Switzerland is a landlocked country located in the heart of Europe. It is bordered by France, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Switzerland is known for its picturesque mountain scenery, its vibrant cities, and its neutrality. Swiss culture is a unique blend of German, French and Italian influences.
Switzerland's picturesque mountain areas entice tourists from across the world. Switzerland has a lot to offer for everyone, whether it's hiking, skiing, climbing, or sightseeing the lovely lakes and charming villages. Here are some things you need to know when visiting Switzerland.
Switzerland is a small, landlocked country right in the middle of Europe. It is bordered by Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Liechtenstein.
A nonstop flight from South Africa to Switzerland takes around 10hours and 45 minutes, however most airlines will only offer a one stop service, which can take upwards of 13 hours.
If you are visiting Switzerland to enjoy its winter sport activities in the Swiss Alps, then the best time for you to visit is between December and March when the snow should be just about right.
March right through to December is a good time to visit Switzerland. Either end of this time scale will be quite cold, but it also means that there will be less tourists and cheaper deals. The more pleasant weather is between the months of June and August, but it will be a little busier.
Explore the capital Bern: Spend hours walking around this historic capital, taking in the ancient clock towers, churches and famous buildings. This city dates back to the 12th century, so expect to see some incredibly well preserved medieval architecture.
Live the adventure: Visit Interlaken, an adventure playground! Here you can skydive over the Swiss alps, ski, hike and more!
Rhine Falls: Europe’s largest waterfall can be found in Switzerland. Located between Schaffhausen and Zurich, you will also get the opportunity to visit these two locations too. Top tip, also visit the falls at night when it is lit up.
Explore Zurich: Possibly one of the most picturesque cities in world? Big statement, but Zurich has the sunning backdrops of the alps! This city really does have it all, including bars, restaurants, lakes, parks and more.
The Swiss Alps: If you are sport junkie, you need to visit the Swiss alps for skiing, snowboarding, trekking and hiking. The views from the Matterhorn are second to none!
To enter Switzerland, you will need to have a visa. Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, so you'll need to get a Schengen visa ahead of time and have it approved. We've put up an excellent resource on
how to apply for a Schengen visa.
As part of the requirements of the Schengen visa application procedure, you'll need to purchase travel insurance before visiting countries like Switzerland. We've developed a
Schengen-specific travel insurance plan to make things easier for our clients in order to provide them with a quote in minutes.
Switzerland is a country that really does offer something for everyone. Whether you are looking to live the adventure, or just take in some stunning scenery, this is the place for you. Just be prepared for the cold weather if you are visiting during the winter months. So, if you're looking for a breathtaking European escape, be sure to add Switzerland to your list!
