Most people associate Switzerland with winter, snow-covered mountain peaks and packed ski slopes. Summer shows the country in a completely different light. There are few places in the world that benefit from beautiful winters and glorious summers, which is why we are lucky to call Switzerland home. There's no shortage of picturesque mountain and swimming lakes, gorgeous hiking trails or entertaining festivals. These reasons make summer in Switzerland one of Europe's best-kept secrets. With so many activities to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which of the many different leisure activities to take part in. Here are some of our favorites to make your summer unforgettable:
Boat trips on the river:
On the Limmat in Zurich or the Aare in Bern, you might see giant unicorns, colorful flamingos or other fancy air mattresses that leisurely follow the river current. An afternoon trip on a variety of rivers is something you have to experience. Equipped with drybags, chilled drinks and good music, the time flies by. Our top tip: start at Escher-Wyss-Platz in the heart of Zurich and then enjoy a delicious ice cream and the great atmosphere at Werdinsel! Make sure the weather forecast doesn't predict any thunderstorms in advance and take a reusable Water Bottle with you to stay hydrated.
Hiking
You knew we'd mention it at some point, but hiking is simply part and parcel of Switzerland. There are endless hiking trails that lead through small valleys, steel-blue mountain lakes or dark green forests with so much to discover. One example of a fantastic hike is the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe, which lies between the cantons of Bern and Valais. With over 300 km of hiking trails, the Aletsch Arena can be described as a hiker's paradise with a clear conscience. The entire Jungfrau-Aletsch region is breathtakingly beautiful and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.
Lakes
Even though the Swiss mountains are known all over the world, we are no less proud of all our picturesque lakes. Every single lake in Switzerland is certified as drinkable, which is a truly amazing achievement by the Swiss nature conservation organizations. In the summer months, swimming in one of the many lakes is a pleasant and welcome way to cool off. Note that in most lakes there is a steep drop-off point where the lake suddenly becomes much deeper, so caution is advised here.
Festivals
Summertime is festival time! There are amazing festivals for music and art all over Europe, and that certainly applies to Switzerland too. The range is impressive and offers something for every taste. The Open Air St. Gallen, which many people have been calling "Switzerland's Glastonbury" for over 40 years, takes place from June 27 to 30. Once again this year, 100,000 people will explore the beautiful Sittertal valley to experience a diverse mix of rock, hip-hop, pop and electronic music in the stunning north-eastern Swiss countryside. For a completely different, but no less entertaining experience, head to the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival on Lake Geneva between June 28 and July 13. The annual festival is the second largest jazz festival in the world and features a who's who of musicians from all over the world every year.
Whatever you choose, Switzerland has something to offer you this summer.
We'll take care of the rest: from Water Bottles to keep you hydrated while hiking, to Food Boxes for camping vacations, to thermal Water Bottles to keep your drinks hot or cold. A SIGG bottle is also an ideal companion in the warmer months. We look forward to a wonderful summer!
