The 4 cities you absolutely must visit in Switzerland

For starters, this cosmopolitan metropolis is right on the water, located at the eponymous lake. Of course, it also sits at the foot of the Alps, so visitors can make their way to the Swiss mountains in less than an hour. Because of this combination, Zurich is often ranked among the world’s top cities in terms of quality of life. It doesn’t do so bad in its culinary pursuits, either. The city has seen an explosion of pop-up restaurants taking over vacant factories, it hosts a globally revered annual food festival, and it prides itself on having one of the highest numbers of Michelin-starred restaurants per inhabitant in all of Europe.

Like Zurich, Basel expertly weaves together contrasting ideals: historical buildings jutted against modern architecture, a dynamic underground art scene alongside world-renowned museums. In fact, Basel has the highest concentration of museums—roughly 40 in all—in the country. No wonder this is the original home to the international art fair, Art Basel, which is now staged in a handful of cities across the globe.

Known for its Jet d’eau, a fountain with a 460-feet-high water jet situated at the periphery of Lake Geneva, and its French influences thanks to bordering France, Geneva also happens to be Switzerland’s most international city. As the European headquarters of the United Nations, it’s even where the International Red Cross directs its humanitarian campaigns. That doesn’t mean this city is without ample quays, lakeside promenades, and green parks. Oh, and there’s that other eponymous lake, which enables mouettes, a type of water taxi, to facilitate crossings.

Nearby to Geneva, in the same French-influenced region of Switzerland, Lausanne is both an urban destination and a coastal resort. The old town district, for instance, is largely car-free and boasts quaint alleyway cafes and shops. It’s a hilly city nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva, about halfway between the Jura Mountains and the Alps, and it’s surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes, which make it a noted wine-growing region.

Whichever Swiss city you consider, it’s all but guaranteed you’ll receive Swiss-level hospitality. The Swiss Boutique & Design Hotels throughout Switzerland mimic the nation’s devotion to the dual importance of urban and natural pursuits. For instance, guests with an affinity for architecture and design can find similarly suited accommodations. Those seeking cultural pursuits can be paired with city hotels promoting creative concepts, and others wanting a luxurious Alpine experience can find that as well. 

So, if a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine what seeing Switzerland for yourself—up close and in real life—will be worth to you. Visit MySwitzerland.com/art to find more information about the cities themselves including all their art and cultural offerings.