Things to do in Switzerland
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Hiltl
Hiltl has been a fixture of the Zürich health-nut scene since the turn of the century. It endured some lean times as it tried to establish itself in a hostile, meat-munching culture, but these days its combination of stylish vegetarian dishes and warm, family-run ambience pull in the crowds.
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Zeughauskeller
The menu (in eight languages) at this huge, atmospheric beer hall offers 20 different kinds of sausages, as well as numerous other Swiss specialities, including some of a vegetarian variety.
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Kunstmuseum
The Kunstmuseum concentrates on two periods: from 1400 to 1600, and from 1800 to the present day. The medieval collection includes the world’s largest number of Holbein works. The smaller contemporary collection features Picassos and Rodins.
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Blindekuh
Eat and drink in total darkness. Run by people with impaired vision as a means of sharing their experience, this restaurant is booked out months in advance for dinner, but lunch (plus some last-minute evening) reservations are possible.
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ù bobba
A cultured crowd gathers at this dining spot near the opera house, decked in red and gold, oozing attitude and flaunting what must surely be one of Geneva’s hottest roof terraces.
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Manora
Rather tasty buffet food, including extensive salad and dessert bars, are served at this quick-eat Swiss chain.
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Adler's Swiss Chuchi
Adler's Swiss Chuchi may be touristy, but it remains one of the best places in the city to enjoy decent, simple versions of national specialities. Watch out for their fondue and the raclette (melted cheese bolstered with rib-lining additions like ham and potatoes). A great cockle-warming experience.
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Santuario della Madonna del Sasso
Overlooking the town, this sanctuary was built after the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared in a vision to a monk, Bartolomeo d'Ivrea, in 1480. There's a small museum, a church and several rather rough, near life-size statue groups (including one of the Last Supper) in niches on the stairway. The best-known painting in the church is La Fuga in Egitto (Flight to Egypt), painted in 1522 by Bramantino.
Contrasting in style are the naive votive paintings by the church entrance, where the Madonna and Child appear as ghostly apparitions in life-and-death situations.
A funicular runs every 15 minutes from the town centre past the sanctuary to Orisella, but the 20-minute walk up is …
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Musée Olympique
This museum is surprisingly interesting given that its subject does not elicit universal interest. Housed in a lavish building in the Parc Olympique, atop a tiered landscaped garden, it tells the Olympic story from its inception under Pierre de Coubertin to the most recent competition. Videos, archival film (usually including footage of the most recent games), touch-screen computers and memorabilia (anything from the Olympic flame torches used since 1936 to a pair of sprinter Carl Lewis’ track shoes) all help bring this sporting saga to life.
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After the Rain Spa
Soothe urban body and soul at After the Rain Spa, a haven of peace and tranquillity in downtown Geneva, where the icing on the cake for chocolate fiends has to be a body wrap in creamy milk chocolate (Sfr140, 45 minutes) or – even better – a good old soak in a milk or white chocolate bath (Sfr180, 30 minutes).
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Augusta Raurica
By the Rhine, these Roman ruins are Switzerland's largest. They're the last remnants of a colony founded in 44 BC that had grown to 20,000 citizens by the 2nd century. Today, restored features include an open-air theatre and several temples. There's also a Roman Museum which features an authentic Roman house among its exhibits.
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La Terraza
Set in a 12th-century building that has housed fishmongers, dukes and scribes over the years, La Terraza oozes atmosphere. High-back chairs and monochrome shots of bella Italia give the vaulted interior urban edge. When the sun’s out, sit on the riverfront terrace for favourites like clam and rocket spaghetti.
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Tour de l'Ale
The cylindrical Tour de l'Ale, tucked away at the end of Rue de la Tour, is the only surviving vestige of medieval Lausanne's defensive walls. It was built in 1340 at the extreme western point of the medieval suburb of Ale. That we can admire the tower at all is due to those townspeople who opposed demolition plans in 1903.
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Terrasse & Casa
Terrasse is a glass shoebox with wooden decking over the water, sun lounges overlooking a weir (illuminated at night) and comfy sofa seating – a perfect spot for Sunday brunch or a drink at any time of day. Casa, by contrast, cooks up Italian food in a cosy, country-style timber-framed house.
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Jet d'Eau
Calling the Jet d'Eau a fountain is an understatement. The water shoots up with incredible force (200km/h, 1360HP), to create a 140m-high plume. At any one time there are seven tonnes of water in the air, and much of it falls on spectators who venture out on the pier.
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Outdoor Swimming Areas
Between May and the middle of September, Outdoor Swimming Areas are open around the lake and up the Limmat River. These are usually rectangular wooden piers with a pavilion covering part of the; most offer massages, yoga and saunas, as well as snacks.
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Il Grissino
With 'bump knees with your neighbour'-style seating (claustrophobics beware), this oft-packed pizza and pasta joint emits a boisterous vibe. Choose from more than 30 different pizzas; the large is big enough for two (unless you're super hungry).
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Le Vaudois
Classic local Swiss cuisine, concentrating on fondues and meat dishes like the nationwide fave, Zürich’s émincé de veau à la zurichoise (thin slices of veal prepared in a creamy mushroom sauce, Sfr32.50).
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Puppenhausmuseum
Basel’s Puppenhausmuseum attracts teddy-bear fans from all over the place. Indeed, the museum claims to have the world’s biggest collection of teddy bears. There are doll’s houses galore too.
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Tinguely Fountain
Just south of Barfüsserplatz is the zany Tinguely Fountain, with all sorts of wacky machines spewing and shooting forth water. It is a foretaste of the madcap moving sculptures in the Museum Jean Tinguely.
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Café du Vieil Ouchy
A simple but charming location for fondue (Sfr23.50), rösti and other classics. Follow up with a meringue smothered in crème double de la Gruyère (double thick Gruyère cream).
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Steinbock
While there are dozens of phoney and/or overpriced Swiss restaurants lining Höheweg, this humble tavern is one in which locals also eat. Another good option for Swiss food is the Hirschen.
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Globus
Designer shopping is wedged between Rue du Rhône and Rue de Rive. Globus is one of the main department stores. For designer secondhand, try Rue des Étuves.
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Le Dezaley
Tucked away in an alley below the Grossmünster, this is a little part of French Switzerland in Zürich and regarded as one of the places to try fondue.
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Pardo Bar
With its background music, scattered timber tables (a couple of computers on one) and wine and cocktails on offer, Pardo Bar attracts a relaxed and mixed crowd.
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