Places to Visit in Switzerland

Zurich is a place that conjures up images of breathtaking & unspoiled beauty of the stunning Swiss meadows, alpine forests, mighty Alps, and pristine mountain lakes. The city is forked into two by River Zurich into the Old and New Town areas. The Old Town is dotted with centuries-old churches, cobbled streets, and residences belonging to the Renaissance era. Due to its proximity to France, Germany, Italy, and Liechtenstein, you will see beautiful imprints of these cultures on the architecture here.

You will find the world’s largest clock tower here and a shopping street that’s amongst the world’s most exclusive and expensive shopping destinations.Zurich has beautifully balanced its rich cultural heritage with modernity and houses over 50 museums, art galleries, theatres, and a library that is considered to be the most beautiful in the world. It has some of the most stunning gardens, riverside promenades, hilly vantage points, perfect for a dream Swiss vacation. 

What is a Swiss vacation if you don’t try the famous chocolates! Zurich is known as the chocolate capital of Switzerland and certainly knows how to craft the best chocolates on the planet. Where else will you find a truffle that takes a whole year to make! Zurich also has many Michelin star restaurants that serve hearty and exotic dishes for an amazing fine dining experience.  For those who love to let their hair down, Zurich matches your verve with its spirit to party. It is dotted with amazing places great for ending a day with the best of drinks and snacks.

Interlaken is a quintessential Swiss town that sits in the lap of the majestic Alps. The long-fabled mountains surrounding the town have welcomed visitors for over a hundred years, making Interlaken the much-visited destination that it is today. The unparalleled scenic beauty of the Swiss Alps along with its rich culture and a very quaint, small-town vibe make Interlaken a holiday-maker's paradise.

From it's azure lakes to snow-capped mountains, Interlaken has a lot to offer! The old heart of the town, its centre is dotted with buildings that date back centuries. You can walk past old hotels, quirky cafes and chocolate making workshops here. Just like the rest of Switzerland, Interlaken also has an enviable variety of cheese that you must try. As far as culture is concerned, Interlaken has loads of it, including ancient musical instruments, colourful traditional dresses and local food. If you are lucky, you will be able to have a glimpse into all of these on a walk through the town.

If you love nature and would love to go on hikes and treks on your trip to Interlaken, then you have landed at the right place. You can catch one of over 45 cable cars that leave from Interlaken and get off at a different destination, allowing you access to hundreds of trails, summits, cliff-fronts, caves, waterfalls and more! There are trails that would take you through old villages, trails that run along Lakeshores and trails that go up the mountain tops. Whether you are here to enjoy the luxurious holiday destination of the Victorians or want to get your heart pumping with some amazing adventure sports, Interlaken has everything.

You can stand at the highest point of the continent or float down rivers, you can enjoy a private spa by a lake or glide through the air. Its beautiful landscape is steeped in history, myth, and legend and you will find everything from dragons to castles and old convents here.  Interlaken has something for everyone!

Located in the heart of Switzerland, occupying the banks of the Reuss River, the14th-century Lucerne is considered to be one of the most picturesque places in the country.

Miles of emerald-green meadows dotted with charming houses, church spires, and ancient towers edge around the sparkling Lake Lucerne with snow-capped mountains in the background. All these make Lucerne look straight out of a picture postcard making it one of the most astounding places to visit in Switzerland. The place even inspired Mark Twain and Leo Tolstoy to write about its beauty.

The city has beautifully preserved architectural relics from a lifetime ago, which lend an amazingly romantic and old-world charm to it. The Old Town area still seems to have held on to its 17th-century charm with its medieval-era buildings, red thatched-roof houses built of stone, charming town square areas, twin towers of the Hofkirche, the Lion Statue, and the 900-year-old St. Peter’s Church all dotted along cobbled streets. The area is known for its striking murals like that of Jesus turning water into wine and a meat cleaver outside an old cluster of butcher houses.

There are lovely cafes for one to enjoy decadent Swiss chocolates, coffees, and cheese and plenty of souvenir shops.  The 13th-century Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden bridge in Europe, with its flower-laden walls, art gallery-like sidewalks and astounding views of a setting sun behind the Water Tower.

You also get amazing views of the Lake and swans over the water framed by the Alps in the distance from the Chapel Bridge. There is the 17th-century Jesuit Church, famed for its gorgeous Baroque architecture and is a major landmark in Swiss history. Lucerne’s Glacier Garden is famous for its 20,000-year-old remnants like mussels & fossils from the Ice Age. 

The city is also famous for operating the world’s steepest cogwheel train up to the summit of Mount Pilatus, translating to ‘cloud-capped’, famous for mystical stories about its resident dragons and spirits. Another snowy peak that you can visit is Mount Titlis via the world’s first revolving cable car. The summit offers undulated views of the surrounding peaks, rocky crevasses, and stark glaciers. 

The summers in Lucerne are comfortable and the winters are freezing cold. The warmest month is July with temperature averaging around 24°C and January is the coldest, with temperatures plummeting to around 3°C. 

This charming alpine village lies at the foot of one of the most mystical and majestic mountains of Switzerland- The Matterhorn. Zermatt.One of the most impressive places to visit in Switzerland, Zermatt is famous for its rugged untouched beauty that’s so peaceful and calm that it will take you away from all your worldly problems. This is mostly because Zermatt is a car-free village and its beauty can be savoured leisurely on foot, horse-driven carriages, electric cars, and gondolas. 

In the old village area, there are as many as 30 ancient buildings including granaries that depict the traditional way of living of mountain communities. This area also has a beautiful ancient church, Mountaineer’s cemetery, and a museum dedicated to mountaineering. The village streets are dotted with cafes with flower-lined walls in typical Swiss style. It is an amazing experience as you tuck into delicate pastries, cheese, and coffee while looking onto the Matterhorn, looming just miles away. 

Travellers from all over the world visit Gornergrat, the sun-drenched observation deck that offers one of the finest views of over 38 thirteen-thousanders and 14 glaciers including Monte Rosa, Matterhorn, and the Gorner Glacier. The ride to this deck, in a glass cable car, is as exciting as the destination itself. This is where Europe’s highest hotel, the Kulmhotel Gornergrat, is located. No visit to Zermatt is complete without venturing into the breathtaking mountainside. Zermatt is one of the few places in Switzerland where you can get up close with wild Ibex and visit a village consisting entirely of igloos. This is the place where you can get direct access to miles of pristine skiing pistes and paragliding points. Zermatt is also one of the places that offer unforgettable dining experiences.

Whether it is authentic Swiss mountainside cuisine in rustic cafes, or award-winning restaurants serving hearty meals with the most exquisite of ingredients, or having a meal in a sky-high gondola ride while enjoying the sunrise or the moonlight, the choices here are endless. Zermatt, due to its location, enjoys extremely pleasant weather throughout the year. In summers, the days are cloudy and the temperatures average at around 22°C. The winters are long and harsh, with snowfall almost daily. 

A gorgeous resort town, Montreux is located on Lake Geneva in the south-western part of Switzerland. The town is burrowed between Lake Geneva, hills, wooded forests, and vineyards that allure people from all over the world to escape the humdrum of their lives amidst its beauty. Though it’s a small place, it has so much action packed in it that can keep you engaged for days. Lake Geneva is the most prominent attraction here with its promenade shaded by fig, mulberry, almond, and palm trees.

Enjoy boating in the lake or tuck in delectable Swiss food and wines near the riverside cafes. The gardens at the beaches are adorned with statues made of flowers and vines depicting the wildlife of Switzerland and other quirky silhouettes. The city’s most famous resident, Freddie Mercury, has been immortalised in the form of a statue. This statue stands in front of the Covered Market and is a must-see. Another must-visit attraction to see is the 12th- century Chillon Castle built by Savoy rulers. The castle is famous for its imposing architecture and old-world charm.

Montreux hosts several international jazz festivals that allure people from all over the world. The most famous is the Montreux Jazz Festival (held in July each year), September Musical Concert, and the International Choral Festival (the week after Easter). Montreux experiences a balmy and temperate climate. It gets a significant amount of rainfall during the entire year. The winters are freezing with temperatures going down below zero quite frequently. The summer months are pleasant with temperatures averaging around 15°C. 

Enjoy an enthralling vacation in St Moritz that is a scenic paradise for the visitors. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, alpine forests and twenty-five crystal clear mountain lakes and glaciers, this scenic city offers an unadulterated view of nature. It is dotted with quaint villages and cobbled streets layered by crystal sheets of snow. The tall pine trees and the stone castles present imagery of living in a dreamland. St.Moritz is dotted with a number of tourist attractions that lure visitors with their magnetizing combination of unrivaled luxury and natural wizards.

It has contemporary art centers showcasing the notable work of the artists and the museums that take you into the glorious past of this town. You can also find here exclusive clubs and shopping joints for ultimate relaxation and leisure. It is home to mountain restaurants and hotels that offer an otherworldly experience. It also has the casinos where you can try your luck in card games and win huge prizes. For all those craving for solitude and enlightenment, the churches in St.Moritz should be a must-visit. This alpine town is considered to be the prime territory for the lovers of snow sports.

It has hosted the Winter Olympics twice in the past and boasts of running the oldest bobsleigh in the world. You can hike on the snowy glaciers, or you can have an unforgettable mountain biking experience on the hilly tracks here. Snowboarding, windsurfing, skiing, and paragliding are the other popular activities here. You can also take a carriage ride through the Alpine villages and have an enthralling night at the nightclubs. St.Moritz experiences pleasant weather all year around. You can primarily witness winter and summer over here. During summers, the average maximum temperature is 16 degrees Celsius, and the average minimum temperature is 3 degrees Celsius. During winters, it experiences snowfall of around 71 mm. It has around 322 sunny days in a year.

Lugano, nicknamed as the Monte Carlo of Switzerland, is a popular tourist's destination in Switzerland known for its laid-back lifestyle and lovely scenic beauty, which entices tourists and wanderlust travellers from all over the world to its shorelines. A number of mountains, parks, Mediterranean style squares and arcades, and mountainous viewpoints surround the city that is a traffic-free historic township.  In this city, you will surely fall for the amazing Italianate architecture, promenades by the side of the lakes, parks on the waterfront, shopping streets and full of life squares with arcades and restaurants.

It is also famous for being the residence of the Nobel Prize winner, Hermann Hesse. The city of Lugano has also got a deeper connection with artworks and artisans. There are a number of centres, which promote the ancient artwork and architectural styles. You will also find countless museums like Museum of Cultures, Gabinetto di storia naturale, Swiss Customs Museum, Fondazione Gabriele e Anna Braglia Lugano, etc in the city where many popular artworks by some of the famous artists are on display starting from Klee, Jawlensky, and Renoir to Degas. 

Thanks to the amazing climatic condition of the place, that makes tourism a bliss. The climatic conditions remain moderate all through the year with temperature lying  in the range of 5 degree celsius to 25 degree celsius. The hottest month of the year  is July and the coldest month of the year is January. If you haven’t been to this amazing place, then it is surely the time to pack your bags and head out in search of liberty in this surreal beauty of Switzerland.

Basel, sharing its borders with France and Germany, lies on the banks of the River Rhine in the northwest region of Switzerland. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, especially known for the diversity of its flora and fauna. It has miles and miles of lilac flowers edging along the stunning Rhine River. Like all the major Swiss cities, Basel also has its own charming Old Town area, which takes one back in the luxurious and slow pace of life as it was in the medieval era. It has stone houses with tiled roofs, beautiful cafes, well-kept boutiques, and vantage points to see stunning views of River Rhine. There are numerous cruises available for you to see the pristine beauty of the river its promenades. 

The most famous attraction here is the 10th-century Basel Minster known for its architecture heavily influenced by Roman and Gothic architecture. Almost as a symbol of its diversity, near the church, stands the striking 18th-century Jewish synagogue. The city is a haven for those who love nature and the outdoors. Basel Zoo, the oldest and the largest in Switzerland, houses over 600 species of rare animals like Indian Rhino, Flamingo, African elephants, and panthers. The sun-drenched city of Basel is the cultural epicentre of Switzerland. This is the most vibrant of places in the country famed for its festivals, art events, concerts, and open-air cinemas. Due to its location on the French and German borders, it is a melting pot of people, languages, and cuisines. It is known as the ‘city of museums’ and has over 40 museums that house world-famous galleries, collections of paintings and artworks.

Some of the best museums to visit are the Basel Toy World Museum, Antiques Museum for Egyptian artefacts, and Basel Museum of Ancient Art. The people of Basel love to celebrate and welcome everybody to the amazing carnivals held here throughout the year. These carnivals are an absolute riot of music, satirical performances, hand-painted lantern processions, and parades by pipers & drummers in colourful costumes. Basel remains rainy throughout the year with overcast skies. The summers are comfortable with July being the hottest month. The winters are freezing with January being the coldest month. The temperatures fall below zero often accompanied by snowfall. 

St. Gallen lies in the north-eastern region of Switzerland and south of Lake Constance. It is considered to be one of the most picturesque places in Switzerland. It is nestled between lush hills and acres of stunning meadows, with the Lake adding a wealth of flora and fauna to its landscape. This rustic place is a haven for those who want to lose themselves in undulated beauty that it is abundantly bestowed with. Every Swiss city has such a unique cultural fabric that’s drastically diverse from the other.

St. Gallen has a very prominent European touch to it- be it its architecture, food, or heritage. It is located in the northern part of the country and has amazing things for everybody- sightseeing, entertainment, literary arts, and much more! St. Gallen’s claim to fame is its fashion industry. It houses the famous Textile Museum and it’s very unique character has inspired many artists and fashion designers. It houses ancient fabrics from Egypt and European countries. And the beauty doesn’t end here.

The library at the St. Gallen Abbey Convent has been voted as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for holding manuscripts dating back to the 8th-century. Those who love their drinks, St. Gallen is a must-visit. It houses Schutzengarten Brewery, the oldest brewery in Switzerland. It is famous for its award-winning German wheat beers and schwarzbier. Take a tour of the place and see its antique beer vessels and a collection of over 3000 bottles from all over the country.

One of the most jaw-dropping places to visit here is Red Square, which is the country’s largest outdoor living room. This unique place was created by the architect Carlos Martinez and Pipilotti Rist, a multimedia artist. A red rubber granulate is spread all over this huge lounge with changing overhead lighting depending on the area that you are in. It has sofas, couches, tables, and even a porch perfect as a business area or for children to play.

The city is famous for its wildlife and nature trails as well. Head over to Wildpark Peter and Paul to see animals like ibex, chamois, wild boar, lynx, etc. roaming freely. St. Gallen, due to its location near the Lake, enjoys pleasant summers with temperatures averaging at around 17°C. The winters are harsh and freezing, accompanied by constant snowfall. 

Bern, the capital city of Switzerland, lies on the northern side of the Bernese Alps on the plateau in the canton of Bern. One of the most photographed cities in the world, Bern is a place that looks straight out of your dreams. The city, one of the best places to visit in Switzerland, is known as one of the most well-preserved cities in the world and this is evident in the way it has lovingly maintained its heritage, culture, and architecture for centuries. One of the best attractions of Bern is its hundreds of fountains dating back to the 13th-century, and each of them is a unique artwork.

The most unusual of them all, and a must-visit, is Kindlifresserbrunnen (Ogre Fountain) depicting a scary medieval ogre devouring children. Now that’s a sight you will not see anywhere in the world! Bern’s Old Town area due to its stunning medieval-era beauty finds a place amongst UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The cobbled streets here are dotted with the majestic Parliament building, offices of some major Swiss banks, and grand hotels. In the nearby Kramgasse (market alley) you will pass century-old buildings that were wine cellars and granaries in ancient times.

This is where you can see the residence of Albert Einstein as well. Another famous Bernese attraction is the 11th-century Clock Tower that allows visitors to tour inside and see the still working mechanisms. The viewing platform atop the tower looks onto panoramic vistas of the Bernese peaks. The Bern Cathedral is a must-visit for not only its magnificent Gothic architecture and a huge façade depicting the ‘Last Judgement’, but also for seeing stunning views as far as Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau from its watchtower. 

Bern is one of the few cities in the world that allows one to sightsee not only on foot but also from its waters as you swim across its famed River Aare. The long winding river passes through all the major attractions like the Botanical Gardens and Old Matte District. The culinary landscape of Bern is famous as well! Try authentic Swiss delicacies at Restaurant Rosengarten that edges along with the famous rose garden or the magnificently decorated Kornhauskeller with its humongous chandeliers and fresco ceiling. Bern is mostly rainy throughout the year. The summers are warm, yet pleasant with temperatures averaging at around 20°C. The winters are short but cold with snowfall.

Schaffhausen is located on the northernmost edge of the country on the German border. Schaffhausen came into being due to the Rhine Falls. This was where the earliest inhabitants, the shippers, worked and later settled down. Schaffhausen enjoys unmatched natural beauty with its flowering trails, waterfalls, jaw-dropping views of the Alps, and lush meadows. This is one of the few cities where the Old Town area is free of cars. Considered to be the most beautiful of the old town areas in the whole of Switzerland, its buildings have huge bay windows and painted facades.

There are granaries and merchant houses dating back to the Baroque times. The shops here have a painting-like charm to them with their flower-laden window sills. You will find charming chocolatiers, cafes, cheese shops, perfumeries, and dressmakers. Listening to the Munot Bell here is a very surreal experience. The bell is rung by the guard of the 15th-century Munot fortress every day at 9:00 pm as a beautiful tradition that’s still followed from ancient times signalling the closing of gates.

For those who love the outdoors, can spend hours along the beaches of River Rhine. One can enjoy soaking in the sun, boating, cycling, or simply strolling as you see the world pass by. The houses in this area are colourful with intricately painted facades, which make for a picture-postcard like backdrop to the river.  Schaffhausen has distinct cold and warm periods. In the summers, the temperatures rise to around 25°C. Winters are pretty harsh with sub-zero temperatures, snowfall, and sleety rains.

Nestled in the bosom of the Bernese Alps, the quaint little city of Grindelwald offers a befitting abode in the heart of nature. The city of Grindelwald Switzerland is home to about 3,600 natives living here, and invites tourists from across the world. With its alpine beauty and clear skies, the city is a welcome respite from the bustle of the busy city life. Set against the backdrop of some prominent towering mountain peaks, Grindelwald is one of the most scenic tourist destinations in the country.

Along with its clear, shimmering lakes, the beautiful flower-clad hiking trails and rolling green valleys, the beauty of Grindelwald is quite unparalleled. The magnificence of the enchanting Grindelwald is further heightened with the splendid attractions found here. From the ice-covered regions of the Jungfraujoch peak, with its Ice Palace and Observatory Deck, to the natural lakes of Bachalpsee and Brienz, or the Canyon with its mammoth spider’s web, the attractions in Grindelwald are too many to be numbered.

Apart from its iconic tourist spots, the city of Grindelwald is best known for its unique activities and experiences. In winter, the city becomes a pilgrim site for skiers from across the world, while in summers, the hiking trails found here become a popular travel destination for both local as well as foreign hikers. The city also boasts of rides and experiences found nowhere else in the world, the First Flier, First Glider and the Alpine Sensations are only few of them.

Grindelwald is also home to a number of unique land sports, such as mountain carting, summer sledding and trotti biking. Moreover, the weather in Grindelwald remains cool throughout the year. The summer months between May to September, are generally cool and wet, while the winters here, between November to March, are freezing and snow-clad. Owing to its elevation, the city experiences a certain amount of precipitation throughout the year. All this and much more makes Grindelwald the ideal vacation destination and should get a spot in your list of places to travel.

The town of Thun lies in the Bernese Oberland region. It’s breathtaking natural beauty comes from its location near Lake Thun, which is considered to be amongst the most stunning lakes in Switzerland. It’s famously said that Thun has everything that a dream Swiss vacation should have! Its medieval castles and churches, old town area, charming cafes & charcuteries, are cradled in beautiful panoramas of snow-coated Bernese Alps and the calm blue waters of Lake Thun everywhere that you look. In fact, it is regarded as the gateway to Bernese Oberland.

The fact that Thun is not visited by many travellers, who are in favour of the more popular cities, makes it perfect for those who love a bit of solitude and quiet. The city is laid out around the lake, which is a huge vantage point in itself that looks onto the majestic Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. Travellers love to stay at the wooden chalets surrounded by alpine meadows that reverberate with the sounds of clinking Swiss bells. Charming bridges thread across the city connecting one beautiful attraction to the other. The flower-laden cafes are lovely and not only offer amazing pastries, macaroons, bread, and artisanal coffees but regularly hold musical performances and mini-concerts.

There is a town church dating back to the 13th-century and a 16th-century town square, both so well preserved that they immediately take you back to the rich Renaissance era. And so is the Old Town area, famous for its old cafes and shops. Take a day trip to the Thun Castle sits atop a hill. Don’t miss to see the museum inside and roam in the flowering courtyards. A fun thing to do here is to take a ride on the famous Ferris wheel to see views of Aare River and the entire city framed by the mountains in the foreground. Else, to see this beautiful city from a different perspective, ride on a historic 19th-century streamer and cruise along the length of Lake Thun.

Here, you can attend special beer tours that let you taste the most amazing spirits and take you to some of the oldest watchmakers’ shops to see and learn about the timeless art of Swiss watchmaking. Thun has a very unique weather system with great variations. While the first half of the year feels cool and pleasant, the second half of the year is cold and rainy accompanied by snow. The warmest month is July with temperatures of around 25°C and January is the coldest with temperature often falling below zero. 

Lausanne, the capital city of the canton of Vaud, lies on the edge of Lake Geneva. It extends from Lavaux to La Cote. Ranked amongst the most beautiful cities not only in Switzerland but also around the world, Lausanne’s landscape is stunning, to say the least.  One of the first things that you will notice is its pristine natural beauty of snow-coated mountains and lush meadows beautifully interspersed by Lake Geneva. Anywhere you go in the city, the views of snow-drifted French Alps searing through clear blue skies accompany you.

One of the major landmarks here is the 12th-century Cathedral of Notre Dame, which is famous for not only its imposing arches and facades but also for housing a 12 million dollar organ gifted by the city of Boston. When in Lausanne, don’t miss visiting the vineyards of Lavaux. Stretching up till Vevey-Montreux, these stairlike vineyards are a haven of tranquillity and beauty. Since they are considered to have universal importance, they were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can walk for miles amidst these lush plantations and some of the most delicate wines on earth. 

The city was established by Romans and their imprints can be seen everywhere- in its culture, monuments, and food. Lausanne is inhabited mostly by students and young people, and that’s reflected in the verve of the city. The streets come alive with community markets, that are held here often, with hundreds of local street vendors selling amazing Swiss foods, beer sellers, souvenir shops, and street musicians lending a beautiful vibe to the city. When you’ve done too much sightseeing and want to spend time in solitude that only nature can provide, head over to the Sauvabelin Forest area.

It is a stunning sight to see the crystal clear waters of Lake Sauvabelin reflect in its waters the dark silhouettes of tall trees and the golden setting sun behind them. Helicopter rides are available for you to soak in panoramic views of the city as you cruise high up in the skies.Lausanne cloudy weather adds to the romantic Swiss atmosphere. It rains intermittently all through the year. The coldest month is January with temperatures falling to around 1°C. Summers are warm yet pleasant with temperatures hovering around 20°C.