Cities

Basel panorama at dusk

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Intro

Their compact size means that Swiss cities embody quality of life and urban flair. You’ll find well-preserved historical centres, modern architectural masterpieces and a vast number of green spaces – all within easy reach.

Cities

Winterthur

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.

Learn more about: Winterthur

Geneva

Geneva is Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan city. Here is where the United Nations European headquarters and the Red Cross are based. The city on Lake Geneva is also the cradle of watchmaking and home to many chocolatiers. Geneva has many sights, including the Jet d’Eau fountain, the flower clock L’horloge fleurie, the old town with the St. Pierre Cathedral and the Place du Bourg-de-Four.

Learn more about: Geneva

Basel

Home to 40 museums, the city of culture for connoisseurs has the highest concentration of museums in the country. Basel also has a beautiful Old Town, modern architecture, and the Rhine – an inviting spot to rest a while.

Learn more about: Basel

St. Gallen

The compact metropolis of eastern Switzerland between Lake Constance and Appenzellerland has a charming, traffic-free old town. Colourfully-painted oriel windows are a town feature. The Abbey precinct with the cathedral and Abbey Library has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Learn more about: St. Gallen

Lucerne

Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, sited on Lake Lucerne, is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama. Thanks to its attractions, its attractive shopping offer, the beautiful lakeside setting and the nearby excursion mountains of the Rigi, Pilatus and Stanserhorn, the town is a destination for many travel groups and individuals on their journey through central Switzerland.

Learn more about: Lucerne

Zurich

The city by the water combines urban living with nature. Zurich is abuzz with activity day and night with its countless events, many museums and diverse gastronomic scene, as well as Switzerland’s most vibrant nightlife. And if you’re after rest and relaxation, you can be in the Swiss mountains in less than an hour.

Learn more about: Zurich

Lausanne

Lausanne, the second-largest city on Lake Geneva, combines a dynamic commercial town with the locality of a holiday resort. The capital of the canton of Vaud is also a lively university and convention town. Sports and culture are given a high profile in the Olympic capital.

Learn more about: Lausanne

Lugano

Lugano, the largest town in the holiday region of Ticino, is not only Switzerland's third most important financial centre and a conference, banking and business centre, but also a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, combined with the cachet of a small town.

Learn more about: Lugano

Bern

Not many cities have managed to retain their historic features quite as successfully as Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The old town of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thanks to its 6 kilometres of arcades - the locals refer to them as 'Lauben' - boasts on of the longest weather-sheltered shopping promenades in Europe.

Learn more about: Bern