Summer 2025 News & Trips by Switzerland Tourism UK & Ireland

It’s all going on in Switzerland this summer

Following a great winter season of Wham!, skiing, sledging, ziplining, fondue hiking and raclette rafting, we’ve swapped our ski goggles for sunglasses in preparation for what is set to be an exciting summer in Switzerland!

Following Switzerland’s victory last year in Malmö, the city of Basel will host the ever-popular Eurovision Song Contest this May. In addition to the main event taking place at the St. Jakobshalle, the city will organise a wide range of activities and live entertainment to mark the occasion.

Our other major event of the season is the UEFA Women's EURO 2025, which will take place in Switzerland this July! Football matches will take place in eight host cities: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, Sion, St. Gallen, Thun and Zurich.

Also in this booklet are updates on anniversaries this year, the latest hotel openings, news from our transport partners and the latest developments from our Swisstainable programme, plus the five summer group trips that we’ll be running this season for British and Irish media – register your interest sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment!

For easy reference, numbered in red throughout the booklet then marked on a map on page 15 are all the Swiss destinations where everything is happening this summer.

For additional updates throughout the summer season, head to the Switzerland Tourism UK & Ireland Media Corner: switzerland.com/mediauk

Roll on Summer 2025 in Switzerland, where we look forward to hopefully welcoming you very soon on your next media trip!

Fran Lambert, Selina Staeger and Chloë Sterren Your UK & Ireland media team

Alex Herrmann

Director UK & Ireland

Summer news

Opening of the Schilthornbahn 20XX

Following the opening of the first section in mid-December, the Schilthornbahn 20XX (1) will open in its entirety in March. This traditional 85-person cable car between Stechelberg and Schilthorn Piz Gloria via Mürren will boast a gradient of up to 159.4% (the steepest in the world), a total journey time of 22 minutes and a capacity of 800 passengers an hour. schilthornbahn20XX.com

A new visitor centre for the UN in Geneva

The new and improved Mount Tamaro

As of June, Mount Tamaro, located between the cities of Lugano (2), Bellinzona (3) and Locarno (4), will welcome visitors with a new state-of-the-art eight-person gondola lift, which will both reduce its carbon footprint and improve accessibility thanks to a barrier-free design. New panoramic cabins offer more space for bicycles. ticino.ch/en | montetamaro.ch/en

Designed by the banker Ivan Pictet, the Portail des Nations, a long-anticipated visitor centre for the United Nations in Geneva (5) will finally open its doors to the public this autumn. Visitors will be able to learn about international Geneva, what the UN does and the global challenges of migration, climate and health, as well as pretend to be UN Permanent Representative for the day. portaildesnations.ch/en

Opening of the Col de Cou refuge

The Col de Cou refuge sits on the French-Swiss border, in an idyllic spot between Morzine, Samoëns and Champéry (6). In wartime, this route was used by refugees and members of the resistance for smuggling. In 2022, all three communes clubbed together to transform this former customs post into a scenic new mountain hut for hikers, which will open this summer. cabane-col-de-cou.net

© Markus Zimmermann

© Portail des Nations

© Ticino Tourism / Milo Zanecchia

© Cabane Col de Cou

The

Delicious Guide in Lausanne

Just opened: Maison des Vins de la Côte

The Maison des Vins de La Côte opened in October in Mont-sur-Rolle (7), and showcases wines from 12 protected designation of origin (PDO) terroirs. With architecture inspired by terraced vineyards, this venue will host tastings, workshops and seminars, celebrating local wine traditions and experiences.

morges-tourisme.ch/en | maisondesvins.ch

Launched at the end of 2024, The Delicious Guide, an initiative by GastroLausanne, Vaud Promotion and Lausanne Tourisme, showcases the culinary heritage of Lausanne (8). Over 100 locations were carefully selected by a team of local journalists and content creators to share with visitors the many gastronomic hotspots in the region. lausanne-tourisme.ch/en/the-delicious-guide

Aigle, Swiss City of Taste 2025

Fondueland in Gstaad

From May to October, Fondueland in Gstaad (9) offers cheese lovers a unique picnic experience! Visitors can pick up either a fondue or raclette backpack, complete with portable stove (wine optional), from one of Gstaad’s dairies before setting off on a hike, stopping off en route to sit in one of seven giant fondue pots and enjoy tasty local cheese and stunning panoramic views.

gstaad.ch/en/summer

This year, Aigle (10) has been crowned ‘Swiss City of Taste,’ a national accolade which reflects its culinary heritage and commitment to sustainable practices. All summer, the city will be celebrating its many local producers, plus a delicious new menu at local restaurant La Pinte du Paradis, whose chef recently received a Michelin star. alpesvaudoises.ch/en | lapinteduparadis.ch

© marinaforney.ch

© Switzerland Tourism / André Meier

© Switzerland Tourism / Lukas Werlich

© visualps.ch

Anniversaries

10 years of the Grand Tour of Switzerland

This year, the Grand Tour of Switzerland celebrates its 10th anniversary. This 1,643km electric vehiclefriendly circuit showcases many of Switzerland’s top highlights, including a new photo spot in Morgins (11), where a cable car affords stunning views of the Dents du Midi and makes the route even more accessible. switzerland.com/grandtour

10 years of FOOD Zurich

Annual festival FOOD Zurich sees the city of Zurich (12) host over 100 events across 11 days, celebrating everything from traditional Swiss dishes to global culinary trends. Here, food experts and enthusiasts alike can cook, taste and enjoy culinary delights at various venues across the city and wider region. foodzurich.com/en | zuerich.com/food

20 years of the Zentrum Paul Klee

This cultural centre in Bern (13) combines the world's largest Paul Klee collection, exhibitions on contemporary and modern artists, concerts, readings and a research hub for Paul Klee's work. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, this summer, the Zentrum Paul Klee will host a major exhibition on the Franco-Swiss artist and architect, Le Corbusier. zpk.org/en

750 years of Lausanne Cathedral

This year Lausanne Cathedral turns 750, and the city of Lausanne (8) will celebrate the occasion with festive events including concerts, talks, and guided tours. Visitors to the cathedral can enjoy its architecture, stained-glass windows and restored organ, while a new lightshow will highlight its history, restoration and rich medieval traditions, including the night watchman. lausanne-tourisme.ch/en

150 years of the Design Museum Zurich

The Design Museum Zurich (12) will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year with inspiring exhibitions and activities focused on innovative design. Highlights include the opening of the Swiss Design Collection in April, the anniversary weekend, and free weekly open studio sessions where visitors can put their creativity to the test. museum-gestaltung.ch/en

© Gabriel Premand

© Switzerland Tourism / Oliver Baer

© Zürich Tourism

© Regis Colombo / diapo.ch

Major events

Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel

Die-hard Eurovision fans will of course remember that Switzerland won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024 with Nemo’s ‘The Code’. We are thrilled to welcome the competition back to Switzerland, the place where it all began 69 years ago! The ESC Grand Final will take place in the St. Jakobshalle in Basel (14) on Saturday 17 May.

eurovision.tv/event/basel-2025

2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Valais

From 30 August to 14 September, the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships will be held in various locations across Valais. For the first time, all eight mountain bike disciplines will be held in a single host region. In addition to the championships, a festive opening weekend with entertainment will be held in Sion (15) on 30 and 31 August. valais2025.ch

Top sailing tournaments on Lake Léman

As Switzerland’s largest lake, Lake Léman (the official name of Lake Geneva) (16) is ideal for sailing. On 13-15 June, it will welcome over 500 boats at the Bol d'Or, a major European race covering 125km, as well as the internationally acclaimed Rolex Sail Grand Prix World Championship on 20–21 September, which will take place here for the very first time. boldorduleman.ch/en | sailgp.com

Open-air theatre in Zermatt

This summer, Livia Anne Richard's play ‘The Matterhorn Story’ will return to Europe’s highest open-air stage in Zermatt (17), 160 years after the first ascent of the Matterhorn. The new version of this gripping story complete with live music will be performed on the Riffelberg, 2,600m above sea level. Tickets include travel on the Gornergrat Railway. freilichtspielezermatt.ch

© EBU / Corinne Cumming

© Bol d’Or

© Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter

© z-arts.ch

Football fever

The UEFA Women's EURO 2025 will take place in Switzerland on 2-27 July. Matches will be played in eight host cities across Switzerland!

Bern

Bern (13), the capital of Switzerland, is hosting its matches at the Stadion Wankdorf. When visiting, don’t forget to take a walk around the historic old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its impressive Parliament building and gothic Münster, or even take a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters of the Aare River. bern.com/en

Zurich

On the shores of Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland, Thun (18) is the second host city situated in the Bern Region. If you’re heading there to watch a game at the Arena Thun, make sure you visit Thun Castle and take a relaxing boat ride on the ‘Blümlisalp’, a beautiful paddle-wheel steamer dating back to 1906. thunersee.ch/en

Travelling to the Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich (12) takes under 30 minutes by public transport from Zurich Airport – that gives you plenty of time to enjoy the largest city in Switzerland! Start off your tour by wandering around the old town, marvel at Chagall’s stained-glass windows in the Fraumünster, take a train up Zurich's local mountain, the Uetliberg, and indulge in one of the city’s many delicious restaurants. zuerich.com/en

Lucerne

Step back in time on a visit to Lucerne (19) in central Switzerland, and discover the city’s most famous landmark, its historic Chapel Bridge. Wander through the city and around the lake, uncovering local landmarks like the Château Gütsch, Lucerne Transport Museum, Rosengart Collection and the Lion Monument, before heading to watch the game at the Allmend Stadion luzern.com/en

© Switzerland Tourism / Colin Frei

Thun

© Switzerland Tourism / Colin Frei

For more information, visit switzerland.com/weuro2025

Sion

Geneva

The Stade de Genève in Geneva (5) will host five matches, and as a result, both the left and right banks of Lake Léman (16) will be transformed into a lively sports village with live broadcasts for everyone to enjoy. Don’t just go there to watch the football; take a leisurely stroll around Lake Léman, go for a dip at one of the lake swimming areas, visit the United Nations European headquarters or even explore your inner scientist at the CERN Science Gateway. geneve.com/en

If you watch the football at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion (15), be sure to properly acquaint yourself with this lesserknown city in the Rhone Valley. Visit the Basilique de Valère to admire the world’s oldest playable organ, take a scenic stroll along ancient irrigation channels known as ‘bisses’, or enjoy a wine tasting in the sun-drenched vineyards surrounding the city. siontourisme.ch/en

St. Gallen

Basel

A meeting of medieval and modern, with both an old quarter and a plethora of modern architecture, Basel (14) will host the final of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. Visitors to this vibrant city can enjoy fun activities like swimming down the Rhine, street art walking tours and visits to the vast Kunstmuseum or Fondation Beyeler, before going to cheer on their team at St. Jakob Park basel.com/en

Watch your favourites score at the Arena St. Gallen while experiencing history at every turn! St. Gallen (20) is home to some stunning medieval buildings, including the St. Gallen Abbey and its world-famous library, and the Cathedral of St. Gallen. If you have time, take a day trip to the nearby Säntis mountain for amazing views of six countries, all from one location. st.gallen-bodensee.ch/en

© Switzerland Tourism / Colin Frei

© Switzerland Tourism / Christian Meixner

© Switzerland Tourism / Lorenz Richard

© Switzerland Tourism / Colin Frei

New accommodation

Opening soon: Moxy Zurich

Zurich’s (12) first Moxy Hotel is due to open this summer on Badenerstrasse, and will feature 162 extensively renovated rooms, each reflecting the Moxy brand’s playful style. The project aligns with hotel owners the SV Group’s focus on lifestyle hotels in urban areas. sv-group.com/en

Opening this spring: Habitat Lago

Maggiore

Just opened: Boutique Hotel Ca‘Nani

Opened in autumn 2024, Ca’Nani is the fifth hotel in the Albergo Diffuso Monte Generoso collection, and is located in Casima (21), Ticino. A converted and extended agricultural building which originally dated back to the 1600s, this hotel will offer guests activities such as hiking excursions, cooking classes and dining experiences throughout the summer. canani.ch/en

Habitat Lago Maggiore in Cambarogno (22) is a retreat by Elia Frapolli, designed to celebrate the local area and offer a unique way to connect with nature. Its free-standing tiny houses provide a relaxing oasis with panoramic views stretching all the way to Locarno (4). Embedded in its natural surroundings, Habitat is committed to sustainable practices. habitatlagomaggiore.ch/en

Re-opening soon: Luxury hotels in Geneva

The Hotel Beau-Rivage, the oldest privately-owned hotel in Geneva (5), is undergoing renovation, including lake-view rooms, a revamped terrace, and a new spa. Nearby, the Metropole, Geneva's only five-star city-owned hotel, has just completed renovations, and its new look will blend historic charm with modern design. beau-rivage.com/en | metropole.ch

© SV Group

© Gascón Group

© Boutique Hotel Ca’Nani

© Beau Rivage Geneva

Opening in June: KURVE in Adelboden

Just opened: Dorint Resort & Spa Locarno/Riazzino

Opened in October 2024, the Dorint Resort & Spa Locarno/Riazzino (4) is the ideal retreat for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. Conveniently located, the hotel offers numerous ways to unwind — whether it's in the spa, restaurant or outside in scenic surroundings. hotel-locarno.dorint.com/en

KURVE in the picturesque mountain resort of Adelboden (23) offers 38 serviced apartments and a cosy lounge. With stunning mountain views, it's the perfect base for outdoor adventures in the Bernese Oberland. Apartments combine modern, lively design with a welcoming atmosphere where guests are guaranteed to feel at home. kurve-adelboden.ch/en

Just opened: Revier Mountain Lodge Saas-Fee

The new Revier Mountain Lodge in Saas-Fee is Revier's sixth property to open in Switzerland. Boasting contemporary wooden interiors, the hotel accommodates up to 237 guests across 82 rooms, lounge area and a spacious restaurant and bar with a stage. saas-fee.revierhotels.com/en

Opening this summer: Pilatus Tree Tents

Spend the night in a floating ‘Tree Tent’ on Fräkmüntegg (24) with stunning views of Mount Pilatus! Enjoy exclusive rope park access, a BBQ buffet and picturesque sunset before hiking to Pilatus Kulm and enjoying a ride on its cogwheel train the next day. Tents are suspended between the trees and accommodate up to three people, providing a unique, peaceful experience in nature. pilatus.ch/en/discover/tree-tents-fraekmuentegg

© Soenne Architekturfotograf

© KURVE Adelboden

© Revier Mountain Lodge Saas-Fee

© PPR / Sebastian Schneider

Summer group media trips

Ticino: Arts and wellness south of the Alps (19-22 May)

Highlights:

• Visit Locarno (4) and Lugano (2) and uncover the fascinating cultural heritage of the lesser-known Swiss region of Ticino – a blend of Swiss efficiency and Italian dolce vita

• Kick back and relax in the spa while taking in stunning lake views

• Catch a boat to one of Ticino’s traditional grotti to enjoy delicious Ticinese cuisine

• Stay in one of Ticino's beautiful four-star hotels boasting stunning city views

Valais: Huts and hiking in the mountains (14-18 July)

Highlights:

Zurich: ‘Badi’ hopping in the city (25-27 June)

Highlights:

• Experience the cool side of Zurich (12) this summer – take a dip in the city’s many ‘badis’ (as the locals like to call them)

• Take a wander around Zurich’s different neighbourhoods, including the historic old town, trendy district 4, culinary district 3 and urban district 5

• Enjoy some stand-up paddle boarding on Lake Zurich

• Dine at some of the city’s best culinary hotspots

• Don your walking shoes and enjoy three days of hiking in the mountains of the Région Dents du Midi and Saas-Fee (25)

• Experience dining and sleeping in a Swiss mountain refuge (shared rooms) – at the Britannia Hut in Saas-Fee and the new Col de Cou Hut near Champéry

• Try your hand at both the via ferrata and Alpine Gorge in Saas-Fee

• Savour Valais' rich culinary and oenicultural heritage with local raclette cheese, charcuterie and wine

Lucerne: Village hopping around Lake Lucerne (4-8 August)

Highlights:

• Switzerland’s historic heartland of Lucerne (19) is so much more than just the city – explore the charming towns on its outskirts, such as Willisau and Sempach

• Enjoy a glass of local Lucerne wine at the beautiful Heidegg Castle

• Take a scenic boat cruise around Lake Lucerne and learn about this region’s rich history and culture

• Savour all the culinary treats this region has to offer, from Hafenchabis to Stunggis to Chugelipastete!

Vaud: Wine and nature in autumn (15-19 September)

Highlights:

• Stay in one of the lakeside towns on Lake Léman (16), an ideal base for exploring the UNESCO-listed vineyard terraces of Lavaux

• Visit the Maison Lavaux, an exhibition dedicated to the winegrowing heritage of the region

• Venture into the lesser-known Alpes Vaudoises region, and combine gentle mountain hikes with vineyard visits

• Visit Aigle (10), crowned ‘Swiss City of Taste 2025’ and experience all its local culinary specialties

More about our media trips:

• Updates on all our group media trips can be found on our UK & Ireland Media Corner: switzerland.com/mediauk

• Confirmed attendance on any of our trips is subject to you and your editor committing in writing to credit in your article’s fact box: the relevant destination(s), Switzerland Tourism, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and Travel Switzerland

• If our group media trips are already fully subscribed, we may be able to arrange an individual media trip (case-by-case basis)

Get in touch with the team at media.uk@switzerland.com

Getting around Switzerland

Travel Switzerland

Great news – transport prices remain the same for 2025, including the Swiss Travel Pass, which covers travel on public transport nationwide (trains, buses, trams and boats) for three, four, six, eight or 15 consecutive days. Prices start at £229 / €268 for a three-day second-class ticket. This includes travel from Lucerne (19) to Interlaken (26) with the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, which this year is letting passengers book online to spend their journey up-front in the driver's cabin! Also a must for train aficionados is the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne, which has just opened an exciting new exhibit. travelswitzerland.com

Swiss International Air Lines

To reduce carbon emissions, SWISS has set itself two ambitious ecological objectives: to halve its carbon emissions from their 2019 level by 2030 and to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Over the past 19 months, SWISS has equipped its entire fleet of Boeing 777-300ER long-haul aircraft with the new AeroSHARK technology. The special film, which is applied to the aircraft’s fuselage and engine nacelles, replicates the hydrodynamic properties of a shark’s skin. This reduces air resistance, lowers fuel consumption and thus carbon dioxide emissions. All 12 of the airline’s flagship long-haul Boeing 777s now carry the innovative technology, giving SWISS the world’s first fully-AeroSHARKed aircraft fleet. swiss.com

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)

SBB aims to promote public transport use through attractive pricing and continuing discounted tickets. In 2025 and 2026, at least CHF 50 million worth of discount tickets will be available for long-distance travel. Furthermore, international visitors are sure to enjoy the punctuality of SBB’s trains. In 2024, SBB achieved a record punctuality rate of 93.2%, with improvements in the west of Switzerland and Ticino. Despite disruptions, construction projects, and weather challenges, customer satisfaction remained high. 2025 will be challenging for SBB with major events and construction projects. To improve punctuality, SBB will introduce a new timetable, replace the old fleet, and optimise winter services to minimise weather-related delays. sbb.ch/en

Where it’s all happening this summer

1. Mürren Schilthorn / Piz Gloria

2. Lugano*

3. Bellinzona

4. Locarno*

5. Geneva

6. Champéry*

7. Mont-sur-Rolle

8. Lausanne

9. Gstaad

10. Aigle*

11. Morgins

12. Zurich*

13. Bern

14. Basel

15. Sion

16. Lake Léman*

17. Zermatt

Gornergrat Railway

18. Thun

19. Lake Lucerne Region* Lucerne

Swisstainable

*Where group media trips are taking place

20. St. Gallen

21. Casima

22. Cambarogno

23. Adelboden

24. Fräkmüntegg

Mount Pilatus

25. Saas-Fee*

26. Interlaken

27. Aletsch Arena

28. Nyon

Switzerland's regions continue to shine under the Swisstainable programme, with the Aletsch Arena (27) achieving level I – committed. In 2023, a new geological walkway was opened on Moosfluh, showcasing the effects of global warming on the Aletsch Glacier. The trail offers insights into geological processes, highlighting the destabilised Moosfluh ridge. Meanwhile, Nyon (28) aims to be the first French-speaking destination to gain Swisstainable status, by running workshops and onboarding service providers such as hotels and restaurants to promote sustainability. switzerland.com/swisstainable