Switzerland is a place where the snow-clad mountains touch the skies, the lakes are crystal clear reflecting the splendor of the alpine towns and cities are culturally, historically and technologically bang on. Switzerland has a wide range of experiences that no matter what call to you, serene nature, epic outdoor experiences or rich background cultures, Switzerland can be hard to top.

Through the well-known mountain resorts to the scenic lakeside villages, here are the five best places to visit in Switzerland that allows us to enjoy the best of Switzerland.

Zermatt and the Matterhorn (Switzerland): The Icon of the Swiss Alps

Zermatt is perhaps the most picturesque alpine village in Switzerland and sits at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn, one of the most photographed mountains in the world. The Matterhorn, with its sharkish pinnacle towering 4,478 meters above sea level has always evoked fascination among mountaineers, skiers and travelers.

What Makes Zermatt Special

Zermatt is completely free of cars, producing a refreshing sense of peace one can hardly get in the air. One comes by train, and the last part of the journey is the cogwheel line that runs up to Täsch in the alpine village; the only transport is horse-carriages and electric taxis.

The Gornergrat Bahn (Europe’s highest open-air cogwheel railway) boasts stunning views of the Matterhorn & adjacent mountains like the Monte Rosa massif and glaciers of the Gorner Glacier. In winter, the resort turns into one of the top ski resorts in Europe with more than 360km of pistes, and in the summer it offers an excellent network of trails to hikers.

Don’t Miss

Klein Matterhorn: Visit the Glacier Paradise stop, Europe highest cable car station, after a ride in the cable car to Klein Matterhorn at 3,883 meters.

Matterhorn Museum: Get a feel of the Zermatt mountaineering history and the sad a tragic story of the first ascent of Matterhorn of 1865.

Five Lakes Walk: The beautiful walk on which one can get the best reflections of Matterhorn on clear alpine lakes.

Lucerne (Switzerland): The Fairy tale City

Lucerne is the embodiment of Swiss charm, a city in which medieval architecture is combined with lakeside tranquility and mountains. Lucerne is a cultural as well as a natural gem, located in the center of Switzerland, on the banks of Lake Lucerne, formed by the impressive Swiss Alps.

Why Visit Lucerne (Switzerland)

The Old Town (Altstadt), with its narrow-cobbled lanes, fresco-ed houses and covered bridges, is probably the most beautiful in the country. The most well-known of these is the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), constructed in the 14th century and painted with historical paintings which chronicle the history of the city.

Lucerne, too, opens the way to mountain excursion. Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi are located just outside the city, extremely accessible by cable cars or cogwheel trains, but with unrivaled views over the Alps and Lake Lucerne.

Don’t Miss

Lake Lucerne Cruise: Cruise across the crystal-clear waters past overwhelming and picturesque alpine views.

Lion Monument: Lion Monument is a very emotional sculpture in honor of the Swiss Guards that were killed during the French Revolution.

Richard Wagner Museum: The memorabilia and history of music are captured in an interesting collection of Wagner who used to live in this house.

Interlaken: The Adventure Capital of Switzerland

Interlaken attracts daredevils and outdoor enthusiasts between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz at the base of the glorious peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Being the heart of the Bernese Oberland, it provides an ideal home base to venture out and experience some of Switzerland most famous sceneries.

Where Adventure Meets Beauty

Interlaken has almost anything in the way of adventure sports: paragliding, canyoning, white-water rafting, skydiving, bungee jumping, etc. However, in addition to the adrenaline-seeker endeavors, there is also a lot of natural beauty, and hiking potential in the region.

The main feature is Jungfraujoch -Top of Europe, the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 meters above sea level. A ride on the Jungfrau Railway takes one inside the Eiger and leads into a world of alpine snow and glaciers.

Don’t Miss

Harder Kulm: This beautiful mountain peak can be reached within a couple of minutes on a funicular tram. You will have bird-view over Interlaken with all of its lakes and mountains.

Schynige Platte: A picturesque ride by cogwheel train, and into one of the loveliest alp gardens in Switzerland.

Lake Brienz and Lake Thun Cruises: It is simply relaxing boat trips with Alps background.

Geneva: Switzerland’s International Heartbeat

The cosmopolitan city of Geneva lies on the western end of Switzerland between the French border and the crescent of Lake Geneva. Geneva, considered to be diplomatic and luxurious with a sophisticated lifestyle, hosts over 20 international organizations, one of them being the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

A Blend of Global and Local

Geneva is not a mere political capital- it is a cultural, historic and elegant city. Geneva is home to the most recognizable list of sights, the Jet d’Eau, one of the most significant fountains in the globe, which climbs into the air 140 meters by shooting the jet of the water out of the surface of the lake.

Explore the Old Town of Geneva, the cobblestone and historical architecture of which retells the history of the Protestant Reformation. History enthusiasts should not miss the St. Pierre Cathedral and the Reformation Wall.

In the arts and science, Geneva has the Patek Philippe Museum, dedicated to the art of watchmaking and the CERN, which is the largest particle physics laboratory in the world.

Don’t Miss

Boat tour of Lake Geneva: Providing view of Mont Blanc on good days.

Carouge District: Geneva’s design shopping, art gallery and Mediterranean corner district.

Parc des Bastions: A Retreat from it all with Chess boards, fountain and the famous Reformation Wall.

Bern: The Historic Capital of Switzerland

Bern, the Swiss capital, is one of the most underestimated cities in the country and a well-kept secret. The center of the Swiss capital is positioned on a peninsula hemmed in by the winding river Aare and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it will give you the insight of the medieval soul of Switzerland.

Where Time Stands Still

The Zytglogge is a 13th century astronomical clock tower, which still chimes every hour with animated figures and a masterwork of medieval architecture. Six kilometers of arcades, called Lauben, becomes the longest covered shopping promenade in Europe, and is ideal to look around local boutiques, rain permitting.

Bern is also associated with Albert Einstein who lived here in the time that he discovered the theory of relativity. The Einstein House and the Einstein Museum give an insight into his life and work.

Political relevance aside, Bern remains a laid-back city with green parks, bustling markets and the beautiful Rose Garden that flanks to the rooftops and spires of the cathedrals.

Don’t Miss

Aare River Swimming: Community event in the summer months when the people float on the cool, fast moving river.

Federal Palace: The seat of government in Switzerland and there are free guided tours.

Rosengarten: With breath-taking views over the old town and nature with hundreds of rose varieties in flower.

Final Reflections: A Land of Many Layers

Switzerland is not a geographical location, but an emotion. The sense of entering a landscape painting, of inhaling the mountain air so fresh as to be pharmaceutical, of experiencing four languages in a 24-hour period and of trains moving with clockwork precision through jaw-dropping scenery.

These five destinations, Zermatt, Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva and Bern, comprise the best of Switzerland in the same sense, each with a different flavor. Be it climbing the snow-clad mountains, watching the setting sun on the banks of the lake, time traveling, or indulging in the melt-in-your-mouth Swiss chocolate along with the comforts of lakeside cafes, you walk away with memories carved in your heart.

Therefore, bring a bit of wonderment on your trip, and maybe even a decent pair of hiking shoes and allow Switzerland to do what it does best leaving you astonished.