https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The Swiss city of Basel's famous 'Fasnacht' carnival celebration kicks off at 4am on Monday, February 23rd. Here's what to know about the tradition and the key events. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240219/basel-fasnacht-what-you-should-know-about-switzerlands-largest-carnival Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:17:42 +0100 basel-fasnacht-what-you-should-know-about-switzerlands-largest-carnival Not wearing one’s clothes in designated areas, like beaches for instance, is not illegal in Switzerland. But some communities forbid it nevertheless. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250711/an-injustice-swiss-towns-crack-down-on-public-nudity Fri, 11 Jul 2025 14:25:14 +0200 an-injustice-swiss-towns-crack-down-on-public-nudity As you know by now, the Swiss have laws and regulations for pretty much everything — ranging from how to throw away your garbage to how to boil a lobster. But what about nudity? Here's the bare truth. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220513/what-you-need-to-know-when-taking-your-clothes-off-in-switzerland Fri, 13 May 2022 16:45:19 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-when-taking-your-clothes-off-in-switzerland Whether you're visiting Switzerland or you've been living here for years, working out the tipping rules can be difficult. We asked our readers to give us the lowdown on tipping culture in Switzerland. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220722/verdict-how-much-should-you-tip-in-switzerland-and-should-you-tip-at-all Fri, 22 Jul 2022 17:55:14 +0200 verdict-how-much-should-you-tip-in-switzerland-and-should-you-tip-at-all Sunday is a traditional day of rest in Switzerland and much of the country pretty much shuts down and there are also tight rules for what people can do. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220426/why-is-everything-in-switzerland-closed-on-sundays Tue, 26 Apr 2022 13:28:24 +0200 why-is-everything-in-switzerland-closed-on-sundays With Switzerland's outdoor pools open for the season, many Swiss residents are looking forward to a visit to their local "Badi" or "Bains." https://www.thelocal.ch/20230608/everything-you-need-to-know-about-switzerlands-outdoor-pool-culture Thu, 08 Jun 2023 18:18:55 +0200 everything-you-need-to-know-about-switzerlands-outdoor-pool-culture Saunas are popular in Switzerland, especially in certain parts of the country, and there are some things about Swiss saunas that you should know. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240123/the-rules-and-customs-of-swiss-saunas-foreigners-need-to-know Tue, 23 Jan 2024 15:25:07 +0100 the-rules-and-customs-of-swiss-saunas-foreigners-need-to-know In Switzerland, barbecuing in the great outdoors is a must in the summer. But what does Swiss law say about grilling while enjoying the nature? Here’s what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230612/reader-question-can-i-have-a-barbecue-in-a-swiss-park-or-forest Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:48:11 +0200 reader-question-can-i-have-a-barbecue-in-a-swiss-park-or-forest The Swiss may not have a reputation for being funny but they actually have a great sense of humour. The Local compiled some jokes and funny quotes about Switzerland for our readers’ enjoyment. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210205/swiss-humour-yes-there-really-is-such-a-thing Fri, 05 Feb 2021 17:48:28 +0100 swiss-humour-yes-there-really-is-such-a-thing The Swiss love their cheese and chocolate, but they won’t look at you strangely if you don’t eat either. When it comes to wine-drinking, however, things can be different, especially at Christmas time, explains Helena Bachmann. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231212/is-there-pressure-to-drink-at-swiss-christmas-office-parties Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:00:25 +0100 is-there-pressure-to-drink-at-swiss-christmas-office-parties For an orderly country, Switzerland is full of people who have seemingly never mastered the art of patiently waiting in line. Why is it and how to deal with this behaviour? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230426/its-just-their-way-why-dont-the-swiss-like-to-queue Wed, 26 Apr 2023 18:03:54 +0200 its-just-their-way-why-dont-the-swiss-like-to-queue In Switzerland, Sundays are considered sacred to many and quiet time is strongly encouraged, which means there are certain activities you should avoid - or risk being told off. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230116/six-things-you-shouldnt-do-on-a-sunday-in-switzerland Mon, 16 Jan 2023 12:23:04 +0100 six-things-you-shouldnt-do-on-a-sunday-in-switzerland Even though it has strict animal rights laws Switzerland remains the only European country where eating your pet cat or dog is legal, but the Swiss actually still do it? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230908/why-do-the-swiss-have-a-reputation-for-eating-their-pet-cats-and-dogs Fri, 08 Sep 2023 14:17:22 +0200 why-do-the-swiss-have-a-reputation-for-eating-their-pet-cats-and-dogs Switzerland’s population already enjoys one of the world’s highest life expectancies. But the government says a better diet can help them stay healthier even longer. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240912/local-and-seasonal-what-swiss-the-government-wants-you-to-eat Thu, 12 Sep 2024 12:59:40 +0200 local-and-seasonal-what-swiss-the-government-wants-you-to-eat Switzerland's new instant payment system will bolster the future of cashless payments in the country, the Swiss central bank said Wednesday after the scheme went live. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240821/switzerland-moves-towards-cashless-future-with-instant-payments Wed, 21 Aug 2024 15:14:38 +0200 switzerland-moves-towards-cashless-future-with-instant-payments There is a perception in Switzerland that Swiss natives and foreigners just don't really get on. Clare O'Dea explains why there might be a lack of chemistry and where the blame may lie. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220520/opinion-why-do-foreigners-think-the-swiss-are-unfriendly Fri, 20 May 2022 11:39:31 +0200 opinion-why-do-foreigners-think-the-swiss-are-unfriendly Shopping is not merely about filling your cart with food and other necessities — where in Switzerland you choose to shop also reveals quite a bit about you. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240802/what-your-choice-of-swiss-supermarket-says-about-you Fri, 02 Aug 2024 15:22:33 +0200 what-your-choice-of-swiss-supermarket-says-about-you The spring is here and so is warm(er) weather — at least for now. Does it mean you can already swim in Switzerland? https://www.thelocal.ch/20240510/are-outdoor-swimming-pools-already-open-in-switzerland Fri, 10 May 2024 11:34:22 +0200 are-outdoor-swimming-pools-already-open-in-switzerland Neither the Swiss nor foreign residents are neutral about living in Switzerland — in fact, they have some strong opinions about the pros and cons of living here. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230417/revealed-what-the-swiss-like-and-dislike-about-their-country-and-each-other Mon, 17 Apr 2023 14:43:25 +0200 revealed-what-the-swiss-like-and-dislike-about-their-country-and-each-other Nothing rounds off a Swiss school trip better than the combination of a bread bun and a much-beloved red tube – at least until you find out what’s inside. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230222/le-parfait-how-switzerland-fell-in-love-with-a-pork-liver-spread Wed, 22 Feb 2023 09:23:15 +0100 le-parfait-how-switzerland-fell-in-love-with-a-pork-liver-spread