Written by Tom Hooker
Whether it’s an iconic city or an entire country, there are dozens of travel destinations that make you feel like you’re traveling through time or walking in a scene from a science fiction book. From Europe or Africa to Asia and beyond, we’re on a mission to help you unveil these mysterious and fantastic places. In this week’s Fantastic Destination series, we’re exploring Switzerland.
The Swiss are known for a lot of great things—delicious chocolate, pungent cheeses, cutting-edge science, and of course, tennis great Roger Federer. But the country’s greatest gift may actually lie right within its borders. Let’s go over the most picturesque waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and cities that Switzerland has to offer.
#1. Lake Bachalpsee
Finding a beautiful lake in the middle of a mountain range is not difficult in Switzerland. But, although most are impressive, you’ll need to visit a few specific locations to see the truly special sites. A great example is Lake Bachalpsee, a lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains that lie at more than 7,200 feet above sea level. Easily accessible from Bern (more on this later!), it’s the perfect first hike to get you started for the rest of your trip, as the walk is just as impressive as the lake itself.
#2. Zurich
Founded more than 5,000 years ago, Zurich is one of Switzerland’s cultural, economic, and art capitals of the Swiss nation. A vibrant cosmopolitan destination, the city boasts one of the highest life quality ratings and countless attractions that include museums, local seasonal markets, impressive architecture, and other renowned locations like the Zürich Opera House.
#3. Mount Rigi
If you want to see many of Switzerland’s iconic landscapes in one single experience, then head to Mount Rigi. When visiting this imposing peak from the beautiful, small city of Lucerne, you can sail across the quaint lake with the same name, take a steep funicular, catch the best possible site of the Rigi cogwheel train, and get close and personal with the surrounding mountain peaks. And as if all that wasn’t enough, this is also a great place to avoid crowds as most travelers opt to skip this quiet town.
#4. Rhine Falls
Located about a half-hour drive from Zurich, the Rhine Falls are known as Europe’s most powerful waterfall. These falls are undoubtedly impressive, but the fact that they’re so easy to get to (which can’t be said about all Swiss attractions!) makes it more affordable than most other activities.
#5. Lake Brienz
Unlike Bachalpsee which is relatively small, Lake Brienz’s size makes it one of the most impressive places to visit in the Bernese region of Switzerland. The town of Brienz is located off the shores of this amazing body of water, and it features a long promenade that prominently displays the lake’s powder-blue hue and wood carvings crafted by local artists.
#6. Zermatt
Have you ever held a bar of Toblerone chocolate and noticed the mountain peak prominently displayed on its packaging? That’s the Matterhorn, and it’s a must-visit in Switzerland. Zermatt is a small town that’s coated with snow for a large part of the year, and it’s the perfect base while skiing or hiking the trails around the base of the Matterhorn.
#7. Harder Kulm
Out of the thousands of peaks you can visit in Switzerland, Harder Kulm may offer the best in terms of ease and awe. The mountain resort town of Interlaken, which is literally perched close to the top of the Harder Kulm, sits between lakes Thun and Brienz and gives you the best opportunity to spend hours hiking around this mountain.
#8. Bern
Bern is the capital of Switzerland, but it’s also one of the country’s cultural strongholds. The city’s iconic old town was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO, and it also gives travelers the chance to take day trips to Lake Bachalpsee and other attractions in the region.
#9. Schilthorn
At a height of more than 9,740 feet, the Schilthorn is among the tallest peaks in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. From here, you get a unique view of all the other imposing giants in the Bernese region, namely, the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Stunning natural scenes aside, there’s an interesting side to the Schilthorn as it served as a shooting site for a Bond movie, which has resulted in spy-themed tokens of remembrance scattered throughout the mountain.
#10. Geneva
Last but certainly not least: Geneva. A stunning city with the vibe of a large town overlooking a picturesque lake, Geneva is your quintessential Swiss destination where you can live the culture, food, and way of life of the locals. Plus, it’s also a gateway to the French Alps, so you can take day trips to visit charming towns like Annecy and enjoy traditional local cuisine on the other side of the border.
Whether you end up trekking through green hills to find astounding lakes, exploring some of the most innovative cities on the planet, or trying to get as close to the Matterhorn as possible, your trip through Switzerland will undoubtedly produce unforgettable memories. Our suggestion? Take advantage of your trip as much as possible, get a local to help you create an itinerary, and spend your free time putting together an album you can keep forever.
ALLMYNE is the ideal addition to your trip. Besides contacting certified local guides, you can also keep a digital journal with pictures and drawings that you can easily transform into a high-quality print album later on directly through the app. Take a piece of your trip with you with ALLMYNE.
