Country guide

Switzerland

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.

Zurich
Photograph · Ikiwaner · CC BY-SA 3.0

Zurich 1,565 places

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

January: seasonal closure recorded
February: seasonal closure recorded
March: seasonal closure recorded
April: seasonal closure recorded
May: seasonal closure recorded
June: seasonal closure recorded
July: seasonal closure recorded
August: seasonal closure recorded
September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
October: seasonal closure recorded
November: seasonal closure recorded
December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

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

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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.

Switzerland

Cities

Practical information

Planning a visit

Top things to see

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1930

Aelpli Bar

Armando's by Vergani

Armando's Pane e Vino

Balboa Bar & Gym

Bar 5

Bar am Egge

Bar am Wasser

Barfussbar

Bar Lupo

Bar Zürichberg

Bederbar

Bierlab

Bierwerk Züri

Blaue Ente

Brauerei Oerlikon

Dali's Bar

Damm für Dich

Dr. Brauwolf

Dr. Zhivago

Dune Shisha Club

D-Vino

Enfant terrible

Face Club

Gainsbourg

Glamour Bar

Hôtel Bourbon at Turm

hundertwein

Incontro

k2

Kame-Haus

Karaoke 4 You Thai Kitchen

KIN

Kunsthaus Bar

Le Philosophe

Lobby-Bar Hotel Rütli

Lugano Bar

Manuel's

Mehrspur

Meriti

Metropol

Mikkeller

Neumarkt

O'Callaghans Shamrock Pub

Oliver Twist Pub

Raum 84

Razzia Bar

Rio Bar

Robin's coffee

Sphères

Sportsbar 1904

The Alehouse Palmhof

the bar @ bridge

The International Beer Bar

The Lion

the wine shop @ bridge

Widder Bar & Cuisine

Widder Garage

Zum Doktorhaus

Zum Frischen Max

01bar

2. Akt

4. Akt

5. Akt

8008 See Lounge

After Dark

Aktionshalle

Alexis Bar

Almodo Bar

Alte Kaserne

Altstadt Bar

Amazonia Bar

Amboss Rampe

Art 4 Bar