The sights of Switzerland demonstrate the natural and man-made wealth of the country. Sometimes it’s hard to understand how they all fit in such a small area. Knowing what to see in Switzerland, you will definitely not lose sight of all the most interesting and significant things.
What is the first thing to see in Switzerland?
A trip to Switzerland will definitely be remembered for the rest of your life, because it is rich in unique architectural monuments, beautiful lakes, and mountain ranges. Every medieval town in this country deserves attention. Below is a list of the main attractions of Switzerland.
1. Grossmunster Cathedral
Grossmunster – an ancient monastery and cathedral in Zurich
If you are one of the connoisseurs of religious memorabilia, then you will definitely like the majestic monastery located in the very center of Zurich. It is believed that the cathedral was built in the 9th century, and the place was chosen for a reason. The graves of Saints Regula and Felix were discovered nearby at one time. The description of this landmark says that the construction was delayed then, the building was put into operation only in the 12th century. Today, this Swiss landmark is one of the most visited, in this place tourists get the opportunity to feel the centuries-old history of the temple.
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2. Firvaldsteth Lake
Beautiful view of the Firvaldstet lake
What to see in Switzerland? A reservoir deserves attention, the waters of which are washed by 4 cantons at once. Tourists often call it the name of the most popular and largest settlement on the shore. The trip here will be remembered for its picturesque winding shores. To describe Lake Firvaldstet more precisely, it is worth noting that it consists of 4 basins that are connected by narrow straits. There is also a basin formed by ancient masses of ice of atmospheric origin, once they descended from the mountains. In the summer, the absolutely clear water warms up to 20 degrees Celsius.
3. St. Moritz
Nature corner of St. Moritz
What to visit in Switzerland? It is worth getting acquainted with one of the oldest resorts in the world. It is located in the Engadine Valley, and boasts that there are 322 sunny days throughout the year. This place is among the best attractions because it is home to the most famous ski resort in the country. Every year, representatives of royal dynasties, politicians, billionaires come here, and show business stars are no exception. From the reviews about the resort, it can be understood that the cuisine and restaurants there are subject to the whims of the ski elite. Most public eating establishments are located directly on the slopes.
4. The Matterhorn
Alpine Lake and Matterhorn Mountain
Continuing to describe interesting places, I would like to focus on one of the most recognizable mountains in the country. The Matterhorn is a symbol of all the Alps, and this hill is located on the border of two states. The southern part of the slope “belongs” to Italy, the other three belong to Switzerland. For a long time, this hill remained unconquered, because snow practically did not linger on the steep slopes of the mountain. But! In 1865, the first ascent was still carried out, and at the same time by Italian and English climbers. There is another unpleasant moment associated with this Swiss landmark: the mountain leads according to sad statistics, more than 500 people died on its slopes.
5. The Rhine Waterfall
The falling waters of the Rhine Waterfall
Tourists are invited to explore the largest and most powerful waterfall in all of Europe. Guests of the country are amazed not only by its height (it is 23 m), but also by the volume of falling water. It is especially interesting to observe this miracle of nature during the snowmelt period, which adds volume to the waterfall. The rating of the attraction is rated as high because there is a medieval castle on the hill just above the waterfall, and there is a restaurant, a hotel and many shops in it.
Official website: http://www.rheinfall.ch/en/
6. Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is a paradise for water sports
We continue the theme of the sights of Switzerland. The second largest freshwater reservoir in the whole of Central Europe, located on the border of two states at once, deserves attention. The length of the lake is 73 km, and the width in some places reaches 14 km. It was formed presumably 15 thousand years ago, when the Rhone glacier melted and descended on them. The recommendations of this place are very positive, because the climate is mild here, clean Alpine air prevails. Its uniqueness lies in the combination of subtropics and mountains. There are several attractions close to Lake Geneva, which further increases the interest in this place.
See the beautiful places of Switzerland in this wonderful video!
7. Old Town (Zurich)
Medieval buildings on the waterfront of Zurich’s Old Town
Where to go in Switzerland? You should not miss the opportunity to visit one of the most cozy and colorful places in the main city of the country. Here you will see with your own eyes buildings dating back to the XI century. They are notable for their painted walls, the presence of a large number of flowers on the windows. When reviewing the Old City in Zurich, pay attention to the Cathedral of St. Petra, it has the largest dial in Europe. The Fraumünster is one of the main churches of the city. Excursions in Switzerland to the oldest part of Zurich are popular with tourists because a huge number of antique, souvenir shops and restaurants have been built here. There is a park on the shore of the lake, where there are picnic areas, a beach, and a cafe.
8. Chillon Castle
Chillon Castle on the shores of Lake Geneva
Don’t know what to visit in Switzerland? Head towards the castle of Chillon, which, along with its dungeons, served as a prison for a certain time. Now in the Great Hall, where the coat of arms of Savoy is depicted, there is a magnificent ceiling, an impressive fireplace of the XV century. There is also a festive hall in which the ceiling is made in the form of an inverted underwater part of the vessel. It houses a museum of weapons, armor, and tinware. Once at the Chillon Castle, do not forget to visit the spacious Knights’ and Coat of Arms Hall.
Official website: https://www.chillon.ch/en/
9. Bolshoy Alechsky glacier
Canyon of the Great Alech glacier
It is one of the natural attractions of Switzerland, and is located on the southern slope of the Bernese Alps. It is notable for the fact that a canyon has been created on the descent into the valley, to some extent similar to a road made by human hands. The total length of the glacier is 24 km. Here you can take fascinating photos that will definitely surprise your friends.
10. Ballenberg Open-air Museum
Open-air museum exhibits in Ballenberg
Many guides in Switzerland recommend that guests of the country visit this place. The museum was formed after local residents stopped demolishing village houses that were out of order. The same applies to stables and outbuildings. In the 70s of the last century, they began to be carefully dismantled and restored on an open-air site. At first, there were only 16 exhibits in the museum, but now there are about 100 buildings on an area of 66 hectares, which were collected from different parts of the country. You will learn about local culture and traditions from thematic exhibitions.
Official website: https://www.ballenberg .
11. Gornergrat Railway
The Gornergrat railway with the Matterhorn in the background
Why is it one of the attractions of Switzerland, you ask? It’s simple, the iron track is laid across a very beautiful part of the country. Along this road, you can climb to the very top of Gornergrat Mountain in 40 minutes, and this is a level of more than 3 thousand meters. What can you see in Switzerland if you travel by rail? Attention is drawn to the alpine meadows of the Riffelalp, the glacier of natural origin Gornergletcher, the Matterhorn peak. Seasoned tourists recommend getting on the right side of the train, then you definitely won’t miss all the fun. Now trains run at any time of the year, the route provides 5 stops, you can get off at any of them.
Official website: https://www.gornergratbahn .
12. Pilatus
Pilatus Kulm Observation deck and hotel at the top of Pilatus
As it has already become clear, many sights of Switzerland are represented by mountain ranges. One of the most interesting for tourists is Pilatus, which attracts attention with its “serration”, sharp edges, and relief resembling the back of a dragon. Locals tell tourists stories about dragons, a mysterious woman who lives in the Shibenloh cave, which stores unprecedented treasures. This place is one of those that can be viewed in Switzerland in 1 day. You can climb the massif by train, on foot or by cable car.
Official website: http://www.luzern.com/
13. Zermatt
The picturesque landscape of the Zermatt ski resort
This is a year-round resort, which is one of the most prestigious in the world. Its main attraction is the Matterhorn Peak, described above. The resort is completely closed to car traffic, you can only move here by mini-cars, strollers with horses. It offers extensive opportunities for skiing, there are many special schools, and even a ski kindergarten. This Swiss landmark is ideal for lovers of mountaineering, helicopter flights, squash, curling. And this is not a complete list of entertainment at the resort.
Official website: https://www.zermatt.ch/ru
14. “The Dying Lion” in Lucerne
Oval pond and the “Dying Lion” monument in Lucerne
The history of this Swiss landmark is very touching, an American writer called it “the most tragic stone in the world.” In short, at one time, in honor of those who died during the storming of the Tuileries Palace, a statue of a dying lion was carved into a natural rock. He is depicted pierced with a spear, making attempts to cover up the coat of arms, which is the symbol of the French royal house.
Official website: http://www.luzern.com/ru/
15. Kapellbrücke
Kapellbrücke Bridge “Chapel Bridge” and Wasserturm Tower in Lucerne
Are we continuing to talk about what to see in Switzerland? Worthy of tourists’ attention is the bridge, which is a real engineering art that has survived centuries. In Europe, it is the oldest wooden structure connecting the banks of the Reuss River. Through it, you can get from the old part of the city to the modern one. Be sure to pay attention to the massive stone pillars of the bridge, which are the only structural elements not made of wood. The most interesting thing is that 111 paintings are placed under the roof, which can be used to study the history of the state as a whole, the canton and the city.
Sights of Switzerland: What else to visit in Switzerland?
As it has already become clear, the landscape of the state in Western Europe is predominantly hilly, mountainous, and there is a wide variety of fauna and flora. Just so you know, Switzerland belongs to a small number of European countries that have not been affected by world wars. That is why so many attractions have been preserved here.
16. Old Town (Bern)
View of the Old Town of Bern
Since 1983, it has been listed on the UNESCO Heritage List. Walking through its streets, you get the impression that you are in a medieval state. Don’t know what else to see in Switzerland? Go to a place where time literally stopped, and in the distant 13th century. A large number of historical memorabilia have been preserved in the Old Town. For example, the clock tower of Zitglogge, the bridge at the Lower Gate, the cathedral and more. There are no problems with hotels in Switzerland, and in whatever part of the state you find yourself, the main thing is to take care of booking a room in advance. In the Old Town, you can fully enjoy leisurely walks along the streets, relax in the shade of cozy squares, and, in the end, eat delicious cakes from numerous pastry shops.
Official website: https://www.bern.com
17. The fortifications of Bellinzona
Panoramic view of the fortifications of Bellinzona
We are talking about a whole group, which includes several fortifications located around the settlement. All of them are included in the UNESCO list, which means that they are under protection. The group consists of three castles and fortress walls. The most ancient is deservedly considered to be Castelgrande, the history of its existence begins in the ancient era. The renovation and strengthening of this structure was constantly taken care of, because for a long time it was the only protection of the city. All three castles are open to tourists.
18. The Museum of Art and History in Geneva
The building of the Museum of Art and History in Geneva
It is considered the largest in the territory of the described country. The collections include more than 650 thousand expositions, ranging from canvases to archaeological artifacts. The total area of the museum is 7 thousand m2. To find this place in Geneva, you can focus on the cathedral. The museum itself is located in a beautiful palace decorated with columns, it is made in the style of classicism. Stone sculptures can be seen on the roof. You can get acquainted with the permanent exhibitions for free, but you will have to pay for temporary collections.
19. Titlis
Engelberg ski resort on the background of Mount Titlis
The mountain is located in the town of Endelberg, famous for offering ideal conditions for skiing in winter. Here the downhill tracks are prepared as efficiently as possible. Non-skiers will also not be bored in the mountainous area. They are offered activities such as snow tubing, snowshoeing, riding in a horse-drawn carriage. A striking event in the city of Endelberg is the World Cup competitions in ski jumping, where they are held regularly. There is always snow on Mount Titlis, because the mountain rises 3,238 m above sea level.
20. The Rhaetian Railway
The Rhaetian railway passes through the Alpine tunnels
Switzerland is rich in man-made wonders of the world, and one of them is the Rhaetian Railway. It is the most important transport highway in the country, and also crosses the local Alps. The canvas surprises with the views that open during movement, but also with the height of some bridges, bends of viaducts. The road was built in the early twentieth century.
Official website: https://www.rhb.ch/en/
Now you know what to see in Switzerland, which means that your trip will be as interesting and exciting as possible.
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