“Its a very dramatic piece.”
In fact, Switzerland is a very dramatic place.
Zurich, and Switzerland in general, isnt on your typical gay travel itinerary.
Credit:Adam Groffman/Travel + Leisure
Andre Meier/Courtesy of Switzerland Tourism
Ive been visiting Switzerland for the last decade.
When my sister moved to Switzerland a few years ago, that sealed the deal.
Here are my picks for LGBTQ-friendly things to do and see in Switzerland.
André Meier/Courtesy of Switzerland Tourism
Zurich
Switzerlands most populous city, Zurich, has the countrys largest concentration of LGBTQ people.
I met a handful of other Americans who were on Eurotrips at the same time.
Elsewhere in the Altstadt, I love just wandering the streets for shopping and bar-hopping.
Adam Groffman/Travel + Leisure
Haus Hiltl offers a buffet lunch and holds the Guinness World Records title as the worlds oldest vegetarian restaurant.
From Zurich, its only about 2-3 hours by train to Lausanne and then another 30 minutes to Geneva.
Walking through the picturesque city center, you constantly move up and down among different hills and valleys.
Adam Groffman/Travel + Leisure
This elevation from the lake down below provides expansivepanoramic views of Switzerlandand France across the lake.
Within the city, the hipster neighborhood of Quartier du Flon has plenty of artsy shops and museums.
The Lausanne Cathedral offers that postcard-perfect view youd expect in Switzerland.
Adam Groffman/Travel + Leisure
Geneva
Home to the United Nations, Geneva isnt exactly known for being an exciting city.
International politics and diplomacy keep the atmosphere here calm and relaxed.
Tolkien and Goethe famously found inspiration there.
Adam Groffman/Travel + Leisure
With Murrens tiny population of just 400 citizens, its a quiet place to stay overnight.
Ascona is a sister city to New Orleans and hosts the annual (and free!)
Jazz Ascona festival until 3 a.m. each night along the water for over a week each June.
Adam Groffman/Travel + Leisure
That makes it easy to check out multiple cities and explore more in shorter periods.
Adam Groffman/Travel + Leisure
