Switzerland attractions

Fringed by mountains and framed by lakeside towns, Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) is a big, beautiful body of water that’s one of Central Europe’s largest lakes. While much of it sits in Switzerland, a shorter stretch of its southern shores is located in France, bordered by the spa town of Évian-les-Bains. The lake’s more popular tourist bases are Geneva, Montreux, and Lausanne, which serve as launchpads for sightseeing, hiking, and lazy days of cruising or swimming on the lake.

The Rhine Falls is believed to be Europe’s most voluminous waterfall, and it certainly makes an impressive roar. Thundering down a craggy ledge between forested hills, the cascade is just as impressive a sight, attracting photographers and nature lovers in droves. The only real consideration is the best entry point: The south shore offers (arguably) the most dramatic views and easy access to Laufen Castle, while the north shore is free and has playgrounds.

The oldest covered bridge in Europe, Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrucke) has spanned the river Reuss in Lucerne since the Middle Ages. Decorated with paintings along the interior, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland.

Lake Thun—or Thunersee as it’s known locally—is a glacial lake near Interlaken. Its bright turquoise water and the surrounding mountains and valleys are pure picture-postcard Switzerland.

Carved into the low cliff face on the outskirts of the Old Town of Lucerne, the Lion Monument is the city’s most distinctive landmark. Described by Mark Twain as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world,” the giant sandstone sculpture depicts a dying lion resting in a shaded nook above a shimmering pond.

This mountain pass in the Bernese Oberland may be best known as the starting point for the scenic Jungfrau Railway, but it's also a hiking hub: several trails from here offer stunning mountain views. From an elevation of more than 2,000 meters (6,560 feet), you can marvel at the peaks of Jungfrau and Mönch, and the stark Eiger North Face.

This Romanesque church remains one of Zurich Old Town’s most iconic landmarks, thanks to its blend of medieval architecture and modern features. The south tower’s observation deck offers sweeping city vistas, while an 11th-century crypt and small museum reveal more about the site’s rich history as the birthplace of the Swiss Reformation.

One of Zurich’s most distinctive and popular sights, Fraumünster Church is the green copper-spired building that is easily visible in Zurich’s skyline. The church itself dates back to the 9th century, but the building’s famous stained-glass windows are 20th-century additions.

Lake Brienz looks exactly how you’d imagine a Swiss alpine lake to look: Gleaming turquoise waters hemmed in by forest-clad mountains set against a jagged horizon of snow-hatted peaks. On the lake’s northeast shore, Brienz village is a picturesque getaway with 18th-century wooden chalets and train rides into the mountains. On the west shore, the mountain resort town of Interlaken is Switzerland’s Adventure Capital and the gateway to the Bernese Oberland.

The Old Town of Geneva may reflect centuries of history in its buildings and cobblestoned streets, but no structure is more steeped in history than the Cathédrale de St-Pierre. Visitors can admire the cathedral's varied architecture, stained glass, and religious artifacts, as well as climb the 157-step tower for some of the best city views.

Europe’s highest suspension bridge, the Titlis Cliff Walk provides panoramas across the Uri Alps for any intrepid explorer willing to cross the 10,000-foot- (3,041-meter-) high, open-air walkway. Linking two snow-capped crags on the summit of Mt. Titlis, the bridge connects the Ice Flyer chairlift and Südwandfenster viewing platform.

This Old Town district is thought to be where Zurich began as a Roman fort in the second century. For years, its hilltop location played an important role in defending and governing the city. Today, its main square is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike, known for its open-air chess boards, leafy avenues, and panoramic city views.

The European headquarters of the United Nations is located in the Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations), surrounded by Geneva’s Ariana Park. Guided tours of the complex offer a behind-the-scenes look at halls where the organization works to maintain world peace and foster international relations. A must-see for political science buffs, the building also attracts culture lovers who come to admire its 20th-century architecture.

Encircled by a trio of lakes—Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug, and Lake Lauerz—and adjacent to the neighboring peaks of Mt. Pilatus and Brunnistock, Mt. Rigi is the enduring postcard star of central Switzerland. Nicknamed the “Queen of the Mountains,” Rigi has long captured the hearts of artists, including author Mark Twain and painter J.M.W. Turner. Hike or hop on a scenic cogwheel train or cable car to reach the summit for unforgettable views.

The Flower Clock in Geneva is hard to miss. It's adorned with seasonal flowers, and known as the largest flower clock in the world, making this centrally-located attraction a tourist hot spot. Located in Geneva's lakefront English Garden (Jardin Anglais), the horticultural timepiece is one of the most photographed sights in the city.

Chillon Castle (Chateau de Chillon), a medieval castle on the banks of Lake Geneva, is one of Switzerland’s most visited attractions. Travelers come to find out more about its fascinating history—it was used as a defensive outpost, a summer home for the dukes of Savoy, and a state-run prison.

As many Interlaken visitors come to know, Harder Kulm offers the best views in town. Although it’s small by Swiss mountain standards— the peak just tips 4,337 feet (1,322 meters)—it’s well placed to show off vistas of the mighty Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau peaks. Ride the historic Harderbahn funicular from Interlaken, and in just 10 minutes, you’ll reach a panoramic mountain restaurant, hiking trails, and those gorgeous views.

Known by serious mountaineers as one to conquer, or to chocolate eaters as the former face of Toblerone, the Matterhorn is one of the most famous European mountains. Its pyramid-like peak may look perfect, but it's a place that only mountaineers or serious climbers can scale. However, everyday sightseers, skiers, and hikers can revel in its magnificence from the surrounding mountainsides, which straddle both Switzerland and Italy.

The home of Swiss banking at the heart of Zurich’s luxury shopping street, Paradeplatz is one of the most powerful financial centers in Europe. The former 17th-century pig market is now a major transit interchange and home to the headquarters of UBS and Credit Suisse, as well as the flagship Confiserie Sprüngli chocolate store.

All visitors to Geneva should spend some time exploring the Old Town (Vieille Ville) area. It’s full of fascinating museums, churches, and atmospheric cafés, plus most of the streets are pedestrian-only, so you can wander aimlessly without a care.

A snow-coated wonderland perched high in the Vaud Alps of Western Switzerland, the Glacier 3000 resort is a one-stop destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Just an hour from Montreux, it offers spectacular mountain views, ample opportunities for hiking and skiing, and a huge range of adrenaline-fueled activities.

The picturesque Swiss town marks the spot where the Rhine River meets Lake Constance. Overlooked by the towering Hohenklingen Castle, the town draws sightseers with its medieval abbey, traditional architecture, and convenient transport links, making it an ideal destination for a day trip from Winterthur, Zurich, and beyond.

Switzerland is famous for its high-quality chocolate, so a visit to the oldest chocolate manufacturer in the country should be on your itinerary. The Maison Cailler—a renowned chocolaterie—offers informative and interactive guided tours that are fun for the whole family, even members without much of a sweet tooth.

This picturesque village in the valley of Sitter is the capital of Switzerland’s smallest canton, Appenzell Innerrhoden. In addition to its heritage-listed landmarks, including its parish church, 16th-century town hall, and castle ruins, the settlement is known for its strong sense of tradition and observation of age-old ceremonial events.

Dating back to 1898, Switzerland’s Gornergrat Railway (Gornergrat Bahn) continues today as Europe’s highest open-air rack railway. Its train whisks sightseers and skiers from the resort town of Zermatt to the Gornergrat’s 10,134-foot (3,089-meter) station, while providing views of Alpine hamlets, colossal glaciers, and the iconic Matterhorn. You can even treat yourself to a journey in a retro “nostalchic” carriage.

The Hofkirche (also known as the Church of St. Leodegar) in Lucerne is a mainly 17th-century structure, with two distinctive towers that belonged to an older building on the site. This Roman Catholic Church is one of the most important examples of Renaissance architecture in Switzerland.

At an altitude of 2,600 feet (800 meters, this scenic lookout on the Albis chain is one of Zurich’s most popular recreational spots. Its many hiking routes attract active sightseers from across the region, while its restaurant and outdoor terraces provide a perfect spot to soak up views of Lake Zurich and the snow-capped mountains beyond.

Towering 13,025 feet (3,970 meters) above the town of Grindelwald, Eiger (German for ogre) is one of Switzerland’s most recognizable and fearsome mountains. Scaling the near-vertical north face is a notoriously challenging feat, one that has claimed a number of lives since the first successful ascent in 1938.

Brunswick Monument in Geneva’s Jardin des Alpes was built in 1879 to commemorate Charles II, the Duke of Brunswick. This neo-Gothic mausoleum is a historical replica of the 14th-century Scaligeri tomb, located in Verona. Despite such roundabout origins, the monument is a notable landmark and photography spot on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Home to the world’s largest archive of modern Olympic artifacts, Lausanne’s Olympic Museum is a magnet for sports fans and history lovers. Visitors of all ages are catered to across the museum’s three floors, while the encircling Olympic Park is an ideal location for families or solo travelers to while away an afternoon.