Browse things to do in Switzerland

 

Switzerland (German: Schweiz, French: Suisse, Italian: Svizzera, Romansch: Svizra) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It has borders with France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east and Germany to the north.

 

The climate is temperate, but varies with altitude. Switzerland has cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters and cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers.

 

Switzerland is known for its mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) but it also has a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. The highest point is Dufourspitze at 4,634 m while Lake Maggiore is only 195 m above sea level.

 

Regions

Lake Geneva On the northern shores of the Léman, from the Jura to the Alps

 

Jura Mountains and Fribourg Hiking, lakes, watch-making

 

Bernese Lowlands The core region of Traditional Bernese influence

 

Bernese Highlands The Majestic Bernese Alps

 

Central Switzerland The birthplace of the Swiss Confederation, the legends of William Tell

 

Basel Industrial city, with countryside

 

Zurich A tourist region in its own right

 

Northeastern Switzerland Between the Alps and Lake Constance

 

Valais Europe's highest peaks and largest glaciers Graubünden Region which is the same as canton Graubünden, very mountainous, lightly populated and home to many great tourist cities

 

Ticino Italian speaking region which is the same as the canton Ticino

 

Cities

Zurich - Switzerland's biggest city and a major center of banking also has a thriving nightlife.

 

Geneva - This center of arts and culture, the second-largest city in Switzerland, is by far the international capital-- home to around 200 governmental and non-governmental organisations. Geneva was the home of John Calvin during the Reformation, elevating the city to the rank of "Protestant Rome," the effects of which drive Geneva today.

 

Berne - The Swiss capital features an amazingly well preserved old-town with arcades along almost every street. Great restaurants abound, as do bars and clubs. Check out the Einstein sites as well.

 

Basel - Slightly smaller than Geneva, Switzerland's third city is the traveller's gateway to the German Rhineland and Alsace.

 

Lausanne - While Geneva is busy being the international capital, Lausanne fills the role in most of the rest of French-speaking Switzerland. Scenery, dining, dancing, boating and the Swiss wine-country are the draws.

 

Lugano - Italian-speaking Switzerland's top destination, with a gorgeous old-town and a pretty lake. The food is simply amazing.

 

Lucerne - Central Switzerland's main city with direct water links to all of the early Swiss historic sights. It's pretty too, and though it is heavily touristed the views and museums make putting up with the crowds well worthwhile.

 

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