Switzerland
Updated October 19, 2026
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein, with about 9 million people. The Alps cover about 60% of its territory, with more than 40 peaks above 4,000 m, such as the Matterhorn and the Dufourspitze, and the Jura Mountains ris…
Popular Cities in Switzerland
Must-See Places in Switzerland
Matterhorn
The iconic pyramid-shaped peak, about 4,478 m, above the car-free village of Zermatt.
Chapel Bridge
A covered wooden bridge from the 14th century with painted panels, over the Reuss in Lucerne.
Jungfraujoch
The highest railway station in Europe, at 3,454 m, reached by train from Interlaken.
Old City of Bern
A UNESCO-listed medieval old town with arcades, fountains and the Zytglogge clock tower.
Jet d'Eau
A giant fountain shooting water about 140 m high into Lake Geneva.
Lavaux Vineyards
Terraced vineyards above Lake Geneva, listed by UNESCO, near Lausanne.
Rhine Falls
The largest waterfall in Europe by volume, near Schaffhausen, a day trip from Zurich.
Monte San Salvatore
A mountain above Lake Lugano with views over the Italian-speaking south.
Must-Visit Attractions in Switzerland
Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland, with about 440,000 people, on
Its old town, the Altstadt, has narrow lanes, guild houses and churches, such as the Grossmünster, where Zwingli started the Reformation, and the Fraumünster, with stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. The Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world's most exclusive shopping streets. The Swiss National Museum, the Kunsthaus, the Lindt Home of Chocolate and the FIFA Museum are highlights. In summer, locals swim in the lake and the river at bathing places, such as the Frauenbad and Letten. Zurich West, a former industrial area, has bars, clubs and Im Viadukt, shops under railway arches. The Uetliberg mountain offers views over the city and the Alps. Insider tip: swim in the Limmat at a river bath in summer, ride tram line 4 or a lake boat with a ZVV pass and take a day trip to the Rhine Falls.
Unique Experiences in Switzerland
Ride the Glacier Express
Travel on the Glacier Express, called the slowest express train in the world, between Zermatt and St. Moritz, about 290 km in about eight hours, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels and the Oberalp Pass.
Go Up to the Jungfraujoch
Take the train from Interlaken via Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, at 3,454 m, with views over the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps.
Hike in the Alps
Hike on some of Switzerland's more than 65,000 km of marked trails, such as the Five Lakes Walk in Zermatt, the Eiger Trail, the Oeschinensee near Kandersteg or the Via Alpina across the country.
Ski in the Swiss Alps
Ski in world-famous resorts, such as Zermatt, St. Moritz, Verbier, Davos, Wengen and Saas-Fee, with long runs, glaciers and views of the Matterhorn, the Eiger and other peaks.
Cruise on a Swiss Lake
Take a boat on Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, Lake Zurich or Lake Lugano, on historic paddle steamers from the early 20th century, with views of mountains, vineyards and castles.
Travel Tips for Switzerland
Buy a Swiss Travel Pass
Public transport in Switzerland is excellent but expensive, so consider a Swiss Travel Pass, which covers trains, buses,…
Budget Carefully
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world, with a restaurant meal costing about CHF 25–50 and hote…
Check the Weather in the Mountains
Weather in the Alps changes quickly, so check forecasts and webcams before going up mountains, as cloudy days mean no vi…
Respect Swiss Rules and Punctuality
Swiss people value punctuality, order and quiet. Trains leave exactly on time, so arrive early. Respect quiet hours, usu…
Book Mountain Trips Early
Popular mountain trips, such as the Jungfraujoch, the Gornergrat, the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, can sell …
Explore Beyond the Highlights
Beyond Zurich, Lucerne and Interlaken, explore lesser-known regions, such as Ticino, with its Italian flair, the Engadin…
Must-Try Local Dishes
Fondue
Cheese fondue, the national dish, is melted cheese, such as Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois, with white wine and garlic, in a pot, caquelon, over a flame, eaten by dipping bread cubes on long forks. Whoever loses their bread in the pot traditionally pays a forfeit. A portion costs about CHF 28–40 per person. Try it in a mountain restaurant in winter.
Raclette
Raclette, from the canton of Valais, is cheese melted in front of a fire or under a grill and scraped onto plates, served with boiled potatoes, pickled onions and gherkins. Its name comes from the French racler, to scrape. A portion costs about CHF 10–15 per serving or CHF 30–45 for unlimited servings. Try it in Valais with a glass of Fendant wine.
Rösti
Rösti, a crispy pancake of grated potatoes fried in butter, originally a farmer's breakfast in Bern, is served as a side dish or main course, topped with cheese, egg or bacon. It gives its name to the Röstigraben, the cultural border between German- and French-speaking Switzerland. A portion costs about CHF 18–30. Try it in a traditional restaurant.
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, Zurich-style sliced veal, is a dish of thin strips of veal and mushrooms in a creamy white wine sauce, traditionally served with rösti. It is one of the most famous dishes of German-speaking Switzerland. A portion costs about CHF 35–55. Try it at a traditional restaurant in Zurich, such as the Kronenhalle.
Swiss Chocolate
Swiss chocolate, from brands such as Lindt, Cailler, Läderach, Sprüngli and Teuscher, is famous for its smooth, creamy texture, thanks to inventions such as milk chocolate and conching. Visitors can tour chocolate factories, such as Maison Cailler in Broc and Lindt Home of Chocolate near Zurich. A bar costs about CHF 2–10. Buy fresh truffles from a chocolatier.
Älplermagronen
Älplermagronen, Alpine herdsman's macaroni, is a hearty dish of pasta, potatoes, cream, cheese and fried onions, traditionally served with apple sauce, eaten in mountain huts and restaurants in central Switzerland. A portion costs about CHF 20–30. Try it in a mountain hut after a hike. The apple sauce balances the rich cheese and cream.
Swiss Wines
Switzerland produces excellent wines, mostly drunk in the country, as only about 1–2% are exported, such as Chasselas from Lavaux and Valais, Pinot Noir, Petite Arvine and Cornalin from Valais, and Merlot from Ticino. The Lavaux vineyards, on Lake Geneva, are a UNESCO site. A glass costs about CHF 7–15. Taste wine in a cellar in Lavaux.
Basler Läckerli and Biscuits
Swiss bakeries make traditional biscuits, such as Basler Läckerli, a spiced honey and almond biscuit from Basel, Bündner Nusstorte, a walnut and caramel pie from Graubünden, and Zuger Kirschtorte, a cherry liqueur cake from Zug. A box of Läckerli costs about CHF 8–20. Buy them at Läckerli Huus in Basel.
History
Celts, Romans and the Founding of the Confederation
In ancient times, Celtic tribes, such as the Helvetii, lived in what is now Switzerland, and in 58 BC Julius Caesar defeated them at Bibracte when they tried to migrate to Gaul. The region became part of the Roman Empire, with towns such as Aventicum, now Avenches, and Augusta Raurica, near Basel. After the fall of Rome, Germanic tribes, the Alemanni in the north and east and the Burgundians in the west, settled, creating the linguistic border between German and French that still exists. In the Middle Ages, the region became part of the Holy Roman Empire.
The Old Swiss Confederacy
According to tradition, on 1 August 1291, representatives of the three forest cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden swore an oath of mutual defence on the Rütli meadow above Lake Lucerne, founding the Swiss Confederation, and 1 August is the national day. The legend of William Tell, the archer who shot an apple from his son's head and killed the Habsburg bailiff Gessler, became a symbol of Swiss independence. The Swiss defeated the Habsburgs at the battles of Morgarten in 1315 and Sempach in 1386, and other cities, such as Lucerne, Zurich and Bern, joined, forming a confederation of eight cantons by 1353.
Climate & Best Time to Visit
Spring
2–19°C
March to May is changeable, with temperatures in cities rising from about 10°C in March to 19°C in May, blossoming orcha…
Summer
13–25°C
June to August is warm in the lowlands, with days of about 23–27°C, cooler in the mountains, where hiking trails and pas…
Autumn
3–20°C
September to November brings mild days of about 20°C in September, falling to about 8°C in November, golden larch forest…
Winter
-3–4°C
December to February is cold, with days of about 2–5°C in the lowlands, often foggy, and snowy, sunny weather in the mou…
Fascinating Fun Facts
Four national languages
Switzerland has four national languages: German, spoken by about 62% of the population, French by about 23%, Italian by …
The world's longest railway tunnel
The Gotthard Base Tunnel, opened in 2016 after 17 years of construction, is about 57 km long, the longest railway tunnel…
The birthplace of the web
In 1989 the British scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear…
A nation of chocolate lovers
Swiss people eat about 10–11 kg of chocolate per person per year, among the highest consumption in the world. Swiss choc…
Direct democracy several times a year
Swiss citizens vote on national issues about four times a year, in referendums and popular initiatives, on topics from t…
A country with bunkers for everyone
Since the 1960s, Swiss law has required that every resident have access to a place in a nuclear fallout shelter, and the…
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