Discover the taste of Switzerland
Awe-inspiring scenery, pristine nature, stunning vistas, cosmopolitan cities, heart pumping activities, and decadent chocolate – what could be better than a trip to Switzerland!
Switzerland at a glance
WHY GO
- What Switzerland lacks in size, it more than makes up for in its beautiful landscapes, fantastic activities and delicious food! For being such a small country, Switzerland offers a surprising amount of cultural variety. It’s divided into three regions, which are determined by the countries they border (German, French, and Italian). Although there’s a definite Swiss influence throughout all of the country’s regions, the areas also have strong influences from the countries they border, so traveling from one to another feels like traveling to a different country altogether. Almost anywhere you end up in the country, you’re likely to have a view of something, whether it be lush rolling hills, green meadows filled with grazing cows, or snowcapped mountains. Switzerland’s location in the middle of Europe also makes it very easy to travel to other countries – Germany, France, Italy and Austria are all easily accessible by train.
- Switzerland is the most mountainous country in Europe and is home to the majestic mountain chain, the Swiss Alps, as well as the most photographed mountain in the world, the Matterhorn. You don’t even have to ski or hike the Alps to appreciate their beauty. Visiting the Swiss mountains is a must any time of year, and most are accessible by cable car or cog railway, offering visitors a beautiful, scenic ride to the summit. On a clear day, the Alps offer amazing panoramic views. A must-do for many travelers is to take the train to visit the Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest peak. And you can enjoy winter fun in Jungfrau any time of the year – due to its high altitude, it always boasts a wintry climate.
- If you’re more interested in water than mountains, note that Switzerland is also home to some of Europe’s most beautiful lakes. There are over 1,500 pristine lakes spread throughout the country. Swiss lakes offer gorgeous blue-green waters and stunning views, especially during summer. Active travelers can partake in a variety of summer activities like water skiing, diving and rowing, in addition to the mountainous activities of hiking, biking, and mountaineering with hundreds of trails in every corner of Switzerland. Lake Geneva is Switzerland’s biggest lake and is nearly as large as a sea! The country is also home to many beautiful waterfalls – the Lauterbrunnen Valley alone is home to 72 spectacular waterfalls, including the famous Staubbach Falls.
- The Swiss are renowned for their high quality chocolate for a reason. Many of the world’s best brands started out in Switzerland and in almost every city and town you’ll be able to find a chocolate tour. In addition to chocolate, the Swiss are known for their fantastic cheeses. Over 400 cheeses are made in Switzerland, some of which have ‘protected’ status and are only made within the country like Emmentaler and Gruyere. Make sure to indulge in a traditional cheese fondue while taking in the majestic scenery around you. Although the food can be expensive, it is always fantastically fresh. Visitors should be sure to also try a healthy bowl of Birchermuesli (oats with yogurt and fruit) for breakfast, a crispy rösti (fried grated potato), a hearty bowl of Älplermagronen (a variation of macaroni and cheese) and some fabulous Swiss meringue for dessert!
- The Swiss are very skilled at preservation, especially protecting historical areas within cities. Every large city in Switzerland has its own fantastic Old Town, featuring gorgeous medieval buildings and charming cobblestone streets. The larger cities of Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne are very lively and cosmopolitan, offering lots of trendy shops, luxury hotels and vibrant nightlife. For those interested in a more relaxed pace, smaller cities like Bern, Lugano and Basel are a bit quieter but still offer lots to do. There are also many museums, galleries and boutiques throughout the country, as well as rows and rows of restaurants serving local and international cuisine – in Zurich, there is even a whole restaurant district!
- For winter enthusiasts, Switzerland offers all the heart-stopping, adrenaline pumping activities you can dream of! Skiing and snowboarding are the most popular activities in this alpine country for obvious reasons. The slopes are meticulously maintained and groomed for any ski level, and there is a huge range of resorts to choose from. Switzerland is home to some of the most famous ski resorts in the world, and the best slopes are easily accessible. Although they aren’t cheap, they’re a must-do for die-hard skiers. There are plenty of other things to do in the snow though if you are not into skiing. Snow-shoe trekking, snow sledding or simply hiking through the wondrous winter wonderland » Switzerland is one big snowy playground and is the place to celebrate winter! Christmas is also a wonderful (albeit expensive!) time to visit Switzerland with its fabulous Christmas markets and yuletide atmosphere.
WHEN TO GO
- Switzerland is good to visit all year round depending on what your interests are!
- January and February are the most popular (and expensive) winter months, when snow is all but guaranteed in the higher elevations. This is a great time for winter sports.
- The months between winter and summer are pretty quiet when many hotels, cable cars and cogwheel trains close.
- June marks the beginning of the summer season when the weather is mild to warm and everything reopens.
- July and August are the most popular summer months when the weather is at its warmest for the year. We would suggest going in early September when you still get summery temperatures, autumn colors start appearing, and costs are a bit less expensive than during summer high season.
- December is also a fantastic time to visit and enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
WHAT TO KNOW
- Currency: Swiss Franc.
- No visa needed.
- It is a very expensive country.
- The train system is very good as is public transportation like trams and buses. There is no need to rent a car.
- It is an incredibly safe and clean country.
- Switzerland has 4 official languages: German-Swiss (which differs from typical German), French, Italian and Romansh (spoken by less than 1% of the population), depending on what area of the country you’re in. Most Swiss are also fluent in English as well.
- Cable cars/cog railways are weather dependent and will not run during serious snow storms or in the low season.
- The Swiss are sometimes seen as rude but they are just more reserved than Americans. They typically do not engage in small talk and it is not part of the culture to be overly friendly or warm to strangers.
- Try not to speak too loudly in public. Chewing gum in public is also considered rude.
- It is customary to address people by the last names until you know them well.
- The Swiss are very punctual so be on time! Early is better than late.
- Shops are closed on Sundays.
- Dress neatly and conservatively if possible.
- The Swiss do not believe in lining up (queueing) so don’t expect an orderly line to at a bus stop or cheese shop. They also are less fussy about personal space so people may stand closer than what you’re used to.
GALLERY
