Several years back we went on a family vacation to Switzerland with our parents and our three-year-old son. At the planning stage, we were a bit skeptical about traveling with a young kid with some challenges, food being one of them. To our surprise, this trip turned out to be so much fun and quite manageable. Switzerland has a great network of trains, buses, and trams, so traveling becomes very convenient. There are maps and schedules at all transportation locations as well. All these factors make Switzerland a great place to travel with a family of different age groups. We wanted to spend most of our time in the Alps, in mountain towns. Here are the places we visited which I recommend.
Zurich
Lake Zurich, Zurich
There is a lot to do and see in this big city, but since we wanted to spend much of our time in the mountains, we had only a day to spend here. The boat ride at Lake Zurich is a pleasant one when traveling with kids. The walking tour of the old city is a short walk from Hauptbahnhof, the main railway station of Zurich. The south entrance to the station leads to Bahnhofstrasse, known to be the world’s most expensive shopping street. In the old town, trams run up and down the street and can be helpful if you get tired, especially when traveling with young kids with you. There are inviting shops and cafes lined up on both sides of the streets. We decided to skip the restaurants and cafes and try the famous Sprungli confectionery stores for some sweet treats.
Wengen
Stroller friendly trail in Wengen
Known as the alpine ski destination, this little resort village sits above the beautiful Lauterbrunnen valley at an altitude of 1274m. Wengen is a car-free village with timber chalets and picture-perfect views everywhere. There are many kid-friendly and all-ability-level trails for walking and hiking. We were able to take our son’s stroller on small hikes. My mother who has knee pain was also able to enjoy the small walks with us. They are all family-owned hotels and inns in the town, mostly serving breakfast and dinner. We stayed at Edelweiss, which had great views from our room, the view of the valley on one side and the mountain peaks on the other. The owners were great hosts and the food was delicious.
View from our hotel room in Wengen
Jungfraujoch
Snow fun park, Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch, the highest accessible point in Europe stands at 3,454 meters above sea level, an experience not to be missed! We boarded the train at Wengen, which was pretty much full as it departed from Interlaken. The beauty of Jungfraujoch is jaw-dropping! The mountains, the glaciers, and the tranquility transfer you to another world. There are chances of getting altitude sickness, so carrying out activities gradually is ideal. Here there are plenty of opportunities to play in the snow with different activities. The Ice Palace features artistic exhibits of carved ice, something very unique and creative.
Lucerne
Lake Lucerne, Lucerne
This city in Switzerland on the lake Lucerne boasts beautiful medieval architecture. The iconic chapel bridge, which is considered the oldest in Europe, is also one of the most photographed locations. A stroll along the lake with the backdrop of the city and the mountains is very relaxing.
Murren
The Murren village
This is a cute little village about 1650m high overlooking the Lauterbrunnen valley in Bernese Oberland. The cable car from Lauterbrunnen takes you to Murren. It is a pleasure walking through the village with wooden chalets with windows and entrances having beautiful flower beds. The spectacular views of the mountains and the valley add to the memorable experience.
The Playground at Allmendhubel
Allmendhubel, a local mountain of Murren is a must-visit fun place for families with kids. The funicular railway from Murren takes about 4 minutes to reach the top. The view from there is just breathtaking. There is a large adventure playground next to a restaurant. The playground has many interesting play structures.
Mt Pilatus
The Summit at Mt. Pilatus
This mountain near Lucerne is highly recommended to be visited in Switzerland. The cogwheel railway is a great way to reach Pilatus Kulum for the summit experience. The panoramic views of the valley and the lake are simply unforgettable, and you could also see people enjoying activities like paragliding.
On the way back, there is a playground for kids called the Pilu Land. This is an educational play area and a place to enjoy for the entire family.
The summer Toboggan
Frakmuntegg, from Pilatus, is a fun adventure spot for everyone. Frakigaudi, the summer Toboggan located here is the longest one that runs in Switzerland with gorgeous views on all sides. Kids older than two years old and younger than 8 years can ride with an adult. There were certain instructions to be followed strictly. Our 3-year-old enjoyed the ride and so did we.
