Country guide
The Alps cover most of Switzerland's 41,291 km², which is why almost all of its 9,154,242 people live on the plateau — a band of low ground carrying Zurich, Ber...
Photograph · Sam Ferrara · CC0 1.0
Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor
The Alps cover most of Switzerland's 41,291 km², which is why almost all of its 9,154,242 people live on the plateau — a band of low ground carrying Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lausanne, Geneva, Lucerne and Winterthur within a few hours of one another. Cross a ridge and it is the language that changes: German is spoken by 62 per cent of the country, French by 23, Italian by 8, Romansh by half a per cent. Twenty-six cantons write their own rules on top of that. A trip here is usually a choice between the flat line of cities and the valleys branching off it.
Checked 2026-08-25
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
Photograph · Ikiwaner · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
5 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
Villa Patumbah is a historic villa in Zurich and a heritage-focused stop for visitors interested in architecture and urban history. The property adds a quieter cultural dimension to a city itinerary dominated by museums, churches and lake views.
Villa Wesendonck is a historic villa in Zurich’s Enge district near Lake Zurich. The property is associated with the Wesendonck family, especially Mathilde Wesendonck, and with Richard Wagner’s Zurich period.
Uetliberg-Turm
Uetliberg Aussichtsturm is a viewing tower on Uetliberg, the wooded mountain rising above Zurich’s southwestern edge. From the summit area, the tower gives visitors a higher perspective over Zurich, Lake Zurich and, in clear weather, the Alpine horizon.
Lindenhof-Keller is a cellar-level establishment in Zurich’s historic Lindenhof quarter. The venue sits close to Lindenhof hill, an old-town viewpoint overlooking the Limmat, Grossmünster, and surrounding rooftops.
Zürich Letten
Zurich Letten railway station is a former railway station beside the Limmat in Zurich. The disused station and surrounding infrastructure preserve an industrial and railway-heritage atmosphere, while the riverside setting now serves recreation and informal urban life.
Seven to ten days can combine two city or lake bases with one mountain region. Switzerland’s dense transport network reduces transfer friction, but weather-dependent alpine excursions still need flexible time.
Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Migration publishes entry requirements. Passport nationality, visit purpose and the wider Schengen route determine whether a visa is required and where to apply.
Zurich and Geneva airports connect directly to national rail. SBB trains, regional railways, PostBus routes and lake boats form the core network, while many mountain railways and cable cars use separate products.
June to September serves hiking and high-pass travel; December to March is the broad snow season. Mountain operating dates and weather vary by altitude, so verify the specific lift or route rather than relying on a national season.
Switzerland prices in Swiss francs (CHF). The current treatment of euros, card fees and exchange rates is Not recorded here; verify the charged currency and amount before accepting conversion.
Switzerland uses 112 as a general emergency number, 117 for police and 144 for ambulance. Type C and J sockets supply 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe.
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