SWITZERLAND

Halal-friendly vacations

Swiss gastronomy is renowned for its regional ingredients and luxurious flavors. Unfortunately for Muslims, cheese-based recipes like fondue, raclette, and cheese crust often use white wine, and meat and pork are staples in Swiss cuisine. There are, however, vegetarian options such as Älplermagronen (a pasta recipe), Rösti (potato pancakes), Zibelechueche (onion pie) and Cholera (vegetable pie).

Switzerland has no shortage of desserts: meringues are eaten with cream, Cuchaule AOP is a Swiss brioche and Haselnuss Lebkuchen are hazelnut cookies.

As Switzerland is also an international model in the culinary field, it is easy to find a varied cuisine in halal restaurants.

The cultural divisions in the major cities of Switzerland are one of the interesting facts that make the country so attractive. The German region is the most dominant in Switzerland with the cities of Zurich, Bern and Basel. To the west of the country, Lausanne and Geneva are French-speaking cities. To the south, Lugano is Italian in spirit and in name.

Bern
Bern is the capital of the country thanks to its central position between the German and French region. And yet it is often overshadowed by other more sumptuous cities. Bern is home to unique sights: stroll through the perfectly aligned streets of the Old Town and snap photos of the Zytglogge, an astronomical clock in the west of the city. Next, visit the rose garden which is particularly beautiful in the summer months, and finally, don't miss the Zentrum Paul Klee museum, built in the design of an oscillating wave. Most halal restaurants are near the university.

Zurich
Zurich, designated the “costliest city in Switzerland”, enjoys the exclusive status of being the financial and banking center of Switzerland. The lifestyle in Zurich is filled with high-end shopping, luxurious leisure and countless choices of shops, cafes and chocolatiers in Niederdorfstrasse, Zurich's promenade. The Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum), housed in a French Renaissance-style castle, is one of the most visited museums in the whole country. The museum takes its visitors on a journey through Swiss art and history from the Middle Ages to modern times. You will find many halal restaurants in the city center.

Basel
In Basel, the cultural capital of Switzerland, there is a museum for every square kilometer. Bridges, streets and rivers create picturesque, charming and romantic scenes. The city overflows with an incomparable cultural heritage with an eclectic choice of museums. The most popular are the Fine Arts Museum and the Stationery Museum. The University of Basel's Pharmacy History Museum is key to understanding the impact of the city's chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Climb to the highest point of the city, the Münsterhügel (Minster Hill), the site of the former Roman fort that is now the Münsterplatz, an elegant square. The city center has a modest choice of Turkish and Albanian restaurants.

Geneva
Geneva, located on the shores of Lake Geneva, facing a fantastic alpine setting, is a cosmopolitan city steeped in history, which is home to the European headquarters of the United Nations. Discover the typical sites of Geneva such as the Jet d'eau inaugurated in 1891, visible from a distance of 10 km, the famous Palais des Nations, site of transformative events, and the Place du Bourg-de-four, an unmissable center that preserves the town's identity. The shores of Lake Geneva enliven the landscapes of Geneva with its greenery and alpine mountains. The Pâquis-center has halal restaurants.

Lugano
Lugano, a city that shines with its clear skies, is the sunniest city in the whole country. Located to the south, it shares an almost Mediterranean climate and is sometimes nicknamed the “Swiss Monte Carlo”. Lake Lugano is a truly breathtaking spot in the sunlight and Parco San Grato is a floral paradise in the alpine fields. The summit of the small mountain Monte Bre at 925 m height can be reached with the funicular or by hiking. The three castles of Bellinzona, Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro, with their medieval defensive walls, are classified as World Heritage by Unesco and represent the history of a long and complicated region.

Lucerne
Lucerne and its surroundings are considered the ideal microcosm for living a Swiss experience. The city is picturesque and preserves historic and impressive sites such as the Chapel Bridge, the Ramparts of the Musegg and the Lion Monument. What makes Lucerne special is its idyllic nature mixed with innovative inventions. From the Bürgenstock spa, you can take Europe's largest open-air elevator, the Hammetschwand elevator, to the Hammetschwand lookout point. And the traditional open wooden carts with which one reaches the Mountain of Pilatus are perfect technologies to recognize Swiss ingenuity.