Switzerland Travel Guide

Geneva

Of all the places to see in Switzerland, Geneva is, perhaps, the most charming. Sprawled on the shores of Lake Geneva with the Alps forming the background the city, Geneva is one of the best places to stay in Switzerland. The city, with its windows adorned with flowers, the gigantic Palais de Nations, the Jet d’eau that sprays 140m above Lake Geneva and the bohemian Carouge neighbourhood. When you do find yourself in Geneva, be sure to take a cruise on the serene lake that gives the city its name and explore the International Museum of the Red Cross, dedicated to the charitable work performed by the organization. Also worth a visit is the Place Neuve that’s home to an ornate music conservatory, theatre and the Musee Rath.

Bern

The de facto capital of Switzerland, Bern doesn’t always find itself on most Switzerland tour packages. That lack of popularity among the coach crowds lends to a unique, unspoiled charm you are unlikely to find elsewhere in the alpine nation. A relaxed way of life boasts of afternoon dips in the river, al fresco lunches and buskers on cobbled stoned streets. There are a lot of things to do at Bern for the everyday traveller. Visit the Berne Historical Museum for a glimpse of Swiss history, the Bundeshaus or Federal Palace of Switzerland, the former home of the scientist Albert Einstein, and the Museum of Fine Arts. There are a lot of fun things to do in Berne but our favourites are swimming in the Aare River, a trip to the Bear Park which is home to the city’s mascots and a trek up the Gur

Zurich

Clock towers, Alps and foreboding banks; Zurich is quintessentially Swiss and also oddly cosmopolitan. They say every third denizen of the city was born outside the country and it shows. The largest city in Switzerland is home to over 100 museums and galleries as well as a thriving café culture. Of all the places to see in Switzerland Zurich should be at the top of your list with its storied past and beauty. Explore the Landesmuseum, the biggest Swiss history museum in the world and the Fraumünster Church that date back to 853 AD and attracts thousands of visitors every day with its exquisite stained glass windows. Also worth a visit are the Beyer Watch Museum, the historic Old Town and the Bahnhofstrasse an exclusive shopping district that rivals Champs Elysees and the New York’s Fifth Av

Lucerne

Switzerland isn’t too low on photogenic destinations but Lucerne is unlike anything you will ever see. A maze of medieval churches, cobble stoned lanes, cafes and frescoed walls, Lucerne is the epitome of Swiss charm. The city spills out the shores of Lake Lucerne, a turquoise hued lake that was once frequented by Queen Victoria, Goethe and Mark Twain. One of the most popular places in Lucerne is the Chapel Bridge. Called the Kapellbrücke, the 16th century covered bridge also features painted triangular frames and a stone water tower. We also recommend a visit to the Lion Monument, sometimes called the most moving piece of stone in the world, the Richard Wagner Museum and the world renowned Rosengart Collection that houses modern masterpieces by Picasso, Cezanne, and Miro.

Interlaken

Sprawled under the shadows of Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch, the city of Interlaken is pretty as a picture. The name itself, Interlaken, means “between lakes” referring to its location between the lakes Thun and Brienz. A mesmerizing mix of lakes and mountains, the resort town has been one of the best places to visit in Switzerland since Edwardian times when the American author Mark Twain called the peaks he saw from his Interlaken hotel window “colossal billows”. Besides the lakes and mountains, Interlaken is known for its historic hotels that once hosted European royalty and intelligentsia. More recently, however, it has come to be known for its adventure sports. Interlaken is one of the best places in Switzerland to try skydiving, skiing, snowboarding, sledging, sailing, hiking, and base ju

Zermatt

Zermatt is a living, breathing cliché; a ski resort bustling with serious mountaineers and honeymooners, families and retirees buzzing around chalets and carless streets. The tiny town lies under the shadow of the Matterhorn, the shark fin shaped peak that is the region’s biggest draw. Summiting the mountain, however, should be left to the pros. The everyday vacationer has tons of other options to experience the Swiss outdoors. Zermatt is surrounding my scores of hiking trails that take you to old villages and rolling hills. The town itself is home to the Matterhorn Museum, an underground museum that showcases the history of the mountain. One of the more popular things to do in Zermatt is wandering through the old parts of town, specifically Hinterdorf. Lined will traditional chalets and m

St Moritz

St Moritz oozes luxury, glamour and sophistication. A resort town that has hosted the rich and famous since the 1800s and it shows. The town is full of haute couture boutiques, grand hotels, and exclusive restaurants. You don’t have to be royalty to add St Moritz to your Switzerland travel planning. The town’s hiking trails, ski slopes, frozen lakes and the stunning sunrise on Piz Nair are open to all. However, its claim to fame is its spa culture. St Moritz rose to prominence because of its mineral springs. One of the biggest attractions in Switzerland, the spas of St Moritz offer mineral spring baths, mud packs and a huge range of unique wellness therapies

Basel

It is not everywhere that you see 13th century buildings and ultramodern behemoths of glass and steel coexist. Basel may have had humble origins as a trading post but today is the Cultural Capital of Switzerland. The city is the birth place of the annual Art Basel, one of the biggest and most influential art shows in the world bringing together over 4000 artists. It is also the location of Baselworld, the world’s largest watch and jewelry show. One of the most places to stay Switzerland, Basel is a Switzerland travel guide favourite. Begin your tour of the city with the Münster, a red sandstone building that dates back to the 13th century and is one of the oldest buildings in Basel. We aslo suggest browsing through Basel’s famed market square and the 16rh century City hall. The city is als