Central Switzerland

Sights & Activities

In the village of Bürgenstock, visitors can take a ride on the highest outdoor lift in Europe, the Hammetschwand. Another exciting thing to do is to take a ride with the Pilatus, the world’s steepest rack railway. It takes visitors to a summit of more than 2000 meters above sea level and provides spectacular views all around. The village is also located near Lake Lucerne, where leisurely cruises aboard several paddle steamers are available.

Religious from all over the country and world often make pilgrimages to the region of Einsiedeln, where a Benedictine monastery and a chapel are located. These structures are Baroque in style and are dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the form of the Black Madonna. There are also other religious icons found in this village, such as the Diorama Bethlehem that contains more than four hundred hand-carved figures depicting the nativity scene. A giant painting called the Panorama Crucifixion of Christ is also found within Einsiedeln.

One popular skiing destination in Central Switzerland is the valley of Engelberg, where its resorts are particularly known for being family friendly. The Engelberg Monastery is an imposing structure in the area, where the largest church organ in the country is housed.

Lucerne is a scenic town that features historic structures and beautiful town squares. One of its more popular landmarks is the Chapel Bridge, a wooden bridge that is considered one of the oldest of its kind. Visitors should also make sure to stop by the Swiss Museum of Transport, where items related to transportation and communication are showcased. The town is also the venue of the Lucerne Festival, an annual classical music event that musicians from all over the country and Europe come to participate. The lake is also ideal for boating, kayaking, and sailing.

The valley of Muota is the location of the Höllloch karst cave system which visitors can explore with a guide. It is considered the longest of its kind in Europe. The area is also well-known for its weathermen, who make their annual weather forecast twice in a year.

During summer, the areas around Sörenberg are ideal for walking and mountain biking, with the beautiful scenery to enjoy. In winter, skiing and snowboarding become the preferred sports as skiers and their families arrive for their winter vacations.

In Weggis, the annual Rose Festival is held to celebrate community spirit through entertainment and revelry.

Weather

Central Switzerland enjoys a mild climate, with rare extreme changes of climatic conditions. Winter is generally cold, though not drastically so. Spring ushers in during the later part of March and summer is from June to August, in which temperature may reach beyond 20°C. Those who wish to explore some of the beautiful sceneries of the area would do well to come during this month.