Switzerland Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions
For quaint villages and enchanting Alpine scenery exuding storybook allure, it's difficult to beat Switzerland. The Alps' soaring snowcapped peaks, dazzling blue lakes, glaciers, emerald villages, and postcard-perfect lakeside hamlets suffuse this landlocked country with unmistakable fairy-tale beauty. Nestled among lakes and mountain valleys lie exceptional international resorts as well as a lengthy list of activities to do like skiing, tobogganing, cycling, climbing, hiking, and paragliding.
Tourists arrive here for breath-taking scenery but are quickly captivated by the several cultural attractions. Drenched in history, cities like Lausanne, Zurich, and Geneva offer superb galleries and museums, historic structures, and delightful music festivals.
The capital Bern, an extraordinary medieval old town that hugs the curvature of a pleasant flowing river, is mostly unchanged since its establishment and a UNESCO World Heritage site that wows tourists with its stunning sandstone structures and unrivaled charm. Together with countries such as France, Germany, Austria, and Italy bordering Switzerland, all their customs and languages vitalize and inculcate this nation with a multi-cultural sophistication.
From the sweet-sounding dialects of Latin-derived Romansch and Swiss-German to the beautiful Italian architecture showcased in palm-studded Ticino, Switzerland could sometimes give the feeling like many countries crammed into one--still all with the glossy packaging and promptness for which it's famous.
Tour this amazing country and discover the most exciting with our Switzerland travel guide of top tourist attractions in Switzerland.
1) The Matterhorn. As Switzerland's pointed peak icon, The Matterhorn is one of the tallest mountains located in the Alps. Bordering with Italy, this world-acclaimed peak rises as far high as 4,478 meters, plus its 4 steep faces sit in the direction where the compass points. The very first daring to summit ended tragically back in 1865 as four brave climbers plunged to their death while they descended. But today, numerous--thousands--of seasoned climbers go here every summer.
At the base of this fearsome and awe-inspiring peak, lies the pretty village of Zermatt, which is now a major worldwide resort that provides quaint chalets, horse-drawn carriage transport, and excellent hotels and restaurants. Motorized vehicles of all types are banned in Zermatt in order to preserve better air quality and peaceful ambience.
Skiers could shoot down over 300 kilometers of white slopes in the winter months. But in summer, tennis and swimming are popular pursuits, as are climbing, biking, and hiking in the nearby mountains. Also, available is summer glacier skiing.
2) Jungfraujoch. A very popular activity around these parts, especially in the lovely Bernese Oberland, is the rail trip to Jungfraujoch, known as the "Top of Europe," where tourists could observe both terrace and scientific observatory sitting far high at 3,454 meters. Europe's longest glacier, called the Great Aletsch Glacier, starts at Jungfraujoch, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The renowned Eiger Trail that travels from the Eiger glacier station all the way to Alpiglen holds onto the rocks at the base of the north face.
More popular walks are Panorama Way to the South-facing, sunny first slope; Opfelchuechliwag, which is a high-altitude trail that takes one from Holemstein to Brandegg along fields of woodlands, alpine pastures, and flowers; and the Glacier Gorge, or Gletscherschlucht. The less physically inclined may ride gondolas and cable vehicles to scenic spots.
3) Interlaken. Snuggled between Lake Brienz to the east and Lake Thun to the west, Interlaken is Switzerland's wildly popular holiday resort for summer. At the heart of town, Hohematte is a masterpiece of urban planning, having 35 acres of wide open space. Cafes, hotels, and flower gardens surround the Hoheweg, the central boulevard along here with stunning sights of the mountains.
The high-reaching peaks of the Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger tower over the town that provides superb opportunities to explore Alpine scenery. Kayaking, abseiling, hiking, and climbing are notable pastimes.
Over 45 mountain trains, ski lifts, chairlifts, and cable cars transport tourists into the surrounding countryside as well as offer an abundance of chances to sightsee from high above.
During the winter months, snowboarders and skiers could choose from nearby resorts and ski through the lengthy trail network. But during the summer, paragliders are launching from Beatenberg-Niederhorn. Board a paddle steamer to cruise around the lakes to admire the natural wonders from lower elevations.
4) Lucerne. Just imagine for a second: mountains surrounding a blue sparkling lake, a vehicle-free medieval ancient town, waterfront promenades, covered bridges, frescoed historic structures, and sun-bathed plazas sporting bubbling fountains. That's why Lucerne is a highly rated attractions for visitors.
Famous for its concerts, this exemplary Swiss town lures world-renowned conductors, orchestras, and soloists to its yearly International Music Festival. The Culture and Convention Center houses the world's best and leading concert halls.
As Lucerne's most famed landmark, Chapel Bridge was constructed in the 14th century. In a little park, sits the well-recognized Lion Monument, a powerful sculpture portraying a dying lion, and honoring the heroic bravery and demise of Swiss Guards when attacked on the Tuileries during the French Revolution. History freaks will love the Swiss Transport Museum that exhibits all types of transport like space travel.
5) Lake Geneva. As Europe's biggest Alpine Lake, Lake Geneva straddles the French/Swiss border, and embraces the shores of a few of the most popular cities in Switzerland. Geneva, the city, lies between beautiful snowcapped peaks where the Rhone pours into Lake Geneva.
This French-speaking city is the United Nations' European seat and emits a pleasant mix of Swiss structure and French joie de vivre. Gardens, promenades, and parks surround the lake, and the aged town is a nice place for strolling and seeing historic buildings. The Jet d'Eau which is a fountain standing in Lake Geneva, shoots water 150 meters into the sky, and is a major landmark. Cultural attractions such as the Grand Theatre and the Opera House, stage international acts.
In addition, on the lake, 62 kilometers from Geneva, Lausanne offers striking views above the surrounding area and the lake, along with the Alps rising remotely. Take an easy walk through the old medieval town and admire its neat boutiques, cafe's, and pretty Gothic cathedral. On Lake Geneva, Montreux always hosts the famed Montreux Jazz Festival between June and July.
