Parks, Gardens and Squares

Morcote was once opon a time the largest harbor at Lake Lugano and an important reloading point for goods for the Milanese dukes during the Middle Ages. Today the charming Ticinese village with the richly decorated facades and the Scherrer Park is a popular destination for excursions.

Mitten in der Stadt Bern befindet sich der Botanische Garten der Universität Bern. 5500 Pflanzenarten laden auf eine botanische Reise rund um den Globus ein: von den heissen Tropen, den zentralasiatischen Steppen über das würzig duftende Mittelmeergebiet oder die schattigen Wälder Ostasiens bis in die kühle Alpenluft.

The Strandboden area is located right by Lake Biel. Here is where locals take time out from their busy lives to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and splendid views.

The stately trees and broad promenade are picture perfect at any time of the year. All three of the parks in Rheinfelden are popular spots for snapping photos as they are located directly on the Rhine and offer a wonderful view of the old town.

Villa Negroni is one of Ticino’s most important villas. One of the reasons is the valuable expansive garden surrounding the villa. There is a clear division into two contrasting elements: an Italian flower garden and an English-style park.

In this green oasis in the centre of Fribourg, the Jean Tinguely fountain is particularly striking. It was created by the contemporary Fribourg artist in memory of his friend and racing driver Jo Siffert.

Golfing at the oldest golf club in Switzerland - Home of Swiss Golf since 1893!

The Jura "Chemins du Bio" are circular walks from farm to farm, including meals and sometimes accommodation with farming families: memorable encounters with local people in their working and living environment.

The hiking routes around the resort of Zermatt – site of Switzerland’s most famous mountain, the Matterhorn – offer you breathtaking panoramic vistas, lush flowering meadows and fragrant larch forests.

In the centre of Biel, the watchmaking capital of Switzerland, the newly redesigned Schüssinsel Park (Île de la Suze) offers a perfect place to relax. Over 600 trees and various water landscapes create a green oasis.

The 70,000 m2 Rieterpark is Zurich's largest and most impressive landscaped garden and is set in the district of Zurich Enge near Lake Zurich.

Ittingen Charterhouse, a former Carthusian monastery with more than 850 years of history, is one of the most important cultural sites in the region.

Parc de Mon Repos, a true haven of peace and relaxation in the heart of the city of Lausanne, is an ideal place to play, go on walks, meditate, and simply watch the world go by. The country house built in the centre of the park in the 18th century was regularly visited by Voltaire, who also staged several theatrical performances here.

The Rose Garden is a mecca for flower lovers and a great place to unwind. It features a restaurant in a prime location and a wonderful view of Bern.

There is a popular hiking trail along the Jura mountain route from Passwang – the summit and viewpoint are 1,204 metres above sea level. Take this hiking route from Laufen, where Ricola has its head office.

The production of Absinthe – also called “Green Fairy” was prohibited for over 90 years. Since 2005 the mythical liquor, which is based on the distillation of various plants and herbs, can again be legally consumed.

Rapperswil earns the name "Rose City" due to the over 20,000 roses blooming from May to October in the rose gardens near the Capuchin monastery and on the "Schanz."

Der Alpengarten Flore-Alpe im Champex-Lac im Unterwallis ist ein zauberhafter Ort in einer wunderschönen alpinen Umgebung.

The Ermitage in Arlesheim can look back on a colourful history spanning more than 200 years. It is the largest landscaped English garden in Switzerland. Ponds, caves, winding paths and idyllic nature enchant walkers and transport them to a mystical world full of secrets.

The Villa Boveri, built 1895 - 1897, was the Baden residence of the family of Walter Boveri, co-founder of Brown Boveri & Cie. Both house and park are a veritable treasure and are under monument protection.

With its magical view of Mont-Blanc across the lake, Perle du Lac Park is the ideal place for relaxing moments spent by the lakeside. It’s no wonder that the wife of Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf called this place the “pearl of the lake”.

Seit 1931 beherbergt die Sukkulenten-Sammlung in Zürich eine der weltweit grössten und bedeutendsten Spezialsammlungen sukkulenter Pflanzen.

Switzerland’s capital, Bern, is the stuff of dreams for cycling enthusiasts. Whether riding an e-bike or a conventional bicycle, this is the place for all cyclists.

The botanical garden Alpinum Schatzalp is privately run through the Berghotel Schatzalp. The Alpinum is at an average altitude of over 1800 meters and covers a total area of approx. 5 hectares. Numerous different habitats merge into one another and form the most diverse Locations for plant collections such as edelweiss, gentian, bluebells and much more.

With its charming French gardens and English park with sculptures by Richard Serra – both of which can be enjoyed on Sundays – Villa Wenkenhof is Basel’s answer to Versailles in miniature.

The 26 fountains of the Parliament Square’s water display represent the 26 cantons of Switzerland. Sometimes in rhythm, sometimes randomly, the water sprays up to seven metres into the air. This image is quite amazing in many regards. Such a sight would be practically unthinkable in front of other seats of government.

Irchelpark is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy being surrounded by nature. Trees and bushes shield this relaxing retreat from the streets surrounding it. It’s not uncommon to cross paths with students of the University of Zurich’s Irchel Campus here. The institution’s buildings are set in an enchanting location in the upper part of the park.

In a relaxed atmosphere, far from the stress of everyday life, you have the opportunity to play golf. The 9-hole course of Vulpera with alpine game enjoyment on the edge of the national park offers a challenge for all levels and requires good tactics and precise play.

A detour to the Messeplatz exhibition space in Basel is always worthwhile - even when there’s no large-scale exhibition taking place. The spacious area at the heart of what’s known as Kleinbasel - little Basel, is surrounded by some mind-boggling architecture: The 105 sky-meter-high Morger & Degelo tower - and the new Herzog & de Meuron construction with its “window to the heavens.”

The park around the Grand Casino Baden is home to ancient trees and constitutes a green oasis in the centre of town.

The stunning Camellia Park in Locarno has more than 850 different camellia varieties, with a flowering period of nine months. A little slice of paradise not only for those who love camellias, but for all those looking for a bit of peace and quiet in the heart of the city.

Von der Seerose bis zum Edelweiss gedeihen im Botanischen Garten der Universität Freiburg fast 5’000 Pflanzenarten.

In the place where the machine factory, Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon (MFO), once stood, an architecturally fascinating park hall bears witness to the past usage of the site. Particularly in summer, the facility is frequently used for various cultural events, such as open-air movie theatres or festivals of all kinds.

The expansive Elfenau Park is one of the jewels of the City of Bern. It offers plenty of activities to delight young and old alike: whether that’s strolling through the historic park, swimming in the Aare river, watching the kingfishers by the river’s edge, attending a concert in the orangery or simply enjoying an afternoon in the park’s own café.

Situated in Europe’s most beautiful mountain valley, the Engadin, Pontresina is a summer and winter holiday resort popular with mountain climbers, hikers, families and winter sports fans.