5 Reasons to Visit Switzerland | Must-Visit Places in Switzerland

Surrounded by France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, Switzerland offers visitors the Alps, crystal clear lakes, rolling valleys and medieval city quarters. Films like Sorrentino’s Youth and Assayas’ Clouds of Sils Maria capture the country’s raw natural beauty and stunning luxury hotels and spas. Switzerland is a must-visit travel destination in Europe.

Check Out 5 Reasons to Visit Switzerland

Hike the World’s Best Trails

With more than 40,400 miles / 65,000 kilometers of hiking trails, visitors can easily explore the country on foot. The hiking paths are well marked and they are as varied as the landscapes they navigate through. From alpine meadows to dense forests, hikers can spot unique wildlife, like the majestic golden eagle or the striking ibex, while enjoying some of the most beautiful terrain in the world.

On the new Alpine Cheese Trail, cheese lovers can discover and taste various cheeses and meet the cheesemakers in person. Located near Engelberg, one hour from Lucerne, this high valley region has catered Alpine dairies for generations. The main route is 25 mi / 40 km long, which visitors can do on foot or bike. Hikers can easily divide the trail into two or three stages thanks to the Alpine restaurants offering overnight stays.

Taste the Local Wine

Vineyards seem to be everywhere in the Vaud region, near Lake Geneva. According to the Lake Geneva Region Tourist Office, there are a wide range of grapes including Chasselas, which makes up about two‐thirds of the region’s wine production (68.4%) and thrives on its particular soil and climate. Then there is the Gamay grape which produces a very fruity wine (9.2%), not dissimilar to Beaujolais, from which it stems. The Pinot Noir is the Burgundian cousin of the Gamay and produces a full‐bodied yet delicate wine (10.7%). And, a small percentage of wine production in the area (11.7%) is devoted to specialities such as Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Riesling Sylvaner. Nearly all wine‐producing villages have their own cellars, which are generally open for tastings between April and October. Visitors can also get a close look at the vines and grapes themselves along a network of walking paths.

Ride on the Glacier Express

Trains are another reason to visit Switzerland. Dubbed as the world’s slowest express train, the Glacier Express takes travelers across the Alps within about eight hours, passing through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges. From Engadine to the Matterhorn, this journey features truly unforgettable scenery. The journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt delights the senses with scenic attractions and technical state-of-the-art achievements. The panoramic windows make for some truly spectacular unobstructed views.

From March 2019, the Glacier Express launched Excellence Class, its new premium railcar service. It offers comfortable lounge seating with a total of 20 seats and stunning views from its panorama windows. Every guest is guaranteed a window seat. The surcharge includes services like a personal travel guide, regional food and tablets for on-board entertainment.

Explore World-Class Museums

Visitors can choose from a wide variety of museums, galleries, performance venues and pop-up stages located throughout Switzerland. Ranging from historic to modern, Swiss museums offer an incredible range of exhibitions and permanent collections. From Lausanne’s Olympic Museum featuring the relationship between sports and art to Zürich’s Kunsthaus Museum featuring modern works of art from Picasso, Monet and Chagall, art enthusiasts are satisfied with Swizerland’s fine art institutions.

On October 5, 2019, the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts in Lausanne officially launched PLATEFORME 10, the new “arts district” next to the station. PLATEFORME 10 combines the mcb-a, Musée de l’Elysée (photography) and mudac (design and applied arts) museums, complemented by the Toms Pauli and Félix Vallotton foundations. Lausanne’s new cultural center is a lively space open to all. The layout and atmosphere of the district highlights the cultural character of the neighborhood, with a variety of shops and dining options.

Cycle Your Way to the Top

Switzerland is a paradise for cycling, and e-bikes are the perfect way to tackle more demanding routes and greater distances. With all cycling routes being open to e-bikes, this mode of transportation is here to stay. Switzerland even has a national cycling route that was created especially for e-bikes: the Herzroute, meaning the heart route. Be sure to check out the rules and safety tips available from Swiss authorities.

Zurich offers a guided e-bike city tour. The stylish EGO Movement e-bikes are a great way to explore the urban landscape. This mode of transport will easily get riders to a number of sites, including the Rigiblick funicular, the shores of Lake Zurich and more.