Switzerland, Europe's mountain playground, is a classic tourist draw. This guide includes dozens of full-color maps, hundreds of hotel and restaurant recommendations, with Fodor's Choice designating top picks, and multiple itineraries to explore the top attractions and what's off the beaten path.

Whether you want to ski in the shadow of the Matterhorn, try fondue in Gruyères, or hike in Lauterbrunnen Valley, 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 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 30 DETAILED MAPS to help you navigate confidently
• COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust!
• HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, and more
• PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “Best Hikes,” Switzerland’s Most Beautiful Villages,” 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, cuisine, geography, and more
• SPECIAL FEATURES on “What to Watch and Read Before You Visit,” and “What to Eat and Drink” “Scenic Train Rides and Drives,” “The Bernese Alps,” and “The Vineyards of Lavaux”
• 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: Geneva, Zurich, Luzern, St. Moritz, the Glacier Express, Zermatt, the Matterhorn, Lugano, Locarno, Bern, Basel, Lauterbrunnen Valley, Grindelwald, Graubunden, Liechtenstein, Gruyères, Interlaken, Montreux, Lausanne, Lavaux Vignobles, and more.

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

*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!