Best City to Visit in Switzerland – Our Top Picks
Switzerland continues to be the dream destination for many. Be it their cheeses, chocolates, breathtaking places, it has a name in every traveler’s book. It’s a perfect harmony of art, history and modern lifestyle.
However, if you’re new to visiting Switzerland, you might be overwhelmed by the amount of cities you can visit. Here’s where we can help. In this article, we’ll take you through the best city to visit in Switzerland, 7 of them! So, buckle up, and let’s go!
Geneva
The first on the list is Geneva! It is a Swiss city you shouldn’t skip. You probably hear it buzzing around due to it housing the United Nations. But trust me, there’s more than that.
The city sits in a beautiful spot on Lake Geneva’s edge (also called Lac Léman) and has a worldly feel. This mix gives Geneva a unique blend of international flair and Swiss appeal.
One of Geneva’s major attractions is the Jet d’Eau. This water fountain reaches 140 meters high and impacts the city’s identity. The fountain creates an impressive view, with Mont Blanc and the Alps behind it.
It looks striking when lit up at night. Travelers can also check out the Parc des Bastions. This park houses the Reformation Wall, which pays tribute to influential figures from the Protestant Reformation.
Geneva also has a rich cultural scene. The city houses several key museums, including the International Red Cross and Museum of Art and History. If you’re fond of lux watches, Geneva is where luxury watchmaking began, and the Patek Philippe Museum gives great insights into the craft.
If you love nature, Geneva’s closeness to the Alps makes it a great place to start ski trips or mountain hikes. Also, taking a boat ride on Lake Geneva lets you see beautiful views of the city and its surroundings.
Lucerne
Lucerne is a city in the heart of Switzerland. Many think it’s one of the prettiest cities in the country. It lies between the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne. The city’s old buildings, beautiful views, and calm feel make it popular with tourists.
The main attraction in Lucerne is the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke). This wooden bridge from the 1300s has bright flowers in boxes and paintings that show the city’s past. Close by, you can see the Water Tower and the Musegg Wall. These give you a peek at how the city looked in medieval times.
Lucerne has a memorial to Swiss Guards who died in the French Revolution. This sculpture ranks among Switzerland’s most renowned works of art.
To take in views, you should climb Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi. Cable cars or cogwheel trains can take you up both peaks, providing stunning sights of Lucerne, nearby lakes, and the Alps. You can also cruise on Lake Lucerne, showcasing the beautiful mountain landscape that encircles the city.
Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland’s biggest city, shines as a center of culture and business. Many see it as the doorway to Swiss life, where Zurich mixes old and new, giving visitors a fun blend of history, modern buildings, and lively nightlife.
The city’s Old Town (Altstadt) has narrow, stone-paved streets and buildings from the Middle Ages. It also has famous spots like the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches.
Zurich serves as a center for art and culture. The Kunsthaus Zurich, a country’s key art museum, displays a large collection of classical and modern works. Also, Lake Zurich, with its walkways and boat trips, gives a quiet break from the city buzz, while Uetliberg Mountain shows amazing wide views of the city and the Swiss Alps.
To explore a different side, Zurich has top-notch places to shop at Bahnhofstrasse. It’s one of the priciest shopping streets worldwide, so get a little treat.The food scene there is amazing too. Swiss dishes and Michelin-starred restaurants, embracing the area. Zurich’s nightlife is just as attractive, with its hip bars, clubs, and busy entertainment areas like Zurich West. Day or night, Zurich’s worth the hype.
Bern
It’s not the most hyped one but a real gem on the list. Switzerland’s capital is a city packed with personality. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town, with its well-kept medieval buildings, stands out as one of the top spots to experience Switzerland’s deep-rooted past.
If you’re a history lover, you’ll adore Bern with their many pieces. Bern’s top sight is Zytglogge, a clock tower from the 13th century. This has drawn people to see its moving figures and star-tracking clock for hundreds of years.
As you stroll through the Old Town’s stone-paved roads, you’ll also pass by the impressive Federal Palace (Bundeshaus), where Switzerland’s leaders meet.
The Bear Park is another must-see in Bern showing off the city’s emblem, the bear. People can watch real bears in a big natural space just a quick walk from the heart of town and create memories with these fluffs.
Art enthusiasts must check out the Zentrum Paul Klee, which honors the Swiss artist Paul Klee. The museum displays a large collection of Klee’s art in a distinctive contemporary building.
Bern’s peaceful aura, historic importance, and cultural spots make it a great place to visit for people who want to learn about Switzerland’s history.
Basel
Speaking of pieces, Basel’s another city that is perfect for art lovers. It’s located at the Rhine River’s banks near the French and German borders. The city stands out for its lively art scene boasting over 40 museums, many art galleries, and huge architectural landmarks.
One of Basel’s main attractions is the Kunstmuseum, Switzerland’s oldest public art collection. It showcases masterpieces from the Renaissance to today. Outside the city, you’ll find the Fondation Beyeler, another key museum. It displays modern and contemporary art in a beautiful park-like environment.
Basel is also famous for its lovely medieval architecture. The Basel Minster is a Gothic cathedral with beautiful stained glass windows. Its tower offers great views of the Rhine River.
Basel’s busy cultural calendar features the well-known Art Basel fair. This event brings art lovers from all over the world every June. The city also has an exciting food scene. Multiple cuisines hug the restaurants and captivate people with mouthwatering dishes from the Mediterranean and Swiss.
Interlaken
It is located between Lake Thun and Brienz, making it Switzerland’s hub for adventure and a dream for people who love the outdoors. Although it’s not as big as Zurich or Geneva, Interlaken has something special: it’s close to some of the country’s most breathtaking natural scenery.
The town nestles among the sky-high Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, giving visitors a perfect starting point to hike, ski, paraglide, and even jump out of planes.
When summer rolls around, people can hop on boats to cruise the crystal-clear lakes or hop on the Jungfraujoch train to visit the Top of Europe. Up there, an observatory lets you take in sweeping views of the Aletsch Glacier and the peaks all around.
While Interlaken draws visitors for its outdoor thrills, the town has a cozy and laid-back vibe. People can wander its cute streets, check out local stores, or kick back in one of the classic Swiss eateries that offer filling dishes like fondue and raclette.
Zermatt
And lastly, we have Zermatt. How can we forget this iconic city? It’s a small but famous town at Matterhorn. It’s one of the most iconic peaks in the Alps. Though it’s not really a city, its importance makes it a worthwhile mention in this list.
If you’re willing to explore the icy side of Switzerland, Zermatt is the best. It’s known for the premium ski resorts, and winter sports hub. Travelers can enjoy hiking there too. The Gornergrat Railway offers breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding glaciers.
Another unique aspect of this city is the car-free policy. It’s one of the factors on why the town is so peaceful. You can, however, still explore the wonders of this place by cycles, electric-taxis and trains. They also have beautiful nature, lovely boutiques and cozy restaurants that serve great, cheesy fondue. If you’re visiting Switzerland, trying fondue is a must!
Conclusion
And there you go! I hope our top picks can help you build the perfect plan for your trips. Remember to plan your budget wisely, go through research and use the best guides around here. At Maple’s Diary, we believe in creating guides into adventures you can explore. So that you can have the best trip of your life! Tell us some of your favorite Swiss moments! Thank you for reading. Bis schpäter!