Switzerland's most beautiful places
Date published:
Switzerland's sights showcase the country's natural and man-made wealth. It is sometimes hard to understand how they all fit into such a small area. Knowing what to see in Switzerland, you are sure not to miss out on the most interesting and significant.
Lake Vierwaldstätte
It is a noteworthy body of water whose waters bathe four cantons at once. Tourists often refer to it as the name of the most popular and largest village on the shore. A trip here will be remembered for its picturesque meandering shores. When describing Lake Vierwaldstätzte more precisely, it is worth noting that it consists of 4 basins that are connected by narrow straits. There is also a basin formed by ancient ice masses of atmospheric origin, which once flowed down from the mountains. During the summertime, the completely clear water warms up to 20 degrees Celsius.
The Matterhorn
Continuing to describe places of interest, we would like to focus on one of the most recognizable mountains in the country. The Matterhorn, the symbol of the Alps, is located on the border between the two countries. The southern part of the slope "belongs" to Italy and the other three to Switzerland. For a long time, the Matterhorn remained unconquered because there was practically no snow retention on the steep slopes of the mountain. The first ascent took place in 1865, at the same time by Italian and British climbers. Another unpleasant thing about the mountain is that its slopes have been the scene of more than 500 deaths.
Rhine Falls
Tourists are invited to discover the largest and most powerful waterfall in the whole of Europe. Visitors are amazed not only by its height of 23 m but also by the volume of the falling water. It is especially fascinating to watch this natural wonder during the snow melt period, which adds volume to the waterfall. The site is rated high because there is a medieval castle on the hill just above the waterfall, and there is a restaurant, hotel and many shops.
Lake Geneva
The second largest freshwater body of water in Central Europe, on the border of two countries, deserves attention. The lake is 73 km long and up to 14 km wide in places. It is estimated to have been formed 15 000 years ago by the melting and subsiding of the Rhone glacier. The recommendation of the place is very positive because of its mild climate and clean alpine air. Its uniqueness lies in the combination of the subtropics and the mountains. There are several attractions near Lake Geneva, which adds to the interest of the place.
The Great Alecs Glacier
The glacier is one of Switzerland's natural attractions, and is located on the southern slope of the Bernese Alps. It is remarkable in that on the descent into the valley it creates a canyon, somewhat like a road made by human hands. The glacier is 24 km long. You can take mesmerising photos that will astonish your friends and relatives.
Titlis
The mountain is located in the town of Endelberg, famous for its perfect skiing conditions in the wintertime. The slopes here are perfectly prepared for downhill skiing. Non-skiers do not get bored in the mountains either. You can go snow tubing, take a snowshoe ride or try horse-drawn carriage rides. A highlight in the town of Endelberg is the World Cup ski jumping competition, which is held regularly there. There is always snow on Mount Titlis, because the mountain rises to 3238 m above sea level.
Rhaetian Railway
Switzerland is rich in man-made wonders, and the Rhaetian Railway is one of them. It is the most important transport artery in the country and traverses the local Alps. The line amazes with the views that can be seen on the way, but also with the height of some of the bridges and the curves of the viaducts. It was built at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Gorniergrat Railway
The railway runs along a very beautiful part of the country. Only in 40 minutes one can get to the top of the Gorniergrat, which is more than 3 thousand meters high. What can be seen in Switzerland by train? The alpine meadows of the Riffelalp, the glacier of natural origin Hornergletcher, the peak of the Matterhorn attract attention. Experienced tourists advise to sit on the right side of the train, so you won't miss anything. Nowadays, trains run at any time of the year, the route has 5 stops and you can get off at any of them.
Lake Lugano
Lugano, in the Italian-speaking part of southern Switzerland, has an Italian flair with palm trees, picturesque boulevards and stunning views of the Alps and Lake Lugano. With picturesque villages along its shores and surrounded by green mountains, Lake Lugano is an ideal place for leisure and active tourism. At 36km long and no more than 2km wide, Lake Lugano is the only lake in Switzerland to have a bridge spanning the lake.
The terraced vineyards of Lavaux
The picturesque terraced vineyards of Lavaux lie along the shores of Lake Geneva. Framed by medieval stone walls, it stretches for 30 kilometres and is Switzerland's most famous wine-growing region and an outstanding example of the interaction between nature and people over the centuries. The magnificent views of the Lavaux Vineyards and the Savoie mountain peaks on the horizon have inspired not only winemakers to produce great white wines, but also many artists and painters mesmerised by this beauty. The Lavaux vineyards, which have been cultivated since Roman times, are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Autumn is particularly beautiful, from late September to early October, when the local vineyards are coloured in gold and the air is particularly clear.
Mount Pilatus
Steeped in legend, Mount Pilatus has long been a restricted mountain for locals. According to legend, the body of Pontius Pilatus was finally buried in a lake on Mount Pilatus. In fact, the name of the mountain came from the Latin word pilleatus ("in a felt hat" - meaning a cap of clouds around the top of the mountain). Legend has it that dragons lived here (this characteristic jagged silhouette of Pilatus can be seen in Lucerne, behind Kappelbrücke - it resembles the profile of a sleeping dragon in appearance).
From Alpennachstadt, the steepest railway line in the world leads to the top of Mount Pilatus. To prevent the wheels from slipping, it is equipped with a special mechanism - the toothed wheels roll on a toothed rail and pull the train up. It's true that in winter the road doesn't work. The Pilatus can then be climbed from the town of Kriens, on the outskirts of Lucerne. In summer you can take the boat to Alpennachstadt, climb to the top and take the cable car down to Kriens, where you can take a bus back to Lucerne - this is the so-called Gold Route from Lucerne to Pilatus.