Along with the natural beauty you get to see in Switzerland, if you are like me you will want to check out some popular cities as well. The cities and towns here are full of beautiful sights and sounds as well. I have listed the attractions in each of the cities that I suggest visiting. It is an extensive list so pick and choose/edit or tweak from the same as per your personal preferences.
1. ZÜRICH
Read my post here about the top things to do in Zürich, Switzerland.
2. BERN
Bern is the charming capital city of Switzerland. Its medieval architecture goes all the way back to the 12th century. To view this stunning architecture head to the Old Town which is one of the main areas to visit in Bern. The best thing is that it is within walking distance from the Bern Bahnhof which is itself quite beautiful. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site with some of the main highlights being the gorgeous Zytglogge, the iconic clock tower reconstructed in 1405 and the Kindlifresserbrunnen, a bizarrely designed fountain dating back to the 16th century. Also around the area is the Cathedral of Bern a gothic cathedral known for its 14th-century stained glass. Visit the Einsteinhaus to see where Albert Einstein the famous physicist stayed. There are many museums to visit as well like the History Museum, Museum of Fine Arts (which houses works from Picasso as well), etc. Visit the Nydegg Bridge, a Swiss Heritage site offering beautiful Aare River and city views. Some of the famous streets are Spitalgasse, Marktgasse, Kramgasse and Gerechtigkeitsgasse. As you walk along these famous streets, you will get to see attractions like the Pfeiferbrunnen (16th-century fountain), Käfigturm (baroque tower built in 1644 featuring a clock and bell) and you will pass through the old town. For little ones, there is the BärenPark Zoo featuring 15 acres of a variety of animals, a petting zoo, an aquarium and more. Another important street is the Waisenhausplatz which has a market and a square where you can be seated and just enjoy the general splendor of Bern. If you are a fan of parks visit the Rosengarten Bern which has some gorgeous views of the city as it is on the top of a hill and is home to thousands of roses as well! Have a seat at the Einstein Bench located in this garden to take a photo with his statue. Also, visit Bundesplatz the federal square with dreamy fountains and the stunning Parliament Building. Being the capital city, there are a variety of food options for every palette. Just a simple google search of top-rated restaurants of the cuisine you wish to try is enough to find you some good options.
3. LUCERNE
Lucerne is a picture-perfect scenic city, this city's pictures are prominently used to showcase the beauty of Swiss cities in many travel and tourism promotions for Switzerland. When you exit Lucerne Station you view the grand Torbogen monument which welcomes you to this city. Walking along the banks of the River Reuss, taking in the breathtaking views you reach the iconic Chapel Bridge. This bridge is very familiar to people as its photos are used in so many Swiss tourism promotions. This wooden bridge boats of centuries-old paintings and was reconstructed after a major fire in 1993. On either side of the Chapel Bridge are 2 churches. On one side is the Jesuit Church St. Francis Cavier on Bahnhofstrasse and on the other side of the bridge is the St. Peter's Chapel. So having crossed the Chapel Bridge you reach the Old Town area. This area has many beautiful fountains like the Fritschibrunnen (around this area sometimes cultural events/carnivals are held). You can also walk along Rathausquai to view the river and the old town architecture side by side, especially the Town Hall. Some of the famous streets/squares to check out are Kornmarkt, Hirschenplatz, Shwanenplatz, Falkengasse, Weinmarkt, Josi-J-Meier-Platz and more. Another famous bridge in this area is the Spreuer Bridge along which u can also view the Lucerne Needle Dam. There are so many shops and pretty streets in this area, do take out some time to explore this area. A short walk from the old town is the famous Musegg Wall, an old city wall with 9 iconic towers, some of which are open to the public and one can go on the top and view some amazing city views. Another iconic monument to visit is the Lion Monument, a beautiful structure of a dying lion carved directly into a huge slab of rock. On your walk back you can check out the Hofkirche St. Leodegar, a grand 17th-century Gothic architecture church. You can also take day cruises from Schweizerhofquai for Lake Lucerne. Another popular day trip is the Golden Round Trip which is a trip by boat, cogwheel railway, and aerial cableway covering Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus. Another famous peak close by is Mt Rigi. Some of the museums here are Kunstmuseum Luzern, Glacier Garden of Lucerne, Diorama of the Alps and more. Some of the waterfront parks to head to for a relaxing day are Inseli Park, Ufschötti Luzern and Rössliwiese at Carl Spitteler Quai. For little ones, there is the Hirschpark Luzern a wildlife park with a 400-year history.
4. GENEVA
Geneva or Genève is a city closeby to the French border of Switzerland which has heavy French influence from the language to the food. This is why I love Switzerland, as it borders Germany, France and Italy, different Swiss cities visited along those borders have strong influences of those countries. It is almost like being in those countries themselves. As you walk from the main station towards the waterfront, you come to behold the magnificent Lake Geneva and the iconic Geneva Water Fountain (Jet d'Eau). Along that walk, you may come across the Basilica Notre Dame, upon reaching the waterfront you will come across Le Jardin des Alpes Genève, a beautiful garden that surrounds the famous Brunswick Monument. A short walk along the waterfront gets you to the Carrousel Wetzel which runs depending on seasons and weather. Also along that path is the Monument à l'impératrice Sissi and the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc for some stunning views of the lake and the architecture around the waterfront. You can also visit the well-known Bains des Pâquis for a pool day (seasonal). Head towards the Phare des Pâquis for some uninterrupted views of Lake Geneva. Cross over to the other side to visit the Old Town area. While doing so have a glance at the historical landmark Tour de l'Île located on the Quai de l'Ile. While crossing you will also get to see the River Rhone. Do check out the surrounding area for some great views and luxury shops. Then head towards the Old Town which has the St Pierre Cathedral and the Place du Bourg-de-Four which is Geneva's oldest square bustling with people, beautiful buildings, cafes and more. It also has museums like the Musée d'art et d'histoire, Museum of Far Eastern Art, etc. and the Palais de l'Athénée (a stunning concert venue). Check out the Parc des Bastions which has an archway of trees and is great for picnics and visit the Reformation Wall close by, a beautifully designed stone monument. If you need to take a break, head to the Promenade de la Treille, an elevated promenade with scenic city views. I suggest roaming around the Old Town to discover museums, fountains, historic architecture and more. Close by to the Old Town (towards the waterfront) is the Jardin Anglais which has the famous Flower clock and the Monument National (national monument). It also has a Ferris wheel (seasonally). Also, close to the Old Town is the Natural History Museum as well. If you have the time, do go and have a look at the United Nations headquarters - the Palais des Nations, as Geneva is the headquarters of Europe's United Nations. Many areas are not open for public entry but just observing these majestic buildings from the outside is a treat. There is a huge monument of the iconic "Broken Chair", the Alley of Flags, the Musée Ariana, the League of Nations Museum, the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and more in this area. Just take a walk in and around Parc de l'Ariana to see all this. Head to the Geneva Botanical Garden if you have the time which also has an Animal park. You can also head to the visitor center of CERN (once it is open). CERN is one of the most famous establishments in the world that work on answering the fundamental questions - What is the nature of our universe? What is it made of? It is the site of the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest and highest-energy particle collider. If you are a watch lover, do visit the Patek Philippe Museum, one of the world's foremost horology museums. Another area to enjoy a lovely pool day with the family is the Genève-Plage, check out their official website before visiting.
5. BASEL
In Pic- The famous Tibits restaurant which has branches in Basel as well.
The vibrant city of Basel is located near the French and German borders with the famous Rhine river passing through it. You all may also know it because of Baselworld, the world-famous jewelry and watch trade show which is held here every year. This city is perfect for a day trip as once again nearby the Basel Bahnhof are many major attractions. The highlights are the Old Town which has some of the most popular attractions like the mesmerizing Tinguely Fountain where there is a display of different mechanical creations each spurting out water in different and innovative manners and the Spalentor, a majestic 15th-century gateway. This area also has the Fine Arts Museum (Kunstmuseum), Historical Museum, the Museum of Cultures, the Museum of Natural History, Basel Town Hall and the iconic Basel Minster with its origins dating back all the way to the 9th century. Some famous streets/squares in this area are Barfüsserplatz, Münsterplatz, Freie Strasse, Petersplatz and Marktplatz. Just outside Basel Bahnhof, you will find 2 major attractions. The first one is Markthalle which is this huge food court with a huge variety of cuisine options ranging from Indian, Persian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, Seafood, Gelato, Italian and more. It also has vegan-friendly options. The second one is the Basel Zoo which is well known for the extensive variety of animals it houses. A short walk away is the Merian Gärten, the stunning botanical garden which also houses an elegant café in an 18th-century villa. Head towards the Rhine River area and get the best views at the Mittlere Brücke or the Middle Bridge which links the old city with the new city. Walk along the promenade on the new city side to view the beauty of the city and the river, you can also take a river cruise. If you have the time head to Dreiländereck, a significant monument and point where the borders of Germany, France & Switzerland converge. If you are visiting in autumn, do not miss out on the Basel Autumn Fair.
So these are some of my favorite cities to visit in Switzerland. There are countless more cities to explore in Switzerland but these are my top few. Do look them up and shortlist them as per your tastes and preferences. Thank you for reading ❤️
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