Since Switzerland is not too big, you can easily explore a lot while being there. Depending on the season you can either go swimming in lakes and sunbathing or in winter you can hang out with your friends in a small cottage on top of a mountain, gathering around the fireplace, after you have been all day out in the snow and skiing. There is no limit of what to do and here are my top ten where to go and what to see.
It'll be a mix of places, from cities to mountains, lakes and castles.
CITIES TO VISIT
ZÜRICH
Capital city of Switzerland and usually the area you arrive by plane.
It is the place to be for the biggest annual rave parade, an excellent nightlife in general, meeting friends, and on the other side a lot of historical buildings have been restored and used as museums or art galleries. A cultural city with a lot of things to offer, no matter why you want to visit Zürich, you can be certain that you'll find it there.
Things to see and do:
Swiss National Museum, Zoological Museum, FIFA World Football Museum, Kunsthaus Zurich (art), Grossmünster Church, Lindenhof Square, Lake Zurich, Zoo, Botanical Garden, Lindenhofplatz, Chinese Garden, Strandpark Tiefenbrunnen (swimming), Fondue and Wine Tuk Tuk Tour, Old Town walking tour and more.
LUGANO
A breathtaking city in the South, just at the border to Italy is one of the top choices for summer, while exploring Switzerland and thinking about to go on a day trip to an Italian city in the North. Many celebrities described the place as the Monte Carlo of Switzerland and while being there you will know why.
Lugano was influenced by both countries, Switzerland and Italy. Be it food, spoken languages, romantic mansions, the warm summers with its own Mediterranean vibe, because of the air and the heat.
Next to it, a lot of heritage sites and museums can be visited, or for the more nature connected souls, lake Lugano is already waiting for you.
Many cities of Switzerland are having their own lake. Not only being able to fish and have a certain sustainability, beauty of the landscape, but also the Swiss can't really escape their lakes, because there are so many of them.
Things to see and do:
Plenty of churches like Chiesa Santa Maria di Loreto, Chiesa San Mamete or Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, but there are many more to visit.
Other than that there are multiple parks and meadows that can be explored. From a skatepark, to an olive trail, lake Lugano beach, Monte San Salvatore, Monte Bre, Parco villa Florida or swimming pools.
You like tasting wine? Enjoy the Saturday's Wine Cellar Visit of Fattoria Moncucchetto.
BERN
Was for almost 170 years the capital city of Switzerland and a lot of the old buildings are still intact which can be explored with or without guide in the old town. Next to being that old and dates back from the 15th century, it is part of the UNESCO and you feel thrown back in time while walking down the road.
One of the oldest buildings of Bern is the cathedral which was built in the 15th to 16th century and is one of the top visited parts of the city. Furthermore, for all the tech adventurers you have to go to visit the Zytgloggle. It is a mechanical and astronomical clock, installed in the 1500 hundreds as well. Tours can be booked to take a look inside and get more "behind the scene" information.
Berns hill called Gurten is an amazing place for the summer to have a barbecue, go for hiking, for children a miniature railway trip, great place to relax and overview of Bern and in mid of July you can joing the Gurtenfestival that has live music and already invited top acts such as Muse or Massive Attack.
Things to see and do:
Zytglogge, old town tour, Bern cathedral, Bundeshaus, Gurten, Historical Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Bear park (yes, a bear park with adopted bears), Rose Garden, Animal Park Dählhölzli, house of Albert Einstein, swimming in the Aare (river), Escape Room of Game of Thrones, Fusion Arena Virtual Reality Center, Grand Casino to Laser Arena and plenty more activities, no matter of the age.
LUCERNE
Is a city of the German region in Switzerland. Therefore, Swiss German is the mainly spoken language, but always keep in mind that the Swiss are usually bilingual.
Due to be one of the most central city it is no wonder being very popular. Specially when it's about economics, transportation, culture, and media. But not only because of that a lot of people, often tourists visit Lucerne. It is, first of all a city next to the lake Lucerne, the outflow of a river called Reuss, and the mountains Pilatus and Rigi, which belong to the Swiss Alps can be seen as well. From every side you can explore something new, be it swimming in the lake or skiing in the mountains nearby. Everything is close and perfect for a day trip.
Cities famous landmarks is the Chapel Bridge, beautifully restored and a hot spot for tourists. But who wonders? It is just a perfect piece of architecture, built in the 14th century and is still an established monument of Lucerne.
Things to see and do:
Tours and historic places like Chapel Bridge, old town, city tour, boat tour, Town Hall, Museggtürme, Kornmarkt, Schwanenplatz, Chateau Guetsch in Lucerne, English Cemetery,
Known Museums like Richard Wagner Museum, Military Museum, Doll House Museum
Churches and Chapels like Peters Chapel, Wahlfahrtskapelle Hergiswald, Markus Church, Hofkirche, Jesuitenkirche,
Daytrip to Pilatus or Rigi, the Swiss Alps, half day trip to the Ewiges Schnee (eternal snow) of Tiltis, Moutain Bürgenstock, Locomotive tour through the Alps and much more.
ZUG
Is a small city surrounded by mountains and a lake which is the perfect spot for the summer to have a bath. A nearby farm is selling fresh products from milk, yoghurt, butter to fruits, eggs and vegetables. Depending on the season you'll get different kinds of juice and marmalade as well.
Up on top of a meadow lies a small church from where you have the entire overview of the city. An idyllic place to stay for a few nights. Old houses lye next to the church, and is the last break before you enter a forest which is making its way up to the peak of the meadow. There are dozens of different paths you can choose, just depending on your skill of hiking.
In winter, you'll see plenty of children playing next to the church and slide down the small hill. Although, winter days can be tough sometimes, it is still worth it to experience.
Be aware, I got the unfortunate chance to be caught inside, because the fog was horrible thick so that you could not even see out of the window. Only a bit of the street was visible and some lights of the car, nothing more.
On the other side, in summer you can enjoy small festivals, dining outside in front of the lake, having a nice drink and visit the bird cages which are right there as well. Therefore, don't wonder when an unknown noise is heard from a distance, it may be a more tropical bird or duck.
Zug actually means train in German. Kind of funny, but has nothing to do with it. At least, not that I heard of.
PLACES TO VISIT
MATTERHORN
One of the most, maybe even most popular mountains of Switzerland, and for sure most photographed in the entire world. With its height of 4,478 metres it is an average mountain which draws hikers and climbers from everywhere to it for the extra kick to reach the peak.
It is a breathtaking place to explore, no matter in summer or winter. The cable cars are frequently zipping trough the mountain station of Zermatt, just to transport snowboarders and skiers to the different destinations.
JUNGFRAUJOCH
A place of another kind. And a lot of people are saying that you have to go there once in a lifetime. 3454 metres high above the ocean level is the platform which is connecting the eyes of the tourist from the four thousand'er peaks to the other side of a midland region until the Vogesen. It is an icy world up there and don't forget your sun lotion, because the eternal white is reflecting the sun to the maximum.
Regular temperatures are - 7,9 degrees, quite cold. Get your extra pair of long underwear.
You should also check out the Ice Palast, Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven, Hole in One Golfing, or the Snow Fun Park.
RHINE FALLS
Is located near Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland and is the biggest waterfall of whole Europe. Back then it was famous for its millsite in the north of the falls. A blast furnace was built and used for melting iron ore from the 17th until 19th century.
For tourism, it is a nice place to be. The landscape is spectacular and next to the waterfall the Wörth Castle can be visited.
There are plenty of tours that you can book which begin either on the side of Zürich, or Schaffhausen. To stay a few more days you can get a free bed of the nearby Laufen Castle. And in case you have been worried where to get your food, don't worry you'll get the chance to go to one of many that are all surrounding the Rhine Falls which makes it a beautiful scenery. Just imagine having dinner next to a waterfall, just watching the power of water making its way through the rocks, down flowing aside the restaurant you are about to stay and everything is lit with warm coloured lanterns.
Other than only visiting the Rhine Fall you can book a boat tour, check out Laufen and Wörth Castle, get your ticket for the Adventure Park Rheinfall, Locomotive tour or just wander along the paths and see where your feet take you.
LAKE GENEVA
While exploring the northern side of the Alps you should not miss the city Geneva and its beautiful freshwater lake. Take some days off, enjoy the freedom and peace of the largest body of water that is shaped like a crescent moon. Every season has its secrets that want to be discovered and no matter when you are about to visit Lake Geneva, there are always events going on.
The city Lausanne is also located at the lake and in case you have enough of one side you can explore the other and figure out what city or landscape you like the most. Different landscape, because of Lake Genevas size you'll have forests, cities, mountains with its snowy peaks, fields and much more.
Nice website to recommend over here.
NATIONAL PARK
Why not spending a day only hiking and exploring nature from its most breathtaking side? Get of the grid and prepare yourself for a nice day wandering through the trees and enjoy the fresh air in your lungs.
You will find the park in the Western Rhaetian Alps and they offer a lot. Back then in 1914, the first of August and Switzerlands National Day, they founded the park and have been the pioneers in Europe.
From tours, to staying over night, walking routes, conditions of the trails, protection to find animals and news can be checked out on the official homepage of Swiss National Parc.
Just a nice place to stay for the entire family.
MONTREUX - CHATEAU DE CHILLON
A castle which is amongst the most popular in Switzerland and enjoys a state of the Swiss Cultural Property of National Significance.
Chateau de Chillon is an island castle located on Lake Geneva to the South of the Canton of Vaud. It is one of a kind location with its mountains to one side, a forest to the others and a lake right in front.
Nex to its beauty and breathtaking landscape it is said that the oldest parts of the castle are from 1005 AD, but in total it cannot be totally proven how old it actually is.
Did you know that your children can sign up to the Drako Club of the Chillon Castle? No? Maybe its time to fullfill your childs biggest dream to become a princess, prince or knight! Aside of that you get lots of benefits, free entry and much more.
Other than that banquets will be hold, excebitions, and not only can be your children a member of Chillon Castle, no, adults as well. There are lots of meet ups, visiting whenever you like, activities and much more.
Get your tickets now and find out about the newest events, right here.
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Thank you so much and see you in the future,
Sina
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