Switzerland Travel Guide:

Best Places to Visit in Switzerland

Although you will likely  never tire of seeing the snow-capped Alps, you will find the rest of Switzerland equally remarkable.  In the midst of  glorious "mountainscapes" of the Alps you will find a number of compact, elegant cities that are full of character and idyllic villages snuggling along lakes, rivers and sometimes in the shadow of the looming Alps - but where to go and what to see?

Switzerland looks like a small country on the map, but once you are on the ground in Switzerland (officially called the Swiss Confederation), you will discover an endless variety of places to visit.  Now, if you just had an endless vacation to explore them!   Let us do the legwork for you. Read our recommendations on the best places to visit in Switzerland and then make your reservations for a vacation in the alpine heaven.

    

The Swiss excel at business, but do not neglect enjoying life.  Although the country has a rich history and numerous prestigious cultural attractions, the countryside and mountains are the magnets that attract most tourists.  Whether you travel to Switzerland for skiing, hiking, mountain climbing or just sight-seeing, you will remember the scenic vistas for the rest of your life.   Saying that Switzerland is a beautiful country is an understatement, but you will not understand how much of an understatement until you visit.   If you have a chance, take one of the Extraordinary Train Journeys mentioned near the bottom of this page for the thrill  of a lifetime.

Switzerland's cuisines differ based on the region of the country you visit, but in most locations you will find excellent restaurants featuring French, German and Italian cuisines.  We have found the Swiss preparation of German and French dishes, to be heavenly.  Of course, Italian food is now a worldwide staple and you will find fine Italian dining throughout Switzerland.   Dinner, of course, is just the introduction  as  a variety of night life will be available to you, almost anywhere in the country.

Be sure to see our new road map of Switzerland, based on Google Maps, that shows the locations of our recommendations for the Best Places to Visit in Switzerland. You can also route between locations using the map.

Read our sections on Switzerland Travel Information and Switzerland Facts to complete your basic preparation for vacationing in Switzerland.

 
Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe (from Zurich)
From Viator Tours

 
Eiger - Jungfrau Glacier Panorama View (from Zurich)
From Viator Tours

 
Zurich Afternoon City Tour
From Viator Tours

 
Chamonix and Mont Blanc
From Viator Tours

 
Gruyeres and the famous Golden Express (from Geneva)
From Viator Tours

 
Christmas at Montreux and Chillon
From Viator Tours

• The Swiss Alps

  • The Swiss Alps are among the most beautiful mountains in the world.  Although you will be surrounded by mountains wherever you are in Switzerland, we urge you to head for the high country when you have a chance.  Two areas that offer spectacular vistas and wonderful touring environments are:

  
  

  • The Berner Alpen

    • Considered by many to be the "Top of Europe" this mountain range in the Bernese Oberland is "must see".  Its main attraction is the

      • Jungfrau

        • The Jungfrau holds a special place in the heart of the Swiss and if you visit it, you will understand and appreciate their admiration.

        • Of course, the Jungfrau keeps company with the Eiger and the Mönch, as well as a host of high peaks to keep you occupied.  You will find delightful villages during your travels to view these exceptional mountains, so take your time to explore this delightful area.

        • Be sure to click on the camera at the top of this section for some extraordinary photographs of this region.

      
      

  • Pennine (Valais) Alps

    • Zermatt

      • Sitting at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a place that beckons the visitor and fills the role of the quintessential Swiss mountain resort.  It's compact, a little "clubby" and expensive, but worth every penny.

    • Matterhorn

      • You have seen it in pictures, but you will not be prepared for the grandeur of its natural setting.  Before you decide to get your climbing gear on, relax; The view is the attraction and having seen it will become the memory of a lifetime!

      • Be sure to click on the camera at the top of this section to see our stunning photographs of the Matterhorn and Zermatt.

    
    

• Bern/Berne     

  •  In 1991, Bern celebrated its 800th anniversary: the Old City of Berne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a wonderful place to wander.  Bern is both attractive and interesting. 

  • See the Münster Cathedral, a comely Gothic cathedral featuring great views of Bern and the countryside from its bell tower.

  • The Bundeshhaus,  the site of the country's Parliament,. is open to the public.  Its Square, with a bevy of attractive fountains representing the twenty-six Cantons (states) of Switzerland , hosts  varied markets throughout the year. 

  • Berne is a fun place to visit and  offers great shopping and many of the finest restaurants in Switzerland.

  •  Berne also offers some of the best breads in Europe, so head for a bakery as soon as you can do so.

   




• Zurich   

  • Zurich blends the old and the new in a manner that makes the combination seem natural.  The city with its narrow winding streets is a delightful and compact place to tour.   Use the city's efficient streetcars to make it easy to travel to  most places of interest.

  •  The Old Town is the city's most enjoyable spot, but you may want to spend some time shopping on the Bahnhofstrasse or exploring one of Zurich's fine museums. 

    • Be sure to see the Schipfe (fine arts area), the Fraumünster Church, the Zurich Opera House and, of course, Lake Zurich.




• Lucerne  

  • Many tourists consider Lucerne and its mountainous setting one of Switzerland's most beautiful places to visit. Its lakeside setting is among the best in Switzerland and views of the lakes can be found from many restaurants - so take advantage.  The well-preserved Old Town is a treat to explore and a great place to shop. 

    • Be sure to see the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower. The Wagner Museum, Picasso Museum and the Rosengart Collection are considered by many to be the highlights of the city's collection of fine museums.

Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Lucerne   From Viator Tours

• Interlaken  

  • The "city between the lakes" offers wonderful scenery and a number of villages that are worth a visit.  Interlaken may be "tourist" Switzerland but it does it so well that even the Swiss like the area.  Surrounded by the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch, Interlaken is a great base for touring and one of the most idyllic areas of Switzerland.  This may be one of the best regions to shop for "something Swiss".




• Lausanne

  • Situated on the northern edge of Lake Geneva, Lausanne is considered the ideal  base to tour the Lake Geneva,  Geneva, and Montreux.

 




• Lugano 

  • Lugano is a good town to base your explorations of the Ticino, the Italian speaking southern segment of Switzerland.  This scenic town is situated on the northern bank of Lake Lugano and the Lake is the real reason to visit. 

    • In addition, be sure to see The Madonna degli Angioli Church (and its magnificent fresco).  Tour the city on the tourist tram the Red Arrow (La Freccia Rossa), which runs from March through October.

    • The Parco Botanico San Grato, about six miles from Lugano  is an attractive place to visit, especially in the Spring. Click for the Official Lugano Tourism website.  

  • Also, you might be interested in exploring our Guide to the Italian Lakes with particular emphasis on Lake Maggiori and Lake Lugano.




• Basel   

  • Located near the headwaters of the Rhine, Basel is the point of disembarkation for many Rhine River cruises.  This well-preserved city offers a blend of  the traits of Germany and Switzerland.  Basel offers several interesting museums and is worth a visit, if you have just ended a holiday cruise.




• Geneva

  • Geneva is the home base of many international organizations and that role has given it a cosmopolitan bearing mixed with a distinct international flavor.  Its Old Town is worth a visit, but Geneva's popularity is based more on its role in world affairs than its attractiveness as a  tourism destination.

• The Glacier Express  

  • Switzerland's Glacier Express train between St. Moritz or Chur and the Zermatt (or the reverse) is an unsurpassed rail ride through the Alps and some of Switzerland's most scenic vistas.  The ride takes 7 1/2 hours, crosses 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and is breathtaking.

    •  Since the ride takes the entire day, you will need reservations at your destination.

    • Only the first class cars are "panoramic", featuring large windows and very comfortable seating.  First class is worth the extra cost.

    • Meals are available in the Dining Car, but reservations must be made in advance of the trip (there are not enough seats to accommodate all passengers). 

    • Snack and drinks are available from the Railbar (yes, it is a rail bar not a rail car).

    • For more detail visit the Glacier Express         web site.

   

• The Bernina Express

  • The Bernina Express runs between Chur and Tirano, Italy.  It is a shorter ride than the Glacier Express, but  the mountains are very beautiful and the rail line itself is considered an engineering marvel.   In summer, a bus connects with Lake Lugano.  For more information, see this web site.   

If you need information about another travel destination, try Googling our site or the Web

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               Best Places to Visit in Switzerland

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