Country Introduction
Switzerland is a permanently neutral country located in Central Europe. International organizations such as the European branch of the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee are located there. The capital is Bern, but Zurich has the largest economy. The country’s vast natural scenery, including mountains such as the Matterhorn and the Eiger, and lakes such as Lake Geneva, are highlights. As a landlocked country surrounded by other countries, there are four official languages: French, German, Italian, and Romansh. Each region has its own specialty dish, and there are many cheese fondue restaurants.
Cities in Switzerland
①Geneva
②Lausanne
③Montreux / Chillon Castle
④Bern
⑤Interlaken
⑥Jungfrau
⑦Grindelwald
⑧Brienz
⑨Pilatus
⑩Lucerne
⑪Zürich
⑫St Gallen
⑬Appenzell
⑭Säntis
①Geneva
Geneva is a city located in the west of Switzerland, close to France. It is the former headquarters of the United Nations (now the European branch), and being an international city, English is widely spoken. The large fountain that shoots up from Lake Geneva is famous. If you walk through the narrow alleys of the old town, you will find the church on the hill.
【Overall rating】
★★★★★
【Time required】
12 h
②Lausanne
Lausanne is a city on the shores of Lake Geneva. Near the lake are the headquarters and museum of the International Olympic Committee. Inland, there is a rugged old town with a church built on the highest point.
【Overall rating】
★★★★☆
【Time required】
7 h
③Montreux / Chillon Castle
Montreux is a resort town located on the east side of Lake Geneva. There is a studio where Queen used to record, so there is a museum about them and a statue of Freddie Mercury on the shore. If you take a bus along the lake, you will come across the popular Swiss tourist attraction, Chillon Castle, which stands on the shore. The Golden Pass Line, a panoramic train that allows you to enjoy the vast nature of Switzerland, departs from the station.
【Overall rating】
★★★★★
【Time required】
4 h 30
④Bern
Bern is the capital of Switzerland. The old town, surrounded by rivers, is also registered as a World Heritage Site. The city’s coat of arms is a bear, as the name comes from a bear, and there is also a bear park. The apartment where Einstein stayed is open to the public as a museum, and it is said that he wrote his paper on the theory of relativity here.
【Overall rating】
★★★★★
【Time required】
8 h
⑤Interlaken
Interlaken is a city between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, as its name means “between the lakes.” It is mainly used as a base town for mountain climbing, and the road connecting East Station and West Station is lined with restaurants and souvenir shops. From the cable car next to East Station, you can climb a mountain called Harderkulm, and if the weather is good, you can see the two lakes and mountains.
【Overall rating】
★★★☆☆
【Time required】
2 h 30
⑥Jungfrau
Jungfrau is a mountain located south of Interlaken, and can be reached by train up to 3,454m, making it the highest station in Europe. The mountain train passes through a tunnel dug into Mt. Eiger, and you can get off along the way to see the view from Mt. Eiger through glass. The summit is covered in snow even in summer, with temperatures below freezing, and if the weather is good you can see the glacier.
【Overall rating】
★★★★★
【Time required】
4 h 30
⑦Grindelwald
Grindelwald is a village at the foot of Mt. Eiger and is used as a base for climbing Mt. First, take the ropeway to Mt. Grindelwald, where you can find activities and picnic courses, and if the weather is good you can see Mt. Eiger and Mt. Jungfrau.
【Overall rating】
★★★★☆
【Time required】
3 h
⑧Brienz
Brienz is a small town on the shores of Lake Brienz. There are few tourist attractions, but it has the most beautiful street in Europe and the only remaining steam locomotive mountain railway in Switzerland. It is also famous for its woodcarvings, and is said to be the origin of Japanese wooden carvings of bears.
【Overall rating】
★★★☆☆
【Time required】
3 – 4 h
⑨Pilatus
Pilatus is a mountain in central Switzerland with an altitude of 2,132m, and can be reached from Lucerne on a day trip. You can reach the summit by mountain train or ropeway. There is a legend that a dragon lived there, and it is also used as a symbol mark.
【Overall rating】
★★★★☆
【Time required】
3 h
⑩Lucerne
Lucerne is a city on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The two covered bridges over the old town are famous. There are also many other attractions such as the city walls, nine towers, and the “Dying Lion” memorial to the Swiss mercenaries. The house where Wagner spent his family is located a short distance away, and the annual summer music festival is world famous.
【Overall rating】
★★★★★
【Time required】
8 h
⑪Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and one of the world’s leading financial cities. It is located on the lakeside and the old town is lined with old-fashioned houses and restaurants in narrow alleys. You can see the whole city from the bell tower of Grossmünster Church, and you can see Chagall’s stained glass at Fraumünster Church.
【Overall rating】
★★★★★
【Time required】
9 h
⑫St Gallen
St. Gallen is a city in eastern Switzerland, and the cathedral and library in the monastery are attractions, and are registered as World Heritage sites. The interior of the cathedral is said to be a masterpiece of Baroque style, unlike other churches. The adjacent library is also a valuable surviving example from the 18th century, and currently houses many valuable books. The textile industry is also thriving, and there is also a museum.
【Overall rating】
★★★★☆
【Time required】
6 h 30
⑬Appenzell
Appenzell is a small town in eastern Switzerland with a population of about 7,000. There are few tourist attractions and you can get around them quickly, but many people visit because of the cute decorations of the houses. Every April, an open-air assembly called Landsgemeinde, which is held by all the residents, is held in the square in the center.
【Overall rating】
★★★☆☆
【Time required】
2 h
⑭Säntis
Mount Säntis is the highest mountain in northeastern Switzerland, with an altitude of 2,502 m. You can take a cable car to the top, and if the weather is good, you can see six countries: Switzerland, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Italy.
【Overall rating】
★★★★★
【Time required】
3 h
Swiss Specialties
Switzerland is attractive for its natural beauty such as mountains and lakes, but it is also characterized by the large number of towns that retain a medieval atmosphere. Each region has its own specialty food, so if you are traveling around the country, it is recommended that you try the cuisine of each region.
Swiss Trains
Trains are the main means of transportation when traveling in Switzerland. Here we will introduce rail passes that you should definitely use to travel to Switzerland, where prices are high, at a bargain price. Depending on the type, you can use not only trains but also public transportation such as buses, art galleries and museums for free, so it is a must-see.
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