15 Main Sightseeings of Switzerland

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1. Chillon castle

Located in a fantastic location on the eastern side of Lake Geneva, framed by rocky mountains, Chillon Castle is one of Switzerland's main attractions. As if growing right out of the water, this medieval fortress and famous prison is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval architecture in Europe. Allow yourself to leisurely stroll through the Great Hall, the Hall of Justice, Arsenal, the chapel of St. George and other halls of the castle, revealing the history of this fort. You will have the opportunity to plunge into the authentic atmosphere of Bonivar Prison, as well as enjoy the magnificent scenery of the shores of Lake Geneva, on foot or on one of the cruise ships.


2. Protected area Jungfrau - Aletsch

An almost untouched territory, except the trails and several picturesque mountain huts, the Jungfrau-Aletsch region in the Swiss Alps is the largest glacial zone in Western Europe. Located between the cantons of Bern and Valais, this territory is a group of eternal mountain glaciers with an area of about 35,000 hectares. Here exactly is the longest Aletsch glacier in the Alps is located, stretching for 23 km. A trip here will be a real journey into the world of ice and rocks, steep peaks and alpine flora and fauna. Not surprisingly, the Jungfrau-Aletsch region has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations, with stunning opportunities for skiing and hiking, with breathtaking panoramic views and local specialties.


3. Lake Lugano

Located in the Italian-speaking part of southern Switzerland, the city of Lugano attracts tourists with its Italian atmosphere, with palm trees, picturesque boulevards and magnificent views of the Alps and Lake Lugano. With picturesque villages along the banks and surrounded by green mountains, Lake Lugano is an ideal place for relaxation and active tourism. Quite elongated, 36 km long and no more than 2 km wide, Lake Lugano is the only one in Switzerland through which a bridge is thrown.

If you like to hike (more lazy people can use the funicular), then you can climb Mount Monte San Salvatore to enjoy the best view of the lake and the surrounding area.


4. Matterhorn Peak

 Here, in the small village of Zermatt, that nature lovers begin their routes to the magnificent kingdom of the Swiss Alps! Over 400 km of hiking trails await you here, leading to magnificent landscapes with breathtaking views of the Alps. Here you will feel insignificant in comparison with the magnitude of the sky-cutting Matterhorn peak. And although this is not the highest mountain in Switzerland (4478 meters above sea level), it is definitely one of the most famous peaks, which has become a real challenge for many. In any case, your route starts from Zermatt - although a small one, but one of the most prestigious ski resorts in Europe.


5. Firwaldstett Lake (Lake Lucerne)

How about a boat cruise through the shimmering expanses of the lake, surrounded by a ring of sky-high mountains that seem even more magnificent due to the reflection in the water of their wooded slopes descending to the lake? Called the “heart of Switzerland” and the “Lake of the Four Cantons”, Lake Firwaldshetta or, as it is often called, Lake Lucerne attracts many tourists with its picturesque mountain slopes, the color carpet of the famous Rütli meadow, the healing springs of Kaltbad, chestnut and almond forests of Riga.


6. The Old Town of Bern

Located on a hill and surrounded on three sides by the Aare River, medieval Bern retained the charm of the past, with its sandstone squares, clock tower and numerous arcades framing the streets. Cobbled streets, babbling fountains, fabulous clocks and decorated arcades - all this reflects the concept of urban planning of the 11th and 12th centuries. If you are in Bern, do not miss Zytglogge - the clock tower. With its moving figures and a prison in the background of history, this is the main attraction of the city. Other attractions in Bern include Albert Einstein’s apartment, the cathedral (Münster) and Bear Pit, which has now been turned into a whole park on the side of the river, where you can admire Berne’s symbol - shaggy bears.


7. Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)

Built in 1333 and severely damaged by fire in 1993, the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne (Kapellbrücke) was rebuilt almost immediately to maintain the status of the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. A 204-meter bridge connects the two banks of the Reuss River, curving near the 43-meter stone tower, which used to be a prison and a treasury. Pay attention to the medieval murals under the triangular roof of the bridge. Do not confuse Kapellbrücke with the Spreuerbrücke bridge, not so famous, but no less impressive and authentic.


8. The Rhetian Railway

The railway tracks of Albula and Bernina pass through impressive landscapes, through dozens of tunnels, galleries, viaducts and bridges. Departing from the cities of Hur, St Moritz or Davos you will go on an exciting journey on the Bernina Express, driving past the Piz Bernina glaciers, to the highest Bernina Pass railway pass. In 2008, this route was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an outstanding example of an engineering miracle and a particularly environmentally friendly route, which made it possible to overcome the isolation of Alpine settlements through rail links.

On the way, even on an ordinary train, and not just on the panoramic “Bernin Express”, there will be comments in German and English about the route and the features of this route. If you are going from Hur to St. Moritz, take a seat on the right hand side: this is where the impressive viaduct between Thusis and Tiefencastel stations in the photo above will be.


9. Rhine Falls

You should not expect a waterfall similar to Niagara, but you will feel that this moment was worth it when you feel the spray of the waterfall on your skin, admiring a series of rainbows through a cloud of spray. Impressive in its latitude (150 m) and very modest in height (only 23 m), the Rhine Falls is considered the largest in Europe in terms of water volume and one of the main attractions of northern Switzerland. The best view of the Rhine Falls opens from the turret of the Schloss Laufen castle, from the observation deck overhanging directly above the waterfall. The best adventure would be a trip to the central cliff sticking out right in the middle of the waterfall!


10. Castles and fortifications of Bellinzona

In the cradle of the Ticino valley framed by the Alps, the majestic city of Bellinzona has settled down, whose history is reflected on the walls of a medieval architectural ensemble, which is under the protection of UNESCO. The three Bellinzona castles - Castelgrand, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro - and the city walls were established by the Dukes of Milan and were supposed to serve as protection against the troops of the Swiss Confederation during their aggressive campaign to seize the southern territories of the St. Gotthard Pass. An attempt to defend the territory was unsuccessful, and Bellinzona was subordinated to Switzerland for 3 centuries, until 1803, when the canton of Ticino became independent. Now the fortifications of the city have become Bellinzona's main attraction, also serving as an arena for numerous cultural events, including Rabadan (the February Carnival) and Piazza Blues.


11. Art Museum in Basel

With one of the largest collections in the world of the Holbein family and exhibits dating back to the 15th century, the Basel Kunstmuseum is a must-see for art lovers. Separately focusing on currents such as Cubism, German Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, he has earned worldwide recognition as one of the most representative museums of its kind.


12. The old city of Geneva

Geneva can be a world center of diplomacy and international cooperation, but it is finite, not without its special character. Follow the winding Rue St-Léger right into the picturesque La Vieille Ville, Geneva's Old Town, and immerse yourself in a medieval atmosphere. Sit on the world's longest wooden bench (126 m) on the Promenade de la Treille, admire the work of Pissarro, Cezanne, Renoir and Modigliani at the Musée d'Art and d'Histoire, find the house where Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born (40 Grand-Rue ) In any case, you will surely be fascinated by the undeniable charm of La Vieille Ville.


13. Abbey of St. Gall

In the center of the picturesque town of St. Gallen, located in eastern Switzerland, is located the Abbey of St. Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a valuable monument of monastery architecture of the Carolingian era. The Abbey Library, with its emblematic Baroque architecture and Rococo decor, contains one of the richest and most diverse medieval collections in the world. And the cathedral itself of St. Galla, in addition to its design and fancy jewelry, boasts one of the three oldest surviving bells in Europe. According to legend, the bell was brought by Gallus himself during his wanderings from Ireland in the 7th century.


14. Titlis

The mountain is located in the city of Endelberg, famous for the fact that in winter it offers ideal conditions for skiing. Here, the downhill tracks are prepared as efficiently as possible. In the highlands, skiers will not be bored either. They are offered activities such as snow tubing, snowshoeing, horse-drawn carriage rides. A highlight in the city of Endelberg are the World Cup ski jumping competitions, where they are held regularly. There is always snow on Mount Titlis, because the mountain rises 3,238 m above sea level.


15. The Dying Lion (Lucerne)

The monument was established in honor of the fallen soldiers of the palace guard - the guardsmen of Louis XVI. In 1792, the troops betrayed him and joined the siege of the Tuileries Palace. Only a few hundred Swiss guards remained to defend the ruler. They died at the hands of the rebels, not even defending themselves on the orders of the king - he did not want evil to his people. The bas-relief carved in the rock depicts a lion that has covered the coats of arms of France and Switzerland with its body.