Switzerland - most interesting places to visit
Switzerland is any tourist's dream - beautiful landscapes, amazing food products (best chocolate and cheese in the world), three different languages & cultures combined with Swiss efficiency. What an adventure and delight! We'll introduce you here to the most interesting cities to visit in Switzerland as well as best Swiss things to see and explore!
Zurich
Zürich is Switzerland's most populous city and has a reputation for being the intellectual and cultural capital of the nation. It's most famous burst of creativity came in 1916 when the Dada art movement emerged from the Cabaret Voltaire - strangely enough at exactly the same time those playful dudes Lenin and Trotsky were also in residence. Zurich is an absolutely charming, interesting, and beautiful place to visit. Its wealth of history, architecture and culture leaves you longing for another vacation!
The city is situated some 400m above sea level, straddling the Limmat River as it leaves the northern end of Lake Zürich. The pedestrian streets of the old town contain most of the major sights, including winding alleyways, 16th- and 17th-century houses, guildhalls and courtyards, and rather a lot of fountains (1030 if you're taking notes).
The elegant Bahnhofstrasse was built on the site of the city walls, which were torn down 150 years ago. Bahnhofstrasse is also the financial center of Switzerland and home to numerous banks and the Swiss Stockexchange. For the clock-watchers, the 13th-century tower of St Peter's Church has the largest clock face in Europe. The Fraumünster Church nearby is noted for the distinctive stained-glass windows in the choir, which were created by Marc Chagall in 1970 at the ripe old age of 83. The Museum of Fine Arts has a large permanent collection ranging from 15th-century religious art to the 'modern' art of Monet, Manet and Man Ray.
Walking is most enjoyable within the old town and the Bahnhofstrasse that are only 10 minutes apart from each other and in the heart of the city. Other pleasant pathways are along the shores of Lake Zürich, passing by picnic, sunbathing and swimming spots. A dense net of tramways and buses provide you with a comfortable ride to any destination within city limits and run until midnight.
Accommodation can be a problem during the summer months, so book ahead if possible. Nightlife is centered on the streets around Niederdorfstrasse and Langstrasse, offering lots of restaurants, bars and night-clubs.
Lucerne
Lucerne is ideally situated in the historic and scenic heart of what many believe to be the 'true' Switzerland - picture mountains, lakes, cowbells, alpine villages and meadows full of edelweiss. The charming town straddles the Reuss River on the western edge of Lake Lucerne and makes an excellent base for excursions.
On the north bank of the Reuss, the picturesque old-town centre offers 15th-century buildings with painted facades, towers, a 17th-century Renaissance town hall and a couple of postcard-perfect covered bridges. North-east of the city centre is the poignant Lion Monument, which was carved out of natural rock in 1820 and is dedicated to the Swiss soldiers who died in the French Revolution. Next to it is the fascinating Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden) where giant glacial potholes prove that 20 million years ago Lucerne was a subtropical palm beach.
The Transport Museum contains trains, planes and automobiles and includes the Swissorama, a 20-minute, 360° film that whizzes you around the sights of Switzerland as if you were travelling by air, sea, road and foot. If you need some fresh air and exercise to work off all those yummy chocolates you've been scoffing, pedalboats, row boats and kayaks can be hired on the Reuss River and on Lake Lucerne. If you need some fresh vegies to combat the calories, there are oh-so-picturesque fruit and vegetable markets along the river quays.
Basel
Basel, a city canton with nearly 200,000 people and 2000 years of history, is located at the elbow of the Rhine on the borders of France and Germany. It is the centre of the pharmaceutical industry and the site of major trade fairs - the oldest of which, the Autumn Fair, has been held annually since 1471.
Basel, famed as a centre of the humanist movement, was for many years the home of Erasmus of Rotterdam, who is buried in its cathedral. Many scholars have lived and taught here after him. The town has the oldest university in Switzerland (1460), some 30 museums, the country's first musical theatre, a town theatre of international renown, and countless small theatres. Roughly 1000 concerts take place here every year. Basel is known for its music and jazz festivals with top-class performers and its choice live music clubs. There is no shortage of bars, dance halls and discotheques to suit every taste and big events take place regularly.
The multicultural Kleinbasel on the right bank of the Rhine is the home of the alternative cultural scene. The town centre, around the Marktplatz, is located on the left side of the river. Visitors can enjoy a stroll through the well-preserved Old Town with its original shops and elegant boutiques, or make excursions into the neigbouring regions of Germany and France (Black Forest and Alsace) or the rural areas of Basel-Country.
Cyclists will feel at home in this bike-friendly town, and can explore the region on the Three-Countries Cycle Route. And are you familiar with the fact that in Basel the sun shines more often than in most other places in Switzerland? Culinary pleasures are also guaranteed. Nowhere in Europe is the concentration of "starred" restaurants as high as in the Three-Countries Region.
Basel offers additional value: Those guests staying in one of our city hotels receive the mobility ticket with which you enjoy free rides on public transport.
On walks and rides through Basel you can discover the town's many attractions and places of interest, such as the Old Town with its picturesque streets and historic buildings, the Cathedral and several other churches of historical interest, the Roman Town Augusta Raurica in Augst near Basel, the oldest Roman colony on the Rhine, the Town Hall, still today the seat of the cantonal government and parliament, the old city gates - Spalentor, St. Johanns-Tor and St.-Alban-Tor, which were part of the former fortifications, the Jewish Basel (with the only Jewish museum of Switzerland, the synagogue and a Jewish cemetery), the historic St. Alban-Tal quarter, the University of Basel, the oldest academy in Switzerland, the Zoological Garden with its extensive vivarium, more than 30 museums or the Rhine Port with the Three-Countries Corner (Switzerland - Germany - France).
The Goetheanum in Dornach near Basel was the first monumental organically sculptured building in reinforced concrete. Events are being organized there on a regular basis.
Bern
Bern is the capital of Switzerland, a European medieval city founded in 1191, on the River Aare. Bern has quite a few attractions and historic sites, as well as an active cultural life. It is here that Albert Einstein worked, the Toblerone chocolate bar is made, and Emmental cheese, known as Swiss Cheese, reached out to the world.
The city of Bern was built with local sandstone in Gothic style with gables, bay windows, and more arcades than any of the city in Europe. Bern claims Switzerland's highest Gothic cathedral, the Münster-Cathedral, and the Heiliggeist-Kirche, a prime example of 18th century Protestant church architecture. Throughout the city are towers, arcades, and lots of old fountains. The Münster-Terrasse, a square in front of the Cathedral, has been a famous meeting place over the centuries.
The fantastic Clock Tower has puppets that pop out before the hour and perform a little skit. The Museum of Fine Arts exhibits the largest collection in the world of Paul Klee's paintings. The Swiss Alpine Museum displays a history of the Swiss Alps. Bern has many small theatres.
The River City Tour takes visitors on a boat tour down the River Aare past major sites and under the sandstone bridges. A day trip to Gurten, a mountain next to city offers a wonderful panorama of Bern and the Alps.
Geneva
Geneva is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, situated between the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) and Mount Salève. Home to the world's tallest fountain, the Jet d'Eau, cathedrals, art galleries and the headquarters of many international organizations, the city is definitely worth a visit. The river Rhône bisects Geneva with the main train station in the North and the old part of the town in the South. The Île Rousseau is a good starting point for a scenic walk around the city. Pass by Rousseau's birthplace on the Grand-Rue in the medieval city on your way to the Place de Bourg-de-Four, Geneva's oldest square, once a Roman forum. Take the Rue de la Fontaine to the shores of the lake and marvel at the Jet d'Eau's 140m plume. The St. Pierre Cathedral, composed of Gothic and Romanesque influences, is the cathedral where John Calvin preached in the Reformation. Climb the tower and take in the spectacular panorama of the entire city and lake. Relax in one of the many beautiful parks or gardens that skirt the lake shore.
With over 130 hotels, from small family pensions to 5-star palaces, totalizing about 15'000 beds, Geneva can receive the most demanding visitors, due to its exceptional quality of infrastructure. Indeed every season one of the famous hotels is honored in the international clubs.
The area of the Geneva district is small : 282 km2 . It is a piece of enclosed land encircled by France. It lies south of the Department of the Ain, and north of the Department of the Haute-Savoie. The frontier is 107.5 km long of which 103 is with France and only 4.5 with the Swiss Confederation. The border with Switzerland is made up of a small area of land linking Geneva to the Canton of Vaud on the right bank of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). Two little enclaves of Celigny in the Canton of Vaud belong to Geneva. Part of Lake Geneva is under the jurisdiction of the Geneva District and it represents 38 km2. It is called the « Little lake ».
Geneva is located between the Alps and the Jura mountains, at the extreme south-west of Switzerland and the Lake Geneva. The Rhône and the Arve are the main rivers crossing Geneva. The elevation of the City is 373 meters. It is the central cross-roads of Western Europe. Geneva holds a privileged geographical position and it is only one hour far from Paris or Milan by plane and less than two hours from London, Rome or Madrid. Geneva is only 30 minutes from Lausanne or Annecy by taking the highway and a little more than an hour from Bern, Lyon or Chamonix. Geneva used to be the most heavily populated of the Swiss towns until 1870. Nowadays the towns of Zurich has a bigger population and in a most recent population count (1995) Geneva now outnumbers Basel by a few thousands and is well ahead from Bern and Lausanne. The City of Geneva today claims around 176.000 residents. As for the Canton of Geneva, it is very close to 400.000 residents. In Switzerland, Geneva comes first with the number of foreign people within its population : around 40% representing nearly 80 nationalities.
Arts and Entertainment
Geneva is a town of Arts and Culture. Its numerous museums and libraries, the Opera, the Orchestra of the Suisse romande have largely contributed, among others, to its development. For nearly twenty years they have been new cultural centres which have been created from old uninhabited buildings, some of which are now preserved as monuments, like the Halles de l'Ile, l'Usine, la Maison des Arts du Grütli. Check out the Horology Museum which highlights the importance of clock and watch making to the Genevan economy or the Natural History Museum, both of which are free. Head to one of Geneva's spectacular rose gardens - Park La Grange, Promenade Gustave-Ador or the Park des Franchises - and contemplate and breathe in the incredible aroma.
International Organizations
Geneva has always been a friendly city and is very international. This is confirmed by the presence on its soil of 17 international organizations, around 150 non-governmental organizations (NGO's) and 140 permanent missions to the United Nations and over 400 international companies. The European home of the United Nations is located at the Palais des Nations and the Museum of the League of Nations and the Rockerfeller Library are just next to it. Geneva is also the founding city and home to the International Red Cros.
Jet d'eau (Water Fountain)
In 1885, a company located at the end of the lake used to pump and distribute water under pressure to provide the craftsmen's machines in former times. At night-fall the need was decreasing and in order to diminish the pressure inside the canalization, a little hole existed at the extremity of this pumping factory installed at La Coulouvrenière resulting in a water fountain of a few meters. In 1891, the City of Geneva decided to install the Jet d'eau (Water Fountain) where it is today, on the Rade, together with electric lighting. But it is only since 1930 that it was permanently lit. To project half a cubic meter of water per second up to 140 meters high requires two powerful groups of motor pumps representing a global weight of over 16 tons and a total power of close to 1000 kilowatts, fed by an electric tension of 2400 volts. The water is drawn in a circular water-sump and is directed towards an exit pipe where the speed reaches 200 km/h (130 miles per hour).
Environment - Parks
The word « urban district » is often used to call Geneva. However you only have to fly over the City to notice that it has very close links with the surrounding country-side and this gives it the privileged position of having less pollution of any city in Europe. The City of Geneva is therefore deservedly called the city of parks.Geneva has an area of 330 hectares of parks of which the following are the most famous : La Grange, Les Eaux-Vives or Mon-Repos.
Lausanne
Lausanne is a truly elegant city, not far from Geneva, on Lake Geneva. Its hillside setting on the lake facing the Alps is truly spectacular. Its old quarter, La Cité, has an impressive medieval cathedral. Lausanne is a university city with a vibrant student population. The Swiss Hotel School is located here, as well as the International Olympic Committee headquarters, which has a fascinating Museum on the Olympics with all kinds of exhibits and a library of Olympic videos. Musée de l'Art Brut has an unusual but fascinating exhibit of art by untrained artists including imprisoned criminals, mental patients, and eccentrics.
Lausanne is a very green city with many parks and gardens. Its southern exposure on the Lake gives it a wonderful climate for all kinds of vegetation. Ouchy is the city's marina, which is beautiful and has excellent restaurants and fantastic yachts. The best beach is Vidy, where bikes and skates can be rented to explore the walkways along the Lake. In the summer, Lausanne holds many outdoor festivals, street performances, and street parties, and the pedestrian-only shopping areas are excellent.
Lausanne is a great starting point for a family vacation in Switzerland. From here, high speed trains depart almost hourly to Paris and Milan, and it is a major junction for numerous train lines through Switzerland. Because of this, Lausanne makes a great base for trips into the Bernese Oberland and Valais by train. Large luggage can be stored in the lockers at the train station while you take short trips with smaller bags, and on your way back through you can simply exchange for clean clothing.
There are many wonderful excursions and tours of the Lake Geneva area, by boat, train and cable car. Ride up to the surrounding peaks of the Alps where revolving restaurants have spectacular vistas. Take a boat to the charming medieval stone town of Gruyère, famous for its cheese, or the resort of Montreux on the lake, nicknamed the "Swiss Riviera" because of its warm climate with palm trees and other tropical vegetation along the lake and in the parks.
Lugano
Lugano is the most important town in Southern Switzerland. It is surrounded by a the meandering Lake Lugano and boasting an almost Mediterranean micro climate. It is also the third financial place in Switzerland and a holiday destination since the end of 1800s. Along the lake you see lots of Venetian-type villages, showing of the closeness of its neighbor Italy. Words and pictures cannot describe its beauty.
Highlights are a Ride up to Mount San Salvatore on a funicolare (cog-wheel incline train) for a 360-degree view of Lugano and the surrounding areas. Stroll along the lake promenade with its beautiful gardens and water fountains. Take a boat tour of the lake while listening to big-band" hits playing on the loud speaker interrupted occasionally for a recorded mini-tour of the small Venetian-type villages.
Lugano has two directions: up and down. The train station sits high above the city with the lake promonade below. Between them are winding cobblestone streets, large piazzas and great shopping areas. The only transportation you need are your feet. There is a cog-wheel tram that will take you between the train station and the lower city for a very small fee (approximately 90 cents), but you will miss some very interesting views. Most of the surrounding villages on Lake Lugano can be reached by car, train or bus. Probably the most picturesque village is Gandria and a visit is highly recommendable. You can take a boat from Lugano.
Source: Magic Switzerland.com