Working as a physiotherapist in Switzerland: 8 fun summer activities for your free time
Working as a physiotherapist in Switzerland means more than just having a great job. Discover eight fun summer activities that allow you to make the most of Switzerland’s beautiful nature after work or at the weekend, meet new people and get the most out of your free time.
How to enjoy summer in Switzerland
Working as a physiotherapist in Switzerland is one thing. But what do you do when you close the practice door behind you at the end of the day?
In summer, the answer is simple: head outside.
Go for a run with a local running club, kayak across a crystal-clear blue lake or head into the mountains at the weekend. Summer in Switzerland offers endless opportunities to stay active, discover new places and meet new people.
Especially when you have just moved to Switzerland, taking up hobbies is a great way to explore your new surroundings while building a social life. That is exactly what makes living in Switzerland as a physiotherapist so appealing.
Join a running club in Switzerland
You can, of course, go running anywhere, but it is often much more enjoyable together. Many Swiss cities have running clubs and groups that are easy to join. They are often organised through Strava, Instagram or WhatsApp groups, so a quick search will usually help you find a local community.
Especially when you have only recently moved to Switzerland, this is an ideal way to meet new people. You do not have to build an entirely new group of friends from scratch: simply put on your running shoes and you immediately have something in common with everyone else.
Many running clubs also finish their training sessions with a cup of coffee or a drink, allowing you to make new connections in a relaxed setting.
With the Swiss scenery around you, your regular after-work runs automatically become much more interesting. Think of routes alongside a lake, through atmospheric city centres or with a few extra metres of elevation towards the hills. This way, you not only discover the most beautiful running routes but also start to feel at home in your new surroundings more quickly.
Hiking in the Swiss Alps
The mountains are beautiful in winter, of course, but they may be even more versatile in summer. As soon as the snow makes way for green alpine meadows in many places, kilometres of hiking trails appear. From a relaxing walk overlooking a lake to a challenging hike through the Alps, you can make it as demanding as you like.
Are you looking for some exceptional routes? The Saxer Lücke & Fälensee hike is highly recommended, with its impressive mountain ridges and crystal-clear blue alpine lake. The Oeschinensee Panorama Trail is also popular thanks to its spectacular views across the turquoise waters of Lake Oeschinen. Would you rather hike along a mountain ridge? The Stoos Ridge Hike is one of the most beautiful panoramic routes in Switzerland.
Invite your colleagues to join you for a weekend hike or become part of a hiking group. Put on a good pair of hiking boots, bring some food and you have everything you need for a wonderful day in the Swiss countryside.
Kayaking and canoeing on Switzerland’s lakes
On a hot summer’s day, the water may be the best place to be. Switzerland is full of lakes and rivers, and there are many more ways to explore them than simply admiring them from the shore.
For example, rent a kayak or canoe and head out onto the water. The great thing is that you need very little experience and can easily enjoy it together with other people.
Looking for a unique experience? On Lake Brienz near Interlaken, you can even take part in a Cheese Fondue Float. While gently floating across the crystal-clear water in an inflatable boat, you can enjoy a traditional Swiss cheese fondue together. It is a special way to experience Swiss nature and culture at the same time.
Would you prefer something even more relaxing? You can, of course, also go stand-up paddleboarding or swimming. Bring your towel to work and head straight to the water afterwards. On warm summer days, there is hardly a better way to end your working day.
Rafting on a Swiss mountain river
Would you prefer something a little more adventurous? Give rafting a try.
With its many mountain rivers, Switzerland offers various opportunities to head out onto the water in a raft. Together with a group, you tackle the rapids while travelling through the Swiss landscape.
It may not be the average Saturday afternoon you are used to, which is exactly why it is such a fun activity to try when you live here.
Paragliding above the Swiss Alps
For a truly special experience, you can go paragliding.
From the mountains, you glide down while enjoying views of mountain peaks, valleys and lakes. Tandem flights are available in several locations throughout Switzerland, so you do not need any previous experience.
It may not be something you do every Tuesday evening after work, but it is definitely an activity that deserves a place on your Switzerland bucket list.
Take a glacier hike in summer
Standing in the snow in the middle of summer? That is also possible in Switzerland. High in the Alps, you will find impressive glaciers where you can discover a completely different side of the country, even during the warmest months.
A glacier hike is a unique experience, but it is important to always do it under the supervision of a certified mountain guide. A guide will help you explore the glacier safely while also teaching you more about this extraordinary landscape along the way.
Popular locations for a glacier hike include the Aletsch Glacier in Valais, the largest glacier in the Alps, Saas-Fee in the Saas Valley and Glacier 3000 near Les Diablerets. Guided tours for different experience levels are available at all of these locations.
One weekend you may be lying beside a lake in the sunshine, while the next you are walking through snow and ice. Your summer probably cannot get much more Swiss than that.
Mountain biking in Switzerland
For anyone who would rather explore the mountains on two wheels, mountain biking is a great option. Routes for different experience levels can be found throughout Switzerland. You do not have to start by racing down steep trails. Begin with a more relaxed route through the local area or head into the mountains at the weekend when you are looking for more of a challenge.
Would you rather ride together with other people? In many regions, mountain biking and cycling tours are organised through platforms such as Meetup and Strava or by local cycling clubs. This makes it easy to join a group, discover the most beautiful routes and meet new people along the way.
Discover social life in Switzerland
Of course, you do not have to spend every free moment running up a mountain or rafting down a river. One of the biggest advantages of living and working in Switzerland is that your free time can look very different from what you may be used to.
During summer, a large part of social life takes place outdoors. Meet up after work at one of Switzerland’s many lakes, visit a local festival or event, find a welcoming outdoor terrace or enjoy a barbecue with colleagues at one of the many public fire pits. These barbecue areas can be found throughout Switzerland, often in beautiful locations overlooking the mountains or directly beside the water.
By regularly joining activities and heading out with other people, you gradually meet more people and your new home will naturally begin to feel familiar.
More than just a job
Perhaps that is one of the greatest advantages of working as a physiotherapist in Switzerland: you do not have to wait until your holidays to do something special.
Go for a swim in a lake after work, join a local running club for an evening run or take the train into the mountains for a weekend hike. In Switzerland, nature is always close by, allowing you to experience your free time in a completely different way from what you may be used to.
Working as a physiotherapist in Switzerland is about more than simply starting a new job. It is also an opportunity to discover a new country, meet new people and build an active lifestyle.
Are you ready to take that next step? At PhysioMatch, we are happy to help you find a physiotherapy vacancy in Switzerland that suits you and support you throughout the entire process of moving to Switzerland.
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