Traditions and customs
The majority of living traditions and customs in Switzerland have regional or local roots. As a result, they enrich the diversity of Switzerland’s cultural landscape. These practices reflect the unique fabric that shapes Switzerland’s cultural character.
In addition to its very own traditions and customs, each region has its own individual highlights. This gives the country a diverse and captivating appeal.
Discover the lively traditions, customs and culinary specialties of each of Switzerland’s 11 regions.
By clicking on the respective region, you will be redirected to the traditions and customs of that region.
Bödelen – a fascinating Swiss dance tradition
Bödelen, also known as "Bedälä" in Central Switzerland, is a traditional couple's dance in which the dancer beats the beat on the dance floor....
Muotathaler Wetterschmöcker – weather smeller
The Innerschwyzer hobby meteorologists, affectionately known as the Muotathaler "Wetterschmöcker" (wheather smeller) or Muotathaler "Wetterfrösche",...
Rigi Wrestling and Alpine Festival – unique
The best-known and most popular event is the Rigi Wrestling and Alpine Festival, which attracts thousands of enthusiastic spectators to the Queen of...
Muotathaler Naturjuuz – uniquely Swiss
For many generations, a special form of yodeling has been practiced in the Muotathal, which the locals call "juuzen", the so-called "Naturjuuz". The...
Schwyz customs Gäuerlen – unique and rustic
The traditional dance known as "Gäuerlen" holds a special place in the cultural scene of the canton of Schwyz. This captivating courtship dance,...
Prayer call or Alpine blessing – an ancient ritual
The Betruf or Alpsegen (Prayer call or Alpine blessing) has been practiced for 500 years, particularly in the Alps of Central Switzerland. This is...
Geisslechlöpfen – Whip Cracking – Swiss tradition
Geisslechlöpfen, also known as Geissechlepfen, is a fascinating custom with roots in pre-Christian times. Similar to carnival, this ritual aims to...
Rigi Folklore – uniquely Swiss
Folklore events take place regularly on Mount Rigi in summer and fall. These include folk music evenings, alphorn players' meetings, traditional...
Büchel – Central Swiss musical instrument
The "Büchel" is a musical instrument similar to the alphorn, but smaller in size. In many Alpine regions the Büchel has almost disappeared, but in...
Unspunnen-Schwinget – Swiss wrestling
At the Unspunnen-Schwinget, one of Switzerland's most important wrestling festivals, the country's best wrestlers come together to compete for a...
Harder-Potschete – unforgettable and impressive
The Harder-Potschete is a fascinating masked tradition that takes place every year on January 2nd in Interlaken. On this day, the Hardermann, his...
Chästeilet in the Justistal
For almost 300 years, the traditional "Chästeilet" has been celebrated in the idyllic Justistal valley in the Bernese Oberland on the Spycherberg...
William Tell Open-Air Theatre in Interlaken
For more than 100 years, the "Tellspiele" (William Tell Open-Air Theatre) in Interlaken have been telling the captivating stories of our Swiss hero...
Ballenberg Open-Air Museum – historical journey through time
The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, which is located near Brienz, has set itself the task of preserving the traditional architecture, culture and way of...
Pizokel – Graubünden specialty
Pizokel is a delicacy from Graubünden that is reminiscent of spaetzle. The dough consists of flour (either wheat or a combination of buckwheat and...
Maluns – Graubünden specialty
Maluns is a traditional potato dish that originated in the rural cuisine of Graubünden. It is made from potatoes that have been boiled and grated...
Graubünden air-dried beef
"Bündnerfleisch" (Graubünden air-dried beef) is a culinary specialty and a protected trademark from the picturesque canton of Graubünden. In...
Chalandamarz – spring custom
Chalandamarz is a joyful spring custom celebrated in parts of the Romansh-speaking and Italian-speaking areas of the canton of Graubünden....
Graubünden pear bread – unique and hearty
The long, round "Bündner Birnbrot" (Graubünden pear bread) is a culinary delicacy and belongs to the large family of Birnbrote and Birnenweggen,...
Capuns – Graubünden specialty
Capuns is a traditional and hearty dish that originated in the Grisons. It consists of parcels made from spaetzle dough and a delicious filling of...
Engadine nut cake
Bündner Nusstorte, also known as "Engadiner Nusstorte"(Engadine nut cake), is undoubtedly the most famous culinary specialty of the canton of...
Valais dried meat and rye bread
Valais dried meat, also known as "Viande Séchée", is a tasty meat specialty and delicacy from the Canton of Valais. This dish has its roots in the...
Valais raclette and fondue
Valais RACLETTE is a delicious cheese dish with deep roots in the Alpine culinary tradition. This fine treat is a convivial meal that is often...
Hérens cow fights only in Valais
Hérens cow fights attract thousands of spectators. They have been a festival in the canton of Valais for around 100 years. Hérens is the name for a...
St. Bernard – Swiss national dog
The name "St. Bernard" refers to the dogs of the hospice on the Great St. Bernard, which was founded in 1050. From the late 17th century, dogs were...
Zincarlin – Ticino Slow Food
Where can you find the delicacy Zincarlin? In the southernmost part of Switzerland, in the picturesque canton of Ticino, lies the idyllic Valle di...
Easter processions in Mendrisio – UNESCO cultural heritage
The Easter processions on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in Mendrisio are undoubtedly among the most impressive Swiss customs and are a proud...
Risotto – Ticino specialty
In Ticino, homemade risotto is a culinary classic that can be enjoyed in almost every restaurant in the region. The people of Ticino are passionate...
Landsgemeinde Appenzell
The Landsgemeinde of Appenzell, which takes place on Landsgemeinde Sunday, is a remarkable example of the fact that state power lies with the...
Coin swinging – coin tossing
Coin swinging ("Talerschwingen"), also known as coin rolling, is a fascinating game that has a firm place in traditional Swiss folk music. In this...
Gottlieber Hüppen
For lovers of chocolate and fine specialties, Gottlieber Hüppen and other Gottlieber products are considered exquisite treats and part of...
Landsgemeinde Glarus
The Landsgemeinde Glarus is the legislative assembly of the Canton of Glarus and is an outstanding example of direct democracy. It is made up of all...
Appenzeller cheese
Appenzeller is an exquisite Swiss cheese named after the picturesque Appenzell region, where cheese has been made since the Middle Ages. The raw...
Ittingen Charterhouse – cultural monument of Eastern Switzerland
Ittingen Charterhouse, a former Carthusian monastery in Warth in the canton of Thurgau, has now developed into a multifaceted cultural and seminar...
Vacherin Fribourgeois – Fribourg Speciality
Vacherin Fribourgeois is a semi-soft cheese from the canton of Fribourg, also known as Fribourg Vacherin. This cheese is made from cow's milk,...
Le Gruyère AOP – Gruyère cheese
Gruyère AOP, a world-famous cheese, owes its name to the picturesque region of La Gruyère (Gruyère region) in the Swiss canton of Fribourg. This...
Craftsmanship in watch industry
The Jura region is renowned globally for its exceptional craftsmanship in watchmaking. This revered tradition dates back to the 1700s, and over the...
Vacherin Mont-d’Or – Cheese delicacy
Vacherin Mont-d'Or is a soft cheese made from cow's milk and has its origins in the Swiss Jura, particularly in the region around Lac de Joux and...
Wines from the Three Lakes Region
The Jura-Three-Lakes region comprises three main lakes that characterize the scenic beauty and diversity of the region. The Jura-Drei-Seenland...
Emmental cheese – king of cheeses
Emmental cheese reigns supreme as the undisputed king of Swiss cheeses. This renowned cheese takes its name from the Emme valley, a river in the...
Zibelemärit – Onion market – Bern
The "Zibelemärit" or onion market is a traditional folk festival that takes place every year on the fourth Monday in November in the Swiss federal...
Bernese platter – Bernese specialty
The Bernese platter is a traditional and rich meat dish that has a firm place in Bernese cuisine. The dish consists of a variety of meats and...
Bernese rösti – tasty and unique
The preparation of Bernese rösti begins with peeling the potatoes, which are then coarsely grated on a rösti grater. The grated potatoes are...
Street Parade Zurich – the world’s biggest techno party
The Street Parade in Zurich is an impressive techno parade that takes place along the picturesque Lake Zurich. As the largest techno party in the...
Zurich-style sliced veal – Züri-Gschnätzlets
Zurich-style sliced veal, also known as Züri-Gschnätzlets, is a timeless classic from the rich Swiss cuisine. The traditional preparation of this...
Knabenschiessen – Zurich Carnival
The Knabenschiessen is a traditional folk festival (fair, carnival) that takes place every year on the second weekend in September or the weekend...
Sechseläuten – Sächsilüüte – Zurich Spring Festival
Sechseläuten is a festive custom in Zurich that has celebrated the start of spring for centuries. The event is accompanied by historically dressed...
Basel Carnival
The Basel Carnival is part of the city's identity - it is at the heart of its cultural creativity and provides three days of exceptional events. Due...
Nünichlingler custom
On the evening of December 24, men dressed in enveloping cloaks, the Nünichlingler, gather to celebrate a fascinating custom. As soon as the last...
Maypole – spring custom
In May, many villages in the canton of Basel-Landschaft experience a colorful rival to the bright spring flowers - the maypole or maypoles....
Chienbäse – carnival parade
The Chienbäse is a carnival event that takes place on the Sunday evening after Ash Wednesday in Liestal in the canton of Basel-Country. This...
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