Things to Do When Holidaying in Switzerland and Reasons to Visit
Boasting of timeless natural beauty and fascinating landmarks from the past, Switzerland truly makes a haven for vacationers. It’s a place you will instantly fall in love with, and would want to keep coming back for more.
The reasons to visit this beautiful country are many. From jaw-dropping mountain scenery and extreme adventure activities to lip-smacking food and a blend of diverse cultures, it offers a unique holiday experience in many aspects. Although it’s an all-year-round destination, the extreme winter months from January-February and summer months from July-September are ideal for exploring the best of Switzerland.
Here are some of the must-do activities in Switzerland that will fill your soul with ever-lasting memories.
The Rhine Falls – Cascading from 364 metres, with a height of 23 metres and width of 150 metres, Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) is one of the largest of Europe’s waterfalls. Enjoy a boat ride around the Rhine Falls and have a closer, thrilling view of the cascading falls, right at its centre.
Swiss Chocolates and Local Wines/Vineyards – Whether you’re a crazy chocolate fan or not, Swiss chocolates are something that you just cannot go without trying. It started with the development of milk chocolate from condensed milk. After a few years, Swiss chocolates became internationally renowned for their quality and impeccable taste. You must also go on a vineyard exploration and taste local wines like the Pinot Noir and Merlot. Visit The Lavaux Vineyards, Swiss Alps and Chateau de Mont for the best wine-tasting adventure.
The Matterhorn – How can one miss the spectacular Matterhorn when in Switzerland? This jagged tooth-shaped mountain in the Alps is one of the world’s most picturesque sights and stands as the most famous landmark of the country. A delight for hikers and photographers alike, Matterhorn in Zermatt offers mesmerising views on a cable car ride and leads you to world-class ski slopes. Book your tickets right away on online travel sites Expedia or Booking.com and explore the best of Switzerland like you had always dreamed.
Shopping – Shopaholics are in for a treat when holidaying in Switzerland. You can find trendy clothing, accessories, footwear, home décor, upholstery, handcrafted artefacts, chocolates, jewellery and much more! Popular shopping sites here include Freitag, Bahnhoffstrasse, Maurice de Mauriac, Limited Stop, Lele Pyp and Harrison Spirit. If shopping isn’t on your mind, simply a stroll through the vibrant Bahnhoffstrasse is a must.
The Gorgeous Lakes – Enchanting Switzerland boasts of numerous pristine lakes such as Lake Geneva, Lake Zurich, Lake Lucerne, Lake Lugano and Lake Brienz, which are totally worth a visit. Enjoy paddle-boarding on Lake Geneva or simply behold stunning views of the Alps, that cast a beautiful reflection on the lake. Visit the beautiful Lake Lucerne and witness one of Europe’s oldest wooden bridges – The Kapellbrücke or Chapel Bridge. Dating back to the 14th century, it was re-constructed in 1994 and is a sight worth seeing. Unlike Europe’s other footbridges, this one contains beautiful paintings from the 17th century, depicting major historic events. For a more relaxing getaway, make a visit to the beautiful Lake Lugano and lounge in its pleasant weather, while enjoying scenic vistas.
Important Landmarks – The list is never-ending when it comes to Switzerland’s most prominent landmarks. To name a few, The Chillon Castle, The Lion of Lucerne, The Abbey of Saint Gall, the castles of Bellinzona and The Lakeside Promenade are must-see attractions. The Abbey of Saint Gall has been one of Europe’s most important sites right from the 8th to 19th century. It was re-constructed a number of times and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of one of the world’s oldest and richest medieval libraries. While ‘The Lion of Lucerne’ is a monument built in remembrance of the massacred Swiss soldiers, ‘The Chillon Castle’ on Lake Geneva is one of the most-visited historic sites in Switzerland.
Imagine dining in the sky at an elevation of about 3000 metres, surrounded by breath-taking views of the mountains! ‘Piz Gloria’, a revolving restaurant situated on Schilthorn peak, will bring your imagination to life. As you dine, you can witness the Jura mountain range, Mont Blanc, Jungfrau and the Vosges Mountains in full glory.
Adventure Activities – Switzerland is a haven for adventure enthusiasts, with endless options for activities like skiing, bungee jumping, windsurfing, hiking and much more! Engelberg makes an ideal spot for skiing and offers a thrilling cable car ride to Mount Titlis. It offers snow-tubing, below-the-ground glacier excursion, scenic chair-lift and a connection to the highest suspension bridge of Europe. You can enjoy windsurfing, wind boarding and other water sports at Lake Geneva in the summer. Also known as ‘The Pearl of The Alps’, Saas-Fee in Canton Valais makes another great spot for hiking and skiing.
Jungfrau and Jungfraujoch – If there’s a highest point in Switzerland, it is the Jungfrau peak. It stands at an elevation of 4,158 metres and can be reached via Jungfraujoch that lies at around 92 metres below Jungfrau. Once you’re here, the ‘Alps’ is all yours. Soak in the surreal views and take a piece of this heaven with you.
Geneva and Bern – Wander through the beautiful city of Geneva and lay your eyes upon some of the prominent landmarks such as St. Peter’s Cathedral, Jet d’Eau and the Flower Clock. Also visit the old city of Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts of impressive historic buildings, fountains and other spectacular landmarks, dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Glacier Express – A scenic 7-hour train journey through the spellbinding mountain passes is a perfect way to soak in all the splendour. Connecting the railway stations of Zermatt and St. Moritz, the Glacier Express offers stunning vistas of the Swiss Alps and Alpine Valleys.
So, pack your bags and gear up for an exotic Switzerland holiday.
Author Bio:
Nidhi Mahajan is a guest blogger and passionate about content writing. She has been creating SEO friendly content for more than 5 years. For more info you can check her Lifestyle Trend news at pop-pins.com
