Switzerland, a country on a human scale, with a splendid preserved nature, offering a range of incomparable activities, is endowed with a rich cultural heritage making the pride of its inhabitants. So much to say about this small Helvetian nation that it is impossible to mention everything!
There are many incredible places to visit and beautiful experiences to live in! Here is our selection of places to discover during a stay in Switzerland, from the most emblematic to the most unusual and confidential. Lovers of nature and fresh air will be delighted because Switzerland is a mainly mountainous territory, covered with vast forests and home to rivers and crystal clear lakes. It is one of the cradles of mountaineering with legendary mountains like the Matterhorn and the Eiger. Many regions offer beautiful landscapes suitable for hiking (more than 60,000 kilometers of perfectly marked and maintained trails are scattered throughout the country!) The country is also a paradise for outdoor sports: you can practice paragliding above Interlaken, stand-up paddle on Lake Geneva, downhill, and cross-country skiing in the mythical resorts of Verbier; Zermatt, Saint-Moritz.
Switzerland, a country with four languages, boasts the highest order of cultural and historical heritage. You will be charmed by the energy of its cities: Bern and its medieval center classified by UNESCO, Basel, elegant Geneva, trendy Zurich... Your trip will also be an opportunity to enjoy local gastronomy rich in multiple influences: notice to lovers of cheese, chocolate, dried meat, and wine. As you can see, Switzerland has many natural, sporting, cultural, and gastronomic assets. It will seduce all profiles and ages and can be visited in any season, and each has its charms and specificities.
Or you can take the Grand Tour of Switzerland, a 1,600-kilometer itinerary that will take you to the ancient medieval city of Berne via the Jungfraujoch Pass, the Matterhorn, and 42 other must-see wonders. Switzerland is also the ideal destination for skiing and thrill-seekers with the ski areas of the canton of Grisons and Verbier. For art and food lovers, head to Zurich to discover the up-and-coming culinary scene or Basel to visit the Kunstmuseum, a contemporary art museum. And to relax and breathe the fresh mountain air, go to one of the luxurious resorts with spas.
● When to go to Switzerland?
Although small, Switzerland is subject to different climatic conditions depending on its region and altitude. Winters can be very harsh, and summers hot, especially in the southern part of the country in July and August.
The climate of Switzerland varies according to the altitude and the orientation of the valleys. The four seasons are well marked. In the mountainous regions of the Jura and the Valais Alps in the country's southwest, the climate is relatively dry, with icy winters and mild summers. In winter, these regions are covered with snow and are a delight for skiers. Skiing is one of the country's main tourist attractions, with high-end resorts such as Gstaad, Crans-Montana, Davos, and Saint-Moritz. Further east, the climate is colder and drier. In the lower regions, snow can be pretty rare; this is the case in Geneva, where it is not unusual to have no snow in winter.
In summer, Switzerland becomes the kingdom of hikers. Temperatures can reach 25°C in July and August. And for the ski enthusiasts, go to Zermatt, the largest and highest summer ski area in Europe, where you can ski in the morning on its 21 km of slopes. Summer is the time of the year when the rainfall is the highest, especially in the country's south. Thunderstorms are also frequent in this country, especially at the end of the day.
In Switzerland, the foehn wind blows a dry, warm wind that usually blows in spring and autumn. It can cause violent gusts in the north of the Alps.
Switzerland can be visited all year round according to your desires: ski lovers, go between November and March. Hiking fans, the months of June to September are ideal for beautiful walks. And don't forget spring and autumn to take advantage of the mild weather and walk on the shores of Lake Geneva or Lake Ticino.
● Why is it recommended to visit these places in Switzerland?
Switzerland, a country on a human scale, with a splendid preserved nature, offering a range of incomparable activities, is endowed with a rich cultural heritage making the pride of its inhabitants. So much to say about this small Helvetian nation that it is impossible to mention everything!
There are many incredible places to visit and beautiful experiences to live in! So here is our selection of places to discover during a stay in Switzerland, from the most emblematic to the most unusual and confidential. Lovers of nature and fresh air will be delighted because Switzerland is a mainly mountainous territory, covered with vast forests and home to rivers and crystal clear lakes. It is one of the cradles of mountaineering with legendary mountains like the Matterhorn and the Eiger. Many regions offer beautiful landscapes suitable for hiking (more than 60,000 kilometers of perfectly marked and maintained trails dot the country!) The country is also a paradise for outdoor sports: you can practice paragliding above Interlaken, stand-up paddle on Lake Geneva, downhill, and cross-country skiing in the mythical resorts of Verbier. Zermatt, Saint-Moritz.
Switzerland, a country with four languages, boasts the highest order of cultural and historical heritage. You will be charmed by the energy of its cities: Bern and its medieval center classified by UNESCO, Basel, elegant Geneva, trendy Zurich... Your trip will also be an opportunity to enjoy local gastronomy rich in multiple influences: notice to lovers of cheese, chocolate, dried meat, and wine. As you can see, Switzerland has many natural, sporting, cultural, and gastronomic assets. It will seduce all profiles and ages and can be visited in any season, and each has its charms and specificities.
● Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Switzerland
- The Valais
Nestled between Lake Geneva and the Aosta Valley in Italy, the Valais is one of Switzerland's most exciting and varied mountainous regions. The axis that connects Martigny to the Furka Pass offers an incomparable palette of terraced vineyards, ruined castles, slender peaks... The small town of Martigny is the gateway to Verbier, one of the most famous ski resorts in the Alps, in the heart of the Four Valleys domain, which also offers nearly 500 kilometers of trails to explore on foot or by mountain bike. As for the Val d'Hérémence, this surprisingly unknown valley is also home to sumptuous alpine landscapes and the Grande-Dixence dam, one of the most extraordinary hydroelectric feats in the world. The Rhone River, which has carved out the Valais over the millennia, winds its way through the center of Sion, a charming medieval town overlooked by the castles of Tourbillon and Valère. Wine is king here, and you can enjoy it on the terrace of one of the many cafés that dot its picturesque streets.
- The Region of Interlaken
Located in the Bernese Oberland on an alluvial plain between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken has been a popular destination for travelers since the 19ème century, who came to admire the unique alpine environment and stay in large hotels and mansions. These remnants of the past are still present. Still, today it is, above all, a popular place for adrenaline and outdoor sports enthusiasts: hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, climbing, mountaineering, rafting, canyoning, bungee jumping... There are plenty of options! More than 45 mountain railways, cable cars, and gondolas transport you to a massive network of trails and paths. A trip to the Schynige plateau, a natural balcony over the Bernese Alps, is a must. The relatively small town is pleasant to walk around and has ample green spaces. Between the sparkling waters of the lakes and the white of the mountains, Interlaken is your ideal base camp for exploring the region.
- Lausanne and the shores of Lake Geneva
Smaller than Geneva by its size, Lausanne is not less attractive. Surrounded by vineyards and located on the sloping shores of Lake Geneva, it is immediately attracted by its gentle way of life and its friendly atmosphere due to its large student population. Its Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of the most beautiful in the country, dominates the heart of the old town, and the place de la Palud is one of the places not to be missed in old Lausanne. The pedestrian area around the place de la Riponne comes alive every Wednesday and Saturday with the arrival of various regional producers. You will have plenty of time to taste the delicious local specialties. An unusual detail, the heights of the bridges in Lausanne, a city of hills, have given birth to warm and lively bars where you can party in any season. Not far away, the charming and cozy towns of Vevey and Montreux are also worth a visit, combining superb panoramas and beautiful cultural heritage.
- Zermatt and the Matterhorn
If Zermatt can pride itself on being the jewel of the Valais Alps, the Matterhorn can be the symbol of Switzerland worldwide. A slender peak with a perfect geometry culminating at an altitude of 4,478 meters, it has been attracting visitors with its beauty for decades. It is pleasant to stroll for a while in the renowned resort of Zermatt, along its main street, the Bahnhofstrasse, lined with cafés and souvenir stores, or along the Rue Viège, which has preserved the typical architecture of the Valaisan rural habitat. Several options are available to contemplate the Matterhorn from all angles best: the Gornergrat cogwheel train that takes you half an hour to the top of the Gornergrat at 3,089 meters above sea level, or the highest cable car in Europe that allows you to access the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Leading to the Little Matterhorn at an altitude of 3,883 meters, its panoramic platform at the top allows you to contemplate a breathtaking panorama of a dozen glaciers and numerous peaks over 4,000 meters.
- Grindelwald and the Eiger
If you take the road or the train from Interlaken, you will gradually rise through a forest landscape before arriving at a rocky arena at the bottom of which lies Grindelwald. A natural setting worthy of a movie set! The view is breathtaking, between the beautiful traditional wooden architecture, the green of the meadows, the white of the peaks and glaciers, and especially the imposing north face of the Eiger, which rises above the village and is one of the most famous walls in the Alps, the scene of many dramas and exploits. Grindelwald is also one of the oldest ski resorts in Switzerland and has been visited since the end of the 19th century. So, whether you are a skiing or hiking enthusiast, the possibilities offered by this charming village will satisfy you in any season! A train ride to the Top of Europe, the highest train station in Europe at 3,466 meters, will be like a cherry on top of the cake and will allow you to contemplate from the Jungfraujoch one of the most incredible alpine panoramas, between the eternal snow of the 4000 and the Aletsch glacier.
- Lucerne
Located in the central Switzerland region, Lucerne has all the makings of an ideal postcard: a setting in the middle of the mountains and on the shores of the beautiful Lake Lucerne, a perfectly preserved medieval old town or Altstadt, a multitude of bridges, squares, and waterfront promenades... You will immediately be seduced by the charm that emanates from its walls, whether you explore Lucerne on foot or by bike! One of the city's most emblematic monuments is undoubtedly the Chapel Bridge and its tower, also called Kapellbrücke, a magnificent fortified wooden bridge that curves across the river. It is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe, an architectural masterpiece built in the 14th century. Numerous museums, galleries, and cafés are an invitation to discover and stroll around. The famous Fasnacht or carnival of Lucerne, which takes place every year in February, can be a pretext for an escapade in this charming city where life is good.
- Bern
Bern, the federal capital of Switzerland, is built on a peninsula surrounded by the river Aare and its origins date back to the 12th century. The city is the ideal Swiss city, and on sunny days there are plenty of outdoor cafés for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its old town or Altstadt contains magnificent examples of medieval architecture, numerous decorative fountains, grey-green sandstone facades, cobbled streets with houses decorated with coats of arms... A unique feature is that it is home to one of the longest covered shopping promenades in Europe, made up of six kilometers of arches and built to avoid a repeat of the devastating fire of 1405. Bern's most famous landmark, the clock tower, will surprise you with its famous round of figures in the carillon that precedes the ringing of the bells. The astonishing mechanism of reproducing the course of the stars in the sky is said to have inspired Einstein's theory of relativity!
- The Great Alpine Passes
Switzerland is par excellence, a country of mountains and has several mythical passes, which can be crossed by car or bike for the more athletic. The Great St. Bernard Pass is a key crossing point between Switzerland and Italy, bordered by a great petrol blue lake. Located in the Valais and culminating at 2,473 meters above sea level, it can also be crossed on snowshoes or skis in winter. A few centuries ago, the passage of this pass represented such a danger that monks established a hospice there to help lost travelers. The myth of the Saint-Bernards comes from there because these dogs often found and saved people buried under the snow or lost in the storm. In summer, hikes with them are organized from the pass. Another pass worth visiting is the Furka Pass, which connects Andermatt in the canton of Uri to Gletsch in the Valais. It is part of the famous Three Passes circuit with the Grimsel and the Susten, revealing beautiful high mountain landscapes along the way.
- The Rhine Falls or Rheinfall
Located at the northern end of Switzerland, not far from Zurich, the Rhine Falls cannot compete with the Niagara Falls, but they are among the most impressive in Europe. With a height of 23 meters and a width of 150 meters, they offer an extraordinary spectacle of nature with their impressive flow of 700 m3/second. The Rheinfall break resulted from a geological shift in the Rhine bed over 15,000 years ago. A path down from the medieval castle of Laufen allows you to get closer to the falls: galleries dug out of the rock overlooking the river's raging waters thanks to balconies. Thrills guaranteed! During the summer, boats take you to the foot of the falls. You can stop at the famous rock located in the middle of the rapids: the experience is also unforgettable from this place! An essential item to put in your bag for a visit: a waterproof jacket that will allow you to stay relatively dry!
- The Swiss National Park
Created in 1914, the Swiss National Park is the oldest in the Alps. The only national park in the country, nature is king in its 172 square kilometers in a wild state. You will be able to contemplate a fabulous cocktail of summits, glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, forests, and high-altitude moors. The park concentrates on incredible biodiversity as a haven of peace for fauna and flora. You will have a great chance to see ibexes, chamois, marmots, and golden eagles. Nearly a hundred kilometers of marked trails have been set up to make the most of this unique alpine environment. It is easy to venture alone into the heart of the national park, but excellent guided hikes are offered by the rangers of the Zernez National Park Center. For a very reasonable fee, you can go on wildlife treks in the Trupchun Valley, famous for rutting deer in the fall. At this time of the year, the forests are full of brilliant colors, and there are fewer tourists than at any other time.
- Lugano
At the southern end of the country on the border with Italy, Lugano is the largest city in Ticino and the third-largest financial center. It is an important conference and business center, a dynamic city that speaks the language of Dante and will seduce you with its Mediterranean atmosphere. Dotted with parks and gardens full of flowers, villas, and religious buildings, it has all the advantages of a cosmopolitan city on a human scale. You can stroll along the shores of the beautiful lake of Lugano, nestled in a setting of forests and mountains, stroll through the cobblestone streets lined with chic boutiques, or linger on the terrace of the many bars and cafés in the city center. For art lovers, Lugano's brand new MASI, or Museo d'Arte Della Svizzera Italiana, offers visitors an exciting collection of contemporary art, ranging from the abstract to the experimental. Finally, don't miss the bi-weekly market in Piazza Della Riforma, which is always lively.
- Fribourg
Halfway between the lakes of Neuchâtel and Thun, Fribourg is another medium-sized Swiss city that will surprise you. Meaning "free city," it is a symbol of Switzerland's linguistic diversity. The inhabitants of the west bank of the Sarine River speak French, while those of the east bank are German-speaking. Strolling through Fribourg, you will be able to admire its medieval past, especially along the Grand-Rue and the Rue des Chanoines. The famous Morat lime tree, planted in the 15th century in memory of a Helvetian war victory, stands in front of Fribourg's town hall. The more adventurous will not miss the 368 steps of the tower of the beautiful Gothic cathedral of Saint-Nicolas, from the top of which you can contemplate a magnificent panorama of the city. Art lovers should visit the Espace Jean Tinguely-Niki de Saint Phalle, which occupies an astonishing tramway shed from the early 20th century and presents the works of a prominent figure of contemporary art from Fribourg and his French-American wife.
- Geneva
Nestled between water and mountains at the southern tip of Lake Geneva, Geneva is the second-largest Swiss metropolis after Zurich and will seduce you with the beauty of its setting and the fantastic contrasts that characterize it. On the one hand, it is a chic, polite, and cosmopolitan city, home to luxury hotels, jewelers, banks, and headquarters of international organizations. But what is less known is that Calvin's birthplace is one of the high places of the counter-culture, as evidenced by the Grottes and Pâquis districts. You should also not miss getting lost in the charming cobbled streets of its old town, dominated by the splendid gothic cathedral Saint-Pierre. Finally, as soon as the sun comes to warm up the shores of the lake, you will be spoilt for choice between diving into its clear waters at the Bains des Pâquis, admiring the famous Jet d'Eau which spouts out into the Geneva sky, or even hunting and perhaps finding the object of your dreams at the Plainpalais flea market.
- The Aletsch glacier
Covering an area of almost 86 km2 and stretching over a length of 23 kilometers, the Aletsch glacier is the largest in the Alps. This giant of nature, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is distinguished by its titanic proportions: the thickness of its bluish-colored ice reaches 900 meters at its deepest point, and the total weight of the ice has been estimated at 11 billion tons! One of the best views is from the charming village of Fiesch on the Rhone. From there, a cable car takes you to the top of the Eggishorn at an altitude of 2,927 meters, offering an exceptional panorama of the glacier tracing a broad curve around the Aletschhorn, as well as the mythical peaks of the Jungfrau, the Mönch, and the Eiger. For thrill-seekers, the Aletschji-Grünsee suspension bridge also offers spectacular glacier views. It spans the impressive Massa Gorge and is about 100 meters long.