Where to go in Switzerland: highlights and hidden gems

One of Europe‘s great beauties, Switzerland is a dream destination for those who love the great outdoors. Everywhere you look, there are Alpine peaks, verdant valleys, and jewel-like lakes. Medieval towns gather around lakeshores, and handsome cities strike just the right chord between efficiency and fun. If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, locomotives are the way to travel, with trains that run like clockwork along some of the most scenic routes in the world. The winter months bring their magic, but summer in Switzerland is just as glorious for hiking, lake swimming, and sightseeing under blue skies. In this round-up, we offer some guidance on where to go in Switzerland for a first adventure that encapsulates the very best experiences.

Where to go in Switzerland for cultural city breaks

Zurich: Switzerland’s cosmopolitan gateway

Once known as an ultra-polished and rather businesslike city, squeaky-clean Zurich isn’t as straight-laced these days. It’s still neat and efficiently run, but there’s a youthful spark too, with plenty of clubs, bars, and contemporary arts bringing a counter-culture edge.

As it’s home to the country’s largest international airport, a Switzerland travel itinerary will often begin, or route through, Zurich. However, it would be a shame to skip this lakeside city on the way to other places. Instead, head into town for a few days and explore its world-class museums, wander the elegant old town, and join the locals at hip coffee shops and traditional wine cellars.

Lucerne: medieval charm and lakeside views

Ah, lovely Lucerne. This classic Swiss lakeside city is the country’s most beloved and beautiful. This is one of the most popular places to go in Switzerland, with its well-preserved medieval architecture and a seriously superlative lakeside setting.

It’s right in the heart of central Switzerland, and the mountains are all around, so day trips to sky-high peaks by cable car and vertiginous mountain railways are all the rage. It gets busy, though, so consider visiting out of season or mid-week, or opt for another of Switzerland’s idyllic lakeside towns.

Basel: art, culture, and Rhine River charm

With its annual contemporary arts fair and around 40 museums, Basel is one of the best cities to stay in Switzerland for culture vultures. The cobbled maze of the medieval Old Town is wonderfully walkable. Meander through shady courtyards, past brightly-painted town houses to the impressive Muster Cathedral. Leafy promenades skirt the curving banks of the Rhine, and in summer, swimming beaches and seasonal shoreline cafes are full of eager dippers.

Bern: the capital’s UNESCO Old Town

Bern has to be one of the calmest, prettiest and most petite capital cities in the world. The UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town sits astride a peninsula, confined within a snaking bend of the Aare River. Bridges crisscross the fast-flowing Aare into quiet, village-like neighborhoods and wooded parkland. In the distance, snowy peaks are ever-present, beckoning you to explore.

Geneva: international sophistication on the lake

With its prominence on the world stage, Geneva is often mistaken for the capital of Switzerland (the title actually belongs to Bern). Geneva is another lakeside beauty, but the city is smaller than you might imagine. There’s a great deal of wealth apparent here, in the spotless sheen of jewelry boutiques, Swiss watch stores and banks, and in the gleam of high-end yachts cruising the cobalt-blue lake.

Geneva is also the gateway to the Swiss Alps, and one of the best places to visit in Switzerland for mountain adventures, whatever the season. Then there’s the city’s history of peace and neutrality to explore. This is the birthplace of the Red Cross and a long-standing international center of diplomacy. As urgently needed today as it has been throughout the centuries.

Read more: Switzerland itinerary planning tips: the ultimate beginner’s guide

Must-visit Alpine destinations

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Whether it’s catching the golden light of sunrise or drifting between clouds, the distinctive pyramid peak of the Matterhorn is a tantalizing sight. The little village of Zermatt clings to a nearby mountainside, welcoming visitors in with warm hospitality, fabulous views and fondue. Everyone here has come to gaze at Switzerland’s most iconic peak and to explore the glorious Alpine landscapes surrounding it.

St Moritz: a luxury Alpine resort

For all-out luxury and ritz, St Moritz is among Switzerland’s top Alpine resorts. Lakeside and at an altitude of about 1,800m, it has long been nicknamed the “Top of the World”.

This high-flying resort town has been drawing the rich, famous and royal since the 18th century. They come in summer to take the air, sail, cycle and stroll. Then, in winter, there’s a plethora of snowbound activities to enjoy. This is one of the best places in Switzerland to see winter sports in action, in particular the spectacle of the Snow Polo World Cup when horses thunder across the frozen lake.

The Jungfrau region

Within the central Bernese Alps, the lovely Jungfrau region showcases the classic storybook scenery of beautiful Switzerland. It’s popular for both summer and winter outdoor pursuits, with several villages and towns that make good bases.

Interlaken is one of the larger towns, with a useful mix of hotels, shops and services. Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Murren and Wengen are all charming nearby villages. The latter two are car-free mountain resorts reached by cable car and train.

Where to go in Switzerland for stunning lakes and waterfront villages

French-speaking Lausanne on Lake Geneva is a lovely alternative destination to some of the more well-known lakeside cities. Home to the Olympic Committee, it’s a lively and leafy small city with lots to see and do. The summer months are filled with a mix of cultural festivals, and its terraced, south-facing promenades catch the rays.

Lake Brienz and Lake Thun are two long lakes that bookend the popular town of Interlaken. Both lake shores are dotted with pretty villages where you can slow down and revel in Swiss tranquility.

The area around southern Lake Lugano is known as the country’s ‘Mediterranean’ side and is among the top places to visit in Switzerland in summer. Although it’s over 200km from the actual Mediterranean, there’s a breezy summer vibe here, complete with palm trees, blue skies and sublime sunsets. In the summer, lakeside beaches fill with visitors who come to cool off in the clear waters and bask in the plentiful sunshine.

Hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations

Chur: Switzerland’s oldest city

Also in the northeast, Chur is Switzerland’s oldest city with evidence of Neolithic settlement and parts of the city dating back to Roman times. The Old Town has been beautifully restored and is busy with cafes, boutiques and markets. Spend a few days exploring, then hop aboard the Glacier or Bernina Express, and glide through the mountains while marveling at the views.

Appenzell: traditional Swiss culture

Tucked away in the northeast, the town of Appenzell is one of the best places in Switzerland to visit to experience traditional rural life and folk culture. The car-free streets are lined with brightly painted townhouses, and shops feature traditional metalwork signage.

Grassy valleys stretch out around, dotted with small hamlets and homesteads. In summer, expect to encounter yodeling, folk dancing, cheese festivals, and flower-adorned cattle parades.

Villars-sur-Ollon: lesser-known Alpine beauty

Southwest Switzerland’s Villars-sur-Ollon is popular with Swiss families, but less well-known among international travelers. It lies in the Swiss-French region and enjoys views across the Alps and the Rhone Valley. This is a classic Alpine resort for summer and winter adventures, fueled by refined surroundings and cuisine.

Locarno: Ticino’s lakeside retreat

Italian-speaking Locarno is another ‘Mediterranean’ retreat in Switzerland. Lakeside and with mild temperatures, it makes a lovely summer destination that’s marginally less visited than Lake Lugano. Subtropical gardens beguile, and there are music and film festivals for culture lovers to enjoy in the summer.

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