No matter where you look in Switzerland, you’ll be in awe of its beauty.
Whether you’re visiting Switzerland in summer or winter, you’ll find no end to outdoor activities. The towering Alps are covered in snow no matter what season, along with crystal-clear lakes, quaint little villages, crystal clear lakes, and rolling hills. Plus, a whole lot of chocolate and cheese!
You could easily spend months exploring the country—highlights include Lucerne, Bern, Zurich, Geneva, Grindelwald, Gruyeres, St. Moritz, and Interlaken. And these don’t even begin to cover it!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Language: There are four national languages in Switzerland, all found in specific regions of the country. The most widely spoken language is Swiss German, spoken by over 60% of the population. In the western part of the country, Swiss-French is spoken, and in the southern part of the country, Swiss Italian is spoken. The smallest national language is Romansh.
Currency: The official currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). Many shops, hotels, and train stations will also accept euros.
Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, so there is no need to carry large amounts of cash on you. Switzerland is global financial capital, so ATMs are available in all towns on almost every corner. You’ll usually find them at places like the post office, train station, and shopping centers.
Plugs: The power plugs in Switzerland are type J, the standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter (make sure it has surge protection) and using a converter for hairdryers and hot tools.
Safety: Switzerland is in the top 10 of the safest countries in the world. Violent crime is rare but petty crime such as pickpocketing and theft of vehicles (including bikes) does occasionally happen in the bigger cities.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Switzerland is during the shoulder seasons, as in April to June and September to October. You can enjoy fewer crowds, mild weather, and lower prices. In fact, the mountain resort towns are almost completely dead.
Tourists descend into Switzerland in the summer months to soak up the sunshine and wildflowers that are blooming in the countryside. The snow also typically thaws so you’ll have the chance to hike trails that are often covered. Most mountain resorts open up again but bookings will come at higher prices (I’m talking almost 50% higher!).
Winter is both low and high season—the summer tourists are long gone but in come those that love snow sports! Prices don’t drop on the slopes but do so everywhere else in the country if you’re looking to save a little cash and enjoy a winter wonderland.
Great stuff Filip. Keep up the good work