Matador's Ultimate Guide to Switzerland

Cozy up with fondue amid snow-covered villages ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Switzerland]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to Switzerland Hi all, Switzerland's beauty is a challenge to articulate, with pictures falling short of capturing its true essence. To grasp the full spectrum of its charm, [you'll need to experience it for yourself]( — from the idyllic vistas of the Alps to quaint towns (where some won't even allow you to drive your car in) to epic skiing adventures, breathtaking hikes, and the mesmerizing allure of bejeweled lakes. In winter, cozy up with fondue amid snow-covered villages, while summer invites you to relish alpine air and panoramic views during invigorating hikes. And the best part? It's all easily accessible by train, ensuring a journey as enchanting as the destination itself. [EXPLORE SWITZERLAND]( [GuideGeek]( Get Inspired [Zurich]( The Best Things To Do in Switzerland’s Most-Visited Regions Switzerland is made up of 26 regions known locally as “cantons”. Rather than trying to visit all 26 cantons, we recommend you visit those that best align with the things you love to do — be that playing in the mountains, eating Michelin-starred cuisine, or soaking in chic urban vibes. To help you plan your trip, here’s a complete guide to the best things to do in Switzerland’s most popular cantons. [READ MORE]( [Swiss Hot Springs]( These Swiss Hot Springs Will Help You Unwind Like Nowhere Else Switzerland is packed with natural hot springs that have been attracting visitors for their healing properties for a very long time, starting with Roman soldiers two thousand years ago. Most still offer stunning mountain views and, often, luxurious amenities. Here are the best hot springs in Switzerland. [READ MORE]( [The Matterhorn]( The Ultimate Week in Switzerland, From Fondue To Cliff Walks and Spectacular Train Rides Switzerland is so easy to navigate that in one week, you can have a more varied vacation experience than you can find in most places — enjoying thrilling adventures one day and the sublime flavor of the world’s finest chocolate on another. [READ MORE]( [Vineyard in Lavaux]( This Road Trip Will Take You To Switzerland’s Most Beautiful UNESCO Sites While Switzerland is known for its majestic mountainous landscapes, the country’s natural assets are not the only attractions worth checking out. From the streets of Berne’s Old City to the modern architectural work of Le Corbusier, Switzerland is home to 12 UNESCO-listed sites that are as magnificent as they are diverse. And the best way to see them is on a road trip. [READ MORE]( [Jungfrau Travel Pass]( Switzerland's Jungfrau Travel Pass Is a Portal To the ‘Top of Europe, Adventure, and Swiss Tradition’ Jungfraujoch is the region’s crowning attraction, literally and figuratively. It’s accessed by the highest railway station on the continent, earning it the nickname the “Top of Europe.” But the Jungfrau region, located roughly one hour from the Swiss capital of Bern and three hours from Zurich by train, lays claim to the “top” of other attractions, as well. [READ MORE]( [Zermatt]( 22 Places To Stay in Switzerland for Epic Views of Alpine Peaks and Glittering Lakes Regardless of the time of year you visit or the region you choose to explore, there are jaw-dropping views to admire, like snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, lush green pastures, and chalet villages. We recommend you take in those stunning landscapes by waking up to them. From five-star luxury hotels to gondola-turned-tiny-house, here are the best places to stay for great views while in Switzerland. [READ MORE]( [Charmey]( Charmey Is the Ultimate Mountain Town for Exploring the Swiss Alps With its highly developed network of trails that make the Alps accessible to trekkers of varying abilities, Switzerland is one of the world’s best-known hiking destinations. And getting out into the mountains is best done by staying in a mountain town, and we can’t think of a better one than Charmey in the country’s Gruyere region. Here’s how — and why — to base yourself in Charmey when exploring the Swiss Alps. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Skiing in Switzerland]( 8 Ways Skiing in Switzerland Is So Much Better Than the US With its sky-high mountains, majestic glaciers, and glittering lakes, Switzerland is a land of superlatives blessed by nature that boasts nine of the ten highest peaks in the Alps – including the iconic Matterhorn on the Swiss-Italian border. The pedigree of ski resorts is legendary, too, and there are more than 300 places to go skiing in Switzerland. The country’s resorts cater to all levels, from beginners to seasoned off-piste (backcountry) skiers, and many are easily accessible by train from Switzerland’s international airports in Geneva and Zurich. [READ MORE]( [Oeschinen Lake]( You Need To Put This Gorgeous Lake on Your Switzerland Summer Itinerary Oeschinen Lake (sometimes called Oeschinensee Lake), in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. The lake sits at 5,170 feet above sea level and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glacial valleys. [READ MORE]( [Valle Verzasca]( The Remote Valle Verzasca Swimming Hole in Switzerland Is Worth the Journey Nestled in the majestic mountainous landscape of southern Switzerland’s Ticino region, the Valle Verzasca is one of the most legendary natural swimming pools in the country. Though visitors can dive into almost any area of the Verzasca River, which cuts through the valley, most people head to the rural village of Lavertezzo. [READ MORE]( [Zurich Skiing]( Near Zurich, Switzerland, World-Class Skiing Is Just Another Saturday in Winter We’ve compiled a list of some of the best areas that local Zurich skiers frequent for a half-day, one-day, or weekend trip. From the Zurich Main Train Station, all are reachable in 50 to 105 minutes by car (with no traffic) and 70 to 180 minutes by public transit. [READ MORE]( [Grindelwald First]( You Can Drive in a Real-Life Mario Kart Race on a Swiss Mountain You'll find Mario Kart in real life in Grindelwald First, Switzerland’s peak in the Jungfrau Region, dubbed the ‘Top of Adventure.’ Travelers and hikers come to stroll on the mountain past stunning peaks, valleys, and wildflowers (and Swiss cows, of course). [READ MORE]( [Murren]( This Epic Climb in the Swiss Alps Is Mostly Terrifying — but Also Worth It. Stunning views, sheer rock faces, and an adrenaline rush like no other—are just some of the exciting features of Mürren via Ferrata in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. For experienced climbers and adventurers looking for a unique experience, this route should be at the top of their list. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [chocolate]( Switzerland's 'Choco Pass' Is the Dream Ticket Chocolate Lovers Have Been Waiting For The city of Geneva has just launched its new Choco Pass. It’s worth making a day out of grabbing all the chocolate morsels, as the Choco Pass lasts just 24 hours from when you walk into your first chocolate shop. [READ MORE]( [Senda dil Dragun]( The World’s Longest Treetop Walkway Is Switzerland's Coolest New Attraction Switzerland is now home to the world’s longest treetop walkway. Senda dil Dragun, located in the small town of Laax in Switzerland, opened on July 11, 2021, and it is the longest treetop walkway in the world. It stretches for nearly one mile through the forest and connects two Swiss villages: Laax Murschetg and Laax Dorf. [READ MORE]( [Bern]( In Switzerland, People Commute From Work by Floating Down This Gorgeous River Nothing is so universally detested as a work commute. No matter how you slice it, carving out precious minutes of your day simply to travel somewhere you may or may not hate — or return from there tired, depleted, and annoyed at your co-workers — is a huge inconvenience. But people in Switzerland have figured out a way to make commuting fun. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [Zurich Airbnbs]( [Kulmhotel]( [Swiss Alps]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( FOLLOW US AND FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE [Facebook]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [Custom]( [Twitter X]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! 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