Featured Gay Friendly Hotel in Switzerland

Gay Switzerland

Beautiful landscapes and beautiful people! In Switzerland, the rights of individuals have traditionally had a high priority. There is a strong contrast between cities and the countryside in public discourse about LGBTQ+ rights in Switzerland.

There is a vibrant LGBTQ+ community with a wide range of gay and lesbian subculture in the two main cities of Zurich and Geneva, as well as some on offer in the regional centers of Basel, Bern (the capital of Switzerland), Lucerne, Lausanne, and St. Gallen.

Switzerland is a landlocked nation in Central Europe and borders France, Italy, Austria, and Germany towards the north.   The fantastic thing is that the Swiss speak French, Italian, German, and Swiss German, to name a few languages!

What do you want to discover?

What's the gay scene like?

Best Time to Visit Switzerland

Top Things to See and Do in Switzerland

MUST DO: Attractions & Activities

MUST EAT: Gay-friendly Dining

MUST VISIT: Gay-friendly Bars & Nightlife

Travel Safety Tips

Local Expert: Gay Scene in Switzerland

The gay scene in Switzerland is very vibrant, welcoming, and exciting. Zurich, one of Switzerland's larger cities, has many different bars and restaurants that are LGBT ran and operated. Altstadt is considered Zurich's Gayborhood, where you can find many coffee shops, bistros, and community events. Also, many ski towns hold special events for the LGBTQ+ community including hosting ski weeks,  LGBT nights, and more. 

Best Time to Visit Switzerland

Any time is a good time to visit Switzerland! Switzerland has four very distinct seasons and usually has an event attached to them. If you are interested in snow sports, the winter months would be ideal. The spring and summer months are also great options if you are looking to explore and maybe go for a hike. Depending on what you are looking to do, Switzerland has something to offer. 

Top Things to See and Do in Switzerland

MUST DO Switzerland Attractions & Activities

The Swiss Alps are yodeling your name! The beautiful mountains, lakes, peaks, and valleys make for some of the world's most picturesque hiking and skiing! You can ski for miles and miles - from Switzerland to Italy! You can hike the trails if you're a novice or an expert - there's something for everyone. You'll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views you've ever seen. You'll feel like you're at the top of the world!

Another MUST DO? Go shopping for a Swiss watch. The Swiss are known for their punctuality and their time-pieces are top-notch! From Piaget to TAG Heuer, to Longines, and Rolex...to Swatch! There is no better place to buy a watch than in Switzerland!

MUST EAT Switzerland Gay-Friendly Dining

In Switzerland, you must sample Swiss Chocolate! Toblerone is their most famous brand, and if you're lucky enough to try it - you'll never go back to anything else! The way Swiss chocolate is made is what sets it apart, with more milk content to give it that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth quality. It's a wonderful treat to bring home with you and share with your friends and family. They'll thank you forever!

Swiss Chocolate
© Marquise de Photographie on Unsplash

Another Swiss absolute must? Fondue! Made in all sorts of ways, it's a fun meal to share. The most popular is a cheese fondue made with delicious, melted Swiss Gruyère.

A third popular dish? Raclette - which is melted cheese with "Gschwellti" (jacket potatoes), gherkins, onions, and other pickled fruit.


Swiss Fondue
© Angela Pham on Unsplash

 

MUST VISIT: Switzerland Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

Switzerland has a very large and vibrant nightlife. In fact, on some nights, the clubs and bars will be filled with people that spill onto the streets. The streets come alive with many different types of people all partaking in celebrations and libations. Feel free to let loose and have fun, the locals encourage it! 

Travel Safety Tips

Although some personal attitudes may change slower than the laws, the general public is very tolerant of LGBTQ+ people, and violence or discrimination is all but unheard of.

Destinations within Switzerland

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