From romantic mountain retreats to luxurious spas and fine dining in Zurich, Geneva and beyond, here are some top spots for your Swiss love affair
Who says romance is dead? Certainly not us, as we’ve put together the ultimate guide to romantic Switzerland. Maybe you’re looking for somewhere great to go on Valentine’s Day or perhaps you’ve even seeking a unique place to pop the big question – or maybe you just want to treat that special someone in your life, because why not?
Whatever you need, we‘ve got you covered with our ultimate list of restaurants, hotels, spas and romantic activities and things to do, to ensure you and your beloved have an unforgettable day with the romance factor cranked right up to 11.
Set amongst stunning mountainous landscape in Graubünden, this four-star superior hotel in Arosa offers guests the ultimate in comfort, but firmly driven by sustainability and a socially responsible approach at all times. Valsana also offers guests a gateway to some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in Switzerland, whether you visit for snow-capped peaks and skiing in winter or rolling green meadows and hiking trails in summer.
This five-star hotel is set in the glorious Grison Alps, providing a beautiful backdrop for any stay. Luckily, the view inside the hotel is just as magnificent, thanks to a design-focused aesthetic. And then there’s the world-famous Bergoase Spa, housing 5,000 square metres of wellness paradise and a superbly stylish design, courtesy of architect Mario Botta. And if you and your beloved want to take advantage of the premium skiing nearby, the good news is that you can skip the queues and hop on the exclusive mountain railway that transports guests directly to the slopes in private, secure carriages.
The Tschuggen Bergoase spa at this five-star hotel is known and loved by spa aficionados around Switzerland and beyond, not just for its extensive, first-rate facilities, but also for its incredible design by architect Mario Botta. Once you’ve stopped staring at the eye-catching décor, start exploring (and relaxing in) Bergoase’s 5,000 square metres, spread over four floors. You’ll find indoor and outdoor pools, a mountain sauna with snow terrace, a bio sauna, steam room, treatment rooms for massage and beauty treatments, solarium and much more besides. Truly a spa paradise.
This stylish and modern hammam, spa and sauna inside the Volkshaus offers treatments from thalassotherapy to Ayurvedic massage.
The view over Zurich from the rooftop pool of this spa is almost worth the entrance fee alone.
With its little café and shop and airy feel, this place primarily aims to attract female visitors - men are only allowed in on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
A popular meeting place in summer, these outdoor baths remain open for swimming throughout winter – if you’re that nuts – though the indoor sauna, Turkish bath, hammam and massage service might be more preferable.
This famous luxury hotel includes a huge spa with stunning indoor and outdoor pool overlooking Lake Geneva. In the colder months head to the Winter Lodge to skate on its private ice rink.
Less than half an hour from Bern, Solbad Schönbühl boasts the largest natural brine spa in Switzerland. Depending on how much you need reviving, you might also fancy the ‘Experience Spa’ with its detoxifying salt scrubs.
Combining an oriental hammam with two steam rooms and massages, the Dampfbad is an oasis of calm in northern Basel’s St Johann district.
This large wellness facility offers three saltwater pools, a fire and ice pool, themed showers and saunas, and numerous treatments.
Built by star-architect Mario Botta, this super-slick mountain spa allows you to luxuriate in the waters of the Kaltbad spring, while taking in some superlative Alpine views.
Set in a pretty alpine village, this features a thermally heated outdoor pool with gorgeous mountain views, while inside there’s another large pool, a delightful ‘sauna village’ and treatments.
Drawing on the hottest thermal water in Switzerland, its large outdoor pool area is equipped with massage jets, waterfalls and a rather addictive whirlpool, while inside you’ll find saunas and hammams.
This draws on the area’s famed sulphur-rich water to provide a complex comprising one indoor and two outdoor pools, plus two saunas, three hammams, Japanese bath, whirlpool and tropical shower.
It’s all in the name when it comes to Panorama Resort & Spa. Situated at 700m above sea level in Feusisberg, the resort features floor-to-ceiling windows that frame romantic vistas of Lake Zurich and the hills beyond.
A relaxing stop-off after a day’s skiing in the Portes du Soleil region, these baths consist of indoor and outdoor pools drawing on 34°C thermal water, a fun thermal river and numerous treatments.
Hang out in the bubble beds and massage jets in the indoor and outdoor pools, sample the hammam and Turkish baths or head to the Nordic Pavilion to try a trio of saunas followed by an icy bucket shower.
In winter only the thermal (outdoor) pool and the indoor pools are open. The Brigerbad also offers a full range of spa treatments along with a sauna and hammam.
The historic centre of Zurich is up on this hill. Overlooking the Old Town, Limmat river and cathedral, the elevated spot of Lindenhof is the former site of a Roman castle, around which the city of Zurich grew. There are still remnants of Roman and medieval settlements, earning its status as a site of national importance. But these days people come here to relax rather than ruminate on history. As an established recreational area it’s a good place to head with a book or for a stroll, while giant chess boards provide entertainment for players and spectators alike.
With its modern François-Xavier Bagnoud astronomical observatory and planet walk, contrasted with splendid Belle Epoque guesthouses and 18th century flour mills, a visit to the village of St-Luc offers a romantic blend of the old and new.
At 150 metres wide and 23 metres high and with up to 600,000 litres of water rushing over the rocks per second, the Rhinefalls are an impressive sight. There's a range of date ideas around here - from hikes to cozy meals to a tour of the magestic Schloss Laufen situated right above the falls.
Since 1912 the people of Lugano have been escaping the city on a sunny day and heading to the hills. Specifically, they’ve been catching the funicular railway from the lakeshore at Cassarate, which trundles at an impressive angle up to the summit of Monte Brè, the city’s local mountain. At the top, active types can follow a number of hiking trails or race down the 30 mountain bike runs. Have lunch in one of the mountaintop restaurants or explore the pretty village of Brè, a short walk down from the summit. Those who’d rather not move at all can just sit and ogle Lake Lugano and the mountains beyond.
The best way to get to know any city is to people-watch, and the promenade in Lake Zurich’s Seefeld district, known as the Zurich Horn, allows plenty of opportunity for that. It’s here that people come to stroll, cycle, skate, lounge on the shore and have a dip in summer. Watch street artists gather crowds, pick up handmade jewellery at street stalls or just sit on a bench and scoff an ice cream. At the end of the promenade there’s a Chinese-style garden complete with colourful pagodas, gifted to the city from the Chinese town of Kunming, twinned with Zurich. A bit further on, stop at Tiefenbrunnen beach for a swim in the lake and use of its water slides and diving boards.
More of a day-time date location, on a clear day, the views from Uetliberg - the peak of Zurich - are simply breathtaking.
Step into centuries of intrigue and romance when you explore this historic catle, which inspired the likes of Lord Byron, Rousseau, Delacroix and Courbet.
Don’t fight it: as possibly the most recognisable image of Geneva (you can even see it from the plane), it’s practically the law to get your photo taken in front of the city’s giant water fountain. Perfect for second-date selfies... if things are going well!
Amp up the romance with the ride of a lifetime. Zooming along the south of Switzerland, this 7.5-hour route goes through 91 tunnels and crosses 291 impressive bridges, with mesmerising scenery of Switzerland’s natural wonders, such as the Swiss National Park and the Matterhorn pass along the way.
Among the most famous monuments of Ticino are the impressive collection of medieval castles at Bellinzona, the capital of the canton, just north of Lugano. Visit one or more for a romantic day out.
The Bernina line is wonder of civil engineering and a marvel to experience. Passing through glaciers and mountain passes, Bernina Express stops by skiing hot spot towns like St. Moritz, Preda and Davos Platz. The carriages come with panoramic views and a minibar on-board offers refreshments.
Switzerland is spoilt for choice when it comes to great places to hit the slopes, so how do you know which ones are worth your precious time, money and effort? Thanks to the ‘Best Ski Resort’ report, which surveys skiers to discover which resorts they rate highest.
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