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7-day itinerary

Eastern Switzerland Highlights Tour

7-day journey through Eastern Switzerland's alpine peaks and histor...

Length
7 days · 8 sights
Pace
Moderate
Estimated cost
CHF 864 per person
Based in
Eastern Switzerland

Day by day

  1. Day 1: Arrival in St. Gallen & Abbey District Exploration

    Arrive in St. Gallen, check into accommodation, and explore the UNESCO-listed Abbey District, including the Cathedral and Library.

    • 10:00

      Arrival and Check-in

      Arrive at St. Gallen station, take local transport or taxi to hotel in the city center.

      About 60 min

    • 11:30

      Abbey District & Abbey of St. Gall

      Walk through the historic Abbey District, a UNESCO World Heritage site, admiring the Baroque architecture and the vast library courtyard.

      About 1.5 hours

    • 13:00

      St. Gallen Cathedral

      Visit the twin rotundas and admire the frescoes inside the Baroque cathedral.

      About 60 min

    • 14:15

      Abbey Library of St. Gallen

      Explore the world’s oldest medieval library, housing ancient manuscripts and the famous Codex Sangallensis.

      About 60 min

    • 15:30

      Vaulted Cellar

      Visit the historic vaulted cellar within the Abbey complex, known for its acoustics and history.

      About 45 min

    • 16:30

      Gallus Square & City Center

      Relax at Gallus Square, the central square beside the Abbey District, and stroll through nearby shopping streets.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Restaurant near Abbey District; Dinner at Traditional Swiss Restaurant in St. Gallen
    Where to stay:
    Stay in a hotel in St. Gallen city center for easy access to the Abbey and train station.
    Getting around:
    Walking is sufficient for exploring the city center. Use public transport if arriving from Zurich.

  2. Day 2: St. Gallen Nature & Textile Heritage

    Explore St. Gallen's natural surroundings and its famous textile history.

    • 09:00

      Textile Museum

      Visit the Textile Museum to learn about St. Gallen's historic lace industry and view exquisite exhibits.

      About 60 min

    • 10:30

      City Park & Botanical Garden

      Walk through the historic greenhouses and diverse plant collections in the city park.

      About 1.5 hours

    • 12:30

      Mühleggbahn & Three Ponds

      Take the historic funicular up to Mühleggbahn and hike or walk to the Drei Weieren (Three Ponds) for scenic views.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Lunch at Three Ponds

      Enjoy a picnic or lunch at the restaurant near the ponds with mountain views.

      About 60 min

    • 15:30

      Free Time in St. Gallen

      Explore local cafes, buy souvenirs, or relax in the city.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Restaurant near Three Ponds; Dinner at Casual Dining in St. Gallen
    Where to stay:
    Continue staying in St. Gallen.
    Getting around:
    Use the Mühleggbahn funicular and walking paths. Local buses available if needed.

  3. Day 3: Journey to Appenzellerland

    Travel from St. Gallen to the Appenzellerland region, known for its hilly landscapes and traditional culture.

    • 09:00

      Travel to Appenzell

      Take the train from St. Gallen to Appenzell (approx. 45 mins). Enjoy the scenic ride through the Appenzell region.

      About 60 min

    • 10:30

      Explore Appenzell Old Town

      Walk through the colorful old town, visit the Town Hall, and see the traditional half-timbered houses.

      About 2 hours

    • 12:30

      Visit a Cheese Factory

      Visit a local Appenzeller cheese factory to learn about and taste the famous Appenzeller cheese.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Hugel Pass Viewpoint

      Take the cable car to Hugel Pass for panoramic views of the Appenzell Alps.

      About 2 hours

    • 16:30

      Relax in Appenzell

      Stroll along the river and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Restaurant in Appenzell; Dinner at Traditional Inn in Appenzell
    Where to stay:
    Stay in a hotel or guesthouse in Appenzell.
    Getting around:
    Train from St. Gallen to Appenzell. Local walking and cable car.

  4. Day 4: Appenzellerland to Davos

    Travel through the Alpine landscape to Davos, a renowned health resort and outdoor destination.

    • 09:00

      Train to Davos

      Take the train from Appenzell to Davos via St. Moritz or direct connections. Enjoy the scenic Alpine journey.

      About 2 hours

    • 11:30

      Check-in and Rest

      Arrive in Davos, check into hotel, and rest after the journey.

      About 60 min

    • 13:00

      Davos Platz Walk

      Walk around Davos Platz, the main square, and enjoy the high-altitude atmosphere.

      About 1.5 hours

    • 15:00

      Jakobshorn Cable Car

      Take the cable car up to Jakobshorn for stunning views of the surrounding peaks and lakes.

      About 2 hours

    • 17:30

      Free Time

      Explore local shops or relax at the hotel spa.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Café in Davos; Dinner at Restaurant in Davos
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Davos.
    Getting around:
    Train travel. Local walking and cable cars.

  5. Day 5: Davos Outdoor Adventures

    Enjoy outdoor activities in Davos, such as hiking or visiting Lake Davos.

    • 09:00

      Lake Davos Walk

      Walk around Lake Davos, enjoying the serene views and fresh mountain air.

      About 2 hours

    • 11:00

      Hiking at Rinerhorn

      Take the cable car to Rinerhorn and hike on the well-marked trails with panoramic views.

      About 3 hours

    • 14:00

      Lunch at Rinerhorn

      Enjoy lunch at the mountain restaurant with views.

      About 60 min

    • 15:30

      Davos Museum

      Visit the Davos Museum to learn about the history of the town and its famous residents.

      About 2 hours

    • 17:30

      Free Time

      Relax or shop for local products.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Mountain Restaurant; Dinner at Restaurant in Davos
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Davos.
    Getting around:
    Walking and cable cars.

  6. Day 6: Journey to Zurich via Rhine Falls

    Travel from Davos to Zurich, stopping at the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall.

    • 09:00

      Train to Schaffhausen

      Take the train from Davos to Schaffhausen (approx. 2.5 hours with changes).

      About 2 hours

    • 12:00

      Rhine Falls

      Visit the Rhine Falls, take a boat tour to the middle of the falls, and explore the viewing platforms.

      About 2 hours

    • 14:30

      Lunch in Schaffhausen

      Enjoy lunch in Schaffhausen old town.

      About 60 min

    • 16:00

      Train to Zurich

      Take the train from Schaffhausen to Zurich (approx. 1 hour).

      About 60 min

    • 17:30

      Zurich City Center

      Check into hotel and take a short walk along the Limmat River.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Restaurant near Rhine Falls; Dinner at Restaurant in Zurich
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Zurich.
    Getting around:
    Train travel. Walking at Rhine Falls.

  7. Day 7: Zurich Exploration & Departure

    Explore Zurich's main attractions before departure.

    • 09:00

      Zurich Old Town

      Walk through the historic Old Town, visit Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches.

      About 2 hours

    • 11:00

      Lake Zurich Promenade

      Stroll along the Lake Zurich promenade and enjoy the views.

      About 1.5 hours

    • 12:30

      Lunch in Zurich

      Enjoy lunch at a lakeside restaurant.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Shopping or Museum

      Visit the Kunsthaus Zurich for art or shop on Bahnhofstrasse.

      About 2 hours

    • 16:30

      Departure

      Travel to Zurich Airport for departure.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Lakeside Restaurant; Dinner at Farewell Dinner in Zurich
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Zurich or depart.
    Getting around:
    Walking and local public transport.

Practical information

The optimal time to visit Eastern Switzerland depends on your preferred activities. Summer (June to August) offers warm weather ideal for hiking in the Appenzellerland and Graubünden regions, while winter transforms Davos and the Engadine into premier ski destinations. Spring and autumn provide fewer crowds and vibrant foliage, though mountain passes like the Julier and San Bernardino may occasionally close due to snow. Weather in the Alps can change rapidly; even in summer, temperatures drop significantly at higher altitudes, making layering essential. Transportation options vary by preference. The provided itinerary suggests a road trip, which offers flexibility for exploring remote areas like the Appenzellerland and crossing high Alpine passes. However, Switzerland’s public transport network is exceptionally efficient. Trains connect Zurich, St. Gallen, Davos, and Lugano reliably, often with scenic routes that rival driving. If you choose to drive, note that car rental is excluded from standard tour packages, and you must account for the mandatory annual highway vignette (CHF 40) for using motorways. Parking in historic towns like St. Gallen and Lugano can be scarce and expensive, so staying in accommodations with parking or using park-and-ride facilities is advisable. For accommodation, consider splitting your stay to minimize daily driving. St. Gallen offers charming hotels near the UNESCO-listed Abbey, while Davos provides a range of options from budget hostels to luxury alpine resorts. Lugano features lakeside hotels with Mediterranean ambiance. Booking well in advance is crucial, especially during peak summer and ski seasons. Budget-wise, Switzerland is expensive. The referenced tour starts at CHF 610 per adult but excludes car rental, fuel, tolls, and most meals. Daily costs for food and drinks can easily exceed CHF 100 per person if dining in restaurants. Consider using Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited train travel if not driving, which also includes many boat tours and museum entries. Pack sturdy hiking boots for trails in the Alps, swimwear for Lake Lucerne and Lake Lugano, and a rain jacket regardless of the season. Always carry a power adapter (Type J) and check passport validity requirements. Finally, respect local customs by keeping noise levels down in residential areas and adhering to strict recycling rules, which are strictly enforced in most municipalities.

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