Like so many Swiss cities, pretty, walkable Lucerne occupies a magnificent settingthis time on Lake Lucerne with the Alps as a backdrop. It was in a meadow above the lake that the Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291, sealing the lake's fate as an important place in Switzerland's history. Park City is the perfect mountain town. Bressanone, or Brixen, is the third-largest city and the oldest town in the region of South Tyrol in Italy. Read our Privacy Policy. Montreux Montreux is a mostly quiet town at the foothills of the Alps that hosts the widely popular Montreux Jazz Festival every summer. Take a walk down the lake promenade and see the stunning views of Lake Geneva. Related:10 Best Places Around The World To See Stunning Glaciers. In the fall, the cows literally come home, as herdsmen bring their cattledecked out in bells and flower garlandsdown from the mountains for the winter. 1. Privacy Policy and Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Japan has the most powerful passport in the world yet again, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. 17 Best Places to Visit in Switzerland | U.S. News Travel After that, you can climb the Sphinx observation terrace or go for a stroll along the Alpine Sensation circular underground walk. 10 Incredible Places In Switzerland You Have To See Before You Die 11 of the best places to visit in Switzerland - Lonely Planet Feel free to plunge into these cool waters and swim across the entire lake. All rights reserved. 10 Incredible Places In Switzerland You Have To See Before You Die By Joshua Sila Published Dec 17, 2022 From its beautiful lakeside promenades to its iconic mountain peaks, Switzerland invites visitors to experience a truly magical vacation. But Bern holds many charms, including an old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) featuring the iconic Zytglogge clock tower, Renaissance-style fountains and a Gothic cathedral with the highest spire in Switzerland. Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will find the Swiss Grand Canyon a sanctuary. Connecting Italy to Switzerland, the Great St. Bernard Pass has been a strategic gateway for the continentlong before the Romans first laid claim to it. You can go for a swim, rent a kayak and explore the beautiful scenery around the lake, go hiking, or you can walk across the border to Italy, buy all the cheap delicious Italian food and ingredients at the Lavena Ponte Tresa Saturday Market and come and cook a feast in Lugano without having to spend a ton of money if you were to buy it in Switzerland. Jungfraujoch is also known as ' Top of Europe ' where you can see an observation terrace and scientific observatory perched at 3,454 meters. The Jungfrau region. Due to how easy and accessible it is to get to Seealpsee Lake, not to mention how little to no tourists there were when I was there, Seealpsee Lake is a true hidden gem that deserves a spot on this list. Northeastern Switzerland might not have the in-your-face drama of higher realms of the Alps, but it nevertheless delights in its own serene, deeply rural way, with dairy country unraveling to meet the mountains and half-timbered, gaily muralled towns all fit for a postcard. Looking for a hiking guide to Swiss National Park? This is perhaps the only place on Earth from which you can travel to another country (more precisely, to two foreign countries) by tram. Iseltwald An old fishing village located on the southern shore of Lake Brienz, Iseltwald is a scenic place to go that's just a ten minute drive from Interlaken. Yes, we know its a shocker, but trust us, its a good one. The steep slopes of this famous mountain once intimidated hikers from even attempting to scale it. Some of these places dont even look real!! It's no wonder that Lucerne is a famous tourist destination in Switzerland because of its glistening clean lake surrounded by mountain ranges, magnificent bridges, antique buildings, blossoming flowers, and historical old town. Check out: The Ultimate Guide To Matterhorn Hiking Trails. Planning Tip:Top of any wish list is seeing the castles, among them hilltop Castelgrande, which can be drawn out into a full days activity (bring water and comfortable shoes). Switzerland in Winter: Things to Do and Places to See Head to the market square with its richly embellished government buildings and the Gothic cathedral to soak in history or visit one of the 40 local museums they are concrete proof that Basel is a city of arts. One of Switerland's most scenic rail trip, the Jungfraubahn takes visitors from the Kleine Scheidegg mountain through the Eiger and Mnch up to the Jungfraujoch. Bern has many museums and historical places, including the most extensive collection of artworks by prominent artists in Zentrum Paul Klee and Kunstmuseum. Zurich is notable for being the largest city in Switzerland, with 87.88 km2. Since the first successful attempt in 1865, many more brave mountaineers have made it to the top of the famed mountain. In fact, I first visited Switzerland when I was a child and I barely remembered anything from that trip except Lucerne and their beautiful Chapel Bridge and the Crying Lion Monument. Cultured Neuchtel is a fitting climax, with its fantasy of a lavishly turreted chteau. Wengen is an impossibly perfect example of an Alpine village where traditional timber chalets cling to the slopes of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Here's a packing guide to help you: Want to visit Europe in winter? Entlebuch is one of the prettiest towns you will ever see. Salt Lake City. per adult (price varies by group size) Lavertezzo - A romantic Swiss village Expect to see covered arcades, whimsical fountains, cobbled streets, world-class galleries, fantastic urban swimming, and traditional architecture all framed by rolling hills and the glacial Aare River. This lakefront city on the Swiss-Italian border offers visitors a unique travel experience. In the dark forested hills along the French-Swiss border, the Jura Mountains are a natural wonder. Know your airline's carry-on luggage size restrictions before you fly. It is famous for being Switzerland's most legendary peak and one of the highest summits in the Alps. Deeply wooded forests and protruding mountains imbue this area with a sense of isolated serenity. Come with U.S. News on a tour of The Langham, Boston. Picking just one beautiful destination in Switzerland is tough, so we did the hard part and picked 10 must-visits instead. Though it is a small, . Set between lakes Thun and Brienz, the pleasant town of Interlaken is the most convenient base for exploring the towering peaks of the Bernese Oberlandthe region of glaciers, craggy mountains, and pristine lakes that offer postcard views at every turn. Lauterbrunnen offers travelers an abundance of beautiful sights to see and plenty of extreme activities to do from hiking to Wengen, another small mountain village where you will be able to take in the view of Lauterbrunnen and its valley from up high to seeing base jumpers jumping off these stunning cliffs. The Matterhorn. You can easily take the train through the mountains from Appenzell to Wasserauen and it takes as little as 30 minutes to hike to Seealpsee lake. However, the local nature is worth it to drop by Spitz on your trip to Switzerland. For some reason, I remembered Lucerne quite vividly and I was able to recall all the little detail of the place and retraced my way around the city when I visited again in 2015. Plus, the town is world-renowned for its Gruyre cheese, which you can sample and learn more about at a local cheese dairy or cellar. Lake Geneva has a surface elevation of 371 meters and a surface size of 580 kilometers. And there you have it, a complete list of the best places in Switzerland to visit. For more than a century, its been the highest railway station in Europe. . Hop on board Europes railway network and discover a sustainable and stress-free way to explore the continent. . You'd be excused for thinking you've crossed over into Italy once you reach Ticino, the region wedged between the Alps and the Italian border. 1. This town's picturesque promenade along the lake is filled with flowers and features a sculpture of Charlie Chaplin, who spent the last 25 years of his life in Vevey. Mackenzie Roche|Amanda NorcrossJune 30, 2023, Katie Hearsum|Timothy J. ForsterJune 28, 2023. Visit Monte San Salvatore and Monte Br, both of which you can reach by funicular, for bird's-eye views of Lake Lugano and the city. It fascinates with its pristine beauty and unusually clear waters. You can also watch my Switzerland travel video here: To see all the articles about Switzerland, visit, Looking for a place to go after Switzerland? There is no doubt about it, Switzerland is one of the most, if not, the most beautiful country in the world. 16 Pro-Grade Lightroom Presets Now Available! Emma-Clair Ni Clearaigh writer and photographer. Available for both mobile and PC. This beautiful mountain resort lies right below the iconic Matterhorn peak, which provides visitors with fantastic scenery and many, many things to do. Its actually the capital of Switzerland but its one of Europes smallest capitals. 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. Lake Geneva | Fred PO/ Flickr The 20 Of The Most Beautiful Places To Visit In France - Global Grasshopper No wonder it's one of the most popular attractions in Switzerland. The pristine Lugano lake offers an infinite amount of activities for you to enjoy unlike any other place in Switzerland. Non-one-percenters might prefer some of the smaller, more down-to-earth towns and villages of the sunny Engadine Valley, known for its glaciers, snowy peaks, glacial lakes, forest, and folk culture. A fusion of Italian, French, and German cultures but still with a strong identity of its own, Switzerland makes an alluring travel destination. Is Switzerland really that beautiful? 3. It's no secret that Switzerland has scenery in spades. Snuggled away in a remote corner of the countrys southeast on the border with Italy, the 172-sq-km (66-sq-mile)Swiss National Park is the Alps in overdrive: a nature-gone-wild spectacle of high moors, forests, wildflower-freckled pastures, waterfalls, jewel-colored lakes and mountains as high as the sky, where ibex, chamois, marmots, deer and golden eagles roam and fly free. Were talking glacier-capped peaks, crash-bang waterfalls,turreted castles of the fairy-tale kind, and lakes in the most surreal shade of turquoise blue. The worldly city makes an excellent launchpad for exploring, with big-hitting museums and galleries to absorb, botanical gardens to stroll, lidos to swim at, Old Town cafes to hang out in and bright-yellow mouettesferrying locals across the water surely one of the worlds most scenic commutes. Join over 3,000 readers and get a free Lightroom preset on us as well as travel news, updates, and great travel stories from around the world. It offers fantastic panoramic views of Eiger, Mnch and Jungfrau mountain peaks, as well as the longest glacier in the Alps. Here's what you need to know. Switzerland is known around the world for its chocolate, cheese, charming towns and scenic landscapes. The interior is also pretty intricately designed and an impressive example of Baroque architecture. She has also written for Frommer's, The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, and more. Different regions of Switzerland draw on culinary influences from its neighbouring countries. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a natural wonder that took millions of years to create. Quaint Montreux features a waterfront promenade dotted with flowers and trees, a medieval castle and a charming old town, not to mention a statue commemorating Freddie Mercury (Queen recorded multiple albums here from 1978 to 1995). With our guide to the top 10 places to visit in Switzerland, you'll soon be exploring the stunning beauty of this unforgettable Alpine gem. The city center is bristling with tourist attractions, sights, and interesting things to do more than 50 museums, 100 art galleries, boutiques, and a vibrant nightlife will keep you pretty busy. After shredding powder, visitors can ride the Gornergrat train, pick up a slab of homemade chocolate from a local shop or savor cheese fondue at a traditional Swiss restaurant. Planning Tip: With more time on your hands, you can really get out on the lake. This renowned hill rises to 4,478 meters on the border with Italy, and its four hillsides face the compass points. Be sure to try the products of local wineries and mouthwatering fish specialities. Visitors can have the most iconic views of the falls through a boat ride. For those who'd rather stick closer to Earth's surface, prioritize a hike on a lower-level valley path and a visit to the Pfingstegg toboggan. Also known as the Glacier Village, Grindelwald is a popular holiday spot for hikers and keen adventurers. The astonishing engineering feats of these high-altitude train tracks are reason enough to make the trip on at least one leg. Grazing the 4000m (13,123ft) mark are Switzerlands "big three": Eiger (Ogre), Mnch (Monk) and Jungfrau (Virgin), enshrined in mountaineering legend. Not to mention, it has one of the best nightlife scenes in the country with many awesome tavern-style restaurants, jazz pubs, and clubs all waiting for you to indulge yourself in. The medieval streets of Berns Old Town are particularly scenic and has even earned itself a UNESCO World Heritage status. The Matterhorn's nearly 5,000-meter summit offers breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and alpine lakes - it's like something out of a fairytale! Lucerne located at the foothills of picture-perfect Mount Pilatus is a quintessentially Swiss city beloved of many a visitor and home to traditional town squares, historic buildings, painted facades, and narrow cobbled streets lined with shops selling traditional goods. Here are some resources to help you get your trip going: Are you planning to travel to Switzerland independently? The terraced vineyards of the Lavaux wine region are a UNESCO World Heritage Sitesome date back to the 11th-century. You've asked the questions and Lonely Planet's team of experts has the answers: what you need to know for summer 2022. Protected by the surrounding mountains, gorgeous villages dot the rolling hills and historical pastimes like folk music and traditional dancing are still a regular occurrence here. Lucerne is one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland. This area is easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Switzerland but this kind of scenery comes at a price accommodation in Zermatt is among the most expensive in the country. Not only is it absolutely beautiful, but it is one of the cleanest, most well run, and just o. Lakes Lugano and Maggiore shares shores with Italy and offers a summertime playground for hiking, sailing, and swimming, with a touch of la dolce vita thrown in.