One of the most visited holiday destinations in the world, Switzerland is home to beautiful landscapes, active volcanoes, snowy mountains, and glistening lakes. Skiing, along with other winter sports like hang gliding, hiking, biking, and climbing make Switzerland the busy tourist destination it is. There is no particular time to visit Switzerland, as the country is enjoyable throughout the year offering different activities. Also suitable for a laid-back vacation, there are many places to visit in Switzerland. You can dive into the historic districts or take a train up the mountain or gorge on delicious chocolate.
8 Places To Visit In Switzerland
1. Beauties From The Past: Lucerne
With the Alps in the background, the stunning city of Lucerne is popular because of its medieval Altstadt (Old Town) and Kapellbrücke, a 14th-century Chapel Bridge made of wood. Lucerne is one of the best cities to visit in Switzerland and a buzzing city that offers ethereal views of Lake Lucerne. Local delicacies like the Luzerner Chügelipastete made of mushroom, cream sauce, and veal, make Lucerne more enjoyable. Other attractions in Lucerne include the Water Tower, the Swiss Transport Museum, and Dying Lion. Lucerne is also famous for its festivals and music concerts making it one of the places to visit in Switzerland.
2. Where Einstein Lived: Bern
The medieval past of the city places Bern among the places to visit in Switzerland. The Old Town in Bern also called the Altstadt, is a UNESCO Heritage Site because of its 12th-century structures. Also, the capital city, Bern is famous for an astronomical clock with puppets called Zytglogge. It is believed that while coming up with his Theory of Relativity, Einstein studied this very clock. More attractions include Zentrum Paul Klee, Kunstmuseum, Einstein Haus, and Museum. Bern’s music scene is also very vibrant with Summer and Winter Jazz festivals and other festivals like the Gurten festival making the city a very exciting place to visit.
3. Where The Money And Museums Are: Zurich
One of the most famous, largest, and best cities to visit in Switzerland, Zurich is the business capital. Zurich is filled with thriving locations like the Old Town, Zurich Opera House, Uetliberg, Paradeplatz, and more. The city is adorned with natural attractions like Lake Zurich, the Chinese Garden, and more. Zurich also overflows with culture and has many museums like the Swiss National Museum, Kunsthaus Zurich, and Money Museum and churches like Grossmunsterand St Peter’s Church with a great legacy attached to them. The city also offers some of the best restaurants and shopping areas like Bahnhofstrasse.
4. Between Countries: Lake Geneva
Among the mighty Alps, Lake Geneva lies on the border of Switzerland and France. Tourist cities of Geneva, Lausanne, and Montreux lie on the Swiss side of the lake. In the north, Lake Geneva is also surrounded by the Jura mountains which give tourists a lot of hiking, skiing, and trekking options. You can take regular boats to enjoy the lake but travelling on a cruise is recommended.
5. Take The Ride To The Elevation Of 2033 Metres: St Moritz
A natural treasure, St Moritz is surrounded by glaciers, forests, 25 mountain lakes, and peaks like Piz Surlej, Piz Rosatsch, Piz della Margna, and Piz Corvatsch. They are most well-known for outdoor activities and winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. What makes it one of the best places to visit in Switzerland is the Glacier Express that runs between St Moritz and Zermatt. The ride goes through deep valleys, mountains, and gorges, crosses 291 bridges, and lasts seven hours. The train travels up to an elevation of 2,033 metres. Other attractions include St Moritz Lake, Engadine Museum, and Silvaplana.
Also Read: Why St Moritz Is The Ultimate Ski And Spa Getaway
6. Green Everywhere: Geneva
One of the most expensive cities to live in Europe, Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland. The city was the centre of the Swiss Reformation and has a strong history. Some of the most visited tourist attractions are Jet d’Eau, Temple de Saint-Pierre, Jardin Botanique, and more. The city has an abundance of green spaces as 20 percent of Geneva is made up of parks. Geneva also has spectacular views of Lake Geneva and promenades. This is also where the International Red Cross and the United Nations European Headquarters have their homes.
7. Train Ride Up The Glacier: Jungfrau
One of the best places to visit in Switzerland, Jungfrau has four towns namely Grindelwald, Murren, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen. Situated in the Alps, the entire region was not very accessible in the past but now the railway networks and biking and walking paths have made travelling to Jungfrau easy. The train ride called the Jungfraubahn starts from the Kleine Scheidegg peak, passes the Eiger and Mönch, and goes to Jungfraujoch. The highest railway station in Europe, Jungfraujoch is home to Great Aletsch Glacier, the longest in Europe. You can indulge in skiing, explore the Ice Palace (Eispalast), and visit different peaks.
8. Home To One Of The Highest Peaks: Zermatt
Another town famous for skiing, the Matterhorn towers over Zermatt. The town has great views and ice-climbing in winter and hiking in the summer. The Matterhorn, one of the highest mountains in Switzerland, attracts crowds to Zermatt. It is among the places to visit in Switzerland because it is ideal for winter sports with altitudes like 2,500 and 3,900 metres. The city is also car-free where vehicles fuelled by gasoline are not allowed.
Country For All
Home to various snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, and international resorts, the best places to visit in Switzerland offer a wide range of activities and views. Along with modern galleries and cafes, there are historic quarters in the country. Other places to visit in Switzerland include the Swiss National Park, Lugano, Interlaken, Lausanne, and more.
