Fodor's Essential Switzerland

Whether you want to ski in Zermatt, eat fondue in Zürich, hike around Lake Luzern, or buy a luxury watch in Geneva, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Switzerland are here to help! Fodor’s Essential Switzerland guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor’s “Essential” guides have been named by Booklist as the Best Travel Guide Series of 2020!

Fodor’s Essential Switzerland travel guide includes:




AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do

MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time

MORE THAN 28 DETAILED MAPS to help you navigate confidently

COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust!

HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, and more

PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “What to Eat and Drink in Switzerland,” “Best Hikes,” “Most Beautiful Villages,” “What to Buy,” and more

TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, music, geography and more

SPECIAL FEATURES on the country's best scenic train rides, the Bernese Alps, the Vineyards of the Lavaux, Christmas markets, and the Best Swiss Luxury Watch Brands

LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems

FRENCH, GERMAN, AND ITALIAN LANGUAGE PRIMERS with useful words and essential phrases

UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: Zürich, Zermatt, Lake Luzern, Geneva, Bern, Basel, the Berner Oberland, Lausanne, Fribourg, Gstaad, the Matterhorn, Montreux, Liechtenstein, and more.




Planning on visiting other destinations in Europe? Check out Fodor’s Essential Italy, Fodor's Essential Germany, and Fodor's Essential France.

*Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition.

ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!