Welcome to Switzerland!
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About Switzerland
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country at the confluence of Western, Central and Southern Europe It is a federal republic composed of 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Bern. Switzerland is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. It is geographically divided among the Swiss Plateau, the Alps and the Jura, spanning a total area of 41,285 km2 (15,940 sq mi) and land area of 39,997 km2 (15,443 sq mi). Although the Alps occupy the greater part of the territory, the Swiss population of approximately 8.5 million is concentrated mostly on the plateau, where the largest cities and economic centres are, among them Zürich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne. These cities are home to several offices of international organisations such as the WTO, the WHO, the ILO, the seat of the International Olympic Committee, the headquarters of FIFA, the UN‘s second-largest office, as well as the main building of the Bank for International Settlements. The main international airports of Switzerland are also located in these cities.
The cuisine of Switzerland is multifaceted. While some dishes such as fondue, raclette, or rösti are omnipresent throughout the country, each region developed its own gastronomy according to the differences of climate and languages. Traditional Swiss cuisine uses ingredients similar to those in other European countries, as well as unique dairy products and cheeses such as Gruyère or Emmental, produced in the valleys of Gruyères and Emmental. The number of fine-dining establishments is high, particularly in western Switzerland.
Chocolate has been made in Switzerland since the 18th century but it gained its reputation at the end of the 19th century with the invention of modern techniques such as conching and tempering which enabled its production on a high-quality level. Also, a breakthrough was the invention of solid milk chocolate in 1875 by Daniel Peter. The Swiss are the world’s largest consumers of chocolate. (Wikipedia: Switzerland)
A special thank you to Wes Anderson from iDrone Aerials for a special take on all things Switzerland. If you want to be inspired to live your best life ever, follow him! Every time we see this video we smile. Be sure to see his other work and subscribe by clicking the link below the video. Click Visit Switzerland for the Official Travel Site.
Country Planning Guide
Map of Switzerland
Regions of Switzerland
- Zurich Region~ historic center of the town, strolling narrow and winding alleys, many street cafés
- Bern Region~ quiet rivers with, many farmhouses, busy market stalls fill squares, and pubs and restaurants
- Graubünden ~ valleys and high mountains. Rivers throughout, German, Romansh, and Italian language and heritage in a single canton
- Valais ~ diverse landscape, mountains with majestic four-thousand-meter-high peaks and incredible glacier, along the Rhone – many vineyards
- Lucerne Region~ people of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden formed an alliance at the Rütli. in Central Switzerland, 1871, Europe’s first cog railroad up to Rigi
- Geneva ~ the immense lake, boat rides, café on a terraces in the Old Town,
- Lake Geneva Region (Vaud)~Canton Vaud, situated in the Lake Geneva Region, extends from the Jura Mountains up to the fascinating Vaudoise Alps along many beautiful lakes
- Ticino ~The Italian influence on Switzerland, clean beaches, piazzas and many churches
- Eastern Switzerland/Lichtenstein ~Lake Constance to the Alpine landscapes of Toggenburg, the Heidiland holiday region, and the Glarnerlan, Vaduz castle
- Basel Region~Cultural Capital of Switzerland, University City historical
- Aargau~The four contrasting regions of Aargau, Bern Aargau, the Frick Valley, Baden and Freiamt, Rural areas, urban centers and cultural highlightsd and romantic natural beauty, relaxing wellness
- Jura & Three-Lakes Region~ great variety of landscapes, history and rich architectural heritage known for its watch-making industry
- Fribourg Region~ cold, mountainous summits and Mediterranean-like lakesides in the north, two languages coexist, the Pre-Alps, the city of Fribourg and the Three-Lakes Region
Geography Now
For a hilarious yet informative few minutes on Switzerland, check out Geography Now. Paul Barbato & friends will enlighten you on geography, history, people, and other interesting facts. Click HERE to see their other videos as Geography Now works through the alphabet of countries.
Also, click Visit Switzerland below for the country’s official travel site.
What to Know Before You Go
Check out the content in each slider to help you prepare for your trip to Switzerland! We will share with you information on the best time to go, culture, language & currency. We also give suggestions on transportation and cost-saving ideas. Learn more about the culture and food so you are ready for the best trip ever!
*Be sure to click on the slider to stop and read, and click again to move forward or the button at the top right.
For hiking and summer holidays, July through September is perfect. For winter sports or simply enjoying the snow, January to mid March is best. If you are well prepared, you'll have a wonderful trip regardless of the time of year. Summer and Winter may be more crowded, so September and October are great times to visit.
Switzerland lies at the crossroads of several major European cultures. Three of the continent's major languages, German, French and Italian, are national languages of Switzerland, along with Romansh, spoken by a small minority. Therefore, Swiss culture is characterized by diversity, which is reflected in a wide range of traditional customs. The 26 cantons (regions) also account for the large cultural diversity.
The Alps have played an essential role in shaping the history and culture of Switzerland. The mountain areas of Switzerland have a strong skiing and mountaineering culture and are associated with folk arts such as yodeling. Other Swiss cultural icons include Swiss chocolate, Swiss cheese, watches, cowbells, banking, and the Swiss Army knives.
Even though there are many hair pin turns through the alps, driving is very easy to navigate, so don't shy away from renting a car. Train travel is also very accessible through much of Switzerland. Be sure to check out that as an option so you can sit back and relax while viewing the incredible scenery. If you are considering travel through the alps into Italy, we highly suggest the Bernina Express. This is a glass top train traveling past some of the most charming cities with breath taking views. It is also a fun idea to jump on a ski lift or gondola while visiting mountain top areas.
It is true that Switzerland can be an expensive country to visit, but planning ahead and looking at options including train travel can make it quite affordable. This site is dedicated to finding the best value so you can get a lot more out of your trip.
There are so many natural landmarks that make it hard to mention them all in one place. The numerous green lakes, like Lake Geneva and Lake Lucerne are glass like. The mountain resorts with skiing opportunities in winter and hiking opportunities in summer give miles of awe inspiring views. The famous Matterhorn is one of the most photographed and sought after mountains in the world. The alps provide an array of activities.
There are many regional dishes in Switzerland. One example is Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, thin strips of veal with mushrooms in a cream sauce typically served with rösti. Italian cuisine is popular in contemporary Switzerland, particularly pasta and pizza. Foods often associated with Switzerland include particular types of cheese and milk chocolate. Fondue is one of the most well known dishes of Switzerland. Another popular dish with chees is called Raclette (cheese and potatoes).
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc. Each franc is divided into 100 rappen. When you’re buying currency for Switzerland, look out for the currency code CHF. And once you’re in Switzerland, you’ll see the symbol CHF used to show prices.You’ll find Swiss banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 1000. There are also 1, 2 and 5 franc coins. Tipping is not required in Switzerland. Service fees are always included in your final bill when visiting a cafe or restaurant. This means that, regardless of tips, your server is earning a living wage. That said, it is very common in Switzerland to leave a small tip for good service. It’s considered a nice gesture if you’ve been happy with your meal.
The electrical outlets used in Switzerland are type J. You will therefore need a US to type J adapter in order to plug in your appliances. Type J Adapter Please be aware that whilst a travel adapter will allow you to physically plug a US plug into a different outlet it will not change the voltage or frequency of the supply.
Top Destinations
Get Inspired - Podcasts, Blogs & Video
Top 10 Switzerland
Ryan Shirley always manages to bring life to these amazing places. He takes you to the most awe-inspiring sites. Be sure to check out his website and YouTube Channel. by clicking Explore More, to see his other fantastic videos.
The Travellng Swiss
Top Tourist Mistakes
We LOVE the Traveling Swiss! Lex and Louis, from the US and Switzerland (respectively) have numerous helpful videos on their Youtube channel. It is worth your time as you begin planning your trip to Switzerland to check out their helpful hints and in depth knowledge. It is like getting tips from a local.
Aplins in the Alps!
Know Before You Go!
Wow! You are going to love this couple. They find Switzerland is their happy place and after watching a few of their videos, you will see why! This video will give you the top 17 tips before coming to Switzerland. Be sure to check out their blog www.aplinsinthealps.com & their Youtube channel by clicking below.
Swiss Train Pass
You will see the Alpins on many of these pages. They offer many helpful videos on all things Switzerland. Watch this video before you go to determine whether it is worth purchasing a Swiss Train Pass. Click the link below for their helpful blog post.
Amateur Traveler
Switzerland Itinerary
Hear about travel to Switzerland as the Amateur Traveler talks to Zack Best about this beautiful country where he has studied and worked.
Get Inspired - Swiss Recipes!
Holiday to Switzerland
Podcast
Raclette, Rösti and Other Swiss Specialties
Carolyn Schonafinger has a helpful podcast that takes the listener on a journey across Switzerland. She interviews locals that are passionate about the area. Check out the link to access the podcast and learn and get details on this episode.
Switzerland Travel Film by VM Video Production
