Switzerland
Swiss Confederation
Western Europe · CHE
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Switzerland
Switzerland is one of Europe's strongest picks for travelers who want alpine scenery, immaculate transport, and easy access to mountain towns, lakes, and ski areas without complicated logistics. It works especially well for scenic rail trips, winter sports, and high-comfort itineraries built around the Alps.
Popular For
Things To See
- Zermatt
- St. Moritz
- Jungfrau Region
- Lucerne
- Lake Geneva
- Bernina Express
Best Months
Best Months For Winter Travel
Know Before You Go
- Switzerland is expensive by European standards, but the transport network makes multi-stop itineraries unusually easy to execute.
- Summer is best for hiking and lake trips, while winter is the strongest season for skiing and alpine villages.
Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Switzerland.
Guidebooks
Tours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Switzerland.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Bern
- Population
- 9,082,848
- Area
- 41,284 km²
- Region
- Western Europe
Languages
- French
- Swiss German
- Italian
- Romansh
Currency
Swiss franc (Fr.)
CHF
1 USD = 0.78 CHF
Cost of Living (World Bank)
110.5
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 109.7
- Restaurants
- 111.3
- Rent
- 51.5
Safety & Peace
higher score = safer everyday environment · derived from World Bank homicide data
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Bern (46.92°N, 7.47°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
84/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 90/100
- Lived safety
- 74/100
This traveler-facing score is lower than the legal protections score because lived-safety context is weaker, based on broader traveler safety and development conditions.
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal✅
- Relationship recognitionMarriage
- Adoption recognition✅
- Anti-discrimination laws✅
- Employment protections✅
- Legal gender recognition✅
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.970
Very high human development
- 5-year change
- +0.008
- 10-year change
- +0.018
- Trend
- stable
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.977
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.010
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.732
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (13)
- 🏛️
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement
Inscribed 2016
- 🏛️
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps
Inscribed 2011
- 🏛️
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning
Inscribed 2009
- 🌿
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona
Inscribed 2008
- 🏛️
Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes
Inscribed 2008
- 🌿
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Inscribed 2007
- 🏛️
Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
Inscribed 2007
- 🌿
Monte San Giorgio
Inscribed 2003
- 🌿
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch
Inscribed 2001
- 🏛️
Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona
Inscribed 2000
- 🏛️
Old City of Berne
Inscribed 1983
- 🏛️
Abbey of St Gall
Inscribed 1983
- 🏛️
Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair
Inscribed 1983
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 12.5%
- Forest cover
- 32.4%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 5
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 10
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
77/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Winter Sports
78/100
Ski infrastructure & alpine pedigree
Combines ski resort depth, ski resort density, and Winter Olympic skiing results. Separate from climate comfort.
Luxury Infrastructure
92/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise normal precautions in Switzerland. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Switzerland. If you decide to travel to Switzerland: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive messages and alerts from the U.S. Embassy and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Switzerland. Prepare a plan for emergency situations. Review the International Traveler’s Checklist. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travelers’ Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States. We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. The U.S. government does not provide insurance for U.S. citizens overseas. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data