Summer destinations: Cities

Discover Brig in sunny Valais. Stroll through the car-free old town, marvel at the Stockalper Castle and let yourself be pampered in the Brigerbad thermal baths. As a transport hub, Brig is ideal when it comes to excursions to the Aletsch region, the Matterhorn or the Saas Valley.

Geneva is international. The European headquarters of the UN or the ICRC are located here. The city on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) has a picturesque old town with many sights and beautiful parks. The fantastic mountain panorama around Geneva will amaze you.

In Zurich, find yourself marvelling at the historic buildings in the old town, strolling through the world-famous Bahnhofstrasse and enjoying Lake Zurich. Zurich offers you a mix like no other: a metropolis offering many sights meets water, nature and mountains. Simply spectacular!

Delémont – the capital of the canton of Jura will impress you. Stroll through the old town with its historic buildings and the five beautiful figurine fountains. Enjoy the view from the Vorbourg chapel and excursions into the picturesque Jura landscape.

Olten is located at the southern foot of the Jura on the river Aare. Due to its central location in the Swiss Mittelland, the small town is a popular venue for congresses and conferences. Likewise, the small town is known for the Swiss Writers' Trail and the old town.

Rapperswil-Jona is known as the “town of roses” on Lake Zurich. While walking through the charming old town, visiting the castle or strolling along the lakeside promenade, you’ll discover just what makes this town always well worth visiting.

Basel is full of contrasts. The historic old town meets modern architecture. A mix of tradition and innovation. Punctuated by culture and architecture. A city of culture and at the same time a thriving metropolis on the Rhine with a great quality of life and plenty to enjoy. Be inspired by these contrasts.

Palm trees and a fascinating world of flowers await you in Locarno. The location on Lake Maggiore with the surrounding mountains and valleys, the mild climate and festivals of film and music guarantee the perfect stay. This is the ideal place to soak up the sun and enjoy the Dolce Vita.

The small town of Baden is a cultural and spa town, wellness destination, conference venue, and shopping paradise all in one. Hardly any other place offers such a wide range of tourism and leisure activities as the city at the Limmat - a town of contrasts.

Winterthur is a treasure trove of art, history and nature. The medieval heart of the city is full of life no matter what the time of day. Shops, restaurants, markets and festivals bring the charming Old Town to life and provide a meeting place for locals, visitors and businesspeople alike. Being a city small enough to get around conveniently while also having a big-city atmosphere makes Winterthur a popular destination.

Solothurn is regarded as the finest Baroque town in Switzerland, where Italian grandeur is combined with French charm and German practicality. The so-called «ambassador’s town» is at the southern end of the Jura by the River Aare, about 30 km east of Biel/Bienne.

The wide embankments on Lake Geneva, the Olympic Museum, the widely diverse urban quarters and the parklands: Lausanne is full of joie de vivre. Alongside Notre Dame Cathedral, the metro is a key city landmark. Also, thanks to the hillside location, you can see the lake wherever you go.

In Bellinzona – probably the most Italian city in Switzerland – you’ll find a real mix of grandeur and coziness. This is where the St. Gotthard and San Bernardino alpine passes come together, and it is also an ideal starting point for excursions into the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Biel has many facets: you will find modern buildings on the lakeshore alongside historic buildings in the old town higher up. The centre of the watchmaking industry with the Cité du Temps will inspire you just as much as the winegrowing villages and the Taubenloch Gorge towards the Jura.

Even the residents of Zug never tire of looking at it: when the sun sets over the lake, the horizon lights up ruby-red and all eyes are drawn to the romantic kaleidoscope of colours on the water. But even this is rivalled by the historic old town, where you can stroll through the labyrinthine narrow streets, saunter along the lakeside, or watch the colourful comings and goings from one of the many pavement cafés.

Making a stop in Sion is well worthwhile: the oldest of Switzerland’s cities in the sunny Rhône Valley is characterised by its fortress hills and its old town. From here, you can explore the Valais region and sample specialities such as the famous Valais wines in the vineyards themselves.

The lake, the old town, the vineyards, the Jura: in Neuchâtel, French charm meets Mediterranean flair. Oases of nature and places steeped in history are situated close together here. The best thing you can do in and around Neuchâtel is to simply stroll around and enjoy.

Fribourg an der Saane is considered one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe. Marvel at the towers of the city fortifications, fountains and bridges, chapels and monasteries. The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas gazes down over it all. There are lakes, mountains and nature parks at every turn.

The Swiss capital is a total work of art. With its UNESCO-listed old town, cathedral, clock tower, fountains and numerous arcades, Bern is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities. Between all of the sights on offer, the city also offers you plenty of nature and a chance to refresh yourself on the River Aare.