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20 of the Best Places to Visit in Switzerland — From Quaint Villages to Glamorous Cities

From tiny medieval towns to iconic ski resorts, here are 20 of the best places to go in Switzerland.

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When you close your eyes and think of Switzerland, what do you see? Is it snow-capped mountains? Perhaps a verdant valley punctuated by springtime wildflowers? Or maybe it's a quaint Swiss city filled with cultural attractions and world-class restaurants. No matter which vision comes to mind, all of them are right — because Switzerland is all that and more. 

"Switzerland is small, yet we have four official languages, and every single one of the 26 cantons (states) is unique and has something different to offer," Catja-Camilla Straub, a tour guide with GatyaGoes , shared with Travel + Leisure . "There are different ways to explore and experience Switzerland, and there is something for everyone's interests: the outdoors, activities, luxury, a large number of festivals, food, culture, and history." 

Straub isn't the only one to see the nation's remarkable beauty. "Switzerland can offer you all Europa has to offer in one country," Tim Wehrle, a tour guide and underwater archaeologist in Zurich, said. "From lonely mountain valleys to a Mediterranean flair in the south of Switzerland, from busy nightlife to historic town centers, you can find everything in Switzerland." 

Ready to see it all? Here are 20 of the best places to visit in Switzerland.

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“Zurich is a small gem with only 450,000 inhabitants, yet it's the largest and most vibrant city in Switzerland,” Straub shared. Zurich may be best known for its banking and shopping, but, as Staub noted, it “actually has a rich history dating back to the Romans.” Staub recommends seeing it all and learning everything you can on a walking tour with a local like her.

Mount Rigi Kulm

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Make your way to the top of Mount Rigi to get a view of three countries at once. The mountain, located between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug, offers views of Switzerland, France, and Germany at the top, which you can reach by taking a train or hiking all the way .

Lake Lucerne

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Lake Lucerne offers some of Switzerland’s most fantastic views. The glittering lake stretches on for 43 square miles, offering visitors the chance to hike around it, boat through it, or stay at any number of fantastic hotels lining its shores to enjoy the view. 

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Make your way about an hour northeast of Lake Lucerne to the town of Rapperswil , which sits on Lake Zurich. The town is known for its abundant roses in the spring and summer and for its medieval architecture, including its very own castle.

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History lovers, this one is for you. Ticino, a town in southern Switzerland, is home to not one but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Bellinzona castles and Monte San Giorgio. Come explore them all year long, dive in the lake in summer, or take to the mountains for a ski trip in winter. 

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Tucked between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, travelers can find the town of Interlaken . It’s well known as an adventure-lovers paradise, offering the chance to hike, ski, paraglide, skydive, and more through the majestic mountain range surrounding the town.

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Quinten , which sits on the shores of Lake Walen, is the place to be for those who love to see everything on foot. The entire community is car-free and offers spectacular views throughout its terraced neighborhoods lined with vineyards overlooking the Churfirsten mountain range.

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Want another car-free adventure? Head to the picturesque town of Appenzell in northeast Switzerland. The small community of just 7,000 full-time residents is known for its hand-made cheeses, best enjoyed with a picnic out in the rolling green pastures. 

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Montreux, positioned on the shores of Lake Geneva, is loved for its palm-lined promenade, castles, and gorgeous alpine vistas. It’s also the place to be over the summer when it hosts the annual Montreux Jazz Festival, which is worthy of planning an entire trip around.

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If you’re into cheese, you’ve likely heard the name Gruyère before. Visit its namesake town, located in southwest Switzerland, to dig into the cheese-making tradition and to visit its fairy-tale streets surrounded by a positively bucolic landscape.

Oeschinen Lake

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Explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Switzerland with a visit to the glacial Oeschinen Lake. Like many places in Switzerland, this lake comes flanked by snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows, and it offers more than its fair share of outdoor fun, including everything from hiking and biking to ice fishing in the winter.

Lavaux Vineyard

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Wine lovers will adore visiting Lavaux Vineyard, the nation’s largest contiguous vineyard area that goes on for nearly 2,000 acres. The vineyard is yet another one of Switzerland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which comes with the added bonus of gorgeous views and divine wine tastings .

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Want to feel like you’re on top of the world? Head to Stoos , a town located at 4,265 feet. The entire (car-free) town is adorable, but the coolest part is its funicular railway — which holds the record as the steepest on Earth — that takes guests some 2,400 feet high in under 10 minutes. 

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Find a little slice of luxury in St. Mortiz. The high-end town marries some of the best skiing in the world with some of the best shopping. It’s got glitz, glamour, and plenty of bona fides to back up its reputation as a winter sports heaven; St. Moritz hosted the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympic Games.

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Geneva, the second-largest city in Switzerland, is renowned for its international organizations like the United Nations European headquarters and the International Committee of the Red Cross. It’s also a spot where travelers can find luxuries galore, including high-end watch shops selling some of the most exclusive pieces on Earth.

Rhine Falls

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Feel the power of Mother Nature at Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall. Visitors can marvel at the thunderous waters from viewing platforms, and those feeling more adventurous can take boat trips for a closer experience. Just make sure to wear something waterproof.

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Zermatt , which sits in the shadow of the Matterhorn, is one more car-free village that combines rustic charm with high-end amenities, including some of the best skiing in Europe. Of course, guests can explore the mountains all spring, summer, and fall by hiking and biking, or just enjoy the town’s fantastic (year-round) shopping opportunities.

Bern, Switzerland's capital, offers an enticing mix of old and new. The city has retained much of its medieval architecture and cobblestone streets, now the setting for world-class dining venues, boutiques, and beer gardens, all worthy of visiting on your next trip.

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Find a little taste of Italy in Lugano, the largest Italian-speaking city in Switzerland (which counts Italian among its four official languages). The Swiss city offers more gorgeous promenades to stroll, along with delicious Italian-influenced restaurants and an art scene that can't be beaten. 

Swiss National Park

Get one more taste of Switzerland’s incredible natural beauty with a visit to Swiss National Park , located in the Engadin Valley. The park encompasses 68 square miles, making it a fantastic place to explore. While on a hike, see how many animals you can spot, including the park’s resident marmots, ibexes, and golden eagles.

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Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide

If you've ever ogled over photos of Switzerland's Alpine peaks, rolling meadows, and pristine lakes, you'll be happy to know that it's even more beautiful in person. The central European country is small compared to its neighbors, but it packs a lot into its 16,000 square miles, including 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites , more than 1,500 glaciers, and at least that many lakes.

All these geologic wonders add up to some of the more stunning scenery in the world. And that's enough to bring travelers—about 12 million of them per year —to Switzerland. When you factor in the countless opportunities for hiking, skiing, and boating; hearty Swiss food; modern, interesting cities; and what is probably Europe's best public transportation system, you're met with an accessible, exciting, and altogether satisfying vacation destination.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit :  The best time to visit Switzerland depends on what you want to do while you're here. Ski slopes are open November through March (though there is year-round skiing in a few places), while hiking and swimming are glorious in the summer months. But to beat the crowds, consider a visit in spring or fall.
• Language:  Switzerland's cantons, or states, are mostly either French- or German-speaking. In the southern Ticino canton, Italian is the first language and in the Graubünden/Grisons canton, Romansh, a form of ancient Latin, is still spoken by about 60,000 people. The good news for travelers is that English is widely spoken, especially in hotels, restaurants, stores, and tourist attractions.
• Currency:  Despite being in the middle of western Europe, Switzerland is not part of the EU, though it participates in the European Common economic market. The official currency here is the Swiss franc (abbreviated CHF). That said, your euros will probably be accepted at most places, though they'll give you change in francs.
• Getting Around :  The clean, convenient, and comprehensive Swiss Travel System is the pride of Switzerland, and rightly so. The system includes trains, buses, lake and river ferries, funiculars, cogwheel trains, ski lifts, and gondolas that permit access to virtually every corner of the country. Because the system is so complete, we recommend touring Switzerland by public transportation, instead of by rental car. From airports and larger train stations, taxis are always available for those who don't feel like schlepping their bags.
• Travel Tip:  If you plan to do a lot of travel within Switzerland, consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass , which grants the holder unlimited first- or second-class travel across the country's network of trains, buses, and boats, and most scenic railways. Plus, you'll get admission to more than 500 museums, as well as discounts on mountain excursions. However, if you just plan to visit a couple of places in the country, you can get by with individual train/transit tickets.

TripSavvy / Michela Sieman

Things to Do

While every traveler has their own reasons for visiting Switzerland, the big draws here can more or less be broken down into three categories: scenery, outdoor activities, and Swiss history and culture. Your trip will likely start or end in one of Switzerland's big cities, where that history and culture are on full display. Be sure to plan at least one (or several) excursions into the Swiss countryside, either on an easy or challenging hike, a boat ride across an iconic lake, or a cable car ride up to some of the highest peaks in Europe.

Here are some ideas for planning your Swiss itinerary:

• Explore one of the country's culturally rich cities. If you're flying into Switzerland, you'll most likely arrive in Zürich or Geneva. Zürich , Switzerland's largest city, is a delightful place to spend a few days taking in art and history museums, dining in centuries-old restaurants, and strolling down the River Limmat. Geneva , in French-speaking Switzerland, is the diplomatic center of Europe, with plenty of history and classical appeal, and an idyllic setting on the shores of Lake Geneva.
• Hike, bike, swim, or ski. No matter what time of year you visit, you'll find a huge range of outdoor activities in Switzerland—though admittedly, swimming is a bit brisk from October to June! There are biking and hiking routes for every level of fitness, extensive networks of ski "arenas" across the Alps and the Jura mountains, and rivers and lakes waiting for you to jump in for a swim or a paddle.
• Choose a mountain excursion. In Switzerland, it doesn't matter if you're not a skier or hiker. You can answer the call of the mountains just the same, thanks to dozens of scenic mountain excursions that whisk you—by cogwheel rail, cable car, or ski gondola—for close-up looks at the Matterhorn , the Eiger, the Aletsch Glacier, and more. At most places, you can have lunch on the mountaintop while you enjoy the view. Don't leave Switzerland without partaking in at least one of these thrilling rides.

For more trip-planning ideas, check out our full-length articles on the top things to do in Switzerland , Switzerland's most scenic train rides , and Switzerland's top lakes .

What to Eat and Drink

Swiss cuisine is hearty, to say the least. Cheese, chocolate, potatoes, and meat feature heavily on Swiss menus everywhere, and risotto is popular in the cantons bordering Italy. Swiss wine, from vineyards mostly south of the Alps, is so popular among the Swiss that only 2 percent is exported!

Here are some of the foods and beverages you shouldn't miss in Switzerland:

• Fondue. This classic dish of melted cheese, served with bread and vegetables for dipping, is as iconic as the Matterhorn. Fondue originated in French-speaking Switzerland , but it's pretty much ubiquitous across the country.
• Raclette. Sort of a cousin of fondue, raclette is melted cheese served on a plate with bread, potatoes, and gherkins. Its roots are high in the Alps, where farmers would make meals from their abundant cheese reserves.
• Rösti. Pancakes made of grated, fried potatoes, rösti may be served as a side dish or, when paired with eggs, meat, or cheese, as the main course.
• Chocolate. Thanks to milk from grass-fed Alpine cows, plus a few "secret" recipes, Swiss milk chocolate is among the creamiest in the world. Brands to look for include Toberlone, Lindt, Sprüngli, and Läderach.
• Swiss wine. Largely produced in the more temperant cantons south of the Alps, Swiss wine is equally celebrated in its red and white varieties. Chasselas and pinot noir are among the most common grapes, but across the country's wine-growing region, micro-vineyards specialize in small-batch wines. Be sure to sample the wine while you're here— Swiss wine is hard to find outside Switzerland.

Read more in our guides to the top foods to try in Switzerland and where to eat in Zürich .

Where to Stay

Switzerland's accommodation options range from rustic mountain bunkhouses for hikers to luxurious 5-star hotels with spas, Michelin-star dining, and every imaginable amenity. In between those extremes, there are concept hotels, ski-in/ski-out lodges, and a host of B&Bs, small inns, and vacation rentals.

If you're staying in a city, we usually recommend basing yourself in the historic center so that you're within walking distance of popular tourist attractions, restaurants, and bars. But cities like Zürich also have creative, modern districts outside of the center, which make for interesting bases as well. In an Alpine destination such as Zermatt, Saas-Fee, or Gstaad, we like cozy, traditional hotels that really impart a sense of place.

For a taste of what Zürich has to offer, check out our articles on Zürich's top neighborhoods and best hotels.

Getting to Switzerland

International flights to Switzerland, especially those originating outside of Europe, will likely arrive in Zürich or Geneva. Some intra-Europe flights might land at Basel's airport, which is actually located just over the French border.

You can reach Switzerland by train from the neighboring countries of Austria, Germany, France, and Italy. Note that if you're traveling to Switzerland from an adjacent country, your ticket will likely only cover you until your first stop in Switzerland; for example, if you're traveling from Milan, Italy, your ticket will take you as far as Lugano. After that, you'll need a travel pass or ticket from the Swiss Travel System if you want to change trains.

If you're driving to Switzerland, you need to purchase or make sure your car already has a motorway vignette —a sticker that permits access to Swiss highways.

Learn more by checking out our guides to Zürich airport , traveling to Switzerland from Italy , and Zürich's public transportation .

Culture and Customs

While there are no special "rules" for visiting Switzerland, travelers here might find the Swiss somewhat reserved, especially when compared to Mediterranean cultures to the south. Here are a few basic customs and courtesies to keep in mind:

• Be on time. Trains aren't the only thing that runs on time in Switzerland. Plan to arrive on time, or even a few minutes early, for restaurant reservations or other reserved activities.
• Don't be noisy. In restaurants, on public transportation, and especially in the evenings in residential areas, keep your voices at a conversational level.
• Tip in moderation. While tipping waitstaff is appreciated in Switzerland, it's not expected. Tips for your hotel cleaning staff and bellhops are the norm, however.

Money Saving Tips

Here's something you should know about Switzerland before you start planning your trip: it's expensive. Hotels, dining, trains, and attractions are all costly compared to many other European countries, but there are a few ways you can save money:

• Travel in the shoulder seasons. Visit Switzerland in the spring or fall to save money on airfare and hotels.
• Drink tap water. Unless otherwise posted, tap water in Switzerland is clean and safe to drink. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at any tap.
• Pack a picnic. Before you head out for a day of adventures, stop at a grocery store and pick up bread, cheese, cold cuts, or whatever else you want for a picnic. Just don't forget to grab a chocolate bar for the road!

https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ch

https://www.worlddata.info/europe/switzerland/tourism.php

Switzerland Tourism. "Language distribution." Retrieved on November 9, 2021.

Switzerland Tourism. "Currency." Retrieved on November 9, 2021.

BBC. "Tracing fondue’s mysterious origins." February 12, 2013.

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12 of the best things to do in Switzerland 

Dec 5, 2023 • 13 min read

Experience the best of Switzerland with these top things to do © nycshooter / Getty Images

No country has it all, but the Swiss are justified in feeling pretty smug about their lot.

In Switzerland almost every drive , train journey , boat trip or cable car ride has an element of the epic, taking you to thundering falls, gorges, valleys hidden deep in the mountains or World Heritage vineyards. Cities with medieval old towns, big-hitter galleries and extraordinary cultural collections are often just a whisper away from vivid turquoise lakes and the glacier-capped Alps. The stride between urban and outdoors is effortless.

Whether it’s floating down the Rhine in Basel, admiring Paul Klee’s punchy art in Bern, hiking below the mighty Matterhorn, feeling the thrill of ice at the Aletsch Glacier, or sipping Chasselas wines in the terraced vineyards of the Lavaux as the last sun touches Lake Geneva, these are some of the best things to do in Switzerland .

1. Float down the Rhine in Basel

At the point where Switzerland, Germany and France converge, Basel dives into creative waters when it comes to avant-garde art and architecture, with a raft of galleries right up there with Europe’s best. But this city also likes to let its mind drift. 

Cue the Rhine, where office workers ditch their suits to take a dip, and families gather for a city swim on weekends. A novel way to see Basel is to grab a Wickelfisch (a fish-shaped waterproof bag to keep your stuff dry), make for the river banks in Kleinbasel, then strip to your bathers and float past city landmarks as the current carries you gently downstream. If you prefer to keep your head above water, rent a stand-up paddleboard or join a tour with Birs73 . Locals like to end their dip socially, with drinks and a sunbathe at a buvette (riverside bar), especially on hot summer days.

Planning tip: Hop in just below Museum Tinguely to float 3km (1.8 miles) down the Rhine, or plot your own route by taking a look at the map . You can buy a Wickelfisch at the tourist office in central Barfüsserplatz.

2. Stargaze from your bed

It’s a night silent enough to hear your own heartbeat. Up in the Alps, darkness falls and the only sound is the gentle chime of cowbells. Constellations and distant planets sprinkle the sky like handfuls of glitter. Sound beautiful? It is. Harnessing the wild, Million Stars Hotel is a huge collection of open-air, one-of-a-kind sleeps across the country, where you can slip back to nature and enjoy a little pre-bedtime stargazing.

But we’re not just talking canvas here. These imaginative overnighters are ones that you’ll be raving about for years to come – from beautifully made-up beds plonked on top of remote mountains to a stylishly converted gondola on the edge of a crag, a bed under an apple tree and a “beehive” pod with views of Eiger’s mile-high North Face. And with this being Switzerland, they are not just clever but comfortable, too.

Planning tip: As each place only sleeps two, advance booking is highly advisable. Most are open from July to October.

3. Ride the Glacier Express

No country nails rail travel like Switzerland, where little red trains (polished and perfectly on time) chug from valley to peak with ease, leaving you to swoon over the Alpine scenery from the comfort of your panoramic carriage. Evoking a golden age of travel, Switzerland’s train journeys are hands down some of the world’s finest.

The big one everyone is eager to do at least once (and with good reason) is the Glacier Express , which crosses over the Furka, Oberalp and Bernina passes on the eight-hour ride between Zermatt and St Moritz in Graubünden ’s Upper Engadin. Riveting views of meadows, forests, fast-flowing turquoise rivers, canyons, castles, big-shouldered mountains and glaciers keep you glued to the window. The entire journey is a remarkable feat of 1930s engineering, but special mention goes to the Landwasser viaduct – the gravity-defying six-arched bridge that leaps between Tiefencastel and Filisur, and the Oberalp Pass (2,033m/6,670ft), harnessing the true wilderness of the Swiss Alps.

Planning tip: If you want to save a few francs, regularly scheduled services plying the same route can be just as enjoyable and significantly less expensive. Break up the journey by using cheaper SBB trains and overnighting along the way.

4. Hike in the Swiss National Park

For a taste of the Alps before tourists rocked up, head southeast to the Swiss National Park in Graubünden’s Lower Engadin valley, where the mountains nudge their way over into Italy. Easily accessed from the quaint villages of Scuol, Zernez and S-chanf, Switzerland’s only national park is a 172-sq-km (66-sq-mile) visual feast of rushing streams, high moors, pastures, glaciers, larch, pine woods and lakes. Here, nature has been left totally to its own devices: no trees are felled, no meadows are cut, and no animals have been hunted since the park was founded in 1914.

The only way to properly see the park is by chucking on boots and heading for its trail-laced heart. If you only have time for one walk, make it Lakes of Macun, a 21km (13-mile) day hike from Zernez, leading to a high Alpine plateau splashed with 23 lakes that shimmer topaz and sapphire. If you prefer, you can join a guided walk with one of the park rangers (you can book these at the visitor center in Zernez). With an expert in tow, you stand better chances of spotting rarities like wild edelweiss, ibex, chamois, golden eagles and bearded vultures.

Planning tip: Camping is off-limits, but you can stay the night at the gloriously remote Chamanna Cluozza . At 1,882m (6,174ft) above sea level, this is quite possibly the off-grid log cabin of your wildest Alpine dreams. The hut is reached on a moderately challenging 3½-hour uphill hike from Zernez. Bring your own sleeping bag.

5. Boat across Lake Lucerne

There are higher mountains in Switzerland than those lining the fjord-like shores of Lake Lucerne , but none are more enshrined in flag-waving Swiss myth. Boat across the emerald waters of Lake Uri and you’ll glimpse Rütli Meadow , the hallowed birthplace of the Swiss Confederation in 1291. You can also experience the Tellskapelle , a tiny, frescoed chapel that is said to be where the apple-shooting hero and beloved Swiss rebel William Tell escaped from the boat of his Hapsburg captor, Gessler.

Legends swirl like storm clouds over the mountains on the doorstep of Lucerne . Since 1889, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway has been rattling up to 2,128m (6,981ft) Mt Pilatus, where the restless ghost of Roman prefect Pontius Pilate is said to still roam. Never mind the spook stories – you’ll be captivated by the views reaching as far as Germany’s Black Forest on cloudless days. Its beauty rival is 1,797m Mt Rigi (5,895ft), famous for its painterly sunrises and sunsets and once a source of fascination to JMW Turner, who painted it in three different moods.

Planning tip: Lucerne makes an appealing base for exploring the lake, with its Old Town, medieval wooden bridge and promenade strung along the lakeshore.

6. Take the Eiger Express to Jungfraujoch

You’ve got to hand it to the Swiss – they are always ahead of the game. Since 1912, a little red train, fueled by hydro-power from the outset, has wound its way up to Jungfraujoch , Europe’s highest train station at 3,454m (11,332ft), blasting through the icy heart of Eiger. Just recently, the journey has become even more eco-friendly with Grindelwald’s Eiger Express , a super-speedy tri-cable gondola that covers the first leg of the journey using its wheels to generate green power. The ride will make you gasp out loud as you float above the landscape, with spruce forests and log chalets giving way to a realm of rock and ice. You’ll get so close to Eiger’s beastly, mile-high North Face that you’ll feel as though you’ll slam right into it.

At the top of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jungfraujoch, temperatures drop and the world is always white. You’ll be wowed by the view from the Sphinx observation deck, reaching across a sea of snow-capped, 4,000m (13,123ft) peaks and the 23km (14.2-mile) swirl of the Aletsch Glacier while Germany and France hover in the distance. The frosty Ice Palace is a wonderland of ice tunnels and sculptures – they are impressive today but must have been even more so back when mountaineers first hacked them out by pickaxe in the 1930s.

Planning tip: Bring warm layers and boots, particularly if you fancy the 45-minute stomp to Mönchsjochhütte , Switzerland’s highest serviced mountain hut.

7. Drive the Furka Pass

You won’t be able to tell if it’s the stomach-flipping hairpin bends or the gob-smacking views that make your heart beat so wildly on this high, twisty, up-and-over-the-Alps drive from the isolated valley of the Goms in Valais to mountain-encrusted Andermatt in Uri – the gateway to southeast Switzerland. 

Drive the 31km (19-mile) Furka Pass from west to east to maximize the drama as dark, craggy peaks and glaciers fill your rear-view mirror. If you have a bit of a Bond moment behind the wheel, it’s no coincidence – this road starred in the car chase scene in the 1964 movie Goldfinger. As you swing dizzily around switchbacks, the road tops out at the 2,429m (7,969ft) Furka Pass, where you can peer across the lunar rockscape of a wind-battered plateau to the deeply crevassed Rhône Glacier and its ice grotto before the long, sweeping descent to Andermatt.

Planning tip: The road is open roughly from June to October (depending on snow) but check conditions before heading out.

8. Get active in Ticino’s valleys

In the sultry, parle Italiano canton of Ticino in southern Switzerland, it’s the lakes that get all the love. But dip into Ticino ’s hidden valleys and you’ll lose the crowds and find the region’s true pulse. Here glassy, jewel-colored rivers float past chestnut woods and incredibly pretty granite hamlets cresting hilltops (including Switzerland’s smallest, Corippo , with a population of just 15). And after a day’s hike or bike ride, you can kick back on the vine-swathed terrace of a rustic grotti (tavern) for polenta and brasato (beef braised in red wine) with a glass of the beefy local Merlot.

The wild, woody Valle Maggia is a magnet to mountain bikers and hikers, laced with 700km (435 miles) of trails, including the challenging 52km (32-mile), six-day Via Alta that spotlights the region’s best. For more adventure, head over to the rugged Val Verzasca, bisected by its namesake emerald river and crisscrossed by the Sentiero Verzasca trail. Every Alpine activity imaginable is offered in this valley, from hiking and cycling to rafting, bouldering, paragliding and bungee jumping from the 220m (656ft) Verzasca Dam, which starred in the opening scene of GoldenEye . Swissraft makes it happen.

9. Have a culture fix in Bern

You might have an I-can’t-believe-it’s-the-capital moment roaming the streets of Bern , with its refreshingly easygoing vibe, parks and alfresco cafes, resident bears and lush backdrop of hills. The city is certainly a looker, situated on a sharp bend in the startlingly turquoise Aare River, encircled by gentle hills and with views of the snow-frosted Alps on crisp, clear days. And you can get your cultural kicks here, too. 

Begin with a romp around the Altstadt , Bern’s medieval, cobbled, arcaded, flag-bedecked heart. Here you’ll spy the ornate Zytglogge clock (come at four minutes before the hour for the glockenspiel parade), the 15th-century Gothic Münster (hike up its lofty spire, Switzerland’s tallest, for far-reaching views over the rooftops) and many folkloric fountains, including the Kindlifresserbrunnen , depicting a giant snacking on children.

Museum-wise, Bern is a treat. Tour the apartment where Einstein lived and the magnificent Kunstmuseum , home to Renaissance masterpieces, Monets and Picassos. Make the short hop out to Renzo Piano’s bold, wave-like Zentrum Paul Klee to see the color-charged works of Swiss-born German artist Paul Klee.

Detour : Break up sightseeing with a wild swim in the Aare River. When the weather warms, join the Berner for a cooling downstream float. 

10. Ski or hike below the Matterhorn

Nothing sums up Switzerland’s outdoor-loving spirit better than the Matterhorn, the peak that has broken many a rock climber’s rope (and soul) and has a chocolate bar (Toblerone) shaped in its honor. Arrive in Zermatt on the train that chugs from Täsch. Like those who have come before you, you won’t be able to stop yourself from obsessively gawping at that mountain. 

And who could blame you? Razoring up above the Italian border in southern Valais, this 4,478m (14,691ft) fang of rock and ice is utterly mesmerizing, especially when seen from above. You can ski, hike or climb in its pyramid-shaped shadow by riding the world's highest-altitude 3S cable car to 3,883m (12,739ft) Matterhorn Glacier Paradise , on the Klein Matterhorn, with views reaching deep into the Swiss, French and Italian Alps. 

For close-ups of the melting ice, hook onto the two-hour, 6.5km (4-mile), moderately challenging Matterhorn Glacier Trail. When the flakes fall in winter, you can pound the powder on 360km (223 miles) of ski runs, some of which dip over the border into Italy and nearly all of which offer distractingly lovely views of the Matterhorn.

Planning tip: If you have some climbing experience under your belt, you can climb your way to the top with an Alpine guide .

11. Admire the Aletsch Glacier  

As you journey into the remote Goms valley in Valais , the Alps take a turn for the wild and the hamlets are pure Heidi stuff with sun-blackened chalets and flower-freckled meadows sweeping up to whopping mountains. The Matterhorn gets all the fuss, but just as arresting is the Aletsch Glacier , the jewel in the crown of the Jungfrau-Aletsch region. Powering past wispy waterfalls, rock spires and the dagger-shaped summit of Aletschhorn (4,193m/13,756ft) like a six-lane glacial superhighway, this 23km (14 mile) swirl of deeply crevassed ice is the longest and most voluminous glacier in the Alps.

Observe the glacier from the viewpoint, or – for close-ups – hit the trail on the 17km (10.5-mile), five- to six-hour hike from Fiescheralp to Bettmeralp where every bend in the ice reveals phenomenal views and the odd Valais Blacknose sheep. If you prefer instant thrills, wobble across the Aletschji–Grünsee Suspension Bridge, which straddles the 80m-deep Massa Gorge.

Planning tip: Reaching the glacier is part of the fun. From Fiesch, take the cable car up to Fiescheralp, then beyond to Eggishorn for your first glimpse of the mighty Aletsch.

12. Walk among vines in Lavaux

In the country’s western crook, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lavaux vineyards are heaven on earth to oenophiles. The world’s steepest vineyards stagger up the terraced hills above Lake Geneva . If you’ve never heard of them, it’s because the hand-picked wines are so select and small-batch that the Swiss keep most of them to themselves – few bottles ever reach export.

Before hitting the caveaux (wine cellars) for a petite dégustation (tasting), brush up your wine knowledge. It’s said that these grapes are blessed by three suns: the one in the sky, the one on the lake and the one radiating heat from the dry-stone walls. The main grape is Chasselas, a very old variety producing crisp, flinty white wines with a fresh, citrusy nose. The fruity reds (Gamay, Pinot noir and Salvagnin) make up just 20% of production.

You can drive the meandering roads that loop around 40km (25 miles) of shore or take the Lavaux Panoramic Train , but you’ll get a better feel for the Lavaux by heading out on foot. Little trails dip into the vines everywhere, but top billing goes to the 11km (6.8-mile) trail from St-Saphorin to Lutry, where you’ll take in stirring views, pretty villages and welcoming cellars.

Planning tip: For a great primer on Lavaux wines, stop off at Vinorama in Rivaz. Housed in a strikingly revamped bunker, the lakefront center speeds you through the wine-growing process, and you can sample dozens of different wines in the Espace Dégustation.

This article was first published Sep 20, 2022 and updated Dec 5, 2023.

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The Best Of Switzerland (With Videos and Photos)

November 10, 2020 • TravelOpel Admin • Switzerland • The Best Of Switzerland

Switzerland is the country of soaring Alps and glaciers. It is so gorgeous that you might feel as though you have stumbled into a picture perfect postcard. Switzerland derives its beauty from the snow-clad mountain peaks, shimmering lakes, quaint villages and dense Alpine forests. Switzerland shares a common border with France, Germany, Italy and Austria, which adds a multicultural sophistication to this fairytale beauty. No wonder, this European gem dazzle travelers with its jaw-dropping scenery and cultural delights. With so many spectacular destinations, cities and towns, it is hard to point out the most beautiful places in Switzerland. However, we have tried our best to do that for you.

1. This year the winter is coming back early

2. around obersee näfels, 3. lovely countryside road berner oberland, 4. hi there hooman, how are ya, 5. fall in love, ernen, valais, wallis, 6. crazy capers weather in graubünden, 7. good morning from switzerland, 8. flying above the waterfall in foroglio, 9. beautiful view from stanserhorn on the lake of 4 cantons, 10. the glacier express in switzerland is a one of a kind train ride with views like no other, 11. have you ever tidied up the autumn before.

From @ursuswehrli

12. Who wants to live in these picturesque rustic houses in Ticino?

From @vayam_photography

13. Night falls at Fribourg Schweiz

From @fribourgtourisme 

14. Strolling by the River Rhine in Basel

From @girlinbasel

15. You can almost hear the soft sound of the water trickling by...

From @einfach_schweizer

16. When the magnificent warm tones of autumn tint Switzerland’s natural landscapes...

From @thealpinists

17. Gold, orange, red, green, blue, grey... the Valais mountains

From @voegelin.fotografie

18. Autumn is the perfect season in which to enjoy a stroll through the streets of Lausanne

From @pier.r.e

19. An autumn stroll through the vineyards?

From @lioneljacquier

20. Would you dare to dive into this mountain lake in the autumn?

From @piri_foellmi

21. Is it a painting? On the contrary, this autumnal landscape is entirely real! Lauterbrunnen

From @sennarelax

22. A new week has come to an end with the sun setting over the city of Bern

From @alain.kuerzi.

23. The village of Morcote in Switzerland

From @taddeimatteo

24. Light and shadow at play: here’s what you can expect to see on a magnificent, colourful autumn walk in the Alpstein

From to @benjaminsavary

25. A romantic, atmospheric sky under which to enjoy a beautiful walk through the vineyards of Lavaux

From @agu_photo.ch

26. Through the Swiss Alps and discover beautiful sights. Furka Pass

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From  @u_thomet

29. Mountain layers wherever you look as a transition from autumn to winter

From @noberson

30. Sunset or sunrise? Either way, the view overlooking Lake Lucerne is absolutely spectacular

From @yingxingdelia

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Best places to visit in switzerland.

Switzerland is known around the world for its chocolate, cheese, charming towns and scenic landscapes . Everywhere you turn, you're treated to a little bit of history and a little bit of nature's beauty, as well as plenty of mouthwatering cuisine in between. U.S. News considered factors like sights, culture, accessibility and variety of things to do, plus traveler and expert input, to calculate the best places to visit in Switzerland. Peruse the list below, and vote for your favorite spots to help us determine next year's ranking.

Appenzell District

Jungfrau region.

Interlaken's unique location between two lakes – Lake Brienz and Lake Thun – makes it a breathtaking spot for a vacation. Here, you can spend hours hiking or biking various trails, taking in the castle-studded shores of Lake Thun on a boat cruise or gazing at the surrounding mountains from the Harder Kulm observation deck (accessible via a funicular). To see more of the region's stunning scenery, go for a ride on the Schynige Platte Railway or sign up for a paragliding or skydiving excursion.

Picturesque Lucerne sits on Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland, framed by snowcapped mountains and medieval buildings. This beautiful city's old town is home to historic attractions, lively town squares, boutique shops and old churches. Top attractions include the Musegg Wall and its towers (the preserved fortifications date back to the 13th century) and Europe's oldest wooden covered bridge, the must-see Chapel Bridge, which was originally built in the 1330s. Those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure can also ride a cable car to Mount Pilatus for stunning views of Lake Lucerne and an array of activities at the top.

Travelers looking to ski or snowboard in the Swiss Alps should head to Zermatt. This small, car-free town in the middle of the Alps is famous for housing one of the world's most famous attractions — the Matterhorn (a peak so popular that it inspired a Disneyland ride) — and Switzerland's highest ski resort. Novice and expert skiers and snowboarders can spend the bulk of their vacation hitting the slopes, which showcase incredible mountain views. After shredding powder, visitors can ride the Gornergrat train, pick up a slab of homemade chocolate from a local shop or savor cheese fondue at a traditional Swiss restaurant.

Zurich is a cosmopolitan financial center, a foodie haven and a romantic European city that appeals to all types of travelers. A vacation here should include spending time admiring Lake Zurich, exploring the trendy bars and Michelin-starred restaurants, meandering through Lindenhof park and exploring the city's distinct neighborhoods. Those with expensive taste can join well-heeled shoppers (or just admire the window displays) on Bahnhofstrasse, a world-famous exclusive retail boulevard. While here, be sure to splurge on the famous dark chocolate Champagne truffles from specialty chocolatier Teuscher.

Set along the banks of crystal-clear Lake Geneva in western Switzerland, this city is known for its incredible views and as the headquarters of the Red Cross and the United Nations. Geneva is also home to some iconic sights, including the Jet d'Eau (one of the world's tallest water fountains) and an old town with cobblestone streets and picturesque squares. While exploring the latter, be sure to check out the Saint Pierre Cathedral, which features Roman, Gothic and neoclassical details.

This lakefront city on the Swiss-Italian border offers visitors a unique travel experience. Because Lugano shares waters with neighboring Italy, the city features a mix of Swiss and Mediterranean influences in everything from its cuisine to its architecture. Plus, Lugano boasts unforgettable panoramas. Visit Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, both of which you can reach by funicular, for bird's-eye views of Lake Lugano and the city. Or, spend a few hours hiking the Olive Grove Trail or strolling the gardens of Ciani Park. If you'd rather lounge on a beach, head to Lido di Lugano.

The capital of Switzerland, Bern sometimes gets overlooked for flashier Swiss cities like Zurich and Geneva. But Bern holds many charms, including an Old City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) featuring the iconic Zytglogge clock tower, Renaissance-style fountains and the tallest cathedral in Switzerland. The city also boasts many museums – several dedicated to Albert Einstein, who lived in Bern when developing his theory of relativity. Head to Gurten mountain – which you can reach by funicular, by bike or on foot – for sweeping views of the city below.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a small town that boasts more charm and incredible scenery than Brienz. Located in the stunning Bernese Oberland region, Brienz sits on the northeastern shore of Lake Brienz, which features gorgeous turquoise water and is flanked by towering mountains. Some of the best ways to soak up the awe-inspiring setting include strolling picture-perfect Brunngasse (often proclaimed the most beautiful street in Europe), riding the Brienz Rothorn Bahn (which traverses a steam rack railway) and taking a boat tour to lake attractions like Giessbach Falls.

Appenzell captures the essence of Switzerland with rolling hills, a car-free village and well-preserved customs. Visitors can take in the scenic landscape of the Appenzell District (located in the northeastern part of the country) by taking a cable car to the oft-photographed Aescher guest house, picturesquely built into the rock face. Outdoor enthusiasts will also love hiking the region's "experience trails" like the Gonten Barefoot Trail and the Appenzell Chapel Trail, which weaves past 11 chapels. Meanwhile, the tiny village of Appenzell boasts quaint, frescoed shops and Museum Appenzell, which highlights the region's traditional crafts, folk music and art.

Visit the medieval town of Gruyères if you want to feel as if you've stepped back in time during your next trip. Its good looks (think: car-free cobblestone streets, fountain-filled squares and a 13th-century castle) create an old-world ambiance you're bound to love. Plus, the town is world-renowned for its Gruyère cheese, which you can sample and learn more about at a local cheese dairy or cellar. Sampling chocolate is also a must-do here, so be sure to check out a chocolate factory or attend a chocolate workshop while in town.

Mürren, a small alpine town in the Jungfrau Region, is an ideal getaway for movie buffs and adventure seekers. A little more difficult to reach than other destinations on this list, Mürren's car-free status means travelers must arrive on foot, by bike or via public transportation. Once here, travelers can take a cable car to the summit of Mount Schilthorn, whose iconic revolving 360-degree restaurant was featured in the 1969 James Bond film, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." In winter, Mürren is a hot spot for cold-weather sports like skiing and snowshoeing, while summer beckons hikers and rock climbers.

The Jungfrau Region is the perfect place for first-timers wanting to experience the otherworldly splendor that is the Swiss Alps. But be forewarned: The destination is sky high. Popular attractions like the Jungfraujoch (which features Europe's highest train station), the Grindelwald-First cable car and the First Cliff Walk Presented by Tissot sit at the top of towering peaks. The innovative Eiger Express gondola offers even faster transport to the top (just 15 minutes from Grindelwald). For those who'd rather stick to lower altitudes, prioritize a hike on a valley path and a visit to the Pfingstegg toboggan.

Tourists may not be as familiar with Montreux as they are with its Lake Geneva neighbors, which makes this Swiss town such an undiscovered gem. Quaint Montreux features a waterfront promenade dotted with flowers and trees, a medieval castle and a charming old town, not to mention a statue commemorating Freddie Mercury (Queen recorded multiple albums here from 1978 to 1995). Montreux is also surrounded by vineyards and hosts a popular open-air jazz festival every summer, while the holiday season brings the festive Montreux Noël market.

Considered "the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism," St. Moritz welcomes travelers with world-class skiing, swanky hotels, renowned après-ski offerings and top-notch restaurants. In addition to offering downhill skiing trails so highly regarded that the town has hosted the Olympics twice, St. Moritz features excellent spots for cross-country skiing, sledding and winter hikes. Come summertime, the area invites outdoor lovers to golf, bike, hike or enjoy water sports and swimming in the surrounding lakes.

Like its neighbor Lugano, Locarno is located in the Ticino region near the Italian border. This quiet, small town is surrounded by stunning scenery (it sits on the shores of Lake Maggiore in the foothills of the Alps), and since it's the warmest destination in Switzerland, you'll have plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and explore. Be sure to stroll through the picture-perfect main square, Piazza Grande, where the city hosts several summer festivals, and trek to mount Madonna del Sasso, considered sacred among Roman Catholics. Then, head to the Verzasca river valley to swim or bungee jump.

Sitting just south of Lake Constance near the Germany and Austria borders, St. Gallen dazzles travelers with its fairy-tale old town and rich history. The first item on your itinerary will likely be the outstanding Abbey of St. Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the Baroque-style Cathedral of St. Gallen and the Abbey Library. When you're done wandering through one of the world's oldest libraries, check out one of St. Gallen's fascinating museums, which include the Textilmuseum and the Naturmuseum. Just remember to save time for visiting the gorgeous Drei Weieren (Three Ponds), a popular swimming destination.

Head to Switzerland's third-largest city if you appreciate art. The legendary Art Basel event started here and has since migrated to other cities around the world. What's more, Basel's top attraction, Kunstmuseum Basel, houses the country's largest public collection of art, with works from legends like Paul Cézanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. You can find additional museums (roughly 40 in total) and galleries throughout the city. When you need a break from admiring art, Basel's picturesque old town is a beautiful place for a leisurely walk, or you can hop on a ferry for a scenic ride on the Rhine.

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Best Scenic Drives In Switzerland (Epic Views)

Switzerland is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, and one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the country’s natural beauty is by hitting the road on a drive to one of its many alpine passes.

With its winding mountain roads, picturesque villages, and stunning alpine views, Switzerland offers some of the most unforgettable drives in Europe that will leave you in awe. But, which are the best drives to add to your road trip? That is what we are about to find out.

Whether you’re a driving enthusiast or simply looking to explore the country’s majestic scenery, here are some of the best scenic drives in Switzerland to add to your road trip around the stunningly beautiful landscape of this amazing country.

Before we get started, just bear in mind that driving the Alps is not for the faint-hearted and it should not be done in winter as a lot of the passes will be closed.

Table of Contents

The Furka Pass is a legendary alpine road that connects the cantons of Uri, Valais, and Graubünden in the Alps of south-central Switzerland.

It is a beautiful drive that takes you through magnificent alpine landscapes, including snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, and charming mountain villages.

As you ascend the pass, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Rhône Glacier and the surrounding mountain range with its many mountain peaks.

The road of the Furka Pass is also known for its hairpin bends and steep gradients, adding an element of excitement to the drive. The Furka Pass has also gained fame as one of the filming locations for the iconic James Bond movie “Goldfinger.”

• ​​Location: Uri, Valais, and Graubünden cantons
• Distance: Approximately 40 kilometers
• Time to Drive: Around 1 hour and 30 minutes

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Driving in the alps: all the info you need to plan a trip, simplon pass.

The Simplon Pass is a historic mountain pass that has been used for centuries as a trade route between Switzerland and Italy since the middle ages and is a scenic drive that you should certainly add to your road trip.

This drive takes you through picturesque valleys, scenic forested areas, and delightful alpine meadows filled with wildflowers (spring/summer) as you traverse the pass.

Along the way, you will also have the opportunity to marvel at stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including the towering Monte Leone.

The Simplon Pass is also renowned for its engineering marvels, such as the Simplon Tunnel, which was the longest railway tunnel in the world when it was completed in the early 20th century.

• Location: Valais and Piedmont (Italy)
• Distance: Approximately 65 kilometers
• Time to Drive: About 1 hour and 45 minutes

Grimsel Pass

The Grimsel Pass is a breathtaking mountain pass located between the Bern and Valais cantons. This drive offers a feast for the eyes, with its rugged landscapes, glacial lakes, and cascading waterfalls.

As you wind your way up the pass, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Grimsel reservoirs and the surrounding mountain peaks, including the iconic Finsteraarhorn.

The road itself is a marvel of engineering, featuring numerous hairpin bends and steep inclines. The Grimsel Pass is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with ample opportunities for hiking and mountaineering in the area.

• Location: Bern and Valais cantons
• Distance: Approximately 26 kilometers
• Time to Drive: Around 1 hour

Swiss Travel Pass & The Bernina Express

Great st. bernard pass.

The Great St. Bernard Pass is not only a stunning drive but also a historic route that has been used since ancient times and was of significant national importance.

This mountain pass connects Switzerland with the Aosta Valley in Italy and offers spectacular mountain views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

As you drive along the pass, you’ll have the chance to admire the impressive Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard, a hospice that has provided shelter and aid to travelers since the 11th century.

The road is a mix of sweeping curves and straight sections, making it a delight to drive. The Great St. Bernard Pass is also famous for its St. Bernard dogs, which were historically bred by the monks of the hospice.

• ​​Location: Valais and Aosta Valley (Italy)
• Distance: Approximately 50 kilometers
• Time to Drive: About 1 hour and 30 minutes

Gotthard Pass

The Gotthard Pass is one of the most iconic mountain passes in Switzerland and offers a spectacular drive through the heart of the Swiss Alps.

This historic route has been a crucial trade and transit route for centuries. As you drive along the pass, you’ll be surrounded by towering peaks, deep valleys, and charming alpine villages.

The road features a series of tunnels and viaducts, including the famous Gotthard Tunnel, which is one of the longest road tunnels in the world. The Gotthard Pass is also home to the impressive Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in the world.

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• Location: Uri and Ticino cantons
• Distance: Approximately 75 kilometers
• Time to Drive: Around 2 hours

Bernina Pass

The Bernina Pass is a drive that takes you through the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Bernina Range. This mountain pass connects the Swiss town of St. Moritz with the Italian town of Tirano.

As you ascend the pass, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of snow-covered peaks, shimmering lakes, and alpine meadows.

The drive is made even more special by the famous Bernina Railway, which runs parallel to the road and offers a unique perspective of the surrounding scenery.

The Bernina Pass is also home to the Bernina Express, a panoramic train journey that is considered one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, so the drive through this iconic location must be pretty spectacular, right?!

• Location: Graubünden and Lombardy (Italy)

Susten Pass

The Susten Pass is a scenic mountain pass that offers a thrilling and picturesque drive. This road takes you through stunning alpine landscapes, including rugged cliffs, deep valleys, and breathtaking waterfalls.

As you wind your way up the pass, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views of the Susten Glacier and the surrounding peaks.

The pass road features numerous hairpin bends and offers plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the awe-inspiring scenery. The Susten Pass is also a popular destination for outdoor activities, with several hiking trails and climbing routes in the area which you can combine with your drive.

• Location: Uri and Bern cantons
• Distance: Approximately 45 kilometers

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Klausen pass.

The Klausen Pass is a stunning route that winds through the heart of the Swiss Alps, offering breathtaking views and a thrilling driving experience.

This mountain pass connects the cantons of Uri and Glarus and takes you past towering peaks, deep gorges, and picturesque meadows.

As you drive along the pass, you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the Klausen Passhöhe, a mountain pass summit that offers panoramic views of the craggy mountaintops. The road is well-maintained and features a series of hairpin bends, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.

• Location: Uri and Glarus cantons
• Distance: Approximately 46 kilometers

Julier Pass

The Julier Pass is a drive that offers a beautiful journey through the Graubünden canton of southeastern Switzerland. The pass road connects the towns of Thusis and Silvaplana across its rather windswept terrain.

The pass road will have you driving through magical alpine landscapes, including verdant valleys, crystal-clear lakes, and alpine villages.

As you ascend the pass, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Engadine Valley and the surrounding mountains.

The road is well-maintained and offers a smooth and enjoyable driving experience. The Julier Pass is also a popular destination for hiking, mountain biking, and water sports so it is well worth stopping off and exploring the beauty of the area in other modes of transport.

• Location: Graubünden canton
• Distance: Approximately 42 kilometers

Engadine, Switzerland: Best Things To Do & Where To Stay

Oberalp pass.

The Oberalp Pass is a drive that takes you through some of the most picturesque landscapes in Switzerland.

This mountain pass connects the cantons of Graubünden and Uri and offers stunning views of the Alps along the way.

As you drive along the pass road, you’ll have the chance to admire snow-capped peaks, pristine mountain lakes, alpine meadows, and lots more.

The road itself is well-maintained and features a series of switchbacks and curves which makes the drive entertaining as well as beautiful.

• Location: Graubünden and Uri cantons
• Distance: Approximately 60 kilometers

Embarking on a mountain pass drive in Switzerland is one of the best ways to experience the country’s natural beauty and immerse yourself in its incredible landscapes.

It is something you simply can not do with public transport and the great thing is that you can enjoy all the activities that come with the passes too.

It is pretty hard to beat driving through some of the most beautiful parts of the world only to stop off and hike to a waterfall or stroll around an alpine lake and have a quick dip.

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The best countries in the world have been named

In need of some travel inspiration? Look no further, as a new ranking of the world’s best countries has been revealed.

The findings are a result of a  collaborative project between the US News and World Report, marketing company WPP, and a business school from the University of Pennsylvania.

It involved an intensive analysis of more than 70 factors for 87 countries and then used data extracted from a survey of more than 17,000 people. 

Categories used for the research included heritage, food, cultural attractions and quality of life with factors such as the job market, income equality and education system, alongside social purposes such as human rights and climate change .

So, which country came out on top?

Known for its beautiful scenery, chocolate and cheese, Switzerland won the battle.

The country found its way to first place thanks to its low levels of unemployment and corruption, and high levels of cultural influence.

In second place is Canada, which is described by the report as a high-tech industrial society. The country also boasts a good job market, education and healthcare system and a stable economic and political landscape.

In third is Sweden, a country which is said to have the most generous people. Why? Well, roughly 1% of the gross national product is put towards humanitarian aid each year. It’s also one of the happiest countries in the world and is extremely family friendly.

Australia and the United States finish the top five, while the UK came in at 9th place. In a good showing for Europe, half of the top ten spots are occupied by the continent.

According to US News, Britain ranked highly for its ‘global influence’, being at the ‘scientific and technological fore’ and having some of the ‘top universities in the world.’

In total, it scored 92.4 out of 100. 

The country did best in the areas of entrepreneurship, cultural influence and power categories but lost points on cost of living (no surprise there), scoring a low 2.2 out of 100 on the scale. 

The top 10 best countries in the world:

• Switzerland
• United States
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• Netherlands

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2024 Elections

The Rematch

The Trump and Biden Economies by the Numbers

Approaching the November presidential rematch between incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and his predecessor Donald Trump, a Republican, the two candidates are already drawing distinctions over their economic records. And there are surely fundamental differences between them.

But any broad comparison is complicated by the huge disruptions at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, which triggered two of the most extreme quarters of economic contraction and growth in U.S. history, followed by a bout of inflation reminiscent of the 1970s.

Should Trump be blamed for a collapse in output that rivaled the Great Depression? Should Biden get credit for millions of jobs created in 2021 that were largely a pandemic rebound? Below, a look at key measures of economic performance - from growth overall to the labor market, from tariffs to tax collections - that illustrate the contrasts and similarities between the economies under both.

Drawing of robots working in factory

Overall Growth

The broadest measure of an economy’s performance is annualized growth in gross domestic product, a figure that counts every widget produced, every meal served, and every dollar spent by the government to measure changes to the country’s overall output.

There are reasonable debates about what it really means and how it is distributed, but GDP is one of the main economic scorecards: Generally speaking, the faster it grows, the healthier the economy. As with many of the broader statistics, what may be more interesting is how similar the Trump and Biden economies look.

Quarterly growth during Trump’s first three years, up to the pandemic, and Biden’s term beginning in 2021, compounded at an almost identical rate that annualizes to around 2.7%. Excluding Biden’s first year, arguably still influenced by the pandemic, it was a slower 2.3%.

The Biden economy rode a pandemic-era consumer spending boom; Trump’s economy saw slightly larger average contributions from business investment.

Chart showing change in gross domestic product and consumer spending and private business investment as a share of GDP

Trump made tax cuts a centerpiece of his administration. Biden pushed through some modest tax increases and has proposed even more aggressive actions. Yet federal government collections have been mushrooming in spite of Trump’s tax reductions and beyond the tax increases under the current administration.

Even after adjusting for inflation federal tax collections have been rising.

Against expectations, the pandemic era became one of fast wage hikes and high corporate profits, linked at least to some degree to federal household and business support programs, as well as to high inflation. Tax receipts followed.

Chart showing tax receipts

Chart showing receipts on personal and corporate income tax

The flipside to GDP is Gross Domestic Income , an estimate of what people and companies earn in return for inventing, producing and selling all those widgets and services. How it should get distributed is a perennial debate in U.S. politics.

Trump may have stocked his cabinet with Wall Street allies and boasted of tax cuts for business, but companies took a larger share of GDI under Biden; the share for workers stayed fairly constant.

drawing of shoppers at shopping mall

Prices and Products

As the health crisis eased, what had been a broad focus on keeping families and businesses financially intact shifted to the emerging problem of inflation , which spiked to levels not seen since the 1980s. Republicans and Democrats will spar mightily over the reasons, and over the significance of its decline alongside U.S. Federal Reserve rate hikes.

Just as many economists agree the pandemic response skirted a potential economic catastrophe – a huge benefit – inflation to some degree represented the follow-on cost.

Prices increased fast for basic goods, posing a particular hardship for lower-income families.

Chart showing overall inflation and inflation for food and shelter

It may take years to understand how the pandemic changed the economy, but it was a volatile time for both good and bad reasons. On the downside, inflation erupted, seen as a combination of snarled supply chains and record federal deficit spending that began under Trump and continued under Biden, fuelling consumer demand.

On the plus side: Business starts jumped and were sustained through Biden’s term. At first it was considered a response to the health crisis, motivated by people wanting more control of their environment and their earnings. But the change has persisted to the point some economists see a revival of entrepreneurialism.

Chart showing new business starts

Worried about a depression-style collapse, Congress approved trillions of dollars in payments to households, pumping up bank accounts with disposable income that consumers used freely first to buy goods and then later on “revenge” spending on services like eating out and travel that were unavailable during the pandemic. Over time inflation caught up and eroded some of that purchasing power.

Chart showing disposable income

One policy both Trump and Biden shared is the use of tariffs to curb U.S. trade with China, whether on a broad basis or applied to targeted goods, in the case of Biden, like electric vehicles. Alongside a broader rearrangement of global trade following the pandemic and the Russian war against Ukraine, the tariffs have lowered China’s direct share of U.S. imports. Mexico is now at the top.

Chart showing US trade with Mexico and China

Drawing of construction workers on a construction site

The Landscape for Workers

One thing the Trump and Biden economies shared is a strong labor market. The jobless rate was 3.6% at the end of 2019, before the pandemic; it has gone as low as 3.4% under Biden and until May had been below 4% for more than two years.

Regardless of who’s in the White House, and whether it is for demographic or other reasons, the U.S. seems to have slipped into a period of sustained demand for workers, with a pandemic rebound that surprised even the most seasoned economists.

Chart of unemployment rate including black and white unemployment rate

Filling jobs requires bodies, and for years after the 2007 to 2009 recession economists felt the U.S. labor force was forever scarred. There are demographic limits in an aging population. But economists are realizing that strong job markets, if they last long enough, do pull workers from the sidelines and into employment.

One key difference: Rising immigration under Biden allowed job growth to continue at a higher level than it might have otherwise, absent higher wages.

Chart showing labor force and native and non-native US workers

Wage pressure was a key feature of the pandemic economy, with its “Great Resignation” of workers. Amid a shuffling of occupations and tales of labor shortages, the strongest wage gains went to the lowest paid occupations.

Chart showing wage growth include the top and bottom 20 percent of earners

The U.S. economy is a big ship that’s hard to turn, but presidential decisions do matter. Biden ramped up antitrust enforcement, for example. Trump’s administration thought tax cuts would boost private investment, and economists feel it did at least in the short term. Biden, by contrast, has steered public investments to what are seen as strategic industries and infrastructure.

But counter to their positioning as polar opposites, they’ve both embraced big deficits, overseen historically low unemployment rates, imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, and seen stock markets hit record highs on their watch.

drawing of squirrel and dog

Monthly data current through May 2024; Disposable Income as of April 2024; Quarterly figures through Q1 2024; Wages as of March 2024

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Treasury Department, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

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