Swiss cities are cosmopolitan and offer visitors an array of cultural interests. Set against a stunning backdrop that enhances their magical atmosphere.
Here are some of the best large and smaller Swiss cities you can’t miss when visiting Switzerland.
Zurich
A vibrant economic and cultural lead city
Zurich is a renowned financial and business centre, and Switzerland’s largest city. It has a beautiful natural setting and is full of cultural activities. Resting on the banks of the Limmat River that leads into Lake Zurich. This offers locals and visitors beautiful strolls along the river and on lakeside promenades. There is also swimming, canoeing and boat tour opportunities in and around the lake. The surrounding Alps offer amazing vistas over the city and Lake Zurich from such vantage points as the Uetliberg summit.
Fine views can also be had from the Lindenhof, a hill overlooking the picturesque city centre. The Old Town has charming, cobbled streets and historic churches. These include the twin-towered Gross Münster with its Reformation Museum in the cloister and the Fraumünster with its Chagall stained-glass windows. Zurich is home to the comprehensive Swiss National Museum, Museum of Art, and the Beyer Clock Museum.
Basel
An artistic powerhouse
Basel has a tremendous variety of museums. Culturally it offers events such as the internationally renowned Art Basel Fair every June. Home to a beautiful medieval Old Town with impressive cathedral, and a setting along the banks of the Rhine River.
Switzerland’s oldest university city beckons visitors with an atmospheric Old Town. Including major sights such as the Basel Münster cathedral, and the red sandstone Town Hall in the large central market square. Its array of museums includes top art collections at the Basel Art Museum, the Museum Jean Tinguely and the Beyeler Foundation. Summer along the Rhine offers places to swim, sunbathe, take a scenic walk, or to enjoy boat trips year-round.
Bern
The capital and medieval charmer
Scenically situated along the banks of the Aare River in the west-central area of the country. Switzerland’s capital city, Bern, rewards visitors with a UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town, a unique collection of 16th century hand-carved fountains with painted figures, and art collections including one dedicated to Swiss-German artist Paul Klee.
Warm weather brings swimming in the Aare. Stroll through Old Town with its medieval buildings and discover the Zytglogge clock tower with mechanical figures that perform on the hour delight in every season. Climb the Tower of the Gothic Cathedral of St. Vincent for sweeping views over the city. There’s even an Einstein Museum, commemorating the time when he lived and worked in Bern.
Lucerne
A gorgeous fairy tale lake and Alpine setting
Lucerne has a beautiful lakeside setting on its namesake Lake Lucerne. The surroundings mountains provide a beautiful backdrop. Walk across the Reuss River on the 14th century covered wooden Chapel Bridge with its interior paintings. Wander through its picturesque Old Town with colourful houses in Weinmarkt Square. Or perhaps stroll cobblestoned streets and visit the landmark Hofkirche church.
One of Lucerne’s top collections is the Swiss Museum of Transport. The Dying Lion Monument carved in a rock grotto in a Lucerne Park is one of the most famous in Switzerland. Embark on a lake cruise on one of the city’s steamers or paddleboats. And take an excursion to the mountains outside of the city for an exciting ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the top of Mt. Pilatus.
Geneva
An international lakeside city
A truly international city, Geneva is home to the International Red Cross, World Trade Organisation, and the European headquarters of the United Nations. It has a beautiful setting on the western end of Lake Geneva with an Alpine backdrop including Mont Blanc. One of its iconic images is the Jet d’eau, a fountain of water that gushes over 400 feet high in the Lake.
Geneva’s scenic Old Town is on the left bank of the lake and is dominated by St. Peter’s Cathedral. The centre of the Old Town revolves around its oldest square, Place du Bourg-de-Four. Visitors can enjoy lake cruises to admire the city and mountain views. Unique collections such as the International Watch Museum and International Museum of the Red Cross join the Museum of Art and History among the top cultural attractions.
Lausanne
Lakes, mountains, and vineyards
The city of Lausanne tumbles picturesquely down to the northern shore of Lake Geneva, its three hills covered with vineyards. Home to the International Olympic Committee, Lausanne has the only Olympic Museum in Europe. Its charming Old Town is home to the beautiful Notre Dame cathedral dominating the scene along with the historic City Hall.
Other interesting artistic collections include the Musée de l’Élysée photography museum and the Collection de l’Art Brut. This museum is home to pieces created by unusual artists such as prisoners and patients from local asylums. Head outside the city to Lavaux for winery visits and tastings, in a beautiful vineyard-covered landscape that was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lugano
A Mediterranean style lakeside charmer
Lugano is an elegant city resting on the banks of Lake Lugano in the Ticino. The mix of Italian and Swiss influences and Mediterranean climate creates a wonderfully enjoyable ambience. The lake and mountain setting afford marvellously scenic strolling and lake excursions. Enjoy excursions to the top of nearby peaks like Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè by funicular.
The heart of the picturesque Old Town is the Piazza della Riforma. It hosts delightful cafes, shops, and restaurants. Top attractions here include the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. The Parco Civico and Belvedere Gardens provide beautiful places for lakeside strolls. The city additionally offers museums such as the Museum of Art of Italian Switzerland. Boat tours on the lake take visitors to pleasant destinations such as stunning Morcote or the fishing village of Gandria.
