Switzerland for 1 week (zurich, lucerne, murren and geneva)

With the exception of Lucerne, I'm not a big fan of Switzerland's cities: Zurich, Bern, Basel. They're nice places to live in, but for the most tourists there isn't much to do. Luzern is beautiful, compact, and has lots attractions. For me Switzerland's appeal is in the alps. I can easily spend close to a week exploring the area around Murren.

Liya, In Lucerne we took a walking tour, it was around 2 hours, you covered a lot and the guide was very good. We ate at a Thai restaurant called Takrai, very small place, excellent food.

I totally agree with the poster who said Switz is all about the alps. We spent a week there in May and loved our stay in Wengen. Day tripped to Lucerne and flew out of Zurich, which IMO is just another city, and we did not find it appealing--mildly interesting. You will love Murren for sure. We ended up in Zurich on June 1 which was a holiday and many places were closed including restuarants. We had dinner at the expensive Kronenhall restaurant in Zurich which was very good--the art work on the walls there was all original--Picassos, Rubens, Dali, etc.--quite impressive.

Love Swiss, love the alps, but also love the cities.

Sure they aren't "touristy" but that is best reason to go to them. One can only see so many churches, paintings and other touristy things. Think of it as going to a near by town of your state, one that you know has a nice feel to it and good restaurants, but you have never been and you now want to see what there is to offer. One of my friends from college comes from Zurich and when i visited her she said don't expect a party town. Its low key style made it one of the places I wouldn't mine living, but I also wouldn't mind living in Zermatt either :)

Yes, Switzerland is about the Alps more than the cities. But I have also found gems in the cities. For example, I stumbled on the museum at the International Red Cross/Crescent headquarters in Geneva that has proven to be one of the most memorable museum experiences I've ever had. Zurich has a nice Old City area that is worth walking around. Lucerne is my favorite Swiss city. Very walkable with lots to see. Walk on the old city walls for a great view over the city. Murren, as you no doubt know, is a mountain resort village. This is where you will discover that Switzerland is chiefly about the Alps. Be sure to go on a hike and to drop down to Gimmelwald for a very different kind of village experience.

Hi Liya,

I've been absent since I returned.. This site is great with very helpful people who helped alot when I was planning for our trip in June this year. Thank you all!

Lauterbrunnen, Muerren & Gimmelwald is really worth a visit (the alpine views and experience is simply awesome awesome). I like Bern.. the way the city is laid out with many fountains and beautiful buildings.. there is the Bern Historical / Einstein Museum, Munster Cathedral, Bundehaus & Square (there is a morning morning market on certain days).

In Geneva, like what Dwayne mentioned, the Red Cross/Crescent Museum is worth a visit (I enjoyed the movie (Battle of Solferino and learned something new.. Henry Dunant). There is so much to do in Geneva.. you can go on the Lake (Geneva) cruise and stop over at Yvoire (mid medieval flower town (depends on when you go) and Montreux (day trip will do).

If you are interested, you can visit my blog http://mytwocutebabies.blogspot.com/2009/06/switzerland-trip-part-3-lauterbrunnen.html(look for the Switzerland posts--> there are 12 posts in total-June & July 09 posts). We were in Switzerland for 18 days out of which 7 days were in Lauterbrunnen / Grindelwald). Hope it convinces you!

Good luck!
Clare