Tour de Suisse

understatement amidst the mountains

PDF

No other European country offers as much variety and contrast as Switzerland within such small space: from valley to valley, from region to region, the landscape shifts, as does the language and architecture - from Swiss German to French, from Italian to the Rhaeto-Romanic culture. Wherever you are - in Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Lucerne or Berne, amidst the magical mountains - designed by the international architect elite, edifices symbolic of this country are everywhere to be seen.

Route profile

Country: Switzerland
Distance: 1082 km
Absolute Driving time : 16 h
Recommended tour duration: 3 Days
Best touring season: May - Sep.

Route course

Zurich - Basel - Neuchatel - Bern - Lucerne - Weggis - Bellinzona - Ascona - San-Bernardino-Pass - Vrin - Zurich

Route character

Track
exhilarating 1 relaxing
Landscape
wild 2 picturesque
Destinations
intellectual 2 pleasurable

Comments:
All BMW routes are available exclusively to BMW ConnectedDrive contract customers for import to vehicles via BMW Online. Select a BMW route of your choice in your vehicle and discover some of the most beautiful areas of Europe, conveniently guided to your destination by your BMW navigation system.

Destinations

  • Hotel Restaurant Greulich

    0 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Hotels

    160 young birch trees from the Expo 2002's Garden of Force are rooted in the inner courtyard. The birch grove imparts an Asian flair, invisible bodies of sound in the ground and the branches poeticise the tranquillity and the life of this magical place. The eccentric dishes by David Martinez Slavanys also have a touch of the orient about them. His bold interpretations of Catalan slow food have earned him 16 Gault Millau points. Celebrities regularly invite people to literary evenings.

    Adress:
    Hotel Restaurant Greulich, Herman-Greulich-Strasse 56, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Luzia Penner, hotel manager
    Tel.: +41–(0)43–24342 43 Fax: +41–(0)43–24342 43
    E-Mail: mail@greulich.ch
    Parking:
    Parking available right next to the building.
    Opening hours:
    Restaurant: Mon. - Sat. (except Saturday lunchtime) from 11:30 - 14:00 and 18:30 - 22:00 hrs. The Greulich Bar serves snacks until 23:00 hrs.
    Good to know:
    The hotel's guide takes you through the quarter, and has been carefully compiled by Hotel Greulich.
    More informations:
    www.greulich.ch

  • Fondation Beyeler

    87 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Sightseeing

    Around two hundred classical modern works - including by Monet, Picasso and Warhol - document the way the founders Hildy and Ernst Beyler perceive 20th-century art. Italian star architect Renzo Piano joined forces with them to create a remarkable building on the outskirts of Basel.

    Adress:
    Fondation Beyeler, Beyeler Museum AG, Baselstrasse 101, 4125 Riehen / Basel, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Sam Keller, museum director
    Tel.: +41–(0)61–6459 700 Fax: +41–(0)61–6459 700
    E-Mail: fondation@beyeler.com
    Parking:
    Parking available opposite the museum.
    Opening hours:
    Daily from 10:00 - 18:00; Wednesday from 10:00 - 20:00.
    Good to know:
    During the summer months, you must take the time to visit the lovely park around the museum.
    More informations:
    www.beyeler.com

  • Balthazar Restaurant

    95 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Food & drink

    ZCentrally located, no-frills, modern restaurant in the old town of Basel, serves good international cuisine.

    Adress:
    Balthazar Restaurant, Steinenbachgässlein 34, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Peter Oppliger, proprietor
    Tel.: +41–(0)61–2818151 Fax: +41–(0)61–2818151
    E-Mail: peteroppliger@sygama.ch
    Parking:
    Parking available right next to the building.
    Opening hours:
    Mon. - Fri. from 11:30 - 00:00.
    Good to know:
    Lovely terrace for long summer evenings.

  • Schaulager Artspace

    99 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Museums

    The avant-garde Schaulager in Basel is a new type of art gallery. Its main objective is the perfect accommodation of modern works of art, and to facilitate academic research. From May until the end of September each year, the warehouse presents its treasures in extensive special exhibitions which are then dispatched to the foremost museums in the world.

    Adress:
    Schaulager, Ruchfeldstrasse 19, 4142 Münchenstein / Basel, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Theodora Vischer, museum director
    Tel.: +41–(0)61–33532 32 Fax: +41–(0)61–33532 32
    E-Mail: info@schaulager.org
    Parking:
    Parking available behind the Schaulager.
    Opening hours:
    May - September; Tue. - Fri. from 12:00 - 18:00 hrs (Thursday until 19:00 hrs); Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 - 17:00 hrs.
    Good to know:
    The non-exhibited works in the Emanuel-Hoffmann Foundation can be admired in the Schaulager. The works are alternately presented by the Art Museum in Basel and the Museum for Modern Art in Basel. They are stored under ideal conditions in the Schaulager, and are used for research purposes.
    More informations:
    www.schaulager.org

  • Hotel Palafitte

    217 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Hotels

    An exceptional interaction between nature, architecture and technology. The futuristic 5-star hotel stands on stilts on the edge of Lake Lucerne.

    Adress:
    Hotel Palafitte, Route des Gouttes-d'Or 2, 2008 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Antoine Chaumeron, hotel manager
    Tel.: +41–(0)32–7230 202 Fax: +41–(0)32–7230 202
    E-Mail: reservation@palafitte.ch
    Parking:
    Parking available right next to the building.
    Opening hours:
    Open year-round.
    Good to know:
    Seriously refreshing! In the summer, the water of the lake has a temperature of approx. 22°.
    More informations:
    www.palafitte.ch

  • Paul Klee Centre

    271 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Museums

    The Swiss painter spent half of his life in Bern. The Centre comprises the world's largest collection of works by the artist, a children's museum and a multi-media Museum Street. It is housed in a remarkable, wavy glass palace set against the backdrop of the medieval capital.

    Adress:
    Zentrum Paul Klee, Monument im Fruchtland 3, 3006 Bern, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Juri Steiner, museum director
    Tel.: +41–(0)31–3590 101 Fax: +41–(0)31–3590 101
    E-Mail: kontakt@zpk.org
    Parking:
    Parking available right next to the building.
    Opening hours:
    Exhibitions: Tue. - Sun. from 10:00 - 17:00 hrs.
    Good to know:
    Changing exhibitions and creative workshops.
    More informations:
    www.zpk.org

  • Culture and Congress Centre, Lucerne

    394 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Museums

    This building designed by famous French architect Jean Nouvel, located right on the shore of Lake Lucerne, is one of the most impressive, most beautifully sited buildings in Switzerland. Channels of water flow through the seemingly transparent building, merging the internal and external worlds. The perfectly designed acoustics of the concert hall attract the world's most renowned musicians and orchestras. The building also houses a luxury restaurant and a stylish café.

    Adress:
    Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern, Europaplatz 1, 6005 Luzern, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Elisabeth Dalucas, director
    Tel.: +41–(0)41–226 7070 Fax: +41–(0)41–226 7070
    E-Mail: info@kkl-luzern.ch
    Parking:
    Parking available in the adjacent station car park.
    Opening hours:
    Guided tours open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays at 11:00 (see website for details). Individual guided tours for groups of 6 or more available by appointment.
    Good to know:
    Open to the general public up to one hour before the start of concerts.
    More informations:
    www.kkl-luzern.ch

  • Jasper Restaurant

    395 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Food & drink

    A feast for the eyes and the palate: the art of dining is celebrated in its own special way in this restaurant in the Hotel Palace, right on the edge of Lake Lucerne.

    Adress:
    Jasper Restaurant, Haldenstrasse 10, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Frank Heinemann, proprietor
    Tel.: +41–(0)41–4161 616 Fax: +41–(0)41–4161 616
    E-Mail: info@palace-luzern.ch
    Parking:
    Parking available right next to the building.
    Opening hours:
    Open daily from 12:00 - 14:00 and 19:00 - 22:00 hrs.
    Good to know:
    Traditional afternoon tea with Swiss produce is served every Saturday, from 14:00 - 17:00 hrs.
    More informations:
    www.palace-luzern.ch

  • Park Hotel Weggis

    414 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Hotels

    AFrom the outside - a classic grand hotel. On the inside - a contemporary ambience with Murano glass lamps and modern Portuguese azulejo tiles in the bathrooms. A fantastic location at Lake Lucerne, with a lovely beach bar under palm trees.

    Adress:
    Park Hotel Weggis, Hertensteinstrasse 34, 6353 Weggis, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Peter Kämpfer, hotel manager
    Tel.: +41–(0)41–39205 05 Fax: +41–(0)41–39205 05
    E-Mail: info@phw.ch
    Parking:
    The wine cellar stocks around 2.600 wines from the four corners of the earth.
    Opening hours:
    Open year-round.
    Good to know:
    Die Vinothek führt rund 2.600 Weine aus aller Welt.
    More informations:
    www.phw.ch

  • Hotel La Claustra

    480 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Hotels

    This hotel on the Gotthard Pass is unique given that it is located underground. Swiss artist and sociologist Jean Odermatt built this hotel - completely shut off from the outside world - within a disused Swiss army tunnel. It is many things: a mixture of underground research centre, post-modern sanctuary with a slight feel of a futuristic youth hostel (designer communal bathroom). Be warned! You'll never find it without directions.

    Adress:
    Hotel La Claustra, San Gottardo, 6780 Airolo, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Saemi Honegger, hotel manager
    Tel.: +41–(0)91–88050 55 Fax: +41–(0)91–88050 55
    E-Mail: info@claustra.ch
    Parking:
    Parking available right next to the building.
    Opening hours:
    Open from May - October; visits and guided tours only available following prior arrangement.
    Good to know:
    Leave the pass and drive the some 500m to the old pass road. You will recognise the hotel by its small red door in the rock face.
    More informations:
    www.claustra.ch

  • Bellinzona Fortresses

    561 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Sightseeing

    Towering high above the town, three medieval castles - Castelgrande, Montebello und Sasso Corbaro - watch over the transit routes from north to south. The fortifications declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

    Adress:
    Die Festungen von Bellinzona, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Bellinzona tourist information office
    Tel.: +41–(0)91–8252131 Fax: +41–(0)91–8252131
    E-Mail: info@bellinzonaturismo.ch
    Parking:
    parking is available in the town.
    Opening hours:
    Castelgrande is open year-round, Tue. - Sun. 09:00 - 22:00 hrs, Mon. 10:00 - 18:00 hrs. All museums are open daily from 10:00 - 18:00 (Castelgrande Museum April - October from 10:00 - 19:00 hrs and November - March from 10:00 - 17:00 hrs).
    Good to know:
    Admission charges: Adults CHF 5.00 / children CHF 2.00 (per castle) Bellinzona Culturapass adults CHF 14.00 / children CHF 9.00 (admission to all three castles and the municipal art gallery Villa dei Cedri in the town centre). For only CHF 5.00, the Bellinzona ArtKey audio guide leads two visitors past the most significant 22 attractions of the historical townscape.
    More informations:
    www.bellinzonaturismo.ch

  • Golf Club Patriziale Ascona

    587 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Golf courses

    It is one of the ten most beautiful golf courses in Europe. Established in 1928, it covers more than 50 hectares and has a total length of 5,324m. Site a subtropical peninsula, at an altitude of 200m, it looks over Lake Maggiore. The flat terrain is framed by old trees, the lake and nature in all its splendour. The colourful golf course offers a challenging, varied game for beginners and professionals alike. The mild climate means that it is possible to play all year round.

    Adress:
    Golf Club Patriziale, Via Lido 81, 6612 Ascona, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Daniel Braun, manager
    Tel.: +41–(0)91–7912132 Fax: +41–(0)91–7912132
    Parking:
    Parkmöglichkeiten direkt am Club vorhanden.
    Opening hours:
    One 18-hole golf course open year-round, reception open daily from 07:30 - 18:00 hrs, tee off daily from 07:30 - 20:30 hrs.
    Course:
    One 18-hole golf course (par 71).
    Handicap:
    One 18-hole golf course (par 71).
    Greenfee:
    One 18-hole golf course (par 71).
    Golf Pro:
    Steve Rey.
    Good to know:
    The club is located right next to the lake.
    More informations:
    www.golf.ascona.ch

  • San Giovanni Battista Church

    632 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Sightseeing

    IThis mountain chapel, constructed from white and black marble, and built in 1996 by Mario Botta, enjoys a beautiful location in the remote Ticino Maggiatal, to the north of Locarno.

    Adress:
    San Giovanni Battista Kirche, Mogno, 6696 Lavizzara, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Vallemaggia tourist information
    Tel.: +41–(0)91–7531885 Fax: +41–(0)91–7531885
    E-Mail: info@vallemaggia.ch
    Parking:
    Parking available in the town.
    Opening hours:
    Open year-round; daily from 9:30 - 17:00 hrs (closed if snowfall is heavy).
    Good to know:
    The panoramic trail "Schenke Dir ein Rustico'' was designed by the Giovan Luigi Dazio firm of architects. From Mogno to Fusio, past the region's magnificent buildings - both new and old - you are treated to great views across the landscape.
    More informations:
    www.vallemaggia.ch

  • Vrin Chapel of Rest

    849 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Sightseeing

    The award-winning chapel of rest in the mountain village in the Grisons was built by local architect Gion Caminada, very impressively depicting the way Vrin combines modernity with its agricultural traditions.

    Adress:
    Vrin, 7149 Vrin, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Municipality of Vrin
    Tel.: +41–(0)81–93131 88 Fax: +41–(0)81–93131 88
    E-Mail: info@vrin.ch
    Parking:
    Parking available in the town.
    Opening hours:
    Open daily.
    Good to know:
    Visitors to the funeral parlour can find the key in the cupboard on the left-hand side as you come in the church. Simply replace it when you leave.
    More informations:
    www.vallumnezia.ch

  • Hotel Therme

    897 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Hotels

    Grisons architect Peter Zumthor designed the hotel's own spa in a very puristic way using quartzite from Vals, setting new standards throughout the Alps in the design of contemporary spa complexes.

    Adress:
    Hotel Therme, 7132 Vals, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Annalisa Zumthor, manager
    Tel.: +41–(0)81–926 8080 Fax: +41–(0)81–926 8080
    E-Mail: hotel@therme-vals.ch
    Parking:
    Parking available right next to the building.
    Opening hours:
    Hotel open from 13.06.2009 - 05.04.2010; thermal baths open from 13.06.2009 - 05.04.2010 open daily from 11:00 - 20:00hrs.
    Good to know:
    Reservations must be made. The number of places available each day is restricted, and admission is only possible with a valid reservation.
    More informations:
    www.therme-vals.ch

  • Restaurant LaSalle

    1075 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Food & drink

    No, we are not in the Chicago docks! We are in the trendy Kreis 5 district in Zurich West. Sit in a glass cube which has been built into an old factory, and enjoy the contemporary cuisine as it is served under glittering chandeliers. Stop off for a night-cap in the lounge of the Nietturm, which is housed in the same building.

    Adress:
    Restaurant LaSalle, Schiffbaustrasse 4, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Claudine Brunner and Walter Schmid, proprietors
    Tel.: +41–(0)44–258 7071 Fax: +41–(0)44–258 7071
    E-Mail: info@lasalle-restaurant.ch
    Parking:
    Parking available right next to the building.
    Opening hours:
    Monday and Tuesday from 11:00 - 00:00 hrs; Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 - 01:00 hrs; Friday from 11:00 - 02:00 hrs; Saturday from 17:00 - 02:00 hrs; Sunday from 17:00 - 00:00 hrs.
    Good to know:
    The bar has an excellent selection of cigars.
    More informations:
    www.lasalle-restaurant.ch

  • Park Hyatt Hotel Zurich

    1080 km

    Countries: Switzerland
    Category: Hotels

    Modern establishment in the heart of Zurich's financial district, two minutes from the lake and the old town. Fresh milk, the best cheese and excellent Bircher muesli await you.

    Adress:
    Park Hyatt Zürich, Beethovenstrasse 21, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland
    Contact:
    Kurt Straub, hotel manager
    Tel.: +41–(0)43–88312 34 Fax: +41–(0)43–88312 34
    E-Mail: zurich.park@hyatt.com
    Parking:
    Parking available right next to the building.
    Opening hours:
    Open year-round.
    Good to know:
    Fit not fat! Guests can work out round the clock at the hotel's fitness centre.
    More informations:
    www.zurich.park.hyatt.com