Parks, Gardens and Squares

In Rheinfelden, everything revolves around this “white gold”. From the story of how salt was discovered to how it is used today – salt can be experienced in all its aspects. The city built on salt has so much to offer and is definitely worth a visit.

A natural haven of peace located on Montriond hill in the heart of Lausanne. In this little green paradise, full of brightly coloured flowers and large trees, you’ll be able to escape into a haven of relaxation – even though you’re practically in the city centre still.

From Ouchy, the quays open out into a vast public park with extensive lawned areas and magnificent age-old trees. The grounds are graced by a 16-metre-high Thai pavilion.

The Minster Terrace with its green spaces and large chestnut trees is perfect for picnics, playing and relaxing. The breathtaking view of the Aare river, the Alps and Bern’s Matte neighbourhood make the old churchyard a popular place to meet and hang out.

Located on the shores of Lake Lugano, this 63,000 square metre park constitutes the city’s green lung. Here you can recover from the hustle and bustle of the city as you walk along paths lined by magnificent centuries-old trees.

Richard Wagner lived here on the shores of Lake Lucerne for six years. The museum named after him is surrounded by an extensive park right by the lake, offering unique views of the mountains. The park can be reached within a 30-minute walk from Lucerne, along a wonderful lakeside path.

Vullierens Castle, together with its magnificent gardens and sculpture park, constitutes one of Switzerland’s most remarkable heritage sites with a superb 180° view of the Alps, Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva.

The Piazza della Reforma is Lugano’s main square and is an inviting place for tourists and locals to relax as they enjoy the many bistros and restaurants.

Time seems to have stood still in the impressive 18th-century Palais with its smartened-up French garden, despite its close proximity to the busy city centre. The Hotel DuPeyrou was once surrounded by vineyards, and the gardens that belonged to it stretched all the way to Lake Neuchâtel.

Tropenluft schnuppern? Staunen über fremdartige Pflanzen? Düfte des Mittelmeers einatmen? Blühende Alpenrosen bewundern? Dann nichts wie los in den Botanischen Garten der Universität Zürich.

Im schweizweit einzigartigen Homöopathie-Garten in Zug kann man zwischen Giftpflanzen wie Belladonna, gemeinem Schöllkraut und purpurrotem Fingerhut spazieren.

Each year, there are some 2,900 roses, of which there are 300 varieties, blooming in Winterthur’s Rose Garden. These also include rare and historic roses such as the French rose, which is the oldest cultivated species still available today, or the deep-pink Queen of Denmark rose. Aside from all the flowers that are in bloom, you’ll also find a place of relaxation here, and glorious views over the city of Winterthur.

In the green parks around the lower basin of the lake, there’s always something going on in the summer months. Inline skaters, water sports enthusiasts, jewellery sellers and street artists all gather here to create a colourful scene. Anyone looking for peace and quiet will be able to escape the hustle and bustle on the Zürichhorn at the end of the lakeside promenade, in the wonderful Chinese Garden.

Sechseläutenplatz, located between Bellevue and the Zurich Opera House, combines tradition and modernity and is a place of relaxation. Here, young and old alike walk, sit and play on the square, which covers an area of 16,000 square metres and is made of Vals quartzite. The many trees, places to sit and water elements lend it an urban cosiness.

The Uferpark recreational area on the outskirts of Solothurn invites old and young alike to linger, relax and enjoy themselves. With a wide bike path, a promenade for those out for a stroll, barbecue areas complete with wooden benches, as well as windows to nature with access to the Aare river and a beach, who could ask for more?

Egguweg – herbs and culture The Egguweg trail takes visitors on an exciting 17-stop tour of Albinen’s natural and culture heritage.

Just a few minutes from the city centre, shady green spaces, tall trees and a pebble beach offer the perfect spot for fun in the water and relaxation. Walking trails wind their way through the expansive lawned areas, and the view of the Bernese Alps is simply marvellous.

Originally a private landscape garden, the City Park is today the largest contiguous green space in the St. Gallen inner city area. With its lawned areas under beautiful old trees, it is the epitome of a peaceful oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. It is surrounded by Theater St. Gallen, the Museum of Art, and the Historical and Folklore Museum.

The “Ufschötti” – the extensive expanse of greenery by the lake – is the place half of Lucerne heads for in the summer A 200-metre-long strip of sandy beach gives all its visitors real seaside vibes.

This gem among the parks of Zurich was built in the middle of the beautiful park for a high-classicist style villa at the start of the 19th century. Today, this villa is home to the renowned Belvoirpark hotel management school and a restaurant.

Where circus artists and people running stalls once entertained people, there is now what is without a doubt one of the most popular green spaces in the city of Lucerne: the Vögeligärtli. Its name – meaning the “bird garden” – comes from the aviary that was built in the park in 1901.

Close to the castle and particularly close to the shores of Lake Geneva, the Parc de l'Indépendance in Morges offers an ideal setting for a peaceful stroll. In spring, it is transformed into a veritable flower show with over 100,000 tulips during the Tulip Festival, a unique event in Switzerland.

Hikers can admire the Japanese garden perched atop a glacial moraine deep in the Tortin Valley, south of Nendaz.

Villa Langmatt Park is a total work of art and is the perfect refuge for a romantic picnic. Order, in advance, a basket of gourmet delicacies including the traditional Spanischbrödli.

The pond with a belt of reeds in the north of Winterthur is a perfect place to take a stroll, relax, play, or simply watch the world go by. Around the pond itself, you can watch the various bird species and admire the giant water lilies growing in the pond. Swimming is not permitted, however, due to its murky waters and dangerous depths.

This landscape park, designed along Romantic lines, consists of a combination of strictly laid-out avenues and Mediterranean flair. The park is picturesquely situated above the old town and is dominated by an avenue of lime trees that leads to a pulpit with beautiful views over the pristine landscape of the Rhine.

Roses and dahlias, medicinal plants, exotic blossoms and undemanding herbs: the Botanical Garden of Geneva houses over 16,000 species of plants. The exotic bird species in the zoo within the Botanical Garden are just as colorful as the flowers.

Tracing the origin of the Tête de Moine AOP: Set in the heart of the Chasseral Nature Park, this culinary treasure hunt is all about solving riddles, meeting local producers and trying regional specialties. Away from the crowded tourist haunts, this enjoyable hike takes visitors through the culinary heritage of an enchanting region.

Der Alte Botanische Garten ist eine idyllische Oase inmitten der Zürcher Innenstadt. Seine Geschichte geht bis in das Jahr 1837 zurück.

The castle at the foot of the Calanda is the highlight of Haldenstein. When the roses flower in the spring, the castle garden is a visual and olfactory feast.

Der romantische Rosengarten auf der «Guggiwiese» inmitten der Stadt Zug ist ein Geheimtipp für Rosenliebhaber.

Butterbur, common spotted-orchid, wild thyme – medicinal herbs and plants flourish on the lush meadows of the Val d’Err.

Swiss nature parks regularly carry out volunteering assignments with companies that are actively committed to the environment with their employees. Fresh air provides fresh impulses - the companies benefit from enthusiastic and motivated employees who work together for a good cause, have fun and sink into bed in the evening tired but with a good feeling.

The Botanical Garden in Neuchâtel lies high above the city and is a fantastic spot for relaxing strolls at any time of year. A great excuse to get some fresh air and get acquainted with native and exotic kinds of plants, just a stone’s throw from the city centre.