The country is small enough to tour around but, so dense with history and remarkable scenery, a single region’s usually more than enough for one vacation.
Everyone knows the iconic Alps, but the land of the Matterhorn is also home to spectacular lakes, one of Europe’s oldest national parks, impressive World Heritage sites, and several of the loveliest cities on earth.
And it’s not as expensive as its reputation suggests. Switzerland is very family-orientated, kids are welcome everywhere and the country works hard to offer a price range to suit most budgets: skiing in Zermatt will never be cheap, but a family ski vacation in Sattel-Hochstuckli compares very well to skiing in France.
Switzerland covers just under 25,500 square miles. You can travel by train from Zurich to Geneva in under three hours.
Switzerland has 12 Unesco World Heritage sites including the Old City of Bern, the Jungfrau Aletsch Region and the medieval Castles of Bellinzona.
Switzerland has five ski regions and several legendary resorts including Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Gstaad and Klosters.
The 2016 Mercer Quality of Living survey named Zurich the world’s second best city to live in, just after Vienna.
The Bernina Express Alpine route is one of the highest rail journeys in Europe.
The Swiss National Park was established in 1914 making it the oldest in the Alps.
Switzerland is not a cheap country: the world’s fourth most expensive hotel, Geneva’s President Wilson, will cost you over $35,000 per night. Fortunately for families, there are considerably less expensive options and plenty of choices from ski chalets and apartments to family hostels on Lake Zurich, traditional guesthouses and inns in the Swiss National Park and child-friendly spas and hotels across every region.
For all its magnificent Alpine mountains and unspoiled landscape, Switzerland is one of Europe’s easiest countries to drive around. Rent a car for touring, take advantage of free bike rentals in cities, and hop aboard excellent Swiss trains as often as you can.