Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Switzerland

A photograph of Switzerland
Photograph · Sam Ferrara · CC0 1.0

The Alps cover most of Switzerland's 41,291 km², which is why almost all of its 9,154,242 people live on the plateau — a band of low ground carrying Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lausanne, Geneva, Lucerne and Winterthur within a few hours of one another. Cross a ridge and it is the language that changes: German is spoken by 62 per cent of the country, French by 23, Italian by 8, Romansh by half a per cent. Twenty-six cantons write their own rules on top of that. A trip here is usually a choice between the flat line of cities and the valleys branching off it.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
German, French, Italian and Romansh
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+41
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Swiss franc (CHF)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112 · 117 police · 144 ambulance
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and J · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Public drinking water is controlled under Swiss food-safety rules

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Corso
    03 2 hours

    Corso

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  2. Gameplaza
    05 2 hours

    Gameplaza

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  3. KINOKONI Zurich
    06 2 hours

    KINOKONI Zurich

    KINOKONI Zürich

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  4. Walche
    07 2 hours

    Walche

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  5. Arena Cinemas Arena Cinemas
    08 2 hours

    Arena Cinemas

    Arena Filmcity

    Arena Cinemas, locally known as Arena Filmcity, is a cinema complex located in Zurich, Switzerland. It operates as a commercial movie theatre serving the metropolitan population.

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  6. Arthouse Movie 1 & 2
    09 2 hours

    Arthouse Movie 1 & 2

    Arthouse Movie

    Arthouse Movie 1 & 2 is a cinema venue in Zurich dedicated to independent, foreign-language, and artistic film programming. The local name Arthouse Movie reflects its specialised focus beyond mainstream commercial releases.

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  7. Abaton
    10 2 hours

    Abaton

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  8. Arthouse Piccadilly
    13 2 hours

    Arthouse Piccadilly

    Arthouse Piccadilly 1

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  9. Capitol
    15 2 hours

    Capitol

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  10. Corso
    16 2 hours

    Corso

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  11. Kino Houdini
    18 2 hours

    Kino Houdini

    Houdini

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  12. Kino Metropol
    19 2 hours

    Kino Metropol

    Metropol

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  13. Kino Orion
    20 2 hours

    Kino Orion

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  14. Sandbox VR
    22 2 hours

    Sandbox VR

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  15. Kino Riffraff
    26 2 hours

    Kino Riffraff

    Riffraff 1 + 2

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich
  16. Kino Riffraff
    28 2 hours

    Kino Riffraff

    Riffraff 3 + 4

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Zurich

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Switzerland be?

Seven to ten days can combine two city or lake bases with one mountain region. Switzerland’s dense transport network reduces transfer friction, but weather-dependent alpine excursions still need flexible time.

What entry documents are needed for Switzerland?

Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Migration publishes entry requirements. Passport nationality, visit purpose and the wider Schengen route determine whether a visa is required and where to apply.

What is the best way to travel around Switzerland?

Zurich and Geneva airports connect directly to national rail. SBB trains, regional railways, PostBus routes and lake boats form the core network, while many mountain railways and cable cars use separate products.

When is a practical time to visit Switzerland?

June to September serves hiking and high-pass travel; December to March is the broad snow season. Mountain operating dates and weather vary by altitude, so verify the specific lift or route rather than relying on a national season.

What money and payment basics apply in Switzerland?

Switzerland prices in Swiss francs (CHF). The current treatment of euros, card fees and exchange rates is Not recorded here; verify the charged currency and amount before accepting conversion.

What practical safety details should I save for Switzerland?

Switzerland uses 112 as a general emergency number, 117 for police and 144 for ambulance. Type C and J sockets supply 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe.