If you would like to visit the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, this article reveals the best scenic fairytale locations that should not be missed!
You might know Switzerland for Zürich or Geneva and the scenic beauty of its mountains, lakes, and gardens with a range of rainbow-colored flowers. These are the locations that are the most popular among tourists.
However, some offbeat destinations in this naturally alluring heaven can take you on a wondrous, angelic spree and can leave you wondering about the Earth’s true beauty.
Below are some of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities that are worthy of attention and admiration.
Without further ado, let’s dive straight into these most beautiful cities in Switzerland!
The Most Beautiful Cities In Switzerland
All these locations have a uniqueness that can only be fully appreciated with a visit. I hope this post featuring the most beautiful fairytale towns and cities in Switzerland helps you choose your next travel destination.
Bern
Situated around the river Aare, Bern (or Berne) is the capital city of Switzerland, and you will find it on every list of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland.
Did you know that Einstein devised his theory of relativity when he lived in Bern between 1903 and 1905? You can learn more about this brilliant physicist’s life and work by visiting the Einstein Museum in Bern.
This culturally rich city has an intriguing history that dates back to the 12th century. You will find its traces in Altstadt, also known as the old town, and the ancient architecture of the old Renaissance period.
Here, you will find museums filled with a wide variety of artifacts, such as fine arts in the Museum of Fine Arts or modern communication technology tools at the Museum of Communication.
Bern is also home to the most important government buildings, such as the Federal Palace of Switzerland, which is the seat of the government of Switzerland and the parliament of the country.
Bern is known as the city of fountains, and you will find a lot of them in the old historic town.
Another well-known landmark in Bern is the famous French Church, the oldest sacred building in the city.
One of the Old Town’s historical attractions, the Clock Tower (Zytglogge), attracts visitors worldwide. Over the centuries, this landmark has fulfilled many different important functions.
Large groups of spectators gather in front of the Clock Tower when the clock is due to strike the hour to watch the unique performance of the mechanical figures. You can also visit the inside of the structure and climb up the 130 steps to admire a breathtaking view.
Bern is a picturesque city in Switzerland with so much to offer, and it is definitely worth visiting.
Schaffhausen
If you are not a big capital city kind of person, Schaffhausen will be your perfect small-town escapade. It’s gorgeous, and there is so much to do! Most importantly, it has the perfect mix of technological advancements and natural beauty.
The cobbled roads lead to the old town of Schaffhausen, filled with the aroma of freshly baked cookies and chocolates. In the center of the city, you cannot miss a circular 16th-century fortification, the Munot Fortress.
You can visit the various museums, including the IWC Museum showcasing luxury watches, the Stemmler Museum, which features a zoological exhibition, and the military Museum in the Armoury displaying various objects of the Swiss Army from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Museum of All Saints is another unique place that combines archaeology, history, art, and natural history.
When visiting Schaffhausen, I would highly recommend visiting the Rhine Falls (or Rheinfall), the largest plain waterfall in Europe, located on the border between the cantons of Schaffhausen and Zürich. Its waters flow at the rate of 23 meters over a breadth of 150 meters.
The beauty of Schaffhausen lies in the preservation of the culture and history along with how beautifully it has welcomed the new age modern world.
Interlaken
Interlaken is the oldest and most well-known summer lakeside resort. It represents the perfect amalgamation of the beauty of mountains and lakes. Located between the emerald-colored waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, this midsize town is loved by the people who want to experience Switzerland’s beauty at its best.
While most other towns in the country offer peaceful and quaint vacation destinations, Interlaken is known as Switzerland’s adventure capital.
In Interlaken, you can partake in all the outdoor adventure activities you can think of. You can go white-water rafting, paragliding, and have fun at the rope park. You can also enjoy ice skating from mid-December to the end of February at Ice Magic Interlaken.
Interlaken is a great base for seeing the best of central Switzerland’s stunning scenery.
If you are in a major city like Lucerne, you can plan a short trip to Interlaken and Grindelwald. It would be a train journey for an hour to Interlaken and then another hour to Grindelwald, where mountain views will mesmerize you.
Fribourg
Fribourg is full of customs, traditions, and archaeological sites of historical significance. This Swiss city is divided into French and German-speaking populations.
The fascinating part of the city is the Poya Bridge which brings two populations together.
There are multiple museums in Fribourg, such as the Museum of Art and History, the Natural History Museum, and the Gutenberg Museum.
You can definitely find history being well preserved in this city, for example at St. Nicholas Cathedral or Bern Bridge.
The community of Fribourg is very loving. You will be impressed with delicious food and chocolates, the taste of which will linger on your tongue for a long time after you leave the city.
Winterthur
Winterthur is an offbeat location near the premium city of Zürich, but it is in no way less interesting than Zürich in terms of beauty and culture.
There are many excellent museums to visit in Winterthur. Fotomuseum, the contemporary photographic museum, is one of the most popular attractions for visitors. The Kunst Museum displays European art in a neoclassical format. The Oskar Reinhart Collection ‘Am Römerholz’ brings together some of the finest European art and is displayed in the collector’s luxury residence.
There are some modern technological exhibits as well, like the Swiss Science Centre Technorama, where you can learn about the wonders of science.
There is also the Nature Museum, where you will find the stills of the animal kingdom and explore their variety in a closer rendezvous.
If you travel 3 km southeast of Winterthur, you will arrive at Kyburg Castle overlooking the Töss river. The castle is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The first fortification at this site was built in the 10th century.
For fun, you can travel back in time to the 2000s while skateboarding at Skills Park.
Lausanne
This offbeat city on Lake Geneva is another gorgeous destination in Switzerland. Its location makes it a picturesque paradise.
The interesting fact about the city is that it homes the International Olympic Committee headquarters and the official Olympic Museum.
The Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts, and Musée de l’Elysée, a photography museum located in a grand mansion, are also worth visiting.
There is also a collection of five museums in one palace called Palais de Rumine. It houses the museums of geology, zoology, archaeology and history, the Cantonal Money Museum, and the cantonal and university library.
When visiting Lausanne, you should not miss the Gothic-style Lausanne Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century and attracts over 400,000 visitors every year.
You can also climb all the stairs up to the top of the 35-meter-high Sauvabelin Tower for magnificent views.
For an upper echelon experience, I would recommend staying at Chateau d’Ouchy.
St. Gallen
St. Gallen is known for its 18th-century Baroque-style cathedral along with the abbey and ancient library. The library with the most beautiful Rococo hall contains a wide variety of documents, some of which are over a thousand years old. It’s Switzerland’s oldest library. The entire Abbey precinct is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A unique place you should visit is Roter Platz, which is covered with red plastic carpet and is great for Insta-worthy pictures. The Textile Museum and Nature Museum will not disappoint you either.
The town is also known for St. Gallen University, which is among the top universities for business administration graduates and doctorates.
Basel
Surrounded by a moat that once had three gates protecting it, Basel is rich in history. If there is one thing that this place has that no other place does in Switzerland, it’s the strength of resilience. When you visit Basel, you will learn its history and how it stood strong against tyrants and natural calamities.
A former city gate in the ancient city walls, the Gate of Spalen (Spalentor), is the most impressive of the three city gates still remaining from the fortifications dating from 1400. It is regarded to be the most magnificent gate in Switzerland.
You will find numerous museums here, including the Spielzeug Welten Museum. This one-of-a-kind museum in Europe features a large collection of historical toys, such as dolls and dollhouses, teddy bears, carrousels, and miniatures from all over the world.
Kunstmuseum should not be missed as it houses the world’s oldest public art collection and is considered the most important art museum in Switzerland. The Kunstmuseum collection includes works of Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Edvard Munch, Paul Gauguin, and Paul Cézanne.
The magnificent Minster Cathedral and the Tinguely Museum are major attractions in Basel that represent the city’s wonderful architecture.
Visiting Basel Zoo, with the widest variety of animals in the area, will make a fun and memorable experience. They have rare animals like the Royal Bengal Tiger and some crossbreeds that are bred only at the Basel Zoo.
You could also set sail afloat over the Rhine River during the sunset hour to soak in the stunning city of Basel from a different perspective.
Lucerne
If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the big cities and are looking for a small-town escapade, Lucerne is perfect for you!
It’s a small town located along the Reuss River. The natural beauty here is spell-binding. There is a gorgeous lake, snow-capped mountains, all-day boat tours, and traces of history.
Lucerne is home to the two famous bridges, Chapel Bridge and Spreuer Bridge, featured in a striking series of paintings and the beautiful Jesuit church between them.
The Lion Monument, a famous symbol of bravery from the times of Marie Antoinette, is also located in Lucerne. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution.
In the old town of Lucerne, you can admire beautiful old buildings and a historic fountain.
Going to Lucerne is like going on a treasure hunt where you keep finding fascinating places, one after another!
Switzerland is a very popular destination for vacation amongst travelers from around the world. Its beauty is breathtaking and mesmerizing. Mountains, rivers, small towns, multicultural cities, and architecture are a reflection of this country. No matter where you choose to go, you won’t be short of amazing things to do!
About The Author Of “Most Beautiful Cities In Switzerland You Must Visit”
Anjali Wadhwa is a travel blogger on Cheerful Trails, where she shares her passion for exploring the world. She loves writing about destinations, travel tips, and itineraries to inspire readers to venture on their own journeys.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about the most beautiful cities in Switzerland and it has encouraged you to plan your next visit.
Before going, you may also want to check out some of the other European city travel posts below.
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UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN PARIS: TOP 5 UNUSUAL ATTRACTIONS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
VENICE CARNIVAL: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE
14 BEST DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON, ENGLAND YOU MUST TAKE
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Magda
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