11 days in Switzerland & Milan Itinerary

The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Sun): meet the residents at Zoo Zurich.

For traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read our Zurich trip itinerary maker.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Zurich is an approximately 11.5-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Arabian Standard Time to Central European Standard Time, which is usually a -2 hour difference. Expect much colder temperatures when traveling from Riyadh in November; daily highs in Zurich reach 10°C and lows reach 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 28th (Mon) to allow enough time to take a train to Basel.

Situated where the Swiss, German, and French borders meet, Basel is considered the hub of Dreilandereck, this "three countries corner." Its location makes Basel a center of culture and history, brimming with important theaters and museums.

On the 28th (Mon), don't miss a visit to Town Hall and then take a stroll through Basel's Old Town. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: make a trip to Spalen Gate, then test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, then take an in-depth tour of Basel Paper Mill - Swiss Museum for Paper, Writing and Printing, and finally admire the masterpieces at Museum Tinguely.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Basel road trip planner.

Traveling by train from Zurich to Basel takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In November, plan for daily highs up to 12°C, and evening lows to 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 30th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Lugano.

Located in the popular holiday region of Ticino, Lugano is the largest Italian-speaking town in Switzerland.

To find traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Lugano trip planner.

Drive from Basel to Lugano in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In November in Lugano, expect temperatures between 14°C during the day and 4°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Milan.

In many ways the most modern of Italian cities, Milan is a busy, elegant metropolis with an impressive list of grand palaces, fine churches, and important museums.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Castello di Gropparello and Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore. You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Duomo di Milano and Abbazia di Chiaravalle. Get out of town with these interesting Milan side-trips: Museo delle Cere (in Grazzano Visconti) and Museo del Violino (in Cremona). There's still lots to do: get the lay of the land with Walking tours, walk around Sempione Park, make a trip to Dialogo nel Buio, and see the interesting displays at Gallerie d’Italia.

To find maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Milan attractions planner.

Getting from Lugano to Milan by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a train. In December, daily temperatures in Milan can reach 9°C, while at night they dip to 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Mon) so you can fly to Zurich.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Tue): test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, then engage your brain at Swiss Science Center Technorama, and then explore the world behind art at Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich).

For reviews, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Zurich trip app.

You can fly from Milan to Zurich in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Milan in December: highs in Zurich hover around 5°C, while lows dip to -1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can fly back home.