10.SION
The city of Sion is not very common, so many people may not have heard of it. It is the capital of the very touristy Canton of Valais.
As soon as you enter this city, you will understand how busy and crowded it is. Silence is far from this city. However, people here are seen smiling and happy. The city gives off a very Italian vibe, and there’s a touch of French as well. The environment here is also very beautiful. The city of Sion is very unique. During the warm months, it’s quite lively. Here, many people perform various kinds of dance and songs, sit in cafes, and eat and drink. Don’t forget to visit the hilltop castle in sion. They are considered the landmark of the old town and look very beautiful during day and night.
If you have a reasonable budget, you can explore Sion. And not only Sion; I will now highlight the essence of other cities that I think are worth visiting in Switzerland. Many prefer villages, while others prefer cities. Those who don’t like villages at all can visit the cities mentioned in this article according to their budget, and those who like villages can read my top places articles.
9.BASEL
We will now learn about a city in the northwest of Switzerland that is very cultural. The city of Basel has a touch of modernity and preserves its traditions. I thought that the most beautiful parts of Basel were Barfüsserplatz or Münster Square, but then I figured out that Basel’s beauty is found in the many alleys. Thus, really take your time exploring this area. There are great shops to visit for tourism; I highly recommend eating something from here. Otherwise, they sell everything here. On the other side, you will see many beautiful houses near the river.
My favorite point is Spalentor, Basel’s old doors and monuments. There is a beautifully painted city hall with red accents, which is great to see and follows their tradition.
Basel is very modern and Switzerland’s main hub for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. There are many attractions here, including Münsterplatz, Barfüsserplatz, and Petersplatz. The most beautiful Christmas market in Switzerland is located in Basel.
8.LUGANO
Lugano is a place where you get a vibe of both Switzerland and Italy. Lugano is located in southern Switzerland. It is the 19th largest city in Switzerland. The city is mainly famous for Lake Lugano. It can be said that it is one of the most visited places in Switzerland. You can enjoy the view of the lake after going to the top of the hill. Summer is the best time to visit and enjoy Lugano city and Lake Lugano. There is an opportunity to explore the lake by ferry or small boats.
This is the train station in Lugano; you can see the touch of Italian architecture in it. In many places, the Italian tradition is subtly integrated. An interesting thing about Switzerland is that you can experience three types of culture: French, German, and Italian.
In Lugano, you will find many stone-built houses. Unlike most places in Switzerland, where houses are often made of wood, in Lugano you will see many houses made of stone. That makes the difference.
There is another famous place called the Olive Garden Trail, where you can find many olive trees and olives are cultivated. This is also one of their local traditions.
I think that is the main attraction of Lugano. One thing I suggest is that if you visit Lugano, you should definitely take a boat trip on Lake Lugano. I hope you will enjoy it!
7.Neuchâtel
I am now presenting the city of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. It is known for its unique charm, beautiful architecture, and picturesque surroundings.
In the city center, many people walk to enjoy the surrounding views. Everyone continues to promenade. There is a suspension bridge here from which you can enjoy a great view of the lake.
Its a great weather and lake with a very strong focus shine. From this place, you can see the mountains, cities, and lakes of Switzerland. Isn’t that interesting? That is the Jura, which starts here and extends into France. After seeing their architecture, you might think you are in France, but you are still in Switzerland.
There is a luxurious hotel in Neuchâtel named the Beau-Rivage Hotel.
The local architecture is heavily influenced by France. The city is full of wonderful streets and alleys, as well as amazing graffiti. The graffiti here can be considered another kind of masterpiece.
In there, you can visit many castles, and I would suggest you do so. Here, you can climb to the top of any castle and enjoy a beautiful view of the lake. There are many forts to visit here. Part of the cantonal administration is located inside the castle where the rest accissible as a museum. However that one can only visited on guide tours.
So that’s the main reason to visit Neuchâtel, and you can do it on a moderate budget.
6.burn
Burn is the only one that was awarded with UNESCO world heritage status.
The old city is very unique with these many arcades, clock towers and fountains. Burns’ major points of interest are the Federal Square with the parliament called Bundeshaus and the Swiss National Bank. Then the Zytglogge Tower with the painting of Adam and Eve being exiled from paradise, the Berengraben, a pit with bears, the House of Einstein, the City Theatre, and the Minister.
During summer, also consider going for a swim in the Aare River. It’s an amazing feeling and far better than swimming pools. I also recommend going for a swim in the Aare River if you come to Bern.
Burn is also interesting when it comes about their culture. The local specialty is Rösti, which is one of the major original Swiss dishes and is available in different varieties. A very important cultural event to witness in the second half of November is the onion market called Zibelemärit. It takes place on a Monday morning starting from 6 a.m. It’s beautifully decorated and also has some elements of carnival. Then, during the Christmas season, there is the market called Starnemärt. It’s basically a street food festival in a Christmassy atmosphere, with the lighting and many stars making it really beautiful.
5.schaffhausen
All the way up in the north of Switzerland lies this humble, often underrated city of Schaffhausen.
Schaffhausen is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Switzerland. Schaffhausen’s old city has been perfectly preserved up to this day, as it remains fully intact. Because of that, you will need at least 2 hours to explore it. However, I would recommend planning for half a day, as there are numerous cafes, restaurants, and attractions. The city charms with many shops, vibrant life, painted houses, and its numerous oriel windows. Because of the latter, Schaffhausen likes to describe itself as the Stadt der Erker, the city of oriel windows. The nicest alleys are at Vordergasse, especially during Christmas, and then at the lower city, the Unterstadt. There is also a beautiful art deco shop where you can see artists still hand-painting porcelain and tiles.
Interesting places to visit are the Münster, a typical Swiss Protestant church; the Abbey of Allerheiligen; the Museum; the Schifflände with its train bridge; and, of course, the landmark fortress called Munot.
The Munot is one of the major tourist attractions of Schaffhausen and also serves as a center of culture. There is a yearly salsa party that is really worth attending, and also the Munot Ball with the traditional dance called the Quadrille!
Things to do around the city of Schaffhausen include a visit to the old city of Stein am Rhein and Europe’s tallest river waterfall, the Rhine Falls.
So, that’s all about Schaffhausen.
4.zurich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and also a busy city in Switzerland and the world.
All the illegal and stolen money from Swiss people and those coming here from abroad is kept here. By the way, it is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. One thing is, when you drive here, you will find that parking is very difficult, but parking is very cheap. You just have to find your parking spot yourself. On the other hand, Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. An interesting thing is that with one ticket, you can use all forms of transport, and it is valid everywhere. So let’s talk about the attractions. In Zurich, the famous place to visit is Lake Zurich. The view is incredibly beautiful and mesmerizing. You can see almost 1500 lakes in Switzerland, but Lake Zurich is amazing. Here you will see many ducks on the banks of the lake. Ducks can be seen not only here but also on most of the lakes in Switzerland. You can explore Lake Zurich with small boats and trawlers for rent. Just as you saw a world-famous watch in Geneva, there is also a watch here called the Zurich clock.
All home restaurants are decorated with flowers, not just here but in restaurants,houses all over Switzerland. There is a town hall here. This is Zurich’s town hall.
All major concerts, cultural programs, meetings etc are held here. Zurich is famous for another reason: it is known as the city of Einstein because he studied here at the University of Zurich. Another thing is that Zurich’s public water supply, i.e. drinking water, is probably better than all the good brands of water in the world.
3.fribourge
Fribourg is quite a unique city as it is built on a hill, similarly to Bern.
However, the town extends down to groove around the river Sarine. Start your exploration on the hill through the large alleys and then go for a quick visit to St. Nicholas Cathedral. This is a very beautiful Gothic church, considered the landmark of the city.
Definitely, I recommend you to ascend the cathedral’s tower. It’s quite a number of steps! However, once you arrive up there, you will be able to enjoy a brilliant vista over the old city. My favorite spot is down in the canyon, as you will get a very pretty view up to the majestic houses that proudly overlook the lower part of the city.
At this point, and especially after wandering around, you will notice how many similarities this city actually shares with Luxembourg. Head up to the Lorette Chapel on the hill, just facing the city. In my opinion, from there you will get the best vista over the old city of Fribourg. Try out the funicular to ascend back to the city center on the hill. By the way, it is very fascinating that it is operated with pressure from used water. This has been the case since 1889. That’s actually very sustainable! Since you are in Fribourg, you also need to know that you are in one of the most culinary regions of Switzerland. Try out their fondue à la moitié-moitié, meringues, or berries with Gruyère double cream. That’s just delicious.
2.solothurn
Solothurn is a small town in Switzerland. Almost 70% of this picture-perfect city is surrounded by the Alps.
Almost 70% of this picture-perfect city is surrounded by the Alps. Beauty like a picture, this place is not only a tourist center but also exemplifies law and order, civility and politeness, politics, peace, education, and communication. This nation has achieved a status of excellence. In the northwest of this country is the eleventh wonder of the world; its name is Solothurn. Solothurn can be reached by train from Zurich, Geneva, or Bern in Switzerland. Upon entering the city, tourists first stop because the eleventh mystery of the city begins with the clock in Solothurn’s town square. The clock in the main center of the city has 11 numbers. As a result, it is one number less than a twelve-hour clock. That is, this clock does not strike twelve o’clock at any time.
The city has around 11 museums, churches, and fountains, among other attractions—11 in total across the city. Isn’t that interesting? It is known that a German citizen named Elf came to this city in the early eleventh century. He is considered the founder of the city and was loved by the locals. The Elf’s leading role in the city won everyone’s hearts, and that’s why 11 symbols were created to match his name. No matter what folklore or history says, the number 11 is associated with Solothurn. In 1215, 11 people were elected as councilors in the city. Again, in 1481, Solothurn was added to the Swiss Confederation as the 11th member, and at that time, 11 men were appointed as defenders of the city.
Then, at the beginning of the 15th century, the Church of Saint Arsu was built. It had 11 doors, 11 windows, 11 rows, 11 hours, and 11 types of stone used.
So, where does the number 11 fit in? It makes a strong impression on the minds of the townspeople, who consider it a defining characteristic.
Although the explanation of Solothurn is theoretical, it reflects the true identity of the place. If you visit this place, I would recommend the following places to see: St. Gallen, Bellinzona, Lausanne, and Zug. I would also recommend you to visiting all the patterns created by the number 11.
Imagine if any of you could celebrate your 11th wedding anniversary or 11th birthday in this city! How would that be?
1.luzern
Luzern is one of the most beautiful city in Switzerland.
I know many of you might not be surprised to see Luzern ranking first, but for me, it is a top priority. It holds a very special place in my heart. The lake, the River Reuss, the many houses along the promenade, and the beautiful wooden bridge called Kapellbrücke—all of these elements come together to create a stunning scene. Luzern is fantastic any time of the year, but it is especially delightful in the summer or on a snowy winter day!
Some major things to do in Luzern include walking on the Kapellbrücke; also, be sure to pay attention to the many pictures beneath the roof.
Visit the Lion Monument, which is one of the most poignant rock sculptures you might find worldwide. Walk along the promenade, hike around the city wall, or visit the Gletschergarten Museum, where you can learn about glaciers and historical battles in Switzerland. The highlight of the museum is the Hall of Mirrors in the basement, called Alhambra.
Regarding culture, Luzern has a lot to offer! A major highlight is the light festival called Lilu, held annually in late January. The city is illuminated with various light shows, including inside the Jesuit Church. The most famous event is the Carnival, which locals claim is the best in all of Switzerland. It starts with an early morning wake-up call called Tagwach, initiated by a big bell at 5:00 a.m., followed by a beautiful confetti rain at Kapellplatz. In the following days, numerous parades and festivities take place.
If you haven’t had enough of this beautiful city, consider taking a cruise on the lake to explore nearby villages, or head up to Mount Pilatus for a stunning vista. Indeed, Switzerland is full of wonderful cities.