This page was last updated by Annika on 27 August 2023.
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Must-knows about Switzerland’s cities

  • The cities offer a lot of variety because of the many cultures and languages in Switzerland.
  • Most Swiss cities have a well-preserved historical center and are small enough to explore on foot. Check our town walks for example.
  • Nearly all Swiss cities are located in pretty scenery and have places with great views: a terrace on a hill, a castle, or a cable car up to a mountain top.
  • Zurich, Basel, and Geneva are not close to the Alps. The mountains can be reached more quickly from smaller cities such as Bern, Lucerne, Montreux, Lausanne, and Lugano.

Find Switzerland’s major cities

The map below this list shows where the cities you’ve found are located.

Zurich and its lake seen from Uetliberg
Zurich
Zurich regionTrain stationAltitude: 408 m (1339 ft)On a lake
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. There is a lot to see and do, including boat trips, museums, luxury shopping, and a historic town …
Chapel Bridge/Kapellbrücke over river Reuss in Lucerne
Lucerne
Lake LucerneTrain stationAltitude: 440 m (1444 ft)On a lake
Lucerne is an appealing city in Central Switzerland. It’s ideal for first-time visitors: the historic town center, lake and nearby mountains offer a full Switzerland …
Boats and stately buildings along Promenade du Lac in Geneva
Geneva
Lake GenevaTrain stationAltitude: 375 m (1230 ft)On a lake
Geneva in south-western Switzerland is not near the Alps, but it’s still an appealing destination. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and is beautifully located …
View of Monte San Salvatore from Ciani Park, Lugano
Lugano
Lake LuganoTrain stationAltitude: 273 m (896 ft)On a lake
The city of Lugano is located on a lake in a very scenic area in the Ticino, southern Switzerland. Lugano is well connected to the …
The Parliament Building in Bern, seen from the Kirchfeld Bridge
Bern
Bern regionTrain stationAltitude: 540 m (1772 ft)
Bern is the capital city of Switzerland. It has an attractive ancient town center and makes for a central base to explore several Swiss regions. …
Bridge and colorful house facades in Lausanne old town
Lausanne
Lake GenevaTrain stationAltitude: 495 m (1624 ft)On a lake
Lausanne is one of the largest cities in Switzerland. It has a wonderful historic center and is located on sunny Lake Geneva. We explain about …
River Rhine and Basel city with Münster Cathedral
Basel
Basel regionTrain stationAltitude: 278 m (912 ft)
The city of Basel in the north of Switzerland has an atmospheric old town center on the river Rhine. There are museums, monuments and much …
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Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.