Switzerland is one of the truly magnificent tourist destinations in Europe. Although it is the natural wonders of Switzerland which is more famous among tourists, the architectural marvels are no less wonderful. The towering peaks of the Swiss Alps will fascinate you with their mighty power. But at the same time, the historical landmarks of Switzerland will ignite your imagination. So if you are planning a trip to Switzerland this holiday season, then make sure to include the following monuments in your itinerary. These are the most famous monuments and landmarks in Switzerland that we have recommended.
List of the 13 Most Famous Monuments and Landmarks in Switzerland
- The Lion Monument
- St. Peter’s Cathedral
- Chillon Castle
- Palace of Nations
- Grossmünster
- Einstein House
- Oberhofen Castle
- Landwasser Viaduct
- Chinese Garden
- Thun Castle
- Castles of Bellinzona
- Jet d’Eau
- Gruyères Castle
1. The Lion Monument
One of the most iconic monuments in Switzerland that we suggest you visit is the Lion Monument. This is a symbolic monument in Switzerland, situated in Lucerne. The Lion Monument is a magnificent work of art and is a homage to the Swiss army troops who lost their lives during the French Revolution. The monument shows a dying lion with a spear and a broken shield lying on its side.
| How to Reach | The Lion Monument lies in Lucerne, Switzerland. From Zurich, take a direct train to Lucerne, a 45-minute journey. Walk or take a bus from Lucerne Station to the monument. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit the Lion Monument between April and October. The weather is pleasant, enhancing the monument’s beauty. |
| Things to Do | Admire the monument, a tribute to fallen Swiss Guards. Stroll around the nearby park and visit the Glacier Garden. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Hotel des Balances, near the Reuss River. Choose Hotel des Alpes for stunning views of Lake Lucerne. Consider the budget-friendly Ibis Styles Luzern City. |
Also Read: 5 Most Romantic Places In Switzerland For Couples In 2024
2. St. Peter’s Cathedral
The holy cathedral, St. Peter’s Cathedral, is another famous monument that we have included in this list of Switzerland’s most famous monuments and landmarks. The St. Peter’s Cathedral is the main cathedral in Geneva. This is an 850-year-old cathedral and has a mix of Gothic and ancient architecture. You can have magnificent views of Geneva from its towers.
| How to Reach | St. Peter’s Cathedral stands in Geneva. From Geneva Station, a short walk or tram ride takes you to the cathedral. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit between May and September. The cathedral’s architecture shines under clear skies. |
| Things to Do | Explore the cathedral’s interiors and climb the tower for city views. Visit the archaeological site beneath the cathedral. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Hotel Rotary Geneva for luxury. Opt for Ibis Styles Geneva Gare for comfort and affordability. Consider Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues for an exquisite stay. |
3. Chillon Castle
We have included the Chillon Castle in our list of the most famous monuments and landmarks in Switzerland. If you look at the castle from the outside, it will amaze you with its striking architecture. The construction of this castle is even more wonderful. The royal kings built this medieval castle on the shores of Lake Geneva. Today this castle ranks among the most visited castles in Europe.
| How to Reach | Chillon Castle sits on Lake Geneva’s shores. Reach it by train to Montreux, then take a bus or walk along the lakeside. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit from April to October. The castle’s beauty peaks during these months. |
| Things to Do | Tour the castle’s rooms and dungeons. Enjoy the scenic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Fairmont Le Montreux Palace for luxury. Consider Tralala Hotel Montreux for a boutique experience. Opt for Hotel Helvetia for budget-friendly comfort. |
4. Palace of Nations
If there is one historical monument that we love to include in this list of most famous monuments and landmarks in Switzerland list then it is the Palace of Nations. This building is the seat of the United Nations Office and is in Geneva. To give you an idea of how important this building is, we can tell you that there are 34 conference rooms, 2800 offices, and more than 5 kilometres of corridors. You can take a guided tour of the Palace of Nations, which will take an hour.
| How to Reach | The Palace of Nations is in Geneva. A bus or tram ride from Geneva Station takes you there. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit between May and September. The pleasant weather enhances the experience. |
| Things to Do | Take a guided tour of the UN headquarters. Explore the Ariana Park surrounding the palace. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at InterContinental Geneva for luxury. Opt for Hotel Eden for proximity and comfort. Consider Hotel Cornavin for a budget-friendly stay. |
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5. Grossmünster
If you ask us which the most famous church in Switzerland is, we can tell you it is the Grossmünster. The twin towers of this church are its most striking feature. The church’s exteriors and interiors are breathtaking. The Romanesque architecture of this church will amaze you at first sight. The royal kings of the medieval era built the historic church of Grossmünster at a site which was commissioned by Charlemagne.
| How to Reach | Grossmünster stands in Zurich. From Zurich Station, a short walk or tram ride takes you to the cathedral. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit between May and October. The cathedral’s architecture looks best in clear weather. |
| Things to Do | Explore the cathedral’s interiors and climb the tower for panoramic views. Visit the crypt and the Reformation Museum. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Storchen Zurich for luxury. Consider Hotel Glockenhof for comfort and affordability. Opt for Hotel Adler for a budget-friendly option. |
6. Einstein House
Most of us know Albert Einstein to be one of the greatest scientists to have ever lived. But do you know that the famous scientist lived in this house in Bern? Yes, Einstein House was the former residence of Albert Einstein. It was here that he lived with his wife and children from 1903 to 1905. You can view the furniture from those days when you visit the place. You can also view photographs and objects used by the Einstein family.
| How to Reach | Einstein House is in Bern. From Bern Station, a short walk or tram ride takes you to the house. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit between April and October. The house and surrounding area are more enjoyable in warm weather. |
| Things to Do | Tour the house and learn about Einstein’s life. Visit the nearby Bern Historical Museum. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Hotel Schweizerhof Bern for luxury. Consider Hotel Allegro for comfort and proximity. Opt for Hotel National Bern for a budget-friendly stay. |
7. Oberhofen Castle
Switzerland has some marvelous castles and a very famous castle that we can mention here is the Oberhofen Castle. This is a very old medieval castle and is situated in Bern. This castle is a heritage structure and according to historical records, the original site is from the Middle Ages. The castle is huge and has several fortified towers called keeps. The castle structure was built and rebuilt over many generations. Today you can visit the castle on a day trip from Bern and view the magnificent views of the lake.
| How to Reach | Oberhofen Castle lies on Lake Thun. Take a train to Thun, then a bus or boat to the castle. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit from April to October. The castle and gardens are at their best during these months. |
| Things to Do | Explore the castle’s rooms and gardens. Enjoy views of Lake Thun and the Alps. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Hotel Seepark Thun for luxury. Consider Alpha Thun for comfort and affordability. Opt for Hotel Emmental for a budget-friendly stay. |
8. Landwasser Viaduct
This viaduct is one of the most impressive monuments you will find in Switzerland. The viaduct has six arches and is a single-track viaduct in Landwasser. The viaduct was developed in 1902 and is a heritage structure. The Landwasser Viaduct is built on the Albula Railway and connects to the Landwasser Tunnel. The Landwasser Viaduct has a height of 65 meters and a length of 136 meters. This viaduct is visible from a long distance and passengers can approach the viaduct and enjoy its views.
| How to Reach | The Landwasser Viaduct is near Filisur. Take a train to Filisur, then hike or take a bus to the viaduct. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit between May and October. The viaduct looks spectacular against a backdrop of green landscapes. |
| Things to Do | Admire the viaduct from various viewpoints. Take a scenic train ride over the viaduct. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Hotel Schöntal for proximity. Consider Hotel Grischuna for comfort and affordability. Opt for Reka-Feriendorf Bergün for a budget-friendly stay. |
9. Chinese Garden
In this list of the most famous monuments and landmarks in Switzerland is the Chinese Garden. This garden is in Zurich and is a magnificent garden with water palaces, ponds, artistic pavilions, paintings, and plants. The Chinese Garden has a Chinese theme to it. There are poplar trees and bamboo groves. Visitors can also enjoy the views of plum and pine trees. But the real beauty is in the Chinese architecture, bridges, galleries, and landscapes.
| How to Reach | The Chinese Garden is in Zurich. A tram ride from Zurich Station takes you to the garden. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit between May and September. The garden is most beautiful during these months. |
| Things to Do | Stroll through the garden and admire the architecture. Relax by the pond and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Baur au Lac for luxury. Consider Hotel Seegarten for comfort and affordability. Opt for Hotel Limmathof for a budget-friendly stay. |
10. Thun Castle
Another famous castle that we are including in this list of the most famous monuments and landmarks in Switzerland is Thun Castle. This castle was built in the 12th century at a site where a small fort stood in the Middle Ages. The towers of this castle, the magnificent halls, the massive castle roof, and Gothic-style architecture are the striking features of this castle. Today you can visit the museum and view historic exhibits and displays showcasing the 4000 years of history.
| How to Reach | Thun Castle stands in Thun. A short walk or bus ride from Thun Station takes you to the castle. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit from April to October. The castle and surrounding area are more enjoyable in warm weather. |
| Things to Do | Tour the castle’s rooms and towers. Enjoy panoramic views of Thun and the Alps. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Hotel Freienhof for luxury. Consider Hotel Krone for comfort and affordability. Opt for Hotel Holiday Thun for a budget-friendly stay. |
11. Castles of Bellinzona
The next attraction in our list of most famous monuments and landmarks in Switzerland is a group of castles called Castles of Bellinzona. These are three castles called Castelgrande, Sasso Corbaro and Montebello. The high walls of the castle and the fortifications are remarkable works of architecture. The castles are built on a rocky peak that offers magnificent views of the valley. UNESCO has recognized these castles as a World Heritage Site.
| How to Reach | The Castles of Bellinzona lie in Bellinzona. A short walk or bus ride from Bellinzona Station takes you to the castles. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit between April and October. The castles and surrounding landscapes are most beautiful during these months. |
| Things to Do | Explore the three castles: Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro. Enjoy the views of Bellinzona and the surrounding mountains. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Hotel & SPA Internazionale for luxury. Consider Hotel Unione for comfort and affordability. Opt for Hotel La Tureta for a budget-friendly stay. |
12. Jet d’Eau
This is a large fountain in Lake Geneva called Jet d’Eau. The fountain is so tall that you can even view it from an aeroplane. Jet d’Eau is one of the most famous tourist landmarks of Switzerland. The Jet d’Eau shoots up 500 litres of water per second and it reaches a height of 140 metres into the air. The fountain was first made in 1886 and the current fountain was installed in 1951. If you visit Geneva, you can view Jet d’Eau from any corner of the city. You can reach this fountain via a jetty ride in Lake Geneva.
| How to Reach | The Jet d’Eau is in Geneva. A short walk from Geneva Station takes you to the fountain. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit between May and September. The fountain looks best against a clear sky. |
| Things to Do | Admire the fountain from various viewpoints. Take a boat ride on Lake Geneva for a closer look. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Beau-Rivage Geneva for luxury. Consider Hotel Bristol for comfort and affordability. Opt for Hotel Suisse for a budget-friendly stay. |
13. Gruyères Castle
We must mention one of the major castles in Switzerland in this list. It is none other than the famous Gruyères Castle. The castle is a huge castle with immense fortifications. It is so famous that it is enlisted as one of the major heritage monuments in Switzerland. The Gruyères Castle was built between 1270 and 1282 and was the residence of the royalty of those days. Today you can visit the museum in the castle. Here you can view a large collection of art, royal costumes, medieval weapons, and other exhibits.
| How to Reach | Gruyères Castle stands in Gruyères. Take a train to Gruyères, then walk or take a shuttle to the castle. |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit from April to October. The castle and surrounding area are more enjoyable in warm weather. |
| Things to Do | Tour the castle’s rooms and museum. Enjoy views of Gruyères and the surrounding countryside. |
| Places to Stay | Stay at Hotel de Gruyères for luxury. Consider Hotel La Fleur de Lys for comfort and affordability. Opt for Hotel St-Georges for a budget-friendly stay. |
Conclusion
These were our recommendations for the most famous monuments and landmarks in Switzerland. We highly recommend you visit these when you make a trip to Switzerland. There are many other attractions in Switzerland and we also suggest you visit them. But don’t ever miss the above-mentioned ones. They are the cultural and architectural marvels of Switzerland.
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