10 Best cities to visit in Switzerland, you can’t miss in 2023.
10 Best cities to visit in Switzerland, a complete travel guide.
With nature, adventure, and modern architecture, Switzerland is the preferred destination for global travelers. Surrounded by France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, the European country attracts over 11 million visitors every year. Switzerland is home to Mount Matterhorn, which is one of the most visited mountains in the world. We’ll discuss the 10 best cities to visit in Switzerland on your next trip.
There is a lot you can experience in Switzerland and we’ll make your journey easy through this article. After reading this you’ll get a clear idea about the best places to visit in Switzerland and the activities with the budget required. This is going to help you to make a perfect itinerary of Switzerland as well as how to travel and where to stay.
Things to know
Time zone: Central European Standard Time (GMT+1)
Currency: Swiss Franc, (Current exchange rate)
Languages: German, French, and Italian
Country calling code: +41
Tourist police helpline: 112
1. Zurich
Zurich is the largest Swiss city and is known as the financial capital of Switzerland. The city is home to many banks and is also one of the most expensive cities in the world. The mesmerizing beauty of the city enhances by its rivers, lake, and the snow-covered Swiss Alps in the background.
Walking on the cobblestone streets and looking at the medieval church are the best feelings you’ll ever get. The Museum of Art and the Swiss National Museum store Zurich’s traditional and modern culture. Swimming in Lake Zurich in summer or hiking on Uetliberg Mountain are some of the most popular activities you must experience during your stay in Zurich.
Best things to do in Zurich
- Art Galleries
- Lake Zurich
- Uetliberg Mountain
- Old Town (Altstadt)
- Bahnhofstrasse
- Lindenhof
- Great Minster (Grossmunster)
- Minster of Our Lady (Fraumunster)
How to reach Zurich?
Flight: Zurich Airport (ZRH) is one of the busiest airports in Switzerland and well connected with all major cities in Europe. The national carrier SWISS International Airlines operates multiple flights to/from Zurich. You can take trains from Level 2 of the airport to Hauptbahnhof, the central railway station of the city.
Bus/Road: Zurich is well connected with all other European cities through a well-maintained road network. There are various bus operators available or you can also drive your own car to reach Zurich.
Train: You can also use trains to reach Zurich, the rail network and services are extremely efficient in Switzerland. You can also use the Swiss Travel Pass to reach Hauptbahnhof (HB), which is the main railway station in Zurich.
2. Lucerne
Lucerne is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland and it’s situated on Lake Lucerne. The panoramic mountain view covered with snow and the relaxing lakeside setting makes it a perfect destination for visitors.
The city is not just famous for attractions but also for shopping. You can also experience the train journey to the Rigi, Pilatus, and Stanserhorn mountains and enjoy the breathtaking view. Lucerne is a popular destination among travelers in central Switzerland because of its diverse range of hotels and food options.
Best things to do in Lucerne
- Train ride to Jungfraujoch
- Day trip to Grindelwald
- Take a cable car ride and experience the Swiss Alps
- Lion Monument
- Weinmarket
- Swiss Museum of Transport
- Mount Pilatus
How to reach Lucerne?
Flight: Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the nearest airport to Lucerne and it’s well-connected with all major cities in Europe. SWISS International Airlines operates multiple flights to/from Zurich.
Bus/Road: Lucerne is well connected with all other Swiss cities through the road network. You can also take a bus or drive from Zurich as it’s only 30 miles from the city.
Train: You can also use trains to reach Lucerne, the rail network and services are extremely efficient in Switzerland. Lucerne railway station is a major hub in central Switzerland and well connected with other cities.
3. Bern
Bern is the capital city of Switzerland and its famous for some of the most famous published works of Einstein. The city of Bern also has the first Lindt chocolate factory and legends of bears. Bern is a small city and you can see most of the landmarks in just one day.
The old town of Bern has a preserved medieval city center and it was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1983. The Parliament building and the beautiful market at Parliament Square attract tourists from all across the world. If you are a night person Bern’s cocktail of bars and Irish pubs will never disappoint you.
Best things to do in Bern
- Walk in the Old Heritage Town
- Shopping at Parliament Square Market
- Clock Tower
- Gothic Cathedral
- Galleries and Museums
How to reach Bern?
Flight: Bern International Airport (BRN) is located at a distance of 10 km away from the city center. The airport is well connected with all the big cities in Switzerland and also operates international flights.
Bus/Road: The capital city Bern is connected with all the major cities in the country through a well-developed highway. You can also take a bus or drive from other cities to the capital city.
Train: You can also use trains to reach Bern, the rail network and services are extremely efficient in the region. There are multiple trains to Bern from all major cities in Switzerland.
4. Interlaken
Interlaken is one of the most visited cities in Switzerland and is known as the adventure capital of Switzerland. The city is famous among river rafting, skydiving, and bungee jumping enthusiast. You can also experience the two most beautiful lakes Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.
Interlaken stores something for everyone from stunning mountain views to thrilling outdoor activities. With the beautiful landscape and amazing streets of the town, Interlaken is popular for a laid-back life experience.
Best things to do in Interlaken
- Tandem Paragliding Flight
- Harder Kulm
- Lake Brienz
- Bond World
- Schynige Platte
- Höhematte
How to reach Interlaken?
Flight: Interlaken doesn’t have its own airport. The nearest airport is Bern International Airport (BRN) which is located at a distance of 56 km from Interlaken. It’ll take around 45 minutes by road or you can also take a train to reach Interlaken.
Bus/Road: The capital city Bern is just 56 km away from the city and it’s also well connected with other cities in Switzerland. You can also take buses from all the big cities to reach Interlaken.
Train: There are multiple train options available to reach Interlaken. You can also take a direct train from Zurich airport to Interlaken.
5. Lausanne
The city of Lausanne is situated on Lake Geneva. Lausanne is also known as the world headquarters of the Olympics. You can also visit the Olympics Museum which is one of its own kind and attracts thousands of visitors every day.
Lake Geneva overlooking the beautiful mountains makes Lausanne a perfect destination for tourists. The city is not well known among international tourists but it’s worth visiting when you are in Switzerland.
Best things to do in Lausanne
- Lavaux Vineyards
- Lake Geneva Cruise
- Boat ride to Evian
- Cheese and Chocolate Tastings at Gruyères
- Swiss Riviera Tour
- Olympics Museum
How to reach Lausanne?
Flight: The nearest airport from Lausanne is Geneva Geneve-Cointrin (GVA) which is just 32 miles from the city.
Bus/Road: Lausanne has the best connectivity of highways, you can drive from any part of Switzerland to the city. There are multiple bus operators available in the region and you can book bus tickets based on your convenience.
Train: There are over 113 direct trains from Geneva to Lausanne and you can also change trains from other major cities to reach Lausanne.
6. Basel
The beautiful city of Basel is located in north-western Switzerland on the river Rhine and close to the border of France and Germany. Basel is also known as the cultural capital of Switzerland. You can witness Basel’s heritage culture in its museums and art galleries.
Kunstmuseum is one such popular among many in the city. Inaugurated in 1661 it was the first collection of art accessible to the public in the world. Walking through 16th-century architecture gives you a lifetime experience. Basel stores its natural history at the Museum of Natural History Basel.
Best things to do in Basel
- Tinguely Fountain
- Kunstmuseum Art Museum
- Museum of Natural History Basel
- Cathedral Hill
- Town Hall
- Old City Tour
How to reach Basel?
Flight: You can fly to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg or Zurich Airport which is around 90 km away from the city.
Bus/Road: Basel is well connected with all the major cities through highways. There are multiple options available if you want to travel by road, you can take a bus or can drive from Zurich.
Train: There are three train stations in Basel and you will get direct/change trains from all across Switzerland. Cruise services are also available from the Rhine to Basel.
7. Geneva
Geneva is a beautiful city with some amazing landscapes. The city headquarters of some of the world’s largest organizations, such as the United Nations, World Bank, and World Health Organisation. There are several UNESCO World Heritage sites in Geneva.
Geneva is famous for its nightlife and vibrant festivals. There are many Parks, Churches, and Monuments that attracts millions of tourist every year. Geneva is also famous for shopping and its one of the most tourist-friendly shopping destinations in Europe.
Best things to do in Geneva
- Old Town Tour
- United Nations Headquarters
- Vibrant Nightlife
- Mont Blanc
- Cable Car to Aiguille du Midi
How to reach Geneva?
Flight: Geneva international airport also known as Cointrin Airport, is one of the busiest airports in Switzerland. You’ll get domestic and international flights to Geneva on a regular basis.
Bus/Road: Geneva has well-developed motorways and it’s connected with all cities in Switzerland and France. There are multiple bus options available from various cities of the country as well as from neighboring countries like France and Italy.
Train: The main railway station of Geneva is well connected with the Euro rail services and there are many direct and indirect trains to Geneva from various cities. You can also get a direct train to Geneva from France and Italy.
8. Lugano
Lugano is an underrated and less-known city in Switzerland. The beautiful city is located in southern Switzerland in the Ticino region, which is a mostly Italian-speaking region of the country. The Swiss city is very close to the international border of Italy and thus you’ll experience the mixed Swiss-Mediterranean culture in Lugano.
The Glacial Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains attract many local and international tourists. Quasi-Mediterranean scenery and film festivals in the city are highly popular. The old town and Piazza Della Riforma, the main square in the city are must-visit places in Lugano.
Best things to do in Lugano
- Lake Lugano
- Parco Ciani
- Monte San Salvatore
- Piazza della Riforma
- Monte Bre
- Church of S. Maria degli Angioli
- Lido di Lugano
- Centro storico Gandria
How to reach Lugano?
Flight: Lugano Airport is a domestic airport and it’s around 4 km west of Lugano. You can take domestic flights to reach here. You can also take flights to Milan, Italy which is just 80 km away from Lugano.
Bus/Road: Lugano is well connected with other Swiss cities by road network. You can also drive from Italy to Lugano as it’s close to the international border of Switzerland and Italy. There are multiple bus services available to reach Lugano and you can also drive to the beautiful city of Switzerland.
Train: There are many direct and indirect trains available to reach Lugano. You can take a direct train from Zurich which take around 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach Lugano. There are around 20 train services available from Zurich to Lugano.
9. Bellinzona
Bellinzona is a historic town in Switzerland and is well known for the famous carnival in Ticino called Rabadan. The Swiss town is also famous for its three castles, Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro. These are UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000. So if you like castles then Bellinzona should be on your Switzerland travel itinerary.
Bellinzona shares its international border with Italy and is close to the Swiss city of Lugano. The city is located in the east of river Ticino and the snow-covered Alps enhance its beauty to the next level. Music is the core of the town and you can experience that here for the whole week during carnivals.
Best things to do in Bellinzona
- Visit Castles (Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro)
- Rabadan Carnival
- Churches and Chapels
- Palazzo Civico di Bellinzona
- Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie
How to reach Bellinzona?
Flight: There is no airport in Bellinzona and the nearest airport is Milan Malpensa (MXP) Airport in Milan. Milan airport is around 62 km away from Bellinzona and you can easily reach the city by car, bus, or train. You can also go to the Zurich (ZRH) airport which is just 145 km away from Bellinzona.
Bus/Road: Bellinzona is well connected to other Swiss towns by its well-developed highways. You can drive to the city or can take a bus. There are many bus operators available in this region.
Train: The cheapest and the best to reach Bellinzona is the train. You can take a direct train from Zurich to Bellinzona and the journey is around 2 hours one way.
10. Fribourg
Fribourg is one of the most beautiful and ancient cities in western Switzerland. The city is famous for its art and culture museum. The Swiss town is located on the river Sarine and is well known for the beautiful bridges over the river which connect both parts of the town.
The Swiss town is also a financial and educational capital in this region. You’ll find one side of the town is full of French-speaking and another side with German-speaking people. There are a lot to see and experience in Fribourg and the multicultural town has its own traditional charm.
Best things to do in Fribourg
- St-Nicolas Cathedral
- Berne Bridge
- Musee d’Art et d’Histoire
- Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory
How to reach Fribourg?
Flight: There is no airport in Fribourg and the nearest airport is Berne (BRN) Airport which is around 30 km away from the town. The other airports are Basel (BSL) airport which is around 95 km and Geneva (GVA) airport around 100 km far from the city.
Bus/Road: Fribourg is close to Switzerland’s capital, Bern, and it’s well connected with the road from the other Swiss cities. There are many bus services available to reach Fribourg and the travel time is less than an hour.
Train: Fribourg railway station is well connected with other cities in Switzerland. There are direct trains from Geneva to Fribourg and it takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach.
Important apps to download
SBB Mobile app for train passes and information
Europcar for Car rental
Uber app-based taxi
FlixBus for online bus ticket booking
Ubereat, an online food app
Google translate
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