Top 15 places to visit in Switzerland

TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN SWITZERLAND                                                    

The Matterhorn  

The matterhorn Switzerland iconic pointed peak  one of the highest mountain in the Alps. On the border of Italy, this legendary peak rises to 4,478 meters, and its four steep faces lies in the direction of the compass points. The first summiting in 1865 ended tragically when four climbers come here each summer.

At the foot of this mighty peak, lies the charming village of zermatt,a top international resort with horse-drawn carriage rides, quaint chalets, and world class restaurants and hotels. To preserve the air quality and peaceful ambiance, motorized vehicles are banned in village.

In the winter, skiers can schuss down more than 300 kilometers of slopes. In the summer, swimming and tennis are popular pursuits as well as hiking, biking, and climbing in the surrounding mountains. Summer glacier skiing is also available.

Jungfraujoch: The top of the Europe

  

The jungfraujoch is an alpine wonderland that fully deserves its nickname of the top of the Europe. Technically a glacier saddle between two mountains , The jungfraujoch is one of the best and highest - attraction in Switzerland, and dont let the altitude put you off - there's is a plenty for whole the family up there, from mountain climbing to tobagganing and much more. However ,perhaps the most impressive attraction is the world famous jungfraujoch railway. Starting at kleien scheidegg, the train climbs upto 3,454 meters above sea level to jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. 

 Interlaken 

Nestled between lake thun to the west and lake brienz to the east, interlaken is one of Switzerland's most popular summer holiday resorts. In the center of the town, Hohematte is a marble of urban planning with 35 acres of open  space. Flower gardens, hotels,and cafes surround the Hoheweg, the main boulevard through here with breathtaking vistas of the mountains. The mighty peaks of the Eiger,Monch,and jungfraujoch tower above the town providing excellent opportunity for alpine adventures. Hiking,climbing, abseiling and kayaking are prime pursuit.

 More than 45 mountains railways, cablecars,chairlifts,and ski lifts transport visitors into the surrounding country and offer plenty of chances for sightseeing from up above. In the winters, skiers and snowboarders can take their pick from the surrounding resorts and cross country ski along the extensive trail network. In the summer, paragliders  launch from Beatenberg-Niederhorn. To admire the scenery from lower elevations,hop aboard  a paddle streamer for a cruise around the lakes.

Lucerne

Imagine a sparkling blue lake surrounded by mountains, a car-free medieval old town, covered bridges, waterfront promenades, frescoed historic buildings, and sun splashed plazas with bubbling fountains. No wonder Lucerne is a top spot for tourists. Famed for its music concerts, this swiss town lures renowned  soloists,conductors, and orchestras to its annual  international music Festival. The culture and convention centre is home to one of the worlds leading concerts halls.

One of the city's most famous landmarks is the chapel bridge, built in the 14th century. In a small park , lies the famous lion monument, a poignant sculpture of a dying lion ,which honors the heroic death of swiss guards during the attack on the tuileries in the French revolution.  For a beautiful view of lucerne, the Alps, and the lake , ride the funicular to the Dietschiberg on the north side of the lake lucerne; cruise up mt. Pilatus on the cable way; or head to the rigi,a famous lookout point.

Lake Geneva

 

Lake geneva Europe's largest alpine lake,straddles the swiss/french border, and laps at the shores of some of Switzerland's most popular cities. The lake geneva b/w pretty snow-capped peaks at the points where the Rhone spills into lake geneva.

This French speaking "capital of peace" is the European seat of the united nations exudes a pleasing blend of french joie de vivre and swiss structure. Promenades, parks and gardens surround the lake, and the old town is a lovely spot to stroll among the historic buildings. The jet d'Eau a fountain in lake geneva shooting water 150 meters into the air, is a famous landmark. Cultural attraction include the opera house and grand theater which stage international act.

St.Moritz 

Mirrors like lakes, glaciers, jagged peaks, alpine forests, and oodles of sunshine make st.mortiz one of the world's top mountain destinations must have  on your list  of things to do in Switzerland. St.mortiz is a luxury alpine resort town in  Switzerland's Engadin valley. It has hosted the winter Olympics twice.

Sitting in an alpine valley 1,800 meters above sea level, the town is divided into two parts: st Moritz dorf sits on a sunny terrace overlooking the lake of st.mortiz. The other part of town lakeside st.mortiz Bad on the valley floor, is a health  resort with less expensive lodging. Winter sports fun at st.mortiz , skiing,snowboarding, bobsledding,tobogganing on the famous 1.2 kilometer long cresta run.

In the summer hiking,biking,and water sports abound. Glaciers skiing is also available in the summer. All spectacular mountain scenery, st. Mortiz is a cultural crossroad. Italian,German,Romansch,French,English are all spoken in the surrounding area. 

Bern

In a stunning location,perched on a peninsula of the river Aare, the swiss capital of Bern exudes  old world charm, and the city's medieval old town is a UNESCO world heritage site. Strolling along the cobbled streets, visitors can explore the tallest cathedral in Switzerland, with panoramic views from its tower; 16th century fountain ; the zytglogge medieval clock tower with moving puppets and six kilometers of shopping arcades, called  "lauben" by the locals. The rose garden offers beautiful views of the old town center.

Bern has many tourists attractions waiting to be discovered, including many excellent museums , Art lovers will appreciate the impressive art galleries, including the zentlum paul klee, the world's largest collection of work by this famous artist, and the Bern museum of art. Dont miss the market held in the Bundesplatz (parliament square) with views of the elegant Renaissance-style parliament building. Families will enjoy a visit to the Bear Park.

 lugano and Ticino 

Lake lugano lies on the swiss/Italian border in Ticino,Switzerland's only official Italian-speaking Canton, and offer a tantalizing taste of the Mediterranean. Lugano has nicknamed the "Monte carlo of Switzerland'' because of its growing popularity with celebrities. Home to plenty of museums and warmed by Mediterranean breezes, you might even thing when you're nearby Italy when you visit ,outside the city, impressive villas are sprinkled around the lush hillsides that rise from the lake side. 

Zurich 

Your bucket list is incomplete to places visit in Switzerland without Zurich. The largest swiss city, the social cultural hub of the country. In fact, despite its world-renowned financial offering. A great place to begin a walking tour is the cobbled street of the old town with its quaint  shops,cafes,and galleries. mile-long Bahnhofstrasse,one of the Europe's finest shopping strands, beckons with designer store selling fashion, watches and jewelry.

Venturing away from the boutiques visitors will find more than 50 museums and 100 art galleries, as well as many other tourist attractions. A top pick is the kunsthaus zurich, the museums of fine arts, with an impressive collection of art from the middle ages to the present day.Another favorite is the Rietberg Museum, focusing on non-European art with many work from india,china,and Africa.

A short stroll from Zurich's main station, the swiss national museum, in a Gothic chateau, spotlight swiss cultural history. Families will  love the Zurich zoo with an elephant park, penguin parade, and madagascar pavilion. From, the city, take a train ride to uetliberg mountain for panoramic view of the city and countryside.

The Rhine Falls

The beautiful breathtaking Rhine falls spanning 150 meters, the Rhine falls at schaffhausen are the largest falls in central Europe. The best time to visit in during June and july when the mountain snow melts,and the falls swell in volume to spill over a 21-meter-high ledge of Jurassic limestone.

Boat trip up the rhine provides excellent views of the falls,as do the viewing platforms on both sides of the river.

Chateau de chillon, Montreux

 On the shores of lake Geneva, near montreux, the chateau de chillon (chillon castle) has inspired artists and writers for centuries. Lord Byron,Jean jacques Rousseau, and victor hugo are among the luminaries who have written about this architectural treasure.

Once the stronghold of the counts and dukes of Savoy from the 12th century, the complex encompasses about 25 buildings clustered around three courtyards. Highlights include the great halls , with magnificent view of lake geneva; the Gothic underground rooms; the chapel,adorned with 14th century paintings and the camera Domini, a bedroom occupied by the Duke of Savoy decorated with medieval murals.

Swiss National Park

Founded in 1914,swiss national park in the Engadine valley is the oldest reserve in the Alps.

The park sits right on the border with Italy and encompasses more than 170 square kilometers of flower-dotted-hollows, fast-flowing rivers and limestone crags. The scenery is especially dramatic in winter, when the forested mountains are covered in blanket of snow and the views from the cross-country ski trails are  stunning.

Nature lovers can explore the region on the large network of trail, though veering off these paths is forbidden in an effort to preserve the natural ecosystem. More than 5,000 species of wildlife call the park home, including marmots,red deers, chamois,ibex,fox and more than 100 species of birds.

The Albula/Bernina Railway Line

One of the very few railway lines in the world designated as a UNESCO world cultural heritage  listing, the Albula/Bernina line on the Rheatian railways offers a majestic ride not to be missed.

 The route extends throughout the albulaand bernina landscapes, covering 122 kilometers and winding through almost 200 bridges, the Graubunden mountains,and a number of tunnels and viaducts along the way.

A ride on this train means panoramic seats that overlooks unspoiled mountains landscapes, including the piz bernina, the highest mountain in the eastern Alps at just over 4,000 meters tall.

The train operate all year long and the views are just magical in summer as they are in winters.

Oberhofen castle

Right on the shore of lake thun and surrounded by a 2.5 hectare park, this 13th century castle is one of the most breathtaking in Switzerland.

 Because Oberhofen castle changed hands many times through the centuries, and new owners kept adding rooms to it, the result is a magical mix of many styles; Bernese Baroque-style Building,Romantic style facades, and prussian-inspired exotic new areas.(including a library and a smoking room)

The castle also houses a living museum showcasing the times and lives of feudal societies that called the castle (and its surrounding) home from the 16th to the 19th centuries. 

Swiss Grand Canyon 

The Ruinaulta (also known as the "swiss grand Canyon" ) is a deep gorge surrounded by expansive meadows and forested cliffs. Located in eastern Switzerland, it was created over 10,000 years ago when the ice-age rhine glacier retreated, it led to a chain of events that resulted in massive rockslide in the rhine valley. As the rhine river seeped through the rock walls, the gorge was filled with waters.

Today the swiss grand Canyon is not only one of the most beautiful areas in Switzerland, but also a preferred destination for hikers, bird-watchers,nature lovers. Its possible to raft the Rapids here between may and October, or rent a Canoe or kayak for a gentler route with stunning views of the steep cliffs all around.