Whether you’re just visiting or moving to Switzerland, there are many top Swiss attractions. Visit these top 10 places in Switzerland to experience the best of Switzerland’s tourism.
Switzerland may be a small country but Switzerland’s tourism is anything but minuscule. Soaring Alps and glaciers dominate the top Swiss places to visit – there are more than 200 peaks higher than 3,000m – alongside Switzerland’s bucolic countryside, ancient castles, clear turquoise lakes and breathtaking mountain peaks in every direction. The top Swiss foods make travelling around Switzerland a regional surprise, and once you learn the top Swiss facts, it’s easy to see this tiny country has a lot to offer. To dive into Swiss tourism, you don’t have to travel too far and an excellent Swiss transport system makes it affordable to see the best places in Switzerland. The Swiss countryside, lakes and mountains are beautiful any time of year, from snow-capped mountain peaks and ice-skating on lakes to hiking through green fields or celebrating the top Swiss festivals, Swiss carnival or national Swiss holidays. Those who want to experience this European gem will have no shortage of finding places to visit in Switzerland, and will feel safe travelling in this low-crime rate country, although a list of Swiss emergency numbers is always handy. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Switzerland you have to see to experience the best of Switzerland’s tourism.
1. Matterhorn, Zermatt
2. Chateau de Chillon, Montreux
Located in the heart
of the Swiss Riviera on the banks of Lake Geneva is Chillon Castle –
the four-century old water fortress that served as the seat of the
wealthy Counts of Savoy. Stroll by the lakeside or parade through its
ancient halls where 14th century paintings, towers, subterranean
vaults, bedrooms, weaponry and furniture have been kept preserved in
their original form. Chateau de Chillon consists of 25 building and
three courtyards and is accessible by boat, bus or foot from the town
of Montreux. This is one of the most visited historic buildings in
Switzerland and certainly a top place to visit in Switzerland.
3. The Jungfrau Region
The Jungfraujoch is an Alpine wonderland that has much to offer adventurers and those seeking a quieter retreat. The ‘big three’ – glacial monoliths Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger – tower over rolling green meadows and winding mountain paths, making for truly enchanting views that embody the best of Swiss tourism. In its middle lies Interlaken, a rustic town that has become a popular starting point for travellers in the region. From there you can visit the Jungfrajoch’s highlights, such as the towns of Grindelwald, Mürren, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen. Hike or take a scenic train trip to the peaks of Kleine Scheidegg, Grindelwald-First, Schynige Platte or Schilthorn and treat yourself to panoramic views you won’t soon forget.
4. Swiss National Park, Zernez
Switzerland’s only national park is a spectacle not to be overlooked. A throwback to how the Alps was before it was touched by tourism, the Schweizerischer Nationalpark features 172 square kilometres of unspoilt scenery from snow-encrusted glaciers, verdant pastures, waterfalls and lush woodlands, making it a top place to see in Switzerland. A total of 21 hiking routes crawl through the park, giving visitors a chance to glimpse its magnificent flora and, if luck is on your side, perhaps even sight the rare golden eagles, chamois, ibexes and marmots that call it home. The park is easily accessible from Zernez, S-chanf and Scuol.
5. Lake Geneva and surrounding cities
Hugged by Geneva on
the west and Lausanne on the east is Lake Geneva, a giant liquid
basin that has been aptly called by the Celts ‘Lem an’ or ‘Large
Water’. It’s now referred to as Lac Léman by the French-speaking
Swiss who reside in the area, and the 582 square kilometre-lake is
dotted with luxurious fairy-tale chateaus on its shores and stretches
of hillside vineyards rise from the lake, giving a rare glimpse into
the world of Swiss wines. Ferries, paddle streamers and boats paddle
through its topaz waters daily. The lake is a great starting point to
explore Canton Vaud‘s wineries, Jura Mountains and Vaud Alps or the
charming student city of Lausanne. Those seeking a more multicultural
vibe can quickly hop to cosmopolitan Geneva, the centre of at least
200 international organisations and the United Nations. As the third
biggest city in Switzerland, Geneva caters to a sophisticated crowd
with elegant green spaces, enchanting museums and gourmet
restaurants, yet maintains its grit with a lively alternative arts
scene. One of the tallest fountains in the world, the Jet d’Eau, is
Geneva’s postcard photo. Read about the prettiest Swiss towns within two hours of Geneva.
6. Lugano
Travelling to Lugano
shows Switzerland in a different light. Bordering Italy in the south,
the Italian influence is undeniable in the Ticino region, from the
local language, romantic villas and rich cuisine up to the warm
summers. Although a landlocked country, the weather in southern
Switzerland is tinged by rushes of warm Mediterranean air. Lugano is
flush with museums and a number of heritage sites housed in
neoclassical palazzos (grand buildings). The city stands north of the
gorgeous Lago di Lugano (Lake Lugano), an area frequented by
celebrities which has been dubbed the ‘Monte Carlo of
Switzerland’.
7. Bern
Not many people know
that the medieval city of Bern is Switzerland’s capital – but
once you step on its narrow cobblestoned streets, all doubts are sure
to vanish. History sings in every corner of this city, especially in
its Old Town, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Archaic towers loom over Bern’s sandstone façades, numerous
fountains and entrenchments while arcades are filled with boutiques,
bars, cafés and cabaret stages that are sometimes hidden within
vaulted cellars. As the current seat of the Swiss parliament
(Bundeshaus), Bern is one of the most well-preserved historical
centres in Switzerland. It boasts a stunning botanical garden, a
colourful weekly market and access to the River Aare and the Bear
Park, where a family of bears – the city’s symbol – reside.
8. Lucerne
In the heart of
Switzerland lies the lakeside city of Lucerne, another
postcard-perfect town nestled among a mountainous panorama. Fortified
towers, wooden bridges and time worn churches festooned with antique
frescoes have allowed the city to keep its traditional townscape,
adding to the charm of this top place in Switzerland. Take pleasure
in the thrilling views of the city and Lake Lucerne by riding up to
the peak of neighbouring Mt Pilatus, Mt Rigi or the Stanserhorn.
9. The Rhine Falls
The Rhein Falls, Europe’s largest
waterfall, is a bewitching natural wonder of Swiss tourism. At the
northernmost part of Switzerland near the town of Schaffhausen, the
mighty falls roar from a breadth of more than 150 metres. Visitors
can watch the spectacle from several viewing decks while those bold
enough can rent their own canoes and travel to nearby castles Schloss Laufen and Schloessli Wörth. On Swiss National Day, 1 August, the
Rheinfall flaunts a sensational firework display that attracts flocks
of tourists.
10. Zurich
As the cultural hub
of Switzerland, Zurich is not one to cross of your list of top Swiss
places to see. Unbeknown to many, behind Zurich’s financial façade
exists a pulsating night life with a contemporary edge. After all,
Zurich hosts the Street Parade, one of Europe’s biggest annual rave
parties.
While the city has kept some of its historical roots –
evident in the emblematic guild houses, Grossmünster church, Swiss National Museum and Lindenhof square – regeneration is supreme in
wealthy Zurich. Old heritage sites and factories have been re-purposed
and now serve as cultural spaces, joining more than 50 museums and
100 art galleries to see in Zurich. Known as one of the world’s
most liveable cities, Zurich offers everything you’d want for an
urban escape, yet also the chance to reach rural, idyllic towns just
a stone’s throw away. Read about the prettiest Swiss towns within
two hours of Zurich.
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Source: https://www.expatica.com/ch/out-and-about/best-of/top-10-places-to-visit-in-switzerland-102301/
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