. Lying in the next-door valley to Zermatt, Saas-Fee comes especially recommended for its blue and red pistes, making it ideal skiing territory for beginners or intermediates.  

• Best for teenagers: Kulmhotel Gornergrat. The highest hotel in the Alps, this is uniquely atmospheric.
• Best for cosy comfort: Hotel Allalin. With folksy decor, this has family rooms.
• Best for nature: Bergheimat Campsite. Near a supermarket and the Hohsaas cable car, this has a pool.

Find more family-friendly places to stay in Zermatt and Saas-Fee.

Chomp chocolate in enchanting Gruyères

Home to a chocolate factory and magical, medieval castle, it's little wonder that visiting Gruyères is one of the best things to do in Switzerland with kids.

Just outside Gruyères, kids will be quick to detect luscious scents emanating from the Cailler chocolate factory on the edge of the village of Broc. On arrival, an exhibition explains the history of chocolate before you view the factory. 

The climax comes in the Tasting Room, where you’re let loose on tables piled with bite-sized chunks of every Cailler product in unlimited quantities.

Meanwhile, back in Gruyères, the fairy-tale castle is sure to enchant younger travellers. 

• Best for central location: Fleur de Lys. Scenic views and home comforts in the heart of Gruyères.
• Best for cosy comfort: L’Hôtel de Gruyères. A welcoming three-star just outside the village.

Explore more places to stay in the region of La Gruyère.

Rough Guides tip: To increase your chances of a great holiday, also read how many days you need to spend in Switzerland.

Get active around Lake Geneva

For all-round family fun throughout the year, the region of Lake Geneva — within which Gruyères lies — comes highly recommended. 

A few kilometres around the lakeshore from Chillon, Le Bouveret is a family-friendly holiday village. 

Its Swiss Vapeur Parc miniature railway complex features replica locomotives pulling passengers around 1.5km of track. Aquaparc is just a stroll away — a heated, indoor waterpark complete with multiple flumes, slides, rides and eateries. 

Come winter, St-Cergue provides easy downhill skiing for families, and plenty of excellent cross-country routes. 

• Best for central convenience: Les Négociants, Vevey. A reliable family-run hotel steps from the square.
• Best for campers: La Pichette Corseaux. 3km west of Vevey, this lakeside site has top facilities.
• Best for good-value style: Villa Toscane, Montreux. A waterfront Art Nouveau creation with family rooms. 

Check out more places to stay around Lake Geneva.

Voyage to Europe’s highest train station in Jungfrau

Located in the Jungfrau region at the heart of Switzerland's Bernese Oberland, Switzerland’s most popular mountain railway excursion is touted under the shoutline “Top of Europe”.  And it has to be said that journeying to the Jungfraujoch really does justify the hype. 

From Kleine Scheidegg trains tunnel clean through the Eiger to emerge at the icy Jungfraujoch, just below the Jungfrau summit. This is the highest train station in Europe, and offers an unforgettable experience of the mountains. As such, it’s one of the best things to do in Switzerland with kids.

Best places to stay in the Jungfrau region

• Best for affordable comfort: Weisses Kreuz, Interlaken. This central, affordable hotel offers cosy no-frills rooms.
• Best for campers: Camping Jungfrau, Lauterbrunnen. This family-oriented site also has six-person bungalows.
• Best for outdoor play; Hotel Bären, Wengen. This chalet hotel has a playground, playroom and family rooms. 

Discover more places to stay in the Jungfrau region. 

Enjoy transport adventures in Lucerne

One of the main draws of charming Lucerne is the Verkehrshaus (Transport Museum) — a vast complex devoted to Swiss engineering that'll keep kids amused all day. This is hands down one of the best things to do in Switzerland with kids who are obsessed with transport.

It’s divided into several large areas, covering road and rail transport, aviation, space, and cableways. Everything is in English, and there are plenty of interactive activities, including driver simulators, flight simulators, and an indoor ski jump.

Kids will also love the on-site planetarium, Swiss Chocolate Adventure ride, and boating lake. 

More travel adventures can be enjoyed en route to Mount Pilatus. Rising behind Lucerne, this craggy giant is reached by riding the world's steepest cogwheel railway or cable car.

• Best for water babies: Seehotel Kastanienbaum. In a village near the city, this has a private beach and pool.
• Best for teenagers: Wilden Mann. This historic hotel occupies townhouses on Old Town lanes. 
• Best for getting back to nature: Backpackers. This laidback lakeshore hostel has family rooms.

Look at more places to stay in Lucerne.

Get feverish about football in Zürich

Though known as a business centre, Zürich, Switzerland’s second biggest city, is a rather good place to take kids. 

Being a major travel hub, you might want to spend a few days in the city before heading off to enjoy some of the best outdoor experiences in Switzerland. It has a host of family-friendly museums, with the FIFA Museum sitting top of the league for young football fans. 

A fine example of how to make museums accessible to all, it's set over three floors and traces the history of the game, FIFA, and the men’s and women’s World Cup competitions. 

Older, geekier lovers of the beautiful game will love the memorabilia — old programmes, boots, balls, shirts and oddities like an unopened bottle of champagne from England’s 1966 World Cup celebrations. You also have the chance to get up close to the World Cup trophy. 

Meanwhile, kids can enjoy a range of interactive games, including commentating on a match clip, and re-enacting a celebratory dance from famous players, and playing oversized pinball games that involve kicking a football around obstacles to hit a target.  

• Best for central convenience: Walhalla Hotel. Right by the train station, with large, pleasantly decorated rooms.
• Best for teenagers: Pension Furdich. Backing onto a park, this quaint hotel has an ajoining café
• Best for lakeside living: Fischers Fritz. Not far from the centre, this offers glamping alongside tent pitches.

Explore more accommodation in Zürich. 

Walk on the wild side in Bern 

If you’re looking to take a trip that’ll keep kids as happy as adult city-breakers, Bern might be your bag.  

While the capital city itself is safe and stunningly beautiful — in part thanks to its UNESCO-designated Old Town — it also offers easy access to Gurten Park. A favourite Bernese getaway, this hillside beauty spot towers over the city from the south.  

The journey from the train station to the summit only takes about half an hour. On top you’ll find a kids’ play area, a summer toboggan track, and a lavish folly of a castle. 

The wide expanses of countryside are laced with hiking trails that give views over Bern, out towards the Jura, and across the peaks of the Bernese Oberland. In winter, the hill’s snowy slopes are crowded with sledding families. Come summer, it’s packed with hikers and picnickers.  

As well as offering easy access to walks on the wilder side, Bern is a great place for kids to discover their inner artist, with the Zentrum Paul Klee boasting a dedicated children’s museum, Creaviva.  

• Best for affordable style: Hotel Landhaus. The most attractive budget rooms in town.
• Best for cosy character: Hotel Marthahaus. A friendly, well-run hotel-pension on a quiet cul-de-sac.
• Best for budget travellers: Bern Backpackers/Hotel Glocke. An Old Town gem with family rooms.

Browse more of the best places to stay in Bern.

Enjoy Olympian events and attractions in Lausanne

Vibrant and jaw-droppingly beautiful — vistas of blue water sparkling in the sun; lakefront promenades bejewelled with flowers — Lausanne has a whole lot going for it at any time of the year.

But arguably the best time to visit Lausanne is through spring and summer, when it seems like the celebrations just keep coming. And in good news for those traveling to Switzerland with kids, these are all safe and usually feature family-friendly performances. 

Throughout the summer the Ouchy waterfront is transformed into an outdoor stage for informal music events, with the Lausanne Estivale running a more formal, free programme of concerts from mid-June to late September. This is especially blessed with children’s events  — think fun theatre shows and circus performers. 

Lausanne’s biggest party is the Festival de la Cité held in early July. It's more spontaneous than the Montreux Jazz Festival happening at the same time down the road, not least because everything is free and out in the streets. 

While in town with kids, don’t miss exploring Lausanne’s Musée Olympique. Overlooking the lake, it has fascinating displays on the ancient Olympics, the restoration of the games in modern times, and artefacts, including Jesse Owens’ running shoes from the 1936 games in Berlin. 

Outside, budding athletes can race each other on the 100m running track.

• Best for city chic: Angleterre & Residence. This classy hotel has a pool and family rooms with waterfront views.
• Best for leafy peace: Elite. In the centre, Lausanne's best mid-price hotel has family rooms and gardens.
• Best for campers: Camping Vidy. Right by the lake, near the Roman museum, this also offers bungalows.

Discover more of the best places to stay in Lausanne.

Adventure in Italianate Locarno

Located in the canton of Ticino, and set on a sweeping curve of Lake Maggiore, Locarno is a subtropical paradise, with tonnes of opportunities for adventure right on its beautiful doorstep.

While teenagers and older children can enjoy the likes of canoeing, water-skiing, canyoning, rafting, paragliding and biking, visitors of all ages can have fun at the local Lido. 

It features indoor and outdoor pools, a dedicated children’s pool and waterslides, with a small beach area beside the lake.

Elsewhere, the zip-lines, rope courses and playgrounds of Lago Maggiore Adventure Park will burn off plenty of energy. The panoramic views aren't half bad, either.

• Best for central style: Hotel America. On a piazza five minutes from Lake Maggiore, this has family rooms.
• Best for young kids: Camping Delta. This semi-forested lakeside site has a playground and beach.
• Best for contemporary comfort: H4 Hotel Arcadia. A modern four-star with an outdoor pool.

Explore more places to stay in Locarno.

For more inspiration and information, read The Rough Guide to Switzerland. Exploring our Switzerland travel tips and run-down of the best things to do in Switzerland will also help you plan your trip. 

Not a fan of planning? Consider booking a hassle-free tailor-made trip to Switzerland, with customisable itineraries curated by local experts covering everything from unforgettable highlights of Switzerland, to touring the Grand Circle.

For more inspiration for where to take your kids, read up on magical places to travel with children.

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