Switzerland’s museums showcase thousands of years of history and culture, covering everything from sports, watches, and wine to trains, art, and farming. With so many options to explore, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite museums that can be included on a variety of our Alpenwild Switzerland tours.
Before visiting your first museum in Switzerland, it’s important to know about the Swiss Museum Pass. Valid for a full year, it grants free admission to around 500 museums across the country, making it one of the best values in Switzerland. Visiting just a few museums can quickly cover the cost. The pass can be purchased at SBB ticket counters. The Swiss Museum Pass is also included with a Swiss Travel Pass.
Set on his sprawling estate in Corsier-sur-Vevey, where Charlie Chaplin spent the last 25 years of his life, Chaplin’s World opened in June 2016 to widespread acclaim. Visitors can explore his Manor home and meet Chaplin alongside his family and friends. In a Hollywood-style theater and studio, you embark on a unique journey through the sets of his greatest films, brought to life with hundreds of film clips and dozens of lifelike wax figures that place you in the heart of the action. Chaplin’s World offers an innovative, interactive glimpse into the life and work of one of cinema’s most influential and beloved figures—a day of laughter and enjoyment that is a must-see on the Montreux Riviera. Note, this museum is not part of the Swiss Museum Pass.
The Swiss National Museum, Switzerland’s largest cultural and historical collection, was built in 1898 by Gustav Gull and resembles a fairytale castle. It includes the National Museum Zurich, the Castle of Prangins, the Forum of Swiss History Schwyz, and the collections center in Affoltern am Albis. Permanent and temporary exhibitions showcase Swiss history, culture, and character, with artifacts, dioramas, and cultural treasures. The museum shop offers souvenirs, crafts, and design products.
The Red Cross Museum offers a compelling journey into the history of humanitarian action, combining emotion, discovery, and reflection. The museum is divided into three main areas, each addressing pressing global challenges: defending human dignity, restoring family links, and reducing natural risks. Visitors can also explore a 150-year interactive chronology of humanitarian history and view current Red Cross operations on a large interactive globe. Renovated in 2013 to reflect today’s evolving world, the museum aims to raise awareness through powerful emotional experiences while providing historical insight into the world’s oldest and largest humanitarian organization.
The Olympic Museum in Lausanne features both permanent and temporary exhibits on sports and the Olympic movement, housing over 10,000 items—the world’s largest Olympic archive. A top tourist destination, it attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually. The museum is organized across three floors: the first explores “The Olympic World, The Olympic Games, and The Olympic Spirit,” covering the ancient and modern games; the second highlights the sports, athletes, and events; and the third focuses on “The Olympic Spirit,” including medals on display. The museum is set within a park adorned with numerous sports-themed artworks.
Opened in 1959, the Swiss Museum of Transport is Switzerland’s most popular museum, featuring over 3,000 exhibits that trace the development of travel by road, rail, water, air, and even space. Interactive displays let visitors engage directly with transportation history, including three railway simulators, an airplane simulator, and a crash test experience. For an additional fee, guests can explore the planetarium, IMAX theater, or The Swiss Chocolate Adventure, a themed attraction that reveals the production and transport of chocolate. Suitable for all ages, it’s a must-visit when in Lucerne. You can easily include this museum if you come into Lucerne for a pre-tour visit on our Scenic Alps by Rail Track 2 tour.
The Kunstmuseum Basel, Switzerland’s largest and most significant public art museum, is a heritage site of national importance and a leading institution worldwide. It showcases Upper-Rhine and Flemish art from 1400–1600, 19th- to 21st-century international works, and the world’s largest collection of Holbein family paintings. During renovations from February 2015 to April 2016, select masterpieces were displayed in exhibitions across Basel and Madrid.
The Matterhorn Museum is designed as a recreated mountain village, featuring 14 historic buildings—including a church, hotel, huts, and granaries—that tell the story of Zermatt’s history and development. Located beneath the village square, the museum offers powerful images, fascinating stories, and a glimpse into 19th-century life in the region. Highlights include the broken rope from Edward Whymper’s first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865, where four of the seven climbers perished. Both our Haute Route and Best of the Swiss Alps tours include a stop in Zermatt, making it a must-visit cultural highlight.
Located in eastern Switzerland in the village of Jenins, just outside Chur, the Greisinger Museum has welcomed fans of Middle-earth since October 2013. Set on the private property of its founder, Bernd Greisinger, the museum houses the world’s largest private collection of artifacts and artwork inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe. Visitors can discover thousands of unique items, including over 600 original paintings by more than 100 artists. Entered through a hobbit-hole-style doorway, the museum extends underground to showcase this remarkable collection. Visits are by reservation only and include a personalized guided tour offered in the morning or afternoon. Note, this museum is not part of the Swiss Museum Pass.
Spanning 160 scenic acres, this open-air museum showcases over 100 meticulously restored historic buildings from across Switzerland. Farm animals, gardens, and live demonstrations of traditional crafts bring 18th- and 19th-century rural life to life. Visitors can explore homes, workshops, a schoolhouse, and a church, enjoy seasonal events and folk traditions, and sample locally produced food. Too vast to see in one day, it’s an engaging, family-friendly experience—comfortable shoes recommended.
This former World War II bunker, located directly opposite the iconic Château de Chillon, has been transformed into an immersive, interactive museum. Designed by renowned scenographer François Confino, the family-friendly experience explores Switzerland’s history, neutrality, and core values through engaging multimedia installations. Visitors are invited to journey behind the scenes of the Swiss army, discovering its strategies, secrets, and role in shaping the nation’s identity, all within the authentic atmosphere of this historic underground site. You can include a visit to this museum on our Scenic Alps by Rail, Cheese, Chocolate, and Alps and our Christmas tours.
The Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva showcases the prestigious creations of the renowned watchmaker founded in 1839. Housed in an early 20th-century building, it spans four levels featuring antique watches from the 16th–19th centuries, as well as Patek Philippe timepieces from the company’s founding to today. Visitors can explore the artistry, craftsmanship, and evolution of Swiss watchmaking through public and private guided tours, making it a must-visit for watch enthusiasts.
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