Grand Tour Highlights

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.

The entire Upper Engadine region lies at your feet when you are perched on the hiking mountain high above the Inn River Valley. The breathtaking views of the four lakes and the world-famous resort town of St. Moritz extend far beyond the mountain ranges into the distant horizon.

The old beech forests in Valle di Lodano in Vallemaggia are an enormous forest reservation set amidst a fascinating landscape with numerous natural elements and testimony of past human activities.

The Monte Brè funicular takes you from Lugano to an altitude of 933 meters. From the summit you can see Lake Lugano, the Valais and Bernese Alps and the Monte Rosa massif. The railway has been running since 1908.

Gstaad offers a mix of glamour, cosy charm and fun. Be enchanted by the chalet village with its car-free promenade and many shops. From Gstaad you can explore the idyllic side valleys and the mountains around the Sanetsch and Pillon Passes.

The Abbey of Saint Maurice in Valais was built 1500 years ago as a place to honor martyrs. The pilgrimage destination was once the spiritual center of the Burgundy Empire and today houses one of the richest ecclesiastical treasures in Europe.

The Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen is the most famous nature destination in Switzerland. Huge masses of water plunge down the rocks. You can experience the spectacle from Laufen Castle, from viewing platforms or on a boat trip.

Its summit offers up magnificent views and those inclined to scratch about on it will be left with the impression that marine fauna and other large animals once lived here.

The fortifications of Bellinzona are an extraordinary example of a late-medieval defensive structure located at a key strategic point on the Alpine pass. The castles of Bellinzona are among the most marvelous examples of medieval fortified architecture in the Alps.

Let yourself be enchanted by the charming town of Murten. Discover the old town with its picturesque alleys and arcades. Enjoy the view of the town and lake from the fortified wall. Enjoy a stroll along the lakeside promenade to the harbour, where your Lake Murten tour begins.

Discover the most visited historical monument in Switzerland: Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva. Immerse yourself in 1000 years of history, explore medieval dungeons and enjoy the magnificent view of the lake and the mountains.

Everything is nature-oriented in the Swiss National Park in the Engadine. All this can be enjoyed in an area of over 170 square kilometers. Thanks to 100 kilometers of hiking paths, nature trails and excursion destinations for children and families; everyone can have a good time. The Swiss National Park, founded in 1914, is the oldest in the Alps.

Explore the terraced vineyards of Lavaux. Of the six Vaudois wine regions, the UNESCO "Lavaux" region (between Lausanne and Montreux) is undoubtedly the most spectacular.

The Bündner Herrschaft, located in the northernmost corner of Graubünden, is the gateway to the canton. Its excellent Blauburgunder wines made the region famous as a winegrowing region. The fairly small vacation region has at its center the town of Maienfeld, home of Heidi - the world-famous children’s book character.

Ascona – the jewel on Lake Maggiore. Stroll along the famous lakeside promenade with its colourful houses and many cafés, look out over the lake and the wonderful mountain scenery, explore the old town and enjoy the Mediterranean flair of this town in Ticino.

On the Top of Europe: A visit to the Jungfraujoch puts a jewel in the crown of any visit to Switzerland.

Einsiedeln is located on a plateau near Lake Sihl. Discover the pilgrimage site with the baroque monastery complex and visit the Chapel of Mercy of the Black Madonna. Einsiedeln is ideal for outdoor activities and excursions to Lake Lucerne or Lake Zurich.

Thanks to its well-preserved medieval townscape, the Old Town of Bern was entered onto UNESCO’s listing of World Heritage Sites in 1983.

Stein am Rhein is a place to marvel at and pause for a moment: Discover the charming old town with its colourful old timber-framed houses or Hohenklingen Castle. Enjoy your time in this picturesque town on a stroll along the Rhine promenade or treat yourself to a boat trip to the Rhine Falls.

130 kilometres in one train. The Albula/Bernina railway line forms the heart of the Unesco World Cultural Heritage listing and is regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular routes. The UNESCO route itself covers 122 kilometres from Thusis to Tirano, passing 196 bridges, 55 tunnels and 20 towns along the way.

Appenzell is synonymous with the most beautiful Swiss traditions, such as yodelling, cheese, seasonal cattle processions and traditional dances. Marvel at magnificently decorated houses and living craftsmanship. Conquer the Alpstein massif, with the Säntis, Lake Seealpsee and the Berggasthaus Äscher mountain inn.

The Matterhorn: Switzerland’s most famous landmark. 4478 meters high and with its characteristic pyramid-shaped silhouette, this is probably the most photographed mountain in the world. You will be amazed by this majestic peak – whether hiking, skiing or from the comfort of a viewpoint.

The turquoise blue Lake Brienz – a jewel in the middle of the mountain landscape of the Bernese Oberland. Discover pretty lakeside villages such as Brienz or Bönigen. Enjoy a ride on the paddle steamer to the Giessbach Falls. Or experience a nostalgic ride on the steam locomotive to the Brienzer Rothorn.

In St. Gallen you'll find history at every turn. The city's landmark is the Convent of St. Gall with its Baroque cathedral. The convent, including the library and monastery archives, was added to the Unesco World Heritage List in 1983.

Few architects have left such a mark on modern building worldwide as Charles-Edouard Jeanneret - better known as Le Corbusier - who grew up in La Chaux-de-Fonds. 17 selected works in seven countries have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In the Creux du Van across Lake Neuchâtel, nature presents itself as a giant natural amphitheatre. Admittedly, though, the prime seats in the 160 metre high wall seem to have been reserved for the ibex!

Whether over the fire or in the modern Kessi – in the show dairy you can learn everything about the production of the world-famous Emmentaler AOP on 17,500 m2.

The Grossmünster is Zurich's landmark. You will visit the Romanesque church, climb the Karlsturm and discover the medieval stained glass windows – right in the heart of the old town, between Limmat and Niederdorf.

Discover the Aletsch Arena, the Valais holiday paradise with the car-free destinations of Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp. The centrepiece is the Great Aletsch Glacier, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience the ice stream up close – while hiking, skiing or on a glacier tour.

Seemingly endless moorlands, craggy karst formations and wild mountain streams make for special experiences and views. Switzerland's first biosphere reserve offers natural beauty at its finest. Almost no other region in Switzerland has as many natural treasures as the “Wild West” of Lucerne.

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.

Guarda – an Engadine jewel at 1,650 m. Discover traditional houses with ornate sgraffiti, the history of Schellen-Ursli, living Graubünden culture and untouched nature. A place of power for those seeking peace and quiet, hiking enthusiasts and those interested in culture.

The watchmaking centres of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle have been awarded World Heritage status by Unesco in Sevilla. The two neighbouring towns in canton Neuchâtel joined nine other Swiss sites that already benefit from the Unesco label, with the agency committee recognizing the merits of the region's unique architecture.

The Jet d'Eau shoots 140 meters high from Lake Geneva into the sky. Geneva's landmark is visible from anywhere in the city. Walk on the jetty to the water and experience the fountain up close

The Chapel Bridge is Lucerne's landmark and one of the oldest wooden bridges in Europe. Walk across the 204-meter-long bridge, discover the historical paintings and enjoy the view of the Reuss River and the Old Town.

The small medieval town of Diessenhofen lies in Thurgau right on the Rhine, which forms the border with Germany here. From the opposite riverbank, the town has a striking silhouette, with its high church tower and Unterhof Castle.