In 2025, the Grand Tour of Switzerland celebrates its tenth anniversary and once again invites travelers to discover Switzerland's diverse landscapes and cultural treasures on a unique route. This scenic route stretches 1.643 kilometers and leads through all four language regions of the country, past 22 lakes, over five Alpine passes, and to 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Inspired by the traditional Grand Tour of the 18th century, which young Europeans embarked on educational journeys, the modern Grand Tour of Switzerland was launched in 2015 by Switzerland Tourism and a private sponsoring association. The goal was to offer individual tourists a structured yet flexible way to explore Switzerland by car or motorcycle. The route runs along existing roads throughout the entire country and has been marked with official brown clockwise signposts since 2016.
The eight stages of the tour
The Grand Tour is divided into eight stages, each offering unique landscapes and cultural highlights:
- Zurich – AppenzellThis diverse stage leads from the vibrant city of Zurich through the Zurich wine country to the imposing Rhine Falls. It continues to the historic city of St. Gallen and finally to rural Appenzell.
- Appenzell – St. Moritz: On this route, you pass through Europe's smallest town, Werdenberg, and Switzerland's oldest town, Chur. Crossing the Salginatobel Bridge, Switzerland's only World Heritage Site, you finally reach the fashionable town of St. Moritz.
- St. Moritz – Lugano: This stage impresses with its difference in altitude: from the alpine St. Moritz at 1.822 meters above sea level, it goes down to the Mediterranean Lugano at around 270 meters.
- Lugano – Zermatt: The route leads through Ticino, past picturesque lakes and charming villages, before entering Valais and finally to Zermatt with its famous view of the Matterhorn.
- Zermatt – LausanneFrom the majestic mountains of Valais, the route descends to the shores of Lake Geneva, passing through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lavaux with its terraced vineyards.
- Lausanne – Neuchâtel: This stage runs along the Jura Mountains, past idyllic villages and offers spectacular views of the Alps and lakes before reaching Neuchâtel.
- Neuchâtel – Interlaken: The route leads through the Three Lakes Region and the Emmental, known for its rolling hills and traditional farms, before reaching Interlaken between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
- Interlaken – Zurich: The last stage leads via Lucerne with its famous Chapel Bridge back to Zurich, experiencing further scenic and cultural highlights along the way.
Highlights of the route
There are numerous sights along the Grand Tour that are worth visiting:
- Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen: The largest waterfall in Europe impresses with its roaring water mass and is a popular tourist destination.
- Old town of Bern: The federal capital with its well-preserved medieval architecture is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and invites you to stroll.
- Lavaux vineyards: The terraced vineyards along Lake Geneva offer not only excellent wines but also breathtaking views.
- Gotthard Pass and Tremola route: The historic pass road with its granite paving winds its way up the mountain in spectacular serpentines and is a highlight for motorists.
- Furka Pass: At 2.429 meters, it is the highest point of the Grand Tour and offers impressive panoramic views.
Practical information for travelers
The entire Grand Tour route is marked with approximately 650 signposts to help travelers find their way. It is recommended to plan at least seven days for the round trip, with a daily driving time of approximately five hours. Because the route crosses several Alpine passes, it is not entirely accessible year-round; the best time to travel is between April and October.
To mark the tenth anniversary in 2025, various events and special promotions are planned along the route to celebrate this event. Travelers can look forward to special offers, cultural events, and local festivals that reflect the diversity and joie de vivre of Switzerland.
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