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The essential guide to Switzerland

Here’s everything you need to know about exploring the “Playground of Europe”—when to go, where to stay, what to do, and how to get around.

Why you should visit Switzerland

Skiing in the   Alps.   Swimming in crystal clear lakes. Modern cities with medieval old towns. All that chocolate and cheese.

Best time to visit Switzerland

Spring: Hike along low-elevation trails through forests, past gorges, waterfalls, and lakes. Take the Glacier Express panoramic train across the Alps. Basel is a party city during its three-day carnival, Basler Fasnacht .

Summer: Most mountain areas are open from July. (Many resorts close between the skiing and summer seasons, usually April-June.) Europe’s largest jazz festival, Montreux Jazz Festival , takes place on the banks of Lake Geneva . Swiss National Day (August 1) is celebrated nationwide with bonfires and fireworks.  

Autumn: Try regional Swiss cheeses at Lucerne’s Cheese Festival . Celebrate the start of the grape harvest in Neuchâtel at the lively Grape Harvest Festival (Fête des Vendanges). The Food Zurich festival   features food tours, markets, and culinary events.

Winter: Switzerland’s mountain resorts are a magnet for winter sports enthusiasts. Watch international artists carving huge blocks of snow at the Grindelwald Snow Festival . Enjoy mulled wine and twinkling lights at Christmas markets .

Lay of the land

Cities: Bern’s old town has nearly four miles of medieval shopping arcades. Stylish Zurich offers a flourishing food scene and vibrant nightlife. Cultural hotspot Basel is the gateway for Alpine skiing. Geneva is the cosmopolitan capital of high-end watchmaking. Head to Lugano   for Mediterranean-style squares and sub-tropical gardens. Charming car-free Chur is Switzerland’s oldest city.

Central: Surrounded by mountains, lakeside Lucerne is famous for its 14th-century wooden bridge. Lake Zug is a picturesque spot for swimming and watersports in summer. Come winter, Engelberg-TITLIS ski resort offers some of the country’s best slopes—and the world’s first revolving cable car .

( Ice melt and a new cableway are reshaping the Eiger experience .)

Northeast: Head to family-friendly Thurgau to camp on the shores of Lake Constance and cycle or hike through its meadows, orchards, and forests. The magnificent Carolingian Abbey of St. Gall is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

East: Spot ibexes, marmots, and golden eagles in the Swiss National Park (Parc Naziunal Svizzer). Grisons ’ Alpine resorts offer abundant snow-filled fun, from snowboarding to horse-drawn sleigh rides. The exclusive St. Moritz is renowned for its world-class pistes, luxury shopping, and high-end restaurants.

South: For Mediterranean-style architecture and delicious gelato, head to Italian-speaking Ascona on Lake Maggiore. Hike through Valais’ vineyards and learn about local wines at the Musée du Vin . Take the cable car to the Eggishorn viewpoint for magnificent views of the Great Aletsch Glacier . High-altitude Alpine resorts, including Zermatt and Verbier , offer guaranteed snow.

West: Lausanne’s Olympic Museum houses the world’s largest archive of modern Olympic artifacts. The Vaud wine region is known for its diverse range of wines. Visit the peaceful town of Gruyères for its medieval hilltop castle—and its Gruyère cheese. The subalpine Jura Mountains straddle the Swiss-French border.

North: Use Zurich or Winterthur as a base to visit Europe’s largest waterfall. Art Basel, the prestigious contemporary art fair, features artists from five continents. The idyllic Aargau-Solothurn region is off the radar for international tourists: indulge in some me time at one of its numerous thermal baths.

Getting around

By train:   Switzerland’s train network is as safe, clean, and efficient as you’d imagine. Mainline trains are primarily run by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB in German, CFF in French, and FFS in Italian), with local and regional routes covered by private operators. Tickets can be bought at bahn.com, but domestic journeys don’t need to be booked ahead, and most trains don’t require a reservation. Good-value rail passes can be purchased from the Switzerland Travel Centre .

By car: Switzerland’s motorway network includes the A1, which runs east-west from St. Margrethen to Geneva, and the north-south A2, which connects Basel with Chiasso. A vignette   (road tax) is required to drive on the motorway. Winter tires are advisable during winter; snow chains may be necessary in Alpine regions. Driving in Switzerland is on the right.

By plane: Domestic flights are quick but expensive. Switzerland’s so small there’s no need to fly.  

By bus: Low-cost Flixbus offers several domestic routes.

Know before you go

Hours: Except at airports and train and gas stations, most stores are closed on Sundays. Some stores, restaurants, and attractions also close on public holidays, but unlike other parts of Europe, Switzerland doesn’t shut down in August.

Languages:   Switzerland has four national languages: German is the most widely spoken, followed by French, which is spoken in the west of the country. Italian is predominantly spoken in the southeast. Rumantsch is a Gallo-Romance language indigenous to Grisons in Switzerland’s east.  

LGBTQ+: Same-sex marriage is legal in Switzerland. As of 2020, transgender and intersex Swiss citizens over 16 can adjust their legal name and gender marker by self-declaration at the civil registry office. Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, and Lausanne are known for their LGBTQ+ scenes. Pride (known as Christopher Street Day, or CSD) events are held in major cities and some smaller towns. Popular queer-friendly ski destinations include Zermatt, Lenzerheide , and Arosa .

Tipping: It is customary—though not obligatory—to round the bill up or tip approximately 10 percent.

How to visit sustainably  

Outdoors: Explore natural landscapes outside peak season and enjoy spring flowers or colorful fall foliage. Stick to hiking and cycling trails, keep noise to a minimum, and take your trash with you. Use designated campsites or check with local authorities before wild camping. Use SwitzerlandMobility   to select hiking trails coordinated with public transport.

Shopping: Browse flea markets in Zurich, Basel, and Geneva for vintage clothing and jewelry, books, and antiques. Stores such as the Schweizer Heimatwerk in Bern and Kolorit in St. Gallen sell Swiss-made souvenirs. Visit small-scale cheese dairies and wineries, and purchase chocolate from independent makers such as Garçoa and Taucherli , who produce fully traceable, organic, fair-trade bars.

Dining: There are vegetarian and vegan restaurants aplenty—supposedly the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant is in Zurich—and the Swisstainable logo highlights restaurants committed to sustainable practices. Regional, seasonal produce is standard. Switzerland’s drinking water is very safe and clean—bring a reusable bottle and refill it at any tap.

( Here’s how to spend a meat-free culinary weekend in Zurich .)

What to read  

Swiss History in a Nutshell, by Grégoire Nappey. A concise summary of the most important historical events in Swiss history.

Heidi , by Johanna Spyri. This story of an orphan sent to live with her grandfather in the Alps is responsible for the romantic image of Switzerland held around the world today.

Swiss Watching: Inside the Land of Milk and Honey , by Diccon Bewes. This exploration of Switzerland goes beyond its stereotypes to prove there’s far more to the country than banking, skiing, chocolate, and cheese.

( For more tips on what to do in Switzerland, see our   Switzerland Explorer’s Guide .)

Related Topics

• FAMILY TRAVEL
• TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE
• TRAIN TRIPS

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• About Switzerland
• Discover All
• Mountain Excursions
• Panoramic Journey

Visit Switzerland

Take a scenic train ride, experience a quaint village, hike to a mountain glacier, craft your own chocolate, visit a museum and eat like the locals. Discover unique Switzerland experiences you won't want to miss.

Discover experiences in switzerland

Things to do in Switzerland

What Are You Looking For

For a perfect holiday, choose from affordable accommodation all the way through to exclusive 5 star hotels. Pick a suitable Swiss Travel pass that gives you the benefit of exploring the country by all modes of public transport. Indulge in the many activities and experiences that Switzerland has to offer - from mountain excursions, sunset cruises to paragliding.

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Suggested Itinerary

• 8 Days / 7 Nights
• 7 nights in Lucerne
• Jet Boat in Interlaken
• Harder Kulm
• 4 nights in Lucerne
• 2 nights in Zermatt
• 1 night in Zurich
• Stanserhorn
• 7 Days / 6 Nights
• City tour of Geneva
• Chillion Castle
• Chocolate Factory
• Aareschlucht Gorge Funicular: Cable Car to Grindelwald
• Botanical garden in Mainau
• 1 night Zurich
• Rhine Waterfalls
• Boat ride in Leman Lake

Planning Your Trip

Information to help you plan your visit

Helpful Tips

Know about the special offers you can benefit from and add value to your holiday.

Find Expert

Our Specialists, who are well travelled and have in-depth knowledge of Switzerland can help you plan and book your holiday.

Switzerland

• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 History
• 4.2 Climate
• 4.3 Diversity
• 4.4 Economy
• 4.5 Public holidays
• 4.6 Politics
• 4.7 Tourist information
• 6.1 Entry requirements
• 6.2 By plane
• 6.3 By train
• 6.6 By tram
• 7.1 By plane
• 7.2 Public transport
• 7.3.1 Hiking
• 7.3.2 By bicycle
• 7.3.3 Inline skating
• 8.1 The seven wonders
• 8.2 The seven natural wonders
• 10.2 Banking
• 10.3 Tipping
• 10.5 "Swiss-made": souvenirs and luxury goods
• 11.1 Supermarket chains
• 16 Stay safe
• 17 Stay healthy

Switzerland ( German : Schweiz , French : Suisse , Italian : Svizzera , Romansch : Svizra ), is a mountainous country known globally for its neutrality, democracy, and its almost-legendary affluence: Switzerland has one of the highest standards of living in the world, and prices to match.

Switzerland is known for its mountains ( Alps in the south, Jura in the northwest) but it also has a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. The highest point is Dufourspitze at 4,634 m (15,203 ft) while Lake Maggiore is only 195 m (636 ft) above sea level, and the temperate climate varies greatly with altitude.

Switzerland is intrinsically more culturally diverse than perhaps any other European country. It has four national languages which have historically been dominant in various regions, or cantons . German, French and Italian are spoken in the regions bordering the respective country, and Romansch — a Romance language of Swiss origin — is spoken in the mountainous area of Graubünden .

Switzerland also has one of the proportionally largest expat/immigrant populations – literally every fourth resident of the almost 8.5 million inhabitants is a foreign national – consisting of almost all of the world's nationalities and ethnic groups.

Switzerland can be a glorious whirlwind trip whether you've packed your hiking boots, snowboard, or just a good book and a pair of sunglasses.

Regions [ edit ]

Politically, Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons , but the traveler will find the following regions more useful:

Cities [ edit ]

• 46.94723 7.45118 1 Berne ( Bern ) — as close as the nation gets to having a capital, with an amazingly well-preserved old-town and arcades along almost every street; great restaurants and bars abound
• 47.55635 7.59192 2 Basel — has an exceptional medieval centre, on the orthogonal bend of the river Rhine arriving from the east and leaving towards the north. Can also be used as a gateway to the Black Forest (Germany) and Alsace (France).
• 46.20117 6.14881 3 Geneva ( Genève ) — this centre of arts and culture is an international city home to around 200 governmental and non-governmental organisations, and is also the birthplace of the World Wide Web at CERN and the International Red Cross
• 46.68756 7.86434 4 Interlaken — the outdoor and action sports capital of Switzerland, with everything from skydiving and bungee jumping, to hiking, white-water rafting, and canyoning
• 46.52242 6.63574 5 Lausanne — scenery, dining, dancing, boating and the Swiss wine country are the draws
• 47.05259 8.30801 6 Lucerne ( Luzern ) — main city of the central region with direct water links to all of the sites of early Swiss history
• 46.00471 8.94848 7 Lugano — a gorgeous old-town on a pretty lake; much Italianatà combined with Swiss seriousness
• 47.42338 9.37731 8 Saint Gallen — main city of north-eastern Switzerland, renowned for the Abbey of St. Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it also functions as the gate to the very special Appenzell region
• 47.37028 8.54383 9 Zurich ( Zürich ) — Switzerland's largest city is a major centre of banking and culture, with numerous restaurants, a thriving nightlife, and a lakeside setting.

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 46.8 9.833333 1 Davos — large ski resort where the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum takes place
• 46.616667 8.033333 2 Grindelwald — the classic resort at the foot of the Eiger
• 46.4919 6.7461 3 Lavaux — a region of terraced vineyards on the shore of Lake Geneva and a UNESCO cultural heritage site
• 46.5 9.833333 4 St. Moritz — glitzy ski resort in the Engadine valley in south-eastern Switzerland
• 46.503 8.036 5 Jungfrau-Aletsch — a protected area around the largest glaciated area in the Alps; this high Alpine park offers stunning views and is also a UNESCO natural heritage site
• 46.016667 7.75 6 Zermatt — famous mountain resort at the base of the mighty Matterhorn
• The Swiss Alps stretch through the regions of the eastern part of Lake Geneva , Valais , Bernese Highlands , the southern part of Central Switzerland , almost the entirety of Ticino except for the most southern part, the southern part of Northeastern Switzerland , and Graubünden .

Understand [ edit ]

A landlocked country with an area of 41,285 km², Switzerland is a land of picture-perfect Alpine ranges and verdant greenery. The country offers a range of old towns, diverse cultures and outdoor adventure-related activities.

It sits at the confluence of Western, Central and Southern Europe. It has borders with France , Italy , Germany , Austria , and Liechtenstein .

It is officially known as the Swiss Confederation in English. Its abbreviation "CH" comes from Latin, Confoederatio Helvetica , which is often used internally to avoid giving preference to any of the country's official languages.

History [ edit ]

Switzerland has a history reaching far back into the Roman Empire times, when the tribes inhabiting it were called "Helvetians" by Roman sources. You can find many references to "Helvetia" or "Helvetic" in the naming of Swiss organisations and companies, and on postage stamps. A quarrel between Julius Caesar and the Helvetians is one of the first things to be described in detail in Caesar's De Bello Gallico , which is still read by Latin students all over the world.

The Helvetians and their successors have adopted various forms of democracy and devolution to govern their lands, rather than feudalism or autocracy prevalent in the rest of Europe, thus conserving and in a sense modernising Germanic traditions otherwise only found in the Nordic countries. Functioning as a (initially very loose) confederation for centuries, the country has grown to become one of the most diverse in Europe, while also vividly celebrating their national and local identity and the direct democracy employed to make a wide range of civic decisions. Swiss independence was a gradual process and for a long time the only document all cantons had signed was an alliance with France, but by 1648 after the Westphalian Peace , the Holy Roman Empire officially acknowledged that it had lost any right to sovereignty over the territory of the Swiss Confederacy (as well as that of the Dutch Republic ), and Swiss fortunes started to diverge from those of other Alemannic states in southwestern Germany or Alsace. Swiss romantic nationalism of the 19th century would project a unity only really achieved after the 1848 Sonderbundskrieg backwards and mythologize the "Rütlischwur" an oath of mutual aid supposedly sworn on the Rütli meadow by representatives of the first three cantons: Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. While the exact date is not known, tradition associates it with a document from 1291 which supposedly documents this first act of Swiss unification. The tale of Wilhelm Tell (also converted into a stage play by German playwright Schiller) who rebelled against Habsburg overlordship is also dated to this era.

Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers and Switzerland has not been involved in any international war since Napoleonic times and has been at peace internally since the 1850s. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbours. However, the country did not become a UN member until 2002 and maintains a more or less neutral position in foreign relations. Unlike all of its neighbours (bar Liechtenstein ), Switzerland is not a member of the European Union , but is strongly integrated with it, in particular by being part of the Schengen Area .

Climate [ edit ]

The Swiss climate [dead link] is temperate, but varies significantly with altitude in the Alps – in average about 6.5° C every 1000 m – and among the four major climatic regions [dead link] : the northeastern and western parts of the Central Plateau, southern Switzerland, and within the Alps.

There are four clearly defined seasons which bring changes mainly in temperature and time of sunshine: rainy or snowy cold winters with short days from December till February, snow-melting and flower-blowing springs from March till May, moderately warm to sometimes hot, but also occasionally quite rainy summers with long days from June till August, and colourful and often quite dry, sometimes still astonishingly warm, but sometimes also already quite cold and foggy Autumns from September till November with days getting shorter and shorter. And each season or month can be quite different year by year [dead link] .

Switzerland has cold, on the low Central Plateau often cloudy, rainy or snowy winters, and moderate to warm summers with very changeable weather which can change quite quickly, especially on hot summer days and in the mountains; in extreme cases within minutes. In some years you can experience cloudy, rainy, humid summer days, however on other days or even the next year very sunny, or sometimes even hot summer days with only occasional showers. Approximately every third day throughout the entire year is a rainy day with either a short shower, or constantly drizzling rain throughout the whole day. And a rainy period can endure from less than one hour to three weeks whatever season. Weather forecasts for more than six days ahead are scientifically fundamentally unreliable.

The most convenient and therefore the most visited months are from late May till early October with a particular, often overcrowded high from July to August. You can enjoy its fabulous landscapes either on a hike, a cruise, a train, or a bike ride. You will be able to discover the High Alps, its blacknose sheep, and glaciers. The summer season allows to combine the supposed incompatible, namely beach holidays on the lakes and some, though limited summer skiing. In winter, tourists and locals extensively enjoy many kinds of winter sport, and an enchanting Christmas atmosphere before, and a funny carneval season after the end of the year.

Diversity [ edit ]

Switzerland showcases three of Europe's most distinct cultures. To the northeast is the clean and correct, 8-to-6-working, more stiff Swiss-German-speaking Switzerland; to the southwest you find the wine drinking and laissez-faire style known from the French; in the southeast, south of the Alps, the sun warms cappuccino-sippers loitering in Italian-style piazzas; and in the center: classic Swiss alphorns and mountain landscapes. Binding it all together is a distinct Swiss mentality. Switzerland is sometimes called a "nation of choosing" as the Swiss are one nation not because of ethnicity or language, but because they want to be a nation and want to be distinct from the Germans, Italians and French around them. Even though conflict sometimes arises between the different groups, the common Swiss identity is usually stronger than the dividing factors.

While most of the cantons, save for the small Romansch-speaking regions, use languages in common with neighbouring countries, the language spoken there is not necessarily just the same as across the national border. In particular, Swiss German is very different from any of the variations of German spoken in Germany or Austria , with its own peculiar pronunciation and vocabulary. Even fluent speakers of standard German ( Hochdeutsch ) may have a hard time understanding the regular Swiss-German spoken on the street or in mass media. Fortunately for visitors, most German-speaking Swiss are perfectly capable of speaking Hochdeutsch , English, and at least one other national language (e.g. French). Even in its written form, Swiss Standard German differs notably from its German and Austrian counterparts, though most differences are minor and the one you are most likely to notice is the fact that Switzerland doesn't use the letter "ß", replacing it with "ss", which however doesn't affect pronunciation. Swiss French and Swiss Italian differ only lexically from their counterparts spoken in other countries. Romansch is, however, only spoken in remote Alpine communities, where most people speak at least one other Swiss language as well.

Economy [ edit ]

Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labour force, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most of the big European economies. The Swiss, long recognised for financial expertise, have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness, and ensure smooth trade with their biggest trading partner, the EU. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Both of these have been called into question, as the Swiss franc has risen to almost parity with the euro due to being seen as a "safe haven" and the famous Swiss bank secrecy is more and more under attack from fiscal offices in America, Germany and elsewhere, with many high profile cases of tax evasion via Swiss banks ending up in court. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than half the EU average. This together with the exchange rate (especially to the euro) make Switzerland one of the priciest destinations in the world.

Switzerland is also known for its relatively low income tax rates, making it a popular tax haven for the world's richest people.

Public holidays [ edit ]

Public Holidays [dead link] are regulated on a cantonal level (except for the First of August) and may vary greatly. However, these are the ones observed (almost) everywhere (excluding the ones always taking place on Sundays):

• New Year's Day (1 January)
• Good Friday (2 days before Easter, not a public holiday in the cantons of Ticino and Valais )
• Easter Monday (1 day after Easter, legally not recognized holiday in Valais)
• Ascension (39 days after Easter)
• Whit Monday (1 day after Pentecost, legally not recognized holiday in Valais)
• Swiss National Day (1 August)
• Christmas Day (25 December)
• St Stephen's Day (26 December, not a public holiday in the cantons of Geneva , Jura , Valais, Vaud and parts of the canton of Solothurn )

General Holidays observed by timetables by public transportation companies, in particular by SBB CFF FFS and PostBus, are: 1 and 2 January , Good Friday , Easter Monday , Ascension , Whit Monday , 1st August , 25 and 26 December . Business times of local offices and timetables of local transportation companies will sometimes also follow local holidays.

Politics [ edit ]

Switzerland has a federal system of government, and is divided into 26 cantons, with each canton having its own constitution, government and police force. The federal government is in its federal city , Bern .

The Federal Assembly serves as Switzerland's federal legislature, with each canton also having its own legislature. The Federal Council with its seven members is Switzerland's federal executive branch. Unlike other countries, Switzerland does not have a single person as head of state or head of government; rather, the entire Federal Council fulfills both roles collectively. The position of President of the Swiss Confederation rotates among the seven councillors on a yearly basis, with the year's vice president becoming next year's president. Apart from being the ceremonial chair of Federal Council meetings, though, he or she is a primus inter pares , having no power above and beyond the other six councillors.

Swiss citizens normally vote four times a year on many different issues on each of three different political levels: federal, cantonal, and municipal. Between January 1995 and June 2005, Swiss citizens voted 31 times on federal only issues, to answer 103 federal questions besides many more cantonal and municipal questions (during the same period, French citizens participated in only two referendums). The populace can request any issue, including constitutional laws, or contradict any parliamentary decision. The most frequent themes are social issues (e.g. welfare, healthcare, and drug policy), public infrastructure (e.g. public transport and construction projects) and environmental issues (e.g. environmental and nature protection), economics, public finances (including taxes), immigration, asylum, and education, but also about culture and media, state systems, foreign affairs, and military issues — again on any of the three political levels! Perhaps not surprisingly for a country called to the polls so often, turnout is not always all that high by Central European standards.

Some major instruments of this system known as popular rights include the right to submit a federal initiative (initiated by private people, public groups, or political parties) and raise constitutional or legislative referendums on any issue, both of which may overturn any parliamentary decisions. The results are always binding on the governments — "The populace has the final decision!" This gives Switzerland a very high degree of popular input on all political levels leading to some calling it "the world's only direct democracy". However, more than once an initiative which was later seen as an embarrassment even by some of those who voted for it was "creatively interpreted" or even outright revoked by a later referendum. There are some sub-national jurisdictions that have similar levels of "popular legislation" to Switzerland, and Switzerland, while not an EU member, is bound by many bilateral treaties with the EU, which are however subject to the same possibility of referendum as any other law.

The richness of Swiss democracy is also expressed in its many, more than thirty political parties, of which 12 parties delegate members to the two federal parliament chambers, the National Council and the Council of States, and the four largest parties collaboratively executing the seven-head Federal Council. Swiss politics has been free of Putsch (originally a Swiss-German word) and political violence since 1848 when the conservative-catholic cantons forming a "Sonderbund" lost a short civil war against the liberal majority. Since that time, there has been a tendency to make political decisions not by mere majority vote but by compromise. For example the composition of the federal government — for decades made up of the same parties — is determined by a "magical formula" which did not change from the 1950s to the early 21st century.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• My Switzerland website . ( updated Feb 2024 )

Talk [ edit ]

Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansch. A significant portion of Swiss people are multilingual.

German is spoken by almost two-thirds of the population and you can find a German speaker almost everywhere; it has official status in 21 cantons, obviously making it the most useful language of the country's four official languages. Swiss German ( Schweizerdeutsch ), which is used in most formal and informal contexts, is not one language, but rather a group of Alemannic dialects spoken in Switzerland. Although picking up Swiss German is rather easy for speakers of German or another Germanic language, mastering perfect Swiss German can be difficult; each German-speaking canton has their own dialect and way of speaking. Some dialects of Swiss German – for example, Zurich German (Züritüütsch) – differ markedly from standard German so much that even native speakers of German have a hard time understanding them. If you don't know any of the local Swiss German dialects, do not worry; all Swiss-Germans learn Standard German in school and it is widely used in spheres such as commerce, media, government, and writing.

French is spoken by almost a quarter of the population and you are likely to encounter a French speaker in Western Switzerland , Berne , or Valais . The language has official status in 7 cantons. Swiss French (français de Suisse) is similar to Standard French, although there are a few vocabulary differences. For instance, the Swiss French word for "70" is septante , not soixante-dix . Speakers of French should have no difficulties with speaking to French-speaking Swiss.

Italian is the primary language of nearly 10% of the population and it has official status in 2 cantons: Ticino and Graubunden . Swiss Italian (italiano svizzero) is very similar to Standard Italian, although there are a few vocabulary differences. Speakers of Italian should have no difficulties with speaking to Italian-speaking Swiss.

Romansch has official status in one canton: Graubunden . You're unlikely to come across a speaker of Romansh as most Romansh people are fluent in German and are outnumbered by native speakers of languages such as English, Portuguese, Albanian, and Serbo-Croatian.

English is widely spoken and studied in Swiss schools. The number of English-speakers in the country has grown since 2000. One national survey conducted in 2020 revealed that English is the primary language of nearly 6% of the population. English often serves as a "lingua franca" to communicate with people from different linguistic backgrounds. As a general rule, younger Swiss are more competent in the language than their seniors.

Get in [ edit ]

Entry requirements [ edit ].

Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Agreement . See Travelling around the Schengen Area for more information on how the scheme works, which countries are members and what the requirements are for your nationality. In summary:

• There are normally no immigration controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.
• There are usually identity checks before boarding international flights or boats entering the Schengen Area. Sometimes there are temporary border controls at land borders.
• A visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.

Switzerland is not a member of the EU, however. Therefore, travellers entering Switzerland are subject to customs controls even if there are no immigration controls, and persons travelling elsewhere in the Schengen Area will also have to clear customs .

As a tourist : Personal goods worth a total of more than Fr.5,000 and cash and all cash equivalents in excess of Fr. 10,000 have to be declared. Also some amounts of foodstuffs, alcohol and tobacco . The importation of animal products coming from countries other than EU states and Norway is prohibited. When you enter Switzerland, personal effects, travelling provisions and fuel in the tank of your vehicle are tax and duty-free . For other goods being carried , VAT and duty will be levied depending on their total value (over Fr. 300) and according to the quantity. Also take care if you want to travel with your pets . And generally comply with bans, restrictions and authorisations [dead link] regarding protected species, plants, cash, foreign currency, securities, weapons, pyrotechnic articles (fireworks), narcotics and drugs, transfer of cultural property, product piracy, counterfeits, medicines (medicinal products) and doping, radar warning devices, and citizens' band radio (CB radio).

Unaccompanied minors (travellers under the age of 18 years) are strongly advised to have a note of consent from their parents/guardian, as well as a copy of the parents' or guardian's valid passport or ID card. For more information, visit the FAQ section of the website of the State Secretariat for Migration (under the 'Border-crossing/Travel documents' heading).

By plane [ edit ]

Major international airports are in Zurich ZRH  IATA , Geneva GVA  IATA and Basel (for the Swiss part: BSL  IATA ) , with smaller airports in Lugano LUG  IATA and Berne BRN  IATA . Some airlines fly to Friedrichshafen , Germany which is just across Lake Constance (the Bodensee) from Romanshorn, not too far from Zurich .

Basel airport is a peculiar case, as it also serves neighbouring Mulhouse and Freiburg and has three different IATA codes, as well as different customs procedure (and sometimes even airfares) depending on whether you fly to "Basel" or "Mulhouse". The airport also has an area code for the "metro-area" EAP  IATA that should get you flights for both destinations.

Almost all major European airlines fly to at least one Swiss airport. The flag carrier of Switzerland is Swiss International Airlines , a member of Star Alliance and the Lufthansa Group. Together with their subsidiaries, charter/holiday airline Edelweiss Air, they offer connections to most major airports across Europe, as well as many intercontinental destinations.

Additionally, some smaller Swiss-based airlines also offer connections to Switzerland: Etihad Regional mainly from Geneva and Lugano , Helvetic Airways from Zurich and Berne .

The major European low-fare airlines, however, have very limited presence in Switzerland, usually offering a singular flight from their home hub to either Zurich or Geneva. The exception is EasyJet , who has a dedicated subsidiary, EasyJet Switzerland, and offers flights to and from Basel , Geneva and Zurich within its usual low-fare business model. Ryanair flies to Basel.

In the winter season, many airlines specialising in charter and holiday flights offer connections to Swiss airports to cater to the skiing and winter sport markets.

Depending on where you want to go to in Switzerland, it can make sense to fly to an alternative airport:

• To the north: Friedrichshafen ( FMM  IATA ), Memmingen ( FMM  IATA ), Munich Airport ( MUC  IATA ), Stuttgart ( STR  IATA ), Strasbourg ( SXB  IATA ) and Baden-Baden ( FKB  IATA )
• To the west: Lyon ( LYS  IATA ), Chambéry ( CMF  IATA ) and Grenoble ( GNB  IATA )
• To the south: Milan airports and Turin ( TRN  IATA )
• To the east: Bolzano ( BZO  IATA ) and Innsbruck ( INN  IATA )

Due to the excellent train connections (see below) you might also conceivably fly into Frankfurt Airport ( FRA  IATA ) and take the train from there.

By train [ edit ]

Switzerland boasts the world's densest public transportation system. The Swiss Travel System includes a rail network of 29,000 km, including several popular rail lines. Trains arrive from all parts of Europe. Some major routes include:

• The TGV Lyria ( Train à grande vitesse , French/Swiss high-speed railway connection), with several trains daily from/to Paris , Dijon , Lyon , Valence , Avignon , Aix-en-Provence , Marseille , Toulon , Cannes , Antibes , and Nice .
• Hourly EuroCity ( EC ) trains to/from Milan with connections to all parts of Italy .
• Regular ICE ( InterCity Express , German high-speed trains) from Chur , Zurich / Interlaken via Berne , Basel to Freiburg i.B. , Offenburg , Baden-Baden , Karlsruhe , Mannheim , Frankfurt a.M. (main railway station or airport) in Germany, many continuing toward Cologne and Dortmund , or Hannover and Hamburg , or Berlin , or Amsterdam .
• 2-hourly IC trains between Zurich and Stuttgart , travel time 3 hr
• Regular EuroCity ( EC ) trains between Zurich and Munich , travel time 4 hr
• Regular RailJet ( RJ ) trains between Zurich and Innsbruck (3½ hr), Salzburg (5½ hr), Vienna (8 hr) in Austria, and further to the east
• Sleeper trains operated by ÖBB under the brand name Night Jet

By bus [ edit ]

• Flixbus who've all but cornered the German domestic market also provide service to/from Switzerland as well as through Switzerland to neighboring countries. Flixbus is prohibited by law from carrying passengers domestically in Switzerland and you cannot book domestic routes with them or alight inside Switzerland when you boarded inside Switzerland.
• There are several bus companies serving the Bosnian diaspora, which provide a cheap way of getting to the Balkans. Turistik Prošić runs from various destinations in the Federation of Bosnia and Hercegovina to Switzerland.

By car [ edit ]

Any Swiss city and many common tourist destinations within Switzerland are quite easily reachable by car, e.g. Geneva from central eastern France, and Zurich from southern Germany. However, some tourist destinations, especially some smaller, quintessentially Alpine villages such as Zermatt or Wengen are car-free.

Although Switzerland is now part of the Schengen agreement, it is not part of the EU customs/tariff union. Therefore EU/Swiss border posts will focus on smuggling, etc., and checks on roads on or after the border [dead link] stay in place. Delays are usually short but cars may be stopped and no reason needs to be given, even for searches inside Switzerland.

Some delay may be caused by congestion at busy times and there are often queues lasting hours to use the tunnels under the Alps from Italy such as Mont Blanc, St. Gotthard etc. Swiss motorway vignettes (40 Swiss Francs) can and should be purchased at the border if your car does not already have a valid one for the current year and you intend to use the Swiss motorways which is almost unavoidable. Most cities do not have free parking; expect to spend Fr. 25-40 for a day's parking. Some cities are entirely off-limits to cars but easily reachable by public transport, so strongly consider arriving by train instead if your final destination is one of these places.

When using mountain roads , bear in mind that they are also used by buses – most relevant on hairpin bends, which they will occupy entirely in order to get around. And most mountain roads are frequently used by the yellow Swiss PostAuto bus. If you see a postal bus, or hear it approaching a bend by its distinctive three tone horn, hold right back (before the bend!) and let it pass, they always have priority and their drivers count on your cooperative driving (see also mountain road hints )!

From Italy: There are two main routes:

• Direction Zurich / Lucerne / Basel / Bern: A8 Milano-Chiasso, then A2 towards Gotthard
• Direction Lausanne / Geneva: A5 Aosta-San Bernardo Tunnel, then cantonal road to Martigny and A9 motorway

There is a third possibility that serves the Canton of Valais and passes from the A26 to Gravellona Toce, then along the Statale 33 and the Simplon Pass to Brig. The pass is always open and is a wide three-lane road. From Iselle there is a shuttle service with the train that takes you directly to Brig.

By tram [ edit ]

The Basel tramway system extends across the border into Germany ( Weil am Rhein ) as well as into France ( Saint-Louis ). The lines are popular with locals who shop across the border, and as Switzerland is not part of the EU customs area, there may be customs spot checks, so don't carry anything in excess of allowed imports. Similarly the Geneva tram system also extends into neighbouring France. There are plans for further cross border extensions of both tram networks, including a possible link to EuroAirport from Basel.

Get around [ edit ]

Getting around Switzerland is quick and easy albeit sometimes on the expensive side, no matter which mode you choose. The country has had a love affair with railways for over a century now, despite having been something of a late bloomer in railway construction. The few places not served by trains are served by the "Postauto" bus system and everything is seamlessly integrated, meaning you'll never have to wait long. Should you wish to drive a car, there are excellent highways throughout the country and many mountains are bypassed with tunnels. Hiking paths across the Alps have existed for centuries and are usually well blazed and maintained. Switzerland is also making an effort of marketing itself as bicycle friendly under the slogan "Veloland Schweiz".

As Switzerland has probably the most well-developed public transportation system in the world, and the country's airports are not that far apart anyway, there is very limited domestic air traffic. The connections offered by Swiss International Airlines and Etihad Regional include Zurich-Geneva, Zurich-Lugano and Geneva-Lugano. In most cases taking the train, sometimes combined with bus or other means, will be a cheaper option, and often it may prove just as fast and convenient as flying. If you arrive on an international flight to Flughafen Zürich (in Kloten) or Genève Aéroport (in Cointrin), you may take a direct train or bus from stations integrated into the airport terminals. From there, easy connection with several means of transportation including only one or two swift transfers will bring you to many destinations

Public transport [ edit ]

The Swiss will spoil you with fantastic transport – swift, disturbingly punctual trains, clean buses, and a half dozen different kinds of mountain transport systems, integrated into a coherent system. The discount options and variety of tickets can be bewildering, from half-fare cards to multi-day, multi-use tickets good for buses, boats, trains, and even bike rentals. In general there's at least one train or bus per hour on every route; on many routes trains and buses run every 30 or even 15 minutes. Inner-city transit often runs every 5-7 minutes during rush hour, but less frequently during weekends, particularly on Sundays and public holidays in more sparsely populated areas.

Authoritative information, routes, fares and schedules for almost all public transport can be found online on Swiss Federal Railway's ( SBB CFF FFS ) nation-wide coherently integrated timetable , or from posters and screens at any stop, or from a ticket window in any railway station. This timetable is also available as a free smart phone app [dead link] . At any railway station of any provider you can get information and tickets (at manned ticket counters) for any of the many members of the railway network of Switzerland and most bus systems, in particular PostBus Switzerland which provides online timetable as well with the same data.

Bus and train are legally not allowed to compete each other in Switzerland, rather quite the opposite, they are complementary to each other – besides being coordinated timetable-wise. That way, almost all inhabited village and town in Switzerland can be reached by public transport. This is actually constitutionally demanded by the Public Service regulations of the Swiss Confederation; Public Service is a particular Swiss term loosely referring to all kinds of laws, acts, and ordinances, which define the basic supply of public services and infrastructure in particular concerning postal services, telecommunication, electronic media, public transport and road infrastructure.

There are about twenty regional fare networks throughout the country, which incorporate many kinds of public transport (city bus, tram, metro, any kind of train, PostBus, boats, funiculars and others) by many different providers around urban centers into one single fare system , such as ZVV in the canton of Zurich, or unireso [dead link] (see also: Geneva's tpg ) in the canton of Geneva and its French adjacent area, or mobilis around Lausanne in the canton of Vaud at the northern shore of Lake Geneva, passepartout in the cantons of Lucerne, Nid- and Obwalden (keyword: Titlis ). Usually these networks sell zone-based tickets valid for a particular time frame (instead of point-to-point tickets) for journeys within their fare network borders. Many of these networks and transit operators provide their own free smartphone apps; sometimes to be found at the major city's transit company website.

Even if there is no train or city transit available, the comprehensive PostAuto/CarPostale/AutoPostale network [dead link] gets you there. Where applicable, PostBus Switzerland is part of regional fare networks. You find all timetable information on SBB's online timetable, but PostBus Switzerland also provides their own free app with the same information as by SBB as well as many additional features.

Further information about the railway network in Switzerland [dead link] and the Switzerland-wide countryside bus network [dead link] is also available.

Hiking and cycling [ edit ]

Hiking [ edit ].

As good as the Swiss train system is, if you have a little time, and you only want to travel 1-320 km, you could try downloading the free swisstopo-App with the world's best footpath maps (paper copies can also be purchased) and walk 16-31 km a day over some of the most wonderful and clearly-marked paths, whether it is in a valley, through a forest, or over mountain passes. There are more than 60,000 km of well maintained and documented hiking trails and cycling routes .

The trails are well-planned (after a number of centuries, why not?), easy to follow, and the yellow trail signs are actually accurate in their estimate as to how far away the next hamlet, village, town or city is — usually given in terms of time, not distance. Once you've figured out how many kilometres per hour you walk (easy to determine after a day of hiking), you can adjust these estimates up and down for your speed.

There are plenty of places to sleep in a tent; but don't pitch one on a seemingly pleasant, flat piece of ground covered by straw – that's where the cows end up sleeping after a lazy day of eating, and they'll gnaw at your tent string supports and lean against your tent sides. And definitely don't do this during a rainstorm!, lots of huts on mountain tops, B&Bs on valley floors, or hotels in towns and cities. You could even send your luggage ahead to the next abode and travel very lightly, with the necessary water and Swiss chocolate!

By bicycle [ edit ]

Cycling is a popular, everyday means of transport in Switzerland.

Since there is a network of straightforward cycling routes around Switzerland, it is a good place for cycling whether you're going cross-country or travelling around one of the cities. You can get information about cycling routes from Swiss Singletrail Maps and Veloland Schweiz .

Cycling in cities is safe and very common, and includes plenty of options like electric vehicles and free "rentals". If you decide to cycle in a city, understand that you will share the road with public transport. Beware of tram tracks which can get your wheel stuck and send you flying into traffic, and of course keep an eye out for the trams themselves and the buses, which make frequent stops in the rightmost lane and always have right of way.

According to Swiss traffic law , a bicycle is considered as a road vehicle, therefore it is prohibited to cycle on sidewalks and foot paths, except for when explicitely indicated otherwise! As a bicycler you have to follow the same rules (and rights) as any other traffic member, such as cars and lorries. Therefore make sure you know the extensive Swiss traffic rules and traffic signs .

Inline skating [ edit ]

Besides the main types of transport, the adventurous person can see Switzerland by in-line skating. There are three routes, measuring over a combined 600 km (350 mi) designed specifically for in-line skating throughout the country. They are the Rhine route, the Rhone route, and the Mittelland route. These are also scenic tours. Most of the routes are flat, with slight ascents and descents. The Mittelland route runs from Zurich airport to Neuenburg in the northwest; the Rhine route runs from Bad Ragaz to Schaffhausen in the northeastern section of the country. Finally, the Rhone route extends from Brig to Geneva. This is a great way to see both the countryside and cityscapes of this beautiful nation. Information about the routes can be found in the skating section of SwitzerlandMobility

If you like cars, Switzerland can seem like a bit of a tease. It offers some of the greatest driving roads in the world, but you can literally end up in jail for speeding, even on highways. Traffic rules are strictly enforced. If you stick to the road rules and especially the speed limits, the back roads/mountain roads will still be a blast to drive on, while making sure you are not fined or arrested. Driving can be a good way of seeing the country and the vista from some mountain roads makes it worth the cost and hassle.

Driving on mountain roads requires special skill: be sure to read the in the "mountain road tips" in the Driving in Switzerland article.

The usual speed limits in Switzerland are 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways, 100 km/h on expressways, 80 km/h (50 mph) on main roads outside towns and in tunnels, and 50 km/h (31 mph) limit in villages and towns. You may see different speed limits signposted, including 30 km/h (19 mph) and 20 km/h (12 mph) in built-up areas.

Most drivers will need to buy a vignette , a sticker which costs Fr. 40 that allows you to use motorways and expressways as much as you like for the entire year.

Motorists in Switzerland are required to switch on their headlights or daytime running lights at all times while driving or risk a Fr. 40 fine.

See [ edit ]

The seven wonders [ edit ].

• The 46.491944 6.746111 2 Lavaux vineyards : on the shore of Lake Geneva
• The 46.195555 9.023809 3 Castles of Bellinzona : in the southern canton of Ticino

The seven natural wonders [ edit ]

• The 45.976389 7.658611 8 Matterhorn : seen from Schwarzsee, the Gornergrat or simply from the village of Zermatt
• The northern walls of the Jungfrau and Eiger : two of the most celebrated mountains in the Alps, they can be seen from the valley of Lauterbrunnen or from one of the many surrounding summits that can be reached by train or cable car
• The 46.5 8.033333 9 Aletsch Glacier : the longest in Europe. The Aletsch forest sits above the glacier, which is best seen from above Bettmeralp
• The 46.5497 9.8959 10 lakes of the Upper Engadine : in one of the highest inhabited valleys in the Alps near the Piz Bernina, the lakes can all be seen from Muottas Muragl

Do [ edit ]

Switzerland is renowned the world over for downhill skiing , and the country is also great for many other outdoor activities, including hiking and mountain biking . Mountain climbing from easy to very hard can also be found in Switzerland and there is hardly a place with a longer tradition for it. Some routes, like the North face of the Eiger ("Eiger-Nordwand" in German) have become near-mythical due to the hardships, sacrifice and even deaths suffered by the first people to climb them. And because of the breathtaking views, travelling from one place to another by car, bus, train or bike along Alpine roads and railroads is often an experience in itself.

Tour de Suisse is an on-road cycle race over nine days, regarded as a proving event for the Tour de France. The next is 12-19 July 2022 visiting Aesch, Quinto, Brunnen, Moosalp, Novazzano, Visp and Vaduz.

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ].

Switzerland's currency is the Swiss franc (or Franken , or franc , or franco , depending in which language area you are), denoted by the symbol " Fr. " or sometimes " SFr. " (ISO code: CHF ) It is divided into 100 Rappen, centimes, or centesimi. However, some places – such as supermarkets, restaurants, tourist attraction ticket counters, hotels and the railways or ticket machines – accept euro bills (but no coins) and will give you change in Swiss francs or in euro if they have it in cash.

Since Switzerland is surrounded on all sides by the eurozone and cross-border commuting is common, euros are also widely accepted and many price lists contain prices both in francs and in euros. Usually in such cases the exchange-rate is the same as or very close to official exchange-rates, but if it differs significantly you will be notified in advance. Money can be exchanged at all train stations and most banks throughout the country, and all ATMs accept foreign cards, so getting cash should not be a problem.

Switzerland is more cash-oriented than most other European countries, but credit card payments are common and you can easily travel for days without ever needing cash. If you do opt for cash, it is perfectly acceptable to use Fr. 200 and even Fr. 1000 banknotes.

Banknotes are found in denominations of 10 (yellow), 20 (red), 50 (green), 100 (blue), 200 (brown), and 1000 francs (purple). They are all the same width.

• Ninth series

As of April 2021, only the ninth series banknotes (pictured above) are legal tender. If you have older notes, they can be exchanged at face value at the Swiss National Bank head offices in Zurich and Berne as well as designated cantonal bank agencies in major cities.

Coins are issued in denominations 5- (brass coloured), 10-, and 20-Rappen/centimes, ½-, 1-, 2- and 5-francs (all silver coloured). One-Rappen/centime coins are no longer legal tender, but may be exchanged until 2027 for face value. Two-Rappen/centime coins have not been legal tender since the 1970s and are, consequently, worthless. Most exchange offices do not accept coins and the biggest coin (5 francs) is worth roughly about US$5 or €5, so spend them, give them to charity before leaving or keep them as a souvenir.

Quite a few Swiss establishments will print your entire credit card number onto the receipt, raising identity theft concerns. Using your credit card you should check this and discard the receipts safely.

Banking [ edit ]

Switzerland has been renowned for its banking sector since the Middle Ages. Due to its historical policy of banking secrecy and anonymity, Switzerland has long been a favourite place for many of the world's richest people to stash their assets, sometimes earned through questionable means. Although current banking secrecy laws are not as strict as they used to be, and anonymous bank accounts are no longer allowed, Switzerland remains one of the largest banking centres in Europe. Opening a bank account in Switzerland is straightforward, and there are no restrictions on foreigners owning Swiss bank accounts—except for US citizens. Since the latest sanctions by the US, many Swiss banks refuse to open a bank account to US citizens or anyone having connections to the US. In some cases, even existing accounts have been closed.

The largest banks in Switzerland are UBS and Credit Suisse (since June 2023 a brand of UBS).

Tipping [ edit ]

Swiss service personnel enjoy a relatively highly set minimum wage compared to other countries, so tips are rather modest. By law, a service charge is included in the bill. Nevertheless, if you feel satisfied, especially in restaurants, you may round up the bill and add a few francs with a maximum of 5–20 francs depending on the kind of establishment, regardless of bill size. If you were not happy with the service, you needn't tip at all. If you just drink a coffee, it is common to round up the bill to the nearest franc, but some people are still quite generous. Tipping is always your personal contribution and never legally requested.

Costs [ edit ]

Switzerland is an expensive country with prices comparable to Norway. Apart from soft drinks, electronics and car fuel, many things cost more than in the neighbouring countries, particularly groceries, souvenirs, train tickets and accommodation. In fact, many Swiss people living near the borders drive into neighbouring countries to purchase fuel and groceries, as it is usually significantly cheaper; a trend that has only increased with the Franc soaring in exchange rate compared to the euro. Whilst, there are no systematic immigration controls thanks to the Schengen agreement, there are random custom checks, even inside the country, since Switzerland is not part of EU Customs Union, so you must clear customs. Therefore make sure you comply with Swiss custom regulations for importing goods .

"Swiss-made": souvenirs and luxury goods [ edit ]

Switzerland is famous for a few key goods: watches, chocolate, cheese , and Swiss Army knives.

• Watches — Switzerland is the watch-making capital of the world, and "Swiss Made" on a watch face has long been a mark of quality. While the French-speaking regions of Switzerland are usually associated with Swiss watchmakers (like Richard Mille, Rolex, Omega, and Patek Philippe), some fine watches are made in the Swiss-German-speaking region, such as IWC in Schaffhausen. Every large town will have quite a few horologists and jewellers with a vast selection of fancy watches displayed in their windows, ranging from the fashionable Swatch for Fr. 60 to the handmade chronometer with the huge price tag. For fun, try to spot the most expensive of these mechanical creations and the ones with the most "bedazzle!"
• Chocolate — Switzerland may always have a rivalry with Belgium for the world's best chocolate, but there's no doubting that the Swiss variety is amazingly good. Switzerland is also home to the huge Nestlé food company. If you have a fine palate (and a fat wallet) – you can find two of the finest Swiss chocolatiers in Zurich : Teuscher (try the champagne truffles) and Sprüngli . For the rest of us, even the generic grocery store brand chocolates in Switzerland still blow away the Hershey bars. For good value, try the Frey brand chocolates sold at Migros. If you want to try some real good and exclusive Swiss chocolate, go for the Pamaco chocolates, derived from the noble Criollo beans and accomplished through the original, complex process of refinement that requires 72 hours. These are quite expensive though; a bar of 125g (4 oz) costs about Fr. 8. For Lindt fans, it is possible to get them as cheaply as half the supermarket price by going to the Lindt factory store in Kilchberg (near Zurich). Factory visits are also possible at Frey near Aarau, Läderach in Bilten and Cailler in Broc.

• Swiss Army knives — Switzerland is the official home of the Swiss Army knife . There are two brands: Victorinox and Wenger, but both brands are now manufactured by Victorinox since the Wenger business went bankrupt and Victorinox purchased it in 2005. Collectors agree Victorinox knives are superior in terms of design, quality, and functionality. The most popular Victorinox knife is the Swiss Champ which has 33 functions and costs about Fr. 78. Most tourists will purchase this knife. The "biggest" Victorinox knife is the Swiss Champ 1.6795.XAVT- This has 80 functions and is supplied in a case. This knife costs Fr. 364 and may be a collector's model in years to come. Most shops throughout Switzerland stock Victorinox knives, including some newsagents and they make excellent gifts and souvenirs. Unlike the tourists' knife, the actual "Swiss Army Knife" is not red with a white cross, but gray with a small Swiss flag. The Swiss Army issue knife is also produced by Victorinox. It is distinguished by having the production year engraved on the base of the biggest blade, and no cork-screw because the Swiss soldier must not drink wine on duty. Swiss Army Knives cannot be carried on board commercial flights and must be packed in your hold baggage.

Ski and tourist areas will sell many other kinds of touristy items: cowbells, clothing embroidered with white Edelweiss flowers, and Heidi -related stuff. Swiss people love cows in all shapes and sizes, and you can find cow-related goods everywhere, from stuffed toy cows to fake cow-hide jackets. If you have a generous souvenir budget, look for fine traditional handcrafted items such as hand-carved wooden figures in Brienz , and lace and fine linens in St. Gallen. If you have really deep pockets, or just wish you did, be sure to shop on Zurich's famed Bahnhofstrasse , one of the most exclusive shopping streets in the world. If you're looking for hip shops and thrift stores, head for the Niederdorf or the Stauffacher areas of Zurich.

Eat [ edit ]

While Switzerland has had long culinary exchange with the cuisine of its neighbours, it has several iconic dishes of its own.

Switzerland is famous for many kinds of cheese like Gruyère , Emmentaler (known simply as "Swiss cheese" in the U.S.), and Appenzeller , just to name a very few of the about 450 kinds of cheese of Swiss origin. Two of the best known Swiss dishes, fondue and raclette , are cheese based. Fondue is a pot of melted cheese that you dip pieces of bread into using long forks. Usually fondue is not made of one single type of cheese, but instead two or three different cheeses are blended together with white wine, garlic and kirsch liqueur with regional variations. The most popular blend of cheese varieties is called moitié-moitié and consists of equal parts Gruyère AOP and Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP. Traditionally fondue is eaten during cold periods at altitude with one pot for the whole table, served with hot black tea and hardly any additional side dishes - not surprising, since it used to be a cheap and often the only dish for a herdsman high up in the mountains far away from civilization with only basic equipment. However you can now get fondue for one person during the summer time in tourist-oriented restaurants. Another cheese dish, raclette , is made by heating a large piece of cheese and scraping off the melted cheese, which is then eaten together with boiled potatoes and pickled vegetables. Cheese-lovers should also try Älplermakkaronen , Alpine herdsmen's macaroni with melted cheese and potato served with apple compote which is another very simple but very tasty dish originally from central Switzerland.

Another typically Swiss dish is Rösti , a potato dish quite similar to hash browns, but usually with some Emmentaler cheese added into the mix. Originally from the German-speaking part of Switzerland, it gives its name to the colloquial political term Röstigraben (lit.: Rösti ditch), which refers to the quite different political preferences and voting habits of the German-speaking and the French-speaking parts of Switzerland.

Probably the best known meat dishes are the incredibly common sausage known as Cervelat , usually grilled on a stick over an open camp fire, and the speciality of region around Zürich, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (or in the local dialect: Züri Gschnätzlets ), sliced veal in a mushroom sauce usually accompanied by Rösti. Very typical for Lucerne is the Luzerner Kugelpasteten (or in the local dialect: Lozärner Chügelipastete ), is Brät (less expensive meat, minced, mixed with water and egg) formed as small balls, served in puff-pastry baskets, and poured with a ragout made of meat, agaricus mushrooms and raisins. In French-speaking Switzerland you will find the saucisse aux choux and saucisson vaudois and around Basel the liver dish Basler Leber(li) (or in the local dialect: Baasler Lääberli ). Bern is known for the Berner Platte (lit.: Bernese Plate), a dish comprising various pork products, boiled potatoes, Sauerkraut (cabbage), and dried beans, besides others. This was traditionally an autumn dish, since the slaughter historically used to happen when weather was cold enough again to prevent any spoiling of the meat. The slaughter season and their dishes are called Metzgete in the German part of Switzerland and is still prominent on the menus of rural restaurants during this season.

If you instead prefer fish to meat, Swiss restaurants often serve the freshwater fish found in the many rivers and lakes. The most common fish dishes among the 55 kinds of Swiss fish include trout, European perch, or the whitefish known as (Blau-)Felchen , corégone/féra , or coregone blaufelchen respectively, cooked in a variety of ways. However, you will also find many imported fish on Swiss menus, since the domestic business (fished or bred) can never fulfill the strong demand for fish. Also, because the fish haul has become about a third smaller than 30 years ago, exclusively due to the much better quality of water nowadays; from this point of view, Swiss water is too clean!

In autumn, after hunting season, you will find many fabulous game and mushroom dishes. Many traditional game dishes come with Chnöpfli (lit.: diminutive of knobs; a soft egg noodle), red cabbage or Brussel sprouts, cooked pears and are topped with mountain cranberry jam. However, nowadays the game (venison, roe, chamois, boar, rabbit) mainly originates from farms in order to fulfill the high demand.

The mountain region of Graubünden has a distinctive culinary repertoire, including capuns (rolls of Swiss chard filled with dough and other ingredients), pizokel dumplings, the rich and creamy barley soup Gerstensuppe , and a sweet dense nut pie called Bündner Nusstorte . Also from this region is a thinly-sliced cured meat known as Bündnerfleisch . Most mountain areas in Switzerland produce their own cured and air-dried meats and salamis which are highly recommended.

The canton of Appenzell in eastern Switzerland is known for various sausage dishes, including Appenzeller Siedwurst and Appenzeller Bauernschüblig . Another favorite meat delicacy are Appenzeller Mostbröckli , a type of spiced, cured and smoked beef. The local cheese is branded as Appenzeller Käse and is supposedly made from a secret recipe. On the sweet end of the spectrum, Appenzeller Bärli-Biber is a soft gingerbread with an almond filling, and Landsgmendchrempfli is a sugar and egg based pastry filled with hazelnut paste.

It is very easy to come by high-quality Italian cuisine in Switzerland, but when in Italian-speaking Ticino be sure to try the local specialities based around polenta (a corn dish), risotto (the rice of the same name is exclusively cultivated in Ticino and northern Italy), and many kind of marroni (chestnuts) dishes in Autumn, either as part of a cooked meal, or simply roasted during very cold winter days in the streets, or as a special sweet dessert called vermicelles .

Swiss chocolate is world famous and there is a large range of different chocolate brands.

The well-known breakfast dish Müesli comes from Switzerland, actually originally called Birchermüesli , is well-worth trying – oats soaked in water, milk, or fruit juice and then mixed with yoghurt, fruits, nuts and apple shavings.

Of course, there are many more local and traditional dishes and meals to be found, which can not all be listed. There is a whole site dedicated solely to the Culinary Heritage of Switzerland by canton , though only available in one of the official Swiss languages.

Like most other things, eating out is expensive in Switzerland. One way to reduce food costs is to eat in the cafeterias of department stores such as Coop, Migros, and Manor. These cafeterias are usually considerably less expensive than stand-alone restaurants. Coop and Manor also offer beer and wine with meals while Migros does not. Smaller department store outlets might not have a cafeteria. Kebab shops and pizza restaurants abound in urban Switzerland, and these are often cheap options. In the major cities, more exotic fare is usually available - at a price.

Supermarket chains [ edit ]

Swiss employment law bans working on Sundays, so shops are closed. An exception is any business in a railway station, which is deemed to be serving travellers and so is exempt. If you want to find an open shop on a Sunday, go to the nearest big railway station. If a business is a family owned, hence small shops, such as bakeries namely, can also open on Sundays in most cantons.

Swiss supermarkets can be hard to spot in big cities. They often have small entrances, but open out inside, or are in a basement, leaving the expensive street frontages for other shops. Look for the supermarket logos above entrances between other shops. Geneva is an exception and you usually don't have to go very far to find a Migros or Coop.

The most important supermarket brands are:

• Migros — This chain of supermarkets (a cooperative) provides average-to-good quality food and non-food products and homeware. However, they do not sell alcoholic beverages or cigarettes. Brand name products are rare as the chain does their own brands (quality is good). Migros stores can be spotted by a big, orange Helvetica letter "M" sign. The number of "M" letters indicates the size of the store and the different services available - "M" is usually a smaller grocery store, "MM" may be larger and sells other goods like clothing, and a "MMM" is a full department store with household goods and possibly electronics and sporting goods. Offers change weekly on Tuesdays.
• Coop — Also a cooperative. Emphasis on quality as well as multi-buy offers, points collection schemes and money off coupons. Sells many major brands. Come at the end of the day to get half-priced salads and sandwiches. Coop City is usually a department store with a Coop grocery store inside, a multi-floor layout provides space for clothing, electrical items, stationary, paperware as well as beauty products and perfume. Offers change weekly (some exceptions - fortnightly), on Tuesdays.
• Denner — A discount grocery store, noticeable for their red signs and store interiors. Relatively low priced. Offers change weekly, usually from Wednesday. Denner is owned by Migros.
• Coop Pronto — a convenience store branch of Coop, usually open late (at least 20:00) seven days a week. Usually has a petrol, filling-station forecourt.
• Manor — the Manor department stores often have a grocery store on the underground level.
• Globus — in the largest cities the Globus department stores have an upscale grocery store on the underground level.

Coop offers a low-price-line (Coop Prix-Garantie) of various products, and in Migros you can find the corresponding "M-Budget" products. Sometimes it's exactly the same product, just for cheaper price. They also offer cheap prepaid mobiles some of the cheapest call rates.

The German discounters Aldi and Lidl are also present in Switzerland. The prices are a little lower than at the other supermarket chains, but still significantly higher than in Germany.

Drink [ edit ]

Virtually all tap water – including that in households or hotel rooms – is perfectly drinkable, thoroughly and frequently monitored, and of excellent quality. About 85% of Swiss residents drink tap water daily; there is no need to buy drinking water. There are many drinking water fountains to be found, especially in towns and villages, e.g. in Zurich more than 1200, or in Basel about 170. The few exceptions, such as in train toilets, are clearly signed with "Kein Trinkwasser" (German), "Non potable" (French), or "Non potabile" (Italian). Temporarily installed troughs on mountain meadows used to water the cattle are also not suitable for drinking.

Soft drinks in supermarkets are one of the few things that aren't notably more expensive than elsewhere in Central Europe. Local specialties are the lactose-based soft drink Rivella and the lemon-flavoured Elmer Citro .

The drinking age for beer, wine and cider is 16, except in Ticino where the age is 18, while the age for any other alcohol (e.g. spirits, "alcopops", etc.) is 18. The public consumption of alcohol in Switzerland is legal, so do not be alarmed if you see a group of teenagers drinking a six-pack on public property or on public transport; this is by no means out of the ordinary and should not be interpreted as threatening.

Switzerland produces a surprisingly large amount of wine , with the climate and soil well-suited to many grape types. Very little of this wine is exported and is very reasonably priced in the supermarkets, so it is well worth trying! The Lake Geneva region is particularly famous for its wines, and the picturesque vineyards are worth visiting for their own right. However, wines are made throughout the country in Valais, Vaud, Ticino, Neuchâtel, the Lake Biel region, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Schaffhausen and even on the hills around Zurich and Basel – why not try a glass from your next destination?

Beer is also popular in Switzerland. Mass-produced German-style lagers from Feldschlösschen, Calanda and Cardinal are available throughout the country, but many locals prefer small, local breweries producing more interesting beers, and Brauerei-Kommpass (German only) is a good way to find these.

Kirsch is a clear, colorless and strong (typically 40-50% ABV) traditional Swiss liquor made by double-distilling cherries. A relative of the German Schnapps , traditional kirsch is not sweet and in fact retains virtually no cherry taste. It is typically drunk neat as a digestif after your meal.

Last but not least, while absinthe is often thought of as a French drink, it actually originates from Neuchâtel and only liquors produced in the surrounding Val-de-Travers region are allowed to use the name. Sickly green when poured, turning a milky white when water is added, this anise-flavored spirit flavored with wormwood is drunk with elaborate rituals involving slotted spoons and sugar cubes and was the favorite tipple of many artists including Vincent van Gogh. Notorious for its reputed psychoactive properties, it was banned across Europe for years, but it became legal again in 2005 and Kübler Absinthe is the best-known local brand.

Sleep [ edit ]

Most accommodation in Switzerland can now be found and booked through the major internet booking sites, even hotels and huts in remote areas. Even so, most tourist areas in Switzerland have a tourist office where you can call and have them book a hotel for you for a small fee. Each town usually has a comprehensive list of hotels on their web site, and it is often easier and cheaper to simply book directly with the hotel. Some hotels will request that you fax or email them your credit card information in order to secure a reservation. In general, hotel staff are helpful and competent, and speak English quite well.

As in most European countries, Switzerland offers a wide range of accommodation possibilities. These go from 5-star hotels to campgrounds, youth hostels or sleeping in the hay. Types of hotels in Switzerland include historic hotels, traditional hotels, inns located in the country, spas and bed and breakfasts.

Compared to other European countries, accommodation in Switzerland is in general amongst the more expensive. Hotel rates in Switzerland can get quite expensive, especially in popular ski resort areas and major cities.

The following prices can be used as a rule of thumb:

• 5-star-hotel: from Fr. 350 per person/night
• 4-star-hotel: from Fr. 180 per person/night
• 3-star-hotel: from Fr. 120 per person/night
• 2-star-hotel: from Fr. 80 per person/night
• Hostel: from Fr. 30 per person/night

The Swiss hotel stars are issued by the hotelleriesuisse Swiss Hotel Association . All members of hotelleriesuisse must undergo regular quality tests to obtain their hotel stars. On swisshotels.com you can find information on hotel stars, infrastructure and specialisations.

Tips are included with all services. For special efforts, a small tip, usually by rounding up the sum, is always welcome.

There is also a hostel network in Switzerland for students, the prices of Swiss Youth Hostels [dead link] are on the usual European level.

Learn [ edit ]

Bear in mind that living costs are very high. The Swiss authorities expect that you are able to spend Fr. 21,000 per year, and usually require respective approval in order to accept a visa application. While this is a lot, you will still live a very moderate student's life with this amount only.

Switzerland has some universities of world renown, like ETH in Zurich, IHEID in Geneva, University of Lausanne or the University of St. Gallen (also known as the HSG). If you can't speak either French, German or Italian, better go for a language course first — many courses require a very good command of the local language. Although there are a few courses taught in English, particularly at Masters level, Bachelor degree courses are almost all taught and examined in the local language. If you're a foreigner, and you want to go for popular subjects, you may have to pass entry-tests.

If you like cheaper learning, go for Migros Klubschule, who offer language courses in almost every language as well as a lot of different courses for many subjects; just have a look on their website . You may also want to try the different "Volkshochschule", which offer a large variety of subjects at very reasonable fees (such as the one in Zürich , for instance).

If you are looking for quality French courses for adults or juniors, you can learn French in Switzerland with ALPADIA Schools (formerly ESL Schools). You can also choose LSI (Language Studies International) and go for one of the many schools in their extensive network to learn French in Switzerland.

Work [ edit ]

Switzerland has long been regarded as a top destination for employment and career development. Foreign nationals make up a quarter of the population in Switzerland, and many of the world's most reputed companies and international organisations are based in the country. The Swiss government is keen to attract skilled immigrants and tackle staff shortages.

Although all that sounds impressive, Swiss immigration laws are very strict and stress the importance of integration into Swiss society. You are expected to adhere to local laws and customs, demonstrate some involvement in the community, and work towards having a good knowledge of the official language(s) of the canton you're residing in; Swiss society tends to take a dim view of foreigners who show little to no interest in integrating. If you're not prepared to do any of this, living and working in Switzerland are not for you.

Generally speaking, it is difficult for a third country national ― a citizen of a country that isn't a part of the EU, EFTA, or EEA ― to take up employment opportunities in Switzerland; a work permit will not be granted to them unless they can demonstrate that their background, skills, and professional experience can benefit the country's economic interests. As of 2021, citizens of the United Kingdom are considered third country nationals by the Swiss government.

Switzerland has an unemployment rate of about 3.3% (2015). The high level of Swiss salaries reflect the high costs of living, so you must spend a lot for accommodation and food when you negotiate your salary. In general, you nominally work 42 hours/week and have 4 weeks of paid holidays.

Switzerland has no general legal minimum salary. The salary depends on the industry you work in, with some industries, such as the restaurant and hotel industry, paying personnel a minimum of Fr. 3134 gross for a full-time job (purchasing power parity US$2100, August 2016) per month. This, however, is not far above the official poverty level. That is also one reason why eating out is not cheap in Switzerland. Overtime work is usually paid for low-level jobs, if not agreed otherwise in contract.

If you want to check the average salaries by industry or make sure you get paid the right amount, Swiss employees are heavily organised in trade unions SGB and always keen to help you. Should you have a problem with your employer, the respective union is a good place to look for help.

In February 2014, the Swiss people narrowly approved a referendum that requires the government to control immigration by use of quotas. Switzerland had previously made agreements with the European Union that allows citizens of (almost all) EU states to work in the country. Following the referendum, Switzerland and the EU agreed to a scheme that allows for certain jobs in certain regions to be made available first to residents of the country, no matter whether they are Swiss or foreigners. Therefore little in practice has changed following the referendum.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world as far as crime goes, but any place that attracts Rolex-wearing bankers and crowds of distracted tourists will also bring out a few pickpockets . Obviously, keep an eye on belongings, especially in the midst of summer crowds. Generally, you are safe anywhere at any time. If, for any reason, you feel threatened, seek a nearby restaurant or telephone booth. The emergency phone number in Switzerland is 112, and operators are generally English-speaking.

Switzerland has a reputation for orderliness and adherence to rules. If you see a sign or if you encounter an authority figure telling you not to do something, it's in your best interest to comply.

Women traveling alone should have no serious problems. The younger Swiss tend to be very open with public displays of affection – sometimes too open, and some women may find people getting too friendly especially in the wee hours of the club & bar scene. Usually the international language of brush-offs or just walking away is enough.

LGBT+ safety in public space is assumed, though explicit LGBT+ identifiers are not common outside of urban centers and dedicated spaces.

Swiss police take on a relatively unobtrusive air; they prefer to remain behind the scenes as they consider their presence potentially threatening to the overall environment. Unlike some more highly policed countries, officers will rarely approach civilians to ask if they need help or merely mark their presence by patrolling. However, police are indeed serious about traffic violations. Jaywalking or crossing a red pedestrian light, for example, will be fined on the spot. The upside to stringent traffic rules is that car drivers are generally very well-disciplined, readily stopping for pedestrians at crossings. Football games are the only notable exception to the above rule. Due to the potential threat of hooligan violence, these games (especially in Basel or Zurich) are generally followed by a large contingent of police officers with riot gear, rubber bullets and tear gas, in case of any major unrest.

Do not bribe or even attempt to bribe a Swiss police officer; bribery is an extremely serious offence that will land you in prison. Switzerland has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.

Switzerland has very strong Good Samaritan laws, making it a civic duty to help someone in need, although without unduly endangering oneself. People are therefore very willing and ready to help you if you appear to be in an emergency situation. The same applies to you if you witness anyone in danger. The refusal to help a person in need can be punishable by law as "Verweigerung der Hilfeleistung", i.e. refusal of aid. The general reservation of Americans to avoid entanglement with strangers due to possible future civil liability does not apply in Switzerland; it would be practically impossible to wage a civil suit against anyone providing aid.

In mountain areas, be sure to inquire about weather conditions at the tourist information office or local train station as you head out in the morning. They should be well-informed about severe weather conditions and will advise you about possible avalanche areas.

There have been problems with police assuming that any Black, East European or Arab person without an ID card or passport is an illegal immigrant, and treating them accordingly. That could be a considerable problem if you are travelling alone. Police have the legal right to ask you for your identification on any occasion, and, if you cannot show an ID card or passport, they are allowed to take you to the police station for identification purposes. So do as every Swiss does: have your ID card (or passport) with you, even though you are legally not obliged to.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Generally there is no problem with food and water in Switzerland. Restaurants are controlled by strict rules. Water is drinkable everywhere, even out of every tap, especially so of public fountains, unless explicitly marked with "Kein Trinkwasser", "Non potable" or "Non potabile". Do not drink from temporarily installed trough on a meadow in order to water the cattle served by the close-by brook.

There are many organic food products available in virtually every grocery store, labelled as Bio , and it is illegal to import and sell any genetically modified food.

Switzerland has a dense network of hospitals and clinics, and public hospitals will admit you in an emergency. There are also some 24 hour "permanence" clinics at major railway stations including Zurich, Basel and Lucerne which can provide treatment for non-urgent illness without an appointment. Treatment costs may quickly mount up, so you will require a travel insurance with a good level of coverage if you cannot pay these fees out of pocket.

Respect [ edit ]

The Swiss adhere to a robust set of values. They value and cherish cleanliness, integrity, world peace, organisation, and responsibility.

Communication styles vary from canton to canton, but generally speaking, the Swiss are comfortable with expressing their thoughts and ideas openly and clearly. German-speaking Swiss people tend to be more direct and formal than their French-speaking, Romansh-speaking, and Italian-speaking counterparts.

The Swiss are known for their privacy and the country has robust privacy laws. They are one of many reasons why many celebrities flock to Switzerland; their right to privacy is guaranteed.

Nosiness is not appreciated in Swiss culture. Do not ask a Swiss person about their background, personal convictions, or both unless you're well acquainted with them. Friendships and relationships are seen as serious affairs and the journey from acquaintanceship to friendship is often a long one.

While Switzerland is brimming with dazzling, majestic sights, it is both impolite and illegal to record or take pictures of someone unless they have given you permission. Be mindful of where you point your camera, always.

The Swiss value transparency and clarity and they have little patience for words "behind the lines". To them, your word is your bond. Don't say something if you don't mean it. Don't make promises you will not keep. Try not to give evasive answers such as "maybe", "later", "I'll see what I can do", or variations thereof; this all demonstrates unreliability, which is frowned upon in Swiss culture.

Sunday is considered a "rest day" in Switzerland. On Sundays, many shops and businesses close down. Try not to be very noisy or disruptive.

The Swiss underscore the importance of rules, structure, and order. For instance, Swiss municipalities have designated quiet hours and Swiss condominiums often have detailed house rules (e.g. permitted noise levels) that must be meticulously followed. Showing respect to the community is something the Swiss value a lot, so try to follow suit.

English is widely spoken in Switzerland, but any attempt to speak the local language is appreciated, even if you are replied to in English. It is always polite to ask if they speak the language before starting a conversation in English. Make an effort to at least learn "hello", "goodbye", "please", and "thank you" in the language of the region you will be travelling in. "I would like…" is also a phrase that will help you.

German, French, and Italian all have formal and informal forms of the word you , which changes the conjugation of the verb you use, and sometimes phrases. For example, the informal phrase don't worry about it in French is ne t'en fais pas and the formal is ne vous en faites pas. The formal is used to show respect to someone who is considered to be a superior, or simply any non-acquaintance. The informal is used with children and close friends and relatives. As a general rule, you should not use the informal with someone you do not know well unless they ask you to, or you are talking to a small child.

Friends kiss each other on the cheek three times – left, right, left – and it is a common custom when being introduced to someone in the French and German speaking parts. If it is a business related meeting, however, you just shake hands. Don't be shy – if you reject the advance it may appear awkward and rude on your part. You don't have to actually touch your lips to the skin after all, as a fake "air" kiss will do.

Littering is seen as particularly anti-social. In some cantons, there are fines for littering (about Fr. 40 to 80), and there are plans to make littering generally illegal, including heftier fines. Make sure that you put your recyclable litter in the correctly labelled bin, as some have special containers for paper and PET plastic. Some municipal bins have restrictions on the times they should be used to avoid excess noise!

Be punctual. That means no more than one minute late, if that! Unsurprisingly for a country that is known for making clocks, the Swiss have a near-obsession with being on time – the railway network even depends on a degree of punctuality some other countries would consider unachievable.

German-speaking Swiss tend to have negative views of Germany and Germans. In Switzerland, Germans are seen as loud, arrogant, impatient, and unwilling to integrate into Swiss society.

Use a polite circumlocution (for example, "please") when making a request; Swiss people consider it good manners.

It is disrespectful to assume a Swiss person's nationality based on their language or use terms that stereotype them. For example, do not call an Italian-speaking Swiss person an "Italian" or compare them to Italians in Italy.

Connect [ edit ]

Many of the internet cafes that have emerged in the 1990s have closed because Switzerland has one of the highest rates of high-speed internet connections in homes in the world, but there may be a few internet terminals in some large train stations. The tourist office should be able to direct you to the nearest one. The usual rate is Fr. 5 for 20 minutes.

The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) are now offering free Wi-Fi in some of their stations (usually the bigger ones) but you will need to verify your identity by receiving an SMS on your phone, which will then authenticate you for 12 months. Some providers will not work but a local SIM card can be used instead. The access is for 60 minutes and resets every two hours. On long-range trains, there should either be Wi-Fi or an option to connect with an App called SBB FreeSurf, but it requires a data plan compatible only with some Swiss providers (inside trains, the 60 minutes restriction decays).

Also, you can send email, SMS (text messages to cell phones) or short text faxes from just about every public phone booth for less than one franc. Some public phone booths allow you to browse the internet. There are many shopping centers and cities ( Lausanne and Vevey for example) that offer free wireless internet access: ask the young locals; maybe they know where to go.

The public phones are surprisingly cheap, and have no surcharge for credit cards. Some are even free to use (for example, in the city center in Zürich)

If you stay for some time, it may be advisable to buy a pre-paid cell phone card that you can use in any phone that supports the GSM standard on the 900/1800 MHz bands - they usually cost around Fr. 10-40 and are obtainable in the shops of the mobile service providers Swisscom, Salt or Sunrise in most cities. Mobile network coverage is close to 100% by area, even in the mountainous, non-populated areas.

There are also a lot of cheap prepaid cards for local calls from other providers. The prepaid cards of the big supermarket chains Migros ( M-Budget-Mobile ) and Coop ( Coop Mobile [dead link] ) for example cost around Fr. 20 and include already Fr. 15 airtime. The cheapest prepaid card for calls within Switzerland is Aldi Mobile : Fr. 0.14/min Switzerland fixed and Aldi mobile, Fr. 0.34/min other mobiles. The cheapest prepaid card for international communication is Yallo : Fr. 0.39/min within Switzerland and to all European and many more countries (to the mobile and fixed networks). This includes the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. SMS cost Fr. 0.10. The prepaid cards can be bought online (30 Fr. with Fr. 30 airtime inclusive), in most post offices (Fr. 29 with Fr. 20 airtime inclusive) or Sunrise shops (Fr. 20 with Fr. 20 airtime inclusive). Another prepaid card with cheap rates offers Lebara Mobile (sister company of Sunrise). The prepaid card is available for Fr. 5 with an equivalent talk time and recharge vouchers offer the talktime equivalent to the price of the voucher.

Due to a law introduced in 2018, a copy of an identity card/passport is required for buying or activating a local SIM card.

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14 things to know before going to Switzerland

May 5, 2024 • 7 min read

Use our local tips to ensure your Swiss vacation is unforgettable © emperorcosar / Shutterstock

Little did I know when I moved to Switzerland a decade ago that I’d still be here now. But with its supermodel looks, fine weather, easy-peasy public transport, multilingual mindset and penchant for cheese and wine, this is a country where it’s easy to get comfortable – even if things are a bit on the pricey side.

Get a taste of Swiss life for yourself with these top tips everyone should keep in mind before visiting Switzerland.

1. Prioritise what you want to see

It’s possible to drive the breadth of Switzerland in just a few hours, but this small country packs in a lot, from culture-rich cities and little mountain villages to epic alpine landscapes and vast lakes. Thanks to the smooth transport network, it’s all very accessible, allowing you to explore a city center in the morning, ride across a lake at lunchtime and be up a mountain come the afternoon. So whether you’re coming for a weekend-long city break, or taking your time to explore by train, car or bicycle, Switzerland suits the lot.

2. Pack for all weathers

Generally speaking, Switzerland is seasonally predictable, with hot summers and cold winters, but there are always exceptions to keep you on your toes. Violent storms on summer days can catch you off guard, while temperatures can plunge in the mountains at night even after a very hot day – snow isn’t uncommon at altitude in August. Prepare for all eventualities, and always pack a little more clothing than you think you’ll need if you’re exploring alpine areas. The federal weather service is a go-to for accurate local forecasts.

3. Download the SBB app and look for Supersaver tickets

The easiest way to buy train tickets is on the app provided by SBB/CFF/FFS , Switzerland’s rail service. Input your credit card details the first time you use it and then it’s just a couple of taps to buy any ticket. If you purchase on the day of travel, journeys are the same price throughout the day (i.e. no early bird or off-peak deals), but if you can plan in advance, search for Supersaver tickets that can shave a fair few francs off the price. Multi-day transport passes and day passes can also save you money.

4. Book hotels and mountain cabins well in advance

Switzerland’s a popular place, so accommodation gets booked up in advance. Always plan ahead, especially if you’re on a budget. That doesn’t just apply to cities and famous resort towns – even a dorm bed in a rustic cabin high in the mountains can be highly sought after in peak season. Don’t forget to pack a sheet sleeping bag, which is obligatory in most high-mountain cabins.

5. Be prepared to splash the cash

Everyone knows Switzerland is pricey. There are ways to travel frugally here, but it’s prudent to accept that certain things are unavoidably expensive. Even though it might hurt to shell out for food, accommodation and travel, it'll be worth it when you’re standing on top of a mountain taking photographs so achingly beautiful your friends will later say you’ve photoshopped it – trust me.

6. Don’t assume everyone is multilingual

When it comes to communication, Switzerland isn’t straightforward. Though the country has a distinct national identity, its four official languages – French, Swiss German, Italian and Romansh – divide the country into discrete linguistic areas. Though there’s some crossover in towns such as Biel/Bienne and Fribourg that straddle the language border, in rural areas the so-called röstigraben can be so stark that you might encounter a francophone village on one side of the border and a Swiss-German-speaking one five kilometers down the road. And while many Swiss are multilingual, don’t assume that everyone speaks each other’s language – many people are more likely to speak English than another Swiss national language.

7. Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Swiss German is not the same

German speakers may come to Switzerland thinking they’ll have no problems understanding the Swiss, but that may not be so. German – or Hochdeutsch , high German – is quite different to Swiss German, or Schweizerdeutsch , so even native German speakers might be left scratching their heads at times. Not only that, but Swiss German isn’t a single language – it encompasses various different dialects across the region. However, don’t despair if you greet someone with Grüezi (hello) only to get Grüessech in response – people will appreciate the effort, even if you get it wrong.

8. Remember what country you’re in

When discussing Switzerland’s language regions with a local, never refer to, for example, the "French" area – always say French-speaking or francophone. This is a proudly independent, neutral country and any suggestion that it is part of another nation does not go down well!

9. Call places by their local names

Likewise, you’ll make friends more quickly if you call things by their proper names, not their anglicized ones. Say Lake Geneva to a Lausanne resident and you’ll get a stern look and a pointed reply about Lac Léman. Likewise, Lake Lucerne is actually Vierwaldstättersee, and Lake Constance is Bodensee.

10. Tip if you want to, but it’s not obligatory

There isn’t a big tipping culture in Switzerland. Leaving 10% on top of the meal bill, if you’ve enjoyed a meal, will be very much appreciated but it’s not obligatory – and certainly not if you’ve only had drinks at a bar. Prices are high enough and salaries in the service industry are decent.

11. Drink wine with a fondue

Switzerland’s cheesiest dish comes with numerous etiquette rules – don’t double-dip, don’t drop your bread in the pot, never leave the crusty bit at the bottom ( la religieuese ) uneaten – but the most important rule must be: only drink wine with it (preferably a dry Swiss white like Chasselas, the country’s most widespread homegrown grape). It supposedly helps with digestion (see also: schnapps). Apparently drinking water would cause the cheese to solidify in your stomach. Or perhaps (evidently, if you ask me) it’s simply that the Swiss love drinking wine and use any excuse to do so.

12. Don’t buy bottled water – tap water is just as good

One of the greatest rip-offs in Switzerland must be bottled water. It’s expensive and buying it is wholly unnecessary since the tap water is just as tasty and abundantly available. Carry a reusable bottle and fill up wherever you can – including from the many fountains you’ll see in cities, towns and mountain villages all over the country. Unless otherwise stated, it’s drinkable and delicious. Despite this, don’t be surprised if restaurants grumble when you order tap water – apart from in the canton of Ticino , they aren’t legally obliged to provide it for free and some will either charge you, or refuse to serve it, if you don’t also order another drink.

13. Keep an eye on your bags when traveling from the airport

Switzerland is generally a safe, honest country, but it’s worth keeping an eye on your suitcases when you’re traveling on the train from the airport, as thieves sometimes see newly arrived tourists as prime targets. Sit near the luggage rack or put your bags on the shelf above your head.

14. Stay safe in the mountains – and watch out for cows

Part of the thrill of touring Switzerland is spending time in the mountains, but don’t underestimate the unpredictability of nature. Make sure you’re well equipped with good boots and suitable clothing in case the weather turns. Check the forecast and trail conditions before you set out, and abide by any local rules such as avoiding areas where there might be rockfalls or other hazards.

Ideally, tell someone where you’re going and when you’re likely to be back. Consult trail maps on Wanderland.ch and save 1414 – the emergency number for Rega , Switzerland’s air rescue service – in your phone just in case.

Oh, and if you see cows with calves in the fields, give them a wide berth – though rare, there have been instances of hikers being trampled by irate mother cows.

Here is more expert advice to help you plan your trip to Switzerland:

Save this guide to the best things to do in Switzerland.  Plan a road trip (or seven) with this guide. Check when is the best time to go  depending on your interests and budget. Give your wallet a break with these free things to do in Switzerland . And find out why you should take the train (plus other transport tips ) for Switzerland.

This article was first published Jun 9, 2023 and updated May 5, 2024.

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20 of the Best Places to Visit in Switzerland — From Quaint Villages to Glamorous Cities

From tiny medieval towns to iconic ski resorts, here are 20 of the best places to go in Switzerland.

OlyaSolodenko/Getty Images

When you close your eyes and think of Switzerland, what do you see? Is it snow-capped mountains? Perhaps a verdant valley punctuated by springtime wildflowers? Or maybe it's a quaint Swiss city filled with cultural attractions and world-class restaurants. No matter which vision comes to mind, all of them are right — because Switzerland is all that and more. 

"Switzerland is small, yet we have four official languages, and every single one of the 26 cantons (states) is unique and has something different to offer," Catja-Camilla Straub, a tour guide with GatyaGoes , shared with Travel + Leisure . "There are different ways to explore and experience Switzerland, and there is something for everyone's interests: the outdoors, activities, luxury, a large number of festivals, food, culture, and history." 

Straub isn't the only one to see the nation's remarkable beauty. "Switzerland can offer you all Europa has to offer in one country," Tim Wehrle, a tour guide and underwater archaeologist in Zurich, said. "From lonely mountain valleys to a Mediterranean flair in the south of Switzerland, from busy nightlife to historic town centers, you can find everything in Switzerland." 

Ready to see it all? Here are 20 of the best places to visit in Switzerland.

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“Zurich is a small gem with only 450,000 inhabitants, yet it's the largest and most vibrant city in Switzerland,” Straub shared. Zurich may be best known for its banking and shopping, but, as Staub noted, it “actually has a rich history dating back to the Romans.” Staub recommends seeing it all and learning everything you can on a walking tour with a local like her.

Mount Rigi Kulm

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Make your way to the top of Mount Rigi to get a view of three countries at once. The mountain, located between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug, offers views of Switzerland, France, and Germany at the top, which you can reach by taking a train or hiking all the way .

Lake Lucerne

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Lake Lucerne offers some of Switzerland’s most fantastic views. The glittering lake stretches on for 43 square miles, offering visitors the chance to hike around it, boat through it, or stay at any number of fantastic hotels lining its shores to enjoy the view. 

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Make your way about an hour northeast of Lake Lucerne to the town of Rapperswil , which sits on Lake Zurich. The town is known for its abundant roses in the spring and summer and for its medieval architecture, including its very own castle.

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History lovers, this one is for you. Ticino, a town in southern Switzerland, is home to not one but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Bellinzona castles and Monte San Giorgio. Come explore them all year long, dive in the lake in summer, or take to the mountains for a ski trip in winter. 

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Tucked between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, travelers can find the town of Interlaken . It’s well known as an adventure-lovers paradise, offering the chance to hike, ski, paraglide, skydive, and more through the majestic mountain range surrounding the town.

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Quinten , which sits on the shores of Lake Walen, is the place to be for those who love to see everything on foot. The entire community is car-free and offers spectacular views throughout its terraced neighborhoods lined with vineyards overlooking the Churfirsten mountain range.

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Want another car-free adventure? Head to the picturesque town of Appenzell in northeast Switzerland. The small community of just 7,000 full-time residents is known for its hand-made cheeses, best enjoyed with a picnic out in the rolling green pastures. 

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Montreux, positioned on the shores of Lake Geneva, is loved for its palm-lined promenade, castles, and gorgeous alpine vistas. It’s also the place to be over the summer when it hosts the annual Montreux Jazz Festival, which is worthy of planning an entire trip around.

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If you’re into cheese, you’ve likely heard the name Gruyère before. Visit its namesake town, located in southwest Switzerland, to dig into the cheese-making tradition and to visit its fairy-tale streets surrounded by a positively bucolic landscape.

Oeschinen Lake

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Explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Switzerland with a visit to the glacial Oeschinen Lake. Like many places in Switzerland, this lake comes flanked by snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows, and it offers more than its fair share of outdoor fun, including everything from hiking and biking to ice fishing in the winter.

Lavaux Vineyard

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Wine lovers will adore visiting Lavaux Vineyard, the nation’s largest contiguous vineyard area that goes on for nearly 2,000 acres. The vineyard is yet another one of Switzerland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which comes with the added bonus of gorgeous views and divine wine tastings .

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Want to feel like you’re on top of the world? Head to Stoos , a town located at 4,265 feet. The entire (car-free) town is adorable, but the coolest part is its funicular railway — which holds the record as the steepest on Earth — that takes guests some 2,400 feet high in under 10 minutes. 

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Find a little slice of luxury in St. Mortiz. The high-end town marries some of the best skiing in the world with some of the best shopping. It’s got glitz, glamour, and plenty of bona fides to back up its reputation as a winter sports heaven; St. Moritz hosted the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympic Games.

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Geneva, the second-largest city in Switzerland, is renowned for its international organizations like the United Nations European headquarters and the International Committee of the Red Cross. It’s also a spot where travelers can find luxuries galore, including high-end watch shops selling some of the most exclusive pieces on Earth.

Rhine Falls

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Feel the power of Mother Nature at Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall. Visitors can marvel at the thunderous waters from viewing platforms, and those feeling more adventurous can take boat trips for a closer experience. Just make sure to wear something waterproof.

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Zermatt , which sits in the shadow of the Matterhorn, is one more car-free village that combines rustic charm with high-end amenities, including some of the best skiing in Europe. Of course, guests can explore the mountains all spring, summer, and fall by hiking and biking, or just enjoy the town’s fantastic (year-round) shopping opportunities.

Bern, Switzerland's capital, offers an enticing mix of old and new. The city has retained much of its medieval architecture and cobblestone streets, now the setting for world-class dining venues, boutiques, and beer gardens, all worthy of visiting on your next trip.

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Find a little taste of Italy in Lugano, the largest Italian-speaking city in Switzerland (which counts Italian among its four official languages). The Swiss city offers more gorgeous promenades to stroll, along with delicious Italian-influenced restaurants and an art scene that can't be beaten. 

Swiss National Park

Get one more taste of Switzerland’s incredible natural beauty with a visit to Swiss National Park , located in the Engadin Valley. The park encompasses 68 square miles, making it a fantastic place to explore. While on a hike, see how many animals you can spot, including the park’s resident marmots, ibexes, and golden eagles.

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The ultimate Switzerland travel guide: everything you need to know

The ultimate Switzerland travel guide! Including all the necessary traveling to Switzerland tips, such as where to go, when to go, how to get around, what to eat, and how to travel on a budget.

Gabrielle Budget Travel With Gabby

Sep 04, 2023

Switzerland is arguably one of the most stunning countries in Europe . With dramatic alpine scenery, heartwarming local food, historic towns, and world-famous cities , Switzerland has something for everyone.

No matter where you go or what you are willing to do in Switzerland, you are bound to find gorgeous natural beauty, delicious chocolate and cheese, and efficient, easy-to-use public transport.

Switzerland is a welcoming country where the locals are happy and healthy. The country has maintained a neutral position in global affairs throughout history. As a result, peace, prosperity, and innovation thrive all throughout the country.

With this Switzerland travel guide, we will give an overview of the country and highlight some things you may need to know before traveling here.

In this Switzerland travel guide you can find:

• When to visit Switzerland

How long to go?

• Where to go in Switzerland?
• Brief summary of Swiss history
• Budget travel recommendations
• Where to stay
• Worldpackers work exchanges in Switzerland
• What to eat
• How to get around
• The best things to do in Switzerland

Now let’s get into all the details about your trip to Switzerland. Read on to learn about general trip planning advice, how to visit the country on a budget , examples of epic Worldpackers work exchanges, and more.

Why visit Switzerland?

Switzerland is a stunning country in Central Europe. It is safe, solo traveler-friendly , and incredibly scenic.

It doesn't matter what kind of travelers you are, you sure can find something that suits you: Adventurous travelers can ski or snowboard in the Alps, or test their limits with adrenaline-pumping activities in Interlaken. Those more interested in art and history can tour the castles, museums, and art galleries in cities like Basel or Geneva.

Public transport is very well-maintained and easy to follow , and many locals speak English as well. So if you ever get lost or have a hard time finding a place you want to go, it's easy to get back on track.

When to go?

There is no bad time to visit Switzerland ! It just depends on what you are looking for during your trip.

Many people flock to Switzerland to ski or snowboard in the Alps. If you’re looking for a holiday full of winter sports, then, of course, winter is the best time to go.

Between November and February, the snow season is at its peak . Skiing and snowboarding are incredible, and all of Switzerland looks like a winter wonderland.

If you’re looking for more outdoorsy activities like hiking, camping, waterfall rappelling, skydiving, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, or just some good old-fashioned sightseeing , you may want warmer weather.

Summer in Switzerland is stunning. The sun shines and the temperatures are warm between June and September . However, this is peak holiday season for Europeans, so many attractions are crowded. Flight prices also tend to go up.

The shoulder seasons of spring (March - May) or Autumn (September - November) are safe bets for visiting Switzerland. The prices of transport, tours, and accommodation drop, but the weather will still be pleasant.

So those wondering, “What is the best month to go to Switzerland?”, decide whether you want a ski holiday, a summer holiday, or a more affordable shoulder season holiday.

You can never spend enough time exploring Switzerland. As is the case with almost every country in the world, more time is better. The country isn’t that big, but there is so much to see and do, especially if you love adventure activities in nature.

If you only have 3-5 days to spare for your travels, I recommend picking one city to explore, such as Basel, Geneva, or Zurich . Spend a couple of days in the city, with maybe a day trip into nature or a day trip to a smaller local village.

Definitely spend at least one day in the Swiss Alps , which is arguably the most beautiful spot in the country.

Interlaken is a great tourist town to visit for exploring the Alps. From Interlaken, you can ski, snowboard, bike, hike, skydive, and more.

If you have more than a few weeks to spare, you can do a Worldpackers work exchange . This will allow you to work for accommodation, stretch your money out longer, and spend more time enjoying the country. If you have a month or more, you can really get a feel for the landscape and culture of Switzerland!

So to answer the question: “How many days is enough for Switzerland?”, I would say 7 days is ideal to start out with . One week is an amazing time frame for an introduction to Switzerland, as it will give you the chance to explore one or two cities, and see the Alps. 

Where to go?

There are so many amazing places to visit in Switzerland. Here is a quick overview of the best places to visit during your trip.

Basel: A city on the Rhine River in northern Switzerland near France and Germany. Often referred to as the Cultural Capital of the country.

Geneva: A city full of history, diplomacy, and natural beauty. Explore Lake Geneva, one of Europe’s oldest Old Towns, and see the headquarters of the UN.

The Matterhorn: An iconic peak of the Swiss Alps that is popular for hiking and sightseeing.

Bern: The capital city of Switzerland. Full of medieval architecture, fountains, gardens, museums, and unique landmarks.

Zurich: This is Switzerland’s largest city. It’s a popular place to fly into and begin your Switzerland travels. It’s great for shopping, museum-hopping, and taking day trips out into small villages and nature.

Switzerland National Park: A stunning area of natural beauty in eastern Switzerland, perfect for hiking and cross-country skiing.

Interlaken: A holiday resort town near the Alps, nestled between the two stunning lakes of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The perfect place to base yourself for adventure activities and skiing/snowboarding in the Alps.

Jungfraujoch: Also known as the “Top of Europe”, this is one of the top places to ski and snowboard in the Alps.

Lucerne: A beautiful, peaceful, historic town on a lake. Lucerne is known for music, art, museums, and its Old Town

There are so many more places to see, but those are some of the most popular places for tourists to see during their visit to Switzerland.

A summary of Swiss history

It is always helpful to know a bit about the local history when you visit any country.

The land that is present-day Switzerland h as been part of numerous different empires, including the Helvetians/Helvetic Celts, various Germanic tribes, and the Roman Empire.

Between the 1200s and the 1500s, the area was united by its ruling families to form the Swiss Confederation. The area remained stable even during the religious upheaval of the Protestant Reformation of the 1500s.

Because Switzerland is sandwiched between so many different cultures, languages, and religions, it quickly maintained a status of neutrality with the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648.

During centuries of conflicts between various religious groups and national groups, Switzerland stayed strong. They created a Federal State in the 1800s, loosely modeled after the US Consitution.

Even through both World Wars in the 1900s, Switzerland remained neutral and relatively unscathed, despite having French, German, and Italian influences within its borders.

The country rapidly developed and industrialized in the 1800s and 1900s, and now it is one of Europe’s most advanced and sophisticated countries . Its citizens have a high quality of life, and the United Nations European Headquarters is even located in Geneva.

The importance of staying neutral in global conflicts and maintaining peace and prosperity is one of the reasons why Switzerland is such an incredible country to visit or to live in.

Budget to travel to Switzerland

Switzerland is a pretty expensive country to visit. But it is possible to travel on a budget if you want.

For those wondering, “How much should I budget for a trip to Switzerland?”, let’s break down some of the average costs. Keep in mind, prices fluctuate based on season and current events. These are just general averages.

Prices will be listed in the local currency, CHF (Swiss Francs) . The conversion of CHF to US Dollars is roughly 1 to 1, so you could read these prices in USD and they would be similar.

Average costs of a:

• Meal in a restaurant: 10-15 CHF for lunch in a cafe or 20-30 CHF for dinner
• Beer in a bar or restaurant: 7 CHF
• Day pass for skiing in the Alps: 60-100 CHF
• Day tour from the city: 70-100 CHF
• Museum ticket: 20 CHF
• Train ride between cities: 20-50 CHF
• Dorm bed in a hostel: 30 CHF per night
• Room in a budget hotel: 80-100 CHF per night
• Room in a luxury hotel: 200 CHF per night or more

So taking all that into account, here is what a daily budget might look like depending on your travel style:

• Daily backpacker budget: 60-90 CHF
• Daily mid-range traveler budget: 150-180 CHF
• Daily luxury traveler budget: 250 CHF or more

Of course, everyone is different and you will have to plan your own travel budget based on your financial situation and your travel style.

Now that you have an idea of what things cost, we can get into more of the specifics about Switzerland travel.

Where to stay in Switzerland

Switzerland has accommodation options for every budget.

There are lots of awesome backpacker hostels around the country for those on a budget. Particularly in the big cities of Geneva, Bern, and Zurich, there are some great options. Touristy areas like Interlaken and Lucerne also have lots of hostels.

Hostels are great places to meet other travelers, especially if you’re traveling alone. The hostels in Switzerland are super modern, with great amenities, safe lockers to store your things, and helpful, friendly staff members.

For those with a bit more money to spend, hotels around Switzerland are plentiful. There are also plenty of Airbnbs, Bed and Breakfasts, and Guesthouses for those who want a more cozy, intimate experience .

Those looking to save even more money while traveling in Switzerland can consider a work exchange.

Worldpackers Work Exchanges in Switzerland

Volunteering with Worldpackers is an excellent way to spend your time in Switzerland.

Since you are working in exchange for accommodation, you can save money and get to stay in the country for free! This is huge because Switzerland is not a cheap country to visit.

Not only will you save money on accommodation, but you will also get the opportunity to live and work alongside locals and other travelers. This is an amazing way to meet people, learn new things, and immerse yourself in the culture .

Here are some examples of work exchanges you can do during your stay in Switzerland:

• Help at an eco-village 
• Volunteer at a co-living space in the mountains
• Help with marketing and sales in Zurich
• Help with renovation and carpentry

What to eat in Switzerland

Food in Switzerland is heavy and delicious. The most famous foods to try in Switzerland are definitely cheese and chocolate!

Swiss chocolate is world-famous , with Lindt and Toblerone being two of the most well-known brands. With a higher milk content than most other chocolates, Swiss Chocolate is incredibly rich and creamy. There are chocolate factories and chocolate shops all over the country, so definitely indulge!

Swiss cheese is a special type of alpine cheese that has lower acidity and lower salt content than other cheeses. Famous types of Swiss cheese include Emmenthal and Gruyère . You can buy them in any food store in Switzerland. Cheese is served in many forms in Switzerland, the most popular being fondue. Cheese fondue is something you have to try when you travel to Switzerland!

This big pot of melted cheese is served with bread and veggies that you can dip into the cheese. There are amazing restaurants all over the country where you can try traditional cheese fondue.

Besides cheese and chocolate, other must-try dishes in Switzerland include:

• Papet Vaudois: a warm dish of stewed leeks and potatoes with sausage on top
• Zopf bread: braided bread often served with jam and fruits
• Tartiflette: a baked dish of thinly sliced potatoes, bacon, onions, and chees
• Leckerli: sweet, sticky biscuits with hazelnuts
• Älpermagronen: A dish similar to macaroni and cheese with onions and potatoes

How to get around in Switzerland?

If you’re wondering how to travel in Switzerland, there are many ways to get around!

Public transport is plentiful here, and all the big cities and many smaller towns are well connected by train and bus .

Flights into Switzerland are easy and cheap from elsewhere in Europe . Zurich and Geneva are travel hubs, as are Bern and Basel. You can easily get a flight here when arriving in Switzerland.

You can take domestic flights within the country , though they are expensive.

Switzerland isn’t that big, so the best way to travel to different cities within the country is by train or bus . For example, a train from Geneva in the west of the country to Zurich in the north is only about 3 hours.

Trains are the fastest and most efficient way to travel between cities . Buses are a bit slower and cheaper. Buses are preferred for shorter journeys between smaller towns.

Renting a car is another option. The roads are easy to drive and well-maintained, though renting a car is still more expensive than public transport.

So for getting around Switzerland, you should be all taken care of by train or bus!

Best things to do in Switzerland

Here are some of the top activities to add to your Switzerland itinerary!

Ski or snowboard in the Alps

If you love to ski or snowboard, you’ll be in heaven in the Swiss Alps! Jungfraujoch is one of the top places to hit the slopes. Head to the town of Grindelwald and then take the train up from there.

Explore Geneva

Geneva is one of Switzerland’s most spectacular cities. Explore the interesting museums, walk through the Old Town, and enjoy the views on the shores of Lake Geneva. Book a boat tour of Lake Geneva for more incredible sightseeing.

Visit Chillon Castle

This gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Geneva is one of the best castles to see in Switzerland . Tour the massive castle grounds and admire the lakeside views.

Kayak on Lake Brienz

Just next to Interlaken is Lake Brienz, one of the two alpine mountain lakes that give Interlaken its name (“Between The Lakes”). This turquoise-blue lake is perfect for kayaking!

See Oberhofen Castle

Located on the shores of Lake Thun next to Interlaken, the amazing medieval Oberhofen Castle is one of the most photographed sights in Switzerland .

Enjoy the views in Lucerne

This lakeside city is one of the most scenic places in the country. Enjoy the art, museums, architecture, and lakefront promenades . If you can, try to attend the Lucerne Festival, one of the world’s top international classical music festivals.

Go wine tasting

Switzerland has some amazing wineries scattered around the country where you can tour vineyards and taste local wine. Geneva, Vaud, The Three Lakes Wine, Valais, and Ticino are some of the country’s best wine regions.

See Rhine Falls

This is probably Switzerland’s most famous waterfall . Head to the nearby town of Schaffhausen and walk to the falls from there, or book a boat tour and get up close.

Hike Mount Pilatus

Near Lucerne is Mount Pilatus, a beautiful mountain where you can hit the trails and hike up to incredible viewpoints over the Alps . You can also take the cable car up if you’re not up for hiking.

Go on a scenic train ride

Europe has an extensive train network, and you can see some of the best scenery by train. Switzerland has some amazing train journeys where you can see the best of the landscape and countryside . The Bernina Express is one of the most popular train journeys, as is the train ride up to Jungfrau Railway.

Hike up to the Matterhorn

The massive, jagged peak of the Matterhorn is one of the most epic hikes you can do in Europe . You can also take the cable car up.

Try adventure sports in Interlaken

Interlaken is the Adventure Capital of the country, and there are so many fun ways to get the adrenaline pumping here. Go bungee jumping, sky diving, canyoning, waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting, paragliding , and more.

Thanks for reading this Switzerland travel guide!

Hopefully, we’ve answered some of your top questions and helped you figure out how to travel and what to do in Switzerland.

Whether you’re on a backpacker budget or willing to fully indulge, there is so much beauty, culture, and history to be discovered in Switzerland!

Want to learn more about planning your trip? By subscribing to the WP pack plan you have unlimited access to +120 courses at Worldpackers Academy, the travel school made by travelers! 

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Gabrielle Boucher

Budget Travel With Gabby

Hello! I am a 25 year old from the USA with a knack for traveling on a budget. I fell in love with traveling while studying in Europe, and that love grew even more when I started volunteering abroad in South America. Since then, I've worked odd jobs and volunteered all over the globe while cultivating passions for hiking, wildlife photography, food, wine, animals, permaculture, and more!

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Apr 21, 2023

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Best places to visit in switzerland.

Switzerland is known around the world for its chocolate, cheese, charming towns and scenic landscapes . Everywhere you turn, you're treated to a little bit of history and a little bit of nature's beauty, as well as plenty of mouthwatering cuisine in between. U.S. News considered factors like sights, culture, accessibility and variety of things to do, plus traveler and expert input, to calculate the best places to visit in Switzerland. Peruse the list below, and vote for your favorite spots.

Appenzell District

Jungfrau region.

Interlaken's unique location between two lakes – Lake Brienz and Lake Thun – makes it a breathtaking spot for a vacation. Here, you can spend hours hiking various trails, taking in the castle-studded shores of Lake Thun on a boat cruise or gazing at the surrounding mountains from the Harder Kulm observation deck (accessible via a funicular). To see more of the region's stunning scenery, go for a ride on the Schynige Platte Railway or sign up for a paragliding or skydiving excursion.

Travelers looking to ski or snowboard in the Swiss Alps should head to Zermatt. This small, car-free town in the middle of the Alps is famous for housing one of the world's most famous attractions — the Matterhorn (a peak so popular that it inspired a Disneyland ride) — and Switzerland's highest ski resort. Novice and expert skiers and snowboarders can spend the bulk of their vacation hitting the slopes, which showcase incredible mountain views. After shredding powder, visitors can ride the Gornergrat train, pick up a slab of homemade chocolate from a local shop or savor cheese fondue at a traditional Swiss restaurant.

Picturesque Lucerne sits on Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland, framed by snowcapped mountains and medieval buildings. This beautiful city's old town is home to historic attractions, lively town squares, boutique shops and old churches. Top attractions include the Musegg Wall and its towers (the preserved fortifications date back to the 13th century) and Europe's oldest wooden covered bridge, the must-see Chapel Bridge, which was originally built in the 1330s. Those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure can also ride a cable car to Mount Pilatus for stunning views of Lake Lucerne and plenty of activities at the top.

This lakefront city on the Swiss-Italian border offers visitors a unique travel experience. Because Lugano shares waters with neighboring Italy, the city features a mix of Swiss and Mediterranean influences in everything from its cuisine to its architecture. Plus, Lugano boasts unforgettable panoramas. Visit Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, both of which you can reach by funicular, for bird's-eye views of Lake Lugano and the city. Or, spend a few hours hiking the Olive Grove Trail or strolling the gardens of Ciani Park. If you'd rather lounge on a beach, head to Lido di Lugano.

Zurich is a cosmopolitan financial center, a foodie haven and a romantic European city that appeals to all types of travelers. A vacation here should include spending time admiring Lake Zurich, exploring the trendy bars and Michelin-starred restaurants, meandering through Lindenhof park and exploring the city's distinct neighborhoods. Join well-heeled shoppers (or just admire the window displays) on Bahnhofstrasse, a world-famous exclusive retail boulevard. While here, be sure to sample the famous dark chocolate Champagne truffles from specialty chocolatier Teuscher.

Visit the medieval town of Gruyères if you want to feel as if you've stepped back in time during your next trip. Its good looks (think: car-free cobblestone streets, fountain-filled squares and a 13th-century castle) create an old-world ambiance you're bound to love. Plus, the town is world-renowned for its Gruyère cheese, which you can sample and learn more about at a local cheese dairy or cellar. Sampling chocolate is also a must-do here, so be sure to check out a chocolate factory or attend a chocolate workshop while in town.

Like its neighbor Lugano, Locarno is located in the Ticino region near the Italian border. This quiet, small town is surrounded by stunning scenery (it sits on the shores of Lake Maggiore in the foothills of the Alps), and since it's the warmest destination in Switzerland, you'll have plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and explore. Be sure to stroll through the picture-perfect main square, Piazza Grande, where the city hosts several summer festivals, and trek to Madonna del Sasso, considered sacred among Roman Catholics. Then, head to the Verzasca river valley to swim or bungee jump.

Appenzell captures the essence of Switzerland with rolling hills, a car-free village and well-preserved customs. Visitors can take in the scenic landscape of the Appenzell District (located in the northeastern part of the country) by taking a cable car to the oft-photographed Aescher guest house, picturesquely built into the rock face, or hiking the region's "experience trails" like the Gonten Barefoot Trail and Appenzeller Kapellenweg, which weaves past 11 chapels. Meanwhile, the tiny village of Appenzell boasts quaint, frescoed shops and Museum Appenzell, which highlights the region's traditional crafts, folk music and art.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a small town that boasts more charm and incredible scenery than Brienz. Located in the stunning Bernese Oberland region, Brienz sits on the northeastern shore of Lake Brienz, which features gorgeous turquoise water and is flanked by towering evergreen mountains. Some of the best ways to soak up the awe-inspiring setting include strolling picture-perfect Brunngasse (often proclaimed the most beautiful street in Europe), riding the Brienz Rothorn Bahn (which traverses a steam rack railway) and taking a boat tour to lake attractions like Giessbach Falls.

Set along the banks of crystal-clear Lake Geneva in western Switzerland, this city is known for its incredible views and as the headquarters of the Red Cross and the United Nations. Geneva is also home to some iconic sights, including the Jet d'Eau (one of the world's tallest water fountains) and an old town with cobblestone streets and picturesque squares. While exploring the latter, be sure to check out the Saint Pierre Cathedral, which features Roman, Gothic and neoclassical details.

The capital of Switzerland, Bern sometimes gets overlooked for flashier Swiss cities like Zurich and Geneva. But Bern holds many charms, including an old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) featuring the iconic Zytglogge clock tower, Renaissance-style fountains and a Gothic cathedral with the highest spire in Switzerland. The city also boasts many museums – several dedicated to Albert Einstein, who lived in Bern when developing his theory of relativity. Head to Gurten mountain – which you can reach by funicular, by bike or on foot – for sweeping views of the city below.

As the largest ski area in central Switzerland, Engelberg is a winter playground, with a long, snowy season for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and sledding. But don't sleep on a summertime visit here; warmer months allow for a bevy of fun family activities like a toboggan run, 300-plus miles of hiking trails and water activities on Trübsee lake. Regardless of when you visit, you won't want to miss the TITLIS Rotair, a revolving cable car that takes riders up Mount Titlis, and the other cable lifts that stop at a glacier cave, a panoramic restaurant, and the TITLIS Cliff Walk.

Considered "the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism," St. Moritz welcomes travelers with world-class skiing, swanky hotels, renowned après-ski offerings and top-notch restaurants. In addition to offering downhill skiing trails so highly regarded that the town has hosted the Olympics twice, St. Moritz features excellent spots for cross-country skiing, sledding and winter hikes. Come summertime, the area invites outdoor lovers to golf, bike, hike or enjoy water sports and swimming in the surrounding lakes.

The Jungfrau Region is the perfect place for first-timers wanting to experience the otherworldly splendor that is the Swiss Alps. But be forewarned: The destination is sky high. Popular attractions like the Jungfraujoch (which features Europe's highest train station), the Grindelwald-First cable car and the First Cliff Walk Presented by Tissot sit at the top of towering peaks. The innovative Eiger Express gondola offers even faster transport to the top (just 15 minutes from Grindelwald). For those who'd rather stick closer to Earth's surface, prioritize a hike on a lower-level valley path and a visit to the Pfingstegg toboggan.

Tourists may not be as familiar with Montreux as they are with its Lake Geneva neighbors, which makes this Swiss town such an undiscovered gem. Quaint Montreux features a waterfront promenade dotted with flowers and trees, a medieval castle and a charming old town, not to mention a statue commemorating Freddie Mercury (Queen recorded multiple albums here from 1978 to 1995). Montreux is also surrounded by vineyards and hosts a popular open-air jazz festival every summer, while the holiday season brings the festive Montreux Noël market.

Located less than 5 miles from Montreux, Vevey is another Lake Geneva gem. This town's picturesque promenade along the lake is filled with flowers and features a sculpture of Charlie Chaplin, who spent the last 25 years of his life in Vevey. The Alimentarium, a nutrition-focused museum, also adorns the shoreline with its beautiful sandstone building, which once served as the headquarters to Nestlé (the company is still based in Vevey). After admiring the town, visitors can take a cog railway to the scenic Les Pléiades vantage point for its stunning views and the astronomy-centric Astropléiades trail.   

The second-largest city on Lake Geneva, Lausanne is characterized by its renowned Gothic cathedral and surrounding hilly terrain. The stunning lake views and colorful city center don't hurt, either. Travelers can take in Lausanne's lively atmosphere by checking out the city's cafes, admiring the old town's beautiful architecture and perusing the exhibits at the Olympic Museum. No visit would be complete without venturing outside the city to nearby Lavaux, where you can enjoy wine from vineyards that are so scenic and well-preserved (some date back to the 11th century), the area was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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17 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Switzerland

Written by Becca Blond and Joni Sweet Updated Mar 20, 2024

Switzerland's natural beauty is as addictive as its mouthwatering chocolates – one taste and you'll be left craving more. Whether you are on the hiking trails outside Zermatt, laying eyes on the iconic Matterhorn for the first time, or marveling at the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains schussing down a ski trail beginning atop the Jungfraujoch, Switzerland seduces quickly.

This landlocked central European country is home to two mountain ranges, the Alps in the south and the Jura in the northwest. But Switzerland's natural attractions don't stop with peaks and glaciers. You'll also find glimmering turquoise lakes, emerald valleys where tingling bell-wearing cows and sheep graze, charming chalets, and flower box-filled villages that look ripped from the pages of a fairytale storybook.

Amid all this natural beauty are also some fantastic urban diversions and places to visit. With four official languages (French, German, Italian, and Romansch), Switzerland has a multicultural sophistication to its cities, which all offer something different when it comes to history and culture.

French speaking Geneva is home to four major offices of the United Nations and has a large international population. German speaking Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and financial center, known for its shopping, museums, and nightlife. The capital city of Bern boasts a medieval old town with a famous moving puppet clock tower and a stunning riverfront locale.

Switzerland is a four-season destination with countless things to do for outdoor adventurists. In winter you can partake in snow sports at world-class resorts, while summers are perfect for hiking, biking, climbing, and paragliding.

Getting around Switzerland is easy. Although you can rent a car and drive, we recommend utilizing its excellent train system that goes almost everywhere in the country. Trains are fast, mostly on time, and allow you to just sit back and soak up the stunning scenery.

Explore in more depth by checking out our list of top attractions and places to visit in Switzerland

1. The Matterhorn

3. jungfraujoch: the top of europe, 4. interlaken, 6. lake geneva, 7. chateau de chillon, montreux, 8. st. moritz, 10. lake lugano and ticino, 12. the rhine falls, 13. swiss national park, 14. the albula/bernina railway line, 15. oberhofen castle, 16. swiss grand canyon, 17. gruyères, best time of the year to visit switzerland.

You'll never forget the first time you see Switzerland's most symbolic mountain, the Matterhorn. Maybe you arrive in the charming village of Zermatt, at its base , on a clear blue day and the 4,478-meter high , tooth-shaped mountain looms clearly in front of you. Or maybe it is spitting rain when you first set foot in the car-free town, and it isn't until the next morning that you witness the emblematic peak emerging from a sea of dissipating clouds. Whichever way you first see this legendary mountain, it will remain seared into your memory for years to come. It's that impressive.

One of the highest mountains in the Alps, the Matterhorn sits on the border with Italy. It has four steep faces rising to its craggy tip. Climbers have been intrigued by this mountain from the first successful summit in 1865 by British climber Edward Whymper and his team. The trip still ended tragically when four of the climbers fell to their deaths during the descent.

Today, thousands of experienced climbers come here in a summit bid each summer. There are several routes to the top of this mountain, which is not accessible by cable car. The easiest route is the Hörnligrat, which begins in Zermatt.

Things to Do at the Matterhorn

If you don't have the skills to summit the Matterhorn, there are still plenty of ways to experience the mountain. One top excursion is to ride the Gornegrat Bahn cog railway to the summit of the 1,620-meter Gornergrat mountain for stunning Matterhorn views. Europe's highest open-air cog railway, and the first fully electric train of its kind, departs from Zermatt station multiple times per day.

The ride itself is also bound to leave you speechless. Taking 33 minutes and climbing 1,469 meters it crosses dramatic bridges, passes turquoise-hued mountain lakes, and at times clings to the side of the mountain with views down into rocky ravines.

Once you reach the mountaintop, you'll find an observation deck with views in all directions including a view of Switzerland's highest mountain and the second biggest glacier in the Alps. Keep an eye out for wild ibex near the viewing platform in summer.

Europe's highest-altitude hotel, the Kulmhotel Gornegrat is also here. Besides lodging, it has a restaurant and shops open to the public. There is excellent hiking in summer, while Switzerland's highest sledding hill provides winter fun.

At the foot of the Matterhorn, lies the charming village of Zermatt, a top international resort that is one of the most popular ski destinations in Switzerland , and a hiking, biking, and climbing paradise in summer.

Laid out along just a few main streets with a surreal-looking blue river running through it, motorized vehicles except for official electric taxis are banned to preserve the air quality and the town's peaceful ambiance.

Zermatt can also only be reached via helicopter (very pricy) or the Matterhorn Gotthard railway via the towns of Visp or Brig. If you drive to the region, you'll need to park your car down the valley in the town of Tasch, and then continue by train. As such, staying in Zermatt truly feels like you hiked into a remote mountain paradise.

In the winter, skiers can play on more than 300 kilometers of slopes accessed via a funicular and the Blauherd and Rothorn gondolas. In the summer, these slopes turn into hiking and mountain biking trails.

The Five Lakes Trail is one of the most popular hikes, beginning at the top of the Blauherd gondola and eventually taking you back to town via a series of five lakes, three of which you can see the reflection of the Matterhorn in on a clear, windless day. If you want to paraglide, this is also available.

Back in town, you'll find dozens of shops, restaurants (order Raclette, a cheese and potato dish that is a regional specialty), and hotels. If you are interested in history, pay a visit to the Matterhorn Museum , which tells the story of the mountain village turned international holiday resort. It also provides facts and photos from the Matterhorn's first ascent.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Zermatt & Easy Day Trips

Since 1912, tourists have been making their way to the fairytale-like village of Grindelwald for an excursion to the Top of Europe (also known as Jungfraujoch). As its name suggests, it's the highest train station in Europe.

It offers panoramic views of the UNESCO-recognized Jungfrau region that will make your jaw drop. The Sphinx Observatory, an astronomical observatory that looks like a Bond villain lair perched 3,454 meters above sea level, is the best place to see the magnificent Aletsch Glacier and the 4,000-meter peaks that flank it. With snow 365 days per year, it's also a prime spot to get a break from Europe's heat in the summertime.

This famous attraction has come a long way in the last 100 years, giving tourists lots of things to do at the top. Step into the 360-degree cinematic experience room for a closer look at the glacier and the Swiss Alps (perfect for ensuring you still get a wonderful view on a foggy day). Walk through a 250-meter-long corridor with artifacts and exhibits on the history of the miners who built the railway to Jungfraujoch—the antique mining equipment hanging on the walls will give you a deeper respect for these early pioneers.

Peek inside a giant snow globe that depicts the region with charming moving figures, like yodelers and gondolas. Then, glide through the Ice Palace. Frozen from floor to ceiling, it features smooth, icy hallways filled with ice sculptures of animals, including several penguins around an igloo.

Jungfraujoach's highly sustainable cable car, the Eiger Express , shortened the journey between Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch from 45 minutes to just 15 minutes when it opened in late 2020. That makes it possible to summit the Top of Europe on a day trip from Interlaken or even Zurich, but if you have time, it's worth sticking around Grindelwald to hike for a few days .

The trails here are among the most beautiful in the world and most trailheads are easily accessible through the town's network of cable cars and gondolas. The aptly named Panorama Trail takes you along paths lined by wildflowers with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, while the Grindelwald First cable car station puts you on the path to the world-famous Bachalpsee lake.

You can also break up your days of hiking with adventure activities. Grindelwald First is home to a zip line that soars at 80 kilometers per hour and a mountain cart attraction that lets you race down winding gravel paths, plus a trail you can tackle on a "trottibike"—a unique cross between a scooter and a bike that's surprisingly fast.

Nestled on a strip of land between two glassy lakes, Interlaken looks like a postcard brought to life. The enchanting resort town has been a popular vacation destination for centuries, giving tourists a home base to explore the Bernese Oberland. Visit in the spring or summer to take in the striking sight of the town's lush gardens blooming with the snow-dusted Eiger, Jungfrau, and Mönch towering in the background.

Interlaken's proximity to Lake Thun to the west and Lake Brienz to the east, along with soaring alpine mountains, has helped it become the "Adventure Capital of Europe" —and it offers thrills for any taste.

Want to hike? Take a 10-minute ride on the Interlaken Harderbahn, a funicular railway that's more than 100 years old, to the Harder Kulm (Interlaken's closest mountain). A brick path lined with quirky Swiss statues takes you to the trailhead for the Harder Kulm Circular Path , a relatively easy, forested path that opens up to panoramic views of Interlaken.

From mountainside slopes, you can also take the sky on a paragliding adventure in the summer, or slip on a pair of skis and zip down fresh powder in one of five winter sports areas around Interlaken. It's also a lovely place to get out on the water. Rent kayaks, row boats, and pedal boats for a serene experience on the lakes. Or challenge yourself to wakeboarding, windsurfing, or water skiing.

The beautiful part about Interlaken, though, is that it's as much a place for excitement as it is for a laid-back retreat. Once you've gotten your share of adrenaline, wind down with a stroll on the Höheweg , Interlaken's main boulevard, or find a moment of peace at the Garden of Friendship, the country's first Japanese garden.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Interlaken & Easy Day Trips

Imagine a sparkling blue lake surrounded by mountains, a car-free medieval old town, covered bridges, waterfront promenades, frescoed historic buildings, and sun-splashed plazas with bubbling fountains. No wonder Lucerne (in German, Luzern) is a top spot for tourists.

Famed for its music concerts, this quintessential Swiss town lures renowned soloists, conductors, and orchestras to its annual International Music Festival . The Culture and Convention Center is home to one of the world's leading concert halls.

One of the city's most famous landmarks is the Chapel Bridge , built in the 14th century. In a small park, lies the famous Lion Monument , a poignant sculpture of a dying lion, which honors the heroic death of Swiss Guards during the attack on the Tuileries in the French Revolution. History buffs will enjoy the Swiss Transport Museum with extensive exhibits on all forms of transport, including air and space travel, railroad locomotives, and a Planetarium.

For beautiful views of Lucerne, the Alps, and the lake, ride the funicular to the Dietschiberg on the north side of Lake Lucerne; cruise up Mt. Pilatus on the cableway; or head to the Rigi , a famous lookout point.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Lucerne

Lake Geneva, Europe's largest Alpine lake , straddles the Swiss/French border, and laps at the shores of some of Switzerland's most popular cities. The city of Geneva (in French Genève; in German Genf) sits between pretty snowcapped peaks at the point where the Rhône spills into Lake Geneva.

This French-speaking "capital of peace" is the European seat of the United Nations and exudes a pleasing blend of French joie de vivre and Swiss structure. Promenades, parks, and gardens surround the lake, and the old town is a lovely spot to stroll among the historic buildings. The Jet d'Eau , a fountain in Lake Geneva shooting water 150 meters into the air, is a famous landmark. Cultural attractions include the Opera House and the Grand Théâtre , which stages international acts.

Also on the lake, about 62 kilometers from Geneva, Lausanne boasts lovely views over the surrounding region and the lake, with the Alps rising in the distance. Take a stroll through the medieval old town with its cute cafés and boutiques and stunning Gothic cathedral. At the foot of the Alps, on Lake Geneva, Montreux hosts the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival in June/July.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Geneva

On the shores of Lake Geneva, near Montreux , the Chateau de Chillon (Chillon Castle) has inspired artists and writers for centuries. Lord Byron, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and Victor Hugo are among the luminaries who have written about this architectural treasure.

Once the stronghold of the Counts and Dukes of Savoy from the 12th century, the complex encompasses about 25 buildings clustered around three courtyards. Highlights include the Great Halls, with magnificent views of Lake Geneva; the Gothic underground rooms; the Chapel , adorned with 14th-century paintings; and the Camera Domini , a bedroom occupied by the Duke of Savoy decorated with medieval murals.

St. Moritz is a city of firsts. The world's first electric light clicked on here in December 1878. In 1889 it hosted the Alps' first golf tournament and in 1935 began operating one of Switzerland's first ski lifts. Additionally, the town is considered the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism after a hotelier convinced British summer guests to winter here in 1864. It went on to host the Winter Olympics twice (1928 and 1948).

In the Upper Engadin region in southeast Switzerland, in a valley surrounded by the Alps, today it is one of the world's most ritzy ski resorts , favored by billionaires and celebrities. It has 350 kilometers of ski and snowboard runs with some of Switzerland's steepest terrain.

Winter sports run the gamut, from skiing, snowboarding, skating, and bobsledding to tobogganing. One of the oldest natural ice runs for toboggans on the planet is found here, the famous 1.2-kilometer-long Cresta Run . There is also a snowboard fun park and 150 kilometers of winter walking and cross-country ski trails.

In summer, St. Moritz attracts hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and rock climbers. If you prefer to golf, you can play four courses with fantastic mountain views. You can also enjoy the iron-rich natural mineral hot springs here year-round. They were discovered about 3,000 years ago.

Adding to all this spectacular mountain scenery, St. Moritz is a cultural crossroads. Romansch, German, Italian, French, and English are all spoken in the surrounding areas, not to mention the different languages of the many well-heeled international visitors and expats.

The town is divided into two parts: St. Moritz Dorf sits on a sunny terrace overlooking the Lake of St. Moritz. The other part of town, lakeside St. Moritz Bad on the valley floor, is a health resort with less expensive lodging.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in St. Moritz & Easy Day Trips

In a stunning location, perched on a peninsula of the River Aare, the Swiss capital of Bern exudes old-world charm, and the city's medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling along the cobbled streets, visitors can explore the tallest cathedral in Switzerland, with panoramic views from its tower; 16th-century fountains; the Zytglogge medieval clock tower with moving puppets; and six kilometers of shopping arcades, called " Lauben " by the locals. The Rose Garden (Rosengarten) offers beautiful views of the old town center.

Bern has many tourist attractions waiting to be discovered, including excellent museums. Art lovers will appreciate the impressive galleries, including the Zentrum Paul Klee, the world's largest collection of works by this famous artist, and the Bern Museum of Art (Kunstmuseum).

Don't miss the markets, held in the Bundesplatz (parliament square) with views of the elegant Renaissance-style parliament building (Bundeshaus). Families will also enjoy a visit to the Bear Park.

Lake Lugano lies on the Swiss/Italian border in Ticino, Switzerland's only official Italian-speaking canton, and offers a tantalizing taste of the Mediterranean. Citrus, figs, palms, and pomegranates flourish in the mild climate here–even as snowcapped peaks beckon in the distance.

In the towns around Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore to the west, the feel of Italy is unmistakable in the architecture, the piazzas, and the passion for fine food, which spills over the Italian borders from the south, east, and west.

Visitors can explore the area by touring the lake on one of the white steamers or renting a boat. For a panoramic overview, Monte San Salvatore offers one of the most spectacular vistas of the surrounding countryside, lake, and snow-capped peaks.

Lugano , a financial center and the largest and most significant town in Ticino, is a popular summer resort. Northwest of Lugano, in sun-drenched Locarno on Lake Maggiore, Swiss lakeside living takes on a subtropical touch with warm days, blossoming gardens, and palm-studded estates. In Bellinzona , capital of the canton, three magnificent castles are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Lugano, Locarno, and the Ticino Region

Zurich is Switzerland's largest city, a major transportation hub, and a top starting point for travelers. The city lies at the northwestern end of Lake Zurich astride the river Limmat. Beyond its buttoned-up façade, this affluent banking capital boasts a rich line-up of cultural treasures.

A great place to begin a walking tour is the cobbled streets of the Old Town with its quaint shops, cafés, and galleries. Mile-long Bahnhofstrasse , one of Europe's finest shopping strands, beckons with designer stores selling fashion, watches, and jewelry.

Venturing away from the boutiques, visitors will find more than 50 museums and 100 art galleries, as well as many other tourist attractions . A top pick is the Kunsthaus Zürich , the museum of fine arts, with an impressive collection of art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Another favorite is the Rietberg Museum , which focuses on non-European art with many works from China, India, and Africa.

A short stroll from Zürich's main station, the Swiss National Museum , in a Gothic chateau, spotlights Swiss cultural history. Families will love the Zurich Zoo with an elephant park, penguin parade, and Madagascar pavilion. From the city, take a train ride to Uetliberg Mountain for panoramic views of the city and countryside.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Zürich

Spanning 150 meters, the Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) at Schaffhausen are the largest falls in Europe. The best time to visit is during June and July when the mountain snow melts, and the falls swell in volume to spill over a 21-meter-high ledge of Jurassic limestone.

Boat trips up the Rhine provide excellent views of the falls, as do the viewing platforms on both sides of the river.

Founded in 1914, Swiss National Park in the Engadine Valley is the oldest reserve in the Alps. The park sits right on the border with Italy and encompasses more than 170 square kilometers of flower-dotted hollows, fast-flowing rivers, and limestone crags. The scenery is especially dramatic in winter when the forested mountains are covered in a blanket of snow, and the views from the cross-country ski trails are stunning.

Nature lovers can explore the region on the large network of trails, though veering off these paths is forbidden in an effort to preserve the natural ecosystems. More than 5,000 species of wildlife call the park home, including marmot, red deer, chamois, ibex, fox, and more than 100 species of birds.

One of the very few railway lines in the world designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage listing, the Albula/Bernina line on the Rheatian Railways offers a majestic ride not to be missed. The route extends throughout the Albula and Bernina landscapes, covering 122 kilometers and winding through almost 200 bridges, the Graubünden mountains, and a number of tunnels and viaducts along the way.

A ride on this train means panoramic seats that overlook unspoiled mountain landscapes, including the Piz Bernina, the highest mountain in the Eastern Alps at just over 4,000 meters tall. The train operates all year long, and the views are just as magical in summer as they are in winter.

Right on the shore of Lake Thun and surrounded by a 2.5-hectare park, this 13th-century castle is one of the most breathtaking in Switzerland. Because Oberhofen Castle changed hands many times through the centuries, and new owners kept adding rooms to it, the result is a magical mix of many styles: Bernese Baroque-style buildings, Romantic-style facades, and Prussian-inspired exotic new areas (including a library and a smoking room).

The castle also houses a living museum showcasing the times and lives of feudal societies that called the castle (and its surroundings) home from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

The Ruinaulta (also known as the "Swiss Grand Canyon") is a deep gorge surrounded by expansive meadows and forested cliffs. Located in Eastern Switzerland, it was created over 10,000 years ago–when the Ice Age Rhine Glacier retreated, it led to a chain of events that resulted in a massive rockslide in the Rhine Valley. As the Rhine River seeped through the rock walls, the gorge was filled with water.

Today, the Swiss Grand Canyon is not only one of the most beautiful areas in Switzerland, but also a preferred destination for hikers, bird-watchers, and nature lovers. It's possible to raft the rapids here between May and October, or rent a canoe or kayak for a gentler route with stunning views of the steep cliffs all around.

Even if you don't know anything about this small medieval town, you've probably heard about the hard yellow cheese that made its name famous. Today, that's one of the town's main attractions. Visitors can tour a cheese factory, sample the local specialties, and wave to the cows that call the surrounding green hills home. If cheese isn't enough, the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory also operates in town.

Gruyères might be tiny – it covers an area of just 28.4 square kilometers and is home to around 2,000 permanent residents – but it makes up for it with plenty of things to do, including the 13 th -century Castle of Gruyères and its two small arts and regional museums, as well as Saint-Germain Castle, which was bought by Swiss surrealist painter and sculptor H. R. Giger, and it now houses a museum dedicated to his work. The Tibet Museum, housed in an old church in town, is also worth a visit.

Stunning landscapes surround Gruyères, including the Gorges de la Jogne (favorite with hikers) and the nearby Mont Moléson, popular with climbers in the warmer months and home to ski and snowshoe trails during winter.

The best time to visit Switzerland depends partly on why you're going there. If you're going for the skiing, then of course winter is the best time to visit. For mountain hiking, summer is best, as it's warm even high up in the mountains, and you won't encounter much rain to disrupt your outdoor plans.

If your visit to Switzerland will include a bit of everything, then the months between April and June are your best choice . You'll still find some snow if you arrive early in this period, and warm days if you arrive later on.

Temperatures vary between 15 and 22 degrees Celsius, and you'll get a bit of rain, but you'll also see long days with plenty of sunshine, perfect for hiking and sightseeing . May is the most unpredictable month weather-wise – you might see rain and cold evenings or sunshine with temperatures in the low 20s.

Since the summer crowds don't arrive until July, and the winter crowds are long gone, you'll get more privacy and a chance to grab better deals on flights and accommodations .

More on Switzerland

Top Things to Do in Switzerland

Top Things to Do in Geneva

One Week Itinerary

Most Scenic Train Routes

Switzerland's Nature Parks

How to Go Skiing

The Top Hikes

Matterhorn Complete Guide

The Most Beautiful Lakes

Foods to Try

Best Restaurants

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Switzerland Airports

Getting Around

Places to Visit in Switzerland

The Best 17 Places to Visit in Switzerland

It's no secret that Switzerland has scenery in spades. The small European country is big on towering, snow-capped mountains, shimmering lakes, storybook villages, and vibrant cities. For active vacationers, Switzerland offers virtually every winter sport, including, of course, some of the world's best skiing, plus hiking, biking, climbing, hang-gliding, and other temptations for adrenaline junkies. There's also plenty to fill a more leisurely vacation, with hearty cuisine, including what some say is the world's finest chocolate, high-end shopping, first-rate museums, and, at every turn, another gobsmacking panorama.

Switzerland is a year-round destination, and it would take many, many trips to see all that it has to offer. But assuming you don't have a lifetime to explore the country, here's our list of the top 17 places to see in Switzerland.

TripSavvy / Michela Sieman

Switzerland's largest city is a stunner—at once historic and modern, cosmopolitan and bohemian. Divided by the Limmat River and wrapping around Lake Zurich's shores, Zurich offers some of Switzerland's best museums, Swiss and international dining , and Bahnhofstrasse—rightfully called the world's most expensive shopping street. Plan to spend much of your time in the Altstadt, or Old Town, and enjoy at least one traditional meal in a restaurant housed in a former medieval guildhall. Many a tour of Switzerland begins or ends here, as the city is seamlessly connected to the rest of the country and Europe, thanks to the ultra-efficient Swiss Rail System .

©GenèveTourisme; ©www.geneve.com 

Switzerland's second-largest city, French-speaking Geneva sits at the southwestern end of Lake Geneva and has a long lakefront promenade on two shores offering views of the famous Jet d'Eau fountain. Geneva is one of Europe's most expensive cities in which to live; that prosperity is felt in its elegant streets and parks, high-end shopping avenues, and five-star hotels with luxury sedans parked out front. But the city is also rich in history, as the center of the Swiss Reformation and, today, the home of the International Red Cross and the United Nations.

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

The Swiss capital of Bern sits on a sharp bend in the River Aare in the western part of the country. Its Altstadt, or Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to so many well-preserved medieval buildings. But the undisputed star of the show is the Zytglogge, the fascinating astronomical clock that Einstein is said to have studied when developing his Theory of Relativity. Bern Minster has the tallest church spire in Switzerland and a stunning main portal. Those with more modern tastes can head to Zentrum Paul Klee, a museum dedicated to the country's most famous artist.

Like so many Swiss cities, pretty, walkable Lucerne occupies a magnificent setting—this time on Lake Lucerne with the Alps as a backdrop. The 14th-century wooden Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) is one of the most photographed sights in Switzerland, and Lucern's medieval Altstadt (Old Town) looks much the same as it did hundreds of years ago. The innovative Swiss Museum of Transport  is the most visited museum in Switzerland.

Lake Geneva

 MontreuxRiviera.com

With one shore in Switzerland and one shore in France, Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) is a sparkling, half-moon shaped international playground. On the Swiss side, it offers the elegant city of Geneva; relaxed Montreux , famous for its jazz festival; and Lausanne, home of the International Olympic Committee. The terraced vineyards of the Lavaux wine region are a UNESCO World Heritage Site—some date back to the 11th-century. Last but definitely not least, 12th-century Chillon Castle is everything a castle should be—complete with a (partial) moat, dungeons, and a keep.

David Hanson/GettyImages 

The smallest Swiss canton, Appenzell Innerrhoden is set in the rolling hills south of Lake Constance. This is storybook Switzerland, complete with villages of brightly painted houses, folk traditions, and residents in traditional costume. In the fall, the cows literally come home, as herdsmen bring their cattle—decked out in bells and flower garlands—down from the mountains for the winter. Appenzell's car-free village is a center for folk-art, traditional festivals, baked goods, and yes—yodeling.

St. Moritz & the Engadine

Francesco Meroni / GettyImages

St. Moritz ranks as one of the world's top winter playgrounds for the jet set, and its palatial hotels, luxury shopping, and tony apres-ski scene are fun to dip into. Non-one-percenters might prefer some of the smaller, more down-to-earth towns and villages of the sunny Engadine Valley, known for its glaciers, snowy peaks, glacial lakes, forest, and folk culture. Listen closely, and you may hear Romansch being spoken—the ancient Latin-based language is still taught in the Engadine schools. The area is also a summer paradise for hikers, mountain bikers, and windsurfers.

Interlaken & Jungfrau

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove

Set between lakes Thun and Brienz, the pleasant town of Interlaken is the most convenient base for exploring the towering peaks of the Bernese Oberland—the region of glaciers, craggy mountains, and pristine lakes that offer postcard views at every turn. From Interlaken, a system of trains, cable cars, and cogwheel rails connect to the region's major ski areas and the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. For more than a century, it’s been the highest railway station in Europe. There, a high altitude playground awaits, with observatory platforms offering multi-peak views, the Eispalast (Ice Palace) walk inside a glacier, plus restaurants, and, of course, more skiing.

Lugano and Ticino

You'd be excused for thinking you've crossed over into Italy once you reach Ticino, the region wedged between the Alps and the Italian border. There's a distinctly Mediterranean vibe here, and Italian, not Swiss, is the first language. Lakes Lugano and Maggiore shares shores with Italy and offers a summertime playground for hiking, sailing, and swimming, with a touch of la dolce vita thrown in. Lugano's lakefront city is the bustling regional hub, but climb—or take a cable car—up any mountain to discover sleepy, rustic villages, clean air, and traditional country inns and restaurants.

raymondchan photo / GettyImages 

Something looms large over the car-free, stylish-yet-traditional mountain town of Zermatt—the Matterhorn. Europe's most famous mountain peak draws hordes of visitors to this otherwise sleepy town in the valley for skiing, ice-climbing, and arduous summer hikes and mountain biking. There's plenty of passive sightseeing to do here as well, and the views never disappoint. A mountaineering museum, traditional restaurants, luxe spas, and cozy—if not cheap—hotels can keep you pleasantly occupied here for a few days.

Stuart Dee/GettyImages

Near Lake Constance and the border with Liechtenstein, historic St. Gallen has a car-free center, a UNESCO-listed abbey and cathedral, and a textile-making tradition more than a thousand years old. The Rococo-style abbey library, stocked with 170,000 priceless volumes and documents, is a must-see here. There's a full cultural program in this important university town, as well as easy access to biking, hiking, boat rides on Lake Constance, and jaunts into Germany, Liechtenstein, and Austria.

Andrew Bain / GettyImages 

Pass the cheese, please. Though there's more to this charming medieval town than its namesake cheese, it would be a shame to leave Gruyères without sampling traditional raclette or fondue and visiting the Maison du Gruyère, where they make—you guessed it. In-between bites of cheese, visit the imposing 13th-century Gruyères Castle and take in the pastoral countryside. Oh, and did we mention there's a chocolate factory here, too?

Great St. Bernard Pass

irisphoto2 / GettyImages

Connecting Italy to Switzerland, the Great St. Bernard Pass has been a strategic gateway for the continent—long before the Romans first laid claim to it. The St. Bernard Hospice is still here, as are the iconic St. Bernard dogs—though they perform fewer mountain rescues than they once did. You can drive over the scenic pass or spend the day crossing it on foot, stopping at cozy village inns for hearty sustenance along the way.

Rhaetian Railway

 Dirk von Mallinckrodt / GettyImages

It's all about the journey rather than the destination when you climb aboard one of the Rhaetian Railway trains, the network of scenic Alpine train rides that includes the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express . Panoramic train cars allow for sweeping views of passing glaciers, glacial lakes, mountain passes, and dense forests. The astonishing engineering feats of these high-altitude train tracks are reason enough to make the trip on at least one leg.

Trümmelbach Falls

Catalin Daniel Ciolca / GettyImages 

If you're visiting the Jungfrau, be sure to stop and see where all that spring snowmelt goes. Trümmelbach Falls are a series of falls that crash through a scenic gorge, carrying waters of the Jungfrau as they roar through underground caverns and pools. A series of elevators, bridges, and pathways puts visitors right in the spray of the mighty falls, which are closed in the wintertime.

Ayhan Altun / GettyImages

Palm and lemon trees give Locarno a nearly tropical feel. Switzerland's warmest city sits on Lake Maggiore and is the relaxed alternative to busy Lugano. Wandering the narrow streets of the town, strolling along the lake, and having a coffee or aperitivo on Piazza Grande—these are the simple pleasures of Locarno. A hike or funicular ride up to the Madonna del Sasso pilgrimage church rewards with breathtaking views of the lake, the town, and the surrounding mountains. From there, explore the villages and streams and waterfalls of the surrounding Valle Verzasca.

 Alexander Spatari / GettyImages

Literary Lausanne has inspired writers and artists through the ages, no doubt inspired by Lake Geneva's views, the city's pedestrian-only medieval center, and, perhaps, its mighty Gothic cathedral. Divided between upper and lower towns connected by a subway, Lausanne the smallest city in Europe with a metro system. It's the International Olympic Committee's home and a sporty vibe pervades—as evidenced by all the bikers, walkers, swimmers, and sailors.

Switzerland Travel Guide

One Week in Switzerland: The Ultimate Itinerary

The Top 20 Things to Do in Switzerland

The Top 9 Scenic and Novelty Train Rides in Switzerland

Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide

A Guide to Airports in Switzerland

The Most Beautiful Lakes in Switzerland

The Best Time to Visit Switzerland

Getting Around Switzerland: Guide to Public Transportation

Best Lakes to Visit in Europe

11 Great Day Trips From Zurich

The 5 Best Day Hikes in the Swiss Alps

The Complete Guide to Switzerland's Nature Parks

Your Trip to Zurich: The Complete Guide

The 12 Best Hikes in Switzerland

The Top 15 Things to Do in Geneva, Switzerland

Tourism in Switzerland 

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Tourism in Switzerland is big business. But why is this industry so important and what does it all mean? Read on to find out…

Tourism in Switzerland

The geography of switzerland, the tourism industry in switzerland, statistics about tourism in switzerland, the most popular tourist attractions in switzerland, the most popular types of tourism in switzerland , the economic impacts of tourism in switzerland, the social impacts of tourism in switzerland, the environmental impacts of tourism in switzerland, faqs about tourism in switzerland, to conclude: tourism in switzerland.

Switzerland, nestled in the heart of Europe, is renowned for its stunning alpine landscapes and precise craftsmanship. This article unpacks the intricacies of Switzerland’s tourism sector, discussing its paramount importance to the national economy, while spotlighting the charm of its snow-clad mountains, luxurious watchmaking towns, and multicultural cities.

Switzerland is a landlocked country located in Central Europe. Here are some key points about the geography of Switzerland:

1. Location: Switzerland is situated in the heart of Europe and is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east.

2. Landscape: Switzerland is known for its stunning mountainous landscape. The Swiss Alps dominate the southern part of the country, while the Jura Mountains stretch along the western border. The Swiss Plateau, with its rolling hills and fertile plains, occupies the northern and central regions.

3. Alps: The Swiss Alps are one of the most prominent mountain ranges in the world and cover about 60% of Switzerland’s total land area. This region includes famous peaks such as the Matterhorn, Eiger, and Jungfrau. The Swiss Alps offer breathtaking landscapes, skiing and snowboarding opportunities, and picturesque alpine villages.

4. Lakes: Switzerland is also known for its beautiful lakes, which dot the landscape throughout the country. Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), Lake Zurich, Lake Lucerne, and Lake Maggiore are among the largest and most popular lakes in Switzerland. These lakes provide scenic beauty, water-based activities, and charming lakeside towns.

5. Rivers: Several major rivers flow through Switzerland, including the Rhine, Rhône, and Aare. These rivers not only contribute to the natural beauty of the country but also offer opportunities for river cruises, water sports, and picturesque riverside walks.

6. Climate: Switzerland has a varied climate influenced by its diverse topography. The high Alpine regions have a cold and snowy climate, while the lower areas experience mild summers and cold winters. The climate is also influenced by the Mediterranean in the south and the continental climate in the north.

7. Biodiversity: Despite its small size, Switzerland boasts significant biodiversity. The varied landscapes support diverse ecosystems, including alpine meadows, forests, wetlands, and glacial regions. The country is home to numerous plant and animal species, including chamois, ibex, marmots, and various bird species.

8. Natural Parks: Switzerland has several national parks and nature reserves dedicated to preserving its natural heritage. These protected areas, such as the Swiss National Park and the Aletsch Glacier, provide opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and nature conservation.

9. Transportation: Switzerland has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including an extensive network of trains, cable cars, and roads that make it easy to access different regions of the country. The famous Swiss railway system is known for its efficiency and scenic routes.

10. Tourism: The unique geography of Switzerland, with its mountains, lakes, and charming towns, attracts millions of tourists each year. Visitors come to enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and mountain climbing, as well as to explore cultural attractions, historical sites, and picturesque landscapes.

Overall, Switzerland’s geography offers a diverse and breathtaking environment, making it a popular destination for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking picturesque scenery.

Switzerland has a thriving tourism industry and is known worldwide as a popular travel destination. Here are some key aspects of the tourism industry in Switzerland:

1. Scenic Beauty: Switzerland is renowned for its stunning landscapes, including the majestic Swiss Alps, picturesque lakes, charming towns, and lush green valleys. The country’s natural beauty attracts visitors from around the globe.

2. Outdoor Activities: Switzerland offers a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year. In winter, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing are popular, with world-class ski resorts such as Zermatt, Verbier, and St. Moritz. In summer, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, and water sports on the lakes are among my favourite activities.

3. Cultural Heritage: Switzerland has a rich cultural heritage that attracts tourists interested in history, art, and architecture. The country is home to numerous castles, museums, art galleries, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Cities like Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne, and Bern offer a blend of historical and modern attractions.

4. Wellness and Spa Tourism: Switzerland is famous for its wellness and spa resorts, offering relaxation, rejuvenation, and therapeutic treatments. Places like Baden-Baden, Davos, and Leukerbad are renowned for their thermal baths, wellness retreats, and health resorts.

5. Culinary Experiences: Swiss cuisine is known for its cheeses, chocolates, and other delicious specialties. Visitors can enjoy authentic Swiss dishes, wine tasting, and culinary tours. Additionally, Switzerland has a strong tradition of fine dining, with many Michelin-starred restaurants.

6. Adventure Tourism: Switzerland attracts adventure seekers with activities like mountaineering, rock climbing, canyoning, and glacier trekking. The country’s challenging terrain and well-maintained infrastructure make it an ideal destination for thrill-seekers.

7. Rail Journeys: Switzerland is famous for its scenic rail journeys, offering breathtaking views of the Alps, lakes, and countryside. The Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and GoldenPass Line are popular train routes that provide unforgettable travel experiences.

8. Shopping: Switzerland is known for its luxury watches, chocolates, cheeses, and other high-quality products. Cities like Zurich and Geneva are shopping hubs, offering a wide range of boutiques, department stores, and renowned Swiss brands.

9. Sustainability and Ecotourism: Switzerland places a strong emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly tourism. Many hotels, resorts, and tourism operators in Switzerland adhere to eco-friendly practices, promoting responsible tourism and preserving the natural environment.

10. Events and Festivals: Switzerland hosts various cultural, sports, and music events throughout the year, attracting visitors from all over the world. The Montreux Jazz Festival, Basel Carnival, Fête de l’Escalade in Geneva, and Swiss National Day celebrations are among the popular events.

The tourism industry in Switzerland plays a significant role in the country’s economy, providing employment opportunities and contributing to local businesses. The Swiss government and tourism organisations continuously promote Switzerland as a desirable destination, ensuring that visitors have memorable experiences while preserving the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

Now lets put things into perspective. Here are some statistics about tourism in Switzerland:

1. In 2019, Switzerland welcomed a record-breaking 12.5 million international tourists, representing a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year.

2. Tourism contributes significantly to the Swiss economy, accounting for around 2.9% of the country’s GDP.

3. Switzerland is known for its high tourism receipts. In 2019, the tourism industry generated approximately 18.8 billion Swiss francs (CHF) in revenue.

4. The number of overnight stays in Switzerland reached 38.8 million in 2019, with domestic tourists accounting for 18.8 million stays and international tourists for 20 million stays.

5. The average length of stay for international tourists in Switzerland is around 2.6 nights.

6. Germany is the largest source market for tourists visiting Switzerland, followed by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and China.

7. The Swiss Alps are the most popular tourist destination in Switzerland, attracting visitors with their stunning landscapes, ski resorts, and outdoor activities.

8. The cities of Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne, and Basel are the most visited urban destinations in Switzerland, offering a mix of culture, history, and modern amenities.

9. Switzerland has a well-developed tourism infrastructure, including an extensive network of hotels, resorts, transportation options, and tourist facilities.

10. Switzerland is known for its commitment to sustainability and eco-tourism. Many tourism operators and accommodations in Switzerland have implemented eco-friendly practices to minimise their environmental impact and promote responsible tourism.

Please note that these statistics are based on pre-pandemic data and may vary due to the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry.

Switzerland is known for its stunning landscapes, charming cities, and cultural heritage. Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland:

1. Zermatt and the Matterhorn: Zermatt is a picturesque Alpine village located at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn, one of the most famous mountains in the world. It is a popular destination for skiing, hiking, and mountaineering.

2. Lucerne and Lake Lucerne: Lucerne is a beautiful city situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne. It offers a blend of historic architecture, such as the Chapel Bridge, and breathtaking natural scenery. Visitors can also take boat cruises on the lake and explore nearby mountains.

3. Geneva: Known as the international centre for diplomacy, Geneva is a cosmopolitan city with a rich history. It is home to numerous international organisations, including the United Nations. Visitors can explore the Old Town, visit museums, and enjoy the scenic shores of Lake Geneva.

4. Interlaken: Nestled between two lakes and surrounded by the Swiss Alps, Interlaken is a popular destination for outdoor activities. It serves as a gateway to adventure sports such as paragliding, skydiving, and canyoning. It also offers easy access to the Jungfrau region, known for its stunning mountain landscapes.

5. Bern: The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is known for its well-preserved mediaeval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city offers attractions like the Bear Park, the Rosengarten, and the Zytglogge (Clock Tower).

6. Zurich: Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, is a vibrant metropolis with a mix of modern and historic attractions. Visitors can explore the Old Town, visit museums, enjoy shopping on Bahnhofstrasse, and take a boat cruise on Lake Zurich.

7. Lausanne and Lake Geneva: Lausanne is a picturesque city located on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is home to the International Olympic Committee and offers a blend of history, culture, and beautiful scenery. The Olympic Museum and the Lausanne Cathedral are popular attractions.

8. The Swiss National Park: Located in the eastern part of the country, the Swiss National Park is a nature lover’s paradise. It is Switzerland’s oldest national park and is home to a wide variety of alpine flora and fauna. Visitors can explore hiking trails and enjoy the untouched beauty of the Swiss Alps.

9. Chillon Castle: Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva near Montreux, Chillon Castle is a well-preserved mediaeval fortress. It offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains and provides insights into the region’s history and architecture.

10. The Aletsch Glacier: The Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the Jungfrau region, it offers breathtaking views and opportunities for hiking and mountaineering.

These are just a few examples of the many wonderful tourist attractions Switzerland has to offer. The country is renowned for its natural beauty, outdoor activities, cultural heritage, and welcoming hospitality.

Switzerland attracts a diverse range of tourists due to its natural beauty, outdoor activities, cultural heritage, and well-developed infrastructure. Here are some of the most popular types of tourism in Switzerland:

1. Alpine Tourism: Switzerland is renowned for its magnificent Alpine scenery, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Skiing, snowboarding, and mountaineering are major attractions in places like Zermatt, St. Moritz, Verbier, and Davos.

2. Adventure Tourism: The country offers various outdoor adventure activities, including hiking, cycling, rock climbing, paragliding, and river rafting. The Swiss National Park, Jungfrau Region, and Engadin Valley are popular destinations for adventure tourism.

3. Cultural Tourism: Switzerland has a rich cultural heritage with diverse traditions, languages, and historical sites. Cities like Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Lucerne offer a blend of mediaeval architecture, art galleries, museums, and music festivals. Château de Chillon, the Abbey of St. Gallen, and the Old Town of Bern are notable cultural attractions.

4. Wellness and Spa Tourism: Switzerland is famous for its luxury wellness retreats and thermal spas. Places like Bad Ragaz, Leukerbad, and Scuol offer rejuvenating spa experiences, thermal baths, and wellness treatments set amidst scenic landscapes.

5. Nature Tourism: Switzerland’s picturesque landscapes, including its lakes, waterfalls, and scenic hiking trails, attract nature enthusiasts. The Swiss National Park, Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, and the Aletsch Glacier are popular natural attractions.

6. Train Tourism: Switzerland’s efficient train network, including the famous Glacier Express and Bernina Express, offers panoramic views of the country’s stunning landscapes. Train enthusiasts and travellers seeking scenic journeys often opt for these picturesque train rides.

7. Culinary Tourism: Swiss cuisine, known for its cheese, chocolate, and fondue, is a draw for food lovers. Visitors can explore cheese factories, chocolate factories, vineyards, and traditional Swiss restaurants to indulge in the country’s culinary delights.

These are just a few examples of the popular types of tourism in Switzerland. The country’s diverse offerings cater to a wide range of interests and preferences, making it an attractive destination for travellers from around the world.

Tourism in Switzerland plays a significant role in the Swiss economy and has a substantial impact on various sectors. Here are some of the economic impacts of tourism in Switzerland:

1. Employment: The tourism industry in Switzerland is a major source of employment. It creates job opportunities in hotels, restaurants, transportation, tour operations, travel agencies, and various related sectors. Both direct and indirect employment is generated, benefiting the local workforce.

2. Revenue generation: Tourism in Switzerland contributes significantly to the country’s revenue. International tourists spend money on accommodation, food and beverages, transportation, shopping, attractions, and other tourism-related services. This expenditure leads to the generation of income and tax revenues for the government.

3. Small business development: The tourism industry in Switzerland provides opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. Local artisans, craftsmen, souvenir shops, and family-owned businesses benefit from the influx of tourists, helping to diversify the economy.

4. Infrastructure development: The demand for tourism infrastructure, such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, and transportation facilities, drives investment and development in these areas. The construction and maintenance of infrastructure create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth.

5. Regional development: Tourism in Switzerland helps in the development of rural and less-developed regions of Switzerland. When tourists explore different areas, they contribute to the economic growth of those regions, encouraging investment and development beyond major cities and popular tourist destinations.

6. Cultural preservation: Tourism in Switzerland often fosters the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. Historic sites, museums, traditional festivals, and local traditions gain recognition and support due to tourist interest. This helps preserve Switzerland’s cultural identity and can have positive economic impacts on communities.

7. Multiplier effect: The tourism industry has a multiplier effect on the economy. When tourists spend money, it circulates through the economy, benefiting various sectors and creating a ripple effect. For example, money spent by tourists at a hotel can generate income for the hotel staff, local suppliers, restaurants, and shops, leading to further economic activity.

However, it’s important to note that tourism in Switzerland also brings challenges and potential negative impacts, such as overcrowding, environmental concerns, increased living costs in tourist areas, and seasonal fluctuations in employment. Sustainable tourism practices and careful planning are necessary to mitigate these issues and ensure the long-term benefits of tourism in Switzerland.

Tourism in Switzerland has a significant impact on Swiss society, both positive and negative. Switzerland is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and well-preserved historical sites, making it a popular tourist destination. Here are some of the social impacts of tourism in Switzerland:

1. Economic benefits: Tourism in Switzerland contributes significantly to the Swiss economy by generating revenue and creating employment opportunities. It supports various sectors such as accommodation, transportation, restaurants, and souvenir shops, providing jobs for locals and boosting their income levels. This economic stability positively affects the standard of living and social welfare of Swiss residents.

2. Cultural exchange: Tourism in Switzerland brings people from different parts of the world to Switzerland, fostering cultural exchange and understanding. Visitors have the opportunity to experience Swiss traditions, language, cuisine, and customs, while locals gain exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives. This interaction enhances mutual respect, tolerance, and appreciation for cultural diversity.

3. Preservation of heritage: Tourism in Switzerland plays a vital role in preserving cultural and historical heritage. The revenue generated from tourism often goes towards the restoration and maintenance of historic buildings, museums, and landmarks. This ensures the preservation of Swiss heritage for future generations and promotes a sense of pride among the local population.

4. Promotion of local traditions and crafts: Tourism in Switzerland encourages the promotion and revitalization of traditional Swiss crafts, such as watchmaking, chocolate production, cheese-making, and textile manufacturing. Visitors are interested in experiencing and purchasing authentic Swiss products, which helps to sustain local industries and traditions. This contributes to the preservation of cultural identity and supports local artisans and businesses.

5. Infrastructure development: The tourism industry drives the development of infrastructure in Switzerland. To cater to the needs of tourists, there is a continuous improvement in transportation networks, accommodation facilities, and recreational amenities. These developments benefit not only tourists but also residents, making travel and access to various services more convenient and efficient.

6. Environmental concerns: The influx of tourists can put pressure on Switzerland’s delicate ecosystems and natural resources. Popular tourist destinations, such as mountainous regions, may experience increased foot traffic, leading to erosion, pollution, and habitat disturbance. Sustainable tourism practices and responsible visitor behaviour are crucial in minimising these negative environmental impacts.

7. Seasonal employment and seasonality challenges: Tourism in Switzerland is often seasonal, with peaks during summer and winter. This can create a challenge in terms of employment stability, as many jobs are tied to specific seasons. Seasonal employment opportunities can be beneficial for local residents, providing them with additional income. However, the reliance on seasonal employment may lead to economic uncertainties and fluctuations in local communities.

To maximise the positive social impacts and mitigate the negative ones, Switzerland focuses on sustainable tourism practices, responsible tourism education, and conservation efforts. The government, local communities, and tourism industry stakeholders work together to strike a balance between economic growth, cultural preservation, and environmental protection.

Tourism in Switzerland has both positive and negative environmental impacts. While the industry promotes appreciation for the country’s natural beauty and supports conservation efforts, it also poses challenges to the environment. Here are some key environmental impacts of tourism in Switzerland:

1. Carbon emissions: Travel to Switzerland, especially by air, contributes to carbon emissions due to the burning of fossil fuels. Tourists coming from distant locations often rely on air travel, which is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. This can contribute to climate change and impact the fragile alpine ecosystems of Switzerland.

2. Overcrowding and habitat disturbance: Popular tourist destinations in Switzerland, particularly in the Alps, can experience overcrowding during peak seasons. Increased visitor numbers can lead to habitat disturbance, trampling of vegetation, soil erosion, and damage to fragile ecosystems. It can also disrupt the natural behaviour and breeding patterns of wildlife.

3. Waste generation and pollution: Tourism in Switzerland generates a substantial amount of waste, including plastic bottles, food packaging, and other disposable items. Improper waste management can lead to pollution of water bodies, soil, and scenic landscapes. It is crucial to promote responsible waste disposal and recycling practices to mitigate this impact.

4. Water consumption and scarcity: Tourism in Switzerland places demands on water resources, particularly in areas with limited water availability. Hotels, restaurants, and recreational activities require water for various purposes. In regions already facing water scarcity or during dry periods, increased tourism can exacerbate the strain on local water supplies and ecosystems.

5. Ski tourism and landscape modification: Switzerland is renowned for its ski resorts, attracting winter sports enthusiasts from around the world. The development of ski infrastructure, including ski lifts, trails, and snowmaking systems, can lead to landscape modification and habitat fragmentation. This can affect the natural flow of water, soil erosion, and disrupt wildlife habitats.

6. Wildlife disturbance: The presence of tourists in natural areas can disrupt wildlife behaviour and disturb sensitive species. Activities such as hiking, skiing, and wildlife viewing, if not conducted responsibly, can lead to stress, displacement, and changes in animal behaviour. It is essential to promote guidelines and regulations to minimise wildlife disturbance and protect biodiversity.

7. Energy and resource consumption: The tourism industry requires significant energy and resource consumption for transportation, accommodation, and other services. This includes energy-intensive activities like heating and cooling in hotels, water consumption, and the operation of recreational facilities. Encouraging sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient infrastructure and renewable energy sources, can help reduce these impacts.

To address these environmental concerns, Switzerland has taken steps to promote sustainable tourism practices. The country emphasises the use of renewable energy, waste management initiatives, protected area management, and the development of eco-friendly infrastructure. Efforts are made to raise awareness among tourists and encourage responsible behaviour, such as minimising waste, using public transportation, respecting wildlife, and following designated trails. Additionally, Switzerland actively participates in international collaborations and agreements to address climate change and protect biodiversity.

Now that we know a bit more about tourism in Switzerland, lets answer some of the most common questions on this topic:

1. Q: What is the best time to visit Switzerland?

   A: Switzerland is a year-round destination, offering different experiences in each season. Summer (June to August) is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the scenic landscapes, while winter (December to February) is perfect for skiing and winter sports enthusiasts. Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

2. Q: Do I need a visa to visit Switzerland?

   A: Whether you need a visa to visit Switzerland depends on your nationality. Citizens of certain countries can enter Switzerland for tourism purposes without a visa for a limited period (usually up to 90 days). It’s recommended to check with the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country for specific visa requirements.

3. Q: Is English widely spoken in Switzerland?

   A: While Switzerland has four official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh), English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and major cities. You should have no trouble communicating in English, but it’s always helpful to learn a few basic phrases in the local language.

4. Q: How do I get around in Switzerland?

   A: Switzerland has an efficient and well-connected public transportation system. Trains, trams, buses, and boats cover most areas of the country. The Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited travel on public transportation and can be a convenient option for visitors. Rental cars are also available, but they may not be necessary if you plan to primarily rely on public transport.

5. Q: Are the Swiss Alps only for experienced hikers?

   A: The Swiss Alps offer a range of hiking options suitable for all skill levels. While some trails may be more challenging, there are plenty of easy and moderate routes that can be enjoyed by beginners and families as well. It’s important to choose trails that match your fitness level and come prepared with proper gear and information.

6. Q: Is Switzerland an expensive country to visit?

   A: Yes, Switzerland is known for its high cost of living, and tourism expenses can add up. Accommodation, dining out, and activities can be relatively expensive compared to other destinations. However, there are ways to manage costs, such as opting for budget accommodations, self-catering, and exploring free or low-cost attractions.

7. Q: What are some must-visit attractions in Switzerland?

   A: Switzerland offers a wealth of attractions. Some popular ones include the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Lake Geneva, Jungfraujoch (the “Top of Europe”), Lucerne and its Chapel Bridge, the Rhine Falls, the Chillon Castle, and cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Bern. Additionally, exploring the scenic landscapes and charming Swiss villages is highly recommended.

8. Q: Can I drink tap water in Switzerland?

   A: Yes, tap water in Switzerland is generally safe and of high quality. You can drink tap water without any concerns. It’s a great way to stay hydrated and save money on buying bottled water.

9. Q: Are there any cultural etiquettes or customs to be aware of?

   A: Switzerland has a rich cultural heritage, and it’s appreciated when visitors respect local customs. It’s customary to greet people with a handshake, dress modestly when visiting religious sites, and observe quietness in public places. Tipping is not mandatory, but leaving a small amount as a token of appreciation for good service is common.

Switzerland is renowned worldwide for its stunning Alpine landscapes, luxury watches, and world-class chocolate. The tourism sector plays a vital role in its economy, attracting visitors to its ski resorts, scenic train journeys, and cultural cities. As tourism thrives, it brings both positive economic influx and challenges, especially in terms of sustainability and maintaining the pristine nature of its environments. In closing, Switzerland continually works towards blending its deep-rooted traditions with the demands of modern tourism, ensuring a harmonious experience for both visitors and residents.

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About Switzerland

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Social aspects – facts and figures.

Switzerland offers its residents a very high level of social security protection. Switzerland also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.

Federalism – diversity in unity

In a country with different religious and linguistic groups, the federalism model makes it possible to accommodate both national unity and cultural diversity. 

Swiss cuisine

Many dishes which started out as regional specialities are now enjoyed all over the country, such as rösti, fondue and raclette, and some are also known internationally. Muesli…

• Social Aspects – Facts and Figures •
• Federalism – diversity in unity •
• Swiss cuisine •

Swiss Stories

• The story of Geneva's Jet d'Eau
• Allegra! A look at Romansh, Switzerland's fourth language
• Heidi: In the footsteps of a Swiss myth
• A construction project serving Europe
• Solar Impulse – Around the world in a solar-powered aircraft
• A sparkling metallic-grey shard of rock crystal in the heart of the Alps

The main driver of demographic growth in Switzerland over the last few decades has been migration.

Politics and history

Federalism and direct democracy reflect the great importance that the Swiss political system places on the freedom of choice and self-determination.

Switzerland has one of the most competitive economies in the world thanks above all to its highly developed service sector.

Education and Science

In Switzerland the 26 cantons are responsible for compulsory education.

Environment

Switzerland has three main geographic regions: the Alps covering around 60% of the country's total surface area, the Swiss Plateau (30%) and the Jura (10%).

More Switzerland on the web

houseofswitzerland.org Switzerland’s participation in major international events

myswitzerland.org The tourism portal

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Switzerland Global Enterprise Export, Import, Investment

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Destinations

Your swiss holiday time.

Holiday destinations

• Summer holiday destinations
• Winter sports & ski resorts
• Family destinations

Attractions

Top attractions, unesco world heritage sites / biospheres.

• Travel by train, bus or boat
• Top museums
• Swiss Parks
• Scenic nature

Experiences

Additional content about subnavigation experiences.

• Family excursions

Food & Wine

• Group excursions
• Guided tours

Summer & Autumn

• Bicycle & Mountain bike
• Adventure & Sports Summer
• Zoo & animal experiences
• Ski and snowboard
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowshoe and winter hiking
• Tobogganing
• Winter excursions
• Christmas in Switzerland

Cities & culture

• Parks, Gardens and Squares
• Architecture

Experience Tour

• Car, motorcycle - Grand Tour
• Train, bus, boat – Grand Train Tour

Mountain excursions

Accommodation.

• Typically Swiss Hotels
• Wellness & Spa
• Family Hotels
• Bike Hotels
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• Inspiring Meeting Hotels
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Other types of accommodation

• On the farm
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Transport & Stay

• Travel to Switzerland
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About Switzerland

• General facts
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Sustainability

Weather & climate.

• Climate in Switzerland
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Inspiration Calendar

Note for screen reader users.

The following content is heavily based on moving video content and mouse interactions. He is therefore not very accessible to screen readers. Short videos are displayed, sorted by month. Jump directly to the content overview

We need Switzerland.

Get inspired now!

Video and animations

• Oeschinensee – gondola rail One of the most attractive and imposing mountain lakes, namely Oeschinensee, is reached by gondola rail from Kandersteg. Learn more
• Kandersteg Kandersteg is located at 1,200 meters in the Bernese Oberland and offers a fantastic view of the Blümlisalp Massif. Learn more
• Rivers and lakes Discover the most beautiful lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls and gorges in our country. Learn more
• Chäserrugg – and the Churfirsten From Chäserrugg, the mightiest of the seven peaks of the Churfirsten mountain range, you can enjoy unsurpassed views into six countries.
• Wildhaus Nestled between the mighty Säntis massif and the seven Churfirsten peaks, the resorts of Alt St. Johann, Unterwasser and Wildhaus are among the highest-lying municipalities in Toggenburg. Learn more
• Ruinaulta - Switzerland's Grand Canyon 10,000 years ago, 10 billion cubic metres of rock thundered into the valley. Learn more
• On a raft through the Swiss Grand Canyon The Rhine gorge is among Switzerland’s most beautiful locations for rafting. Learn more
• Brissago The lowest and oldest part of the village is clustered around the beautiful Renaissance church of St. Peter and Paul, surrounded by centuries-old cypresses. Learn more
• Brissago - Ronco - Ascona Strong fragrance of mimosas, well-tended Palm Gardens and simply unsurpassable views of the deep-blue Lago (Lake) Maggiore.
• Around the Churfirsten This moderately challenging loop takes you to the Wildhaus ski resort along a minor, little-known road and skirts magnificent Lake Walen. Learn more
• Donkey trekking The first item on this special walk is “donkey knowledge” before everybody prepares their “own” donkey. Learn more
• La Gruyère The Gruyère region, with its rolling green landscape and the peaks of the Fribourg Pre-Alps, is home to the world-famous Gruyère cheese. Learn more
• HR Giger Museum As tourists savor a fondue outside on the square, the surreal works of H.R. Giger come alive inside the Château St. Germain castle. Learn more
• Fribourg Region The Pays de Fribourg is somewhat a world turned upside down: cold, limestone summits are found in the south and mild, even Mediterranean-like lakesides in the north. Learn more
• Viamala Gorge The Viamala is full of history and stories. 2000 years ago, the Romans passed through the gorge. Learn more
• Canyoning in the Viamala Gorge The tour is led by experienced guides who assist the visitors with this nature adventure.
• CabriO Stanserhorn Enjoying the wind in one’s face and the perfect view. Learn more
• Mountain railways The journey to the top is an attraction in itself, be it onboard a cogwheel train, a cable car or the world’s steepest funicular. Learn more
• Hiking and Äscher cliff restaurant Nowhere else in Switzerland is the change from the hilly landscape of Central Switzerland to the craggy alpine scenery so abrupt or impressive as in the Alpstein area. Learn more
• Ebenalp and Wildkirchli Already Neanderthal men were here where today a cableway sweeps visitors up. Learn more
• Montreux Riviera The town of Montreux nestles in a sheltered Lake Geneva bay, surrounded by vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. Learn more
• Bern Cathedral The Bern Münster Cathedral of St. Vincent is the most impressive late-Gothic building in the city. Learn more
• City breaks City breaks are a brief escape from everyday life – and our Swiss Boutique Towns are perfect for the occasion. Learn more
• Bern Not many cities have managed to retain their historic features quite as successfully as Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Learn more
• Dream route Airolo - Gletsch From Airolo, the historic pass road snakes around hairpin bends up to the Gotthard. Learn more
• Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch The Jungfrau-Aletsch Region was chosen as the first Alpine UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2001. Learn more
• Glaciers Venture out onto eternal ice and explore our country’s many glaciers. Learn more
• Oberhofen Castle - Living Museum and Park The castle, which dates back to the early 13th century, houses a living museum. Learn more
• Lake Thun Lake Thun is especially popular amongst sailors and windsurfers who appreciate the prevailing light breeze. Learn more
• Swimming in the Rhine through the historic old town Thousands of people cool off by leaping into the refreshing water during the warmer months of the year. Learn more
• Basel Home to 40 museums, the city of culture for connoisseurs has the highest concentration of museums in the country. Learn more
• Nationalpark Bike-Marathon In four one-day stages you experience the unique countryside on the National Park bike marathon route. Learn more
• Swiss parcs The Swiss parks are not just great spots for rest and relaxation, but also play a key role in the preservation of natural habitats. Learn more
• Geneva With its humanitarian tradition and cosmopolitan flair, the European seat of the UNO and headquarters of the Red Cross is known as the «capital of peace». Learn more
• Jet d'Eau In Geneva harbour, known as “La Rade”, this water jet up to 140 metres high is a real eye-catcher. Learn more
• Appenzell The village of Appenzell and the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden are situated in a singularly beautiful landscape of rolling hills. Learn more
• Appenzeller® Cheese The country’s spiciest cheese has been made by hand in the same way for more than 700 years. Learn more
• Alpine Panorama Route The Alpine Panorama Route crosses the northern Alpine foreland with its many passes and gorges, tradition-rich culture, settlements and mountain farms. Learn more
• Hallwilersee Like the Baldeggersee lake a little further south, Lake Hallwil is located in the Seetal, a north-south valley that leads from the Lucerne hinterland to Lenzburg. Learn more
• Monte Generoso At the southern end of Lake Lugano is the 1,701 metre high Monte Generoso. Learn more
• Via Albula/Bernina Through moorland and Alpine pastures to the Berninapass. One highlight follows another. Learn more
• Autumn The forests reveal a wonderful palette of colours, leaves crunch underfoot and you can already imagine the wonderful seasonal dishes that await. Learn more
• Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces The natural, cultural and culinary highlights of this area are definitely well worth a visit. Learn more
• Jura Crest Trail The undisputed highlight of this tour across an extensive grazing area is Mont Tendre, the highest point in the Swiss Jura. Learn more
• Zug Zyt Tower, which offers a magnificent view of the Old Town, the Zug Mountain and Lake Zug, is the city's landmark. Learn more
• Zug Castle Museum With its many nooks and crannies, Zug Castle has been home to the museum of cultural history for the city and the Canton of Zug since 1983. Learn more
• Creux du Van – Natural Spectacle Impressive 160 meter high vertical rock faces surround a four kilometer long and over one kilometer wide valley basin. Learn more
• Val de Travers The Val de Tavers is characterised by the watch industry and extends from Lake Neuenburg across the Jura all the way to the French border. Learn more
• LAC Arte e Cultura The building by Ticino architect Ivano Gianola offers visitors art across 2500 square metres Learn more
• Lugano With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, combined with the cachet of a small town. Learn more
• Art & culture Switzerland is brimming with cultural surprises. Learn more
• Fribourg / Freiburg Over 200 unique Gothic facades from the 15th century impart incomparable medieval charm to the Old Town. Learn more
• Cathedral of St. Nicholas Climb the 368 steps and you will be rewarded with an unforgettable view of the town of Fribourg. Learn more
• Val Calnègia It can only be reached on foot, but the reward in the form of a submerged creek, unusual buildings and spectacular scenery is well worth the effort. Learn more
• Rochers-de-Naye: mountain with a view No two worlds could contrast more than those at the beginning and the end of the thrilling train ride from lively, sophisticated Montreux to the austere summit of Rochers-de-Naye.
• Schwarzsee The vacation region around the Black Lake and in the Eastern Freiburg Pre-Alps (Voralpen) is well-known for its authenticity and its wild, romantic natural landscape. Learn more
• Zurich The cosmopolitan city by the water combines creative urban life with nature in all its glory. Learn more
• Zürich West In the last 10 years the industrial wasteland to the west of Zurich has grown into a new bright lights district. Learn more
• Patinoire du Flon Lausanne The ice rink in Flon is a great place for outdoor ice skating. Learn more
• Europe’s highest suspension bridge The suspension bridge stretches spectacularly from one rock face to the other. Learn more
• Hikes to suspension bridges Thrills over the abyss Learn more
• Freestyle Academy In Europe’s first Freestyle Indoor Base, jumps and tricks can now be practiced all year. Learn more
• rockresort From bed to board. Learn more
• Panorama view Sweeping views extend from part of Lake Lucerne as far as the Black Forest. Learn more
• Gstaad Gstaad attracts a charming mix of visitors. Learn more
• Gstaad Saanenland ... ... a highlight on the Grand Tour of Switzerland. Learn more
• Snow and piste report Daily updated information on 250 winter sports stations. Learn more
• Matterhorn – Symbol for Switzerland The Matterhorn and Switzerland are inseparably linked to each other. Learn more
• Zermatt The vacation destination is a car-free zone and has preserved its original character. Learn more
• Bernina Express Fresh mountain air and stunning views from the Albula and Bernina rail lines. Learn more
• Train, Bus, Boat – Grand Train Tour The way of travelling that is as exciting as it is relaxing. Learn more
• St. Gallen The compact metropolis of eastern Switzerland between Lake Constance and Appenzellerland with a charming, traffic-free old town. Learn more
• St. Gallen Abbey District In St. Gallen you'll find history at every turn. Learn more
• Saas-Fee 13 four thousand meter peaks surround the glacier village, which is located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. Learn more
• Jungfraujoch On the Top of Europe: A visit to the Jungfraujoch puts a jewel in the crown of any visit to Switzerland. Learn more
• Crans-Montana Sun-drenched plateau high above the Rhone Valley. Learn more
• Albert Heim Hut The views of the Galenstock and the crystalline rock-climbing routes are stunning.
• Rigi Kaltbad Swiss Quality Hotel Enjoy the hospitality in an inspiring alpine setting. Learn more
• Highland hike from Rigi-Kaltbad to Urmiberg The highland tour from Kaltbad via the Scheidegg to Urmiberg can only be described as absolute top!
• Lucerne Gateway to central Switzerland. Learn more
• Switzerland’s cities ... ... want to seduce you into discovering something new or experiencing something old in a new way. Learn more
• Chapel Bridge and Water Tower At the outflow of the river Reuss, a historic needle dam, built in 1860, regulates the water level of the lake. Learn more
• Giessbach Falls The Giessbach brook tumbles in 14 stages, over a length of 500 meters and out of the high valleys of the Faulhorn area down to Lake Brienz. Learn more
• Waterfalls You can feel the sheer force of the water as it thunders down into the depths. Learn more
• Swiss Historic Hotels Unique accommodation options from an unpretentious historic guesthouse to the luxurious grand hotel. Learn more
• Emmentaler AOP The king of Swiss cheese. Learn more
• Scenic nature Thanks to its unique geographical location at the heart of Europe, Switzerland is endowed with an extraordinary variety of scenic countryside. Learn more
• Rhine falls circular route The Rhine Falls are the centrepiece of this circular hike. Learn more
• The Rhine Falls By ship one can reach castles, the Rhine Falls Basin and even the mighty rock in the midst of the waterfall. Learn more

Video control

• Unterwasser
• Brissago Island
• Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park
• Wasserauen Ebenalp
• Aletsch Arena
• Monte Generoso and Valle di Muggio
• Albulatal / Bergün
• Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
• Jura & Three-Lakes
• Fribourg / Freiburg
• Stoos – Fronalpstock

Jungfraujoch

• Crans-Montana
• Neuhausen am Rheinfall
• Kandersteg Kandersteg
• Unterwasser Unterwasser
• Flims Flims
• Brissago Island Brissago Island
• Wildhaus Wildhaus
• Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park
• Viamala Viamala
• Stans Stans
• Wasserauen Ebenalp Wasserauen Ebenalp
• Montreux Montreux
• Airolo Airolo
• Aletsch Arena Aletsch Arena
• Basel Basel
• Zernez Zernez
• Geneva Geneva
• Appenzell Appenzell
• Seengen Seengen
• Monte Generoso and Valle di Muggio Monte Generoso and Valle di Muggio
• Albulatal / Bergün Albulatal / Bergün
• Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
• Jura & Three-Lakes Jura & Three-Lakes
• Noiraigue Noiraigue
• Lugano Lugano
• Fribourg / Freiburg Fribourg / Freiburg
• S. Carlo S. Carlo
• Veytaux Veytaux
• Schwarzsee Schwarzsee
• Zurich Zurich
• Lausanne Lausanne
• Engelberg Engelberg
• Stoos – Fronalpstock Stoos – Fronalpstock
• Gstaad Gstaad
• Zermatt Zermatt
• Engadin Engadin
• St. Gallen St. Gallen
• Saas-Fee Saas-Fee
• Jungfraujoch Jungfraujoch
• Crans-Montana Crans-Montana
• Andermatt Andermatt
• Lucerne Lucerne
• Brienz Brienz
• Emmental Emmental
• Neuhausen am Rheinfall Neuhausen am Rheinfall
• May Kandersteg
• May Unterwasser
• May Brissago Island
• Jun Wildhaus
• Jun Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park
• Jun Viamala
• Jul Wasserauen Ebenalp
• Jul Montreux
• Aug Aletsch Arena
• Sep Appenzell
• Sep Seengen
• Sep Monte Generoso and Valle di Muggio
• Oct Albulatal / Bergün
• Oct Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
• Oct Jura & Three-Lakes
• Nov Noiraigue
• Nov Fribourg / Freiburg
• Nov S. Carlo
• Dec Veytaux
• Dec Schwarzsee
• Dec Lausanne
• Jan Engelberg
• Jan Stoos – Fronalpstock
• Feb Zermatt
• Feb Engadin
• Feb St. Gallen
• Feb Saas-Fee
• Mar Jungfraujoch
• Mar Crans-Montana
• Mar Andermatt
• Apr Lucerne
• Apr Emmental
• Apr Neuhausen am Rheinfall

List Inspiration Calendar

Something happens in a video. A bird's eye view of the beauty of Switzerland.

• Hallwyl Castle (Schloss Hallwyl)

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Accommodation camping.

Europcar Special rates for camper fans

Europcar e-grand tour, top destinations, grindelwald, recommendation summer, grand train tour of switzerland, summer: vacation and excursion tips, hikes: hiking & trekking, the grand tour of switzerland.

The most scenic road trip

City: tips for holidays and outings

Recommendation winter, winter holidays, wellness & spa hotels, winter sports resorts, premium panorama trains, winter in the city, matterhorn (4,478 a.s.l.) - symbol for switzerland.

The Matterhorn and Switzerland are inseparably linked to each other. The pyramid shaped colossus of a mountain, which is very difficult to climb, is said to be the most-photographed mountain in the world. The Klein-Matterhorn ("Little Matterhorn"), which can be reached via a funicular, lies adjacent to the Matterhorn.

The Rhine Falls

To stand high above Europe's largest waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water over one's entire body - this can be experienced at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. By ship one can reach castles, the Rhine Falls Basin and even the mighty rock in the midst of the waterfall.

On the Top of Europe: A visit to the Jungfraujoch puts a jewel in the crown of any visit to Switzerland.

Château de Chillon

Chillon Castle is located on a rock on the banks of Lake Geneva. The water castle is the most visited historic building in Switzerland. For nearly four centuries Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the Counts of Savoy.

Creux du Van

"Creux du Van", a natural rock arena of immense proportions, is located at the border of the cantons of Neuenburg and Vaud. Impressive 160 meter high vertical rock faces surround a four kilometer long and over one kilometer wide valley basin.

Aletsch - the Largest Alpine Glacier

Incredibly immense, incredibly beautiful: the Large Aletsch Glacier is the Alps' mightiest ice flow. And the most popular, for it is easily accessible and is ideally situated for extensive hikes, winter sports and special nature excursions.

Swiss Museum of Transportation

Switzerland’s most visited museum showcases the past, present and future of mobility with interactive and varied exhibits. In addition to the museum, unique attractions found nowhere else in Switzerland, such as the film theatre, planetarium, Swiss Chocolate Adventure and Media World, are just waiting to be discovered.

10,000 years ago, 100 billion cubic metres of rock thundered into the valley. Known as the Flims Rockslide, this event created the Ruinaulta, a canyon-like gorge in the Anterior Rhine Valley that can be reached on foot, over water, by train or by bike.

Zurich – for inquisitive urban explorers

Expert tips.

Discover the most beautiful hikes now. Switzerland is all about active recovery in pristine nature.

Swiss mountain railways take visitors to magnificent views as well as delightful and relaxing stays.

Spring in the city

Goodbye to the long winter months – it’s time to welcome the spring. Now it’s time to recharge your batteries, catch the sun’s rays and enjoy the fresh air. Switzerland’s cities are also in full bloom, showcasing spring’s awakening.

City oases in bloom

It is not just nature that awakens in spring – Switzerland’s towns and cities also wake from their winter slumber. Parks and gardens transform the urban centres, invigorating them with life. Roses, tulips and daffodils make this time of year particularly stunning.

Wellness with a clear conscience

Sustainable wellness: As the days start getting shorter, the weather outside gets colder and snow starts to fall, many people are drawn to soothing wellness facilities. However, there is no denying that whirlpool baths, saunas and relaxation in quiet surroundings involve the consumption of a great deal of thermal energy. By taking many steps, both large and small, these Swiss flagship spas show just how important and effective commitment to green principles is for our environment.

Panorama trains delight with large windows, mountain and lake views and other scenic attractions.

• From 10 May 46th Solothurn Literature Days Solothurn, 10.05. - 12.05.2024
• until 11 May Day of the open wine cellars Valais Sion, 09.05. - 11.05.2024
• until 11 May Fantasy Basel – The Swiss Comic Con Basel, 09.05. - 11.05.2024
• until 12 May Piano Festival 2024 Lucerne, 09.05. - 12.05.2024
• until 12 May 30. Internationales Bachfest Schaffhausen Schaffhausen, 08.05. - 12.05.2024
• until 30 Jun Swiss Press Photo 24 Zurich
• From 11 May Hérens national cow fighting final Aproz, 11.05. - 12.05.2024
• 11 May Swiss National Mills Day 11.05.2024

Lucerne Cycling Holidays Centre tour Lucerne

Price per person in double room valid: 10.05.2024 - 31.12.2024

Scuol Wanderferien Nationalpark Panoramaweg

Sorell Hotel Seidenhof, Zurich Discover Zürich

holiday apartment valid: 10.05.2024 - 31.10.2024

Vaduz Hike: Via Alpina Buchs - Montreux

Andermatt alpine bike: berner oberland, schwarzsee alpine panorama trail schwarzsee - lake geneva, emmenmatt wandern: alpenpanorama weg gantrisch, schloss schadau hotel - restaurant, thun romance by the lakeside.

Price per double room valid: 10.05.2024 - 31.05.2024

Silvretta Parkhotel, Klosters Stay for 3 nights, pay for 2

Price per person in double room valid: 26.05.2024 - 13.10.2024

Solothurn Hike: Jura Crest Trail, Solothurn - Couvet

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May 10, 2024

10 most economically stable countries in the world in 2024

What is economic stability.

Economic stability is an important factor that determines prosperity and overall well-being of a country. Here are the top 10 most economically stable countries in the world, known for their excellent financial systems, sustainable growth, and high standards of living.

Switzerland (GDP $395 billion)

Switzerland tops the chart of the most economically stable nation. It is one gorgeous country noted for its strong banking sector, low unemployment rates, and high standard of living.

United Arab Emirates (GDP $579 billion)

Second in the list is the UAE which is known for its business-friendly environment, boosting tourism industry and grand infrastructure.

Canada (GDP $2.14 trillion)

Canada is blessed with immense natural beauty and resources. It has a stable political system and a highly skilled workforce. The country believes in environmental sustainability, and innovation, offering a high quality of life.

Germany (GDP $4.07 trillion)

Germany has Europe's largest economy. This industrial powerhouse has advanced infrastructure and a skilled workforce.

Japan (GDP $4.23 trillion)

Japan maintains its status as one of the world's most economically stable countries with its advanced technology sector, efficient infrastructure, and strong industrial base.

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Sweden (gdp $586 billion).

Sweden is famous for its progressive social policies, innovation-driven economy, and high standard of living. The country with its strong focus on research and development exemplifies the principles of a modern and inclusive economy.

Australia (GDP $1.68 trillion)

Australia is blessed with abundant natural resources, a stable political environment, and a highly skilled workforce. Australia ranks among the world's most economically stable countries.

Netherlands (GDP $991 billion)

Netherlands is a global hub for trade and finance. With a strong tradition of entrepreneurship, innovation, and international cooperation, the Netherlands is one of the most economically stable countries.

Norway (GDP $579 billion)

Norway too is blessed with immense natural resources, including oil and gas reserves. Norway has low unemployment, high wages, and generous social welfare programs.

Denmark (GDP $395 billion)

Denmark is known for its well-functioning welfare state, competitive business environment, and high-quality infrastructure which makes it one of the most stable countries in the world economically.

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