10 Reasons Switzerland Should Be Your Next Travel Destination
Switzerland is known for its neutrality, but there are no gray areas concerning its desirability for travelers. Here’s the green light to your next stop.
During travel, we often filter lackluster pictures of locales to match them with the romanticized images in our heads. Switzerland does the reverse. Its splendor can be so otherworldly that it takes persuasion for people to acknowledge the reality of its all-natural grandeur. Imagine snowcapped peaks defying a canopy of clouds, sloping hills cradling herds of cattle grazing fresh grass, and wooden chalets evoking the wintry lures of fairy tales and Christmas folklore.
But the spell of Switzerland transcends myth; it doesn’t ride the coattails of its storied past. Rather, it’s rife with the pleasures of the present. If there’s a country that can pick up the pulse of the now with faultless clockwork, it’s Switzerland. So, when the time is ripe — stow away your briefcase. Pack your Gore-Tex and trusty trainers. You’re in for an unforgettable adventure.
It’s a playground for thrill-seekers and a great initiation for outdoor enthusiasts.
Mountaineers often dream of Annapurna, Kilimanjaro, or Mont Blanc. Unfortunately, not everyone is Reinhold Messner. If you want an adrenaline rush, Switzerland will responsibly indulge your taste for the extreme. Hiking trails are everywhere from the gentle inclines of Rigi Kulm and the hilly drops of Allmendhubel in Mürren. Experienced alpinists can choose from an array of summits to climb, be it Matterhorn (popularized by the Toblerone box), Eiger, or Pilatus, to name a few. If you prefer to skip the cardio workout but insist on experiencing the thrills of high altitude, eat in a revolving restaurant at Schilthorn or ride a gondola up Restaurant Bettmerhorn. Your best bet to see the sunset is to take the funicular to Harder Kulm. To top it off, witness Jungfraujoch, also known as the Top of Europe, which rises 4,158 meters above sea level. If you want to take it further, soar among the clouds by paragliding in Interlaken.
It’s a place for quiet pleasures where you can wax poetic about nature.
On the flip side, Switzerland’s vertiginous elevation is evenly matched by its soothing flora and fauna. Geography teaches us that serenity can be found in stillness. As opposed to the coastal towns of the Mediterreanean, which straddle different bodies of water attracting carefree wanderers, the Swiss mountains’ imposing zeniths command order and stability.
Case in point, Fieschertal, a car-free alpine village in the canton of Valais, is lined with colorful cabins that preserve the town’s architectural and agricultural traditions. A day in the life usually consists of producing dairy, foraging wild blueberries, picking edelweiss, and pampering the town’s local herds.
Nearby is the Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting the largest glacier in the Swiss Alps. It’s best seen from Moosfluh, Bettmerhorn, and Eggishorn. These viewpoints are perfect for quick hikes and meditative breaks. Upon arrival, you’ll realize you’re in the presence of greatness because the scenery will leave you basking in silence.
Water is phenomenal and free.
Drop the Evian because water fountains are abundant in the city or countryside. Switzerland protects its rich reserves to ensure water is clean and untouched. That said, you can drink straight from the tap — no problem.
It supports a culture of sustainability.
The Swiss may be known for being reserved and modest, but rest assured, they will speak up if you disturb the peace of their environment. A tip: never leave your litter.
They coined the term “Swisstainable,” a portmanteau of “Swiss” and “sustainable.” It promotes the protection of their greatest asset — nature. The term applies to travel as well. Tourists are encouraged to stay longer and delve deeper into the culture instead of rushing between locations to tick boxes on their bucket lists. Take a stroll in Gimmelwald and buy souvenirs in artisanal shops. The Swiss recognize quality over quantity. If you’re an avid shopper, don’t let the steep prices deter you. It pays to have a buy-it-for-life mentality.
Swiss neutrality is a noble pursuit that can inspire change.
Neutrality is a guiding principle in Switzerland’s foreign policy. Though travel isn’t political in nature, it’s an exercise in expanding one’s worldview. A trip to Switzerland exposes travelers to French, German, Italian, and Romansh cultures. It shows us that diversity is welcome, aggression should be thwarted, and peace can be a priority if we want it.
They’ve mastered mobility.
The advantage of being landlocked in a mountainous region is it creates demand for top-grade transport. With the help of modern engineering, communities have found ways to move safely around high places. That’s why figures like Adolf Guyer-Zeller, founder of the Jungfrau Railway, are celebrated by the citizens.
The Swiss Museum of Transportation in Lucerne records the progress of mobility by showcasing a wide range of locomotives, automobiles, ships, and aircraft. Whether it’s spotlighting the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray or the Bombardier Challenger 604, the interactive exhibition is proof that life is governed by the symbiosis between man and machine.
The scenic railway system is foolproof and affordable.
One of the most exhausting aspects of travel is powering through multiple transits. But this doesn’t have to be an unpleasant ordeal. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you’re entitled to unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days. Aside from complimentary discounts to museums and mountain excursions, you’ll get a panoramic view of the outdoors from the comfort of your seat. The SBB app is hyper-accurate too; it’s a leap from Google Maps because it leaves no room for guesswork — leading you from your platform down to your walking routes.
It’s a haven for chocolate and cheese lovers.
In Switzerland, you can cave in to your cravings for melt-in-your-mouth cheeses and chocolates. When it gets chilly in high altitudes, nibbling on a raclette and dipping potatoes in a cheese fondue spell all the difference. If you want to witness the grassroots production of cheese, head to the cellar of Chäserenholz to sample their dairy selection. If you’re strapped for time, a trip to the nearest Coop will satisfy your need to hoard local produce. This tip applies to chocolate lovers too. Try various brands from Cailler to Frey, and of course, Lindt. Take home Caotina and sip it when the temperature drops. For a chocolate cafe experience, Milkboy and the chocolate strawberry from Funky Chocolate Club Switzerland are a must. If bespoke sweets are up your alley, visit the nearest Max Chocolatier. You’ll thank us for the endorphin boost.
It’s a cinematic marvel.
The dramatic massifs of Switzerland paint the perfect backdrop for the cliff-hanging plots of action movies. A prime example is the 360° restaurant Piz Gloria in Schilthorn, a summit standing at 2970 meters above sea level. It’s the location for the iconic Bond movie, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. As you breathe in the crisp alpine air of the Bernese Oberland outside, absorb the views of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. It gets more intense when you do the Thrill Walk, which includes crawling through a tunnel, traversing on a glass floor, and balancing your gait on a rope suspended above a cattle grid — all while staring at the abyss beneath you. It’s also not surprising that the country is a source of inspiration for fantasy fiction. Though The Lord of the Rings was shot in New Zealand, J.R.R. Tolkien’s travels in the Lauterbrunnen Valley inspired the characters’ journey through Rivendell and Misty Mountains.
The Lake life is a good life.
Trekking in Switzerland will increase your stamina and acclimate your body to higher altitudes. But wellbeing goes beyond the physical. In this respect, lakeside living, or at least spending ample time by the lake, is the soul-enriching activity one needs when travel fatigue starts to set in.
Begin with a cruise in Lake Lucerne, and let its turquoise waters be the salve that eases the friction of a long day. It allows access to several stops like Weggis, Vitnau, and Brunnen. This route passes through the famous Bürgenstock, the luxury resort where Audrey Hepburn lived for 14 years. It’s where prominent figures — from Sophia Loren to Indira Gandhi — went to spend their holidays. If you want to be within the vicinity of Rigi Kulm, stay at Hotel Vitznauerhof to enjoy a comfortable respite among the foothills.
Interlaken also possesses two lakes: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Famous for its cruises and jetboat rides, Lake Brienz’ southern shore of Iseltwald is where scenes from the K-drama, Crash Landing on You, were shot. If you need creative stimulation after your nature trip, it’s a good idea to participate in a woodcarving workshop at Jobin’s Factory.
Switzerland can be many things — a diplomat’s utopia, a snowboarder’s paradise, a billionaire’s safe space, an adventurer’s playground, a celebrity’s sanctuary, a writer’s fantasy terrain. It can also reflect the duality of your inner landscape because all at once, it awakens you, shocks you, and hurls you into the great outdoors, but then it also lulls you, levels you, and pulls you into a state of blissful tranquility. Whichever side you land on, keep walking.
“And how we did sleep!—for there is no opiate like Alpine pedestrianism.”
Mark Twain, A Trip to Rigi
