Top 30 Tourist Places in Switzerland

Switzerland, renowned for its stunning alpine landscapes, picturesque towns, and vibrant cities, offers a plethora of attractions for every traveler. Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast, a history buff, or someone looking to relax amidst nature, Switzerland has something unique to offer. Here’s a list of the top 30 tourist destinations in this beautiful country, along with detailed information to help you plan your visit.

1. The Matterhorn

Tourism Specialty:

• Iconic pyramid-shaped mountain, popular for climbing and skiing.

Locality:

• Zermatt, Valais.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September (summer) for hiking and December to March (winter) for skiing.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Gornergrat Railway
• Klein Matterhorn
• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Nearby Restaurants:

• Chez Vrony
• Findlerhof
• Restaurant Whymper-Stube

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Monte Rosa
• The Omnia
• Grand Hotel Zermatterhof

2. Jungfraujoch

Tourism Specialty:

• “Top of Europe” with panoramic views and Europe’s highest railway station.

Locality:

• Bernese Oberland.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September (summer) and December to March (winter).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Eiger
• Mönch
• Aletsch Glacier

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Crystal
• Bollywood Restaurant
• Restaurant Eigergletscher

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald
• Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
• Hotel Eiger

3. Lake Geneva

Tourism Specialty:

• Beautiful lake with stunning views, boat cruises, and surrounding vineyards.

Locality:

• Geneva, Vaud.

Best Time to Visit:

• April to October.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Jet d’Eau
• Château de Chillon
• Lavaux Vineyards

Nearby Restaurants:

• Les Armures
• Brasserie Lipp
• Café de Paris

Nearby Hotels:

• Beau-Rivage Palace
• Hotel d’Angleterre
• Fairmont Le Montreux Palace

4. Lucerne

Tourism Specialty:

• Charming city with medieval architecture, lake views, and nearby mountains.

Locality:

• Lucerne.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Chapel Bridge
• Lion Monument
• Mount Pilatus

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Stern
• Wirtshaus Galliker
• Old Swiss House

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel des Balances
• Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
• Grand Hotel National

5. Interlaken

Tourism Specialty:

• Adventure sports hub with paragliding, skydiving, and hiking.

Locality:

• Bernese Oberland.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Harder Kulm
• Lake Thun
• Lake Brienz

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Taverne
• Husi Bierhaus
• The 3 Tells Irish Pub

Nearby Hotels:

• Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
• Hotel Interlaken
• Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage

6. Zurich

Tourism Specialty:

• Switzerland’s largest city with vibrant cultural life, shopping, and museums.

Locality:

• Zurich.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to August.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Bahnhofstrasse
• Lake Zurich
• Swiss National Museum

Nearby Restaurants:

• Kronenhalle
• Restaurant Zeughauskeller
• LaSalle Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Baur au Lac
• Park Hyatt Zurich
• The Dolder Grand

7. Bern

Tourism Specialty:

• Medieval city with UNESCO World Heritage status and charming old town.

Locality:

• Bern.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Zytglogge
• Bear Park
• Federal Palace

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Rosengarten
• Kornhauskeller
• Altes Tramdepot

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Bellevue Palace
• Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa
• Hotel Allegro Bern

8. Montreux

Tourism Specialty:

• Known for the Montreux Jazz Festival and beautiful lakeside location.

Locality:

• Vaud.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Château de Chillon
• Rochers-de-Naye
• Freddie Mercury Statue

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Le Museum
• Montreux Jazz Café
• La Rouvenaz

Nearby Hotels:

• Fairmont Le Montreux Palace
• Eurotel Montreux
• Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic

9. Lausanne

Tourism Specialty:

• Olympic Capital with vibrant cultural scene and beautiful lake views.

Locality:

• Vaud.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Olympic Museum
• Lausanne Cathedral
• Ouchy Promenade

Nearby Restaurants:

• Café de l’Évêché
• Brasserie de Montbenon
• The Great Escape

Nearby Hotels:

• Beau-Rivage Palace
• Lausanne Palace
• Château d’Ouchy

10. Lugano

Tourism Specialty:

• Italian-speaking city with Mediterranean flair and scenic lake.

Locality:

• Ticino.

Best Time to Visit:

• April to October.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Parco Ciani
• Monte Brè
• Monte San Salvatore

Nearby Restaurants:

• La Cucina di Alice
• Grotto della Salute
• Ristorante Grand Café Al Porto

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Splendide Royal
• Villa Principe Leopoldo
• Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola

11. St. Moritz

Tourism Specialty:

• Luxury alpine resort town known for skiing and winter sports.

Locality:

• Graubünden.

Best Time to Visit:

• December to March (winter sports) and June to September (hiking).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Piz Nair
• Lake St. Moritz
• Segantini Museum

Nearby Restaurants:

• La Marmite
• Ecco St. Moritz
• Chesa Veglia

Nearby Hotels:

• Badrutt’s Palace Hotel
• Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
• Suvretta House

12. Grindelwald

Tourism Specialty:

• Picturesque village known for its skiing and hiking trails.

Locality:

• Bernese Oberland.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September (summer) and December to March (winter).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• First Cliff Walk
• Bachalpsee
• Eiger Trail

Nearby Restaurants:

• Barry’s
• Restaurant Golden India
• Onkel Tom’s Hütte

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald
• Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald
• Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof

13. Zermatt

Tourism Specialty:

• Car-free village at the foot of the Matterhorn, known for skiing and mountaineering.

Locality:

• Valais.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September (summer) and December to March (winter).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Gornergrat
• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
• Sunnegga

Nearby Restaurants:

• Chez Vrony
• Findlerhof
• The Omnia

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Monte Rosa
• The Omnia
• Grand Hotel Zermatterhof

14. Geneva

Tourism Specialty:

• Cosmopolitan city known for international organizations and beautiful lake.

Locality:

• Geneva.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Jet d’Eau
• St. Pierre Cathedral
• Parc des Bastions

Nearby Restaurants:

• Les Armures
• Brasserie Lipp
• Café de Paris

Nearby Hotels:

• Beau-Rivage Geneva
• Hotel d’Angleterre
• Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva

15. Aletsch Glacier

Tourism Specialty:

• Largest glacier in the Alps, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Locality:

• Valais.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Jungfraujoch
• Eggishorn
• Bettmeralp

Nearby Restaurants:

• Panorama Restaurant Bettmerhorn
• Restaurant Gletscherblick
• Bergrestaurant Fiescheralp

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Bettmerhof
• Hotel Aletsch
• Berghotel Riederfurka

16. Appenzell

Tourism Specialty:

• Traditional Swiss village with charming architecture and cultural festivals.

Locality:

• Appenzell Innerrhoden.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Ebenalp
• Wildkirchli Caves
• Appenzeller Museum

Nearby Restaurants:

• Gasthaus Hof Weissbad
• Restaurant Säntisblick
• Café-Confiserie Laimbacher

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Hof Weissbad
• Romantik Hotel Säntis
• Hotel Appenzell

17. Basel

Tourism Specialty:

• Cultural city known for its art museums and vibrant old town.

Locality:

• Basel.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Kunstmuseum Basel
• Basel Minster
• Tinguely Museum

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Stucki
• Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl
• Brasserie Les Trois Rois

Nearby Hotels:

• Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois
• Hotel Basel
• Hotel Krafft Basel

18. Lauterbrunnen

Tourism Specialty:

• Picturesque valley with stunning waterfalls and hiking trails.

Locality:

• Bernese Oberland.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Trümmelbach Falls
• Staubbach Falls
• Jungfraujoch

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Weidstübli
• Airtime Café
• Hotel Oberland Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Silberhorn
• Hotel Staubbach
• Hotel Oberland

19. Engelberg

Tourism Specialty:

• Mountain resort town known for its Benedictine monastery and skiing.

Locality:

• Obwalden.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to September (summer) and December to March (winter).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Titlis Glacier
• Engelberg Abbey
• Brunni

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Bierlialp
• Alpenclub
• Spannort Inn Café

Nearby Hotels:

• Kempinski Palace Engelberg
• H+ Hotel & SPA Engelberg
• Hotel Waldegg

20. Schaffhausen

Tourism Specialty:

• Historical town known for the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe.

Locality:

• Schaffhausen.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Rhine Falls
• Munot Fortress
• IWC Museum

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Fischerzunft
• Restaurant Güterhof
• Ristorante Pizzeria Musikhof

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Kronenhof
• Best Western Plus Hotel Bahnhof
• Vienna House zur Bleiche Schaffhausen

21. Thun

Tourism Specialty:

• Charming town with a picturesque old town and beautiful lake.

Locality:

• Bernese Oberland.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Thun Castle
• Lake Thun
• Schadau Park

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Schloss Schadau
• Rathaus Bistro
• Trattoria Rimini

Nearby Hotels:

• Congress Hotel Seepark
• Hotel Freienhof
• Hotel Krone Thun

22. Neuchâtel

Tourism Specialty:

• Historical town with medieval architecture and a beautiful lake.

Locality:

• Neuchâtel.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Neuchâtel Castle
• Lake Neuchâtel
• Latenium

Nearby Restaurants:

• Brasserie Le Cardinal
• Auberge du Prévoux
• Café de la Collégiale

Nearby Hotels:

• Beau-Rivage Hotel
• Hôtel Alpes et Lac
• Hotel Palafitte

23. Bellinzona

Tourism Specialty:

• Town known for its three UNESCO World Heritage castles.

Locality:

• Ticino.

Best Time to Visit:

• April to October.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Castelgrande
• Montebello Castle
• Sasso Corbaro Castle

Nearby Restaurants:

• Ristorante Castelgrande
• Grotto San Michele
• Ristorante Internazionale

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel & SPA Internazionale
• Hotel Bellinzona Sud
• Boutiquehotel La Tureta

24. Gruyères

Tourism Specialty:

• Charming medieval town known for its cheese and castle.

Locality:

• Fribourg.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Gruyères Castle
• HR Giger Museum
• Maison Cailler

Nearby Restaurants:

• Le Chalet de Gruyères
• Auberge de la Halle
• La Pinte des Mossettes

Nearby Hotels:

• Hôtel de Gruyères
• La Fleur de Lys
• Hostellerie Saint-Georges

25. Sion

Tourism Specialty:

• Historical town with two hilltop castles and vineyards.

Locality:

• Valais.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Tourbillon Castle
• Valère Basilica
• Sion Cathedral

Nearby Restaurants:

• Brasserie du Grand-Pont
• L’Atelier Gourmand
• Restaurant La Sitterie

Nearby Hotels:

• Hôtel Elite
• Hôtel des Vignes
• Hotel Castel

26. Davos

Tourism Specialty:

• High-altitude resort town known for skiing and the World Economic Forum.

Locality:

• Graubünden.

Best Time to Visit:

• December to March (winter sports) and June to September (hiking).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Parsenn
• Lake Davos
• Kirchner Museum

Nearby Restaurants:

• Restaurant Golden Dragon
• Giodavin
• Walserhuus Sertig

Nearby Hotels:

• Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvedere
• Hotel Seehof Davos
• Grischa – DAS Hotel Davos

27. Ascona

Tourism Specialty:

• Picturesque lakeside town with Mediterranean flair and art galleries.

Locality:

• Ticino.

Best Time to Visit:

• April to October.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Monte Verità
• Brissago Islands
• Piazza G. Motta

Nearby Restaurants:

• Grotto Baldoria
• Ristorante Seven
• Osteria Nostrana

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Eden Roc
• Castello del Sole
• Albergo Carcani

28. Lausanne

Tourism Specialty:

• Olympic Capital with vibrant cultural scene and beautiful lake views.

Locality:

• Vaud.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Olympic Museum
• Lausanne Cathedral
• Ouchy Promenade

Nearby Restaurants:

• Café de l’Évêché
• Brasserie de Montbenon
• The Great Escape

Nearby Hotels:

• Beau-Rivage Palace
• Lausanne Palace
• Château d’Ouchy

29. Vevey

Tourism Specialty:

• Charming town known for its connection to Charlie Chaplin and the wine region.

Locality:

• Vaud.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Chaplin’s World
• Alimentarium
• Lavaux Vineyards

Nearby Restaurants:

• Les Ateliers
• Restaurant Denis Martin
• Ze Fork

Nearby Hotels:

• Grand Hotel du Lac
• Astra Hotel Vevey
• Hôtel des Trois Couronnes

30. Locarno

Tourism Specialty:

• Sunniest town in Switzerland, known for its film festival and beautiful lake.

Locality:

• Ticino.

Best Time to Visit:

• April to October.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Piazza Grande
• Madonna del Sasso
• Cardada

Nearby Restaurants:

• Ristorante Sensi
• Al Grottino
• Osteria Borghese

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Belvedere Locarno
• Hotel La Palma au Lac
• H4 Hotel Arcadia Locarno

Switzerland offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from serene lakes and towering mountains to bustling cities and quaint villages. Each destination provides unique attractions, culinary delights, and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a memorable visit for every traveler.