The Grand Swiss Loop:
Zurich to Geneva in 10 Days

Arrive in Zurich, collect your rental car, and spend the afternoon exploring the pristine Altstadt (Old Town) (opens in a new tab) and the shores of Lake Zurich. As evening approaches, head up to the "Top of Zurich"—the Uetliberg mountain.

Where to Stay in Zurich

Hotel UTO KULM (opens in a new tab)Commission link: An unforgettable, premium stay at the very top of the Uetliberg mountain offering panoramic views over the city.

Affordable & Highly Rated Alternatives: 25hours Hotel Langstrasse (opens in a new tab)Commission link offers a trendy, practical stay near the main station. Motel One Zürich (opens in a new tab)Commission link provides excellent value, modern design, and a highly walkable location.

Eat & Drink in Zurich

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  Haus Hiltl (opens in a new tab): Holding the Guinness World Record as the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world, this is an absolute must-visit for an incredible plant-based buffet.
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  Old Crow (opens in a new tab): A legendary craft cocktail bar boasting one of the most extensive collections of rare bourbons and additive-free agave spirits in Europe.
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  Markthalle (opens in a new tab): Located under the viaduct arches, a fantastic spot for curated local food stalls with excellent vegetarian and vegan options.

Take the morning train back down to your car and head east. Your first stop is the Appenzeller Schaukäserei (opens in a new tab) to watch the creation of Switzerland's spiciest cheese.

From there, enjoy the breathtaking drive up into the Engadin valley to the ritzy, high-altitude resort town of St. Moritz.

Where to Stay in St. Moritz (Nights 2 & 3)

Hauser Hotel St. Moritz (opens in a new tab)Commission link: Check in here for two nights. Features wonderful modern alpine design and a famous in-house confectionery.

Affordable & Highly Rated Alternatives: Hotel Piz St. Moritz (opens in a new tab)Commission link offers fantastic value and comfortable rooms just a short walk from the center. Hotel Arte (opens in a new tab)Commission link provides a cozy, budget-friendly basecamp right in the heart of town.

Eat & Drink in St. Moritz

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  Dal Mulin (opens in a new tab): An exceptional alpine dining room offering a refined menu with excellent, thoughtful vegetarian options and a world-class wine list.
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  Renaissance Bar (opens in a new tab): Set in Badrutt's Palace, a vintage cigar and cocktail lounge that defines old-world Alpine wealth. Perfect for stiff classic bourbon cocktails.
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  Pavarotti & Friends (opens in a new tab): A fantastic, lively wine bar offering exceptional vintages and robust Italian antipasti with great plant-based bites.

Leave the car at the hotel today and board the Bernina Express (opens in a new tab)Commission link. This panoramic red train takes you through glaciers and over the iconic Landwasser Viaduct, dropping you straight across the border into Tirano, Italy for a few hours.

Eat & Drink in Tirano (Lunch)

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  Liberty Ristorante & Pizzeria Contemporanea (opens in a new tab): You came to Italy for an hour, so you are eating pizza. This spot offers incredible, modern Neapolitan-style pies with abundant vegetarian choices.
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  Merizzi (opens in a new tab): An excellent, highly-rated alternative focusing on fresh Italian ingredients with fantastic vegetarian pasta options.
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  Parravicini Restaurant (opens in a new tab): A slightly more upscale option set in a beautiful historic courtyard.

Drive out of the Engadin valley toward the stunning medieval city of Lucerne. Once you arrive, trade the car for hiking boots. Lucerne is flanked by two legendary peaks: Mount Pilatus (opens in a new tab)Commission link and Mount Rigi (opens in a new tab)Commission link.

Where to Stay in Lucerne (Night 4)

Hotel Des Alpes (opens in a new tab)Commission link: Fantastic value right on the Reuss river in the pedestrian zone, offering stunning views of the Chapel Bridge without the 5-star price tag.

Affordable & Highly Rated Alternatives: AMERON Luzern Hotel Flora (opens in a new tab)Commission link provides smart, modern rooms steps from the train station. Boutique Hotel Karl (opens in a new tab)Commission link offers a charming, highly-rated, and practical stay overlooking the city.

Eat & Drink in Lucerne

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  Karls Kraut (opens in a new tab): The absolute best 100% vegan restaurant in Lucerne, located right on the river with an incredibly creative menu.
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  Suite Lounge & Cocktail Bar (opens in a new tab): A chic rooftop venue serving sweeping city views alongside expertly crafted, agave-heavy cocktails.
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  Mill'Feuille (opens in a new tab): A relaxed spot right on the water, famous for its vegetarian-friendly breakfast and light dinners.

Depart Lucerne and drive south toward the Bernese Oberland. On your way, you absolutely must stop at the Gelmerbahn (opens in a new tab). With a gradient of 106%, it is one of the steepest and most thrilling open-air funiculars in Europe, taking you up to the stunning turquoise waters of Lake Gelmer.

Continue to your basecamp for the next two nights: Interlaken.

Where to Stay in Interlaken (Nights 5 & 6)

Hotel Bernerhof (opens in a new tab)Commission link: Extremely practical and highly rated, located right across from Interlaken West station—perfect for jumping on trains to the peaks.

Affordable & Highly Rated Alternatives: Hotel Weisses Kreuz (opens in a new tab)Commission link is a fantastic mid-range option right in the center. Hotel Post Hardermannli (opens in a new tab)Commission link gives you that traditional Swiss chalet style at great value.

Eat & Drink in Interlaken

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  Layaly Beirut (opens in a new tab): Incredible Lebanese cuisine offering massive, flavor-packed vegetarian and vegan mezze platters.
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  Velo Cafe (opens in a new tab): A fantastic, hip coffee shop with great vegan options and a relaxed vibe.
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  Spatz - Gastro & Bar (opens in a new tab): The best spot in town for elevated craft cocktails, specializing in complex flavor profiles and premium whiskey.

Take the train from Interlaken to experience the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe (opens in a new tab)Commission link. You will stand at 3,454 meters, gazing out over the massive Aletsch Glacier.

On your way back down, stop in the awe-inspiring Lauterbrunnen Valley (opens in a new tab), known as the valley of 72 waterfalls.

Eat & Drink in Lauterbrunnen / Interlaken

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  1903 Cafe/Restaurant (opens in a new tab): Located in Lauterbrunnen, offering phenomenal views and hearty plant-based lunch options.
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  Hotel Oberland Restaurant (opens in a new tab): The perfect spot to enjoy authentic, crispy vegetarian rösti after exploring the waterfalls.
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  Bebbis Restaurant (opens in a new tab): Back in Interlaken, a lively spot offering excellent Swiss cheese fondue.

Today is about altitude and adrenaline. Head up to the car-free mountain village of Mürren (opens in a new tab).

To get back down the mountain, book a Tandem Parasailing/Paragliding flight (opens in a new tab)Commission link. Soaring over the Lauterbrunnen valley is the ultimate Swiss experience. After your flight, collect your car and drive south toward the majestic Matterhorn.

Eat & Drink in Mürren

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  360°-Restaurant Piz Gloria (opens in a new tab): The actual revolving restaurant from the James Bond film. Sip a dry martini (or a neat bourbon) and enjoy the sweeping panoramic views.
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  Stäger Stübli (opens in a new tab): Down in Mürren, a cozy, authentic Swiss tavern with great vegetarian-friendly dishes.
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  Cafe LIV (opens in a new tab): A charming coffee shop in the village offering great pastries, vegan options, and a warm atmosphere.

You will arrive in Täsch, where you must leave your car (Zermatt is car-free) and take the 12-minute shuttle train into Zermatt.

Spend the day exploring the village or take the Gornergrat Railway (opens in a new tab)Commission link for the absolute best, unobstructed views of the iconic Matterhorn peak.

Where to Stay in Zermatt (Night 8)

Hotel Butterfly (opens in a new tab)Commission link: A cozy, highly-rated alpine hotel located just steps from the train station, making logistics with luggage a breeze.

Affordable & Highly Rated Alternatives: Hotel Jägerhof (opens in a new tab)Commission link offers a rustic, peaceful feel with Matterhorn views at a fair price. Hotel Alpenblick (opens in a new tab)Commission link is an excellent, budget-friendly lodge slightly off the main drag.

Eat & Drink in Zermatt

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  Vegistube (opens in a new tab): A dedicated vegetarian and vegan haven in the heart of Zermatt, offering fantastic plant-based takes on Swiss classics.
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  Potato (opens in a new tab): A fantastic, cozy spot focusing on organic, locally sourced dishes with great veggie options.
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  Brown Cow (opens in a new tab): A lively local favorite for hearty comfort food, regional beers, and a solid whiskey selection.

Check out of Zermatt, retrieve your car in Täsch, and begin the drive west. However, we are taking a very specific, cinematic detour on our way to Geneva.

Saanen Station (DDLJ Location) (map, opens in a new tab)

Gstaad (map, opens in a new tab)

Arrive in Geneva in the late afternoon. Spend your final evening strolling by the Jet d'Eau.

Where to Stay in Geneva (Night 9)

Hotel Suisse (opens in a new tab)Commission link: Classic, highly rated, and exceptionally practical—located right across from the main train station for an easy exit to the airport.

Affordable & Highly Rated Alternatives: MEININGER Hotel Genève Centre Charmilles (opens in a new tab)Commission link offers an ultra-affordable, modern, hybrid design. Hotel Bernina Geneva (opens in a new tab)Commission link is another great-value, comfortable spot with excellent transit connectivity.

Eat & Drink in Geneva

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  Alive (opens in a new tab): A premier 100% vegan restaurant and superfood cafe in Geneva, offering vibrant, healthy dishes.
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  L'Apothicaire Cocktail Club (opens in a new tab): The ultimate destination for craft mixology in the city. High-end, bespoke cocktails in a sophisticated setting, favoring complex spirits over clear liquors.
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  Ou Bien Encore (opens in a new tab): A fantastic, stylish vegetarian restaurant and gallery space that perfectly captures Geneva's cosmopolitan vibe.

Enjoy a final slow morning by Lake Geneva. Drop your rental car at Geneva Airport (GVA) and catch your flight home, wrapping up the ultimate 10-day Swiss alpine road trip. Search Kayak (opens in a new tab)Commission link for your return flight options.

Eat & Drink in Geneva (Breakfast & Coffee)

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  Birdie Food & Coffee (opens in a new tab): An excellent modern cafe offering incredible specialty coffee and vegetarian-friendly brunch plates.
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  Barista Lab (opens in a new tab): The perfect quick stop for premium espresso and light vegan pastries before heading to the airport.
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  En Faim (opens in a new tab): A lovely, health-conscious spot specializing in fresh, organic vegetarian bowls and sandwiches.