A tourist planning for a Switzerland Tour is always inquisitive about the tourist places to be visited during that Switzerland Tour. Fortunately in the whole of Western Europe, which is thronged by the travellers during the vacations, Switzerland is the most popular tourist country. The most popular tourist places within Switzerland are Geneva, Zurich, Lucerne, Zermatt, Interlaken etc. Apart from these, there are other ones too, though less popular yet picturesque. Switzerland Tourism Department is also active in the area of promoting travel and tourism in the country. Here under we are providing you the information valuable for you while your Switzerland vacation.
The Major Tourist Places in Switzerland
The Major Tourist Places in Switzerland
Geneva
Geneva is an anomaly, proving the idiom 'small is beautiful'. An international fame city yet nothing pompous within it. Geneva is little more than town-sized and exceptionally simple like its residents. About 38 percent of the population in Geneva is that of foreigners, basically US or French people. Located on a picturesque location, it is centred around the point where the River Rhône flows out of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman in French, Genfersee in German) flanked on one side by the Jura ridges and on the other by the first peaks of the Savoy Alps.
The Godfather of the city is the Reformer Jean (or John) Calvin, the inspiration behind Puritanism and Presbyterianism, who turned Geneva into a "Protestant Rome" in the 16th century. His parsimonious spirit made Geneva one of the richest cities in Europe. "The Republic and Canton of Geneva" is only nominally (4 kms) within Switzerland's borders, sharing a large territory (108km) with France all around. Most of the French residents get benefited from both a high Swiss salary and relatively low French living expenses, whereas the Genevois save money by doing their shopping in France.
Instead, Geneva has nowadays become the businessperson's city par excellence, unrufflable, efficient and tightly packed with hotels. The cobbled Old Town, standing high on its central hill, is atmospheric but strangely austere. At the heart of the city is the huge Cathédrale St-Pierre, and an array of museums, including the giant Musée d'Art et d'Histoire and an impressive gallery of East Asian art, the Collections Baur increasingly visited by the tourists. The residential lanes on both the banks of the Rhône, such as Les Pâquis and Plainpalais, offer more appealing wandering. A short way south of the centre is Carouge, an attractive 18th century suburb built in Sardinian style to be a place of decadence and freedom beyond Geneva's control; its reputation lives on in its high population of artists and designers. Last but not least, Geneva is the headquarter of many of the international organizations. Two of them - the United Nations' European headquarters and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the latter with an award-winning museum - allow visitors a glimpse of the veiled charisma of the city, the diplomatic and administrative confidence that has made Geneva the world capital of bureaucracy.
The Godfather of the city is the Reformer Jean (or John) Calvin, the inspiration behind Puritanism and Presbyterianism, who turned Geneva into a "Protestant Rome" in the 16th century. His parsimonious spirit made Geneva one of the richest cities in Europe. "The Republic and Canton of Geneva" is only nominally (4 kms) within Switzerland's borders, sharing a large territory (108km) with France all around. Most of the French residents get benefited from both a high Swiss salary and relatively low French living expenses, whereas the Genevois save money by doing their shopping in France.
Instead, Geneva has nowadays become the businessperson's city par excellence, unrufflable, efficient and tightly packed with hotels. The cobbled Old Town, standing high on its central hill, is atmospheric but strangely austere. At the heart of the city is the huge Cathédrale St-Pierre, and an array of museums, including the giant Musée d'Art et d'Histoire and an impressive gallery of East Asian art, the Collections Baur increasingly visited by the tourists. The residential lanes on both the banks of the Rhône, such as Les Pâquis and Plainpalais, offer more appealing wandering. A short way south of the centre is Carouge, an attractive 18th century suburb built in Sardinian style to be a place of decadence and freedom beyond Geneva's control; its reputation lives on in its high population of artists and designers. Last but not least, Geneva is the headquarter of many of the international organizations. Two of them - the United Nations' European headquarters and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the latter with an award-winning museum - allow visitors a glimpse of the veiled charisma of the city, the diplomatic and administrative confidence that has made Geneva the world capital of bureaucracy.
Zurich
Zurich is truely a wonderful place set among some of the most beautiful scenic vistas on the shores of Lake Zurich. Zurich is just a stone's throw from the Alps. Gentle hills, peaceful woods, the unpolluted lakes and rivers, picturesque villages, all provides an ideal starting point for all kinds of excursions from Zurich.
Take a walk through the old town, the glorious lake and enjoy the trendy new Zurich West district. There is so much to be enjoyed at Zurich that you may run short of time in Zurich. With over 50 museums and 100 galleries and operas in Zurich, ballet, theater premieres, shows, musicals and art exhibitions are a regular feature in the city. Zurich is a shoppers paradise. Enjoy an incredible shopping experience at the famous Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmatquai in Zurich. Above all, enjoy world class cuisines from all over the world. With over 1,700 restaurants and bars in Zurich serving both traditional Zurich and Swiss dishes as well as exotic specialities, its an experience in itself.
Winterthur is an important museum town - with 16 in all - and also offers a wide range of culture, sports and entertainment. The Rhine Falls, the biggest waterfall in Europe, is just a 20 minutes drive from Winterthur. Amongst the numerous night clubs and bars you will also find the only bar in Switzerland that opens 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Sports facilities in the Lake Zurich region offers many opportunities for sport around the year. Lake Zurich, with its many attractions such as the castle, the medieval old town, the historical wooden bridge and Knies Children's Zoo are very impressive. Equally impressive are other such family-friendly destinations such as the Alpamare water park and Atzmannig slide & trampoline paradise, the are just as much part of this .
Swiss Alps
Switzerland is located in Central Europe. Bordered by Germany to the north, Austria to the east, Italy to the south and France to the west, Switzerland covers a very small area. Switzerland has a temperate climate but with changes in altitude, the climate can be cold, rainy/snowy, cool and humid.
Covering an area of almost 60% of Switzerland, the Alps Mountain Range covers most of Switzerland extending from France and leveling out further into Austria. With the Alps mountain system in the south and the Jura in the northwest, mountains form the majority of the Swiss terrain causing The Alps Mountain to be known as Swiss Alps.
Dufourspise (15,203 feet), Dom (14,913 feet) and Matterhorn (14,691 feet) are the highest peaks in the Swiss Alps. Switzerland is home to thousands of glaciers covering over one thousand square miles. Some of the longest rivers in Europe such as the Rhine and the Rhone originate in the Swiss Alps. The other mountain range of Switzerland is the Jura, situated along the French border, north of the Alps. "Jura" in Celtic means "forest" and the mountain system is considerably smaller than the Swiss Alps. The area between the Jura and Alps is known as the Bernese Mittelland or "Middle Land". Covering an area of 23% of Switzerland, It is a central plateau consisting of rolling hills. The area is tempered with cold winds called "Bise" from the northwest and pronounced warm gusts from the south called "Föhn".
This is what makes Swiss Alps ideal for ice skiing, skating, water surfing and other adventure sports and the favourite of nature and adventure buffs.
Take a walk through the old town, the glorious lake and enjoy the trendy new Zurich West district. There is so much to be enjoyed at Zurich that you may run short of time in Zurich. With over 50 museums and 100 galleries and operas in Zurich, ballet, theater premieres, shows, musicals and art exhibitions are a regular feature in the city. Zurich is a shoppers paradise. Enjoy an incredible shopping experience at the famous Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmatquai in Zurich. Above all, enjoy world class cuisines from all over the world. With over 1,700 restaurants and bars in Zurich serving both traditional Zurich and Swiss dishes as well as exotic specialities, its an experience in itself.
Winterthur is an important museum town - with 16 in all - and also offers a wide range of culture, sports and entertainment. The Rhine Falls, the biggest waterfall in Europe, is just a 20 minutes drive from Winterthur. Amongst the numerous night clubs and bars you will also find the only bar in Switzerland that opens 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Sports facilities in the Lake Zurich region offers many opportunities for sport around the year. Lake Zurich, with its many attractions such as the castle, the medieval old town, the historical wooden bridge and Knies Children's Zoo are very impressive. Equally impressive are other such family-friendly destinations such as the Alpamare water park and Atzmannig slide & trampoline paradise, the are just as much part of this .
Swiss Alps
Switzerland is located in Central Europe. Bordered by Germany to the north, Austria to the east, Italy to the south and France to the west, Switzerland covers a very small area. Switzerland has a temperate climate but with changes in altitude, the climate can be cold, rainy/snowy, cool and humid.
Covering an area of almost 60% of Switzerland, the Alps Mountain Range covers most of Switzerland extending from France and leveling out further into Austria. With the Alps mountain system in the south and the Jura in the northwest, mountains form the majority of the Swiss terrain causing The Alps Mountain to be known as Swiss Alps.
Dufourspise (15,203 feet), Dom (14,913 feet) and Matterhorn (14,691 feet) are the highest peaks in the Swiss Alps. Switzerland is home to thousands of glaciers covering over one thousand square miles. Some of the longest rivers in Europe such as the Rhine and the Rhone originate in the Swiss Alps. The other mountain range of Switzerland is the Jura, situated along the French border, north of the Alps. "Jura" in Celtic means "forest" and the mountain system is considerably smaller than the Swiss Alps. The area between the Jura and Alps is known as the Bernese Mittelland or "Middle Land". Covering an area of 23% of Switzerland, It is a central plateau consisting of rolling hills. The area is tempered with cold winds called "Bise" from the northwest and pronounced warm gusts from the south called "Föhn".
This is what makes Swiss Alps ideal for ice skiing, skating, water surfing and other adventure sports and the favourite of nature and adventure buffs.
Lugano
Lugano is one of the largest financial centres in Switzerland. Business and banking is very much a part of life in Lugano. But beauty and nature, architecture and heritage are also very much part of the city. Lugano a perfect blend of a world city and a small town, a place where business and pleasure, efficiency and work go hand in hand.
The city is considered as a cultural centre on account of the exhibitions organised here in the museums and the surrounding suburbs. The city presents a perfect blend of the Italian ambience and Swiss efficiency. The captivating features of the city include the sunny climate, towering mountains, shimmering lakes, tall buildings in the Lombardic style and the historic city centre.
Why Visit Lugano?
Mediterranean climate
Landscape encompassing lush vegetation
Numerous excursion and sports
A wide range of cuisine
Unique Exhibitions
The city is considered as a cultural centre on account of the exhibitions organised here in the museums and the surrounding suburbs. The city presents a perfect blend of the Italian ambience and Swiss efficiency. The captivating features of the city include the sunny climate, towering mountains, shimmering lakes, tall buildings in the Lombardic style and the historic city centre.
Why Visit Lugano?
Mediterranean climate
Landscape encompassing lush vegetation
Numerous excursion and sports
A wide range of cuisine
Unique Exhibitions
Locarno
Locarno has a very pleasant climate and a lush subtropical vegetation. It turns enchanting at night when the arcades and portici , During the night, when soft tunes ooze out of city bars and restaurants and when city lights reflects upon the beautiful lake, the city takes on a surrealistic quality.
Piazza Grande is a wonderful place in Locarno. Just behind it lies the old Locarno, "la città vecchia." The old town was built during the Middle Ages and is one of the greatest architectural and cultural treasures of Switzerland. Within its inner courtyard lies beautiful churches, Castello Visconteo archeological museum and the beautiful town fortress. Locarno also plays host to the International Film Festival held here annually. With its grand open-air concerts, thrilling disco-nights, lake cruises and beach parties, Locarno has something for all.
Why Visit Locarno?
A variety of contrasting features
Climate, vegetation and Beautiful landscape
Charm, Tradition and Peacefulness
The International Film Festival of Locarno
Dolcefarniente while sipping a Cappucino at the Piazza Grande
Piazza Grande is a wonderful place in Locarno. Just behind it lies the old Locarno, "la città vecchia." The old town was built during the Middle Ages and is one of the greatest architectural and cultural treasures of Switzerland. Within its inner courtyard lies beautiful churches, Castello Visconteo archeological museum and the beautiful town fortress. Locarno also plays host to the International Film Festival held here annually. With its grand open-air concerts, thrilling disco-nights, lake cruises and beach parties, Locarno has something for all.
Why Visit Locarno?
A variety of contrasting features
Climate, vegetation and Beautiful landscape
Charm, Tradition and Peacefulness
The International Film Festival of Locarno
Dolcefarniente while sipping a Cappucino at the Piazza Grande
Lucerne
Lucerne is easily accessible due to its central location. The town is a car free zone and small enough to be explored by foot. Have a walk around Lucerne and explore the picture perfect town.
One certainly feels at ease in Lucerne. Enjoy the town with a cup of coffee, visit Swiss Transport Museum, marvel at the "Kapellbrücke," the famous covered bridge across the river Reuss, board a steamboat and explore Lake Lucerne or one of the mountain railways that takes you high up to one of the surrounding pre-alpine summits. But there is lot more than just sightseeing that is there to be done at Lucerne. A welcome addition to this abundant variety has been the new Culture and Congress Center. Lucerne is a place which offers something for everyone...a place which offers the highest quality of life in Switzerland.
Why Visit Lucerne?
One certainly feels at ease in Lucerne. Enjoy the town with a cup of coffee, visit Swiss Transport Museum, marvel at the "Kapellbrücke," the famous covered bridge across the river Reuss, board a steamboat and explore Lake Lucerne or one of the mountain railways that takes you high up to one of the surrounding pre-alpine summits. But there is lot more than just sightseeing that is there to be done at Lucerne. A welcome addition to this abundant variety has been the new Culture and Congress Center. Lucerne is a place which offers something for everyone...a place which offers the highest quality of life in Switzerland.
Why Visit Lucerne?
Picturesque lake surrounded by mountains
The medieval old town with its picturesque squares and towers, the Kapell bridge and the lion monument
Internationally known festivals and museums (Swiss Transport Museum with IMAX screen), to lively plays and high quality concerts
The jewels of modern architecture such as the Culture and Congress Center and the Hotel designed by star architect Jean Nouvel
The many excursions to nearby sites such as the Pilatus, the Rigi and the Stanserhorn mountains
St. Moritz
Located almost 6'000 feet high up in the Swiss Alps, the famed tourist destination of St. Moritz is a terrific place to be visited. St.Moritz enjoys more sunshine than any other place in Switzerland. When in St.Moritz, enjoy the pleasant climate and its wonderful cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Situated on the edge of a beautiful mountain lake, St. Moritz is best visited during the summers when it is at its most colorful. Its combination of a relaxed atmosphere, great shopping, sports and cultural activities makes it a must visit tourist location. With more than 150 events organised just in the winter, you will find yourself pressed for time in St.Moritz. Besides the traditional events, some other highlights are - the Downhill Skiing World Cup Races and the St. Moritz classic music festival "Snow and Symphony".
In addition to downhill skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing, St. Moritz stages numerous attractions throughout the winter unlike any other place in the world: The Cresta Run, the bobsled run, the tobogganing run on Muottas Muragl, horse and greyhound races, as well as polo and cricket competitions on the frozen lake, the St. Moritz Gourmet Festival, gems weeks, ski jumping, the famous Engadin Ski Marathon with over 13'000 participants, and many more.
Situated on the edge of a beautiful mountain lake, St. Moritz is best visited during the summers when it is at its most colorful. Its combination of a relaxed atmosphere, great shopping, sports and cultural activities makes it a must visit tourist location. With more than 150 events organised just in the winter, you will find yourself pressed for time in St.Moritz. Besides the traditional events, some other highlights are - the Downhill Skiing World Cup Races and the St. Moritz classic music festival "Snow and Symphony".
In addition to downhill skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing, St. Moritz stages numerous attractions throughout the winter unlike any other place in the world: The Cresta Run, the bobsled run, the tobogganing run on Muottas Muragl, horse and greyhound races, as well as polo and cricket competitions on the frozen lake, the St. Moritz Gourmet Festival, gems weeks, ski jumping, the famous Engadin Ski Marathon with over 13'000 participants, and many more.
Lausanne
Situated on three hills with the Lake of Geneva and beautiful vineyards surrounding it, Laussane is a very picturesque town. The striking Swiss Alps are also nearby.
Lausanne is a colorful medieval town with small alleys and boutiques, cafés and restaurants. One can have an easy and relaxed stroll in the vineyards or attend to the other nearest tourist excursions which are equally attractive for the tourists in Lausanne. The cultural hue of this place is also evident in the extensive and numerous festivals celebrated here in the city.
Why Visit Lausanne?
Lausanne is a colorful medieval town with small alleys and boutiques, cafés and restaurants. One can have an easy and relaxed stroll in the vineyards or attend to the other nearest tourist excursions which are equally attractive for the tourists in Lausanne. The cultural hue of this place is also evident in the extensive and numerous festivals celebrated here in the city.
Why Visit Lausanne?
- "Olympic Capital" since 1994. Home to the Olympic Museum, the most visited site in Switzerland.
Béjart Ballet of Lausanne is world-famous. - The town combines the lake, the mountains, parks and little, narrow alleys to form a picturesque whole.
- Over 16 of its restaurants are listed in top-ranking restaurant guides.
- Students from all over the world leave their mark on the life and culture of the University.
Locarno
Locarno has a very pleasant climate and a lush subtropical vegetation. It turns enchanting at night when the arcades and portici , During the night, when soft tunes ooze out of city bars and restaurants and when city lights reflects upon the beautiful lake, the city takes on a surrealistic quality.
Piazza Grande is a wonderful place in Locarno. Just behind it lies the old Locarno, "la città vecchia." The old town was built during the Middle Ages and is one of the greatest architectural and cultural treasures of Switzerland. Within its inner courtyard lies beautiful churches, Castello Visconteo archeological museum and the beautiful town fortress. Locarno also plays host to the International Film Festival held here annually. With its grand open-air concerts, thrilling disco-nights, lake cruises and beach parties, Locarno has something for all.
Why Visit Locarno?
A variety of contrasting features
Climate, vegetation and Beautiful landscape
Charm, Tradition and Peacefulness
The International Film Festival of Locarno
Dolcefarniente while sipping a Cappucino at the Piazza Grande
Zermatt
Lying to the south-west of Switzerland, Zermatt is situated at an altitude of 1620 m. Zermatt is a unique place to visit as it is a car-free resort. Zermatt is situated in the canton of Valais in the Matter Valley. Zermatt offers wonderful vistas of 38 four-thousand-metre snow laden peaks to visitors and tourists.
Summer
Summers and Autumns are a good time to visit Zermatt when tourists can enjoy hiking and trekking, mountain biking, skiing and high-altitude tours. The mountains and valleys sorrounding Zermatt are home to more than a 1000 different floral species. Tourists can also enjoy summer skiing high up in the Alps from the beginning of July until the end of October. Six drag lifts and a cable-car serve the highest summer ski area in the Alps. A must see is the "hall of ice"... a natural Glacier Palace beneath the top station at the Klein Matterhorn. Situated at a height of about 3810 above sea-level, it gives tourists a very unique perspective into the fascinating world of snow and ice.
Winter
When in Zermatt, you can enjoy every king of high mountain sports be it skiing or snowboarding, sledding or hiking....but if you don't prefer high mountain adventure tours, tourists can also enjoy Snow and fun parks, walking tours with snowshoes, dog-sled rides, sledding runs and 30 km of specially prepared winter hiking paths.
Why Visit Zermatt?
Matterhorn Express: comfortable 8-person gondola from Zermatt via Furi to Schwarzsee
Casino with B-permit at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Free ski pass for kids aged 8 and under
Helicopter sightseeing flights with Air Zermatt
Glacier Palace in the eternal ice at Klein Matterhorn (height 3820 m)
Swiss Alps
Switzerland is located in Central Europe. Bordered by Germany to the north, Austria to the east, Italy to the south and France to the west, Switzerland covers a very small area. Switzerland has a temperate climate but with changes in altitude, the climate can be cold, rainy/snowy, cool and humid.
Covering an area of almost 60% of Switzerland, the Alps Mountain Range covers most of Switzerland extending from France and leveling out further into Austria. With the Alps mountain system in the south and the Jura in the northwest, mountains form the majority of the Swiss terrain causing The Alps Mountain to be known as Swiss Alps.
Dufourspise (15,203 feet), Dom (14,913 feet) and Matterhorn (14,691 feet) are the highest peaks in the Swiss Alps. Switzerland is home to thousands of glaciers covering over one thousand square miles. Some of the longest rivers in Europe such as the Rhine and the Rhone originate in the Swiss Alps. The other mountain range of Switzerland is the Jura, situated along the French border, north of the Alps. "Jura" in Celtic means "forest" and the mountain system is considerably smaller than the Swiss Alps. The area between the Jura and Alps is known as the Bernese Mittelland or "Middle Land". Covering an area of 23% of Switzerland, It is a central plateau consisting of rolling hills. The area is tempered with cold winds called "Bise" from the northwest and pronounced warm gusts from the south called "Föhn".
This is what makes Swiss Alps ideal for ice skiing, skating, water surfing and other adventure sports and the favourite of nature and adventure buffs.
Interlaken
Situated in Bernese Oberland, Interlaken is a striking tourist destination in Europe. The Interlaken resort region consists of the quaint villages of Iseltwald, Bönigen and Ringgenberg-Goldswil on Lake Brienz, Wilderswil at the entrance to the mountain valleys and the mountain villages of Beatenberg and Habkern.
Experience a memorable holiday at the extraordinary place of Interlaken between the lakes of Thun and Brienz, at the foot of the imposing mountain peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau!
Warm Summer
There are a number of first-rate tourist spots near Interlaken. Some terrific places around Interlaken are Jungfraujoch also known as the top of Europe as well as the Schilthorn peak, with its revolving restaurant. There are also numerous adventure sports facilities for such sports such as paragliding and river rafting. During summers, tourists can also enjoy an extensive range of hiking and biking paths around the region.
Chilling Winter
During winters, Interlaken has a lot to offer. Tourists can enjoy Skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing or just walk along snow packed trails. Interlaken can be reached from the Jungfrau Region or the Beatenberg which are just a few minutes by train or bus from Interlaken.
Montreux
The lovely little towns of Montreux and Vevey are nestled on the waterfront of a pristine lake. Enjoy the 15 km of lakeside where steamships ply up and down, the snow-capped mountains, the charming hotels and their many international celebrities.
The vine cultivation is a serious business in this region. The pleasant climate also makes Montreux and Vevey a very well-suited resort for a relaxing break or for weekend trips.
Why Visit Montreux?
To Adore the shores of Lake Geneva.
Warm Sunlight and Pleasant Temperatures
One of the finest panoramas in Switzerland
Intense cultural life with exhibitions, concerts and, above all, the famous Montreux Jazz Festival.
View vine cultivation
Thank you for sharing this valuable knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI've read a lot of blogs, but I've never seen anything quite like this. Furthermore, I'm grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself through your posts. All you've written has left me speechless. For an instance, I've bookmarked this for future reference because it's still really useful, even after many years. You have defined clearly about snowshoe tours in the swiss alps, instruction & adventurous moments that we can enjoy.