Perfect 9-Day Itinerary Through Zurich, Lucerne, and Interlaken

Day 1: Explore Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland on June 16, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Café Sprüngli

Begin your day with a delightful breakfast at Café Sprüngli, known for its luxurious Swiss pastries and hot chocolate. Open from 7am.
CHF20, 1h

9:30am

Old Town Walking Tour

Explore Zurich’s charming Old Town with its narrow alleys, medieval buildings, and landmarks such as Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches. Guided tours operate in the morning and last around 2 hours.
CHF30, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Zeughauskeller

Enjoy hearty Swiss fare including sausages and rösti at Zeughauskeller, the iconic medieval armory restaurant near the Old Town. Open from 11.30am.
CHF35, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Kunsthaus Zurich

Discover one of Switzerland’s premier art museums featuring works from Swiss and international artists including Giacometti and Picasso. Open 10am to 6pm on Mondays.
CHF23, 2h

3:30pm

Lake Zurich Promenade Walk

Take a relaxing stroll along Lake Zurich’s promenade, enjoying beautiful views and perhaps a coffee break at lakeside cafés.
Free, 1h

6:30pm

Dinner at Swiss Chuchi

Taste classic Swiss dishes like fondue and raclette at Swiss Chuchi in the Old Town, open until 10pm.
CHF45, 1h30m
View Hotels

Day 2: Culture & Relaxation

Zurich, Switzerland on June 17, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Babu's Bakery & Coffeehouse

Enjoy freshly baked bread and quality coffee at this popular bakery, open from 7:30am.
CHF18, 1h

9:30am

Uetliberg Mountain Hike

Take a train or hike up Uetliberg mountain for panoramic views over Zurich and the Alps. The hike takes about 2 hours; train rides are about 20 minutes.
CHF15 (train), 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Bergrestaurant Uto Kulm

Dine at the mountaintop restaurant with stunning vistas, serving Swiss and international cuisine. Open 11am to 5pm.
CHF40, 1h

3:00pm

Visit Swiss National Museum

Explore Swiss cultural history with exhibits on art, crafts, and history. Open 10am to 5pm on Tuesdays.
CHF10, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at Haus Hiltl

Experience the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant with an extensive buffet. Open until 10pm.
CHF40, 1h30m
View Hotels

Day 3: Day Trip to Rhine Falls

Zurich, Switzerland on June 18, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Start early with breakfast at your hotel to prepare for the day trip.
Included, 1h

8:30am

Travel to Rhine Falls

Catch a train or drive to Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall, approximately 1 hour from Zurich.
CHF10 (train), 1h

9:30am

Rhine Falls Exploration

Walk along the edges of the falls, take a boat ride close to the cascades, and visit the nearby Schloss Laufen castle. Boat rides run from 9am to 5pm.
CHF25, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Schloss Laufen Restaurant

Enjoy lunch with picturesque views of the falls from this castle’s restaurant. Open 11am to 4pm.
CHF35, 1h

3:00pm

Return to Zurich

Travel back to Zurich for a leisurely afternoon.
CHF10, 1h

5:00pm

Free Time in Zurich

Relax or do some light evening shopping around Bahnhofstrasse.
Free, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner at Kronenhalle

Dine at the historic Kronenhalle known for classic Swiss and European dishes amidst original artwork. Open until 11pm.
CHF60, 1h30m
View Hotels

Day 4: Arrival Lucerne

Lucerne, Switzerland on June 19, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Café Gütsch

Enjoy breakfast at this charming café perched on the hill with views over Lucerne, open from 7am.
CHF20, 1h

9:30am

Travel to Lucerne

Take the train from Zurich to Lucerne, a scenic 50-minute journey.
CHF25, 1h

11:00am

Chapel Bridge & Old Town Walking Tour

Explore Lucerne’s iconic Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, and historic Old Town with its colourful frescoed buildings. Self-guided tours are available.
Free, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Wirtshaus Taube

Sample traditional Swiss dishes in a cosy setting near the river. Open 11am to 2pm.
CHF30, 1h

2:30pm

Visit the Swiss Museum of Transport

Discover Switzerland’s rich transport history, including trains, planes, and automobiles. Open 10am to 5pm.
CHF32, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at Restaurant Balances

Dine elegantly with views of the Reuss river, serving modern Swiss and international cuisine. Open until 10pm.
CHF50, 1h30m
View Hotels

Day 5: Mountain Excursion

Lucerne, Switzerland on June 20, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a hearty breakfast in your hotel to fuel your mountain trip.
Included, 1h

8:30am

Day Trip to Mount Pilatus

Take the boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then ride the world’s steepest cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus. The mountain offers panoramic views and hiking opportunities. Cogwheel railway operates 8am to 5pm.
CHF72 (roundtrip), 6h

2:30pm

Lunch at Pilatus Kulm Restaurant

Dine on Swiss specialities while enjoying breathtaking alpine views at the summit restaurant. Open daily.
CHF40, 1h

4:00pm

Return to Lucerne by cable car and bus

Descend Mount Pilatus via panoramic cable car and bus, enjoying scenic vistas on the way down.
Included in ticket, 1h30m

6:00pm

Relaxation and Dinner at Hotel Restaurant

Rest after your excursion and have a relaxed dinner in your hotel’s restaurant.
CHF40, 1h
View Hotels

Day 6: Lake Lucerne & Culture

Lucerne, Switzerland on June 21, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Mill’Feuille Café

Start your day with fresh pastries and coffee by the lake. Open from 7:30am.
CHF18, 1h

9:30am

Boat Cruise on Lake Lucerne

Take a scenic 2-hour boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, admiring mountain views and charming lakeside villages. Cruises operate regularly from 9am.
CHF25, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Hotel des Balances Terrace

Enjoy light meals with a view of the old town and river.
CHF30, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Richard Wagner Museum

Explore the villa where composer Wagner lived, set by the lake and featuring period furnishings and exhibitions. Open 10am to 5pm.
CHF12, 1h

3:00pm

Relax in the Lucerne Lakeside Park

Enjoy a peaceful walk or relax by the water in Musikplatz Park.
Free, 1h

6:00pm

Dinner at Brasserie Bodu

Savour French-inspired cuisine in a stylish setting, open until 10pm.
CHF50, 1h30m
View Hotels

Day 7: Transfer to Interlaken

Interlaken, Switzerland on June 22, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy your final breakfast at Lucerne before your transfer.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Train to Interlaken

Travel by train via scenic route through the Bernese Oberland mountains. Approximately 2 hours.
CHF50, 2h

11:30am

Check-in and Lunch in Interlaken

Check into your hotel and enjoy lunch at Restaurant Husi Bierhaus, offering Swiss specialties in a traditional setting.
CHF35, 1h

1:30pm

Höhematte Park Stroll

Relax with a walk in this central park with majestic views of the surrounding mountains and paragliders overhead.
Free, 1h

3:00pm

Harder Kulm Observation Deck

Take the funicular up to Harder Kulm for panoramic views of Interlaken and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. Open until 6pm.
CHF38, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at Restaurant Stadthaus

Enjoy classic Swiss dishes in a cosy atmosphere, open until 9:30pm.
CHF45, 1h30m
View Hotels

Day 8: Jungfrau Region Adventure

Interlaken, Switzerland on June 23, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at hotel

Fuel up early for a day of mountain adventures.
Included, 1h

8:00am

Train to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

Take the train via Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454m. Open daily with the first trains around 7am.
CHF120, 5h

1:00pm

Lunch at Jungfraujoch Restaurant

Enjoy lunch with spectacular snowy views at the mountain’s summit restaurant.
CHF50, 1h

3:00pm

Explore Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory

Discover the impressive glacier ice sculptures in the Ice Palace and take in views at the Sphinx Observatory.
Included in ticket, 1h

4:00pm

Return to Interlaken

Descend back to Interlaken for an evening at leisure.
Included, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Goldener Anker

Relax with a varied Swiss menu in this centrally located restaurant. Open until 10pm.
CHF40, 1h30m
View Hotels

Day 9: Lake & Village Visit

Interlaken, Switzerland on June 24, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Café de Paris

Start your day with pastries and coffee at this popular café, open from 7am.
CHF18, 1h

9:30am

Boat trip on Lake Thun

Take a scenic 2-hour boat cruise on Lake Thun with possibilities of stops at charming lakeside villages like Spiez. Boats run regularly from 9am.
CHF30, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch in Spiez at Restaurant Schloss

Dine overlooking the lake near Spiez Castle, sampling fresh regional cuisine.
CHF35, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Spiez Castle

Tour the historic castle with its museum, gardens and spectacular views over Lake Thun. Open until 5pm.
CHF10, 1h30m

4:00pm

Return to Interlaken and relax

Enjoy some free time for shopping or café relaxation in Interlaken.
Free, 2h

7:00pm

Farewell Dinner at The Veranda

Celebrate your last night with sophisticated cuisine and fine wines at The Veranda restaurant. Open until 10pm.
CHF60, 2h
View Hotels