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The 12 best places in Switzerland to visit: Tourist guide
Go to the best places to visit in Switzerland: walk around Interlaken, ski in St. Moritz, enjoy the magical views of Grindelwald, or meet Bern
April 5, 2024
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Looking for the best places to visit in Switzerland? It’s time to know more about the 12 locations travelers can’t miss when traveling there! Switzerland is a beautiful country that combines a bit of everything: modernity, classic scenarios, and breathtaking landscapes!
So, if you are preparing a list of where to go in Switzerland, this traveling guide will help you a lot!
What is the best time of the year to visit Switzerland?
When it comes to visiting Switzerland, it’s important to know the country is visiting all year long. But there are some dates when people can avoid crossing too many people on their trip, which is the best time to enjoy the country!
For those who want to find better weather, spring and early summer are the best dates. Even in the early fall, from April to June, or later, in September to October, Switzerland will have less crowds around popular places.
As for those who want to travel during spring and early summer, this is when fewer tourists are in the country. But, beware that choosing when to travel depends on what you want to do there.
If you are planning to visit Switzerland for a festival or want to enjoy a certain holiday, you need to plan your trip for a different date. Overall, the country will be ready to welcome travelers!
1. Interlaken
The first destination on our list comes with Interlaken. The name itself gives travelers an idea of what they will find, as the town is located between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. Interlaken is also located between the famous Swiss mountains, the Eigher, Monch, and Jungfrau, making it one of the unique places to visit in Switzerland.
Those who decide to visit Interlaken will have a lot of things to do. If you are an adventurous type of traveler, hiking and swimming in the lakes is a great option. But people can also do something more relaxing, like renting a boat or riding near the lakes.
Apart from these activities, there are many hotels and resorts to visit in the town. Most are located near places where travelers can enjoy outdoor activities!
2. Zermatt
The second place for the best places in Switzerland is for Zermatt. This small town is the perfect place for those who want to try skiing, hiking, and even mountaineering in the Swiss Alps.
Zermatt town is quite simple, yet beautiful. Hotels and resorts are surrounded by nature everywhere people look. And, in the background, travelers will see the Matterhorn mountain!
The idea of traveling to Zermatt is open all year long. During winter, there will be snow in the nearby mountains, while in summer and spring, the mix of rock, glaciers, and blooming green will make a spectacle for travelers!
Overall, Zermatt is a must-visit for tourists. With many activities to do and incredible landscapes waiting to be visited, it’s no joke to mention this as one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland!
3. Lucerne
Lucerne is considered to be one of the most beautiful and picturesque towns in Switzerland. Similar to other towns in the country, Lucerne combines everything in a single place. Modernity, medieval buildings, and the beautiful landscapes that are provided by the surrounding mountains, plus the Lake Lucerne in the middle of the town, make it one of the best places to visit in Switzerland.
Visiting Lucerne is not only an opportunity to connect with nature. There are many historical places to visit. The medieval churches, the Lion Monument, and the Chapel Bridge are among the must-go options for tourists. It’s fair to say traveling for a day to Lucerne is not enough, as there are many things to do.
Also, don’t miss the chance to visit Mount Pilatus to see a unique view of Lucerne from above! From there, taking a look at the combination of modernity and classical buildings from the town and how the lake takes an important part of the landscape is unique!
4. Zurich
Zurich is one of the most important cities in Switzerland. Nowadays, Zurich is considered one of the most important financial cities in Europe. Even though the country might seem like a place where people only work, Zurich is also one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
Similar to other locations in the country, Zurich has a lot of outdoor activities to offer! The idea of having Lake Zurich divided the city makes it an interesting point to either jump on the water or rent a boat for a relaxing stroll on the lake waters. Also, there are mountains near the city where people can go for a hike and enjoy the beautiful sights of Zurich.
There are other activities to do in Zurich that are related to learning about its history! People can visit museums like the Swiss National Museum, located in a castle, visit historical churches and buildings, and enjoy the beautiful Zurich architecture!
5. Geneva & Lake Geneva
When it comes to important cities, Geneva can’t miss a spot on the list. Geneva is the hometown of some major international NGOs, such as the Red Cross and the European headquarters of the United Nations.
But beyond that, Geneva is full of luxuries. Still, this doesn’t take the classic looks from Geneva. With the Chateau de Chillon and medieval churches and buildings around the city, travelers will feel like they traveled on time for a few seconds.
Geneva is also important for Lake Geneva, which is one of the largest lakes in Europe. This beautiful lake also presents an outstanding reflection of the Swiss Alps in its blue and calm waters. And if that’s not enough, people can see the Mont Blanc from certain points, which gives a magical experience to visitors.
6. Jungfraujoch
For travelers who want to live a unique experience, Jungfraujoch is a must-visit location on the list. The first thing people need to know about this place is that it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, meaning it will be an impressive location to meet.
But what makes this place so magical is how people get there. By taking the Jungfraujoch Train, people will embark on a trip on the highest railway in all of Europe. They will arrive at the highest railway station in the world, and that’s also quite impressive!
On the site, people will live the Alpine adventure every visitor should have. Located between the Jungfrau and Monch mountains, this place, filled with eternal snow and incredible landscapes, will be the perfect spot for pictures. Or, if you prefer, you can hike in the nearby glacier!
7. Ticino
Located near the south Alps in Switzerland, Ticino is the hometown of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But there’s more beauty in this location than people could expect, and that’s what makes it an important place to visit!
The idea of visiting the Bellinzona castles, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is unique. These castles are hundreds of years old, and nowadays are part of the places travelers can’t miss to visit on Ticino. The same goes for Monte San Giorgio, which has a pyramidal look that takes the breath away of visitors.
Apart from these sites, Ticino is also the perfect place for outdoor activities. Being so close to different mountains and rivers makes this the perfect spot to relax on the outside!
8. St. Moritz
If you are planning on visiting Switzerland in winter, St. Moritz might be the best location for you to visit. This place has been a go-to option for travelers in Europe who are looking for an excellent ski adventure and has even hosted Winter Olympic events in the past!
Luxury will be present around the place when traveling to St. Moritz. There will be luxury hotels waiting for travelers that combine activities like a spay day, retreats on the mountains, or horse racing!
But there’s more for those who want something calmer in St. Moritz. The Segantini and Engadiner museums are must-visit places, and these are open all year long. And, if you prefer summer, then Lake St. Moritz will give you amazing views with the mountains reflecting on it!
9. Bern
Trapped in time, Bern is a medieval town in Switzerland. To the surprise of many, even though Bern is not the largest city in the country, it’s actually the capital of Switzerland! But there are many hidden gems to visit here.
Bern keeps medieval looks in most of the city, which attracts travelers to it. Visiting the ancient clock Zytglogge with its moving puppets, the Munster cathedral that rises from the old Bern town, and even the town hall are places visitors can’t miss visiting.
But there are outdoor activities to do in Bern as well. The idea of taking a boat and enjoying the river for miles or walking in the covered green mountains next to the city are surely attractive activities for visitors! This makes it one of the best places to visit in Switzerland.
10. Lausanne
Lausanne is a city that is connected to Lake Geneva. But it’s separated from Geneva, making Lausanne a great place to visit in Switzerland. The idea of having such an important city with a view of the lake on it is just impressive.
But that’s not all. Lausanne provides a view of the Swiss and French Alps from the city. This allows visitors to enjoy one of the most important ski areas in Switzerland while also connecting with the rich local culture, thanks to two major universities being in the city.
In 2024, the Cité district in Lausanne will be the most important place to visit. Travelers will find everything they need here: the Old Town, medieval architecture, castles, cathedrals, and much more.
Lastly, outdoor activities are also a thing in Lausanne. Whether it is that travelers take a boat and enjoy Lake Geneva or visit the nearby mountains, Lausanne will look like a hidden paradise!
11. Appenzell
Another hidden gem in Switzerland is Appenzell. This beautiful town is as beautiful as the environment that’s close to it. Being surrounded by green forests and impressive mountains, Appenzell is a beautiful location for travelers in Switzerland.
But apart from being beautiful, there are different activities to enjoy in the city. There are different museums to visit, all of which include a great selection of art pieces! Appenzell is also the home to many cultural events, so people have to check the calendar before visiting the town to enjoy the one they prefer!
Apart from visiting museums and cultural events, hiking across the Appenzell Alps and trying local food is a must for visitors. Both are great options to get to know more about the town and the local cuisine.
12. Grindelwald
The last place on the places to see in Switzerland is Grindelwald. This little town feels like it was taken out of a fantasy book, and that’s something travelers will see as soon as they arrive at Grindelwald.
This place is perfect to visit in summer and winter. For those traveling in winter, the Bernese Alps will be waiting for the perfect place for skiing. With more than 200 km of territory to ski between the Wenger and Mürren stations, visitors will have the time of their lives in this snowy scenario!
In summer, the mountaintops are still worth visiting. The scenario changes a bit, but nature will be present, and the views will change. Other activities also become easier to do, like hiking on the mountain or enjoying pools with an outstanding view!
If you are thinking about what to pack for Switzerland to come to Grindelwald, you had better bring clothes for cold and hot weather!
General tips for tourists in Switzerland
Up to this point, travelers know where to go in Switzerland. Most locations feel like they are taken out of a mobile, so it’s important that people have a proper mobile connection in Switzerland to share photos with their friends and on social media.
One thing to keep in mind is that Switzerland is not as cheap as other locations. So it’s better to save some money to enjoy as much as possible of all the beautiful things hidden in the country!
It’s also important for people to know how to get an internet connection. For us, the best option is to use eSIMs in Switzerland! We prefer taking the Holafly eSIM for Switzerland due to its price and additional features such as personalized plans, unlimited data, and the ability to share data with a hotspot.
So, now that you know how to use your cell phone in Switzerland and know where to go, it’s time to enjoy this magical place in Europe!
FAQ best places to visit in Switzerland
There are many pretty parts of Switzerland. Being surrounded by the Alps makes it hard to tell which is the best part to visit. Among the prettiest areas to visit are Bern, Grindelwald, and Interlaken, which are the best places to visit in Switzerland.
This depends on what tourists prefer to visit. For many, Matterhorn is the #1 tourist attraction in Switzerland, while for others, it is Lake Geneva. It depends on what travelers want to visit as it’s hard to choose just one!
When visiting Switzerland for the first time, it’s advisable to meet the main cities. Go to Zurich, Lucerne, Bern, Lugano, and Geneva!
Once again, this depends on what you want to do as it is complicated to choose one of the best places to visit in Switzerland! Geneva is great for relaxing, while Grindelwald, St. Moritz, and Jungfraujoch are better destinations for mountaineers! So, choose wisely.
