Top 10 cities in Switzerland: the most beautiful!

Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. The cities of Switzerland are probably not the best of a country, where the valleys, the mountains and the lakes are the protagonists. However, Switzerland also has very interesting cities aside from its natural treasures. Besides, anyone would stay and live in them! In this post we tell you the 10 best cities in Switzerland so that you fall in love with the most urban side of the country.

Also Read: The 15 most beautiful countries in Europe

To plan your visit more easily, you can use this map, where all 10 best cities in Switzerland.

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Best Cities In Switzerland: The Most Beautiful!

Table of Contents

Best Cities In Switzerland: The Most Beautiful!

Bern, the beautiful Swiss capital

The country’s capital could not be missing from this list of the best cities in Switzerland. And we think it should be in first position! It is evident that, despite being the capital, there are other much more touristic cities such as Geneva or Zurich. However, we believe that Bern is the most picturesque and beautiful of all.

The Swiss capital has many treasures to offer visitors. Starting with its beautiful medieval old town, built on the Aare river. Strolling through its streets is like teleporting back to the 12th century. Everything is super well preserved! Of the buildings, the beautiful clock tower of Bern stands out. Is beautiful! It dates back to the 13th century and is a piece of history in the heart of Switzerland.

Also do not forget to climb the tower of the gothic cathedral of San Vicente. From the top you will have a beautiful view of Bern and the Bernese Oberland! Also, did you know that Einstein lived in Bern ? Today you can visit his house, where there is a small museum.

And finally, you can’t miss a sunset from Rosengarten. If the day is clear, you will see that it is pure magic. Undoubtedly, Bern is one of the best cities in Switzerland.

Zurich, one of the best cities in Switzerland to live

Grossmunster — Unbeatable views from Grossmünster

Many people dream of being able to live in Switzerland. And Zurich is always at the top of the cities with the best quality of life in the world. It is the financial capital of Switzerland, where major companies have their headquarters.

However, at a tourist level it also has many attractions. Especially museums! In fact, it houses more than 50 museums and 100 art galleries. In fact, the financial capital of Switzerland has always been associated with art. As a curiosity, Dadaism was born in the Cabaret Voltaire , a place in the historic center of Zurich.

But if Zurich stands out for something, it is for its luxurious shops. We recommend you stroll along Bahnhofstrasse , the city’s main shopping artery. There you will see a lot of luxury stores, ideal for fashion lovers, but not for all budgets. It is a very expensive city! But that does not mean that it is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland.

Although something you can do for free in the city is to walk along the shores of its beautiful lake. As a curiosity, due to its proximity to Germany , German is mainly spoken in Zurich.

Zermatt

Zermatt could not be missing from this list of the best cities in Switzerland. It is a tourist center located at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most iconic mountain in the country. If you have ever eaten Toblerone, it will surely ring a bell.

It is an idyllic place, especially for those who love outdoor activities. Do not miss the beautiful 5 Lakes Route or the train excursion to Gornergrat , one of the most impressive viewpoints in Switzerland.

Lucerne

Lucerne is one of the most charming cities in Switzerland. It is not as famous as Zurich or Geneva, but we believe that it cannot be missed on your route through Switzerland. Why? For many reasons! Starting with the Kapellbrücke , the oldest covered wooden bridge in the world. Is beautiful!

In addition, the city has a very well preserved old town. You cannot leave the city without discovering the remains of the old towers and walls that protected it. From there you will have incredible views of the city.

But speaking of Lucerne and views, you must escape to Mount Pilatus. From above you will have an unbeatable view of Lucerne, its lake and the Swiss mountains. Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland.

Geneva, one of the best cities in Switzerland

It is probably the most famous city in Switzerland. It is a global city, very close to the border with France , and part of its fame is due to the fact that it houses the headquarters of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations. In fact, Geneva is the city that hosts the largest number of international organizations in the world.

Geneva, like many other Swiss cities, is also located on the shore of a lake. In this case, inside Lake Leman you can witness the famous Jet d’Eau , a giant water jet that shoots water more than 140 meters high. Almost nothing!

However, the most interesting thing about Geneva is its old town. He is small but very cute. It is full of cobbled streets with restaurants, old buildings and many restaurants where you can eat fondue. We recommend you go up to the Cathedral of San Pedro to see the city from above.

Interlaken, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland

But if you are looking for tranquility and outdoor activities, there are few cities in Switzerland as interesting as Interlaken. As its name indicates, this city is located between two lakes, the Thun and the Brienz. The latter, with beautiful crystal clear waters.

Near Interlaken you can visit a lot of places that will make you fall in love with the landscapes of Switzerland. If you don’t want to go too far from the city, you can climb the Harder Kulm , Interlaken’s quintessential viewpoint.

But the city and its surroundings offer much more! Visit Schynige Plate to marvel at the views of the lakes and mountains. Also, the train ride to the top is beautiful.

From Interlaken you can’t miss Grindewald, Lauterbrunnen and the beautiful valleys that will remind you of Heidi. And above all, the essential excursion to Jungfraujoch , the train ride to the highest station in Europe.

Without a doubt, Interlaken is one of the best cities in Switzerland. Perhaps the city offers little more than casinos, hotels and restaurants, but its surroundings are magical.

Basel

In the north of the country, next to the border with Germany , you can visit the city of Basel. For a change, it is also located on the shore of a lake! The city is synonymous with art. It is recognized as the artistic capital of Switzerland , with more than 40 world-class museums. Among them, the Kunstmuseum or the Natural History Museum , although there is a lot of variety. It even has the oldest university in the country!

Don’t forget to visit the Pharmacy Museum either. It is curious to know that Basel is one of the main world centers of the pharmaceutical industry.

Also, if you like to party, we recommend you to visit Basel during the carnival. This city hosts the largest carnival celebration in Switzerland. It is in February and lasts for three days, full of colorful parades, good food and many shows.

Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland

There are few cities as interesting as Chur in the Swiss country. And none that old! Dating back more than 5,000 years, Chur is the oldest city in Switzerland. Its pedestrianized historic center is a treasure for any tourist. It has beautiful religious buildings such as the Church of San Martín or the Cathedral of Santa María de la Asunción.

But what makes it even more special is that it is surrounded by mountains. The stage is unbeatable! Do not forget to take the cable car to the top of Brambrüesch to enjoy incredible views of the city, mountains and its valleys. It is a perfect place to get lost and relax.

Freiburg, one of the best cities in Switzerland

In almost any route through Switzerland, it is difficult to include Freiburg with the great amount of landscapes and beautiful cities that there are in Switzerland. But it is also very worth it! This medieval city has a lot of charm, especially its picturesque old town. The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas is its main emblem, although it also has other treasures such as the Abbey of Hauterive. or the Baroque Chapel of Loreto.

In addition, Freiburg is also known for its great student atmosphere. It is a reference university city in Switzerland, so it is a good destination for your Erasmus. but this medieval city has many historical and medieval attractions waiting to be discovered.

Lugano

And finally, to finish this post about the best cities in Switzerland , we could not forget to mention Lugano. It is the most touristic city in the Italian-speaking part of the Swiss country. In fact, the truth is that it looks like a city in Italy ! It is located right on the border with the transalpine country. It is very picturesque, as it is located on the shores of Lake Lugano and surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Lugano is a stylish destination, with many boutiques and restaurants. However, apart from the lake, the most interesting thing is to climb one of the mountains that surround it to enjoy the views. The most famous and accessible is Monte San Salvatore, although there are others whose views will also take your breath away.