Last Updated on January 18, 2024 by Darla
Fribourg is a charming city with an enchanting historical center, picturesque bridges, well-preserved fortifications, and a magnificent cathedral. Although Fribourg has so many activities to offer, those who spend several days there might still want to take day trips from the city. Below are some suggestions for the best day trips from Fribourg for those based there.
Typically, these day trips are located one to two hours away from Fribourg by train.
This article discusses the 10 best day trips from Fribourg. Let’s go!
10 Best Day Trips from Fribourg
1. Bern
One of the most interesting and easiest day trips you can take from Fribourg is to Bern, Switzerland’s de facto capital, which is only 35 kilometers away.
Nestled along the banks of the Aare River, Bern offers a variety of attractions for all tastes, whether you enjoy history, art, animals, or simply relaxing in a beautiful setting. It is the federal city of Switzerland. There is much more to discover when you take the time to explore this charming city.
There is no better place in Bern to start your day than the Old Town, located across the Aare River. The Old Town of Bern, which consists of many well-preserved buildings from the medieval era, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. A famous symbol of Bern, which dates back to 1218-1220, can be seen right at the entrance to the Old Town: the Zytglogge.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Bern |
| * UNESCO World Heritage Old City of Bern * Parliament Building * Bern Minster Cathedral * Historic Museum * Bern Bear Pit (Bärengraben) * Bern Zoo (Tierpark Dählhölzli) * Zentrum Paul Klee * Gurten * Museum of Communication |
If you would like to read more about Bern, check out our articles:
How do you get from Fribourg to Bern?
There are up to five direct trains per hour between Fribourg and Bern. It takes approximately 22 to 32 minutes to travel between both cities.
2. Lausanne
It’s definitely worth a day trip from Fribourg to Lausanne, one of the most picturesque cities in Switzerland because of its history, beauty, and amazing views. You will reach Lausanne in about one hour if you drive there from Fribourg.
The eponymous capital of Vaud canton, Lausanne is a beautiful city. This city has everything – a beach on Lake Geneva, pools, a gorgeous old town, museums, shops, restaurants, an aquarium/vivarium, and views of the surrounding mountains. In addition, with varying altitudes, you have parts of the city with great views.
Lausanne’s old town and Cathedral give it a rich history. The city was once ruled by Celts and Romans. Today, Lausanne is the fifth-largest city in Switzerland and the second-largest city in French-speaking Switzerland.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lausanne |
| * Lausanne Cathedral * Lausanne’s Old Town * Ouchy * Sauvabelin Tower * Olympic Museum and Park * Plateforme 10 * Aquatis Vivarium Lausanne * Palais de Rumine |
If you would like to read more about Lausanne, check out our articles:
- How to Spend 1 Day in Lausanne, Switzerland
- Is Lausanne Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons Why
- 9 Closest Mountains To Lausanne, Switzerland
- 10 Beautiful Towns Near Lausanne, Switzerland
- Lausanne Cathedral: All You Need to Know in a Nutshell
- Ouchy, Lausanne: A Haven for Everyone
- Honest Review: Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium, Lausanne
- Plateforme 10: Lausanne’s New Art District
- 9 Best Free Places to Visit in Lausanne, Switzerland
- 12 Most Beautiful Lakes Near Lausanne
- 9 Best Things to Do in Lausanne on a Rainy Day
- Olympic Museum Lausanne: A Comprehensive Guide and Review
How do you get from Fribourg to Lausanne?
There are two direct trains per hour between Fribourg and Lausanne. It takes approximately 50 minutes to travel from Fribourg to Lausanne by direct train.
3. Gruyères
In just half an hour, you can drive 40 kilometers to the lovely village of Gruyères from Fribourg. The town’s medieval village and castle will take you back in time.
Gruyères is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful towns, located in the canton of Fribourg. In addition to being known for cheese with the same name, it also has a castle and a well-preserved medieval center. I’d highly recommend the town as a day trip from Lausanne.
There’s Gruyères Castle, which is now also a museum. You can also find the HR Giger Museum at St-Germain Castle. You should also check out the houses at Rue du Bourg 7, 39, and 47 and the barn at Grange du Laviau. Beyond the town, you can also drop by the Gruyères Cheese Factory, Moléson Mountain, or the reservoir Lake of Gruyère.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Gruyères |
| * Entire medieval town center of Gruyères * The town fortifications * Gruyères Castle * Saint-Germain Castle * Gruyères Cheese Factory * Lake of Gruyère |
If you would like to read more about Gruyères, you can check out our article Gruyères, Switzerland: A Romantic Little Town.
How do you get from Fribourg to Gruyères?
Take the train from Fribourg to Bulle. In Bulle, take the train to Gruyères. The journey from Fribourg to Gruyères takes 53 minutes in total.
4. Montreux
The drive to Montreux from Fribourg takes 45 minutes with 60 kilometers covered. With its nearby vineyards and more laid-back lifestyle, the lakeside town of Montreux will always be an interesting contrast to Fribourg.
Montreux is a charming town on the northeastern shores of Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Known for its mild climate, gorgeous views, and Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux has a lot to offer.
A stretch of eight kilometers runs from Clarens, through Chillon Castle, and up to Villeneuve. Together with Vevey-Montreux, it has an estimated population of 85,000. Atop the Rochers-de-Naye mountain, you can enjoy amazing views of Montreux, the lake, as well as the Swiss Alps.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Montreux |
| * Chillon Castle * Montreux Promenade * Rochers-de-Naye * Queen Studio Experience |
If you would like to read more about Montreux, check out our articles:
How do you get from Fribourg to Montreux?
From Fribourg, take the Intercity train to Lausanne. In Lausanne, change to the connecting train that will bring you to Montreux. It takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to travel from Fribourg to Montreux via Lausanne.
5. Basel
Known for its art scene, the Rhine River, and quaint old town, Basel makes a wonderful day trip from Fribourg. Getting there will take 90 minutes, but there are so many activities to enjoy.
The city of Basel, along the Rhine River, is situated in northwest Switzerland, quite close to France and Germany. A highly cultural city, it also enjoys excellent weather year-round. It has also been included time and again in the list of most livable cities in the world.
Basel is also known as Switzerland’s cultural capital. It has more than 40 museums, including the Kunstmuseum, the Fondation Beyeler, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Additionally, it hosts Art Basel, an international art fair that attracts thousands of artists, art collectors, and art enthusiasts from Europe, the US, and Asia.
One tradition that you might want to observe is the Basel Carnival Festival. Sometime during the months of February and March, the country’s largest festival starts with what’s called the Morgestraich. It lasts a good 72 hours. As a highly anticipated and important tradition, the Basel Carnival was inscribed in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage back in 2017.
There’s more to Basel than just culture. Also in Basel are world-renowned institutions, like the University of Basel, the Bank of International Settlements, and FC Basel. Some of the biggest pharma companies are based in Basel, like Roche, Novartis, Lonza, and Actelion.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Basel |
| * Kunstmuseum * Fondation Beyeler * Museum of Contemporary Art * Art Basel * Basel Carnival and Morgestraich (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) * Zoo Basel |
If you would like to read more about Basel, check out our articles:
How do you get from Fribourg to Basel?
Take the train from Fribourg to Bern. In Bern, change to the connecting train to Basel. It takes approximately 90 minutes to travel between both cities.
6. Interlaken
Interlaken, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and two crystal-clear lakes, is an exciting day trip destination. This place is ideal for thrill-seekers since it offers paragliding, skydiving, and many other activities. It takes just one hour to drive from Fribourg to Interlaken.
Interlaken, Switzerland is a trendy tourist hub in the Bernese Oberland. In Interlaken, you will find walking trails along the River Aare, many souvenir shops, a Japanese garden, and the local mountain Harder Kulm for spectacular views. A red funicular takes you from Interlaken to Harder Kulm in 10 minutes, with one departure every half hour.
If you would like to learn more about Interlaken, check out our article Interlaken: 8 Reasons Why You Should Visit.
As one of Switzerland’s most popular tourist spots, Interlaken is also a hot spot for outdoor sports enthusiasts. It is also conveniently located between two beautiful lakes – Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
For those who are into fun adventures, below are some of the most popular outdoor activities in Interlaken:
- Tandem Paragliding (GetYourGuide): Experience pure serenity as you float weightlessly alongside an experienced pilot and witness the breathtaking beauty of the Jungfrau region from the sky.
- Adventure Park (GetYourGuide): Conquer 9 thrilling rope courses and zip lines soaring up to 23 meters above the ground, with the assurance of a comprehensive safety briefing and top-notch safety gear.
- Kayak Tour of Lake Brienz (GetYourGuide): Paddle through the crystal-clear waters of Lake Brienz with the guidance of an experienced coach, as you soak in the stunning views, including the picturesque Rinngenberg Castle. You may also book this activity in winter (GetYourGuide).
- Canyoning (GetYourGuide): Dive into the ultimate adrenaline rush with a canyoning expedition in Chli Schilere, featuring challenging rappelling, high jumps, fast slides, and an unforgettable adventure in one of the region’s top canyons.
- Scenic Jetboat Ride (GetYourGuide): Experience an exhilarating 45 to 50-minute jetboat ride on Lake Brienz near Interlaken, culminating at Giessbach Falls.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Interlaken |
| * Harder Kulm * Höhenweg * Interlaken-Harder Alpine Game Park * Lake Thun * Lake Brienz |
How do you get from Fribourg to Interlaken?
Take the train from Fribourg to Bern. After, two direct trains run hourly from Bern to Interlaken Ost. You can expect a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes to 1 hour and 32 minutes between the two destinations.
7. Lucerne
Lucerne, just 68 kilometers away from Fribourg, is a great choice for a day trip. A must-see destination for travelers, Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities, boasting breathtaking views of the lake and mountains, a fascinating history, and a wealth of cultural attractions.
The city of Lucerne is one of the most popular tourist spots in Switzerland. In Lucerne, you’ll find everything you’d want in a typical Swiss city. The beauty of its fjord-like blue lake, charming old town, and mountains are unbeatable. For those who want to spend some time in Lucerne city, there’s so much to see: the Transport Museum, the Lion Monument, the Rosengart Collection, and Chapel Bridge, just to name a few.
You can get around Lake Lucerne with the Lake Lucerne ship company. Various basins and bays provide exhilarating and changing views of the landscape on the lake – Stansstaad, Weggis, Buochs, Gersau, and Uri.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lucerne |
| * Lion Monument * Chapel Bridge * Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus) * Rosengart Collection * Glacier Garden |
You can read more about other stunning places to visit near Lucerne such as Bürgenstock, Engelberg, Vitznau, and Weggis in this article 10 Beautiful Places Near Lucerne. And for those who wish to visit the mountains near Lucerne, you can find out about the Closest Mountains To Visit From Lucerne.
How do you get from Fribourg to Lucerne?
There is one direct train per hour between Fribourg and Lucerne. It takes approximately 90 minutes to travel from Fribourg to Lucerne by direct train.
8. Blausee
Blausee is worth visiting for its crystal-clear blue waters, tranquil natural surroundings, and picturesque alpine scenery, which together create a magical and unforgettable experience. If you want to see a place that looks like something out of a fairytale, Blausee is the ideal day trip from Fribourg.
Lake Blausee is worth a visit any time of year. Hiking, picnicking, and boating are a couple of things you can do at Blausee. Blausee is a stunning pearl in Kandergrund, one of the most famous lakes in Switzerland. Anyone who wants to relax will get their money’s worth.
You can visit it at any time of the year since it is open all year long. It is owned by Blausee Corporation, which also owns the hotel, restaurant, organic trout farm, and nearby shop. For dining, there is a Gault Millau restaurant that serves fresh trout. Or you can grill your food.
Guests are provided with a boat ride as part of the fee. There’s no extra charge to ride the boat around the lake.
The area is not suitable for swimming and fishing. Nevertheless, they hold one fishing and one swimming event each year in autumn and winter, respectively.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Blausee |
| * Blausee Lake * Boat Trip * Alpine Trout Farm |
If you would like to read more about Blausee, you can check out our article Breathtaking Blausee Lake – A Day Trip In Kandergrund.
How do you get from Fribourg to Blausee?
Take the train from Fribourg to Bern. In Bern, take the regional train to Frütigen. Take the bus from Frütigen to Blausee BE. The journey from Fribourg to Blausee by train and bus typically takes 1 hour and 37 minutes in total.
9. Le Moléson
Le Moléson describes itself as the following:
Truly a balcony over the Prealps, the summit of Le Moléson allows you to contemplate the entire French part of Switzerland, from the Lake of Geneva to the famous peaks of the Bernese Oberland as well as from the Mont Blanc to the Jura Mountains and the 3 Lakes region.
– Moleson.ch
The Moléson is a mountain of the Swiss Prealps. It is located in the region of Gruyéres in the canton of Fribourg.
Moleson Village is a developed tourist destination at 1,130 meters. The area has a lot of attractions like alpine chalets, hotels, railways, and other fun stuff. There are over 35 kilometers of slopes in the winter. Further up the road, the 2,002-meter-high Moléson mountain offers stunning views.
On Le Moléson, you can go hiking, climbing, playing downhill golf, and riding downhill carts. You can let the kids have fun on the bouncy castles and on the playground. Fromagerie d’Alpage is a mountain cheese dairy. The dairy puts on cheese-making demonstrations every day for 45 minutes.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Le Moléson |
| * Hiking (summer) and skiing (winter) * Panoramic Views of the Swiss Alps * Fromagerie d’Alpage |
How do you get from Fribourg to Le Moléson?
Take the train from Fribourg to Bulle. In Bulle, take the train to Gruyères. In Gruyères, take the bus to Moléson-sur-Gruyères where you will change to the funicular going to Plan-Francey. In Plan-Francey, take the cable car to Moléson. The journey from Fribourg to Le Moléson takes 1 hour and 41 minutes in total.
10. Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen, a picturesque Swiss village renowned for its beautiful valley, waterfalls, and outdoor activities, is one of the most picturesque day trips you can take from Fribourg.
Lauterbrunnen is an idyllic village in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland surrounded by waterfalls. The entire area is best described as a valley with 72 waterfalls. Lauterbrunnen is a great place to start exploring the Jungfrau Region.
Lauterbrunnen village is situated at the valley bottom of this magnificent U-shaped valley in Switzerland. Most of the residents of this valley are actually from Lötschental, the adjacent valley located in Valais. A road was said to have passed between the Eiger and Mönch on the way to Valais. It is said that the heights used to be much milder and more fertile.
By taking the train from Lauterbrunnen, you can reach the sunny car-free terrace of Wengen as well as Kleine Scheidegg. From Kleine Scheidegg, you can change trains to go to Jungfraujoch. You may access Mürren through Lauterbrunnen itself or via Stechelberg on the other side of Lauterbrunnen. In addition, if you keep ascending, you’ll reach Piz Gloria – the summit of Schilthorn at 2,971 meters above sea level.
Some of the other highlights of the Lauterbrunnen region include Staubbach Waterfall, Trümmelbach Waterfalls, Mürrenbach Waterfall, and Gimmelwald.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lauterbrunnen |
| * Trümmelbach Waterfalls * Staubbach Waterfall * Mürrenbach Waterfall * Gimmelwald * Wengen * Kleine Scheidegg |
If you would like to plan a day in Lauterbrunnen, you can check out our article How to Spend 1 Day in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.
How do you get from Fribourg to Lauterbrunnen?
From Fribourg, take the train to Bern. In Bern, take the Interregio train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken Ost, change to the connecting train that will bring you to Lauterbrunnen. It takes approximately 2 hours to travel from Fribourg to Lauterbrunnen via Bern and Interlaken Ost.
Summary: Best Day Trips from Fribourg
For those who are staying for a couple of days in Fribourg, Switzerland, and wish to venture out to other places, we hope that this list was helpful.
To summarize, if you are looking for large cities with lots of activities, Bern, Basel, and Lausanne are great choices. Montreux and the Lucerne region are for those who want something a bit smaller and more laid back. Interlaken is the perfect destination for adventure enthusiasts seeking thrilling activities in the air or on the water.
Blausee, Lauterbrunnen, and Gruyères offer some of the most picturesque landscapes for photographers. Lastly, Le Moléson is the most suitable choice for those who want to visit the mountains.
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Darla is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country. Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.