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Switzerland

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2026 2026 Fodor’s Go List Destination

Whether on snow-capped mountains or in glitzy resort towns, you can experience the high life in Switzerland. Visitors are elated by its soaring outdoor recreation, riding cable cars up peaks near the Matterhorn, sipping Swiss wine while cruising on a crystalline alpine lake, and skiing the immaculate slopes of St. Moritz. At the end of the day, lavish spas beckon, along with lively après ski scenes and pots of fondue. Sophisticated cities like Zurich and Geneva take luxury to new heights, with posh boutiques and upscale restaurants lining their cobblestoned streets.

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Berner Oberland

There are times when the reality of Switzerland puts postcard idealization to shame, surpassing advertising-image peaks and skies. Those times happen most often in the...

Zürich

Zürich, which sits astride the Limmat River at the point where it emerges from the Zürichsee (Lake Zürich), is a beautiful city. Its charming Altstadt...

Basel

Although it lacks the gilt and glitter of Zürich and the Latin grace of Geneva, in many ways Basel (Bâle in French) is more sophisticated...

Bern

Bern, the federal capital of Switzerland, is a picturesque medieval city whose creators had a keen eye for detail—a trait shared by today’s inhabitants, who...

St. Moritz

Who put the ritz in St. Moritz? Undoubtedly, St. Moritz's reputation was made by the people who go there and who have been going there...

Geneva

Long known for its watches, chocolate, and banks, Geneva is a postcard-perfect city with a rich history as a haven for cultural freethinkers and a...

Graubünden

Although the names of its biggest resorts, such as St. Moritz and Davos, register almost automatic recognition, the region wrapped around them remains surprisingly unsung...

Luzern

Luzern city is a convenient base for excursions all over central Switzerland. The countryside here is tame, and the vast Vierwaldstättersee offers a prime opportunity...

Fribourg and Neuchâtel

Shouldered by the more prominent cantons of Bern and Vaud, Fribourg and Neuchâtel are easily overlooked by hurried visitors. If they do stop, it is...

Eastern Switzerland

Switzerland’s Germanic region bordering Germany and Austria should scream authenticity. Instead, it moos. With almost more cows (and alphorns) than people, Zürich’s quiet neighbor offers...

Valais

For many visitors, Valais is the only part of Switzerland they ever see—and for good reason. After all, 40 of the 52 13,000-foot peaks in...

Sion

Rearing up in the otherwise deltalike flatlands of the western Valais, two otherworldly twin hills flank the ancient city of Sion. The two hills together...

Leukerbad

At 4,628 feet, Leukerbad, called Loèche-les-Bains in French, is Europe's highest spa village; travelers have been ascending to this Alpine retreat for centuries to take...

Spiez

With its mild climate and lakeside location, Spiez provides a striking contrast to the snowy Alps. A good reason to visit might be the nearby...

Ascona

Although it's only a few minutes from Locarno, tiny Ascona has a life of its own. The town was little more than a fishing village...

Grindelwald

Not counting its sheer Alpine beauty (3,393 feet), this town remains among the most popular in the Berner Oberland for the simple reason that it...

Montreux

Montreux might be called the Cannes of Lac Léman—though it might raise an eyebrow at the slur. Spilling down steep hillsides into a sunny south-facing...

Fribourg

Between the rich pasturelands of the Swiss plateau and the Alpine foothills, the Sarine River (called the Saane by German speakers) twists in an S-curve...

St. Gallen

Switzerland's largest eastern city, bustling St. Gallen is dominated by students during the school year. The narrow streets of the Altstadt (Old Town) are flanked...

Stein-am-Rhein

The riverside Stein am Rhein is one of Switzerland's loveliest (and wealthiest) communities. It lies at a pivotal point where the Rhine leaves the Bodensee...

Schaffhausen

A city of about 37,000, Schaffhausen was from the early Middle Ages on an important depot for river cargoes, which—because of the rapids and waterfall...

Appenzell

Isolated from St. Gallen by a ridge of green hills, Appenzell is divided into two sub-cantons, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Both make up one...

Verbier

A big part of Verbier's appeal is skiing on sunny slopes and the fact that it has a high-tech, state-of-the-art sports complex that links Quatre...

Vaud

In just one region, you can experience a complete cultural, gastronomic, and scenic sweep of Switzerland. Vaud (pronounced Voh) has a stunning Gothic cathedral (Lausanne)...

Gruyères

Rising above the plain on a rocky crag against a backdrop of Alpine foothills, the castle village of Gruyères seduces from afar. This perfect specimen...

Interlaken

Often touted as a town without character, Interlaken has patiently borne the brunt of being called "the best place in Switzerland to get away from"—but...

Murten

The ancient town of Murten, known in French as Morat, is a popular resort on the Murtensee/Lac de Morat (Lake Murten). The bilingual town has...

Luzern and Central Switzerland

With the mist rising off the water and the mountains looming above in the morning sun, it’s easy to understand why people are mesmerized by...

Neuchatel

At the foot of the Jura Mountains, flanked by vineyards and facing southeast, the city of Neuchâtel enjoys panoramic views of Lac de Neuchâtel and...

Ticino

Ticino is a canton apart: graceful, open, laissez-faire. This is the most glamorous of Swiss regions: the waterfront promenades of Lugano, Locarno, and Ascona contain...

Locarno

Superbly placed on the sheltered curve of the northernmost tip of Lago Maggiore and surrounded on all sides by mountains, Locarno is Switzerland's sunniest town...

Bellinzona

All roads lead to Bellinzona, the fortified valley city that guards the important European crossroads of the St. Gotthard and San Bernardino routes. The capital...

Mürren

Mürren is perched on a mountaintop shelf—5,361 feet high, to be precise. This village, along with neighboring Wengen, has always lured the rich and famous...

Lugano

Strung around a sparkling bay like Venetian glass beads, with dark, conical mountains rising out of its waters and icy peaks framing the scene, Lugano...

Arosa

Thanks to its altitude of 5,900 feet, the picturesque village of Arosa is a well-known year-round sports center, offering brisk hiking, paragliding, and other activities...

Crans-Montana

This French-speaking resort rises above the valley on a steep, sheltered shelf at 4,904 feet. It commands a broad view across the Rhône Valley to...

Chur

Narrow streets, cobblestone alleys, hidden courtyards, and ancient shuttered buildings hint that this Alpine city is the oldest city in Switzerland. The biggest little town...

Saas-Fee

Quieter and more low-key than Zermatt is the village of Saas-Fee, a car-free mountain resort with a family-friendly vibe. Saas-Fee also has a fantastic network...

Davos

At 5,116 feet, this highest "city" (stretching the definition) in Europe is good for cold-weather sports even in the soggiest of winters. Davos is famous...

St-Maurice

Pushed up against a stern, gray rock face, this small town is quiet and peaceful, with patrician homes lining its Grand-Rue. Once a customs station...

Klosters

At one time simply a group of hamlets, Klosters has become a small but chic resort, made up mostly of weathered-wood and white-stucco chalets. The...

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Despite its fame—which stems from the iconic Matterhorn and its excellent ski facilities—Zermatt is a resort with its feet on the ground. It protects its...

Prangins

You'll see the elegant hillside château that's home to the national museum before you reach this little commune, where the pace of life moves gently...

Lausanne

"Lausanne is a block of picturesque houses, spilling over two or three gorges, which spread from the same central knot, and are crowned by a...

Vevey

In the 1870s Henry James captured this waterfront town's mood of prim grace while writing (and setting) Daisy Miller in the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes...

Nyon

Lovely Nyon, with its waterfront drive, shops, museums, and a castle dominating its cliff-top Old Town, was founded by Julius Caesar around 45 BC as...

Gstaad

The four fingerlike valleys of the Saanenland find their palm at Gstaad, the Berner Oberland's most glamorous resort. Linking the Berner Oberland with the French-speaking...

Route du Vignoble

Parallel to the waterfront highway, threading through the steep-sloping vineyards between Nyon and Lausanne, the Route du Vignoble (Vineyard Road) unfolds a rolling green landscape...

Pontresina

On a south-facing shelf along the Flaz Valley, Pontresina is a beautiful resort town. It grew by converting its farmhouses to pensions and hotels for...

Maienfeld

Above this graceful little village full of fountains, vineyards, and old stucco houses, the Zürich author Johanna Spyri set Heidi, the much-loved children's story of...

Brienz

The romantic waterfront village of Brienz, world renowned for its wood carving, is a favorite stop for people traveling by boat as well as by...

Berner Oberland

There are times when the reality of Switzerland puts postcard idealization to shame, surpassing advertising-image peaks and skies. Those times happen most often in the...

Zürich

Zürich, which sits astride the Limmat River at the point where it emerges from the Zürichsee (Lake Zürich), is a beautiful city. Its charming Altstadt...

Basel

Although it lacks the gilt and glitter of Zürich and the Latin grace of Geneva, in many ways Basel (Bâle in French) is more sophisticated...

Bern

Bern, the federal capital of Switzerland, is a picturesque medieval city whose creators had a keen eye for detail—a trait shared by today’s inhabitants, who...

St. Moritz

Who put the ritz in St. Moritz? Undoubtedly, St. Moritz's reputation was made by the people who go there and who have been going there...

Geneva

Long known for its watches, chocolate, and banks, Geneva is a postcard-perfect city with a rich history as a haven for cultural freethinkers and a...

Graubünden

Although the names of its biggest resorts, such as St. Moritz and Davos, register almost automatic recognition, the region wrapped around them remains surprisingly unsung...

Luzern

Luzern city is a convenient base for excursions all over central Switzerland. The countryside here is tame, and the vast Vierwaldstättersee offers a prime opportunity...

Fribourg and Neuchâtel

Shouldered by the more prominent cantons of Bern and Vaud, Fribourg and Neuchâtel are easily overlooked by hurried visitors. If they do stop, it is...

Eastern Switzerland

Switzerland’s Germanic region bordering Germany and Austria should scream authenticity. Instead, it moos. With almost more cows (and alphorns) than people, Zürich’s quiet neighbor offers...

Valais

For many visitors, Valais is the only part of Switzerland they ever see—and for good reason. After all, 40 of the 52 13,000-foot peaks in...

Sion

Rearing up in the otherwise deltalike flatlands of the western Valais, two otherworldly twin hills flank the ancient city of Sion. The two hills together...

Leukerbad

At 4,628 feet, Leukerbad, called Loèche-les-Bains in French, is Europe's highest spa village; travelers have been ascending to this Alpine retreat for centuries to take...

Spiez

With its mild climate and lakeside location, Spiez provides a striking contrast to the snowy Alps. A good reason to visit might be the nearby...

Ascona

Although it's only a few minutes from Locarno, tiny Ascona has a life of its own. The town was little more than a fishing village...

Grindelwald

Not counting its sheer Alpine beauty (3,393 feet), this town remains among the most popular in the Berner Oberland for the simple reason that it...

Montreux

Montreux might be called the Cannes of Lac Léman—though it might raise an eyebrow at the slur. Spilling down steep hillsides into a sunny south-facing...

Fribourg

Between the rich pasturelands of the Swiss plateau and the Alpine foothills, the Sarine River (called the Saane by German speakers) twists in an S-curve...

St. Gallen

Switzerland's largest eastern city, bustling St. Gallen is dominated by students during the school year. The narrow streets of the Altstadt (Old Town) are flanked...

Stein-am-Rhein

The riverside Stein am Rhein is one of Switzerland's loveliest (and wealthiest) communities. It lies at a pivotal point where the Rhine leaves the Bodensee...

Schaffhausen

A city of about 37,000, Schaffhausen was from the early Middle Ages on an important depot for river cargoes, which—because of the rapids and waterfall...

Appenzell

Isolated from St. Gallen by a ridge of green hills, Appenzell is divided into two sub-cantons, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Both make up one...

Verbier

A big part of Verbier's appeal is skiing on sunny slopes and the fact that it has a high-tech, state-of-the-art sports complex that links Quatre...

Vaud

In just one region, you can experience a complete cultural, gastronomic, and scenic sweep of Switzerland. Vaud (pronounced Voh) has a stunning Gothic cathedral (Lausanne)...

Gruyères

Rising above the plain on a rocky crag against a backdrop of Alpine foothills, the castle village of Gruyères seduces from afar. This perfect specimen...

Interlaken

Often touted as a town without character, Interlaken has patiently borne the brunt of being called "the best place in Switzerland to get away from"—but...

Murten

The ancient town of Murten, known in French as Morat, is a popular resort on the Murtensee/Lac de Morat (Lake Murten). The bilingual town has...

Luzern and Central Switzerland

With the mist rising off the water and the mountains looming above in the morning sun, it’s easy to understand why people are mesmerized by...

Neuchatel

At the foot of the Jura Mountains, flanked by vineyards and facing southeast, the city of Neuchâtel enjoys panoramic views of Lac de Neuchâtel and...

Ticino

Ticino is a canton apart: graceful, open, laissez-faire. This is the most glamorous of Swiss regions: the waterfront promenades of Lugano, Locarno, and Ascona contain...

Locarno

Superbly placed on the sheltered curve of the northernmost tip of Lago Maggiore and surrounded on all sides by mountains, Locarno is Switzerland's sunniest town...

Bellinzona

All roads lead to Bellinzona, the fortified valley city that guards the important European crossroads of the St. Gotthard and San Bernardino routes. The capital...

Mürren

Mürren is perched on a mountaintop shelf—5,361 feet high, to be precise. This village, along with neighboring Wengen, has always lured the rich and famous...

Lugano

Strung around a sparkling bay like Venetian glass beads, with dark, conical mountains rising out of its waters and icy peaks framing the scene, Lugano...

Arosa

Thanks to its altitude of 5,900 feet, the picturesque village of Arosa is a well-known year-round sports center, offering brisk hiking, paragliding, and other activities...

Crans-Montana

This French-speaking resort rises above the valley on a steep, sheltered shelf at 4,904 feet. It commands a broad view across the Rhône Valley to...

Chur

Narrow streets, cobblestone alleys, hidden courtyards, and ancient shuttered buildings hint that this Alpine city is the oldest city in Switzerland. The biggest little town...

Saas-Fee

Quieter and more low-key than Zermatt is the village of Saas-Fee, a car-free mountain resort with a family-friendly vibe. Saas-Fee also has a fantastic network...

Davos

At 5,116 feet, this highest "city" (stretching the definition) in Europe is good for cold-weather sports even in the soggiest of winters. Davos is famous...

St-Maurice

Pushed up against a stern, gray rock face, this small town is quiet and peaceful, with patrician homes lining its Grand-Rue. Once a customs station...

Klosters

At one time simply a group of hamlets, Klosters has become a small but chic resort, made up mostly of weathered-wood and white-stucco chalets. The...

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Despite its fame—which stems from the iconic Matterhorn and its excellent ski facilities—Zermatt is a resort with its feet on the ground. It protects its...

Prangins

You'll see the elegant hillside château that's home to the national museum before you reach this little commune, where the pace of life moves gently...

Lausanne

"Lausanne is a block of picturesque houses, spilling over two or three gorges, which spread from the same central knot, and are crowned by a...

Vevey

In the 1870s Henry James captured this waterfront town's mood of prim grace while writing (and setting) Daisy Miller in the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes...

Nyon

Lovely Nyon, with its waterfront drive, shops, museums, and a castle dominating its cliff-top Old Town, was founded by Julius Caesar around 45 BC as...

Gstaad

The four fingerlike valleys of the Saanenland find their palm at Gstaad, the Berner Oberland's most glamorous resort. Linking the Berner Oberland with the French-speaking...

Route du Vignoble

Parallel to the waterfront highway, threading through the steep-sloping vineyards between Nyon and Lausanne, the Route du Vignoble (Vineyard Road) unfolds a rolling green landscape...

Pontresina

On a south-facing shelf along the Flaz Valley, Pontresina is a beautiful resort town. It grew by converting its farmhouses to pensions and hotels for...

Maienfeld

Above this graceful little village full of fountains, vineyards, and old stucco houses, the Zürich author Johanna Spyri set Heidi, the much-loved children's story of...

Brienz

The romantic waterfront village of Brienz, world renowned for its wood carving, is a favorite stop for people traveling by boat as well as by...

Zürich

Zürich, which sits astride the Limmat River at the point where it emerges from the Zürichsee (Lake Zürich), is a beautiful city. Its charming Altstadt...

Basel

Although it lacks the gilt and glitter of Zürich and the Latin grace of Geneva, in many ways Basel (Bâle in French) is more sophisticated...

Geneva

Long known for its watches, chocolate, and banks, Geneva is a postcard-perfect city with a rich history as a haven for cultural freethinkers and a...

Bern

Bern, the federal capital of Switzerland, is a picturesque medieval city whose creators had a keen eye for detail—a trait shared by today’s inhabitants, who...

St. Moritz

Who put the ritz in St. Moritz? Undoubtedly, St. Moritz's reputation was made by the people who go there and who have been going there...

Luzern

Luzern city is a convenient base for excursions all over central Switzerland. The countryside here is tame, and the vast Vierwaldstättersee offers a prime opportunity...

Lausanne

"Lausanne is a block of picturesque houses, spilling over two or three gorges, which spread from the same central knot, and are crowned by a...

Verbier

A big part of Verbier's appeal is skiing on sunny slopes and the fact that it has a high-tech, state-of-the-art sports complex that links Quatre...

Interlaken

Often touted as a town without character, Interlaken has patiently borne the brunt of being called "the best place in Switzerland to get away from"—but...

Lugano

Strung around a sparkling bay like Venetian glass beads, with dark, conical mountains rising out of its waters and icy peaks framing the scene, Lugano...

Bellinzona

All roads lead to Bellinzona, the fortified valley city that guards the important European crossroads of the St. Gotthard and San Bernardino routes. The capital...

Grindelwald

Not counting its sheer Alpine beauty (3,393 feet), this town remains among the most popular in the Berner Oberland for the simple reason that it...

Fribourg

Between the rich pasturelands of the Swiss plateau and the Alpine foothills, the Sarine River (called the Saane by German speakers) twists in an S-curve...

St. Gallen

Switzerland's largest eastern city, bustling St. Gallen is dominated by students during the school year. The narrow streets of the Altstadt (Old Town) are flanked...

Stein-am-Rhein

The riverside Stein am Rhein is one of Switzerland's loveliest (and wealthiest) communities. It lies at a pivotal point where the Rhine leaves the Bodensee...

Schaffhausen

A city of about 37,000, Schaffhausen was from the early Middle Ages on an important depot for river cargoes, which—because of the rapids and waterfall...

Appenzell

Isolated from St. Gallen by a ridge of green hills, Appenzell is divided into two sub-cantons, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Both make up one...

Spiez

With its mild climate and lakeside location, Spiez provides a striking contrast to the snowy Alps. A good reason to visit might be the nearby...

Mürren

Mürren is perched on a mountaintop shelf—5,361 feet high, to be precise. This village, along with neighboring Wengen, has always lured the rich and famous...

Nyon

Lovely Nyon, with its waterfront drive, shops, museums, and a castle dominating its cliff-top Old Town, was founded by Julius Caesar around 45 BC as...

Vevey

In the 1870s Henry James captured this waterfront town's mood of prim grace while writing (and setting) Daisy Miller in the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes...

Gruyères

Rising above the plain on a rocky crag against a backdrop of Alpine foothills, the castle village of Gruyères seduces from afar. This perfect specimen...

Murten

The ancient town of Murten, known in French as Morat, is a popular resort on the Murtensee/Lac de Morat (Lake Murten). The bilingual town has...

Neuchatel

At the foot of the Jura Mountains, flanked by vineyards and facing southeast, the city of Neuchâtel enjoys panoramic views of Lac de Neuchâtel and...

Ascona

Although it's only a few minutes from Locarno, tiny Ascona has a life of its own. The town was little more than a fishing village...

Leukerbad

At 4,628 feet, Leukerbad, called Loèche-les-Bains in French, is Europe's highest spa village; travelers have been ascending to this Alpine retreat for centuries to take...

Locarno

Superbly placed on the sheltered curve of the northernmost tip of Lago Maggiore and surrounded on all sides by mountains, Locarno is Switzerland's sunniest town...

Sion

Rearing up in the otherwise deltalike flatlands of the western Valais, two otherworldly twin hills flank the ancient city of Sion. The two hills together...

Crans-Montana

This French-speaking resort rises above the valley on a steep, sheltered shelf at 4,904 feet. It commands a broad view across the Rhône Valley to...

Gstaad

The four fingerlike valleys of the Saanenland find their palm at Gstaad, the Berner Oberland's most glamorous resort. Linking the Berner Oberland with the French-speaking...

Saas-Fee

Quieter and more low-key than Zermatt is the village of Saas-Fee, a car-free mountain resort with a family-friendly vibe. Saas-Fee also has a fantastic network...

Arosa

Thanks to its altitude of 5,900 feet, the picturesque village of Arosa is a well-known year-round sports center, offering brisk hiking, paragliding, and other activities...

St-Maurice

Pushed up against a stern, gray rock face, this small town is quiet and peaceful, with patrician homes lining its Grand-Rue. Once a customs station...

Chur

Narrow streets, cobblestone alleys, hidden courtyards, and ancient shuttered buildings hint that this Alpine city is the oldest city in Switzerland. The biggest little town...

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Despite its fame—which stems from the iconic Matterhorn and its excellent ski facilities—Zermatt is a resort with its feet on the ground. It protects its...

Davos

At 5,116 feet, this highest "city" (stretching the definition) in Europe is good for cold-weather sports even in the soggiest of winters. Davos is famous...

Montreux

Montreux might be called the Cannes of Lac Léman—though it might raise an eyebrow at the slur. Spilling down steep hillsides into a sunny south-facing...

Klosters

At one time simply a group of hamlets, Klosters has become a small but chic resort, made up mostly of weathered-wood and white-stucco chalets. The...

Prangins

You'll see the elegant hillside château that's home to the national museum before you reach this little commune, where the pace of life moves gently...

Pontresina

On a south-facing shelf along the Flaz Valley, Pontresina is a beautiful resort town. It grew by converting its farmhouses to pensions and hotels for...

Maienfeld

Above this graceful little village full of fountains, vineyards, and old stucco houses, the Zürich author Johanna Spyri set Heidi, the much-loved children's story of...

Brienz

The romantic waterfront village of Brienz, world renowned for its wood carving, is a favorite stop for people traveling by boat as well as by...

Zürich

Zürich, which sits astride the Limmat River at the point where it emerges from the Zürichsee (Lake Zürich), is a beautiful city. Its charming Altstadt...

Basel

Although it lacks the gilt and glitter of Zürich and the Latin grace of Geneva, in many ways Basel (Bâle in French) is more sophisticated...

Geneva

Long known for its watches, chocolate, and banks, Geneva is a postcard-perfect city with a rich history as a haven for cultural freethinkers and a...

Bern

Bern, the federal capital of Switzerland, is a picturesque medieval city whose creators had a keen eye for detail—a trait shared by today’s inhabitants, who...

St. Moritz

Who put the ritz in St. Moritz? Undoubtedly, St. Moritz's reputation was made by the people who go there and who have been going there...

Luzern

Luzern city is a convenient base for excursions all over central Switzerland. The countryside here is tame, and the vast Vierwaldstättersee offers a prime opportunity...

Lausanne

"Lausanne is a block of picturesque houses, spilling over two or three gorges, which spread from the same central knot, and are crowned by a...

Verbier

A big part of Verbier's appeal is skiing on sunny slopes and the fact that it has a high-tech, state-of-the-art sports complex that links Quatre...

Interlaken

Often touted as a town without character, Interlaken has patiently borne the brunt of being called "the best place in Switzerland to get away from"—but...

Lugano

Strung around a sparkling bay like Venetian glass beads, with dark, conical mountains rising out of its waters and icy peaks framing the scene, Lugano...

Bellinzona

All roads lead to Bellinzona, the fortified valley city that guards the important European crossroads of the St. Gotthard and San Bernardino routes. The capital...

Grindelwald

Not counting its sheer Alpine beauty (3,393 feet), this town remains among the most popular in the Berner Oberland for the simple reason that it...

Fribourg

Between the rich pasturelands of the Swiss plateau and the Alpine foothills, the Sarine River (called the Saane by German speakers) twists in an S-curve...

St. Gallen

Switzerland's largest eastern city, bustling St. Gallen is dominated by students during the school year. The narrow streets of the Altstadt (Old Town) are flanked...

Stein-am-Rhein

The riverside Stein am Rhein is one of Switzerland's loveliest (and wealthiest) communities. It lies at a pivotal point where the Rhine leaves the Bodensee...

Schaffhausen

A city of about 37,000, Schaffhausen was from the early Middle Ages on an important depot for river cargoes, which—because of the rapids and waterfall...

Appenzell

Isolated from St. Gallen by a ridge of green hills, Appenzell is divided into two sub-cantons, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Both make up one...

Spiez

With its mild climate and lakeside location, Spiez provides a striking contrast to the snowy Alps. A good reason to visit might be the nearby...

Mürren

Mürren is perched on a mountaintop shelf—5,361 feet high, to be precise. This village, along with neighboring Wengen, has always lured the rich and famous...

Nyon

Lovely Nyon, with its waterfront drive, shops, museums, and a castle dominating its cliff-top Old Town, was founded by Julius Caesar around 45 BC as...

Vevey

In the 1870s Henry James captured this waterfront town's mood of prim grace while writing (and setting) Daisy Miller in the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes...

Gruyères

Rising above the plain on a rocky crag against a backdrop of Alpine foothills, the castle village of Gruyères seduces from afar. This perfect specimen...

Murten

The ancient town of Murten, known in French as Morat, is a popular resort on the Murtensee/Lac de Morat (Lake Murten). The bilingual town has...

Neuchatel

At the foot of the Jura Mountains, flanked by vineyards and facing southeast, the city of Neuchâtel enjoys panoramic views of Lac de Neuchâtel and...

Ascona

Although it's only a few minutes from Locarno, tiny Ascona has a life of its own. The town was little more than a fishing village...

Leukerbad

At 4,628 feet, Leukerbad, called Loèche-les-Bains in French, is Europe's highest spa village; travelers have been ascending to this Alpine retreat for centuries to take...

Locarno

Superbly placed on the sheltered curve of the northernmost tip of Lago Maggiore and surrounded on all sides by mountains, Locarno is Switzerland's sunniest town...

Sion

Rearing up in the otherwise deltalike flatlands of the western Valais, two otherworldly twin hills flank the ancient city of Sion. The two hills together...

Crans-Montana

This French-speaking resort rises above the valley on a steep, sheltered shelf at 4,904 feet. It commands a broad view across the Rhône Valley to...

Gstaad

The four fingerlike valleys of the Saanenland find their palm at Gstaad, the Berner Oberland's most glamorous resort. Linking the Berner Oberland with the French-speaking...

Saas-Fee

Quieter and more low-key than Zermatt is the village of Saas-Fee, a car-free mountain resort with a family-friendly vibe. Saas-Fee also has a fantastic network...

Arosa

Thanks to its altitude of 5,900 feet, the picturesque village of Arosa is a well-known year-round sports center, offering brisk hiking, paragliding, and other activities...

St-Maurice

Pushed up against a stern, gray rock face, this small town is quiet and peaceful, with patrician homes lining its Grand-Rue. Once a customs station...

Chur

Narrow streets, cobblestone alleys, hidden courtyards, and ancient shuttered buildings hint that this Alpine city is the oldest city in Switzerland. The biggest little town...

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Despite its fame—which stems from the iconic Matterhorn and its excellent ski facilities—Zermatt is a resort with its feet on the ground. It protects its...

Davos

At 5,116 feet, this highest "city" (stretching the definition) in Europe is good for cold-weather sports even in the soggiest of winters. Davos is famous...

Montreux

Montreux might be called the Cannes of Lac Léman—though it might raise an eyebrow at the slur. Spilling down steep hillsides into a sunny south-facing...

Klosters

At one time simply a group of hamlets, Klosters has become a small but chic resort, made up mostly of weathered-wood and white-stucco chalets. The...

Prangins

You'll see the elegant hillside château that's home to the national museum before you reach this little commune, where the pace of life moves gently...

Pontresina

On a south-facing shelf along the Flaz Valley, Pontresina is a beautiful resort town. It grew by converting its farmhouses to pensions and hotels for...

Maienfeld

Above this graceful little village full of fountains, vineyards, and old stucco houses, the Zürich author Johanna Spyri set Heidi, the much-loved children's story of...

Brienz

The romantic waterfront village of Brienz, world renowned for its wood carving, is a favorite stop for people traveling by boat as well as by...

Graubünden

Although the names of its biggest resorts, such as St. Moritz and Davos, register almost automatic recognition, the region wrapped around them remains surprisingly unsung...

Valais

For many visitors, Valais is the only part of Switzerland they ever see—and for good reason. After all, 40 of the 52 13,000-foot peaks in...

Fribourg and Neuchâtel

Shouldered by the more prominent cantons of Bern and Vaud, Fribourg and Neuchâtel are easily overlooked by hurried visitors. If they do stop, it is...

Eastern Switzerland

Switzerland’s Germanic region bordering Germany and Austria should scream authenticity. Instead, it moos. With almost more cows (and alphorns) than people, Zürich’s quiet neighbor offers...

Berner Oberland

There are times when the reality of Switzerland puts postcard idealization to shame, surpassing advertising-image peaks and skies. Those times happen most often in the...

Route du Vignoble

Parallel to the waterfront highway, threading through the steep-sloping vineyards between Nyon and Lausanne, the Route du Vignoble (Vineyard Road) unfolds a rolling green landscape...

Vaud

In just one region, you can experience a complete cultural, gastronomic, and scenic sweep of Switzerland. Vaud (pronounced Voh) has a stunning Gothic cathedral (Lausanne)...

Ticino

Ticino is a canton apart: graceful, open, laissez-faire. This is the most glamorous of Swiss regions: the waterfront promenades of Lugano, Locarno, and Ascona contain...

Luzern and Central Switzerland

With the mist rising off the water and the mountains looming above in the morning sun, it’s easy to understand why people are mesmerized by...

Graubünden

Although the names of its biggest resorts, such as St. Moritz and Davos, register almost automatic recognition, the region wrapped around them remains surprisingly unsung...

Valais

For many visitors, Valais is the only part of Switzerland they ever see—and for good reason. After all, 40 of the 52 13,000-foot peaks in...

Fribourg and Neuchâtel

Shouldered by the more prominent cantons of Bern and Vaud, Fribourg and Neuchâtel are easily overlooked by hurried visitors. If they do stop, it is...

Eastern Switzerland

Switzerland’s Germanic region bordering Germany and Austria should scream authenticity. Instead, it moos. With almost more cows (and alphorns) than people, Zürich’s quiet neighbor offers...

Berner Oberland

There are times when the reality of Switzerland puts postcard idealization to shame, surpassing advertising-image peaks and skies. Those times happen most often in the...

Route du Vignoble

Parallel to the waterfront highway, threading through the steep-sloping vineyards between Nyon and Lausanne, the Route du Vignoble (Vineyard Road) unfolds a rolling green landscape...

Vaud

In just one region, you can experience a complete cultural, gastronomic, and scenic sweep of Switzerland. Vaud (pronounced Voh) has a stunning Gothic cathedral (Lausanne)...

Ticino

Ticino is a canton apart: graceful, open, laissez-faire. This is the most glamorous of Swiss regions: the waterfront promenades of Lugano, Locarno, and Ascona contain...

Luzern and Central Switzerland

With the mist rising off the water and the mountains looming above in the morning sun, it’s easy to understand why people are mesmerized by...

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Altstadt (Old Town) and City Center

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Geneva

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Luzern and Central Switzerland

Luzern

Ticino

Valais

Vaud

Zürich

Basel

Eastern Switzerland

Graubünden

Valais

Bern

Altstadt (Old Town) and City Center

Fribourg and Neuchâtel

Luzern and Central Switzerland

Luzern

Vaud

Berner Oberland

Geneva

Ticino

Zürich

Basel

Berner Oberland

Fribourg and Neuchâtel

Graubünden

Ticino

Vaud

Bern

Altstadt (Old Town) and City Center

Eastern Switzerland

Geneva

Luzern and Central Switzerland

Luzern

Valais

Zürich

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