Increase text size Decrease text size
Send to a friend Print this page

Switzerland

Skiing and après ski, contemporary art, watches, chocolate and fine cheeses all melt together with sublime efficiency in Switzerland.

Home to the Matterhorn and flower-strewn meadows, sample the Bear Garden in Bern, the Palais des Nations in Geneva and go Nordic walking in the mighty Alps.

Select a country to visit | large view

You need flashplayer to see this map
search tickets

Popular places in Switzerland



Cityscape
 After exploring the colonnaded streets and boutiques of Bern, head north for sophisticated Zürich, west for Basel and south again to multicultural Geneva. The blend of medieval and modern architecture will whet your appetite for more: the bridges of Luzern, lively Lausanne and Neuchatel, famous for watches and wine.

Landscape
 Those familiar images which have long adorned chocolate boxes are yours to enjoy. Ski with jet-setters on the slopes of Gstaad. Hike among the tinkling cow bells of the Bernese Oberland. Sample the local wines of the Jura vineyards and bask in the southern sunshine on Lake Maggiore.

Take Home
 Indulge in all manner of chocolate and marzipan confections. Seek out local producers and take your pick of hard and soft cheeses and schnapps, especially cherry kirsch. Look out for wooden toys and delectable baby and children’s clothes. Go for watches and jewellery, and hunt for the perfect Swiss army knife.

Eat & Drink
 Enjoy regional specialities like melted cheese fondue and raclette, Zürigschnätzlets (veal and mushrooms in cream sauce) served with Rösti (potato cakes) and Nüss Gipfeli (nut croissants). Vegetarians can feast on a Gemüseteller (platter of fresh vegetables). Ask for the local offene Weine (draught wine) and at harvest time drink the popular Sauser (unfermented wine).

New Perspective
 Wander Bern’s Matte district on the banks of the River Aare and hear two exclusive languages: Mattenänglisch and Matte Bernerdeutsch. Hang in with the art scene at the converted shipbuilding factory in Zuri West.

Borders with




11 Popular places in Switzerland

0 | 5 | 10
Photo by and copyright of Tagliner
Lausanne, on Lake Geneva
Google Map

Lausanne

Climbing up three hills above twinkling Lake Geneva, Lausanne’s parks, tree-lined promenades and nearby vineyards appeal to nature-loving visitors. The cathedral stands tall in its Gothic glory in the heart of the Old Town, a short hop away from the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee.

Top
Photo courtesy Zürich Tourism.
St Peter Church, Zürich.
Google Map

Zurich

Zürich is frequently ranked the world’s top city for quality of life. It might be Switzerland’s biggest metropolis and home to its famous financial muscle, but picturesque lake walks, a buzzing cultural scene and charming old-town streets make it a captivating urban adventure. Go see!

Top

Basel, Switzerland.
Google Map

Basel

Hop on a vintage tram to discover Switzerland’s cultural capital Basel. Sweep past the university and admire the al fresco artworks and modern architecture on Aeschenplatz. After dark, take a stroll through the old town or across the Rhine’s Mittlere Rheinbrücke bridge.

Top
Photo by Christof Sonderegger Courtesy of Switerland Tourism.
Bern city centre.
Google Map

Bern

Diminutive Bern may be Switzerland’s capital, but it has the peaceful air of a provincial town, with its UNESCO-listed centre of medieval sandstone arcades. Check out the Gothic cathedral and elaborate clock tower then visit the bears at home in the historic bear pits.

Top
Photo by Marcel Giger,
View over Lake Davos.
Google Map

Davos

Whether snowboarding, tobogganing, skating or plain old-fashioned skiing is your thing, Swiss resort Davos has over 300km of pistes to satisfy the snow-hungry. Fly down the Flüela Valley FIS racing piste, glide over the Jakobshorn or take the family down the friendlier Pisha, Madrisa and Rinerhorn.

Top