The Green Peaks of German Switzerland

If you only have time for one spot in central Switzerland, make it Lucerne. This charming lakeside town offers a memorable mountain panorama. The town's standout landmark is the 12th century Chapel Bridge (Europe's oldest covered bridge), which runs past the unique octagonal Water Tower. Visitors also tend to make a beeline for the Lion Monument, carved into a cliff, which commemorates the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives for the royal family during the French Revolution. Make sure to stop by the lesser-known covered Spreuer Bridge, with its Danse Macabre plaques. If you're fond of classical music, you're more than in luck, as the city offers frequent performances.

The gateway to the Bernese Highlands, Interlaken's name is fitting, as it straddles the scenic lakes of Brienz and Thun, linked by the turquoise River Aare. A tourist heaven, this hub offers a wide variety of active ways to explore the surrounding area, home to some of Switzerland's most famed peaks.

Switzerland's de facto capital may not look like you'd expect. Instead of massive government buildings, you'll find kilometers of covered arcades, and streets boasting clocktowers and fountains amid colorful homes. The city's UNESCO-listed Old Town is located on a peninsula, nearly surrounded by a bend in the turquoise River Aare, while the other bank is home to parks (one just for bears). Despite its compact size, Bern was once the largest free city-state north of the Alps, and has long punched above its size historically, with Einstein, Klee, and Dürrenmatt among its famous inhabitants.

Switzerland's largest city and main hub, Zurich is where many of the nation's bankers and scholars bump shoulders. This cosmopolitan city ranks highly in terms of livability, but for all its wealth and global prestige, the Old Town remains charming, if almost spotless. The ridges flanking Zurich's river valley offer romantic views, but the best way to hit the ground running in Zurich is to follow the river itself as it cuts through the Old Town, then meets Lake Zurich. Along the way, indulge in detours, from upscale chocolatiers to low-stress beaches.