Switzerland may be rich in five-star lakes and mountains, but it’s not always the first destination that springs to mind when considering a European city break. However, this Alpine nation’s towns and cities have charm, buzz, and beauty in abundance, and travelers are finally catching on. With quick flights from the UK (flights from London to Zurich take less than two hours), you could be exploring medieval cobbled streets while sipping a spritz at a lakeside restaurant before you know it. From the prettiest small towns to bigger cities awash with culture and nightlife, we round up the best places for an urban break in Switzerland.
Bern
You’d be hard-pressed not to fall in love at first sight with the Swiss capital. Inside the bend of the turquoise River Aare sits Bern’s medieval Altstadt (Old Town), a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its beautifully preserved cobbled streets and monuments, including the Zytglogge clock tower, Münster (cathedral), and colorful fountains. Boutiques, bars, and restaurants are tucked under the Lauben (covered walkways) or in the tiny cellars beneath, while numerous café terraces animate the streets and squares.
Where to Stay for the Weekend in Bern
One of the finest establishments in town is the five-star Schweizerhof Bern, the city’s oldest luxury hotel, which occupies a mid-19th-century building in the Old Town.
Thun
Some 30 kilometers upriver from Bern but less well-known, Thun charms visitors with an Old Town filled with cobbled streets, flower-bedecked buildings, and unusual raised walkways. It’s all overlooked by the 12th-century Schloss (castle) – a climb to the top of its towers offers the best viewpoint in town. Magical in all seasons, nearby Lake Thun is a playground for water sports enthusiasts, while passenger ferries offer trips to villages, castles, and vineyards around its shores.
Where to Stay for the Weekend in Thun
The castle’s former prison wing is now a boutique hotel, Schlossberg Thun. Choose to stay in the Tower Room for gorgeous mountain views and 16th-century wall frescoes.
