15+ Sunny Sides of Switzerland That Make You Want to Stay

Updated Mar 1, 2026

What are the best things about where you live?

Listing the positives of where you live gives you a helpful perspective, allowing you to notice the good around you. It can be especially valuable when you’re struggling with your current location, reminding you of its upsides, and it may also inspire those considering a visit or a move.

15+ things I appreciate about Switzerland

+ NATURE
Hello to the gorgeous mountains, lakes, forests, rivers and jaw-dropping views! Switzerland’s landscape never stops amazing us. I’ve heard people describe this country as “annoyingly beautiful,” and I have to agree: it often looks like something straight out of a fairy tale.

More than 60% of Switzerland is mountainous, about 25% is forested, and roughly 6% is covered by lakes and glaciers. The mountains make you feel small in a healthy way, and the crystal-clear waters are constantly inviting you in.

Did you know that the highest mountain in Switzerland — and the second-highest in the Alps — is Monte Rosa? Its peak, Dufourspitze, rises to 4,634 meters. The most iconic mountain, Matterhorn (the one on the Toblerone package), is not much shorter at 4,478 meters.

Many people in Switzerland value nature and spend a lot of time outdoors. Natural materials are widely appreciated and used, for example, playground structures are often made of wood and designed to fit the landscape.

Photos by Helena J.

+ VIEWS
It’s no coincidence that people are drawn to beautiful scenery. Attractive surroundings play an important role in well-being. Thanks to its natural beauty and varied hills and mountains, Switzerland is packed with spectacular views. Many homes are built on the hills, giving them very nice vistas.

+ COUNTLESS PLACES TO VISIT
There are numerous charming towns, historic sites, mountains, lakes and hiking trails to explore — many of them easily accessible too.

+ TRAINS
Switzerland’s rail system is frequently ranked among the best in Europe for usage, safety and quality of service. The trains are clean, punctual and let passengers enjoy enchanting views.

+ DIVERSE CLIMATES AND LANDSCAPES
Switzerland generally has a temperate climate and the scenery ranges from snowy mountaintops to near-Mediterranean areas with palm trees. If it’s raining where you are, you can often find sunshine nearby — sometimes simply by heading up a mountain.

+ CENTRAL LOCATION
Switzerland’s central location in Europe makes it easy to reach many countries, including nearby neighbors of France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. It is also convenient for friends and family in Europe to visit.

+ DELICACIES
Mouth-watering chocolate, cheese, pastries and seasonal dishes… Yum!

+ MULTICULTURALISM / DIVERSITY
Switzerland is a mix of cultures, traditions and languages (German/Swiss German, French, Italian, and Romansh are the official ones). Experiences vary greatly depending on the region. For example, visiting Lago Maggiore in Ticino feels very different from seeing the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen — even though they’re only about 200 kilometers apart.

+ SAFETY
Switzerland consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world.

+ RELIABILITY
Punctuality and reliability are highly valued. If you happen to lose your wallet, Switzerland is one of the best places for it as studies show high rates of returned lost wallets.

+ FOUR SEASONS, WELL-TIMED
Switzerland offers warm, long summers, vibrant springs and autumns and true winters with snowy mountains (or sunny southern escapes). Swimming in summer, skiing in winter, hiking amid autumn’s colorful foliage and enjoying spring’s blooming flowers.

+ AIR AND WATER QUALITY
Compared to many other places, Switzerland stands out for its clean air and high-quality drinking water.

+ SHOPLESS SUNDAYS
There’s another side to this too, but closed shops on Sundays have saved me from many unnecessary purchases and encouraged me to spend time outdoors instead.

+ PRECISION, MAINTENANCE AND CLEANLINESS
Doing things properly and taking good care of facilities and infrastructure greatly improves quality of life. Of course, this is also linked to wealth, since maintaining things is easier when the necessary resources are available.

+ AND As they say, the Swiss flag is a huge plus TOO! 😉

Zooming In: Zurich

When I zoom in on my current home city, Zurich, I see even more to appreciate:

+ NATURE NEARBY
Even though we live close to the city center, forests, fields, the river and the lake are all within walking distance. Zurich is surrounded by small mountains, the highest being Uetliberg (869 m).

+ SCENERY
With its church towers, waterfront views, and glimpses of the Alps, Zurich often looks like a postcard.

+ TRAMS, FERRIES AND OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The well-functioning public transport system allows us to live comfortably without a car. Beyond the regular trams, there’s even a fondue tram, a recycling tram and a Christmas tram where Santa is the driver. I especially enjoy the ferries for a peaceful ride across the water, and the funicular and gondola for scenic journeys up and down the hills.

+ LOCAL SCHOOLS
At least we have been very happy with ours. Also the local DaZ (German as second language) ‘integration program’ was very helpful. It allows children to study subjects in German for a year before transitioning to their nearest local school.

+ DIFFERENT AREAS WITH DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERES
From the banking district around Paradeplatz to the lively “club street” of Langstrasse, and everything in between, Zurich offers a variety of vibes within a relatively small area.

+ OLD BUILDINGS WITH STORIES TO TELL
Many streets feel like architectural candy land, full of beautiful colors, shapes and details. Some rooftops are used as terraces, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the views.

+ OUTDOOR SWIMMING CULTURE
“Zurich, city of water par excellence, where bathing is a cult.” as they aptly wrote zuerich.com. It’s been a positive surprise how many swimming places there are, around the lake Zurich and the Limmat river, as well as 18 open-air swimming areas, ‘Badis’, run by the city.

+ STAIRS
Climbing the many staircases around the city keeps you in better shape.

+ WATER FOUNTAINS
You can drink from Zurich’s 1,200 public fountains, many of which are beautiful works of art.

+ COFFEE PLACES
The city is full of various kinds of cafés, and I’ve probably tested most of them. Explore and pick your favorite!

If you’re in Switzerland, I’d love to hear about the things you appreciate most. And if you live elsewhere, try making your own list — what are the best things about where you live?