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 — this month
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded
  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.

Filter the list

32 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 172 Museums 61 Places of worship 193 Nature sites 170 Viewpoints 35 Food and drink 16 Markets and shopping 48 Entertainment 28 Nightlife 342 Family attractions 32 Art and culture 468 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

1 to 2 hours 31 Half a day or more 1

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Zürich Zoo Zürich Zoo
    01 4 hours

    Zürich Zoo

    Zoo Zürich

    Zoo Zurich is a 27-hectare zoological and conservation institution on the Zurichberg above the city.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  2. Seebad Enge Seebad Enge
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Seebad Enge

    Seebad Enge is a public bathing lido on the western shore of Lake Zurich in the Enge district. As a historic lakeside facility, it represents traditional Swiss outdoor bathing culture.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  3. Thermalbad & Spa Zürich Thermalbad & Spa Zürich
    03 1 hr 30 min

    Thermalbad & Spa Zürich

    Thermalbad & Spa Zürich is a wellness and bathing facility located in the city of Zurich. It occupies a distinctive industrial heritage building, repurposed from former brewery infrastructure.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  4. Strandbad Wollishofen Strandbad Wollishofen
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Strandbad Wollishofen

    Strandbad Wollishofen is a public bathing beach and lido situated on the western shore of Lake Zurich in the Wollishofen district. As one of Zurich's traditional lake swimming facilities, it serves residents and visitors seeking freshwater recreation during warmer months.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  5. Seebad Utoquai Seebad Utoquai
    05 1 hr 30 min

    Seebad Utoquai

    Seebad Utoquai is a public lakeside bathing facility in Zurich, located on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich. The lido offers direct access to the lake for swimming and recreation.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  7. Flussbad Oberer Letten Flussbad Oberer Letten
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Flussbad Oberer Letten

    Flussbad Oberer Letten is a river swimming area along the Limmat in Zurich. It forms part of the city's tradition of Flussbäder, public bathing spots in the river that have served residents for generations.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  8. Unterer Letten River pool Unterer Letten River pool
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Unterer Letten River pool

    Flussbad Unterer Letten

    Flussbad Unterer Letten is a river swimming facility in Zurich, located along the Limmat River. It represents a distinctive form of open-air bathing that utilizes natural flowing water rather than a conventional pool.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  9. Voliere Zürich
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Voliere Zürich

    Volière

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  10. Hammam Basar
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Hammam Basar

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  11. Offener Stall
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Offener Stall

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  22. Keen
    22 1 hr 30 min

    Keen

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Zurich
  23. Kusenbad
    23 1 hr 30 min

    Kusenbad

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • 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.