Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
in Switzerland
1. Jungfrau region
Best place to experience the mountains
The idyllic Jungfrau region is the icing on the cake of Switzerland's Bernese Oberland alpine
cake. Soaring peaks, glaciers, and roaring waterfalls spark wonders wherever you go. The "big
three" of Switzerland near the 4000 m (13,123 ft) mark: Eiger (Goblin), Mönch (Monk) and
Jungfrau (Virgin), enshrined in climbing legends.
Take a unique ride through eternal snow at Europe's highest station, 3454m (11,332ft)
Jungfraujoch. Hike, ski, skate and zipline among Grindelwald's legendary mountains, enjoy the
rich waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen and practice every kind of extreme sport imaginable in
Interlaken (skydiving). , ice climbing, skydiving, skydiving, ice climbing, ice elastic - etc.).The
Jungfrau area is a great outdoor area the size of a blockbuster.
Planning tips: rush into this area and you will regret it. Allow a week or more for a deep dive.
2. Bern
Best city for medieval flair
Bern pops up so often in these trivial questions, I can't believe it's the capital, but honestly,
Switzerland's number one city deserves more love. The cobbled and flagged medieval old town
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 6 km (3.7 miles) of arcades, covered shops and bars,
quirky folk figures Virtual highlights on the fountains from the 16th century and the
eye-catching Zytglogge. Surrounded by green hills and bisected by the turquoise Aare River, this
red-roofed city looks stunning from almost any angle. It's also a purely children's storybook, with
a baby-eating giant (Kinlifressebrunnen) and resident bears.
With a savvy perspective, you'll be attracted to big names like Einstein-Haus (where the genius
developed his theory of relativity), Kunsthaus (with its remarkable fine art collection) and
Zentrum wavy Paul Klee by Renzo Piano (Bern responds to Guggenheim). But in the summer,
the action is on the water, with swimming, tubing, rafting and canoeing along the River Aare.
3. Lake Geneva
Best place for romance, vines and castle
On Switzerland's western bend, the crescent-shaped Lake Geneva (Lac Léman for French
speakers) is a joy to behold, with mountain vistas, elevated views, vineyards and coastline
surrounded by beautiful towns and cities.
Marked by a rainbow fountain and the looming Mont Blanc mountain on the horizon, Geneva
surrounds the southern shore of the lake. The mundane city is a great launching pad to
explore, with great museums and galleries to absorb, botanical gardens to stroll, beaches to
swim in, Old Town cafes to relax in, and places to enjoy. The brilliant golden seagull carrying the
locals across the water - certainly one of the most beautiful journeys in the world.
Planning Tip: But don't stop there. It's a short boat ride or train ride to Lausanne, which can be
culturally challenging in Geneva, especially with the Platform 10 art district, Lavaux's charming
terraced vineyards (a Heritage site). World Heritage Site) and flower-covered Montreux, home
to one of the world's most famous jazz festivals, with the picturesque Château de Chillon on its
doorstep.
4. Zermatt
Best place for outdoor activities
No peak has more pulling power than the 4,478m (14,692ft) Matterhorn, a formidable bony rock
alligator perched atop the charming mountain resort of Zermatt, filled with chalets. It is a
symbol of the Swiss mountain, so beloved by the country that it inspired the pyramidal shape of
Toblerone chocolate.
Zermatt is more than just a mountain wonder. Climbers have been climbing here since the
mid-19th century and today it remains a magnet for difficult climbers. Alternatively, go hiking,
skiing and see glaciers and 4,000m (13,123ft) peaks at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
5. Swiss National Park
Best place for nature lovers
Switzerland has only one national park? Yes, we know it's a shock, but trust us, it's a good thing.
Nestled in a remote southeastern corner of the country, on the border with Italy, the 172 square
kilometers (66 sq mi) Swiss National Park is the Alps in overdrive: a wild sight of tall moors,
jungles, grasslands dotted with wildflowers, waterfalls, turquoise lakes and sky-high mountains,
where chamois, chamois, marmots, deer, and golden eagles roam free walk and fly.
Planning tip: Get off to a good start with the inside scoop on the hiking trails and ranger-guided
hikes at the Zernez Visitor Center.
6. Bellinzona
Best place for la dolce vita
With towering medieval castles and towering Alps, beautiful Bellinzona is home to some of the
best Italian food and culture in Switzerland. You'll find a bit of Italian flair in its historic center,
crisscrossed with flower-lined alleys, Renaissance churches and café-lined squares teeming
with life, laughter and laughter. , the clink of cups and the noise of the city. countless bell
towers.
Planning tip: On the wish list, see how castles, including hilltop Castelgrande, can be made into
an all-day activity (bring water and comfortable shoes).
In the dark forested hills along the French-Swiss border, the Jura Mountains
are a natural wonder. This peaceful region has a beauty all its own: meadows
of green, ancient forests, rocky outcrops overlooking a trio of lakes against an
Alpine backdrop and slow-paced villages and valleys little changed in
centuries.
Begin with a road trip. Kick off at the Jura Vaudois Nature Park for hikes with
dress-circle views of Lake Geneva and Gruyère cheese tastings at rustic
Alpine huts. Swing north to Lac de Joux, the watchmaking village of Le
Sentier, and Vallorbe, honeycombed with Switzerland’s biggest (and most
impressive) limestone caves.
Starting in St. Gallen, with a trip around the Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library), a literary
masterpiece and a feast of Rococo art and architecture. Move on to the beautiful and rustic
Appenzell, bursting into Schaukäserei to sample the region's cheeses.
Strengthen your muscles further south in the Alps, head to Säntis at 2,501m (8,205ft) for views
of six countries, then to Werdenberg, a small stretch of medieval village old, home to the
oldest wooden houses of Switzerland.
Planning Tip: Nearby is Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, topped by a castle on the banks of
the Rhine.
9. Lake Lucerne
Best place for lakeside romance
Set on the shimmering shores of the lake of the same name, Lucerne is a walkable medieval
dream of a magical city you just can't put your finger on. It will draw you in as you stroll along
the promenade as the sun sets in a glow of gold and roses or as you cruise its waters towards
mythical mountains: 2132m (6995ft) Mt Pilatus, where Wagner stands ecstatically at the
panorama of Alpine and Queen Victoria galloping on horseback, and the 1797m (5896ft) Rigi,
with a light so sublime that Turner painted in
with three different moods .
Culturally, the small town outweighs its weight, with the iconic medieval Kapellbrücke bridge
spanning the River Reuss and the KKL arts center designed by Jean Nouvel and Sammlung
Rosengart, which houses Valuable private Picasso collection. As you pass the Belle Époque
hotels along the waterfront, the very views that captivated Goethe, Queen Victoria and Wagner
in the 19th century will leave you mesmerized.
Planning Tip: With more free time, you can actually hit the lake.Cruise on a fjord-like,
mountain-rimmed Lake Uri for a taste of Switzerland's geographical and spiritual heart. Boats
sail down the glassy turquoise waters to Rütli, the cradle of the Swiss nation.
10. Basel
Best place for art lovers
In terms of popularity, poor old Basel barely got a glimpse. But that was a mistake. Stretching
across the Rhine, this city has it all: world-class artwork in some of the country's finest
galleries, a fascinating food scene, modern buildings bearing the hallmarks of the Pritzker
Prize-winning architect and upbeat cafe culture.
Take a few days to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the center, where must-sees include the
Kunstmuseum and its fine art collection, the Renzo Piano-designed Fondation Beyeler and the
Frank Gehry-designed Vitra Design Museum.
Planning tip: Basel is more popular with those looking beyond the trophies, with a drink at
sunset by the river or a wild swim in the Rhine.Rent a Wickelfisch (watertight bag in the shape
of a fish) from the tourist office, put on your bathing suit and float along the city's landmarks.
11. Zürich
Best place for urban culture
Regularly topping quality-of-life surveys, Zürich's urban dynamics never seem to miss a beat:
from cool riverside bars on the banks of the Limmat to the intertwined old town in the alleys,
where the two-story Grossmünster building is in the Romanesque style with its stained walls.
glass rainbow by Augusto Giacometti. The colorful architectural creations of Le Corbusier and
the post-industrial area Züri-West further strengthen Zürich's culture.
Planning Tip: In mid-August, Zürich hosts one of the craziest parties in Switzerland: a technical
street parade.