Switzerland attractions

Set inside a preserved medieval mill, the Basel Paper Mill is a museum on the art of printing. The smell of ink lingers in the air of the workshops as hands-on exhibits take visitors through the printing process and the importance of the paper and tools used. Thanks to its interactive approach, this museum is especially family-friendly.

The Richard Wagner Museum is located in a country manor where the 19th-century German composer Richard Wagner lived for a short time, just before his death. The building, located on the southern shore of Lake Lucerne, in Tribschen, houses a variety of interesting items, including historical musical instruments and Wagner memorabilia.

Rosengart Collection Lucerne houses the extensive and once-private collection of art dealer Siegfried Rosengart and his daughter Angela, who had collected one of the biggest private art stashes, including works by Picasso, Paul Klee and another 23 artists from the the Classic Modernism and Impressionism era.

Created by architect Daniel Libeskind of One World Trade Center fame, this contemporary complex houses more than 50 shops, 10 restaurants, a cinema, event spaces, an indoor playground with laser tag, and a water park. The biggest draw in Bern’s western suburbs, Westside Shopping Center is a great place to break up a day of sightseeing in the UNESCO-listed old town.

The biggest ski mountain in the Davos-Klosters area of Switzerland, Parsenn is known for its long, wide descents and sweeping views that keep loyal skiers, hikers, and bikers returning to its slopes. While limited for beginners (and arguably snowboarders), the area is an intermediate skier’s playground with well-groomed pistes, a modern lift system, and a ski-cross course by the Totalp chair lift.

At an altitude of almost 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), the Zermatt-Matterhorn Ski Paradise ski slopes are among the highest in Europe. Unlike many ski resorts in the Alps, this one is accessible year-round. In the warmer months, skiers head high up to Theodul Glacier to enjoy miles of ski runs with spectacular mountain backdrops.

Geneva's Museum of Natural History (Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Suisse) is Switzerland’s largest natural history museum, and will make visitors believe they are travelling to several different ecosystems all in one place, thanks to highly immersive dioramas. It’s home many of Louis Jurine’s (one of Switzerland’s most notable entomologist and naturalist) collections, notably the hymenoptera, the coleoptera, and the hemiptera sets. The multi-storey museum has an entire floor dedicated to lifelike stuffed regional fauna, which will undoubtedly have visitors do a double take - noteworthy specimens include polar bears, penguins, and even whales. If taxidermy is not your forte, the superior floors focus on the evolution of mankind and the evolution of astronomy. And although every single item hosted by the museum is fascinating in its own right, the real star of the show is Lucy, a bronze statue of the famous Australopithecus and oldest known human fossil. The earthquake simulator is also a big hit – especially with families.

On the banks of Lake Lucerne, less than an hour by boat or car from Lucerne, Weggis is sometimes referred to as Central Switzerland's Riviera due to its slightly warmer climate and lakefront views. It's also a popular base for visiting the Rigi, a towering mountain great for summertime hikes and wintertime snow activities.

More than just a mode of transportation, the Fribourg Funicular is one of the highlights of the old town. Opened in 1899, this line linking the hilltop portion of the historic center and the Basse-Ville below is one of the only remaining funiculars in Europe that uses local wastewater to run via a water-ballasted system rather than a motor. Take a scenic ride on the charming historic cars for a unique introduction to Fribourg’s old town.

A museum of Buddhist artifacts in a Catholic chapel in the Swiss Alps? It’s here in Gruyere. The Tibet Museum is an unexpected gem, home to a constantly expanding collection of art and treasures from across Himalayan Asia. Amassed by French artist Alain Bordier, the collection offers curious finds and a blend of religions for a unique museum experience.

The Geneva Ethnography Museum (the MEG) is the place to go for continent-crossing fun. Home to Switzerland’s largest ethnographic collection, the museum displays countless artifacts that examine cultural contrasts around the world. Alongside the permanent collection, there are temporary exhibits, a library, and a music gallery.

Today, the Prison Tower (Kafiturm) in Bern is home to Polit-Forum Bern, which is quite the makeover from its 13th-century roots. A tower was first built on this site in 1256, then replaced with the current building in the 1600s. Despite ending its run as a prison in 1897, you can still see prisoner markings on the dungeon doors at this space reserved for civic meetings.

Sat on Geneva’s elegant Place Neuve, the Rath Museum hosts the major temporary art exhibitions of Geneva’s Museum of Art and History (the MAH). With a façade inspired by the temples of Ancient Greece and a history as a working art gallery since the early 1900s, the site has become a symbol of the city’s interest in the arts.

The historic Wankdorf Stadium was demolished and replaced by this modern sports and event space in 2005 and has been the hub of the city’s soccer scene for the past two decades. The second largest all-seater football stadium in Switzerland and home to the BSC Young Boys soccer team, Wankdorf Stadium is the perfect place to catch a game in Bern.

The Barbier-Mueller Museum holds the world’s largest collection of non-Western art and artifacts. The core of the permanent collection comprises works from Oceania, Africa, and indigenous artisans of the Americas, supplemented by an important collection of antiquities from Greece, Italy, and other centers of the ancient world.

The Martin Bodmer Foundation is home to a priceless collection of rare books and letters amassed by Swiss scholar Martin Bodmer himself. A treat for lovers of the written word, the site boasts highlights such as a Gutenberg bible from 1452 and a collection of Egyptian “papyri,” with segments of Old and New Testament writings.

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMCO) is the largest contemporary art museum in Switzerland. Along with its extensive permanent collection, MAMCO hosts several rotating exhibitions annually, as well as talks, events, and family-friendly activities.

There are more than 200 historic fountains in Bern’s old town, and the striking 16th-century Zähringerbrunnen (Zähringen Fountain) is one of the most important. This memorial to the founder of Bern sits at the end of the main Kramgasse thoroughfare near the city’s landmark Clock Tower (Zytglogge) in the heart of the UNESCO–listed historic center, and is a highlight of city sightseeing tours.

Birthplace of the Genevois philosopher Jean-Jacque Rousseau, the Maison de Rousseau et de la Littérature (MRL) has been reborn as a modest museum-come-library. Paying homage to the man regarded as Geneva’s most famous son, the site retraces Rousseau’s life and legacy with a self-guided audio tour and light display.

Fribourg’s headliner, the Fribourg Cathedral (Cathédrale St. Nicolas de Fribourg) is a treasure of Gothic architecture that soars above the rooftops of the medieval town center. Marvel at the church, built between 1283 and 1490, and then climb the 365 steps to the top of its unfinished bell tower to take in views over the old town and Sarine/Saane River.

Travelers looking for a jaunt outside of Geneva's bustling city center should visit Penthes Castle (Château de Penthes, in picturesque Pregny-Chambesy. Visitors enjoy the castle's two museums and Empress’ Park (Parc de l'Impératrice—an ideal place for a sunny stroll. On the chateau's grounds, take in views of Lake Geneva and the Alps.

The postcard-perfect Bern Bridge (or Pont de Berne/Bernbrücke) is the last remaining covered bridge in Fribourg and a must-see when exploring the old town. Dating back to the 17th century, it spans the Sarine/Saane River and features views of the nearby Zaehringen and Gottéron bridges, as well as the medieval historic center. Admire its weathered beams and colorful flower boxes as you walk, cycle, or drive across.

A lively gathering place outside the Swiss Parliament building, this once-uninspiring square was given a facelift in 2003. Now the Bundesplatz draws crowds for its twice-weekly markets, as well as concerts, sporting events, and political demonstrations. It’s also the site of an ice rink in the wintertime and a light show in the fall.

On the shores of Lake Geneva, Swiss Vapeur Parc is a railway-themed miniature park with 6,560 feet (2,000 meters) of train tracks, rideable steam trains, and a model-train landscape dotted with Swiss landmarks and alpine villages. It’s a must for train enthusiasts, as well as a fun destination for the whole family.

Treppenviertel, in Hamburg's Blankenese district, is known for its Mediterranean–style atmosphere and picturesque scenery. This small and affluent neighborhood features over 5,000 stairs, winding alleyways, and charming riverside villas with views of the Elbe River. Originally a fishing village, it has since become a popular residential area. Visitors are drawn to its distinctive architecture and the romantic walking paths along the riverside.

High in the Swiss Alps and not far from the Italian border, Ecomuseum Simplon encompasses a series of historic buildings, castles, and museums linked together by the Via Stockalper (Stockalperweg) hiking route. Follow some or all of the 22-mile (35-kilometer) trail to discover the history and heritage of this remote alpine region.

While it’s no match in size for mighty Lake Geneva just to the south, Lake Neuchâtel stakes the claim of Switzerland’s largest lake, as it’s the only one sitting entirely within the country’s borders. Whether you see it as big or small, it’s undeniably scenic, framed by the Jura Mountains and vineyards to the north, and sandy beaches and marshlands to the south.

The Geneva Contemporary Art Center, a space dedicated to the research and production of works of art, fufills travelers' needs for an art-filled day in Geneva. The center hosts numerous exhibitions and screenings, and since it shares space with three other notable art institutions, you'll see more of Geneva's art scene in less time.

The Baur Foundation, Museum of Far Eastern Art features an impressive collection of 9,000 art objects from China and Japan. The museum hosts two permanent galleries—with work from Imperial China and Edo-period Japan—and one temporary exhibition. Beyond the well-curated collection, visitors can enjoy the Zen Buddhism–influenced Japanese garden.

In the center of Bern, the Heiliggeistkirche, also called the Church of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, has baroque-style architecture that stands out among the medieval and Gothic buildings surrounding it. You can appreciate the 18th-century church with just a brief visit, or attend an event for a fuller experience.