Your bucket list: what you want to see and do in your first year in Switzerland

Moving to Switzerland. New job, new routines, new environment. Suddenly, you live in a country where most people go on vacation alone.

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But once your work weeks fill up, it's surprisingly easy to delay exploring. “Next weekend.” And then it gets busy again. Before you know it, months have gone by. (Trust me, I'm speaking from experience.)

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That's why it helps to decide early: what do I really want to see this year? Some of the spots below are familiar. But they're famous for a reason. If you're just living in Switzerland, especially if you're here you just moved there for work, these are the kind of experiences that will really make you feel at home here. Not just at work. But to life.

1. Oeschinensee: Switzerland at its best

What if there's one place that looks exactly how people imagine Switzerland? Then it's the Lake Oeschinen.

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The lake is located above the village of Kandersteg. Going there already feels like a little adventure. You can take the cable car and walk the last part. Or walk all the way up if you want to earn the view.

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What stuck with me the most about my first visit: that moment when the lake suddenly comes into view. You walk around a bend, and there it is. Clear blue water. Steep cliffs around it. Snow on the peaks. It almost feels unreal.

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In summer, you can walk, picnic or rent a rowing boat. Honest? The latter is probably one of the nicest ways to spend an afternoon. In autumn, it gets quieter and the trees around the lake color. Nice, too.

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Yes, it's popular. No, you are not alone. But definitely worth it. Especially in your first year.

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2. Ticino: when Switzerland suddenly becomes Italy

One of the nicest surprises in this country: how quickly the atmosphere can change.

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You board the train to the south, go through the Gotthard Tunnel, and suddenly everything is different. The air is warmer. There are palm trees. People are sitting outside drinking espresso. Welcome to Ticino.

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Locarno, Lugano, Bellinzona. It feels completely different from the German-speaking part. The buildings, the food, the rhythm. Everything there is just a little slower and more relaxed.

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Easy to reach for a weekend. And yet, many people delay it for too long.

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If you're working long shifts or are still getting used to your new life, Ticino is perfect for a little reset. Train ride, good food, a walk by the lake. Sometimes that's all you need. Go at least once in your first year. You want to go back, I promise you.

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3. Fronalpstock: the walk everyone talks about

Do you want to do one hike that really feels like “Switzerland as it should be”? Then the Fronalpstock is a good start.

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It is not without reason that the walk at Stoos is on so many lists. The path follows a ridge with views from both sides. Lakes below. Mountains everywhere. And a wide landscape where you just stop for a few minutes.

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What makes it extra nice: it feels adventurous without being too technical. Good to do for beginners who take the time. And on clear days, the view seems endless. The type of walk where you take far too many photos and still feel like they're not catching it.

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By the way: if you gets friends or family to visit, this is also a great thing to do together. The cable car to Stoos makes it accessible to everyone.

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4. Visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate

You can't live in Switzerland without getting a taste of Swiss chocolate at least once.

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It Lindt Home of Chocolate Zürich is fun whether you're going alone, with friends, or when you're visiting from the Netherlands or Belgium. Even if you're not a big fan of chocolate: it's worth it.

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The building is impressive. Especially the chocolate fountain in the entrance hall. Inside, you'll walk through interactive exhibits about how chocolate is made, where cocoa comes from, and how Swiss chocolate became so famous.

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And yes. There are tastings. That is the real highlight for most of them.

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Easy day out. Good for rainy days, winter weekends, or when you just don't want to go up a mountain.

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5. Take a panoramic train ride

Not every adventure requires walking shoes.

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One of the easiest ways to discover Switzerland is to simply take the train. Sit, window, enjoy.

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The route from Lucerne to Interlaken is classic Switzerland: lakes, mountains, green meadows. The GoldenPass towards Montreux changes the landscape slowly, becoming softer, almost Mediterranean. And the Bernina route is for those who want to see dramatic high mountains.

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Even if you are dead tired after a working week: this is doable. Pack snacks, bring coffee, and just enjoy the ride.

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It sounds simple. But it's one of the nicest ways to appreciate where you live. And with a halftax card (something you'll want anyway), you can travel around Switzerland for half the price.

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One last thing

Your first year in Switzerland is going faster than you think.

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In the beginning, everything is new. Later, the routines become automatic. The work is familiar. Life gets busy. And without realizing it, you're putting off doing the things you've ever wanted to do.

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So start early. Plan a few trips. Use your weekends. Even small adventures make a big difference. A day out. A short walk. A train ride to somewhere new.

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Because in a year, you don't want to look back and think: if only I had done more.

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And don't forget: at takeoff, we don't just help you with your job and your move. Through our community we organize activities on a monthly basis. Mountain walks, drinks, city trips. This way, you will not discover Switzerland alone, but together with other physios who have embarked on the adventure just like you.

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