Welcome to Switzerland.
This is one of my favourite countries in the world. After briefly living in Basel, I’ve learned the ins and outs of travelling around this incredible country.
Lace up your hiking boots and get ready for the trip of a lifetime – Switzerland is a place you won’t ever forget.
Click here for all my Switzerland posts (or scroll down to find posts by category).
Currency: In Switzerland the currency is Swiss Francs, also abbreviated as CHF.
Language: Switzerland has four official languages – German, Italian, French, and Romansh! There are different regions that speak different languages – sometimes you’ll be right on the cusp of a linguistic border, and two languages will be spoken!
ATMS & Cash: You’ll be able to pay with credit card just about anywhere! However, in most mountain refuges/restaurants, you’ll only be able to pay with cash, so definitely take some out before hiking. I recommend having a travel friendly card – I use Monzo to avoid extra fees whilst abroad.
Safety: Switzerland is incredibly safe. Solo female travellers should be absolutely fine!
With hot summers and freezing winters, Switzerland is a destination where you’ll want to ensure you’ve packed the right things! I’ve put together the ultimate Switzerland packing list, covering every season (& hiking!), which you can find here.
Switzerland is certainly not a cheap destination. The food, the accommodation, and the trains (though incredible) are PRICY. There are a few things I’ve learned from living in Switzerland that help save money – from buying super saver train tickets to finding the most affordable hiking snacks, this post has all my tips for travelling Switzerland on a budget.
Switzerland is one of the best hiking destinations. The trails are all incredibly marked and signposted, the views are insane, and there are thousands and thousands of kilometers of trails all over the country. The hikes below are some of my favourite hikes in Switzerland – some are easy, some art hard, all are worth doing!
Swiss National Park has some of the most stunning scenery in the country!
Bellinzona castles – so fun to run around old fortresses.
The bisses all around Sion – it’s insane how water is transported from the mountains down to the villages.
Switzerland may be known for its mountains, but the cities are also worth exploring! If you’re in Switzerland in March, try not to miss Basel’s fasnacht – it’s a one of a kind experience. I’d also recommend Ticino – the beautiful Italian region that blends Swiss charm and the Italian sense of la dolce vita.
Spring: Spring is a low-season in Switzerland, but it’s an incredible time to visit Swiss towns and cities. I would avoid Springtime if you’re planning on doing lots of hiking, as many trails will still be closed due to snow.
Summer: Summertime is peak season – the trails are busier, the cities buzz with both locals and tourists… Switzerland comes alive in the summertime, but its often quite crowded and the prices can inflate a little.
Autumn: This is my top pick for visiting Switzerland. If you come at the beginning of Autumn, you might catch the last bits of summer warmth and mountain trails will just be starting to close up, so you can still pack in some hiking! Prices start to lower and crowds disappear.
Winter: In the ski resorts, you’ll find plenty of A-listers and tourists who’ve come to the slopes to have a winter getaway. Outside of the ski towns, there won’t be as many crowds. While hotel prices might be a little expensive near the winter sports resorts, they won’t be as expensive in the cities.
There’s more to Switzerland’s outdoors than just hiking! These are some of my favourite ways to enjoy Swiss nature without lacing up my hiking boots.
