Must-See Plaatsen in Zwitserland

Shared with Germany and Switzerland, Lake Constance (Bodensee) offers a mix of cross-border culture and sweeping alpine views. The lakeside cycling paths are flat and well-marked, making it one of Europe’s most accessible long-distance rides. Medieval towns, vineyard slopes, and ferry crossings give variety to each stage, while the scenery of the surrounding Alps never leaves your side.

Meersburg is perched on a hillside above the lake, famous for its vineyards and castle. The medieval Meersburg Castle claims to be the oldest inhabited fortress in Germany, while the Neues Schloss showcases baroque architecture. The steep cobbled streets link terraced wineries, lakefront cafés, and historic squares. With both cultural landmarks and striking views across the water, Meersburg blends history and scenery seamlessly. 

Badenweiler has been known for healing waters since Roman times, with ruins of a 1,700-year-old bath still preserved. Today, Cassiopeia Therme offers indoor and outdoor pools filled with mineral-rich water at around 34°C, plus saunas and panoramic relaxation areas. The spa’s hillside location provides sweeping views of the southern Black Forest. 

Konstanz is the largest city on Lake Constance, located right on the Swiss-German border. Its medieval old town survived World War II largely intact, preserving landmarks such as the 15th-century Konzil building and the Romanesque cathedral. The harbor is marked by the rotating Imperia statue, a local icon. With its mix of university town atmosphere and historic character, Konstanz is the cultural hub of the lake. 

This Swiss town is one of the best-preserved medieval settlements along the Rhine. It is renowned for its half-timbered houses decorated with elaborate frescoes, especially around Rathausplatz. The 11th-century Hohenklingen Castle overlooks the town and river, offering sweeping views. Stein am Rhein is compact but full of architectural charm, making it a highlight on the western arm of Lake Constance. 

Lindau sits on an island connected to the mainland by bridge, giving it a distinct maritime character. Its harbor, framed by a Bavarian lion statue and a 33-meter lighthouse, is one of the most photographed spots on Lake Constance. The old town features pastel-colored houses, arcaded streets, and churches dating back to the Gothic era. Lindau’s lakeside setting with an Alpine backdrop makes it an essential highlight of the circuit. 

Known as the “Swiss Grand Canyon,” the Rhine Gorge stretches for 13 kilometers between Ilanz and Reichenau. Its sheer white cliffs rise up to 400 meters, carved by Ice Age glaciers and the mighty Rhine River. Popular with hikers and cyclists, the gorge is one of Switzerland’s most dramatic natural landscapes. 

This Gothic cathedral, completed in 1439, was once the world’s tallest building at 142 meters. Inside, the astronomical clock built in 1843 is a highlight, with moving figures that perform daily at solar noon. From the tower’s platform, 330 steps up, you can see across the Black Forest and Vosges mountains. 

This striking lake winds through fjord-like arms and steep mountainsides, offering constantly changing panoramas. Historic paddle steamers, some over 100 years old, cross its 114-square-kilometer surface, linking charming villages with alpine hiking and cycling routes. William Tell’s legend is tied to its shores, and Rütli Meadow is celebrated as the birthplace of the Swiss Confederation in 1291. With both cultural resonance and dramatic scenery, Lake Lucerne is a centerpiece of Central Switzerland. 

Zug, on the edge of Lake Zugersee, is known for its prosperous old town and unforgettable sunsets. Narrow streets lead to a lakeside promenade, while the Zytturm clock tower, built in the 13th century, offers panoramic views over rooftops and water. The town is famous for Zuger Kirschtorte, a cherry brandy cake created in 1921, reflecting the area’s fruit-growing tradition. With its mix of cultural wealth and natural beauty, Zug is a highlight along the route. 

Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities, set on the shores of Lake Lucerne and framed by alpine peaks. Its medieval old town is filled with colorful frescoed houses, narrow alleys, and lively squares. The landmark Chapel Bridge, dating to the 14th century, stretches 204 meters across the Reuss River with its wooden tower and painted panels. With lake cruises and views of Mount Pilatus and Rigi, Lucerne blends history, culture, and natural beauty seamlessly. 

Sursee is a small medieval town on Lake Sursee, with cobbled lanes and brightly painted facades that open into a lively central square. The town’s history goes back to Roman times, with the first mention dating to 600 AD, and its city walls and gates remain remarkably well-preserved. With just over 10,000 inhabitants, Sursee combines historic charm with the relaxed pace of lakeside living. 

Perched above vineyards near Lake Hallwil, Heidegg Castle is a romantic moated fortress dating back to the 12th century. Its interiors are furnished to evoke centuries of noble life, while the surrounding rose garden features over 1,000 varieties. The castle’s elevated setting provides sweeping views across the lake and rolling countryside, linking history and landscape in a single site.

Switzerland’s largest city combines a historic old town with a modern cultural scene. The Grossmünster church, built in the 12th century, dominates the skyline, while Bahnhofstrasse ranks among the world’s most exclusive shopping streets. Lake Zurich stretches 40 kilometers from the city into the countryside, offering promenades and boat rides that connect urban life with alpine landscapes. 

Murten is a lakeside town with medieval walls dating back to the 13th century that still encircle its old town. Cobbled streets lead to squares lined with arcaded houses and lakeside promenades. The Battle of Murten in 1476, where Swiss forces defeated Charles the Bold, is a defining moment in Swiss history, remembered in local monuments and traditions. 

Biel, also called Bienne, is the bilingual gateway to Switzerland’s watchmaking tradition. The Omega company, founded here in 1848, reflects the city’s role as the heart of precision horology. With a population of about 55,000, it is the largest bilingual city in the country, where German and French meet in both daily life and cultural festivals. 

Yverdon-les-Bains is famous for its thermal springs, known since Roman times, and today hosts modern spa facilities. The town’s Savoy Castle, built in the 13th century, houses museums on local history and innovation. Situated on the southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland’s largest lake entirely within its borders at 218 square kilometers, Yverdon blends relaxation with cultural depth. 

Perched on terraced hills above Lake Geneva, Lausanne is home to the Olympic Museum, reflecting its status as the International Olympic Committee’s headquarters since 1915. The city’s Gothic cathedral, consecrated in 1275, is one of Switzerland’s most impressive medieval landmarks. Vineyards of the UNESCO-listed Lavaux region stretch nearby, linking the city to its lakeshore and alpine setting. 

Founded in the 8th century, Disentis Abbey is one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries north of the Alps. The baroque church, rebuilt in the 18th century, houses richly decorated interiors and a significant library. The monastery continues to play a role in local culture, education, and spirituality in the Surselva valley. 

Known as the “Swiss Grand Canyon,” the Rhine Gorge stretches for 13 kilometers between Ilanz and Reichenau. Its sheer white cliffs rise up to 400 meters, carved by Ice Age glaciers and the mighty Rhine River. Popular with hikers and cyclists, the gorge is one of Switzerland’s most dramatic natural landscapes. 

Zernez is the gateway to Switzerland’s only national park, the Swiss National Park, established in 1914. The village lies at 1,470 meters and is surrounded by rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and forest trails. It’s also home to the National Park Visitor Center, which introduces the region’s wildlife, from ibex to golden eagles. Despite its small size, Zernez plays a central role in preserving alpine nature. 

Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland, has been continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years. Its old town features twisting alleys, painted facades, and the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, consecrated in 1272. Surrounded by alpine peaks and vineyards, Chur serves as the historic and cultural hub of the canton of Graubünden. 

Scuol, in the Lower Engadin, is famous for its mineral springs and spa culture, with documented baths dating back to the 16th century. The village center features traditional sgraffito-painted houses and views of the Inn River. At 1,250 meters, it also serves as a base for hiking and cycling into surrounding valleys. Its thermal baths remain one of the most relaxing cultural highlights of the area. 

One of the world’s most famous alpine resorts, St. Moritz sits at 1,800 meters above sea level in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley. Known for hosting two Winter Olympics, it combines luxury hotels with pristine mountain scenery. The nearby lakes and high-altitude trails make it a year-round destination for outdoor activities. Its sunny microclimate has earned it the nickname “the town of the sun.” 

Innsbruck, the “Capital of the Alps,” blends a medieval old town with direct access to high mountain trails. The Nordkette cable car carries visitors from the city center straight to alpine panoramas in under 20 minutes. For cyclists, Innsbruck is both a cultural stop and a launchpad for exploring valleys and climbs.

Straddling both banks of the Rhône River, Seyssel is one of the oldest river ports in the Savoy region. Its arched stone bridge was first built in the 14th century and later rebuilt in 1837, linking the two sides of town. Seyssel is also known for its sparkling white wine, produced from vineyards that stretch across the surrounding hills. 

Set on the western tip of Lake Geneva, the city is framed by the Alps and Jura mountains. The Jet d’Eau fountain shoots water 140 meters into the air, while the Old Town is home to St. Pierre Cathedral, dating to the 12th century. Known as a hub of diplomacy, Geneva hosts over 200 international organizations, including the United Nations. 

This lakeside spa town sits on the shores of Lake Bourget, the largest natural lake in France at 44 square kilometers. Famous since Roman times for its thermal springs, Aix-les-Bains developed into a fashionable Belle Époque resort in the 19th century, with grand villas and ornate bathhouses. Today, it combines wellness traditions with outdoor activities on lake and mountain trails. 

Known as the “Venice of the Alps,” Annecy is famed for its canals, pastel-colored houses, and alpine lake. Lake Annecy, fed by mountain springs, is considered the cleanest lake in Europe, stretching 14 kilometers in length. Overlooking the town is the Château d’Annecy, a castle dating to the 12th century, now a museum showcasing Savoyard history. 

Encircled by wooded hills and limestone cliffs, Lake Bourget is the largest natural lake in France at 18 kilometers long. It has been celebrated in literature and art, most famously by the poet Alphonse de Lamartine in 1820. Today the lake is popular for swimming, sailing, and cycling along its scenic shores, with the Alps reflected in its calm waters. 

Located on Lake Maggiore, Locarno enjoys Switzerland’s warmest climate with over 2,300 hours of sunshine per year. Its Piazza Grande hosts the internationally renowned Locarno Film Festival, founded in 1946, which attracts filmmakers and visitors from around the world. Palm trees, lake promenades, and nearby mountains give Locarno a Mediterranean flair in an alpine setting.