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Switzerland is well known for its famous mountain peaks and alpine areas, and for good reason: They are some of the most stunning landscapes in the world!
However, this often means that Swiss cities are overlooked and just used as arrival and departure points. This is a massive shame because the diversity of the small country of Switzerland means that each city has its unique style, and it is a wonderful place to explore.
Swiss cities make the perfect city breaks or long weekend getaways. Our guide to the best cities in Switzerland to visit will help you decide which is the best city for your next adventure and what you should check out when you’re there.
The most cost-effective and best way to get around is with the Swiss Travel Pass. This ticket allows free use of the well-developed and punctual public transport network including trains, buses, and boats. Although it may look expensive when you add up the cost of hiring a car, fuel, and parking you’ll realize it offers really good value for money, and just adds to the beautiful Switzerland experience!
Bern: Best for Medieval Charm
It makes sense to start this list with the capital city of Switzerland! Although, maybe you didn’t even realize that it was the capital.
You wouldn’t be alone in that! Because the cities of Zurich and Geneva are the largest and most well-known in the country, people often assume that one of those is the capital. Instead, it is quiet, charming, and unassuming Bern who takes that title.
If you enjoy beautiful historical architecture and small-town charm, then Bern is the city for you. The old town center of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is one of the best-preserved medieval city centers, dating back to the 12th-Century.
Its setting on the River Aare makes for some spectacularly scenic views, and walking through the streets you will discover ornate fountains, squares and clock towers.
Don’t Miss: The Zytglogge (the famous Medieval clock tower), and the cathedral of Bern.
Zurich: Best for Bustling Urban Life
Located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, Zurich is the largest city in the country and is well-known as a financial hub. Its location on a lake and two rivers, surrounded by forested hills, means that it perfectly blends urban lifestyle with outdoor recreation.
The locals take full advantage of this, enjoying the cosmopolitan life of bustling restaurants, bars and coffee shops equally to hiking in the hills and swimming in the lake.
Zurich is definitely the best place in Switzerland to visit if you want a ‘traditional’ city break. It’s easy to get to, with its own airport, and has plenty of sightseeing, shopping, and culinary opportunities.
It also has a diverse range of neighborhoods to explore from the trendy ex-industry quarter of Zurich West, to the leafy, elegant lake-side district of Seefeld.
Don’t Miss: enjoying a lake cruise, visiting Lindt Home of Chocolate, checking out the viewpoints of Lindenhof and Polyterasse, and taking a stroll up the Uetliberg.
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Basel: Best for Arts and Culture
The Swiss city of Basel is strategically located on the Rhine River, at the point where three countries (Switzerland, France, and Germany) meet. This makes it a bit of a melting pot between these three cultures, and locals regularly cross the border just to pop into the shops.
Its location makes Basel an interesting spot for a city break where you can visit multiple countries. The French towns of Colmar and Strasbourg are an easy day trip away on the train, as is the German city of Freiburg.
Basel may not be as traditionally ‘pretty’ as some of the other Swiss cities, but it certainly makes up for it if you enjoy arts and culture.
It boasts a whopping 40 different museums throughout the city, with topics ranging from art to history and more. It also hosts some unmissable events, including Fasnacht, a famous Swiss carnival held here each February, and its own Christmas markets, which have been voted one of the best in Europe.
Don’t Miss: Basel Kunstmuseum, Tinguely Museum, Sandoase (a bar by the point where the three countries meet), and Markthalle for great international food!
Interlaken: Best for Mountain Access and Adventure Sports
If you want to use a city as your base and then travel out on day trips to Switzerland’s beautiful rural alpine areas, then Interlaken is the place for you! While Interlaken is a small city, it still offers everything you would be looking for in an urban stay: plenty of amenities, shops, hotels, and restaurant options, as well as excellent transport links.
Its location in the heart of the Bernese Alps, nestled between the two lakes of Thunersee and Brienzersee, makes it both an incredibly scenic city and the ideal gateway to many mountain adventures and day trips.
You can easily travel from Interlaken to famous picturesque mountain villages in the Bernese Alps, including Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and Kandersteg. From there, you can head up to mountain viewpoints and tourist attractions (including the Jungfraujoch) and embark on many different hiking routes.
Interlaken is also known as the ‘home of adventure’ since you can book a variety of different adventure sports from here, including skydiving, paragliding, and canyoning.
Don’t Miss: taking an idyllic boat cruise on the Brienzersee, taking the funicular up to Harder Kulm, and venturing to see powerful nearby waterfalls such as Giessbach and Trümmelbach Falls.
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Lugano: Best for Mediterranean Atmosphere
Something unique about Switzerland is that it isn’t actually united by just one language or culture. In addition to the German—and French-speaking regions of the country, there is also an Italian-speaking canton called Ticino. This is where the dreamy city of Lugano is located.
Situated on the blue waters of Lake Lugano, and surrounded by lush green mountains, this city has a very similar vibe to nearby Lake Como in Italy. And it’s not just the Italian language and ‘feeling’ on offer here. It is also evident in the food. In this region you can indulge in delicious pizza, as well as local pasta and gnocchi dishes at the traditional Ticinese ‘grottos’.
The blending of Italian and Swiss together in Lugano makes it a truly unique city. It’s romantic, laid-back, and relaxing whilst also being safe, clean, and picturesque. And if you needed one more reason to add Lugano to your list, it’s also one of the sunniest places in Switzerland! Often, Lugano will be warm with blue skies, even when the rest of Switzerland is gray and rainy!
Don’t Miss: Heading up the peaks of Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore, visiting the villages of Gandria and Morcote, and walking the Olive Grove Trail.
Lucerne: Best for Scenic Beauty
The picturesque city of Lucerne is located in Central Switzerland and is very popular among tourists who want to experience its fairytale charm! It is easy to see why people are so captivated by this city. It has cobbled streets, painted houses, and an ancient wooden Chapel Bridge that crosses the river.
And that’s not even mentioning the nine medieval towers that used to make up the city’s fortifications. They look like somewhere Rapunzel would throw her hair down from and certainly add to the storybook feeling of this Swiss city!
Another draw to the city of Lucerne is that it sits on the edge of the huge, sprawling Lake Lucerne. These crystal blue waters spread into four different Swiss cantons (cantons are like Swiss counties or states!) and are surrounded by mountains.
The lake offers a variety of activities, including boat rides, water spots, and hikes along or high above it with stunning views. If you enjoy hiking, then the nearby Stoos Ridge trail is a must-do in this area!
Don’t Miss: walking between the towers on the Musegg Wall, snapping your picture at Chapel Bridge, and taking a day trip to Mount Rigi.
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