18 Best Places & Cities.in Switzerland to visit
18 Best Places & Cities.in Switzerland to visit
We are happy to present you our unique travel guide for Places and Cities.in Switzerland that will help you discover the wonderful attractions of this country. If you read our article until the end you will know where to eat, at which hotel to stay, you will see the tours worth doing, you will learn tricks to save money, how to get here and you will discover the budget you need depending on the travel offers presented.
Table of Contents
Our itinerary from Switzerland written in separate articles from this one: Zurich; Lucerne-Lungern; Interlaken-Lauterbrunnen-Grindelwald;Iseltwald-Spiez-Sarnen; Geneva; Lausanne; Bern; Basel. Discover more of Switzerland flights with us!
Informations
Switzerland is a federal republic composed of 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Bern. Although the Alps occupy the greater part of the territory, the Swiss population of approximately 8.5 million is concentrated mostly on the plateau, where the largest cities and economic centers are, among them Zürich, Geneva and Basel. These three cities are home to several offices of international organizations such as the WTO, the WHO, the ILO, the headquarters of FIFA, the UN’s second-largest office, as well as the main office of the Bank for International Settlements. The main international airports of Switzerland are also located in these cities.
Quick Tips
When to travel: Peak tourist months are from May to July, but one can take a trip to Switzerland in any season, depending on their interests.
Language: The official languages are German, Italian, French.
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) 1$ =0,9 CHF 1€=1,1 CHF
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=23 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=92 EUR
You can find more information about the visa here.
Places & Cities.in Switzerland
Jungfrau
Together with the Eiger and Mönch, the Jungfrau forms a massive wall of mountains overlooking the Bernese Oberland and the Swiss Plateau, one of the most distinctive sights of the Swiss Alps. Here you can enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the Switzerland mountains.
Along with the Aletsch Glacier to the south, the Jungfrau is part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch area, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 2001.
Chillon Castle is an island castle located on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), south of Veytaux in the canton of Vaud.Chillon is amongst the most visited castles in Switzerland and Europe. Successively occupied by the house of Savoy then by the Bernese from 1536 until 1798, it now belongs to the State of Vaud and is classified as a Swiss Cultural Property of National Significance.The Fort de Chillon, its modern counterpart, is hidden in the steep side of the mountain.
Is a waterfall located in Switzerland and the most powerful waterfall in Europe The falls are located on the High Rhine on the border between the cantons of Schaffhausen and Zürich , between the municipalities of Neuhausen am Rheinfall and Laufen-Uhwiesen/Dachsen , next to the town of Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland.
They are 150 m (490 ft) wide and 23 m (75 ft) high. The falls cannot be climbed by fish, except by eels that are able to worm their way up over the rocks.
Pilatus
The Pilatus is a mountain massif in Switzerland south of Lucerne. It lies in the border area of the cantons of Lucerne in the west and Nidwalden and Obwalden in the area of the highest elevations, the highest point of which is the Tomlishorn with a height of 2128 m.
Chapel Bridge
The Chapel Bridge is a medieval covered wooden bridge over the Reuss in Lucerne. It is considered a landmark and one of the major tourist attractions in the city. In the middle is the water tower.
Titlis Mountain
The Titlis is a 3238 m above sea level. M. high mountain in the mountain range of the Uri Alps and one of the most popular winter sports and excursion destinations in Central Switzerland.
Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich is a lake in Switzerland, extending southeast of the city of Zürich. Depending on the context, Lake Zürich or Zürichsee can be used to describe the lake as a whole, or just that part of the lake downstream of the Seedamm at Rapperswil, whilst the part upstream of Rapperswil may be called the Obersee or Upper Lake.
The Bernina Express is an international train service operated by the Rhaetian Railway. Along with the Glacier Express, it is one of the tourist highlights of the Rhaetian Railway. The Albulabahn and Berninabahn routes used by the Bernina Express were declared UNESCO World Heritage sites in the summer of 2008. The Bernina Express leaves the 585 m above sea level Chur train station in the direction of Thusis and travels to Pontresina via the Albula Railway.
Jet d'eau
The Jet d’eau is a fountain in Lake Geneva with a jet of water up to 140 meters high. It is one of the symbols of the city of Geneva.
Oeschinen Lake
Oeschinen Lake is a lake in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. Its maximum depth is 56 metres (184 ft).
The lake is fed through a series of mountain creeks and drains underground. Part of it is captured for electricity production and as water supply for Kandersteg.
The lake is generally frozen during five months, from December to May. From time to time ice skating is possible on the ice.
Fish in the lake include Arctic char , lake trout , rainbow trout . From January to March, ice fishing is popular.
The Lion Monument is a rock relief in Lucerne, Switzerland. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris. It is one of the most famous monuments in Switzerland, visited annually by about 1.4 million tourists.In 2006 it was placed under Swiss monument protection.
Mark Twain praised the sculpture of a mortally wounded lion as -the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.
The Swiss National Museum is located in the city of Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, next to the Central Station.
There are also: a Collections Gallery, a place where there are Swiss furnishings being exhibited, an Armoury Tower, a diorama of the Battle of Murten, and a Coin Cabinet showing 14th, 15th, 16th century Swiss coins and even some coins from the Middle Ages.
St. Pierre Cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland, was built as a Roman Catholic cathedral, but became a Reformed Protestant Church of Geneva church during the Reformation. It is known as the adopted home church of John Calvin, one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation. Inside the church is a wooden chair used by Calvin.
Basel Minster is a religious building in the Swiss city of Basel, originally a Catholic cathedral and today a Reformed Protestant church.
One of the main landmarks and tourist attractions of Basel, it adds definition to the cityscape with its red sandstone architecture and coloured roof tiles, its two slim towers and the cross-shaped intersection of the main roof. The Swiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance lists the Münster as a heritage site of national significance.
The Old City is the medieval city center of Bern, Switzerland. Built on a narrow hill bordered on three sides by the river Aare, its compact layout has remained essentially unchanged since its construction during the twelfth to the fifteenth century.
The Old City is home to Switzerland’s tallest minster as well as other churches, bridges and a large collection of Renaissance fountains.
The Zurich Opera House is an opera house in the Swiss city of Zürich. It is also home to the Zürich Ballet.
The Opera House also holds concerts by its Philharmonia orchestra, matinees, Lieder evenings and events for children. The Zürich Opera Ball is organized every year in March, and is usually attended by prominent names.
Bern Minster
In the late Middle Ages, the reformed Bern Minster was home to St. Vincent of Zaragoza, the largest and oldest spartan churches in Switzerland. It was built in the Gothic style and belongs to those Gothic churches that could only be completed in the 19th century after the advent of historicism.
The Castle of Gruyères , located in the medieval town of Gruyères, Fribourg, is one of the most famous in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
A collection of landscapes by 19th century artists Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Barthélemy Menn and others are on display in the castle.
An international collection of Fantastic Art is also exhibited (José Roosevelt, Gian Paolo Dulbecco).
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Switzerland is offering for guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – the hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
We managed to find the best three companies that offer hotels, holiday homes and transportation. These are: Booking.com,Trip.com and Vrbo. We have already tested these companies and we warmly recommend them. As a result this will just bring you good deals for your next vacation.
Top Switzerland hotels we recommend in Geneva : Nash Pratik Hotel, ibis Styles Genève Carouge,Kipling Manotel.
Top Switzerland hotels we recommend in Bern : Hotel Savoy,THE BRISTOL – Hotel-Bar-Lounge – Bern,Moxy Bern Expo
Top Switzerland hotels we recommend in Zürich : citizenM Zürich,Hotel Adler Zürich,EMA House Hotel Suites.
Where to eat
Before we introduce you to the best known restaurants in Switzerland, we will tell you about traditional food in Switzerland, what are the dishes you should not miss, but also about desserts.
Traditionally a Swiss cheese fondue is made with two different kinds of cheese, depending on the region of Switzerland you’re in. It is served in a casserole, below which you put a candle to keep the cheese melted. Served with bread cubes and potatoes, which you dip in the hot cheese.
On your Switzerland trip, don’t forget to try the traditional swiss food, Rösti. Mostly made with potatoes and sometimes added with eggs or meat. The thinly grated potatoes are baked in a pan with butter until crisp and golden.Many people enjoy eating rosti with fried eggs, pork, bacon, and spinach.
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes is a regional Swiss cuisine and is particularly popular in Zurich. Simply translates to “Zürich style sliced meat”, you can find it on many of Zurich’s restaurants on their menu.
Maluns are a traditional Swiss dish made of crumbly potato nibbles, which are covered in flour and butter and then fried, served with cheese, cream, and apple or cranberry sauce.
Älpermagronen is a hearty Swiss dish which consists of layers of macaroni pasta, potatoes, cheese (preferably Gruyère or another hard cheese) and cream which are placed in a pot and baked in the oven.
Mehlsuppe is made from flour, onions, bouillon, and white or red wine.
For the chocolate lover, don’t miss Läderach, one of the best Swiss chocolate in Switzerland. It is a bean-to-bar chocolate maker, offering up about 20 different combinations of chocolate with flavorings and inclusions of all sorts.
Normally served as dessert, Chocolate Fondue is also very famous in Switzerland.
If you have a sweet tooth, then you cannot leave Switzerland without having a Movenpick ice cream. Movenpick is the country’s homegrown brand and it is internationally recognized as one of the best ice cream brands.
Creme double de la Gruyere– the local double cream – served with fresh raspberries, and meringues. The double cream is unique. It is made from high-quality milk from selected farms in the Gruyeres region and has a very high butterfat content. It is always served in a traditional wooden bowl.
Château de Villa– mountainside in Sierre
Swiss Rösti at Restaurant Brasserie Anker-Bern
Fischer’s Fritz Zurich
Restaurant Findlerhof Zermatt
Restaurant Findlerhof is accessible via cable car, funicular, or a really steep uphill hike.The sunny terraces are the perfect setting for traditional rösti, pastas, risottos, and meat dishes.
Chez Vrony Zermatt
Vegetarian Dining: Haus Hiltl, Zurich
It’s safe to say that Haus Hiltl was vegetarian before vegetarianism was trendy. Founded in 1898, the Zurich landmark claims to be the world’s first vegetarian restaurant—and it’s certainly the longest-running one. The menu here is suited to vegetarians and vegans, but even diehard carnivores might be tempted by potato truffle soup or the Hiltl Wellington, made with smoked tofu and red wine sauce.
Best for Desserts: Frutal
Meringues, the sweet dessert of baked egg whites, were supposedly invented in Meiringen, Switzerland. So naturally, the most famous meringue confectioner in the country is based here. You’ll know you’re at the right spot when you see a giant meringue out front. The bakery, dessert house, and tea room serve up plenty of other sweets, including chocolate confections, apple strudels, and creamy pastries. Kids will love the different holiday-themed treats on offer.
Saving Tips
Enjoy unlimited access by public train, bus, and boat to visit more than 41 cities, reach peaks of many mountains, and sail through beautiful lakes in Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass. So if you want to visit all the cities and villages in Switzerland this is the best option to save money, because buying everytime a train or bus ticket for every new destination, would be very expensive.
- Try to avoid high season: July, August and late December to mid-March. Accommodation is often cheaper the rest of the year.
- Pay with Swiss francs, not Euros or other foreign currencies.
- Plan your trips in advance to estimate travel costs.
- Even without a rail pass, traveling is free in some cases. For example: if you book a hotel in Bern, Geneva or Montreux, you’ll get free access to local public transport. If you book an airport hotel, free rides to the airport are often included.
- There are budget hotels even in popular towns.
- If you plan to stay in one town for a week or longer, consider renting an apartment. It’s cheaper, and you can cook your own meals.
- Look for souvenirs in department stores like Loeb or Manor, or even in supermarkets. This is often cheaper than souvenir shops.
All public transport in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva is free with a Swiss Travel Pass and several other rail passes-Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat; Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns & cities; Free admission to more than 500 museums; Mountain excursions included: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos; Up to 30% discount on SBB RailAway.
Alternatively, you can purchase a Zurich Card that allows free public transport throughout the city as well.
Single trip without a city card: CHF 6.80 (Children: CHF 3.40) Day travel pass 24h: CHF 13.60 (Children: CHF 6.80)
If you do not go by car and need to know more informations about the tours, things to see and do in Zurich, we recommend this two companies that are offering tours for any kind of activity you want to do and where you can buy trips much cheaper than if you buy them when you arrive at your destination. It is always good to be able to save some money!
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There’s no feeling in the world like connecting with new places, people and experiences through travel. From the iconic to the unexpected, get those “pinch me” moments through a series of Trafalgar highlights others may never know about, or have access to.
Shopping
- Bon Genie: Having about 20 lifestyle stores, this shopping mall has seven floors with different stores for designer clothes and accessories.
- Septieme Etage: Located in Geneva, this store was opened by a New York based fashion journalist.
- Fashion & Accessories: There are world famous brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Escada, Armani, Leonardo, Hugo Boss and many more, this shopping destination has almost all designer brands.
- Manor: Starting from groceries to clothes, watches to Swiss chocolate and souvenirs to take back home.
- Bahnhofstrasse: Located in Zurich, this is one of most popular shopping areas and tourist destination. There are luxury stores and designer boutiques
- Niederdorf: This shopping area is famous for its nightlife and dining.
- Old Town: There are international brands, luxury shops, designer boutiques and plenty of souvenir and cutlery shops along with a huge toy shop in this shopping area located in between Bahnhofstrasse and Limmat River in Zurich.
- Globe Departmental Store: This Bern based shopping street offers tax-free shopping. There are attractive watch stores, jewellery stores, fashion brands, wine stores, spas .
- Craft Market: This place offers exclusive hand-made craft items and are open from March until December at the foot of the Bern Cathedral. This is the best place to buy any kinds of souvenirs.
- Loeb: The most famous departmental store in Bern, this shopping mall has eight floors with international brands and unique gem stores.
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Freitag – For stylish and trendy accessories
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Maurice de Mauriac – The most acclaimed luxury watch store
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Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet
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Lele Pyp – A luxury footwear store
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Swiss chocolates and Swiss cheese are world famous and are sold at many places all through the country. Make sure you try them out when in town.
Getting Around
Public transportation in Switzerland takes many forms, including trains, buses, trams, boats, funiculars, and even cable cars. Most transportation modes are operated at a local or regional level, though; the fare rules in the next city over could be completely different from your own. Despite any regional variations, Switzerland is an exemplary case of how public transportation should work.
Most of Switzerland’s trains are operated by Swiss Federal Railways. Switzerland has international train connections to Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Liechtenstein.
Getting around Europe by bus is also relatively easy and cheap. There are buses to Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Bern from most capitals in Europe. However, the journey can be very long, sometimes taking over 15 hours. Diverse bus companies offer bus trips to Switzerland. With Eurolines, IC Bus or Flixbus you travel cheaply from Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Milan, Turin, Rome, Vienna, Paris, Zagreb, Bratislava, Prague and other cities to Zurich and the other important cities.
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Getting here
Traveling from Europe and Switzerland flights
Thanks to the numerous low-cost airlines that fly to Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva flying has become the easiest and quickest way to get in Switzerland. If you book in advance, you can easily find return tickets from different European cities to Zurich for around € 50 (US$ 53.70).
Low-cost airlines that fly here:
- SWISS
- British Airways
- Helvetic
- Edelweiss
- Lufthansa
- Qatar Airways is one of the biggest company in the world with unprecedented expansion, flying to over 160 destinations worldwide.
Traveling from North America
The citizens for North America will find direct flights and flights with 1 stopp from U.S. cities and Canada to Zurich.Also there are many option to fly from Mexico and the other countries as well.
Some examples of trans-Atlantic airline companies: Lufthansa, Etihad, Emirates, Qatar Airways.
Traveling from Asia
You can fly from the Asian continent to Zurich, from cities like New Delhi, Dubai, Tel-Aviv, Singapore and Bangkok etc. with stops in Warsaw, Dubai and direct flights. And from the other countries and cities you will find more flight options with Emirates and Qatar.
The most important airport is in Zurich, where most planes from all over the world arrive.
How to get to the city center from the airport
By S-Bahn or Train-Trains run daily from Zurich Airport to Zurich Main Station every 5–10 minutes between 5 am and midnight. In addition, the S-Bahn lines S2 and S16, as well as various regional trains, transport guests swiftly and safely to Zurich Main Station in just 10 minutes.
If you’re planning to explore other parts of Switzerland during your trip to Zurich, you might want to rent a car. In Zurich, it is difficult to find on-street parking in the center and normally it is expensive.
You can pay at the parking machines near the parking places through the parking application and with franc coins. Some also accept euros but you don’t find them too often.
Be careful if you rely on the fact that you will download the parking application to pay by credit card. Switzerland is not part of the European Union so the internet on your phone card will not work here. In conclusion, you need to find a place with free wireless or to charge your phone card in order to use the internet or call your family.
Getting around Europe by bus is also relatively easy and cheap. There are buses to Zurich from most capitals in Europe. However, the journey can be very long, sometimes taking over 15 hours. Diverse bus companies offer bus trips to Zurich. With Busbud you travel cheaply from Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Milan, Turin, Rome, Vienna, Paris, Zagreb, Bratislava, Prague and other cities to Zurich.
Getting to Zurich by train
Travelers can get to Zurich by train from most neighboring countries such as Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, among others. Train fares are usually more expensive than plane tickets and the train takes longe. We recommend taking a plane to Zurich, but this alternative is perfect for those who don’t like to fly.
In conclusion the are so many options to get here. You just have to pick the perfect one for you!
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