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

23 places match
Clear all filters

Category

Historic monuments 0 Museums 0 Places of worship 0 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 23 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 23

Interests

History 384 Art 638 Museums 500 Nature 163 Sea and beach 140 Viewpoints 23
  6. Brand
    06 20 min

    Brand

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  8. Büel
    08 20 min

    Büel

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  15. Jurablick
    15 20 min

    Jurablick

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  17. Liebisegg
    17 20 min

    Liebisegg

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  18. Ofengüpf
    18 20 min

    Ofengüpf

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  20. Safaribus
    20 20 min

    Safaribus

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  22. Waid
    22 20 min

    Waid

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  23. Waidberg
    23 20 min

    Waidberg

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • 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.