Zürich Geneva + Basel: The Monocle Travel Guide Series

Snowy peaks rising above city skylines, wandering cows jewelled with tinkling bells, gooey strings of cheese stretching from bubbling pots of fondue, masterfully engineered watches keeping people punctual, and timely trains zipping across pretty landscapes. Few countries can be reduced to such clichés as easily as Switzerland. But this neutral power is so much more than the sum of its – albeit rather charming – stereotypes.

In this guide we delve into three Swiss cities and uncover what makes them tick. We tour the spotless streets of Zürich, highlighting its distinguished commercial-gallery scene, glistening lake, inviting swimming spots and buzzy restaurants and bars. Next, we head west to explore Geneva, with its smart retailers, independent chocolatiers and curious collection of architecture. Finally, we finish with a jaunt around petite Basel and admire its robust rundown of contemporary structures and world-class museums.

Monocle reports from around the globe in print, on radio, and online. As its editors and correspondents dart from city to city, they get to know the best places to rest their heads, stretch their limbs, and kick back with a contact in a hard-to-find cocktail bar. That information is now available in Monocle’s Travel Guide Series: a line-up of titles that speaks to you in an informed but informal way about everything from architecture to art, late-night bars to early-morning markets. These are books that go beyond the traditional tourist beats to make sure you get the best out of a city—no matter how short your stay. Designed to be compact and collectable, they are also discerning; Monocle’s team won’t list a hundred places to eat but they will tell you where’s best for everything from some tasty fast food to something truly celebratory. Cities are fun. Let’s explore.