SWITZERLAND
TRAVEL GUIDE
Switzerland, famed for its cheese, chocolate and snow-topped mountains, has a reputation as one of the world’s premier tourist destinations. For visitors, the country’s greatest draws are its luxury winter sport resorts, magnificent architecture and stunning natural scenery. The diversity of its culture, with German, French and Italian influences at work, also contributes greatly to its attraction.
Beautiful Bern is the Swiss capital but is sometimes forgotten in favour of Geneva or Zurich. Both of these larger cities are crammed with attractions including picturesque old towns and an impressive selection of great museums. Skiing is best enjoyed at locations such as St Moritz and Interlaken among others, while for cultural attractions of every nature Basel also has plenty to offer. The compact nature of Switzerland makes travel between these cities easy, whether by car or public transport, which is excellent – as most things are in Switzerland. It is no surprise that Switzerland regularly comes out in or near first position for the best country to live in the world, not just to holiday in!
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SWITZERLAND WEATHER - When To Go
Switzerland is a good place to visit any time of year. In the summer season between June and September temperatures are the warmest (highs can hit the mid-20s). Winter in the mountains is cold and brings plenty of snow and good conditions for the pursuit of activities such as skiing and snowboarding. A place with distinct weather seasons, basically. Pack accordingly.
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SWITZERLAND HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Bern: not the country’s biggest city (population is around 130,000 people) but its capital all the same, this is a lovely place to visit. Apart from the famous Baerengraben (bear-pits that have housed bears since the 16th century and give Bern its name), the most popular sights in the city include the Federal Palace of Switzerland (Bundeshaus), Albert Einstein's house (Einsteinhaus) and the Clock Tower (Zytglogge), while for visitors with an interest in history and culture, the Museum of Fine Arts, Zentrum Paul Klee (a famous artist, but you knew that already), and the Bern Historical Museum are on hand. On sunny days, Gurten Hill, with its park and great views over the city, is a popular place to head to. Bern is a compact city, easy to explore by foot.
- Zurich: this city presents an eclectic mix of cosmopolitan amenities with traditional buildings and historic locations. The old town is home to a number of beautiful old churches such as the Grossmünster and Fraumünster as well as some great bars and restaurants. For museum fans, the Rietberg Museum and Landesmuseum are on hand, while the country’s best art gallery is here – the Kunsthaus. For scenery lovers, a river tour is sure to please. Zurich is a trendy city with great shopping and nightlife – though neither comes cheap.
- Geneva: Geneva is situated on the southwestern tip of Lake Geneva, giving it a scenic setting. The Old Town features shops, galleries, churches, town squares and the Musee Internationale de la Reforme (illustrating Geneva’s contribution to the Reformation). For art, head to the Musee d’Art et d’Histoire or to MAMCO (modern and contemporary art). For a museum you won’t see elsewhere, head to the interesting Red Cross Museum (Musee International de la Croix-Rouge). It is easy to cover the centre of Geneva by foot. A boat cruise on Lake Geneva is also recommended.
- Basel: just around an hour by train north of Bern, Basel is the city to head for if you appreciate attractions with a slightly more serious edge and less in the way of big thrills, parties and revelry. February’s big 3-day carnival has all of this. The city is home to over two dozen museums, including favourites such as the Kunstmuseum, the Museum der Kulturen and the Puppenhausmuseum (Puppet Museum). For sightseers, the old town is teeming with interesting places, while for family visitors the city is home to Switzerland’s second biggest zoo.
- Lausanne: Situated on Lake Geneva, capital of the Vaud canton has a more relaxed and younger vibe than its neighbor Geneva, which is only 30 minutes away by train. The old town area is where visitors will find some of the most interesting sights, with countless quaint little shops and charming cafés tucked away in its maze of cobblestone streets. The Musée Olympique (yes, the Olympic Museum) is arguably the highlight of the city’s museum selection; however, the Musée Historique de Lausanne, the Musée cantonal d'archéologie et d'histoire and the Musée de l'Elysée are also all venues worth visiting. With two universities in the city, the nightlife is lively here to say the least.
- St Moritz: this chic holiday destination attracts wealthy tourists across the year and skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts during the winter season. The city is situated in the Engadine valley. Snow sports are unquestionably its greatest appeal between January and April, but come summertime when the mountainous areas are dry, hiking is popular. For art lovers, the Segantini Museum, dedicated to painter Giovanni Segantini, is a venue likely to please.
- Skiing: More good skiing opportunities can be found at Interlaken, Andermatt, Champery and Les Diablerets.
- Other Swiss cities of interest include Lugano, Lucerne and Solothurn.
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SWITZERLAND HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Swiss cuisine is diverse and incorporates influences from France, Germany and Italy. The only problem for visitors is that eating out in restaurants is expensive, making it something to be enjoyed only occasionally if you are on a budget. Varieties of cheese and chocolate are among the finest in the world though and should be definitely be sampled.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: nightlife depends very much on the destination you visit, with Zurich, Geneva and Bern offering some of the liveliest venues. Head to Basel if you are looking for traditional theatre performances, classical music or other performing arts.
- Accommodation: in the big cities, you’ll find international chains such as Novotel, Best Western, Ibis and Holiday Inn but what you won’t find are low prices because accommodation is expensive in Switzerland as a general rule. Geneva, Bern, Zurich and other major destinations offer youth and backpacker hostels for budget travellers. Try Booking.com and LateRooms for hotel deals in Switzerland.
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SWITZERLAND FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
To compare flight prices from UK airports to Switzerland, try the useful Skyscanner website. Zurich and Geneva have most flights to/from the UK.
Also try travel sites such as Expedia.co.uk or Netflights for flight deals to Switzerland.
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