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Switzerland is known to be a world-class skiing destination; however, there is so much there for everyone along the many lakes. This month we are looking at how you can spend time lakeside in Zürich, Luzern and Lugano.
Zürich
Zürich is known as one of the most expensive cities in the world, but that shouldn’t keep you from visiting if given the opportunity. Meandering around Zürich is the lovely price of free.
One of the first places you can check out is the Lindenhof. History buffs everywhere will be interested to know that the Lindenhof was used as an ancient fort and then an early medieval royal residence. Everyone else will be interested to know that this is a place where you can get a gorgeous view of Lake Zürich and the city itself.
For those looking for shops, tourist spots and photo opportunities, make your way into the center part of town. We walked down Bahnhofstrasse where all the luxury stores are in Zürich. I marveled at all the watches, designer bags and clothing and also explained to my spouse what people found so special about red-soled shoes. We stumbled upon a farmers market with a multitude of items, from clothes and shoes to vintage military hats and taxidermized animals. We also perused bookstores, took pictures of beautiful opera houses and churches, and walked around the lake.
Pro-Tip: The only thing I would have done differently was pack water and snacks in our bag because it was pricey to stay hydrated and fueled in Zürich. Along the lake, we got stunning views of the boats navigating the water and swimming spots. All of this is nestled around green spaces and cute little gardens perfect for a light picnic.
We loved looking at the lake so much we were inspired to go on a 1.5-hour boat tour. This can be quite the people-watching opportunity as residents use it to ferry themselves around Zürich.
Luzern
Luzern presents another opportunity for lakeside fun. However, in Luzern, we learned about some of the cultural differences between the Swiss and Americans while walking around the lake. We accidentally stumbled upon the “nude-positive” corner of the swimming area. For those visiting, this was off to the side of the swimming area away from the rest of the swimmers, not front-and-center.
Heading into town you can see some of the more popular attractions: Glacier Garden and the Lion Monument. Glacier Garden offers fun for the whole family. What I enjoyed most was the air-conditioned indoor “tour” through the ice ages and time. There is also a house museum on-site where you can see tons of gems and other artifacts. If you get hungry there is a bistro and shop where you can get coffee, water, hot dogs and other treats.
Next to the garden is the Lion Monument. Visited by over 1.4 million people a year, the monument was erected in 1821 to memorialize the Swiss guards who perished in 1792 when the Tuileries were stormed in France. Nowadays, a lion magnet or figure is the “must-have” souvenir of Luzern.
You can end the night eating pizza and watching the sun go down behind the mountains from the appropriately named Sunset Bar which is beautifully situated on the lake. They have a convenient website where you can order directly from your smartphone and be alerted when the food and drinks are ready to pick up.
Lugano
Unlike the rest of Switzerland, which speaks German or French, Lugano is located in the Italian-speaking region of Ticino. Along the lake is a beautiful lakeside promenade and Belvedere Garden. Take in all the gorgeous floral and watery views while the weather is sunny and bright (not to leave out the modern art that is on display).
Just one block away from the lake and under the 270-meter-long ancient city porticoes is Via Nassa, “Lugano’s number one shopping destination,” according to luganoregion.com. Here you can find department stores, jewelry stores, upscale boutiques, antique shops, food, cafes and more hidden underneath the arches.
For those who want to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and head out on a boat, Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano offers a variety of rental boat and boat cruise options, (including my favorite, the night cruise) to create your own adventure. People who want to stay on land can also enjoy the beautiful weather by hiking on the Olive Tree Trail. Along this 3.5-kilometer trail, you will find the remains of old olive groves and 18 informative boards about the history and science of olive oil and trees.
Switzerland isn’t just snowboarding and skiing; there is so much to do there when the snow on the ground has melted and the sun is high in the sky.
