Why visit
Switzerland is Alpine travel at its most efficient. Zermatt and the Matterhorn, Grindelwald, Lucerne's lake, Zurich and Geneva cities. With trains that run exactly on time.
Country · Europe
Switzerland
natureadventurecityfood
At a glance
Location
47.0°, 8.0°
Coast
Landlocked
Country area
41,284 km²
15,940 mi²
Country population
8.9 million
215/km²
Subregion
Western Europe
Currency
Swiss franc (Fr.)
CHF
Dial
+41
Languages
French, Swiss German, Italian
Demonym
Swiss
Internet
.ch
UN
Member state
ISO code
CH / CHE
Where in the world
47.0° · 8.0°
Switzerland
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Did you know
- Switzerland has enough nuclear fallout shelters for the entire population: by law.
- The CERN Large Hadron Collider crosses the Swiss-French border underground.
- Swiss banks held an estimated $2.4 trillion in foreign assets as of 2022.
- Switzerland did not grant women the vote at the federal level until 1971.
Bordering Switzerland
Traveler notes
- Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, boats, most mountain cableways
- Schengen visa; expensive. Budget accordingly
- Bernina and Glacier Express are destinations in themselves
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Bern, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Signature travel cities in Switzerland
Geneva
Geneva is Switzerland's most international city. UN headquarters, CERN, Lake Geneva's Jet d'Eau, and easy access to Chamonix and Mont Blanc.
Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland's financial capital turned lifestyle destination. Bahnhofstrasse shopping, Lake Zurich swimming, Kunsthaus art museum, and the Uetliberg city-mountain.
Interlaken
Interlaken sits between two lakes with Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau rising behind. Switzerland's adventure-sport capital for paragliding, skydiving, canyoning.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Switzerland
What is the capital of Switzerland?
Bern is the capital of Switzerland.
What currency does Switzerland use?
Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (Fr.), ISO code CHF.
What languages are spoken in Switzerland?
The primary languages are French, Swiss German and Italian.
Is Switzerland landlocked?
Yes, Switzerland is landlocked: it has no sea coastline.
What countries border Switzerland?
Switzerland borders Austria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany.
What is the international calling code for Switzerland?
The calling code is +41.
When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
Jun–Sep (summer), Dec–Mar (ski). Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other Europe destinations
Krakow
Kraków is Poland's medieval capital. Main Square (Europe's largest), Wawel Castle, Kazimierz Jewish Quarter, and Auschwitz-Birkenau 90 minutes out.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a walled medieval city on the Adriatic. Stradun's polished limestone, city walls you can walk, and ferries to Lokrum and the Elaphiti islands.
Split
Split's Old Town is inside Diocletian's Palace. The Roman emperor's retirement home still occupied 1,700 years later. Ferry hub for the Dalmatian islands.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is Greece's second city. Byzantine walls, Rotunda (Roman mausoleum), Ano Poli's old town, and the country's most celebrated food scene.
Santorini
Santorini is the caldera island. Oia's whitewashed church domes, Fira's cliff-edge restaurants, red and black volcanic beaches, and Akrotiri's Bronze Age ruins.
Geneva
Geneva is Switzerland's most international city. UN headquarters, CERN, Lake Geneva's Jet d'Eau, and easy access to Chamonix and Mont Blanc.