They say “Those who wander do not get lost”, we say “All those who wander in Switzerland surely get lost in the beauty of this place!” A beauty spot on the face of Europe, Switzerland is a stunning blend of towering mountains, deep emerald lakes and vast grasslands with a mix of old culture and new cities. With stunning natural scenery, Switzerland is the land of chocolate, cheese, wine and all things good! The most popular place in Europe is also Bollywood’s favorite place.
We list for you the top 7 places to visit in Switzerland:
Although Switzerland is a dream come true destination, some places are a must-visit and should definitely be a part of your travel list.
1.) Zurich
Switzerland’s largest city and financial capital, Zurich is a blend of ancient cultural heritage and contemporary life! With sparkling Lake Zurich, ancient churches, beautiful museums and spectacular opera and concert halls, Zurich has something for every traveller. With over 100 art galleries and 50 museums, Zurich is a heavenly paradise for art lovers.
When to visit: Visit Zurich between June and August to experience the best temperatures. For winter sports lovers, December to February are the best months as the Swiss Alps are in the most favorable conditions for winter sports like snowboarding and skiing. The months between March and May are recommended to enjoy the best deals in the city. Although these months are cooler, there are fewer crowds and you can enjoy Zurich at your own pace.
What to see: Lake Zurich, Opernhaus Zurich (Zurich Opera House), Schweizerisches Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum), Fraumunster Church, Kunsthaus Zurich, Gorsemünster (The Great Minster), Uteliberg and Zurich Almstadt are some of the most beautiful places not to be missed. Will be missed in Zurich.
2.) Geneva
Surrounded by France on all sides and connected to Switzerland only by a lake and a narrow strip of land, lies the city of Geneva! Switzerland’s second most populous city is a bustling city with old-world charm. The epitome of diplomacy, Geneva has an international flavor and is the headquarters of many multinational companies. The Red Cross was established in Geneva in the year 1865 and the headquarters of the United Nations was here from 1920 to 1946. One of Switzerland’s major attractions, the Jet d’Eau, one of the tallest fountains in the world, is located in Geneva. And an interesting fact about Geneva: the Internet was created here!
When to Visit: The months of July and August are peak season for Geneva. Although you will find a lot of tourists, this is the best time for outdoor activities like hiking and sunbathing. If you are a winter sports lover, then December to April is the time to visit Geneva as the Swiss Alps offer you sports like skiing and snowboarding, but the temperatures can be low and it can be a bit chilly. If you want to avoid the peak season as well as cold weather, you can consider planning a trip between September and November or May and June.
What to see: Lake Geneva, Jets d’Eau (Water Jets), Temple de Saint-Pierre, Jardin Anglais (English Garden), Jardin Botanique (Botanical Garden), CERN, Musée d’Art et d’Histoire (Art and History) Museum), Palais des Nations, Bains des Paquis (Paquis Baths) and Mont Salve are some of the important places that you must visit in Geneva.
3.) Bern
The actual capital of Switzerland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bern is a fairy-tale place. Unlike other capitals, Bern has an ancient charm with quaint spots, medieval cobbled streets and a lazy air that goes with it! Although it is not as big as Zurich or Geneva, it has its own beauty that will dazzle you and stay with you for a long time! Located in the heart of Switzerland, Bern offers you cool churches, museums and surprises at every corner!
When to visit: April to September are the best months to visit Bern. With long days, good weather and pleasant temperatures, these are the months when you can visit and see the best of Bern.
What to see: Bern has some great places to see; Bundeshaus (Parliament Building), Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts), Bärenpark (Bear Park of Bern), Einstein Museum and Historical Museum of Bern, Bern Münster (Bern Cathedral), Museum für Kommunikation (Bern Communication Museum), The Old Town, Aare The river, the Rosengarten (Rose Garden) and the Swiss Alpine Museum. These places truly showcase the vibrant culture and ancient history of Bern.
4.) Lucerne
With majestic mountains on one side and a sparkling lake on the other, Lucerne is a spectacular Swiss city, with beautiful historic buildings, waterfront promenades and a musical time, literally! Lucerne hosts many music festivals, ranging from soloists to full orchestras performing at the summer annual music festival and other music festivals. With a rich culture and beautiful places to visit, Lucerne is one of the must-visit cities in Switzerland.
When to visit: June to September is the peak season in Switzerland. The temperature is pleasant and due to its proximity to the Alps, evenings are usually cool even during summer. During these months you can enjoy hiking and biking. The months from October to May are off season. Skiing enthusiasts from all over the world usually come to Switzerland! At this time the temperature drops and it is relatively cold. You can also visit Lucerne during the months of February and March to witness the colorful carnival celebrations.
What to see: Lake Lucerne, Kappelbruck (Chapel Bridge), Verkehrshaus der Schweiz (Swiss Transport Museum), Jesuit Church, Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), Museumsmauer (Tower Walls), Glatzgarten (Glacier Garden), Mount Rigi and Hofkirche to name a few The most beautiful places to visit in Lucerne.
5.) Lausanne
A quaint small town, Lausanne is nestled among vineyards, hills and lake shores. Switzerland’s fourth largest city, Lausanne is small, beautiful and famous. With its rich history and culture combined with Romanesque and Gothic architecture, Lausanne has a lot to offer for travelers of all types!
When to Visit: The best time to visit Lucerne is during summer between June and August. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery and the days can also be lively! You can go hiking or enjoy a stroll along the coast.
What to see: Cathedral de Notre Dame, Parc de Mon-Repos, Collection dell’Art Brut, Olympic Museum, Place de la Palud, Musée de l’Elysée, Esplanade de Montbenon, Port Ouchy, Château de Sainte-Marie and the Palais de Lausanne Rumaines are some of the most picturesque and important places to visit in.
6.) Interlaken
The best kind of contradiction! Interlaken is a quiet suburban town located in the heart of Switzerland and yet it is often referred to as the adventure capital of the charming country. Very special to Switzerland, the city of Interlaken is full of spectacular mountain scenery, alpine meadows, dense forests and numerous skiing as well as hiking trails.
Its strategic location in a valley between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz offers spectacular landscape views and perfect opportunities for adventure activities such as canyoning, white water rafting and paragliding. It is also the ideal starting point for numerous excursions thanks to a solid network of about 45 mountain railways, cable cars, chair lifts and ski lifts, which lead to various ski slopes and hiking trails.
When to Visit: Summer from June to August/September is the best time to visit Interlaken. The weather remains pleasant throughout the day and provides an ideal location for many adventure activities as well as sightseeing.
What to see: Jungfraujoch – Europe’s highest railway station, St. Beatus Caves, Harder Kulm, Funky Chocolate Club, Schinij Platte, Unterseen, Hoheweg (Interlaken’s main street), Hohemmet, Oberhofen Castle, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, Weissenau Nature Reserve and Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa are some of the must-see tourist attractions in the city.
7.) Engelberg
Welcome to Switzerland’s largest winter and summer holiday destination! Engelberg is an extremely popular tourist destination and offers a variety of leisure experiences for families, honeymoon couples, adventure enthusiasts and leisure travelers. The town has a quaint rustic charm due to the presence of a centuries-old Benedictine monastery, which still influences the daily life of the village. Engelberg, in addition to being home to the famous Mount Titlis, is also renowned as one of the top ski areas in the country. A city for all seasons, Engelberg is ready for winter with its countless ski slopes and freeride areas, while summer is perfect for hiking and mountaineering activities.
When to Visit: Engelberg is a city you can visit all year round. Summer between July to September is the peak tourist season and is ideal for sightseeing, hiking and many adventure activities. Winter from December to March is the best for winter sports!
What to see: Mount Titlis (Rotair Titlis Gondola – the world’s first revolving cable car), Cliff Walk on Mount Titlis, Ice Grotto on Mount Titlis, Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen, Trummelbach Glacial Waterfall, Engelberg Abbey (Benedictine Monastery), Bruny Mountain, Truebsee Lake, Cheese Factory, Buirabanhali Safari Hike, Ski Jumping World Cup, Herzlisee Lake and Stanserhorn Engelberg are some of the best tourist attractions in the city.
Things to Remember while Travelling in Switzerland
1- Prepare an itinerary
Prepare a list of the places you want to visit, as well as the food and cultural activities you want to participate in while in the country. Switzerland is full of wonderful places to visit, from the charming medieval city of Lucerne to the alpine paradise of Zermatt, home of the iconic Matterhorn. Some of the most important cultural events held annually in Switzerland are the Palio Festival, Lucerne Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Locarno International Film Festival and Art Basel.
2- What to eat and drink?
Switzerland is famous for its wines and restaurants in the Alps. There’s the iconic fondue, a creamy blend of Gruyere and Emmental cheeses melted with white wine and garlic, which is best enjoyed in traditional Swiss “fondue staubli” restaurants in cities like Zurich, Geneva and Lucerne. Then, for the hearty rösti, crispy pan-fried grated potatoes that can be enjoyed all over the country, Bern is a prime destination for an authentic taste.
Finally, the delicious raclette, where melted cheese is drizzled over potatoes and pickled onions, finds its heart in the Valais region, with many local restaurants serving this delicious delight, including “Le Gent” in Verbier. Groti, informal restaurants found throughout Switzerland, often serve traditional Swiss dishes and local wines.
3- Learn essential phrases
Switzerland has four official languages: French, Swiss German, Italian, and Romansh. If you learn a few essential phrases in one or two of these languages before your trip, it can help your trip go more smoothly. Similarly, if you call things by their proper names instead of their English names, you’ll be able to make friends more quickly.
For example, if you ask a Lausanne resident to say Lake Geneva, you will get a stern look and an unequivocal answer about Lac Léman. Similarly, Lake Lucerne is actually the Vierwaldstättersee, and Lake Constance is the Bodensee.
4- Leave personal vehicle
Switzerland is an expensive country, and the costs can add up quickly over a week’s trip, but using public transportation can be a good way to save on travel expenses. With some of the best public transport in the world, Switzerland’s smooth rail network lets you travel throughout the small country. The easiest way to buy train tickets is with the app provided by Switzerland’s rail service SBB/CFF/FFS. If you plan in advance, you can get a discount by purchasing a SuperSaver ticket on the website. Multi-day transportation passes and day passes can help you save even more money.
5- Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens
Indian passport holders wishing to visit Switzerland must apply for a Schengen visa. Applications can be made at the Visa Application Center at the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi. Switzerland tourist visa is a short-term visa that allows Indian passport holders to visit Switzerland for tourist purposes with a visit period of less than 90 days.
Apart from these amazing sites, Switzerland has many other picturesque cities and towns that are worth visiting. This fascinating country is a paradise of spectacular alpine landscapes, emerald lakes and lush meadows found in charming places like Basel, St. Moritz, Montreux, Grindelwald, Ticino and Zermatt.
In short, Switzerland is a cool place with the best nature, food, economy, business and lifestyle. Offering a range of places and activities for all travelers to choose from, Switzerland is a dreamy destination that transports you to a fairyland!