What to see in Switzerland: 6 must-sees
Discover what to see in Switzerland: 6 must-see destinations, from Matterhorn to Zurich. Predominantly natural and city; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
Natural(3)
Admire the Matterhorn from Zermatt, where its 4,478 meters of rock and snow draw the most recognizable pyramid silhouette in the Swiss Alps. The Matterhorn has been defying climbers for 150 years, ever since the first ascent in 1865. Ride the cogwheel train up to the Gornergrat to see it reflected in the Riffelsee, follow trails among marmots and ibexes, and get close to the Theodul Glacier that wraps around its base. In Valais, every bend of the valley offers a new angle of this giant on the border with Italy.
Peer out over the Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe' at 3,454 meters, after riding the rack railway that crosses the massif from within. Walk through the ice caves carved into the Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps, and watch the perpetual snow cap the summits between Bern and Valais. Outside, viewpoints open over a sea of ice more than 20 kilometers long, with marked trails and, with luck, sightings of choughs and ibexes on the rocky slopes.
Visit Pilatus (2,132 m), the legendary dragon mountain that towers over Lake Lucerne, ascending from Kriens or from the opposite side, via Alpnachstad, on the world's steepest cogwheel railway, with gradients approaching 48%. At the top, terraces hang over the abyss, signposted trails wind between limestone walls, and the views sweep across the Alps. The red cars run from May to November; in winter, the cable car covers the ascent. Descend to Kriens by combining the gondola and the local bus to complete the classic Golden Round Trip.
City(2)
Climb the Grossmünster's viewing platform for views of Lake Zurich, the Limmat's channels and the rooftops of the old town. Stroll down Bahnhofstrasse, one of Europe's best-known shopping avenues, and cross over to Niederdorf, where markets and neighborhood shops reveal everyday life. Zurich blends Swiss tradition with museums, contemporary design and riverside cafés. Then head down to the lakeside promenade and watch locals swim or sail in summer.
Discover Lucerne on a walk across the Chapel Bridge, the 14th-century covered wooden bridge that spans the Reuss river. Stop before the Dying Lion, the sculpture carved into the rock in memory of the Swiss Guards who fell in 1792. Wander the old town's painted facades, fountain-filled squares and watch shops. Climb the towers of the medieval walls for views of Lake Lucerne. Board a steamboat to Mount Pilatus or the Rigi. Try the local cuisine in taverns by the water and end the day watching the Alps reflected in the lake.
Entertainment(1)
Raft the whitewater of the Lütschine, or take off on a paraglider from Beatenberg with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau right in front of you. Interlaken stretches between Lakes Thun and Brienz, and its trails lead up to viewpoints such as Harder Kulm, reached by funicular from the town center. Book guided activities on the Höhematte, the big central meadow where paragliders land, and pair the adrenaline with walks along the Aare river before catching the train back to Bern.
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