12 Best Tourist Attractions Destination in Switzerland - Switzerland Travel Guide
Switzerland is a country of intense natural beauty, dominated
by mountain peaks, rolling meadows and beautiful lakes. Most travelers come to
experience the scenery and are pleasantly surprised by the cultural treasures
found in towns and tourist centres. Places like Zurich, Geneva, Basel and
Lausanne offer world-class museums, lively arts, beautiful old architecture,
fine dining and all the luxuries of great cities. Many smaller towns and
resorts can also serve as a base for those who want to enjoy the countryside.
Most visitors ' main attraction is the Swiss Alps.
It is difficult to appreciate the full impact of the mountains without
immersing yourself in the countryside, but fortunately there are many ways to
achieve this. Many scenic driving tours lead through the mountains and lakes,
or there are all sorts of walking trails for the more adventurous. Skiing is a
favorite hobby for locals and visitors in winter.
Many travelers start their journey in Zurich,
Switzerland's largest city and a major transport hub. To see the city take a
walk through the Old Town, where there are a number of interesting old
buildings, including the Baroque Zunfthaus zur Meisen, which houses the Swiss
National Museum's collection of ceramics, Bürkliplatz, the City Hall and Our
Lady's Church. Zurich is also known for its shopping, with many shops along the
Bahnhofstrasse at the top.
The picturesque city of Geneva is surrounded by
mountains on the shores of Lake Geneva. The old city rises on the left bank
above the city, overshadowed by the cathedral. The Old Geneva Museum, the
Reformation Monument and the Place du Bourg-de-Four are nearby. Basel and
Lausanne, two other popular destinations, also preserved beautiful old towns
and warrant a visit.
Lucerne also has a well-preserved medieval town
center and can be a good base for exploring some of the nearby mountain
landscape, including Mount Pilatus. Visitors can choose to climb the cableway
up the mountain and return to the cog-railway. Also head to the Rigi, one of
the most famous lookout points, for great mountain views. There are a number of
walking paths from the top of the cableway.
Switzerland is a popular destination for winter
skiing with numerous ski resorts, including Grindelwald, Gstaad, Mürren,
Zermatt and the famous St Moritz. These mountains are also frequented by
climbers, and most ski resorts provide hikers or walkers in summer. The famous Matterhorn
is near Zermatt, which regularly challenges experienced climbers.
It's hard to beat Switzerland for ravishing alpine
scenery and picturesque villages oozing storybook charm. The Alps' rising
snow-capped peaks, gleaming blue lakes, emerald valleys, glaciers and
picturesque lake-side villages permeate this landlocked nation with a beauty of
fairytale. Snuggled between the mountain valleys and lakes are internationally
renowned resorts with hiking, biking, climbing, paragliding, skiing and sliding
at their doorsteps.
Travelers come here for jaw-dropping scenery but are
charmed by the many cultural attractions. Cities like Zurich, Geneva and
Lausanne are steeped in history and offer excellent museums and galleries,
historic buildings and famous music festivals. Bern is the capital with an
amazing medieval old town hugging a river's crook. Germany, Italy, Austria and
France border Switzerland with a multicultural sophistication and their
languages and customs. From Italian palm-studded Ticino architecture to
Swiss-German and Latin-derived Romansch dialects, Switzerland can sometimes feel
like several countries in one - but all with the slick packaging and timeliness
it is famous for.
01. The Matterhorn
One of the highest mountains in the Alps is the
Matterhorn, Switzerland's iconic pointed peak. This legendary peak climbs to
4,478 meters on the border with Italy, and its four steep faces lie in the
direction of the compass points. The first summit in 1865 ended tragically when
four climbers died during the descent. Today, every summer, thousands of
experienced climbers come.
The charming village of Zermatt, a top international
resort with horse-drawn carriage rides, picturesque chalets and world-class
restaurants and hotels, lies at the foot of this mighty peak. Motorized
vehicles are banned in the village in order to preserve the air quality and
peaceful atmosphere. In the winter, skiers can schuss down more than 300
kilometers of slopes. Swimming and tennis in the summer are popular activities
in the surrounding mountains as well as hiking, biking and climbing. There is
also skiing in the summer glacier.
02. Jungfraujoch:
The Top of Europe
In the beautiful Bernese Oberland, one of the most
popular experiences is the train journey to Jungfraujoch, the "Top of
Europe," with an observation terrace and a scientific observatory at 3,454
meters. The Great Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in Europe, starts at
Jungfraujoch and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The famous Eiger Trail from
Eiger to Alpiglen glacier station clings to the rocks at the foot of the north
face. Other popular walks include the Panorama Way to the sunny, south-facing
First Slope, the Gletscherschlucht (Glacier Gorge) and Öpfelchüechliwäg, the
high-altitude trail from Holenstein to Brandegg through flower fields, alpine
pastures and woodlands. The less active can ride gondolas and cable cars to
popular viewpoints over the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Picturesque Grindelwald is a glacier village in the
Jungfrau region, which provides an excellent base for adventures in the
surrounding mountains. It nestles at the base of the snowy mountains and is one
of the oldest and most popular resorts in Switzerland. The tiara-shaped
Wetterhorn and the sheer north face of the Eiger, one of the most dramatic and
difficult climbs of the planet, overlooks this alpine valley. Between the
mountains are two glinting glaciers of Grindelwald. For the best views,
Faulhorn offers amazing views of the giant peaks at 2,681 metres.
03. Interlaken
Interlaken is one of Switzerland's most popular
summer resorts, nestled between Lake Thun to the west and Lake Brienz to the
east. In the city centre, Höhematte is an urban planning marvel with an open
space of 35 acres. The Höheweg, the main boulevard with amazing mountain views,
is surrounded by flower gardens, hotels and cafés. The tower's mighty peaks of
the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau above the city provide excellent alpine adventure
opportunities. Walking, climbing, abseiling and kayaking are the most important
activities.
The surrounding countryside is transported by more
than 45 mountain railways, cable cars, chairlifts and ski lifts. In winter,
skiers and snowboarders can pick up the extensive trail network from the
surrounding resorts and cross-country skiing. Paragliders start from
Beatenberg-Niederhorn in the summer. Hop on board a paddle steamer for a cruise
around the lakes to admire the scenery from lower elevations.
04. Lucerne
Imagine a sparkling blue lake surrounded by
mountains, a car-free medieval old town, covered bridges, promenades along the
waterfront, frescoed historic buildings and sunny squares with bubbling
fountains. No wonder Lucerne is a top place for tourists. Famous for its music
concerts, this quintessential Swiss city attracts its annual International
Music Festival to renowned soloists, conductors and orchestras. One of the
world's leading concert halls is housed in the Culture and Convention Center.
The Chapel Bridge, built in the 14th century, is one
of the most famous landmarks of the city. The famous Lion Monument is located
in a small park, a poignant sculpture of a dying lion, which honors the heroic
death of Swiss guards during the attack on the French Revolution Tuileries.
History buffs will enjoy the Swiss Transport Museum with extensive exhibits of
all forms of transport, including air and space travel, railway locomotives and
a planetarium. Ride the funicular to the Dietschiberg on the north side of Lake
Lucerne to enjoy beautiful views of Lucerne, the Alps and the lake, cruise up
Mt. Pilatus on the cableway, or head to Rigi, a famous lookout point.
05. Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva, Europe's largest Alpine lake, straddles
the Swiss/French border, and laps at the shores of some of Switzerland's most
popular cities. The city of Geneva (in French Geneva; in German Geneva) is
situated between beautiful snow-capped peaks at the point where the Rhône
spills into Lake Geneva. This French-speaking "capital of peace" is
the United Nations ' European seat and exudes a pleasant blend of French joy
and Swiss structure. The lake is surrounded by promenades, parks and gardens,
and the old town is a beautiful place to walk among historic buildings. A
famous landmark is the Jet d'Eau, a fountain in Lake Geneva that shoots water
150 meters into the air. The Opera House and the Grand Théâtre, which hosts
international acts, are cultural attractions.
Lausanne also boasts beautiful views of the
surrounding area and the lake on the lake, about 62 kilometers from Geneva,
with the Alps rising in the distance. Take a walk through the medieval old town
with its nice cafes and boutiques and amazing Gothic cathedral. In June/July,
Montreux hosts the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival at the foot of the Alps,
on Lake Geneva.
06. Chateau de
Chillon, Montreux
The Chateau de Chillon (Chillon Castle) has inspired
artists and writers for centuries on the shores of Lake Geneva, near Montreux.
Among the luminaries that have written about this architectural treasure are
Lord Byron, Jean Jacques Rousseau and Victor Hugo. Once the 12th century fortress
of the Counts and Dukes of Savoy, the complex comprises approximately 25
buildings clustered around three courtyards. The highlights include the Great
Halls, with magnificent views of Lake Geneva, the Gothic underground rooms, the
Chapel, decorated with paintings from the 14th century, and the Camera Domini,
a bedroom occupied by the Duke of Savoy, decorated with medieval murals.
07. St. Moritz
St. Moritz is one of the world's top mountain
destinations with mirror-like lakes, glaciers, jagged peaks, alpine forests and
sunshine oodles. Palatial hotels and affordable restaurants are parallel to the
course in this chic resort town that hosted two Olympic Winter Games. The city
is divided into two parts in an alpine valley 1,800 meters above sea level: St.
Moritz Dorf sits on a sunny terrace overlooking St. Moritz Lake. The other part
of town, on the valley floor by the lake of St. Moritz Bad, is a health resort
with cheaper accommodation. Winter sports range from skiing, snowboarding,
skating and bobsleighing to sliding on the famous Cresta Run, which is 1.2
kilometers long.
In summer, there are plenty of walking, biking and
water sports. There is also glacier skiing in the summer. St. Moritz is a
cultural crossroads, adding to all this spectacular mountain scenery. In the
surrounding areas, Romansch, German, Italian, French and English are all spoken-not
to mention the various languages of many well-known international visitors and
expats.
08. Bern
The Swiss capital of Bern exudes old world charm in
a stunning location, perched on the Aare River peninsula, and the medieval old
town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking along the cobbled streets,
visitors can explore Switzerland's tallest cathedral with panoramic views from
its tower; fountains from the 16th century; the medieval clock tower of
Zytglogge with moving puppets; and six kilometers of shopping arcades, which
the locals call "Lauben." The Rose Garden (Rosengarten) overlooks the
old town centre.
Bern boasts many excellent museums, and art lovers
will appreciate the impressive galleries, including the Zentrum Paul Klee, this
famous artist's largest collection of works in the world, and the Museum of Art
in Bern. Don't miss the markets on the Bundesplatz (parliament square) with
views of the elegant Bundeshaus building in the style of the Renaissance. There
will also be a visit to the Bear Park for families.
09. Lake Lugano and
Ticino
Lake Lugano is located on the Swiss / Italian border
in Ticino, the only official Italian-speaking canton in Switzerland, and offers
an attractive Mediterranean taste. In the mild climate, citrus, figs, palms and
grenades flourish -even as snow-capped peaks loom in the distance. In the towns
around Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore to the west, Italy's feeling is
unmistakable in the architecture, the piazzas and the passion for fine food
that spills over Italy's southern, eastern and western borders.
By touring the lake on one of the white steamers or
renting a boat, visitors can explore the area. For a panoramic view of the
surrounding countryside, lake and snow-capped peaks, Monte San Salvatore offers
one of the most spectacular views. Lugano is a popular summer resort, a
financial center and the largest and most important city in Ticino. In the
sun-drenched Locarno on Lake Maggiore, northwest of Lugano, Swiss lake life
takes on a subtropical touch with warm days, flowering gardens and palm-studded
estates. Three magnificent castles are UNESCO World Heritage sites in
Bellinzona, the canton's capital.
10. Zurich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, a major
transport hub and a top starting point for travelers. The city lies on Lake
Zurich's northwest end astride the Limmat River. This affluent banking capital
has a rich range of cultural treasures beyond its buttoned-up façade. The
cobbled streets of the Old Town with its quaint shops, cafes and galleries are
a great place to start a walking tour. Mile-long Bahnhofstrasse, one of
Europe's finest shopping streets, beckons with fashion, watches and jewelry
selling designer stores.
Visitors will find more than 50 museums and 100 art
galleries away from the boutiques. A top selection is the Kunsthaus Zürich, the
fine arts museum, with an impressive collection of art from the Middle Ages to
today. Another favorite of many works from China, India and Africa is the
Rietberg Museum, which focuses on non-European art. The Swiss National Museum
in a Gothic chateau, a short walk from Zurich's main station, highlights Swiss
cultural history. Families love the Zurich Zoo with an elephant park, a penguin
parade and a pavilion in Madagascar. For panoramic views of the city and the
countryside, take a train ride to Uetliberg Mountain.
11. The Rhine Falls
The Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) in Schaffhausen, which
spans 150 meters, are the biggest falls in Central Europe. The best time to
visit is in June and July when the mountain snow melts and the volume of falls
spills over a 21-meter-high ledge of Jurassic calcareous. Boat trips up the
Rhine offer excellent views of the falls as well as viewing platforms on both
sides of the river.
12. Swiss National
Park
The Swiss National Park in the Engadine Valley was
founded in 1914 and is the oldest reserve in the Alps. The park covers more
than 170 square kilometers of mountain pine forests, hollows, shrubs,
fast-flowing rivers and calcareous rocks. Nature lovers can explore the region
on a wide network of trails, although it is forbidden to veer off these trails
in order to preserve the natural ecosystems. There are more than 5,000 wildlife
species, including marmot, red deer, chamois, ibex, fox and more than 100 bird
species.
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