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Tourist information for north-western Switzerland
Switzerland is one of Europe's most beautiful countries. The mighty
Alpine peaks dominate the whole country, lending a fairy-tale appearance to even
dour cities like Zurich. In the north, away from the mountains, the scenery
remains stunning, with rolling green pastures and chocolate box villages. As
well as the lure of the mountains, Switzerland's cultural diversity lends a
distinct character to its great cities, from French-speaking Geneva to German
Bern to Italian Lugano. The people are famed for their efficiency, their strong
sense of independence and their tradition of neutrality, yet this is combined
with a warm welcome for the many tourists. Although Switzerland is a wonderful
winter sports destination, the lakes, clean air and flower-filled meadows
attract visitors throughout the year. Whether you're looking for the beauties of
the mountain lakes, excitement in the high mountains or lazy walking in the
meadows, you'll find it here.
Towns and places of interest in north west Switzerland:
Northwest Switzerland contains some of the most spectacular scenery in the
country as well as the major industrial centres. Straddling the border between
France, Switzerland and Germany is Basel. German is the language of the
larger part of the city, which is in Switzerland. Situated on the Rhine, Basel
is a major trade and financial centre, offers excellent shopping, an abundance
of good museums, a lively night life and a peaceful pedestrianised old town
which gives a real hint of bygone times. If you're in the area the day after Ash
Wednesday experience the Fasnacht, Basel's noisy and exuberant carnival. This
cosmopolitan city deserves a day or two minimum stay and a good guide book.
Between Basel and Neuchatel are the northern Jura mountains. This
relatively undiscovered region of pine forests, lush pastures and deep rocky
valleys is also the centre of the Swiss watchmaking industry. Visit the
International Clock Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The whole area is well
known for its superb cross-country skiing, the main towns being Saignelegier,
and St-Ursanne and Porrentruy which both have well preserved
medieval centres. Delemont is on the northern fringe of the mountains and
French is spoken here. As well as cross country skiing, the Jura offers a vast
area for walking, biking and horse riding.
Bern is the federal capital of Switzerland, but is a small scale city
with beautifully preserved buildings and city walls. It's a rather serious city,
with cuisine to match. A very attractive city set along the banks of the river
Aare, the old town is criss-crossed with sandstone arcades housing all sorts of
shops, restaurants and stubli (pubs). The town also boasts many colourful
fountains decked with flowers, and several excellent museums and galleries. The
portal to the cathedral is an astonishing representation of the Last Judgement
featuring 234 carved figures. Around Bern is the Emmental region, home to
the famous cheese, and well worth exploring for its rolling green farmland,
ideal for cycling.
This part of Switzerland is perhaps best known for the Alps of the Bernese
Oberland. Stunning views of these can be had as you journey south through
the Emmental, until you approach the mountains themselves. Its easy to see why
this is the most visited part of Switzerland. Dominated by the spectacular peaks
of the Eiger and the Jungfrau, the area contains the world class
winter sports resorts of Gstaad, Adelboden, Kandersteg,
Wengen and Grindelwald. In summer these resorts represent everyone's
idea of the chocolate box scenery of Switzerland. In summer and winter every
activity associated with mountains can be found here, and the clockwork
efficiency of the many mountain railways, cable cars and lifts make getting
around just a matter of familiarising yourself with the timetables.
Take a break from the mountains and relax in Interlaken, the attractive
Victorian town between the lakes of Brienzersee and Thunersee, and
stroll amongst its floral gardens, with the Alps of the Bernese Oberland as a
spectacular backdrop.
Luzern (Lucerne) is a busy university town at the western end of Lake
Luzern, correctly known as Vierwaldstattersee, the lake of the four forest
states. From here steamers set out for the other towns on the lake, perhaps the
most spectacular in Switzerland. Luzern is famous for its two covered bridges
decorated with medieval paintings, but also boasts a good castle, excellent
modern shops, museums and galleries. Right in the centre of town is the Alpine
gardens with a recreation of prehistoric times, and a kilometre walk along the
lakeside is the Transport Museum, a must for boys (and girls) of all ages.
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