Switzerland is mostly known for the Alps and its mountain scenery as well as impressive landscapes and beautiful nature. Every year, hundreds of thousands of travelers from all over the world visit the country in central Europe to experience the truly unique geography. Even though the country is relatively small and you can quickly get around, you might get confused about what is really worth seeing. If you want to make sure that you do not miss out on good spots, check our recommendations on the best places to visit in Switzerland.
1. Susten Pass
Anyone who ever passed through the Susten Pass knows how exhausting the officially “difficult Alpine pass” can be but the charming landscape definitely makes up for it. The steep path to the top of the pass, covered by numerous serpentines, leads over 26 bridges and just as many tunnels. Due to its special character, the Susten Pass is also a venue of the Alpenbrevet cycline marathon and starting point for the long-distance hike “Alpenkranz Uri”.
2. Zurich
Zurich is the perfect city for pedestrians since most of the sights are in and around the old town can easily be reached by foot. When you have good weather, checking out the Bürkliplatz can be a good idea to get a great view of the Alps from Lake Zurich and you will also find a lot of things to do around this area. Afterwards you might want to visit the Fraumünster Church or the Kunsthaus Zurich with an incredible number of exhibits. With all its sights, beautiful architecture and closeness to nature, Zurich is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland.
3. Tessin
Tessin is the southernmost canton of the Swiss Confederation and one of the few cantons where Italian is an official language. The two large lakes, Lago Maggiore and Lago di Lugano, are among the most popular spots here. Holidaymakers enjoy the mixture of Mediterranean climate and Italian flair, combined with a Swiss way of life and if that is something for you, resorts such as Locarno, Ascona and Lugano could be the perfect getaway for you.
4. Geneva
Also referred to as the smallest metropolis in the world, Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland with only 179,000 inhabitants. On an international level Geneva is still very important from a political perspective as it hosts global organizations such as the United Nations or the World Health Organization.
5. Lake Lucerne
If you are looking for mild maritime climate paired with Scandinavian landscapes, Lake Lucerne is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland. Numerous bathing opportunities as well as holiday and bathing resorts certainly let you have a great time. If that is not adventurous enough, the lake can also be explored by sailing a boat or by hiking around it.
6. Basel
If you do city trips in Switzerland, Basel has to be on your list. The third largest city in Switzerland hosts more than 30 different museums and some of them actually belong to the most famous ones in the world. Besides the museums you should take a look at the Basel cathedral which is probably the most popular sight in town, the Gate of Spalen or the Tinguely Fountain.
7. Lucerne
In addition to the more famous Swiss cities such as Zurich or Basel which are worth seeing, Lucerne is also considered a romantic insider tip with a medieval flair. Especially the famous Chapel Bridge is worth a visit. It is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe built in 1365 and with its beautiful paintings an absolute must-see. Other than the Chapel Bridge you will find good spots in Lucerne with the Musegg Wall and its towers or the Lion Monument.
8. Stein am Rhein
In the canton of Schaffhausen you will find the historic town of Stein am Rhein that takes you back in time. If you have spare time on your Switzerland trip, this spot can be a fun day trip to do with impressions that you will hardly find in other countries.
9. Ruinaulta
The Ruinaulta or Rhine Gorge is located in the Swiss canton of Graubünden and one of the best places to visit in Switzerland. With its 400m depth and 13km length, you can easily spend a day here. A good way to explore the gorge is to do a hiking trip around it during which you will not only see stunning rock formations here but the area also hosts some rare birds and other animals.
10. Zug
Zug is the smallest canton in Switzerland and a tax haven with the highest per capita income of Switzerland. For this reason, many international corporations and celebrities settled here or at least have their address registered here. However, you can also do fun things here such as visiting the Zytturm Clocktower or one of the many museums that Zug has to offer.
When you go to Europe, Switzerland is a very good place to visit with its unique nature and history. Even if you already know exactly what you want to see, the above tips on the best places to visit in Switzerland are hopefully helpful for you to get started with planning your trip and give you some additional inspiration. However, you will have the best experience by talking to the locals and engaging with them and their stories – so dive deep into the Swiss life and its culture!
