Switzerland might be famous for its chocolates, cheese, and punctual trains, but what truly makes this country have an essence of its own is its abili
Last Updated on April 17, 2025 by Dev Blogger
Switzerland might be famous for its chocolates, cheese, and punctual trains, but what truly makes this country have an essence of its own is its ability to turn every mundane thing magical and every small place enthralling. The country might be petite, but it harnesses a monumental range of diverse characteristics including 1,500 lakes. Whether you prefer a cosmopolitan city buzz or a cottage fairytale aesthetic, Switzerland offers the best of both worlds. The only real question is: do you crave skyline views or snow-capped peaks?
Best Cities to Visit in Switzerland
Zurich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland with a cosmopolitan ambiance, where modernity meets centuries-old charm. Being the most prominent city in the country, it poses as a global financial center hosting many multinational corporations and banks. Zurich is encircled by the ethereal Lake Zurich where locals take a dip in summer and explore the luxury boutiques along Bahnhofstrasse. The Kunsthaus Zurich and the Swiss National Museum exhibit the country’s cultural past and are always open for history buffs. Old Town, built with medieval buildings and cobblestone path is packed with aesthetic cafés, antique bookshops, and art galleries is the place where your Pinterest board comes to life.
Geneva
Geneva is Switzerland’s diplomatic heart and the World Humanitarian Capital, functioning as a prime location for international cooperation. The city’s iconic Jet d’Eau fountain shoots water 140 meters into the air and is visible from nearly every lakeside angle. Aesthetes and cultural connoisseurs should visit the Museum of Art and History or the Patek Philippe Museum, where even the watches have more style than most people at fashion week. Geneva’s Old Town is a form of open museum with a maze of historic buildings, quaint courtyards, and the grand St. Pierre Cathedral. Take a tour around Parc des Bastions, the spot of Geneva’s first botanical garden, or be a grumpy food critic at Michelin-starred restaurants.
Lucerne
Lucerne is the potential face of the Swiss Postcard, a gracious lakeside city engulfed by snow-draped mountains. Taking advantage of its location on the shores of Lake Lucerne, the day cruises of the boat transport you on a stunning journey along towering mountains like Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi. It’s akin to a nature documentary, but here you are, sitting in the front row, with an unbeatable view. The world renowned landmark, the wooden Chapel Bridge, is designed with 17th-century paintings, and the Lion Monument, a heartfelt tribute to the Swiss Guards who died in 1792 are unmissable gems. When booking a holiday package to Switzerland from India, ensure to accidentally attend the Lucerne Festival for classical music and take an impulsive cogwheel train up to Pilatus or take in the panoramic gondola rides to the top.
Bern
Switzerland’s capital, Bern contradicts the usual definition of a capital city by emitting more of a picturesque village energy than a bustling capital. Bern’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, curves along the Aare River and is decorated with sandstone arcades, clock towers, and bubbly fountains. It is known for the Zytglogge, an ancient clock with moving figurines that collect crowds every hour. The city’s diverse cultural scene showcases the Einstein Museum, Paul Klee Center, and the Barenpark, a traditional home for teddy-like bears, Bern’s enduring symbol. The entertainment scene of Bern ranges from lively sundowners to electric nightlife, fueled by the city’s “joie de vivre” mindset.
Basel
If there is one city with a lot of artistic flare in Switzerland, it’s Basel. Basel is a cultural capital packed with over 40 museums, especially The Kunstmuseum and Fondation Beyeler are among the most impressive, hosting works by Picasso, Monet, and other masters. Basel’s Old Town features the red sandstone Town Hall and Basel Minster Cathedral with its twin towers. The Rhine River cuts through the city pulling locals for a swim, float, or enjoy riverside bars. Basel is known to host the Art Basel, one of the most prestigious contemporary art fairs in the world. The multicultural influence flowing from German, French, and Swiss is prominent in the culinary scene and linguistic mix.
Best Countryside Places to Visit in Switzerland
Interlaken
The adventurers will have quite the time of their lives here. Interlaken is treated as the adventure capital of Switzerland, delivering everything from skydiving and paragliding to tranquil lake cruises and scenic mountain hikes. It’s the launchpad for trips to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station on the continent. Regards to the name, it is quite literally between two glittering lakes and engulfed by the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfrau region. For a bird’s eye view of the town and surrounding Alps, hang on to the funicular up Harder Kulm for dear life. Villages like Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Mürren add to its charm with boutique shops, Swiss chocolate stores, and flower-filled balconies.
Zermatt
Zermatt is a car-free mountain village located in the Swiss Alps, creating an environment where electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages dominate the streets. It is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders hosting year-round snow sports thanks to glacier-covered peaks. The distinguished Matterhorn is a monumental attraction for climbers. During summer, it transforms into a hiking and mountaineering haven with numerous different trails. Europe’s highest open-air cogwheel railway, The Gornergrat Bahn makes visitors witness the breathtaking setting of the Alps stretching endlessly into the distance. Zermatt is also mundane in the aspect of having top-tier restaurants, luxury spas, and chic boutique hotels.
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is known for its mesmerizing location in the Swiss Alps and is known as the “Valley of 72 waterfalls”, the most iconic one being Staubbach Falls, which plunges nearly 300 meters off a vertical cliff. Carefully hidden inside the mountain is Trümmelbach Falls, a series of glacial waterfalls found via tunnels and lifts, this is the moment where your Dora the Explorer personality comes out, it is a magical experience. It is a paradise for hikers, with lush green trails served in the summer with a side of the most mesmerizing views including the Lauterbrunnen–Mürren trail, while in winter the area transforms into a ski paradise. The charm of the place lies in its festivals, chalet-style houses, and the dramatic interplay of mountain and water.
Appenzell
Appenzell is a fairytale village existing in the northeastern part of Switzerland, known for its still active traditions, colorful folklore, and rolling green pastures. It is the epitome of traditional Swiss culture, from traditional Swiss cheese-making to folk music and yodeling, and is the only place in Switzerland that follows Landsgemeinde, a direct democracy. For hikers, Ebenalp and the Aescher Cliff Restaurant are the very definition of “work for it”- you take a cable car up to Ebenalp and then hike to the iconic restaurant built right into the cliffside. Seealpsee attracts the spotlight by being a crystal-clear alpine lake surrounded by dramatic peaks, perfect for a scenic hike or a peaceful picnic. Appenzell is also a portal to Säntis massif, where you can take a cable car to the summit for panoramic views.
Wengen
Wengen is a mountain village poised above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, accessible solely by a cogwheel train adding to its mystique. Lauberhorn Ski Race, hosted in the village is an event everyone looks forward to, one of the most famous events on the World Cup circuit. The village is also part of the Jungfrau Ski Region, which has a vast expanse of slopes and lifts. In the summer, the area is converted into a hiker’s paradise with trails such as the Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail that gives you a stunning view of the majestic Eiger and Mönch peaks. It is a place where time slows down, with traditional chalets, Belle Époque hotels, wooden chalets accessible only by train and the Wengernalp Railway, and the soothing sound of cowbells echoing in the distance audible due to the car-free policy.
Ultimately, whether you’re drawn to the polished charm of the city or the old raw beauty of the countryside, Switzerland promises the same awe-inspiring experience at both places in different forms.
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