Boasting snow-capped mountain ranges, glamorous ski villages and shimmering lakes dotted with lavish spa resorts, Switzerland's fame as a top European holiday destination is long-established and well deserved.

The majority of visitors head there over the ski season, with the country's southern Alpine region offering some of the best skiing in the Europe thanks to its reliable snow, staggeringly beautiful scenery and world-class resorts such as Davos, Gstaad, St Moritz, Zermatt and Verbier.

Those who travel to Switzerland over the summer will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the Bernese Oberland region. A popular hiking destination, this is a land of distant mountains and lush edelweiss-strewn meadows dotted with quaint wooden chalets.

The sophisticated cities of Zurich, Geneva and Bern are also a draw for visitors, who will relish the rich histories, upmarket dining and exclusive boutiques these hubs have to offer.

Best time to visit Switzerland

Switzerland is a year-round destination but the ski season lasts from late November to mid-April, and the slopes are busiest over Christmas and New Year, and during the Easter school holidays. Walkers, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts head to the Alps over the summer months (June to September).

What to see in Switzerland

-Admire the dramatic Mont Blanc from a cruise on Lake Geneva. There are cruise operators on Lake Zurich and Lake Lucerne as well.

-Visit the stunning 13th-century Chateau de Chillon, a medieval castle that looks as though it were plucked straight from a fairytale.

-Explore the charming, historic city of Bern's cobbled streets, ornate fountains and spired cathedrals.

-See the Lion of Lucerne, which Mark Twain called 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world'.

What to do in Switzerland

-Go to the Swiss Alps and experience some of the best winter sport action to be found anywhere in the world.

-Visit Interlaken, the king of Switzerland's summer resorts, and bask in the glorious sunshine, lake views and edelweiss fields.

-Ride the cog railway to Jungfrau and see awe-inspiring glacial fields and a 'palace' filled with ice sculptures.

-Take in some culture at one of Switzerland's celebrated museums, including the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva, and the Museum of Design in Zurich.

Getting to Switzerland

There are regular flights to Switzerland from a number of airports in the US and UK. Direct flights to Geneva or Zurich are plentiful, while visitors from the UK can also find flights to Bern and Basel.

Read

Dark Palace by Frank Moorhouse.

Watch

North Face (2008), On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), and Heidi's Song (1982).

Eat

Zurcher eintopf (a hot-pot dish famous in Zurich), rippli (pork ribs), fondue, rosti and sauerkraut; also try desserts such as apfelkuchlein (deep-fried apple cookies) and nusstorte (nut cake).

Drink

Rivella, a milk whey-based soft drink; and try some locally produced Chasellas or Pinot Noir wine.

What to buy

Watches and clocks (Switzerland is the watch-making capital of the world), chocolate, cheese, cow bells, clothing embroidered with edelweiss flowers and, of course, Swiss Army knives.

What to pack

Ski kit or hiking boots, depending on the reason for visiting. If travellers are heading over in spring or summer, they should take a lightweight rain jacket in case of light showers. Switzerland is unbelievably expensive, so it's best to pack well!

What's on in Switzerland

The Geneva Festival (August) is the highlight of Switzerland's summer event calendar, and there are musical performances, food fairs, parades and fireworks displays. The Montreux Jazz Festival (July) attracts a crowd of more than 200,000 every year, and is deservedly renowned as one the best jazz festivals in the world. Art Basel (June) is known as the 'Olympics of the art world', and features work from 300 leading galleries from around the world.

Did you know?

-Switzerland hasn't been at war since 1515.

-Switzerland has the second-highest life expectancy in Europe (after Sweden).

-The Swiss flag is the only square-shaped flag flown at the United Nations.

A final word

A land of cosmopolitan cities that function with the precision of clockwork, and of extraordinarily beautiful natural surrounds, Switzerland is quite simply one of Europe's finest tourist destinations.

Things to do in Switzerland

Home to soul-stirring natural settings, wealthy cities and charming villages, Switzerland is rightly famous for being one of the first global tourist destinations. Foreign visitors will discover a country that is extremely well prepared for them, as getting to the many attractions is effortless, if rather expensive. Public transport options include buses, taxis and a clean and efficient rail network, and renting a car is an attractive option, thanks to the impeccably maintained and signposted roads.

This is truly a year-round destination, as its cold winters are perfect for skiing and mountain viewing, and its glorious summers are ideal for exploring the major cities and delightful Alpine villages. An obligatory stop on any grand tour of the continent, Switzerland is a sure bet for travellers looking to experience the best of what Europe has to offer.

Switzerland travel info

Electricity

The electrical current in Switzerland is 230 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are of the linear, rounded three-pin type, but rounded two-pin plugs will fit the outlet.

Language

The four official languages are Swiss German, French, Italian and Romansh. Most people know at least three languages, including English.

Money

The official currency is the Swiss franc (CHF), which is divided into 100 rappen (German) or centimes (French). Although Switzerland isn't part of the EU, some local prices may be indicated in euros and some merchants may accept euros. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are widespread; many are equipped with the Cirrus or Maestro system. Digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are popular. Banks offer the best exchange rates, but travellers can exchange money at major hotels, main train stations and airports. Banks are open Monday to Friday.

Tipping

A 10 percent service charge is normally included in all hotel, taxi, bar and restaurant bills, and further tipping isn't necessary. However, tipping is still appreciated, particularly for good service, and it's often seen as a gesture of gratitude rather than an obligation.

Health

Swiss medical facilities and health care are among the best in the world, but are very expensive, meaning health insurance is recommended. EU travellers should get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before visiting, or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if they're UK residents, so that they're covered for necessary state healthcare while there.

Safety

Switzerland has a low crime rate compared to other European countries and is generally a safe destination to visit. However, there have been increased reports of petty theft, especially in larger cities, at Geneva airport and on trains to and from Geneva. Travellers should take sensible precautions to avoid mugging, bag-snatching and pickpocketing, and be particularly alert at airports, railway stations and in crowded areas.

Local customs

Privacy and discretion are highly valued in Switzerland and strangers generally don't speak to each other. Locals are naturally reserved and conservative for the most part, with the preference being for rules to govern their lives. Littering is a serious social crime, and visitors should also try to throw their recyclables in the proper receptacle. Different regions may have different customs in areas such as introductions, with German-speaking Swiss shaking hands, and French-speaking locals perhaps kissing on the cheek three times (generally left, right, left). Though many Swiss speak English, it's considered polite to ask before attempting conversation.

Doing business

The Swiss business world reflects the local mastery at building well-oiled machines. Efficiency and organisation are prioritised, and the culture is based predominantly on merit. The country's formal, no-nonsense approach offers little room for humour or lack of preparation in meetings and, though the Swiss are slightly less pedantic than their German or French counterparts, they value appearance and punctuality very much.

Dress codes are quite formal and conservative, particularly in the banking sector, where dark suits are the norm. Work and pleasure are entirely separate, with Swiss businesspeople even shying away from calling their colleagues by first names until they've established a level of trust. When invited to a Swiss business associate's home, a small gift such as flowers or a box of chocolates is appropriate.

Those in senior positions garner a great deal of respect, but decision-making processes are often quite democratic. Switzerland is home to over 1000 multinationals and has become something of a melting pot of business customs, regional influences and etiquette. English is the corporate language, especially for multinationals, though regional languages, such as French, German and Italian, are sometimes preferred in their respective areas.

Swiss-German business meetings are rarely over food and are often as brief as possible, with little small talk. However, Swiss-French and Swiss-Italians often meet over lunches and talk isn't restricted to business. Handshakes are common for addressing both men and women. Business hours are from 8am to 5pm on weekdays with a lunch break from 12pm to 2pm. The two-hour lunch break is in line with the high value Switzerland places on work-life balance, though multinational companies might have an hour-long lunch.

Duty free

Travellers to Switzerland over 17 years don't have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 2 litres alcohol up to 15 percent and 1 litre alcohol over 15 percent. The maximum allowance of wine is 20 litres, but duty will be payable on this quantity. VAT is liable if the total value of all goods exceeds CHF 300. Restricted items include meat and meat products from selected countries. Prohibited items are absinth and its imitations, and anaesthetics.

Communications

The international country dialling code for Switzerland is +41. Travellers can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones or use eSIMs if their cellular providers support it on their networks. WiFi is widespread.

Passport & Visa

The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and as of December 2008, Switzerland. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

US passport holders require a passport that's valid for at least six months after their planned departure date. A visa isn't necessary for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

UK passport holders require a passport that's valid for at least six months after their planned departure date. A visa isn't necessary for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Canadian passport holders require a passport that's valid for at least six months after their planned departure date. A visa isn't necessary for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Australian passport holders require a passport that's valid for at least six months after their planned departure date. A visa isn't necessary for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

South African passport holders require a passport that's valid for at least six months after their planned departure date, and a Schengen visa.

Irish nationals require a passport that's valid for the period of the intended stay, but no visa is necessary.

New Zealand passport holders require a passport that's valid for at least six months after their planned departure date. A visa isn't necessary for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Useful contacts

Swiss Tourist Office, Zurich: +41 44 215 4000 or www.myswitzerland.com

118 (fire and rescue), 117 (police), 144 (ambulance).

Climate in Switzerland

The temperature is moderate with no extremes of hot and cold, so Switzerland can be visited at any time of year. Summer is warm to hot and runs from June to September, and is good for outdoor activities, but it's also the most crowded time for a holiday. Ski resorts open in late November and remain so until the snow begins to melt in April.