Roavina

Country guide

Switzerland

A photograph of Switzerland
Photograph · Sam Ferrara · CC0 1.0

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.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information
Language spoken
German, French, Italian and Romansh
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+41
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Swiss franc (CHF)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112 · 117 police · 144 ambulance
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and J · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Public drinking water is controlled under Swiss food-safety rules

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

Filter the list

11 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 5 Museums 0 Places of worship 13 Nature sites 29 Viewpoints 11 Food and drink 5 Markets and shopping 2 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 1 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 11 1 to 2 hours 1

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Lindenhof Lindenhof
    01 30 min

    Lindenhof

    Lindenhof is a flat gravelled terrace on a moraine hill above the left bank of the Limmat, and the City of Zurich describes it as the city's oldest green space.

    • Must see
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  2. Bürkliplatz Bürkliplatz
    02 20 min

    Bürkliplatz

    Bürkliplatz is a central Zurich square at the western end of Lake Zurich. Named after city engineer Arnold Bürkli, it forms a meeting point between the lakeside promenade, Bahnhofstrasse and the city center.

    • Must see
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  3. Polyterrasse Polyterrasse
    03 20 min

    Polyterrasse

    Polyterrasse is a prominent elevated terrace located on the campus of ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

    • Must see
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  4. Rigiblick Rigiblick
    04 20 min

    Rigiblick

    Rigiblick is an elevated locality in northern Zurich, known for its position above the city and its relationship with views toward Lake Zurich. It is primarily an urban neighbourhood rather than a single enclosed attraction.

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  5. Zürichberg Zürichberg
    05 20 min

    Zürichberg

    Zürichberg is a wooded hill and district on the northeastern side of Zurich. It rises above the Limmat valley and combines forest, residential areas and recreational routes.

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  6. Adlisberg Adlisberg
    06 20 min

    Adlisberg

    Adlisberg is a forested hill east of central Zurich, Switzerland. The wooded elevation forms part of the landscape between the Limmat and Glatt valleys and serves as a recreational escape from the city.

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  7. Hönggerberg Hönggerberg
    07 20 min

    Hönggerberg

    Hönggerberg is a hill in northern Zurich, rising above the Limmat valley within the city. It is best known for the ETH Zurich Hönggerberg campus, an important concentration of science, technology and academic buildings.

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  8. Käferberg Käferberg
    08 20 min

    Käferberg

    Käferberg is an elevated hill and surrounding area in northern Zurich. It brings together natural hillside terrain, mixed vegetation, wooded sections, open areas, and residential surroundings.

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  9. Karlsturm Karlsturm
    09 20 min

    Karlsturm

    Karlsturm is a named tower structure in Zurich, Switzerland, and forms part of the city's built landscape. Its identity makes it a compact architectural point of interest for travellers exploring Zurich beyond the best-known headline sights.

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  10. Loorenkopf tower Loorenkopf tower
    10 20 min

    Loorenkopf tower

    Loorenkopf-Turm

    The Loorenkopf tower, also known locally as Loorenkopf-Turm, is a viewing structure on Loorenkopf hill in Zurich. Its purpose is to give visitors an elevated place from which to look across the surrounding landscape.

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich
  11. Gubrist Gubrist
    11 20 min

    Gubrist

    Gubrist is a named locality within Zurich, Switzerland, represented by a precise point in the city’s geographic landscape. It is better suited to orientation and neighborhood exploration than to a conventional sightseeing visit.

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Zurich

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Switzerland be?

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.

What entry documents are needed for Switzerland?

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.

What is the best way to travel around Switzerland?

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.

When is a practical time to visit Switzerland?

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.

What money and payment basics apply in Switzerland?

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.

What practical safety details should I save for Switzerland?

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.