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  4. I only had 48 hours to spend in Switzerland. These 18 photos show why I regret not staying longer.

I only had 48 hours to spend in Switzerland. These 18 photos show why I regret not staying longer.

I only had 48 hours to spend in Switzerland. These 18 photos show why I regret not staying longer.
Insider's reporter went to Switzerland for the first time and photographed Zürich and neighboring towns.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I recently went to Switzerland for a short, first-time trip during a train journey through Europe.
  • I explored Zürich and spent two nights in the nearby town of Roggwil.

I recently took my cameras on a 2-week train trip through four European countries I'd never been to before.

I recently took my cameras on a 2-week train trip through four European countries I
The author uses her cameras in various European cities.      Joey Hadden/Insider

After visiting Germany, Austria, and Italy, I ended my trip in Switzerland, where I saw some of the most striking scenes.

After visiting Germany, Austria, and Italy, I ended my trip in Switzerland, where I saw some of the most striking scenes.
The author in Zürich, Switzerland.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I had 48 hours in Switzerland, and I split my time between the northern Swiss city of Zürich and a nearby town called Roggwil, where my Airbnb was located.

I had 48 hours in Switzerland, and I split my time between the northern Swiss city of Zürich and a nearby town called Roggwil, where my Airbnb was located.
A map of Switzerland shows where Roggwil and Zürich are located.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I traveled to Switzerland from Milan, Italy, by train, and I saw some rich, green countryside landscapes along the way.

I traveled to Switzerland from Milan, Italy, by train, and I saw some rich, green countryside landscapes along the way.
Views from the train window somewhere between the Swiss Alps and Zürich.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I spent two peaceful, starry nights in a livable barrel Airbnb in Roggwil, which I thought was a relaxing counterpart to my visit to Zürich.

I spent two peaceful, starry nights in a livable barrel Airbnb in Roggwil, which I thought was a relaxing counterpart to my visit to Zürich.
The author's Airbnb in Roggwil.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Airbnb

I loved the rolling hills and tranquil neighborhoods of Roggwil, and I was so glad I got to see a less-explored piece of Switzerland.

I loved the rolling hills and tranquil neighborhoods of Roggwil, and I was so glad I got to see a less-explored piece of Switzerland.
A snapshot of a town near the Solothurn Jura mountain range in Switzerland.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While the city was far more bustling than Roggwil, I thought parts of Zürich were just as charming with its jaw-dropping mountain views.

While the city was far more bustling than Roggwil, I thought parts of Zürich were just as charming with its jaw-dropping mountain views.
A snapshot in Zürich.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I found stunning, narrow, winding streets with vibrant, colorful buildings that stood out to me.

I found stunning, narrow, winding streets with vibrant, colorful buildings that stood out to me.
Streets in Zürich.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Some of these streets have been around since the Middle Ages, like Augustinergasse, which is lined with buildings featuring intricately carved and decorated bay windows preserved for centuries, according to City Seeker.

Some of these streets have been around since the Middle Ages, like Augustinergasse, which is lined with buildings featuring intricately carved and decorated bay windows preserved for centuries, according to City Seeker.
Buildings on Augustinergasse in Zürich.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: City Seeker

While the colorful streets were busy with shoppers when I visited, I found pockets of peaceful stillness in alleyways made of cobblestone around the city.

While the colorful streets were busy with shoppers when I visited, I found pockets of peaceful stillness in alleyways made of cobblestone around the city.
Cobblestone streets in Zürich.      Joey Hadden/Insider

From storefronts to parks and trees, I saw greenery in nearly every direction in Zürich.

From storefronts to parks and trees, I saw greenery in nearly every direction in Zürich.
Greenery around Zürich.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The city also contains 28 square miles of lakes, according to Britannica.

The city also contains 28 square miles of lakes, according to Britannica.
A bridge crossing in Zürich.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Britannica

And I thought the water dividing parts of the city made for some stunning landscapes.

And I thought the water dividing parts of the city made for some stunning landscapes.
A bridge in Zürich.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My favorite view in Zürich came during my ride on a funicular cable car called a Polybahn to Polyterrasse, a deck in front of Zurich University where I could see the whole city and beyond.

My favorite view in Zürich came during my ride on a funicular cable car called a Polybahn to Polyterrasse, a deck in front of Zurich University where I could see the whole city and beyond.
Polyterrasse (L) and the Polybahn funicular cable car (R) in Zürich.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Polybahn

The Polybahn was much like a train, except the rails went up and down, giving me elevated views of the buildings around me.

The Polybahn was much like a train, except the rails went up and down, giving me elevated views of the buildings around me.
Views from the Polybahn ride.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But the view from the top in Polyterrasse was even better, and it left me longing for more time in Switzerland. I can't wait to go back.

But the view from the top in Polyterrasse was even better, and it left me longing for more time in Switzerland. I can
A view of Zürich from Polyterrasse.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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