Switzerland Nature: 19 Parks and Natural Wonders
map viewSwitzerland's nature spots on this page range from waterfalls and caves to lakeshores and high Alpine viewpoints. The Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen are the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and the St. Beatus Caves open high above Lake Thun. In the Alps, Riederalp overlooks the Aletsch Glacier, the Staubbach Falls plunge into the Lauterbrunnen valley, and Grindelwald and the Schilthorn face the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Closer to the cities, Lake Lucerne with Mount Rigi, the Lake Zurich waterfront, Zoo Zürich and the sculpture-filled Bruno Weber Park make easy day trips. June to August is the best time to visit.
Rhine Falls, Switzerland
The largest full-flowing waterfall in Europe.
Zoo Zürich, Switzerland
Zoo Zürich on the Zürichberg has the Masoala Rainforest hall, an elephant park and the Lewa Savanna; adults pay CHF 31, and it is open every day.
Bruno Weber Park, Dietikon, Switzerland
Switzerland’s largest sculpture park: a fantastical world of creatures, towers and mosaics by the artist Bruno Weber above Dietikon, near Zurich.
St. Beatus Caves (St. Beatus-Höhlen), Switzerland
Illuminated limestone caves with waterfalls above Lake Thun near Interlaken: 1 km of paths, 8–10 °C inside, open all year; adults CHF 20.
Riederalp Resort, Switzerland
Famous Swiss ski resort overlooking the Aletsch Glacier
Staubbach Falls
The second highest waterfall in Switzerland and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Europe.
Mount Rigi
Rigi is the “Queen” of the Swiss mountains, offering stunning panoramic views of lakes and mountains.
Jungfrau / Grindelwald, Switzerland
Grindelwald and the Jungfrau region are one of the best places to start exploring the Swiss Alps.
Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee)
Lake of Lucerne is the most picturesque and romantic lake in Switzerland
Schilthorn
A unique observation deck at an altitude of about 3000 meters, offering panoramic views of the Bernese Alps
Davos
World-famous Swiss ski resort, venue of the annual World Economic Forum.
Alpine village Rosswald
A small, quiet resort in the Swiss Alps
Staubern and Saxer Lücke Hiking Area, Alpstein, Switzerland
A beautiful mountain hike in the Alpstein, Switzerland, from the Staubern cable car over the Saxer Lücke pass down to Lake Fälen.
Oeschinensee lake Hiking Area, Kandersteg, Switzerland
A turquoise mountain lake above Kandersteg in Switzerland, surrounded by high rock walls, waterfalls and glaciers.
Lake Zurich waterfront
It is one of the main public spaces in the city, providing green areas and promenades
Fälensee Hiking Area, Alpstein, Switzerland
A green mountain lake in a narrow valley of the Alpstein, Switzerland, with the Bollenwees mountain inn and easy walks along the shore.
Sunnbüel Hiking Area, Kandersteg, Switzerland
A high mountain area above Kandersteg, Switzerland, with a cable car, easy hikes to Lake Dauben and a mountain bike trail down to the valley.
Gornergrat Hiking and Skiing Area, Zermatt, Switzerland
A high mountain ridge above Zermatt, Switzerland, reached by a cog railway, with famous views of the Matterhorn and many glaciers.
Riffelsee Lake & Iconic Matterhorn View, Zermatt, Switzerland
A small mountain lake above Zermatt, Switzerland, famous for the perfect reflection of the Matterhorn in its calm water.
Nature spots in Switzerland on the map
Numbers match the ranking above. Click a pin to open the place.
Best time to visit parks & nature spots in Switzerland
When sightseeing is most pleasant: comfortable 18–26 °C daytime temperatures and more dry days. Averaged over the places on this page.
ERA5 climate data 2015–2024 (Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), averaged for the places on this page.
Spain
Germany
Italy
France
Norway
Ukraine
Malta
Slovakia
Turkey