Sports and leisure activities German-Speaking Switzerland

Meiringen is a town in the Swiss Alps, offering a wide range of outdoor activities. Visitors can take the cable car to the Klein Matterhorn, at an altitude of 3,883 meters, from where they can climb Pollux or Castor, two peaks over 4,000 meters high. After a busy day, visitors can refresh themselves in the village.

In summer, in the middle of the city, if you pass over one of the bridges over the Rhine, you will certainly see swimmers drifting slowly in the direction of the current, a small, colourful and floating bag hanging on their arms. The little bag is called Wickelfisch and every self-respecting Basel resident has at least one. You can store your clothes in a dry place and it also serves as a float. At lunchtime or after work, we usually throw ourselves into the Rhine to refresh ourselves, chat quietly with colleagues or friends, letting ourselves be carried away by the waves. Every year, on the ^2nd Tuesday in August (in case of bad weather, the ^3rd), the not-to-be-missed Rheinschwimmen takes place, the big gathering for a collective bath in the Rhine, the whole of Basel throws itself into the water! The start is from the Jardin de la Solitude, near the Tinguely Museum, and you can swim to the Kaserne, at the other end of the city. Thousands of people find their way there. On leaving, everyone receives as a gift their diploma of the year, a drink and a bratwurst (sausage) offered by Migros!

A sandy beach on the edge of the Alps! The Lido beach is located on Lake Lucerne, with a breathtaking Alpine panorama. Lucerne enjoys mild weather in summer, so what better way to cool off than by taking a dip in the pristine waters of the lake? If the water's too cold, head for the heated swimming pool. You'll also find sports facilities (paddle, beach volleyball) as well as children's play equipment and a lake view restaurant serving pizzas and ice creams. All you need for a relaxing day out!

Golf Sempachersee, located in Hildisrieden, Switzerland, is a renowned golf course. It offers two 18-hole championship courses that meet the highest quality standards. As a member of the Leading Golf Courses of Switzerland, the resort offers an unforgettable experience for golfers and visitors alike. Golf Sempachersee is easily reached from the A2 freeway by following the signs for Golf Sempachersee.

The Swiss Way was built to mark the 700th anniversary of the Confederation (1291-1991). The 35-kilometre route, in the construction of which all the Swiss cantons participated, begins at the Rütli, the birthplace of the Confederation. It then runs along the shores of Lake Uri and ends in Brunnen, at the Place of the Swiss Abroad. The well-maintained and signposted theme trail links interesting sites such as Schiller's Rock, the pilgrimage chapel dedicated to Maria Sonnenberg and the small castles of Beroldinge.

Migros fitness centers are an institution! They are legion in Zurich and other major cities throughout the country, offering comprehensive services and equipment at reasonable prices. This Fitnesspark offers everything you need for a few hours of sport and relaxation: a fitness room with the latest machines for running, cycling and weight training. Add to this several swimming pools, whirlpools, a sauna and relaxation areas.

A half-hour train ride separates Vitznau on the lake (435 m) from the Rigi summit (1798 m). From the Rigi summit there is a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alps, 13 lakes and the entire Mittelland as far as Germany and France. The two cogwheel trains from Vitznau (the first cogwheel railway opened in 1871) and Goldau or the panoramic cable car from Weggis make your arrival in the mountains an adventure in itself.

This association offers observation evenings open to the public every first Tuesday of the month, starting at 8:30 pm in summer and 7:30 pm in winter. The observatory is not located in Gollion, but about ten kilometres further south, towards Lake Geneva, in the commune of Morges. If you are passing by the Marcelin gymnasium, you may notice the dome installed on its roof! On the website of the association, an agenda announces the dates of possible activities.

From late October to early March, enjoy the 6,000 m² ice oasis near the French nursery school in Basel. With family or friends, come and skate with or without rental. Do pirouettes and somersaults to the lively music. During the week, private lessons and field hockey matches are offered. Toddlers also have their own area. After skating, enjoy a delicious fondue at Sääli, the Parterre Basel restaurant. On December 3, it's free from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The ice sports clubs will make your day.

Since 1934, the Rialto public swimming pool, the only one of its kind in Basel, has been offering relaxation and well-being. Evolving into an aquatic sanctuary combining tradition and innovation, it offers two pools, a diving board, a wellness area and even a restaurant. The sauna is reserved exclusively for women on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Open all week, the pool is very popular at weekends, so it's best to opt for the evening sessions. Please note: not suitable for children who cannot swim. Please note: scheduled to reopen in September 2024 after major renovation.

St. Moritz, the world's oldest ski resort, offers a multitude of activities for winter sports enthusiasts. These include paragliding and hang-gliding, which allow you to contemplate the Upper Engadine from the air. The activity begins with a warm and informative chat with guests, followed by a transfer to the jump-off point at 2,486 m altitude, close to the mountain resort. Once in the air, participants can enjoy the best views of St. Moritz and the villages of the Upper Engadine.

Founded in 1941, the St. Moritz Sailing Club is one of Europe's best-known sailing venues. The reason? The legendary Maloja wind makes for marvellous sailing, windsurfing, dinghy and catamaran regattas, with speeds ranging from 3 to 6 on the Beaufort scale. The club has organized numerous championships. The school offers courses for beginners and advanced sailors. You can also rent sailing boats, rowing boats and paddleboats.

The oldest in the world (1927), the two editions of the Olympic Winter Games and the 2003 Alpine Ski World Championships attest to a solid tradition and unique equipment. For downhill skiing, these are the accommodations on the Versant Nair slope from Corviglia (80 km of slopes, 23 ski lifts) and those on the slopes of the Corvatsch Corvatsch, seven kilometres from St. Moritz (65 km of slopes). Ski, snowboard, freestyle courses…

The Lerchenfeld open-air swimming pool is perhaps the most comprehensive pool complex in St. Gallen. There is an Olympic-sized pool, a children's pool, a paddling pool for the little ones and a diving area. Outside the water, you can also play beach volleyball, street soccer, basketball or try your hand at slacklining. In short, everything is there to spend a good family and sporting day.

The Freibad Rotmonten in St. Gallen is an aquatic complex that is only open in summer. It has an Olympic-sized pool (50 metres long), a children's pool, a paddling pool for the little ones, a playground as well as beach soccer fields and table tennis tables. With all this, there is no reason to spend a bad day with family or friends!

This natural pond will delight children and parents alike with its many slides. The original swimming infrastructure dates back to 1896. Since then, it has been modernized, but is still very popular. Several pools are available, as well as a children's playground, solar-heated showers and table tennis. A restaurant, a kiosk and a swimwear store complete the offer of this family pool.

The historic Volksbad is home to Switzerland's oldest surviving indoor swimming pool, built in 1906 in the Art Nouveau style. At the time, only 18% of the population had an apartment with their own bathroom. On Wednesday afternoons, the pool is reserved for children, who enjoy a wide range of activities and games in the water. On Thursdays, the water is heated to over 30°C for all to enjoy.

The Davos Klosters Mountains are located in the Grisons mountains around the two towns of Davos and Klosters. In winter, the Davos Klosters Mountains comprise five ski areas: Parsenn (Davos + Klosters), Jakobshorn, Rinerhorn, Pischa and Madrisa. In all, there are over 300 km of ski runs and 30 km of hiking trails. The area is particularly popular with snowboarders. Not to be missed.

Interlaken is renowned for its adventure sports, and Outdoor offers you most of them. On the program: rafting, canyoning, kayaking, climbing, parachuting and, in association with Paragliding, paragliding and hang-gliding. Kayaking and climbing courses are also available. Bookings can be made at the tourist office, at Interlaken's two railway stations or on the website. Try it out with friends or family.

Located in Brienz, Switzerland, the Hans Huggler Wyss Holzbildhauerei AG (Huggler Holzbildhauerei AG) gift store offers a wide selection of woodcarvings, including superb crib figures, toys, utility items and music boxes. All items are handcrafted and unique. The carpentry workshop is open to the public. Special opening times apply for certain holidays, such as Easter, Ascension Day and Pentecost.