Top 25 Landmarks

1) Bern: Most are surprised to learn that Bern is the capital of Switzerland, not Zurich or Geneva. Bern is home to 114 Swiss heritage sites, including the Old City of Bern, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

2) Kunstmuseum: Art-lovers, rejoice! The world-famous Kunstmuseum (Museum of Art) in Basel is not only Switzerland’s oldest art museum, but is also home to more than 51,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs and films. 

3) Einstein Haus: After admiring some art, head over to Albert Einstein's former apartment in Bern where this honorary Swissman lived with his family (and completed some of his most famous work) between 1903 and 1905. 

4) Bern Botanical Garden: Should you need a bit of fresh air away from the crowds, don’t miss Bern’s botanical garden which is located on the University of Bern campus. The botanical garden houses and features many varieties of orchids, palm trees, ferns and succulents in addition to Swiss flora. 

5) Matterhorn Peak: No visit to Switzerland is complete without visiting the iconic Matterhorn, Switzerland's emblematic pointed peak. This mountain is one of the highest mountains in the Alps at 4,478 meters tall. 

6) Interlaken: Even if you’re not an outdoor sports enthusiast, a trip to Interlaken, Switzerland’s famed holiday winter sports resort, is a must. The main boulevard is surrounded by flower gardens, picturesque hotels and cafés, and offers breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. photo

7) Lake Geneva: Switzerland is famous for its breathtaking scenery and pristine natural sites. That said, Lake Geneva is no exception. Largely considered Europe's largest Alpine lake, Lake Geneva occupies both French and Swiss borders and sits at the foot of the Alps. 

8) Chillon Castle: Nestled right on the shores of Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle (Chateau de Chillon) has inspired artists and writers such as Lord Byron, Jean Jacques Rousseau and Victor Hugo. This castle, located near Montreux, is the most visited historical building in the country and traces its beginnings back to 1150 AD, when it was under ownership of the Counts of Savoy. 

9) Lausanne: Food and wine lovers need look no further than the small city of Lausanne. This city’s gastronomic traditions and nearby Lavaux wine region lend credibility to its increasing status as a foodie destination, not to mention the annual food festival each June.

10) St. Moritz: Sitting high at 1,800 meters above sea level, the wonderfully chic resort town of St. Moritz has twice hosted the Winter Olympics, and with good reason. Visitors can participate in winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, skating, bobsledding, and tobogganing on the famous Cresta Run. Summer visitors can delight in hiking, biking and engaging in water sports. 

11) Oberhofen Castle: For the historically inclined, look no further than the 13-century Oberhofen Castle, considered one of the most breathtaking in Switzerland. The castle features an eclectic array of architectural styles, including Bernese Baroque, Romantic and Prussian. The castle also houses a museum that showcases the lives of the feudal societies who lived there (and in surrounding areas) between the 16th and 19th centuries.

12) Ruinaulta: Often known as the "Swiss Grand Canyon,” the Ruinaulta in eastern Switzerland is a deep gorge surrounded by peaceful meadows and forested cliffs. This natural wonder was created over 10,000 years ago when the Ice Age Rhine Glacier’s shift resulted in a massive rockslide in the Rhine Valley, which caused the gorge to fill with water. 

13) Grindelwald: For a slower-paced vacation, consider Grindelwald, home to Switzerland’s World Snow Festival, during which artists come from all over the world to carve blocks of snow into the shapes of animals, buildings, birds, among other things. This small village features romantic narrow streets and picturesque chalets among alpine landscapes. 

14) Zürich: Widely considered Switzerland’s economic and cultural hub as well as one of Europe's main financial capitals, Zurich has much more to offer than a fast-paced lifestyle. Zurich oozes historic charm and features many dreamy boutiques, restaurants and cafés. 

15) Lake Zürich: A particularly popular place among locals, Lake Zurich is a great place to people-watch and catch some sun. Should you care to maximize your sightseeing on the lake, check out one of the many boat cruises and/or river cruises from which the Glarus Alps can be seen. 

16) Fraumünster: This famous church in Zurich features the beautiful set of five stained-glass windows which were finished in 1970. These colorful windows feature Biblical scenes such as Elijah's ascent to heaven, Jacob, scenes from Jesus Christ's life, an angel trumpeting the end of the world, and Moses. 

17) Lindenhof: The western half of Zürich's old town gives way to the leafy neighborhood of Lindenhof, where Romans built their settlement in the fourth century to defend against infiltrators from the north, and Charlemagne’s grandson built a royal residence nearly five centuries later. Today, Lindenhof is a shady park where local chess players and tourists alike can enjoy views of the river and Old Town. 

18) Sprüngli House: Zurich’s Sprüngli House, located at Bahnhofstrasse 21, was opened as a confectionary in 1856. Even if you’re not a sugar fiend, the beautifully displayed piles of truffles, cakes and macarons (called Luxemburgerli) in the window is worth a stop in and of itself. The posh café upstairs offers breakfast, lunch and desserts. 

19) Christmas Markets in Zurich: Lucky you should you happen to visit Zurich during the magical month of December. Visitors can enjoy perusing one of Europe's largest Christmas markets in Bahnhof, where a 50-foot Christmas tree showcasing more than 6,000 ornaments sits among glimmering Christmas lights. 

20) Jungfraujoch: An incredibly popular sightseeing experience in Switzerland includes journeying via train to Jungfraujoch, also known as the "top of Europe." Visitors can enjoy the view on the observation terrace and scientific observatory, which sits high at 3,454 meters. 

21) Lucerne: For a quintessentially Swiss locale, look no further than the charming historic city of Lucerne. If the sparkling lake surrounded by picturesque mountains doesn’t take your breath away, the car-free medieval old town, waterfront promenades, and quaint plazas throughout the town surely will. 

22) Lake Lugano: For a true taste of the Mediterranean, Lake Lugano on the Swiss/Italian border in Ticino (Switzerland's only official Italian-speaking region) more than lives up to the hype. From citrus and fig trees to the Italian-inspired architecture and piazzas, you are sure to feel transported. 

23) Bellinzona: Ticino’s idyllic capital city home to three impressive castles—Castelgrande, Montebello Castle and the Catello di Sasso Corbaro—that have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

24) Rheinfall: The Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) at Schaffhausen are the largest waterfalls in Central Europe. The best time to visit is during June and July after the mountain snow has melted, which causes the falls to swell in size and dramatic effect. 

25) Albula/Bernina Railway Line: The Albula/Bernina line on the Rheatian Railways not only offers a majestic ride with dramatic views, but is also one of only railway lines in the world found on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. The train operates all year long.