Switzerland is a small and landlocked country but within its borders lie pristine lakes, majestic mountains, green valleys, charming alpine villages, tons of delicious chocolate and many cuckoo clocks. With its awe-inspiring scenery, it is also known for its banking secrecy, famous pocket knives, the best watches, delicious cheese, mouth-watering chocolate, the fictional character Heidi and crunchy muesli.
Planning a trip to Switzerland is like planning a trip to a postcard-perfect land. While Zurich, Geneva and Lucerne will probably make it to your bucket list, there are many other charming cities and towns that you won’t want to miss. At Bonzah we invite you to go on reading to discover some of the most beautiful Swiss cities you can fall in love with in 2022.
Lucerne
Nestled on the banks of Lake Lucerne and with the magnificent Alps in the background, Lucerne lies in the heart of the country. It’s one of the most beautiful Swiss cities and it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with it.
The lake’s mountain areas are connected via walking routes, cog railways and cable cars. Visitors can enjoy a cruise or join century-old paddle steamer tours to admire the views from Lake Lucerne. The old town of Lucerne is dotted here and there with historic buildings such as the Hofkirche St Leodegar Chapel, little wooden houses bending over the cobbled streets and mediaeval bridges. The most famous one is the Kapellbrucke or Chapel Bridge that crosses the River Reuss and it’s the oldest covered wooden bridge in Switzerland and in Europe.
There are also old churches and fresco facades that give this charming town an unrivalled fairy-tale look. Soaring above the city is Mount Pilatus, with its dramatic lonely peak. Another famous landmark is the crying Lion Monument, dedicated to the fallen soldiers during WW2. History lovers can’t miss the iconic Wasserturm or water tower that served the city in different ways including as a prison and a local treasury!
Although it’s quite small in size, it’s so beautiful and has so many attractions for nature lovers that you should make sure you allow yourself at least three days to be able to enjoy it. Lucerne stands out because of its mediaeval Old Town that is car-free, sunny plazas, lakeside promenades and candy-colored houses in Weinmarkt Square. We suggest you take a self-guided walking tour to explore the many wonders that this city has to offer.
Museum lovers will be really happy here as there are quite a few to explore and appreciate. Amongst them we can mention the Museum of Art Lucerne, the History Museum, the Glacier Garden, the Natural History Museum and the Richard Wagner Museum, which is a must-see for music enthusiasts.
Lucerne is considered one of the best cities to visit in Switzerland because of its setup in an idyllic location. Mediaeval wooden bridges, elegant spires of the city’s churches and the half-timbered houses of the Old Town combined with delicious food and stunning landscape all contribute to a postcard-perfect Swiss experience.
Bern
Bern, Switzerland’s small-town capital is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s a worthy addition to any trip to this European country. Nicknamed “The City of Fountains”, it is located on the banks of the Aare river and it stands out because of its impressive mediaeval architecture. It can be easily explored on foot and, in fact, what tourists find most attractive is the chance to lose themselves in the narrow cobbled streets and picturesque atmosphere of the Old Town. Nestled near the linguistic border between German and French Switzerland, Bern is home to the Swiss Parliament and despite playing such an important political role, it manages to keep that small town atmosphere that makes it so appealing to tourists.
There are 6km of covered arcades in the Old Town as well as cellar shops and bars, fantastical folk figures topping XVI-century fountains and the eye-grabbing Zytglogge. The Zytglogge is located in Marktgasse in Old Town. It houses the oldest astronomical clock in the country. Make sure you’re there to watch the mechanical figurines of the Knight, a Piper, a Fool and the Rooster in action 3 minutes before the clock strikes the hour.
As you’re wandering across the Old Town try to spot the Child Eater Fountain, the Prison Tower and the Church of the Holy Ghost or Heiliggeistkirche and the Pfeiferbrunnen or Bagpiper Fountain that was designed by Hans Gieng, a Swiss sculptor.
Bern is also home to the Einsteinhaus, Albert Einstein’s former residence and where he developed the theory of relativity and that it’s now an interesting museum where you can admire his personal belongings including Einstein’s Nobel Prize, items, letters and demonstrations of scientific work, films and much more.
The Einstein Museum and the Historical Museum of Bern form the second largest Swiss Museum. There you can appreciate more than half a million collectibles on display including specimens from the Stone Age through different eras.
Art lovers will really enjoy their stay in Bern. The Kunsthaus is home to an outstanding collection of fine art and Zentrum Paul Klee is a fascinating museum dedicated to the Swiss artist. The Alpine Museum of Switzerland is also worth a visit!
Berner Munster or the Gothic Cathedral of St Vincent is the largest mediaeval church in Switzerland. Visitors can climb the 400 steps of its tower to enjoy fascinating panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps. And if you prefer to stay on the ground you can admire its beautiful stained-glass windows.
Just across the Nydegg Brucke that spans the River Aare you’ll find the Bern Bear Park. There you can spot Pyrenean brown bears, the symbol of the city. Here, bears can roam freely amongst caves and forested areas and swim in a large pool while visitors watch them behind secure fences.
The Swiss capital enjoys one of the best nightlife scenes in the country. Get ready to enjoy tavern-style restaurants, pubs and jazz clubs.
Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and there’s plenty to see here. From the historic old town on both banks of the river Limmat to the trendy bars of Zurich-West, you can’t feel bored! It usually makes it to the top positions in quality of living surveys and most of us automatically relate it to banking secrecy and business.
Zurich has everything that makes Switzerland so special: a dramatic lake, the magnificent Alps, a superb cultural and food scene, lots of chocolate, a busy centre and a peaceful lakefront to stroll and relax. Despite its small size, it’s considered one of the largest financial centres in the world. Founded in 15BC, it’s one of the main travel hubs in the country and one of the best places to visit in Switzerland because of its rich history and diverse cultural life.
The city lies on the picturesque shores of Lake Zurich and at the base of the Alps, meaning that wherever you look you’ll enjoy stunning vistas. You can walk along the shores of Lake Zurich, go boating on the lake or go for a light hike at Uetliberg Mountain.
Stroll the beautiful cobbled streets of the Old Town and then spend time at the countless museums and art galleries that you can see here. It’s the largest Swiss city and probably the best place to experience the country’s cosmopolitan culture. Amongst the highlights you can’t miss during your stay here we can mention: the scenic beauty of Lake Zurich with its pristine waters, walkway and parkland; the Bahnhofstrasse, a mile-long shopping promenade where you can find the best shops, designer boutiques and luxury items and the Swiss National Museum.
If you stroll down Spiegelgasse you can visit Lenin’s former home as well as Cabaret Voltaire where Tristan Tzara and Hans Arp launched their Dada art movement in 1916. The iconic Grossmünster church and the Fraumünster church are located in the Old Town and are beautiful places to visit. If you continue your stroll, you’ll reach Secseläutenplatz where the Opera House is situated.
Lindenhof Hill is located in the heart of Zurich and it’s a must visit to soak in amazing views of the historic town. The Lindenhof used to be the site of a Roman castle in the early Middle Ages but now it’s a place to relax and unwind. Football lovers can’t miss the FIFA World Cup Museum. The Kunsthaus Zurich is the local museum of fine arts. It’s a must-see because of its impressive collection of art from the Middle Ages to the present day. The Rietberg Museum, which focuses on non-European art also deserves a visit..
Basel
Basel is the third largest Swiss city after Zurich and Geneva. It’s located on the river Rhine and it has a charming mediaeval old town with a XII century Gothic cathedral, a XVI century Town Hall and the Spalentor, a city gate that dates from the XIV century.
Allow plenty of time to explore this town and make sure you don’t miss the Kunstmuseum and its fine arts collection, the Frank Gehry-designed Vitra Design Museum and the Renzo Piano-designed Fondation Beyeler. But there is much more to see in this culturally diverse city.
What makes Basel one of the best places to visit in Switzerland is its multicultural energy. From dining on the riverside to browsing the stunning food markets or walking its picturesque cobbled streets, there’s nothing you can’t enjoy here. Walking along the Rhine is a favourite activity amongst tourists. The river view is absolutely captivating and, in addition, there are six bridges to cross that invite you to move from one side of the city to the other; needless to say, you can also ride one of the non-motorized ferries to take you across the Rhine and see the city from a complete new angle.
Basel is a city of museums and museum lovers have about 40 of them to explore. The aforementioned Kunstmuseum is a heritage site that is home to Dutch and French paintings and an impressive collection of paintings by Van Gogh, Picasso, Konrad Witz, Max Ernst, Gauguin and many others. If you’re travelling with your family, don’t miss the Spielzeug Welten Museum or Toy Museum with its fascinating collection of more than 6000 items including stuffed toys, dolls, dollhouses, miniature artefacts, 2500 teddy bear models and carousels.
On a sunny day, please visit the Three Country Corner One. It has a little bar where you can sip a cocktail in France, Switzerland and Germany at the same time. What can be more fascinating!?
Lugano
Lugano lies on the shores of Lake Lugano, in the south of Switzerland bordering Italy and there’s a distinctive Mediterranean flair to it. The streets of Old Town are closed to cars so visitors can stroll them freely and lose themselves in the many gelato shops and piazzas.
One of the must do things here is to explore the lake and admire its charming views. Apart from eating gelato by the lakeside, make sure you go hiking and biking! The mountain overlooking the city and the lake is San Salvatore. You can ride up its cable car to admire stunning panoramic views and then hike the way down through lush woodlands and small villages or take the train down.
Lugano is an enticing destination that offers something interesting for everybody visiting the city. Whether you’re seeking peace and relaxation, you’re an adrenaline seeker or you’re interested in delicious food and refined culture, Lugano won’t disappoint you.
Geneva
Geneva is one of Switzerland’s most populous cities and a well-known access point to some of the most famous alpine skiing in the world. It’s also filled with stunning architecture and the headquarters of the most important multinational organisations such as the UN or the World Health Organisation.
Geneva offers mesmerising views of Mont Blanc and it’s a city rich in history with around 82 different Swiss heritage sites, offering travellers a plethora of places to visit and things to see.
If you love strolling around the city, there are chic boutiques and galleries, winding streets and quaint quays. Culture lovers will find theatres and opera houses and many museums that are definitely worth a visit. The International Red Cross Museum and the MAMCO Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Musee d’Ethnographie Geneve are three popular museums that are frequented by visitors. The Red Cross Museum is devoted to showing all the ways that people have suffered injustices in the world and the movements and people who have devoted themselves to lessen the suffering.
Sleek and stylish, Geneva is the cradle of chocolate and watch-making and home to a vibrant nightlife. Nestled in a valley at the western edge of Switzerland, it’s a serene setting for a slow-paced vacation. There are cobblestone streets lined with outdoor cafés and elegant restaurants. The city stretches along picturesque Lake Geneva, the largest one in the country and it’s surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains.
The city’s Old Town is filled with sights to visit. Amongst the highlights in the area we can mention the XVI century Calvin College, the Reformation Wall, the Chapel of the Maccabees, Saint Peter’s Cathedral and the Molard Tower. You can take a tour of the Palais des Nations, the building of the United Nations, and learn more about the history of this organisation and the initiatives that are impulsed here.
Geneva’s flower clock is one of its most famous attractions: it’s the biggest in the world and it’s made up of more than 6000 live flowers that grow and bloom at different times, thus making it change colours periodically.
In the middle of the lake you’ll see the Jet d’Eau, a140-m high water fountain that has become a symbol of the city. Originally built as a pressure release system for a hydraulic plant, the water jet was moved closer to the city and it has since become one of the most famous attractions. It can even be seen from the plane as you fly to the city!
If you’re travelling with children, you can’t miss taking them to the CERN, the world’s biggest science experience where physicists are trying to answer the big questions about the universe.
Lausanne
Lausanne is part of the Lake Geneva region and it’s mostly known for being the base of the International Olympic Committee. Climb the Escaliers du Marché up to Switzerland’s largest cathedral and the city’s Gothic Old Town. It’s the country’s fourth largest city and it enjoys an interesting cosmopolitan lively buzz thanks to its large youthful population. Other highlights include the National History Museum, which is definitely worth a visit.
As far as can’t miss attractions in the city, you need to make a visit to the Olympic Museum Lausanne devoted to Olympic history and events displaying more than 10 thousand artefacts and the Cathedrale, one of the nation’s most stunning religious buildings. You should also take time to wander around Le Port D’Ouchy, set eyes on Sauvabelin Tower and climb to its top to get splendid views of the city, peruse the Olympic Park and appreciate the Collection de l’Art Brut. If you haven’t had enough museums, head to the XIX century Palais de Rumine, which houses five museums related to art and science.
Since it’s not far from Geneva, you can easily add it to your itinerary around Switzerland.
