Switzerland is home to some of the most picturesque views in Europe, but how exactly should you plan a campervan journey across this wonderful country?
We asked Simone Stewart to put together a travel guide for those who wish to take a campervan to this stunning part of Europe.
I spent a wonderful summer exploring the mountainous regions of Europe in July 2025, and as part of this trip I drove through the magical landscape of Switzerland.
Switzerland is like the Italian Dolomites, stunning mountains and lakes, but with the added bonus of cities and towns en route. So you can enjoy hiking and eating in ‘vibey’ restaurants all at once. It is also home to some of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen.
This road trip is designed for the summer months, with hiking, swimming and adrenaline spots.
Day 1: Churwalden to Tujetsch
Entering Switzerland from the east, the first stop is Erlebnisberg Pradaschier – the summer toboggan run. I love a European mountain coaster. Three kilometres long, this is the longest toboggan run in Switzerland. If you like to hike, you can take the steep route to the top, which takes about an hour, or an easier winding route that takes around two hours. Then you can reward yourself with a lift down the mountain in the toboggan! If you’re not into hiking, you can take the chairlift all the way to the top. In this case, you could get several rounds of tobogganing in.
Stop at the alpine city of Chur for lunch, it’s widely considered Switzerland’s oldest city. Think of an old town with narrow streets and medieval buildings. Hidden among the streets are chocolate shops and really cool street art all around the city.
Hike in Waldhaus Flims. From the Caumasee parking lot, you can do several hikes, including the Caumasee loop, which circles one of Switzerland’s most famous lakes. Camumasee is famous for its turquoise blue water. You can also do a four-hour hike that takes you past four lakes and two gorges. You can swim in Camumasee, so if it’s hot, don’t forget your swimming costume. The water is crystal clear!
Drive further along the mountain road, stopping at Camping Viva for the night. This campsite has absolutely stunning views, located in a meadow amongst the mountains. It’s the perfect place to end the first day. They have a restaurant you can eat dinner at, but I enjoyed cooking in the van with views. They also have a sauna on site that you can hire for an extra fee.
Day 2: Tujetsch to Interlaken
Gelmerbahn – the steepest open funicular railway in Europe. This mountain cable car is dog friendly and takes you right up Gärstenhörner, where you will see a beautiful mountain lake. It is really steep. There is one point where you feel like you are nearly at a 90-degree angle! But it does go very slowly, so as long as you are okay with heights, don’t worry; it doesn’t move like a roller coaster. At the top, you can do a two-hour hike around the lake and then get the Gelmerbahn back down.
We chose to do a quick swim (the water is as cold as it looks) and got a single ticket so we could hike back down. This hike took us just over two hours, which was longer than we anticipated. It is also quite steep, but the views are amazing, and the path is lovely all the way back to the car. I highly recommend booking in advance as the Gelmerbahn runs in time slots, so you don’t want to have to wait ages if it’s full.
The next section of road is windy up and down the mountains. Take breaks when needed and enjoy the views. Take a pit stop to view Iseltwald Lake. Camp in one of the campsites around Interlaken (book for two nights) and spend the rest of the evening exploring the area. There are some really great restaurants in Interlaken, along with shops and chocolate cafes. We happened to be there the night of the Women’s EURO football semi-finals, so we found ourselves in a sports bar where my partner had the biggest dinner I have ever seen. England also won, so it was an extra good evening.
Day 3: Grindelwald
An adrenaline day! Make your way to Grindelwald, a mountain village that is the base point for a lot of activities. Here are some you can choose from:
- Glacier Canyon Grindelwald: a nature reserve that takes you along a gorge where you can climb across a webbed platform! A really unique experience through the gorge
- Take the cable car from Grindelwald to the first flyer base, where you can zip line back down! The views are incredible from up there, so it’s well worth taking one of the hiking trails before you make your way back down, or just take some time to enjoy the view
- Fly line Pfingstegg: allows you to glide down gently through the mountain, like a zip line. You sit in a chair, but this is a much slower descent, so you have time to really take in the views on the way down
Once you are done with the adventures for the day, you can get food from many lovely restaurants in Grindelwald before making your way back to Interlaken.
Day 4: Lake Thun
In Interlaken, you will probably notice that there are many paragliders who land in Hohematte Park. Many companies will take you paragliding there, so if it’s something that piques your interest, this is the place to do it.
Interlaken is surrounded by mountains, so it’s a really beautiful location to glide. This was the first time I tried it and it was magical. You really do feel like you are floating in the clouds. Whilst running off a mountain is scary, the descent is slow and peaceful and I’m so glad I did it. This is one to book in advance if you want to guarantee a spot and a time that suits you. I think early morning is the best time to do this.
Weather permitting, head to Lake Thun for a relaxing afternoon. In the summer, the locals are out with their family and friends having BBQs around the lake. It is a lovely atmosphere to be around. We spent the whole afternoon lying at the edge of the lake with a picnic, reading, swimming and soaking up the sun. Head to Blue Turtle for some drinks, and from there you can head along the river and find a spot to relax. If you’re not into relaxing by the water, there are two beautiful castles you can visit, such as Oberhofen Castle on Lake Thun.
Stay overnight in a campsite around Lake Thun. Camping Wydeli has a natural pool, grass pitches and a natural stream running through it.
Day 5 and 6: Lake Thun to Bern
Drive to Bern, the capital city of Switzerland. Camp at Campingplatz Eichholz, it’s right on the river and a lovely spot. I recommend booking in advance. It’s worth staying here for two nights as there is so much to see, especially if you want to spend a day by the river. On the second day, you can explore the town.
Have you ever heard of the locals commuting to work via the river in Switzerland? Well, this is a real thing, and it happens in Bern. If you are a strong swimmer, listen up, you’ll want to do this. Along certain sections of the Aare River, locals float down in the summer months, and the parks along the river become the perfect place to soak up the sun.
You can see all ages of people enjoying this river, from floating on their backs to sitting in a five-person raft – everything goes! It’s a fantastic activity to cool off when it’s hot.
Please be warned, though, that the river has a fast current. It is far faster than I had anticipated, which makes getting out anywhere other than the designated bypass extremely difficult. This is only for STRONG SWIMMERS. You must be confident. It is important to note that many accidents have happened over the years, with people getting in when it’s too cold and when they are not a strong enough swimmer. This is not a lifeguarded river; you swim at your own risk. Please do your own research before doing this, and follow the guidelines.
If you are confident, make sure you bring a strong dry bag for your keys or valuables and taking a float does make it more enjoyable. I highly recommend wearing Crocs or water shoes as it is a long walk back to the start once you’ve floated down. From Campingplatz Eichholz, you can take a very short walk to the river in Eichholz Park, where there is an easy section of stone beach to get into the water.
Once you are in, you will float down the river for around eight minutes until you get to Dalmazimatteli. There are signs above the river, so watch out for these. You cannot go any further along the river than here. After this, it gets dangerous. Stick to the middle of the river until you start seeing signs before Dalmazimatteli that tell you to make your way to the left. Here, you swim into a bypass that leads to a lifeguarded section away from the current of the river so that you can easily get out.
There is also a lido at Dalmazimatteli for anyone who wants to take in the atmosphere but is not a strong swimmer.
Once you’re out, it’s a stroll back to the campsite. There are bars and cafes along the river that you can stop at en route. Then repeat as many times as you like! We were exhausted after three!
Bern is a fantastic city to explore. It has beautiful architecture in the old town. Even if you don’t do any swimming, it’s well worth the visit, even for a walk along the river. In the summertime, the parks along the river are vibrant and perfect to enjoy if it’s sunny.
Restaurant Dampfzentrale, towards the end of the river swim, is a fantastic place for dinner. If you drink, they also have really lovely cocktails.
Day 7: Bern to Geneva
Finish the trip exploring the city of Geneva. This city has a big mix of new retail shopping and old architecture, which makes for an interesting day out. If you’re really into expensive watches, this is the place to shop for them.
Enjoy the architecture in the historic old town (Vieille Ville). Stroll along the lake and visit the Jet d’Eau de Geneve. This is a really spectacular fountain in the lake that’s worth a visit.
Explore the chocolate shops. Switzerland is known for good chocolate, so this is the perfect place to indulge.
Swim in the lake from Bains des Paquis. I highly recommend getting an ice cream or sorbet from Gelatomania Plainpalais; they have really interesting flavours.
There is an abundance of restaurants to dine out in. If you’re looking for a quick but tasty bite, I recommend heading to the food court on the second floor of the Confederation Centre.
Is it expensive in Switzerland?
The rumours are true. It is expensive. A soft drink, a bar of chocolate, and a small pack of batteries cost me £20 in a local convenience store. A dinner menu item starts at around £25. However, there are many Lidls and Aldis in Switzerland, so buying food on a tighter budget is possible. Wild camping is also tolerated in some non-protected mountain areas, so there are also options to camp cheaply.
What is it like to drive?
Switzerland is full of mountains, so you will encounter many hairpin roads with steep inclines, all of which are regularly used by caravans and motorhomes. Take it steady and enjoy the views; the drive is part of the fun. Disclaimer: some of the mountain roads in Switzerland are being repaired for a few months at a time in 2026, so please check for road closures before you go.
Campervan insurance, with EU cover included as standard
Whichever European country you plan on driving to, be it Switzerland or another, you will need to ensure you have the right campervan insurance. Sterling can find policies that can cover you in Europe for up to 90 days.
We also find European breakdown cover and annual van life insurance if you live in your van, so you can have peace of mind on your next road trip.
Call us on 0344 381 9990 for a quick, no-hassle quote or book a callback at a time that suits you.