11 Zurich Airbnbs To Experience the Best of Switzerland's Largest City

When it comes to packing light, it's not just the amount of clothing you bring that matters — it's also the materials they're made of.

On May 29th, 1953, legendary mountain climbers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest by navigating the extreme terrain of Mount Everest, a feat no human had ever achieved. To celebrate this monumental accomplishment, the Chinese watch brand that’s racked up more awards than many of its Swiss competitors, CIGA Design, has just released the U Mount Everest Homage Edition watch to celebrate this anniversary and showcase what is, arguably, the pinnacle (pun intended) of mechanical watchmaking: the central tourbillon.

Switzerland’s largest city may not (yet) draw the crowds of its other Western European counterparts, but it has more than enough of its share of panache to lure travelers and keep them engaged, entertained, and edified. The eminently walkable city, in spite of streets that zig and zag, is also increasingly bike-friendly. To wit: in 2024, Zurich will host Cycle Week, the national biking festival, and serve as the location for the annual Road and Para-Cycling Road World Championships. But you don’t need to ride competitively to enjoy Zurich’s myriad charms—gorgeous waterfront location, historic Old Town, sophisticated shopping, and artsy neighborhoods among them.

Known as the “playground of Europe,” this small mountainous country offers a wealth of Alpine adventures, from skiing and sledding down powdery slopes to exploring an extensive network of biking and hiking trails. But there is more to Switzerland than its breathtaking scenery. Here are 10 of the top ways to experience it.

Skiing in the Alps. Swimming in crystal clear lakes. Modern cities with medieval old towns. All that chocolate and cheese.

With its storybook alpine scenery, cultured lakeside cities, and miles of peerless pistes, Switzerland packs a lot into its landlocked borders. We consulted resident experts, from museum curators and musicians to hiking guides and authors, for their insider tips.

“People feed on good ideas in Zurich,” announces Ity Tiwari, an Indian-born, Zurich-based vegetarian food blogger and chef. “As a vegetarian, I’m continually delighted by the creativity and quality of dishes here. But I’m just as obsessed with Zurich’s humanity and the determination to do things the right way, with many restaurants pioneering zero-waste and community-driven initiatives.” 

A Swiss International Air Lines plane arrived at its destination without a single checked bag onboard.

Piedmont’s food and drink is a product of its position between the Italian Alps and coastal Liguria. Because of its unique location, Piedmont was once part of the via del sale or “salt road”, a historic trading route that connected the mountains to the sea. Hence the presence of hardy ingredients inPiedmontesedishes such as the popular vitello tonnato – thin slices of marinated veal served in a rich sauce of tuna, capers and anchovies.

The Grand Tour of Switzerland is a 1,000-mile drive that swings effortlessly from mood-lifting mountains to sleek, modern cities, in a way few other countries could achieve. Waymarked with characteristic Swiss efficiency and with electric vehicles encouraged, this epic road trip corkscrews up and over five high-altitude Alpine passes, skirts 22 aqua-blue lakes and ticks off 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

The last night of my two-week trip to Europe was the best one. But it didn't start out that way. 

Switzerland, for the second year in a row, topped U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the world’s best countries, marking its sixth time in the number one spot since 2017. Well known for its stunning mountains, lakes, and valleys—and for the cheese and chocolate from the cows that graze its verdant pasturelands—the Bernese Alps and the Jungfrau Region epitomize Switzerland. Here’s how to visit some of its highlights and experience why Switzerland’s quality of life and cultural influence are consistently ranked so high.