Switzerland is a place where fairytales come to life, a scenic place where wonders come knocking at your door. This country offers so many picturesque destinations including lakes, mountains, old towns and villages that you will fall in love with Switzerland. We can say, there are so many must visit places in Switzerland that it is nothing else than a paradise for every adventurer and nature lover.
Switzerland will keep you on your toes and soon you’ll find yourself swirling around the streets while being lost in its beauty with every corner glistening with rich culture. There is no dull moment in Switzerland, not even the train journey as they provide a further chance to explore the hidden gems of the country.
Here is the list of must-visit places in Switzerland:
1. Jungfrau Region
The Jungfrau region is like hitting the jackpot. You will wonder what sight to focus on first, with this region being known for alpine scenery, mountains, lakes and villages. Catch stunning views of the mountain Monch, Eiger and the Jungfrau. We can’t forget to mention that Jungfrau- Top of Europe, the highest railway station in Europe, is the highlight of this place. For hopping onto the next locations, you can take advantage of the cable cars.
You must visit this fairytale place, famous for waterfalls and meadows- the Lauterbrunnen valley. Ever heard of a car-free village? Well, Wengen, located just above Lauterbrunnen, can increase your heartbeat a little as you go overboard on cogwheel trains. This part falls in the UNESCO World Heritage site Aletsch Glacier and the Swiss Aletsch region, making it an exceptional place to visit in Switzerland.
2. Lucerne
You cannot miss visiting Lucerne as it is considered to be the gateway to central Switzerland. With so many lakes, old towns and mountains views, Lucerne makes up for a must visit place in Switzerland. The place rests with a strong culture and history, with the Lion Monument being a testament of that. Along with this, you scroll down history by visiting a 14th century wooden bridge – Chapel Bridge that is adorned with beautiful paintings and offers a stunning view of River Reuss.
Speaking of history, you can’t miss the Old Town which has medieval architecture with many historic buildings, cobblestone streets and quaint shops. Enjoying boat cruises, swimming and kayaking at Lake cruises can be a wonderful experience. You will be at peace watching the views of Mount Pilatis and Mount Rigi from here. If you are wanting to dive into Swiss culture, then try visiting the Swiss Museum of Transport and Richard Wagner Museum. With so many beautiful places, Lucerne should definitely be on your list of must visit places to explore in Switzerland.
3. Interlaken
All adventure seekers and enthusiasts can find Interlaken as their dream destination. You know why? Because you can invest in paragliding, skydiving, bungee jumping, helicopter tours, canoeing and rafting. Don’t worry if you are not that type of traveller, you can get onboard for lake cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. You can visit the lakeside towns like Spiez and Iseltwald for a relaxing trip.
Harder Kulm should be a must visit place here as you will be spell bound taking the funicular ride to get to the mountain viewpoint and catching stunning views of surrounding mountains like Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. There are some other popular attractions that you should not miss like the Interlaken Monastery and Castle and St Beatus caves. Being the adventure capital of Switzerland, Interlaken is bound to spell a cast on you. You can easily see the reason why this is a must visit place in Switzerland.
4. Lugano
Resting on the shores of Lake Lugano, this place finds the blend of Italian culture and cuisine in the Switzerland soil. Since we are talking about Lake Lugano, it goes without a doubt that you have to take boat cruises and explore surrounding villages like Gandria and Morcote. If you are searching for a picnic spot then you should stop at the famous Parco Ciani park and just admire its beauty along with some great food. You can funicular up to the Monte Bre to catch stunning views of Lake Lugano and Swiss Alps.
You know the Italian influence is so strong and heavy, when you find Mediterranean lifestyle and architecture and cuisine showing cultural dominance of Italy here. Don’t forget to visit the art galleries and museums like LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura and Swiss Miniatur in Melide. You can shop at the FoxTown Factory store to take some souvenirs back home. Being in Lugano, you will feel like you have visited both Italy and Switzerland at the same time. This experience in itself lists the reason why Lugano is a must visit place in Switzerland.
5. Basel
A cultural capital is what Basel stands for in Switzerland. Lovers of arts and history will find Basel as a gem. Resting on the River Rhine, Basel is profoundly famous for its Art Basel fair and Kunstmuseum which is the oldest museum of Europe featuring a collection of arts from the 14th century. If you love the Renaissance theme of Carnivals, then you should not miss the Basel Fasnacht carnival.
Some other cultural sites that you cannot miss are the Basel minster – a beautiful gothic style cathedral, Tinguely Fountain and the Old Town – where medieval architecture prevails and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Basel is a culturally pleasing place to visit while also strolling through the Rhine River.
6. Grindelwald
Setting the base for the Jungfrau region, Grindewald’s picturesque view will leave you staying here forever. The Grindewald village is a paradise offering traditional chalets, Swiss restaurants and cafes. While dining at your favourite spot, you can catch stunning views of Wetterhorn and Eiger mountains.
Since it is surrounded by so many mountains and lakes, you can do various activities like hiking, mountain biking, paragliding and exploring other regions via cable car. This place will leave you wanting more. It is definitely a must visit place in Switzerland.
Conclusion
Switzerland is paradise in a nutshell with its iconic landscapes. It offers you everything from mountains, rivers and lakes to Old Towns, history, arts and culture. We can say it is a kaleidoscope of adventure fused with nature. You will have a wonderful time exploring the country through cogwheel trains or cable cars – both leaving you mesmerized. There are so many must visit places in Switzerland that we have mentioned in this article that are worth spending your money on.
