Switzerland is a small country nestled among the Alpine peaks and green mountain valleys. Compared to other European countries, it does not have many large urban settlements. We will try to visit the Most Beautiful Cities in Switzerland to consider all their cultural monuments and interesting places.

List of 15 Most Beautiful Cities in Switzerland:

Zurich – Most Beautiful Cities in Switzerland

With a population of 397,000 people, Zurich is the largest city in Central Europe. In total there are more than 1 million people in the agglomeration.

The city was first mentioned in historical documents in 929. Before that time, there was a Celtic settlement Tiricum, whose ruins remain within the city. The city, with its attractions, is considered the gateway to Switzerland, it is also the largest financial center of the world.

The largest city of Switzerland is rich in historical monuments, museums of various kinds and subjects. In the historic part of the house have survived the XIII century.

 

stein am Rhein

The town with a population of a little over 4 thousand people is situated on the shore of Lake Constance in the canton of Schaffhausen.

Tourists from various countries come to the cozy Stein am Rhein to admire the painted houses of the old quarters. The houses are painted with biblical scenes, historical scenes from the Antiquity period, and decorative plant patterns.

In summer, take a stroll along the shady alleys. On Christmas Eve, the city is transformed by hundreds of lights, and the Christmas tree in the city center adds to the fairy-tale atmosphere.

 

Bern – Most Beautiful Cities in Switzerland

The de facto capital and administrative center of Switzerland continues our small rating. Bern was founded in 1191 and was first mentioned in 1208 in one of the medieval letters.

The historic district features austere buildings with arcades overhanging the streets. The main attraction is the clock tower, which shows not only the time but also the location of stars and the signs of the zodiac.

There are many museums that tell about the history of the country. The city is famous for its fountain wells with beautiful stone sculptures, erected by the 16th century architect Hans Ging.

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Basel

On the borders of three European countries Basel, which can rightfully be called the oldest center of musical education in Europe. It is also the oldest university in the country.

The majestic squares and streets are dominated by the town hall, built in the flamboyant style of the Renaissance. The river Rhine flows through Basel with its beautiful stone bridges.

One of the symbols of the third largest city in Switzerland is the fountain on the square Fischmarkt. The statue of Our Lady adorns the fountain, and tourists make wishes by leaving small coins in the fountain.

 

Lugano

At the southernmost tip of the country on a lively trading place at the beginning of the XII century the beautiful Lugano rose. Nowadays the resort is called the “diamond of the Old World”.

The architecture of the sunny Lugano was influenced by the Italian Renaissance. Because of this building here is unlike in other Swiss cities. Tourists love to stroll along the promenade, which is dominated by a statue of William Tell.

The Italian style is also reflected in the churches in the historic center. In the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli you can see the famous crucifix and the Madonna by Bernardino Luini

 

Montreux – Most Beautiful Cities in Switzerland

Montreux began as a small village of fishermen and skilled winemakers, today it is a comfortable resort in Switzerland. The famous Chillon castle, one of the most famous architectural monuments in Europe, is situated not far from Montreux.

Harmoniously placed on the shores of Lake Geneva, the city is surrounded on three sides by the Alps, which shelter it from the winds. Writers come here. Musicians come here for inspiration for new creative masterpieces.

Switzerland is expensive for vacation and travel, but in Montreux you can find the cheapest hotel or inexpensive hostels for a budget holiday.

 

Thun

A small town, founded in the Early Middle Ages, has preserved its identity and attractiveness. It is located on the shore of the picturesque Lake Thun.

The main attraction is the majestic medieval castle. Its towers with sharp spires rise above the beautiful residential buildings.

One of the unique features of the city are two-story streets, so that tourists can freely walk on the roofs of the stores. The sidewalks in the streets are the terraces of the houses, and from below the pedestrian area is sheltered by arches.

 

Gruyere

Located in the upper reaches of the Saan River, the town of Gruyere is known to the world for its extraordinary cheese. The town is situated on a hill and its squares offer views of the picturesque river valley and Lake Gruyere.

There are medieval buildings in the architecture, among which the Gruyere Castle stands out. This is the most popular castle in Switzerland. Nearby is the majestic Chateau Saint-Germain.

One of the unusual attractions is a fantastic museum called “Aliens”, created on the idea of Giger. Nearby you can visit a cafe-bar, made in the same unusual style.

 

Appenzell

Appenzell will plunge you into the atmosphere of traditional Switzerland with its centuries-old traditions and customs. It is the only town in the country, where every year on the central square all the inhabitants of the canton meet.

The streets are lined with the traditional painted huts of shepherds and farmers and the balconies are covered with national flags. The main street is pedestrian. Tourists hurry here to see the medieval pharmacy with a number of small windows decorated with flowers.

The town, which now has a population of 5,000 inhabitants, is depicted in the chronicle of the mid-16th century

 

Fribourg

In Fribourg founded in 1157 people speak three languages and for many centuries already understand each other very well. Interestingly, the linguistic boundary runs along the banks of the river Zane.

Among the monuments of architecture, tourists, first of all. The oldest Cathedral of St. Nicholas stands out. It was founded in 1283 and received its first parishioners at the end of the XV century.

The Dutch religious leader Peter Canisius, who founded the city’s Jesuit school, lived and worked in Fribourg. Later it grew into a university. Many historical figures who have made Switzerland famous both culturally and politically were born here.

 

Schaffhausen

The northernmost city in the country was founded in 1040 and was the only one to suffer during World War II. The U.S. Air Force bombed it, claiming later that they did so by mistake.

Schaffhausen sits on the banks of the Rhine at the edge of the Swiss plateau. Fort Mouton, the town’s main attraction, towers above the houses. The castle was first mentioned in a chronicle in 1379. Half an hour from the city is the famous Rhine Falls.

The beauty of nature and architecture of the Middle Ages is complemented by green fields of vineyards, and the wine made by local winemakers is highly appreciated by gourmets.

 

Zermatt

The resort of Zermatt is famous for its comfortable hotels and modern slopes, right on the Italian border among the majestic mountain peaks.

Above the houses and hotels towers the highest mountain in Switzerland, peak Dufour, and next to the largest glacier of the Matterhorn. Through the resort town runs a river Matterfisp, taking water from the Gorner Glacier.

In total Zermatt has about 5,000 residents, but to calculate the exact number of inhabitants of the alpine commune is almost impossible, as the town is always full of tourists.

 

Lausanne

During the archeological excavations on the territory of modern Lausanne, the archeologists found the traces of Paleolithic people, and it was first mentioned in the documents under the 15th year B.C.

The city is divided into 17 districts, within which there are 47 cultural and historical heritage sites. The old part has majestic arched bridges and beautiful churches.

Lausanne is famous for its green areas, free of residential buildings and cars. The city is famous for its sporting traditions, because it is not for nothing that the office of the International Olympic Committee is located here.

 

Geneva

Tourists and travelers say that Geneva has a special atmosphere, different from other Swiss cities. This wonderful world is visited by thousands of tourists every year.

 

There really is a lot to see, and for the number of museums Geneva is the undisputed leader among other cities in the world. The Rhone River divides the second largest urban settlement of the country into two parts. On one side there are historic monuments, restaurants and museums, on the other side the business district with banks and business offices.

The architectural appearance of Geneva reflects the influence of almost all Western European cultures, decorative traditions and styles.

 

Lucerne

In the heart of the Swiss plateau on the lake of the same name lies the city of Lucerne.

Historians say that the city was founded here during Roman rule, but the official date of foundation is 1178. The most beautiful city of the country lies at the foot of Mount Pilatus, and its streets face the embankments of Lake Lucerne and the river Reuss.

The historic part is pedestrianized. Here you can see the old painted houses, and the real attractions of Lucerne are the Kapelbrücke Bridge and the majestic Wasserturm Tower.

 

Bottom line

The country of ski resorts and reliable banks for centuries captivates tourists and travelers with its monuments of medieval architecture and beautiful natural places. The cities of this country are comfortable to live in, and the streets and squares have their own flavor and uniqueness.