The Top 10 Places in Switzerland

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Switzerland, one of Europe’s perennially popular travel destinations, has

fascinated American travelers ever since the days of the legendary Grand Tour.

While its reputation for après-ski chicness, Heidi-like mountain villages and

outstanding world-class hotels is renowned among tourists, if you peel back the

promotional veneer you’ll discover a multi-faceted destination that transcends

the tourist-brochure hype and provides a world of experiences for the more

sophisticated traveler.

For those travelers, here are the top tourism destinations in Switzerland, as

reported by Switzerland Tourism. (Photos courtesy of Switzerland Tourism

unless otherwise noted)

photo: Alejandro Forero-Cuervo

1. Zurich

Zürich lies not only in the heart of Europe but also in the hearts of those who

have made the city the top destination in Switzerland. Set on the northern

shores of Lake Zürich with a magnificent view of the snowcapped Alps on the

horizon, Zürich’s multicultural flair and variety of leisure activities makes it

popular with travelers from all over the world.

The city’s downtown offers a unique mixture of attractions – over 50 museums

and more than 100 art galleries, shops selling international fashion labels as

well as Zürich designs, and the most flamboyant and lively nightlife in the

country. Recreational activities range from sailing on the lake in the very heart

of the city, to a spectacular hike on the Uetliberg Mountain.

The city is easy to reach, by train, plane or car. Its international airport is only a

10-minute train ride from downtown and Zürich’s Main Railway Station is

regarded as a central European railroad hub.

photo: Kevin Gessner

2. Geneva

Set between nearby Alpine peaks and the hilly terrain of the Jura, French-

speaking Geneva lies in the bay where the Rhone leaves Lake Geneva. With its

humanitarian tradition and cosmopolitan flair, Geneva is the European seat of

the United Nations and headquarters of the Red Cross, adding to its reputation

as the “Capital of Peace.”

Travelers find the city’s old town, with its quays, lakeside promenades, elegant

shops, parks and lively side streets, an inviting place to stroll. The famous Jet

d’Eau, a fountain with a near-500 foot-high water jet that is set in Lake Geneva,

is an icon of the city

Culturally, this city on the westernmost fringe of Switzerland has much to offer.

International artists perform in the Grand Théâtre and the Opera House, and

there’s a diverse range of museums including — what else — the Musée

international de l’horlogerie, a watch museum with a collection of jewelry

watches and musical clocks.

photo: stevebrownd50

3. Lucerne

To many travelers Lucerne is the essence of Switzerland. The gateway to

central part if the country, it sits picture-perfect on Lake Lucerne, set below a

beautiful panorama of the Alps.

Add to this picturesque setting a car-free old town with gable paintings; a

covered, medieval bridge in the center of town (one of the oldest covered

wooden bridges in Europe); historic houses decorated with frescoes; and

charming town squares, and you’ll understand why Lucerne is perennially

popular. But the traditional also stands side-by-side with modernity here, and

the town has earned a reputation for innovative design. The futuristic Culture

and Convention Centre (KKL), designed by leading French architect Jean

Nouvel, is one the architectural highlights of the town.

Outside Lucerne you’ll find beautiful views on a trip up one of its nearby

mountains, and enjoy a great experience on a steamship cruise along the

beautiful lake. The city is a good starting point for excursions about central

Switzerland.

4. Interlaken

Interlaken, in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland Region between Lake Thun and

Lake Brienz, is presided over by the three mighty mountains: the Eiger, Mönch

and Jungfrau.

Interlaken is considered the adventure capital of Switzerland and its more than

45 mountain railways, cable cars, chair lifts and ski lifts lead the adventurous to

150 miles of slopes and a dense network of hiking trails. Every day in the winter

season, visitors benefit from the city’s central location by being able to choose

from several different area ski regions.

In the warmer months those who like to paraglide head for Beatenberg-

Niederhorn, a popular area just 7 miles away. Those with less lofty ambitions

enjoy cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz aboard excursion boats, including

historic paddle steamers.

5. Lake Geneva Region

The Lake Geneva Region, encompassing Lausanne. Lauvaux and Montreux,

has two UNESCO World Heritage Site listings and is the fifth most popular area

of Switzerland.

The setting of Lausanne is so picturesque it’s not surprising the International

Olympic Committee has been based here since 1914. The town, built on three

hills, is surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes, with Lake Geneva at its feet

and the Savoy Alps of France across the lake. The attractive old town,

dominated by the cathedral regarded as Switzerland’s most impressive piece of

early Gothic architecture, is filled with cafes and boutiques shaping the

streetscape in the medieval city center.

Nearby Lavaux is a wonderful world of vineyard terraces. At 800 hectares it is

Switzerland’s largest contiguous vineyard area with terraces that not only offer

magnificent views, but also produce such fine wines as St-Saphorin, Dézaley

and Epesses. Travelers can taste them on visits to one of the charming pintes,

mini-restaurants typical of the Lavaux.

Montreux, home of the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival that takes place

annually in June/July, is surrounded by vineyards set against the breathtaking

backdrop of snow-covered Alps. Because of the exceptionally mild climate

many plants associated with the Mediterranean, such as pines, cypresses and

palms grow here.

6. Basel

Bisected by the Rhine, and nestled between Germany and France, Basel is the

third largest city in Switzerland. Given its geographical position it should come

as no surprise that a diversity of cultures, a multifaceted history and modern art

and architecture converge here.

Travelers know the city for its historic landmarks, including the large market

square with its richly decorated red sandstone town hall and the late

Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. Basel is known as “The City of Art” and its

nearly 40 museums give it the highest density of museums in the country.

Among them are the internationally known Basel Art Museum, the museum

devoted to the iron sculptor Jean Tinguely, the Fondation Beyeler and the

Museum of Cultures, all of which attract a great many visitors, as do several

galleries and playhouses and its symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra and

musical theatre featuring international productions.

The yearly Fasnacht (Carnival) is the most important celebration for the people

of Basel. On the Monday following Ash Wednesday the city rises with the

“Morgenstraich,” a colorful and brilliant procession through the streets of the

city that begins when the lights of the city are extinguished at exactly 4:00am..

7. Zermatt

In the Valais region of Switzerland, popular Zermatt lies at the foot of

Matterhorn, the most photographed mountain in the world. Its location in the

middle of an enormous hiking and ski region makes it one of the world’s most

attractive vacation villages.

The ski region encompasses 63 mountain railways and more than 200 miles of

slopes. The region called “Matterhorn Glacier Paradise“ is Europe’s largest and

highest-lying summer skiing region, a place where many national ski teams train

in the summer.

The region is also legendary amongst mountaineers: the Haute Route, a

challenging international route that takes several days to complete, leads from

Mont Blanc to Zermatt. Over 400 kilometers of hiking trails lead through and out

of the Matter Valley, including the mule traders’ trails, which date back to the

13th century.

Zermatt’s hotels and restaurants are world-class and the air is clear, dry and

clean – likely due to a law enacted in 1947 that allows only electric cars without

a combustion engine to operate in the village.

8. Engadin St. Moritz

Located at 1,800 m above sea level in the alpine canton of Graubünden, and

blessed with 322 days of sunshine a year, the 13 towns and villages of the

Engadin St. Moritz region enjoy a gloriously mild microclimate. Travelers are

lured here by a unique combination of chic atmosphere, authentic village

tradition and unspoiled nature. The Upper Engadin provides spectacular

mountain views, a seemingly endless expanse of lake plateau and, to some, a

magical quality in the light.

The area has a fascinating cultural heritage – while Romansch is its official main

language, German is spoken in St. Moritz, Italian in the neighboring valleys,

French at the Club Med and a lot of English at the Cresta Run, a ¾ mile long

toboggan track that winds its way from St Moritz down past the tiny hamlet of

Cresta, to the village of Celerina.

9. Bern

Of all of Switzerland’s cities, Bern, the capital city, is perhaps the most

immediately charming. Crammed onto a steep-sided peninsula in a crook of the

fast-flowing River Aare, its quiet, cobbled lanes are lined with sandstone

arcaded buildings that have changed little over the past 500 years with the

exception, perhaps, of the addition of modern shop signs and the odd car or

tram rattling past.

The hills all around, and the steep banks of the river, are still heavily wooded.

The old town of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks in part to its

four miles of arcades, which the locals refer to as “Lauben,” making it the

longest weather-sheltered shopping promenade in Europe. Views of the area,

especially of both the Old Town’s clustered roofs and of the majestic Alps on

the horizon, are beautiful.

10. Ticino

The Mediterranean region seems to begin on the southern side of the Alps in

Ticino. There is a feel of Italy here, with palm trees and citrus trees scattered

about, and streets winding their way down to little piazzas. This is Switzerland’s

only Italian-speaking canton and here the Italian love of food, wine and la dolce

vita somehow finds harmony with the Swiss respect for regulations and rules.

The city of Bellinzona, capital of the canton, and the valleys of Upper Ticino are

beautiful and home to a rich gastronomy, fascinating art and wide stretches of

unspoiled nature. Bellinzona’s three castles, defensive wall and ramparts of the

old market town are listed as World heritage Sites by UNESCO. The city of

Lugano, set on the lake of the same name, is Switzerland’s third financial

center.

The Lake Maggiore region is exceptionally rich in contrasts and packed with

variety – from the palm-lined lakeshores to glaciers, chic shopping and ancient

traditions. The lakeside town of Locarno enjoys what is probably the best

climate in Switzerland, with nearly 2300 hours of sunshine a year and an

average annual temperature of 60°F. The town has several cultural events,

including an international Film Festival.

The Mendrisiotto Region of Ticino s particularly well known for the delicious

food and wine. At its traditional inns (called grotto) you can taste a wide variety

of Ticino specialties and wines produced in the region.

And one additional…

11. Appenzell

The village of Appenzell and the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden are situated

in a singularly beautiful landscape of rolling hills. The region is known for rural

customs and traditions such as the ceremonial descent of the cattle in autumn

and cultural events such as folk music and rustic dances, as well as hiking and

biking tours in the Alpstein region.

With about 7,000 inhabitants, Appenzell is the political, economic and cultural

center of Appenzell Innerrhoden, the smallest Swiss canton. The car-free village

beckons with pretty lanes and a myriad of small stores and boutiques that are

ideal for shopping and browsing. The facades of the buildings are decorated

with frescoes. Appenzell Museum, which is in the town hall, shows a cross

section of Appenzell’s history and culture.

A dense network of hiking trails crisscrosses the hilly landscape of Appenzell.

The Alpstein region with 2500-meter-high rock formations lends itself to

challenging hiking tours and climbing trips. Approximately 200 kilometers of

cross-country tracks and three popular ski areas beckon in the winter.

If you go:

Switzerland Tourism

Tel: 1-800 794 7795 or 1-877-794-8037

Fax: (212) 262 6116

E-mail: info.usa@myswitzerland.com

Tagged as: Appenzell, Basel, Bern, Engadin St. Moritz, Geneva, Interlaken, Lake Geneva,

Lucerne, Switzerland, Ticino, Zermatt, Zurich

Like 2 people like this.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Donna Manz January 4, 2012 at 7:48 pm

Basel is on my to-do list … early December, Christmas market. I can

even pick up a Christmas markets river cruise in Basel …. I love Switzerland in

the winter. Thanks for featuring it.

REPLY

Pat Boing January 4, 2012 at 8:09 pm

Donna,

I spent a few days in Basel in November prior to my river cruise. I loved

every minute of it and plan to go back someday. The museums there are

wonderful.

REPLY

Donna Manz January 5, 2012 at 5:44 pm

Pat, you sound like someone who would be fun to travel with

(you, evidently, have a passion for travel!). My motto is, “live life to the

fullest … travel.” and I do … thanks for reading

http://www.neverstoptraveling.com and taking the time to comment. I

appreciate that. Warm regards and best wishes for a new year of good

health and travel opportunities, Donna

REPLY

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