Known around the world for its chocolate, cheese, charming towns, and jaw-dropping scenery, Switzerland is one of the best tourist places in the World, and among the must-visit places as part of Europe tour packages. With the soaring snow-capped peaks of the Alps, dreamy turquoise lakes, emerald valleys, and picturesque lakeside hamlets littered with ancient wonders, Switzerland has so much that expats and visitors alike will find it difficult to decide where to visit next. Don’t worry! Have a look at our list of 10 beautiful Switzerland tourist attractions and decide where to head next without any hassle.
Zurich
Lies at the northwestern end of Lake Zurich astride the river Limmat, Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is known for being a major financial hub in Europe. Zurich is probably going to be the first city you will visit in Switzerland as it is the major transportation hub and one of the prime tourist attractions with tons of museums, art galleries, international shopping brands, and a history of more than 2000 years. Lake Zurich, Zurich Opera House, Swiss National Museum, Fraumunster Church, Kunsthaus Zurich, Gorssmunster (The Great Minister), Uetliberg, and Zurich Alstadt are some of the must-visit tourist places in Zurich. Besides, Zurich is one heck of a place for a party, with some of the best nightclubs you’ll find anywhere.
Geneva
Popularly known as the ‘city of peace’, Geneva is the second-largest city in Switzerland, one of the top tourist destinations in Europe. Geneva is a city where international influences reign supreme as it is home to the International Red Cross Committee and the European headquarters of the United Nations, as well as 20 other international organizations. Known for its natural beauty, the postcard-perfect city is famous for its jet d’eau, a large water jet, or a fountain located on the edges of Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva (lac Léman) is regarded as the largest Alpine lake in Europe, and one of the most famous places in Switzerland. And, there’s a lot of activity on the lake including windsurfing, water skiing, and kayaking. Geneva lies between snow-capped peaks with promenades, parks, and gardens that surround the lake. The old town has the rustic charm that makes it a lovely spot to stroll among the historic buildings.
The Matterhorn
Matterhorn, the pyramid-shaped giant peak is one of the world’s most photographed mountains, and among the top place to visit in Switzerland. Standing at an impressive height of about 4,478 m, this iconic pointed peak of Switzerland is one of the highest mountains in the Alps with four steep faces lie in the direction of the compass points. A huge number of experienced climbers from around the globe come here each summer to attempt the summit. The mountain is home to the highest cable car station in the Alp, which offers some excellent views of the mountain peak. At the foot of this mighty peak, lies the charming village of Zermatt, a small town that is famous for skiing and mountaineering. In the winter, skiers can schuss down more than 300 km of slopes. The more interesting fact about Zermatt is that it has banned motored vehicles to preserve the air quality and peaceful ambiance.
Bern
If you are looking for beautiful places to visit in Switzerland, you cannot miss out on Bern! Perched on a peninsula of the River Aare, the Swiss capital of Bern exudes old-world charm along with the freshness of the newly changed world. Walking around the narrow cobbled streets of the city’s medieval old town a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can explore the tallest cathedral in Switzerland, the Zytglogge, a medieval clock tower with moving puppets, Rose Garden, and Lauben, about 6 kilometers of shopping arcades making it one of the longest covered shopping areas in Europe. Art lovers will appreciate the impressive galleries, including the Zentrum Paul Klee, the world’s largest collection of works by this famous artist, and the Bern Museum of Art.
Lucerne
With the majestic mountains on one side and a glistening lake on the other, Lucerne is a fairytale Swiss town with elegant historic buildings, waterfront promenades, covered bridges, and sun-splashed plazas with bubbling fountains. It is one of the world’s prettiest cities and truly one of the most beautiful places to visit in Switzerland, among the best European destinations for Indians. The Chapel Bridge with its rich and rather tragic history, the crying Lion Monument dedicated to the fallen soldiers during World War II, and the Swiss Transport Museum with extensive exhibits on all forms of transport, including railroad locomotive are some of the most well-known places to visit in Lucerne. Besides, this medieval old town is famed for its music concerts and lures renowned soloists, conductors, and orchestras to its annual International Music Festival.
Lausanne
The second-largest city on Lake Geneva, Lausanne is a quaint town nestled amidst vineyards with views of both the Swiss Alps and the French Alps. Lausanne is Switzerland’s fourth most populated city and the capital of the Swiss Canton of Vaud. Characterized by its renowned Gothic cathedral, Lausanne is the most charming destination in Switzerland blessed with lush vineyards, sprawling hills, and sparkling Lake Geneva. Cathedrale de Notre Dame, Parc de Mon-Repos, Collection del’Art Brut, Olympic Museum, Place de la Palud, Esplanade de Montbenon, Port Ouchy, Chateau de Saint-Marie and Palais de Rumine are some of the most picturesque places to visit in Lausanne. One can take in Lausanne’s lively atmosphere by checking out the city’s cafes and admire the old town’s beautiful architecture. No visit would be complete without venturing outside Lausanne to nearby Lavaux to see its UNESCO World Heritage-listed vineyards.
Interlaken
Rests between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken is a quiet suburban town situated in the heart of Switzerland. It is one of the most beautiful places and among the best summer holiday resorts in Switzerland. This resort town is replete with acres upon acres of open space, flower gardens, splendid mountain views, alpine meadows, and dense forests. Offering spectacular views of three famous Swiss mountains, the Eiger, the Jungfrau, and the Monch, the city is also a popular base camp for outdoor activities like skiing, such as canyoning, white water rafting, and paragliding. St. Beatus Caves, Harder Kulm, Funky Chocolate Club, Schynige Platte, Unterseen, Hoheweg, Hohematte, Oberhofen Castle, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, Weissenau Nature Reserve and Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa are some of the must-visit places in Interlaken. More than 45 mountain railways, cable cars, chairlifts, and ski lifts transport visitors into the surrounding countryside.
Engelberg
Engelberg is the major winter and summer mountain resort in Central Switzerland. Located in the heart of Switzerland’s Uri Alps, this Alpine village was formed around a centuries-old Benedictine monastery that still has an influence on the daily life of the village. With its mesmerizing landscapes, skiing slopes, chocolates, scrumptious cheese, and humble hospitality, Engelberg offers a variety of holiday experiences for families, honeymoon couples, adventure enthusiasts, and leisure travellers. At an altitude of 3,239 m, Mount Titlis is the top attraction of Engelberg as the slopes of this majestic mountain are the world’s most favored ski slopes by winter sports enthusiasts. One can visit Mount Titlis by gondola or cable car to get the stunning views which leave you at a loss of words while making your way up the mountain. Besides, Cliff Walk at Mt. Titlis, Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen, Trummelbach Glacial Waterfall, Engelberg Abbey (Benedictine Monastery), Brunni Mountain, Truebsee Lake, Cheese Factory, Haerzlisee Lake, and Stanserhorn are some of the best tourist attractions of the Engelberg town.
Jungfrau Region
Another must-visit place during your Switzerland Tour is the Jungfrau Region which consists of four picturesque towns- Grindelwald, Murren, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen, and three imposing mountains- Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. It is the perfect place for first-timers wanting to experience the otherworldly splendor that is the Swiss Alps. Known as “The Top of Europe”, Jungfraujoch, at 4,158 m, is the must-visit attraction of the Jungfrau region. This is one of the main summits of the Bernese Alps, located between the northern canton of Bern and the southern canton of Valais, halfway between Interlaken and Fiesch. It also hosts the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Great Aletsch Glacier, beautiful train journeys to the Bernese Oberland, and an enriching observation terrace with a scientific observatory. It is also a base for famous treks to the surrounding mountains.
Lugano
Nestled on the shores of the breathtaking Lake Lugano, Lugano is a financial center and the largest and most significant town in Ticino, Switzerland. Lugano is fondly called the “Monte Carlo of Switzerland” due to its growing popularity with celebrities. A major draw to Lugano is Lake Lugano, a pristine blue water body that is sitting on the Swiss-Italian border of Ticino. Famed for fresh citrus, figs, palms, and pomegranates, this lakefront city offers visitors a unique Swiss travel experience as it shares borders with neighboring Italy from the south, east and west. The city features a mix of Swiss and Mediterranean influences in everything from its cuisine to its architecture. While in Lugano, don’t forget to visit Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, for bird’s-eye views of the lake, and spend a few hours hiking the Olive Grove Trail.
Santhi is an avid traveler and primary contributor to the blogs at Trawell.in. She has explored most of the states in India and gained vast knowledge on tourist destinations in India and abroad. She also contributes content to other travel websites.
