Best Things to Do in Switzerland 2026

The first traces of human settlement in Switzerland can be traced back to the Paleolithic Age. But it is only with the end of the last ice age that a larger number of sedentary people is detectable in Switzerland. They have left their traces in the almost 60 discovered sites of prehistoric lake dwellings in Swiss lake landscapes. Today, these are part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. On Lake Zug in the canton of Zug alone, there are remains of around 50 settlements.

After settlement by some Celtic tribes, the Helvetians in the Swiss Plateau and the Raetians in eastern Switzerland being among the best known, the Romans also extended their empire over Switzerland and Romanized the population.

After the Romans came the Franks, then the Swabians, the Burgundians and the Alemanni. As early as the 13th century, a 1st Confederation was formed from the original cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, which had united to protect their freedoms.

The Rütli Oath - Founding of Today's Switzerland

The founding date is considered to be August 1, 1291, which is why August 1 was designated as Switzerland's national holiday. The letter of alliance issued at that time as a founding document is kept in the Bundesbriefmuseum in the municipality of Schwyz.

After the end of the so-called Sonderbundeskrieg and with the Federal Constitution of 1848, Switzerland began its rise to a modern federal state, which today is one of the 20 largest economies in the world.

The Swiss Confederation is characterized by direct democracy, a high degree of regional and local autonomy, special participation of the population in joint decision-making, and the principle of self-imposed neutrality. The government consists of a Federal Council with seven Federal Councillors, headed by a Federal President. The office of president changes every year, which means that a different federal councilor always takes office.

Customs of Switzerland

Many customs have a long history and are an integral part of Switzerland. From alphorn playing to the story of Heidi, and ending with flag-waving, traditions run deep here and often have a strong regional connection. While Fasnacht is an important folk festival in some cantons, other regions celebrate events like the alpine ascent or yodeling with great enthusiasm.

Music Festivals in Switzerland

The Swiss Top Events calendar features festivals across all music genres each year. For classical music, there’s the Lucerne Festival, and we must also mention the annual Jazz Festival in Montreux.

One of the oldest festivals in Switzerland is the Open Air St. Gallen, held on the last weekend of June. The Zurich Street Parade, the largest open-air techno party in the world, attracts millions of visitors. Additionally, traditional federal festivals featuring typical alpine folk music are a key part of the Swiss events calendar.

Folklore evenings, alphorn concerts, shepherd festivals, and alpine descents take place in the rural areas of Switzerland. If you enjoy costumes and loud music, you should come during Fasnacht. From Ash Wednesday onwards, the streets come alive with carnival parades and Guggen music.

Languages in Switzerland

Regarding the languages in Switzerland, there’s no typical Swiss dialect. There are four official languages, and it seems like every village and valley has its own dialect.

The western part of the country, bordering France, speaks French, while the southern region, near Italy, is Italian-speaking. There are also a few small areas in the southeast where Romansh is spoken.

The majority of Switzerland, about 17 cantons, use German as their official language. Some cantons are bilingual or multilingual. However, Swiss German is quite different from “standard” German. The dialects can vary significantly from written German, making it hard for northern neighbors to understand Swiss folks.

To illustrate the language diversity: in German-speaking Switzerland alone, there are 5 different ways to order a small beer of 0.3 liters – Becher, Chübeli, Kleines, Rugeli, or Stange.

Planning a family outing in Switzerland that's stroller-friendly isn't always easy. That's why we've done the research for you and categorized all the activities you can enjoy with your stroller. On this page, you’ll find a selection of stroller-friendly outings to help you plan a day out with your family. You'll be amazed at how diverse your options are. Not only can you take most mountain cable cars to a scenic summit, but activities like urban golf, city tours, escape games, or tuk-tuk tours (if your stroller is foldable) are also on the agenda.

A wide range of destinations in Switzerland are wheelchair accessible, so no one has to miss out on recreational activities. Unique adventures like paragliding, urban golf, and fishing are also possible. Of course, you can also enjoy the usual classics like city tours, excursions to mountain peaks, or scenic boat trips.

You can find all activities in Switzerland that can be booked through Swiss Activities and are marked with the “Wheelchair” tag on our page with Excursion Ideas with Wheelchairs. By the way, you can find a collection of barrier-free hiking trails in this overview from Schweiz Mobil.

It's the highlight of the year for (almost) every child: their birthday! If you're looking for a unique idea for the next children's birthday, you'll find the inspiration you need here. From a visit to a chocolate factory to a monster scooter descent, a hike with fluffy alpacas, or a muffin baking course, there's something for everyone. Get inspired by our ideas for a children's birthday party and plan an unforgettable celebration for your child.