Switzerland is the Alps in their purest form, a country of snow-capped peaks, impossibly green valleys, crystal-clear lakes, and chocolate-box villages where the cowbells really do echo across the meadows in summer and the trains really do run exactly on time. The Matterhorn, the Jungfrau, the Eiger, these are names that resonate far beyond the borders of this small, landlocked nation of 8.8 million people, and the landscapes they dominate are among the most beautiful on the continent. Switzerland is famously expensive, famously efficient, and famously neutral (it has not been at war with a foreign power since 1815). But it is also surprisingly diverse, four official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh), 26 cantons each with their own character and traditions, cities that are among the most liveable in the world (Zürich, Geneva, Bern), and a relationship with the outdoors that is less a leisure activity than a national identity. The Swiss do not merely visit the mountains, they live in them, hike them, ski them, and in the case of the Swiss Guard, protect the Pope with their lives from them.

Quick Facts: Switzerland Travel Guide

• Best time to visit Switzerland: Year-round; June–September for hiking, the alpine meadows in full flower, and the best weather; December–March for skiing and the magical Christmas markets (Montreux on Lake Geneva is particularly beautiful); April–May and October for fewer crowds, lower prices, and, if you are lucky, spectacular weather (the shoulder seasons can produce the most beautiful days of the year); the Swiss Alps are spectacular under snow in winter even if you don’t ski, the Jungfrau Railway to the Top of Europe and the Glacier Express remain magical year-round
• Top attractions in Switzerland: The Matterhorn, Zermatt and the view of the most recognisable mountain in the world (Zermatt is car-free, reach it by train from Täsch); the Jungfrau Railway, Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454 metres, with views of the Aletsch Glacier (the largest glacier in the Alps, a UNESCO World heritage site); the Glacier Express, the “slowest express train in the world,” an 8-hour journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alps. Read our Swiss Alps guide →; Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), the Lavaux vineyard terraces (UNESCO) and the medieval Château de Chillon; the Lauterbrunnen Valley, 72 waterfalls cascading from sheer cliff walls, the valley that inspired Tolkien’s Rivendell; Lucerne, the Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument, and the view across the lake to Mount Pilatus; and the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, palm trees, lakeside promenades, and a Mediterranean atmosphere on the southern side of the Alps
• How to get to Switzerland: Zürich Airport (ZRH) and Geneva Airport (GVA) are the main intercontinental hubs; Switzerland is at the centre of Europe and well-connected by train from Paris (~4h to Geneva), Milan (~3h to Zürich), Munich (~4h), and Vienna (~8h); the Swiss Travel System (trains, buses, boats) is one of the most efficient and scenic public transport networks on Earth, a Swiss Travel Pass (consecutive or flexible days) covers unlimited travel and museum entries
• Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF), Switzerland is not in the Eurozone. Everything is expensive. A coffee: CHF 4–6 (€4–6); a main course in a mid-range restaurant: CHF 25–40 (€25–40); a train ticket from Zürich to Zermatt: CHF 100+ (€100+). Budget at least CHF 150–200 (€150–200) per person per day for mid-range travel. The Swiss Travel Pass helps significantly
• Language: German, French, Italian, and Romansh are the four national languages. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and cities, but the linguistic region you are in matters, a shop in Geneva speaks French, a restaurant in Zürich speaks Swiss German, and the menu in Lugano is in Italian
• Best for: Hikers (the Swiss Alpine trail network exceeds 65,000 kilometres, one of the best-marked and most spectacular in the world), skiers, rail enthusiasts, romantics, and anyone willing to pay a premium for one of the most beautiful and well-organised countries on Earth

http://www.WatchMojo.com presents… A handy travel guide for anyone visiting the mountainous European country of Switzerland. Video Rating: 4 / 5

What’s your Switzerland, hiking the Eiger trail, riding the Glacier Express, skiing Zermatt, or watching the sunset over Lake Geneva? Share your Swiss moments in the comments! 🇨🇭

Explore all our Europe travel guides, discover the best of the continent.

Explore More

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

• Travel Guide to Barcelona – Uncategorized
• Top 5 Travel Attractions, Iceland – Travel Guide – Uncategorized
• Istanbul Travel Guide – Uncategorized