50 ways to have the best summer in Switzerland — Time Out Switzerland (2024)

The editors of hipster-bible Monocle never get tired of pointing out the 'Badis' as Zurich's unique attraction. And this one here is definitely the Badi of all Badis.

Located in the centre of town, it has historically been a popular meeting place for Baselers young and old, particularly when the sun is shining. Recently renovated, but retaining its 19th century “wooden boat” feel, Santi Hans has been named one of the most beautiful pools in Switzerland.

Mythenquai badi is a popular summer spot. Spend a day diving into the sparkling, clear waters of the Zurichsee, or sun yourself on the lawns here.

TCS Geneva-Vésenaz’s leafy setting on the edge of a park belies its location – the campsite is just six kilometres outside Geneva. Nestled beneath willow trees on the banks of Lake Geneva, the modern site is perfect for people who want to get away from it all.

There may be a great big lake on our doorstep, but sometimes the convenience and facilities of swimming in an outdoor pool appeal instead – it’s all the fun with none of the hassle that comes with al fresco bathing.

Seerose is Zurich’s answer to Saint Tropez. Suspended above Lake Zurich, its wooden terrace complete with pristine white lounge furniture mimics the deck of a luxurious yacht. When the weather plays along, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were on the Mediterranean.

Accessed from the downstairs bar via the hotel lift, this terrace looks out over the urban jungle of Flon, making for a good inner-city spot for people-watching and lapping up the sunshine on a hot summer evening, mojito in hand.

It goes without saying: a grande dame on the Zurich hotel scene, Eden au Lac has created the swishest of the swish rooftop bars. High above Seefeld on the shore of Lake Zurich, Sky Bar allows you to channel your inner Hollywood film star.

The Sky Terrace bar perches atop the Schweizerhof Bern with delightful 360-degree views over the city’s Unesco World Heritage old town.

Situated at the foot of the Flüela mountain pass, this high wire and cycle park offers a fun day out for adventurous adults and children alike.

Swim in the crystal clear waters of one of the world's most beautiful lakes. The Seebad Luzern offers a laid back vibe with its simple wooden construction of two courtyards surrounding open air pools.

Located 3,883 metres above one of Switzerland's best ski resorts, the Snowpark Zermatt offers a summer skiing adventure with the advantage of doing it in your beach wear.

What better way to enjoy a fine summer's day than with a round of golf? Considered one of Switzerland's finest golf courses, theGolfClub PatrizialeAscona is flat and well planned and can be enjoyed by players of all levels from beginners to pro.

With men’s and women’s pools and gender-separated sun decks, superb lake access and a range of sauna and massage treatments on offer, this is the place to be during summer in Zurich. Plus there’s the supercool Bato Bar, which has a summer programme of music performances and talks.

Switzerland's popular e-bikes or pedelecs have a bit of extra va-va-voom. These electrically-assisted bikes can be rented at the rail station and are a nippy way to get around town or explore more of the region's lush countryside.

Get set for a tidal wave of fun and, er, relaxation! Splash & Spa Tamaro has a huge amount of water-based activities on offer including five exciting waterslides to try (we suggest the Gravity Killer!).

At 2,042 metres and yet entirely accessible by train from Montreux, the summit of Rochers de Naye is one of the most attainable alpine peaks in Switzerland, which leads to the rather odd sight of tourists in high heels and other inappropriate attire standing on top of a mountain without having broken a sweat.

Elevating this Valais spa above some of its neighbours is the immense 182m-long water slide, a giddy prospect for kids – and big kids.

An observation tower at the top of Uetliberg offers panoramic views, and The Planet Trail ridge walk takes you all the way to the Felsenegg, from where you can take the cable car down to Adliswil.

From May to September the ZSG boat hall, situated right on the water at the top of Lake Zurich, is an unbeatable location.

The Alps Trail Davos has been named an IMBA Epic Trail and with good reason. This 45km mountain bike route starts near Europe's highest-altitude city of Davos and offers some amazing views along the way.

As a way to spend a hot summer’s day, drifting on the current down the River Aare with the sun on your face and water to cool off in is hard to beat. The stretch between Thun and Bern is hugely popular. Hire an inflatable raft from one of the boat companies at Thun-Schwabis or bring your own blow-up number, fill it with people, beer and barbecue supplies and hop in for a three-hour drift downriver to Bern.While it’s not exactly white water, the Aare does have a strong current and there’s a small rapid about a third of the way down, so come prepared with life jackets and leave non-swimmers behind. Picnic places abound, if you can react quickly enough to stop the river carrying your boat past your chosen spot.As the river reaches Bern more and more people take to the water for a dip, before it’s time to drag your raft out of the river at the Eicholz park or further along at Marzili.

Explore one of Switzerland's top historic tourist attractions, which inspired the likes of Lord Byron, Rousseau,Delacroix and Courbet.Chillon Castle on Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) features architectural styles including gothic vaulted chapels, medieval dungeons, sumptuous Savoy-period bedrooms and renaissance banqueting halls.

This is an ideal summer oasis located near one of Zurich's most famous local attractions, the Chinagarten. It's the perfect place for drinks after work or lounging around on a sunny Saturday afternoon on sofas set on a wooden decked terrace which sits right out on the waters edge.

This is the Lake Geneva beach where the local city residents love to go. The kind the tourists usually never find out about.

Big, brash and loud, there’s nothing subtle about this Cuba-inspired bar which imbues this prime spot in Plainpalais with a beach holiday feel.

When it comes to a pool-partyvenue, Rimini is a bar that excels in chilled-backed atmosphere. With tropical foilage, oriental cushions and exotic co*cktails, you could be forgiven for forgetting that you're only a few miles away from the Alps in this bohemian paradise.

In the clement months, youth radio station Radio 3FACH opens its alfresco bar on the site of a former aviary on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The emphasis is on the local – homemade iced tea, Luzerner Bier on draft and freshly made snacks.

The place to hang out in summer, this 1930s outdoor leisure centre is eternally popular when the sun comes out. There’s an (unheated and rather chilly) Olympic-sized swimming pool for lane swimming, a large leisure pool with various water spouts and massage taps, a diving pool, plus ping pong tables, volleyball courts and loads of grass to lounge around on.

This café-restaurant is part of Geneva’s Bains des Paquis, a 1930s-era public swimming baths and spa on Lake Geneva’s right bank. As such, it’s a great place to hang out in the sun right next to the lake, whether for coffee, drinks or a light bite.

Minutes outside the beautiful Baroque town of the same name, TCS Camping Solothurn is a get-away-from-it-all campsite that is also full of things to do. The site is on the River Aare with its own harbour, runs boat trips into Solothurn (Saturdays only) and has motor boats, stand-up paddle boards and e-bikes to rent on-site.

A badi season favourite, at Allenmoos you'll find three separate pools surrounded by grass-covered open space that's perfect for sunbathing and summer picnics.

El Mojito Tropical Lounge is a throbbing summertime co*cktail bar-cum-beach shack on a lakeside jetty. Admire the view or the beautiful people, or both. Chill on deckchairs or dance to DJs. The mojitos, as you might imagine, are sublime.