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

100 places match
Clear all filters

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

Up to 1 hour 169 1 to 2 hours 1

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 140 Sea and beach 140 Viewpoints 0
  1. Lake Zurich Lake Zurich
    01 2 hours

    Lake Zurich

    Lake Zurich is not an attraction the city contains but the body of water the city was built at the end of.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  2. Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich
    02 1 hour

    Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich

    The Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich, known locally as Botanischer Garten der Universität Zürich, is a botanical garden operated by the University of Zurich.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  3. Chinese Garden Chinese Garden
    03 1 hour

    Chinese Garden

    The Chinese Garden Zürich is a traditional Chinese garden located in the city of Zürich, Switzerland. It was a gift from the city's Chinese partner town, Kunming, and represents classical Chinese garden design with its distinctive architectural and landscaping elements.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  4. Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich
    04 1 hour

    Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich

    Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich is a specialized botanical collection in Zurich dedicated to succulent plants. The facility houses an extensive array of cacti and other water-storing species from arid regions worldwide.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  5. Villa Belvoir Villa Belvoir
    05 1 hour

    Villa Belvoir

    Villa Belvoir, known locally as Belvoirpark, is a historic villa situated within parkland in Zurich. The property forms part of the city's green space heritage and represents 19th-century architectural traditions.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  6. Irchelpark Irchelpark
    06 1 hour

    Irchelpark

    Irchelpark is a public park in Zurich, situated in the Irchel district near the University of Zurich's Irchel Campus. The park serves as recreational green space for residents, students, and visitors.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  7. Josefwiese Josefwiese
    07 1 hour

    Josefwiese

    Josefwiese is a public park and green space in Zurich, Switzerland. The area serves as a recreational meadow within the urban environment, providing open grassland for leisure activities.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  8. Alter Botanischer Garten Alter Botanischer Garten
    08 1 hour

    Alter Botanischer Garten

    Alter Botanischer Garten is a historic botanical garden in Zurich, located near the main railway station in the city center. It served as Zurich's primary botanical garden before the establishment of the newer Botanischer Garten der Universität Zürich.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  9. Arboretum Zürich Arboretum Zürich
    09 1 hour

    Arboretum Zürich

    Arboretum Zürich is a public park and botanical collection in Zurich, Switzerland. The Arboretum serves as a green space for recreation and education, featuring a diverse assembly of trees and shrubs from various climate zones.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  10. Katzensee Katzensee
    10 1 hour

    Katzensee

    Katzensee, locally known as Chatzesee or Chräenriet, is a lake situated in the northern reaches of Zurich, Switzerland. This freshwater body lies within the city's administrative boundaries and forms part of the broader Glatt river valley landscape.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  11. Oerliker Park Oerliker Park
    11 1 hour

    Oerliker Park

    Oerliker Park is a public green space in Zurich's Oerlikon district, serving as recreational grounds for residents and visitors. The park forms part of the city's northern urban landscape, positioned within a formerly industrial area that has undergone significant transformation.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  12. Pestalozziwiese Pestalozziwiese
    12 1 hour

    Pestalozziwiese

    Pestalozziwiese, locally known as Pestalozzianlage, is a green space in Zurich. It is named after Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, the influential Swiss educational reformer.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  13. Platzspitz park Platzspitz park
    13 1 hour

    Platzspitz park

    Platzspitz park, locally known as Platzpromenade, is a public park situated in Zurich, Switzerland. The green space occupies a prominent position at the confluence of the Limmat and Sihl rivers in the city centre.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  14. Rieterpark Rieterpark
    14 1 hour

    Rieterpark

    Rieterpark is a public park in Zurich, Switzerland. It forms part of the green space on the western shore of Lake Zurich. The park is associated with the Villa Wesendonck, a historic building that once belonged to the Wesendonck family.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  15. Stadelhoferplatz Stadelhoferplatz
    15 1 hour

    Stadelhoferplatz

    Stadelhoferplatz is a public square in Zurich, situated in the city centre near Lake Zurich. The space functions as an urban plaza and transport interchange, with the Stadelhofen railway station adjacent to its western edge.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  16. Wipkingerpark Wipkingerpark
    16 1 hour

    Wipkingerpark

    Wipkingerpark is a public park located in the Wipkingen district of Zurich, Switzerland. The green space serves as a recreational area for residents and visitors to this northern neighborhood of the city.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  17. Bäckeranlage Bäckeranlage
    17 1 hour

    Bäckeranlage

    Bäckeranlage is a public park and green space in Zurich, Switzerland. The name refers to a recreational area within the urban fabric of the city.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  18. Basteiplatz Basteiplatz
    18 1 hour

    Basteiplatz

    Basteiplatz is a public square located in the city of Zürich, Switzerland. The space forms part of the urban fabric of Switzerland's largest city, which serves as a global financial centre and cultural hub.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  19. Gustav-Ammann-Park Gustav-Ammann-Park
    19 1 hour

    Gustav-Ammann-Park

    Gustav-Ammann-Park is a public park in Zurich, Switzerland. It is named after Gustav Ammann, a notable Swiss landscape architect who made significant contributions to garden and park design.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  20. Hardaupark Hardaupark
    20 1 hour

    Hardaupark

    Hardaupark is a public park situated in Zurich, Switzerland. The green space serves as a recreational area for residents and visitors seeking outdoor leisure within the urban environment.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  31. Streuli
    31 1 hour

    Streuli

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  35. Artergut
    35 1 hour

    Artergut

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  37. Beckenhof
    37 1 hour

    Beckenhof

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  38. Beerimoos
    38 1 hour

    Beerimoos

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  45. Charlotten
    45 1 hour

    Charlotten

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  46. Dachgarten
    46 1 hour

    Dachgarten

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  52. Ettenfeld
    52 1 hour

    Ettenfeld

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  66. Guggach
    66 1 hour

    Guggach

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  67. GZ Buchegg
    67 1 hour

    GZ Buchegg

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  70. Heiligfeld
    70 1 hour

    Heiligfeld

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  72. HerbaDea
    72 1 hour

    HerbaDea

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  77. Jabee Park
    77 1 hour

    Jabee Park

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  85. Kluspark
    85 1 hour

    Kluspark

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  86. Koch-Park
    86 1 hour

    Koch-Park

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  91. Landiwiese
    91 1 hour

    Landiwiese

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Zurich
  99. Morfanlage
    99 1 hour

    Morfanlage

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • 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.