TOP 10 SWISS SOUVENIRS: Authentic souvenirs to buy in Switzerland + what NOT to buy!

Hey guys! In this video we’re going to tell you about the top 10 AUTHENTIC Swiss souvenirs to buy to remember your trip to Switzerland. We’ll also tell you what NOT to buy! We’ll cover everything from Swiss cheese & chocolate, to watches, and even cow bells! Don’t miss out!
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Bienvenue & Willkommen! We are Lex & Louis - and together we are The Traveling Swiss. We're an international couple (USA + Switzerland) who have recently moved from NYC to Switzerland. Come travel with us - we'll give you tips and guides, and hopefully have a few laughs along the way. Our goal is to show you that borders are meant to be crossed!
Keep up with us!
→ Instagram: / thetravelingswiss
→ Email: [e-mail]
This channel is a labor of love, if you enjoyed the video please make sure to subscribe!
xx Lex & Louis

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

What about you guys?! What didn't make the list that you would have added?

[@matkoch4028]

Aromat :-)

[@cocochanel8146]

ANYTHING related to the Heidi books... can not believe that didn't make it

[@debprivate7840]

I saw someone else recommend buying kitchen towels there. They said they were much better than american ones.

[@marcmonnerat4850]

@@matkoch4028 and Cenovis, but this is a highly disputed topic ;-)

[@figureskating2724]

Where are the cheapest places in Zurich to buy souvenirs like magnets or keychains or any other small souvenirs? Are there any souvenirs for 1 Swiss Franc like keychains? Are postcards cheap there? We will be going around the Grossmunster area. Thanks for your assistance.

[@zlatkokovach7862]

1.Chocolate (Cailler, Ragusa, Ovomaltine, Villars); Hot chocolate (Caotina); 2.Swiss cheese (gruyere, other, Fondue mix); 3.Swiss Army knife (Victorinox store), engraved; 4.Clothes with edelweiss pattern; 5. Poya patterned items; 6.Swiss Watch (Mondaine, Tissot, Longine) Buy in stores Buchera and Le Ambassador; 7.Swiss wine (white - Petite Arvine, Heida); 8.Caran d'Ache pencils and pens; 9. Cow bell; Trouffer cows.

[@buske328]

😂

[@elroyblackbean]

Thank you! Looks like #6 is spelled Bucherer, if we're looking at the same thing. I had to look it up! :)

[@marilynnryder5463]

I am travelling to Switzerland for the first time in September. I just recently discovered your videos, and absolutely LOVE them! They have been informative and interesting, and I now have have so many ideas, and things to try…..I can hardly wait! Thank you so much!!

[@timmccabe4654]

While cuckoo clocks were first developed in Bavaria, there are two Swiss-made brands that have adapted them to depict Swiss architecture and cultural themes and are very well done. One is Loetscher clocks. These have roots in Brienz, are uniquely Swiss-themed and have a very different and appealing style than the typical German clocks. Unfortunately, this company went out of business during Covid, but many of their clocks are still available in stores in Switzerland and the US. The second brand is Swiss Koo from the Lausanne area. These are a more modern/interpretive take on cuckoo clock design and are very attractive. I think if more people knew about them, they would become very popular.

[@kerimbarbur8623]

Having lived there for almost a decade and being away for more than 25 years now I find you guys and your videos adorable job well done

[@traveladvisorak6065]

I like your vlogs about educating ppl about different ways to travel to buy. This is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@lga2791]

Great video guys ! Thank you 😊, I watched few of other videos to get ideas for our upcoming trip to Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@annakozoriz]

Thank you guys! Great souvenirs examples.

[@robertpearson8798]

We did pretty well then. We brought home some wine, chocolate, cow bells, items with cut paper patterns, a Balmain watch, some Bretzeli and cookies from the Kambly factory and some fridge magnets and keychains. I already had a Victorinox knife. We were also gifted some home-made Bretzeli which lasted about five minutes. We ate a lot of cheese while there and visited a cheese factory in Montricher where the milk from my cousin’s farm at L’Isle goes to make Gruyere.

[@robertpearson8798]

Oh, and one of the carved cows as well.

[@annettemeyer9559]

Great ideas that I will definitely use, and presented in a very courteous manner!

[@MakeupJunkie12345]

Great recommendations! We'll be visiting Switzerland soon so this will be very helpful.

[@ravalibaditha2603]

Thank you soooo much for this video! I’m about to visit Switzerland in 10 days. I wrote down everything you mentioned. It is super helpful to know what to get for ourselves as well as as gifts.

[@justinetough5287]

So helpful. I am coming from Scotland in October and I am so excited.

[@ahf9281]

Loved this! Thank you guys so much! 🇨🇭

[@solomonnnamdi9152]

Hey guys! Great teachings, keep on the good work.

[@HTEtravel]

Great list. I never would have thought of these items, especially the shirts. More cowbell!

[@eugeniacamaya2976]

Thanks for sharing. This is so, so helpful.

[@rajeewananayakkara7577]

Thanks for your good advices. I love switzerland.

[@SATaiHangTung]

Very useful! Thanks for the tips.

[@asesoresjuridicos6395]

Great information guys! GRACIAS! My family and I are moving to Bern in the next few days, so I am taking notes from your videos. Let’s have coffee some time. 😊

[@phoenixmassey]

Caran D’Ache!! The smell of their crayons brings me back to when we lived in Geneva when I was little. I was delighted to go to the Geneva store when we were there in 2019. The wine BTW was fantastic!

[@michaelohanlan5858]

Excellent! I am watching in preparation for my future trips. Plural!

[@shahidarshad7397]

Thank you for the informative video ❤. Hope to visit Switzerland in near by future

[@theggirl93]

Hey guys, I’ve used a lot of your videos before we went to Switzerland last May. We absolutely loved it there and want to go back next year again. We bought so much chocolates to take back to the Philippines, I had to buy another luggage ha ha. Next time we will keep these in mind about souvenirs to take back.

[@noorradyamdradzi3532]

I just came back from Switzerland and had no idea about Poya pattern, but I am glad I bought several items with the pattern as souvenirs.

[@mountainlover830]

I always bring a pack of Coatina back with me. Such a treat during the winter when I'm dreaming of my next trip! For chocolate I've found the COOP store brand to be very satisfactory and I love Frey (found in Migros only), Cailler, and Villars brands. I only buy Lindt flavors I can't get in the US. My all time favorite souvenir is my Mondaine watch that reminds me of so many beautiful train rides.

[@theresapong7574]

Excellent advice! Thanks.

[@mihaelalacko7389]

Thank you for the wonderful video!

[@joserosario378]

Thanks for your advice. I think I'm going to get the cow bell. They look great

[@ervinslens]

Fantastic upload as always, chocolate 🍫 is a must.😊😁

[@paxlinguafranca]

Thank you so much for making your videos. I was becoming overwhelmed with how to prepare and what to expect going through Geneva. I will be on my way to hike the Tour de Mont Blanc and have several days rest up an acclimate myself from a long flight from New Mexico. I feel much better after watching your musing assortment of tips and suggestions. Have I missed somewhere ideas on how to find budget hotels/ hostel/ inns or bed and breakfasts? Keep up the great work! Danke, Merci, Grazie and Thank you. 🤗

[@WideWorldTraveller]

Great video :) About the cuckoo clocks : the origin is indeed from the Bade-Wurtenberg region (Schwarzwald) and dates back to 1762. But you can actually find cuckoo clocks made in Switzerland by Lötscher, a clock manufacturer based in Glattbrugg and Brienz since 1920.

[@valeriapanariello4056]

great video and a lot of inspiration

[@LQuaandt]

Such a good video! Thanks ❤

[@lilactreehouse]

Good advice, thank you!

[@petersabol2979]

This is a very useful video, thanks.

[@jessmcc8234]

This video is great! I always feel like I buy tourist trap souvenirs!

[@amygladwin]

I have to second the wine recommendation. I visited a nice vineyard while I was there and brought a bottle home to enjoy. It was very good.

[@qwertyu386]

Very nice video guys, Welldone!!

[@richardrubert1359]

Interesting take. Thank you.

[@letstalkwithmariama]

Hi Alexis & Louis, this is a cool 😎 video. I will be off to Africa this summer and I could use some of the recommendations. Danke 🤩

[@j.zhanng]

Love this! Ill be in Switzerland for a month in Aug!!

[@annakozoriz]

I absolutely loooove Gruyère!

[@nimfaveloso4909]

The chocolates u recommended are so good. Thank u!

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

Which ones did you try?!

[@surajitgoswami1871]

Thanks for all the buying tips. The cow and the pens look good given my carry-on only "strategy". Might go for a mechanical watch that requires winding. In 11 days I'll be there if I don't test positive (still a requirement to board the plane). Got a better flight straight to Zurich and, consequently, planning to see more of the City.

[@hopeenquiries3638]

another very helpful vid, you have reminded me of my childhood with Carondash, I will get them for our little monsters at Christmas. Also I have ordered a couple of Mondaine clocks for work. We spend our first few days in Geneva and will enjoy the wonderful toy shop there, then up to Zermatt.....>>>

[@bootscanlas9995]

Great tips I’m making a list 👍🎁😍

[@CoastsideFamilyAdventures]

I love those souvenirs. So special, definitely worth the buy. Such a great memory.

[@MyJourneySolo]

Helpful recommendations

[@michaelmiranda2944]

Love this vid...

[@janel9468]

Thank you for your recommendations! Was thinking of getting a watch. Hope you'll have more content about Geneva! Will be going soon and it's not easy finding recommendations about it. Most are about the more popular places like Zurich. :)

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

We will soon! in the meantime you can check out our instagram. We have a save story highlight with TONS of info in Geneva since that's where we are based :)

[@kevinc2683]

Hello Alexis and Louis. I enjoy your videos very much. A lot of information that is very well organized. I have been travel thru Switzerland since 1985 and I worked in Switzerland 25 years ago. Anyway, we are retired and this December will be my 4th trip for the last two years. I am splitting my time between Interlaken and Luzern. I enjoy wine and wonder about the Petite Arvine. I didn’t find much about it. It’s a white wine from the French area of Switzerland. I wasn’t sure if its a sweet or dry wine. Regards, Kevin

[@tgwrightsrnc]

Fendant du Valais! Les Murettes is my favorite.

[@KshitijKV]

Great ideas

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

Thank you! 😊

[@shibumi777]

Thank you. Enjoy your videos. One point. Cuckoo clocks are definitely not Swiss. But you can also get Swiss handmade cuckoo clocks. They are expensive but totally worth it .... 🙂

[@pelefix]

Hi guys, great video, can you advise me where is that choclolate shop featured early on in the video? many thanks

[@hbchohan7886]

Cool thanks

[@ericadebonis3410]

wow! that is some gorgeous pen . . . I love the box . . . link? is it still available for purchase?

[@user-ww9ns2zf1v]

Thank you for the video. I will be there for the 1st time in August. When I travel I usually bring something from my home town to give to people we meet and people in the service industry. I usually bring a lapel pin or key chain. Is that something people there would like and do you have a suggestion?

[@neenaoswal3683]

It will be really helpful if the video could show product images or spell the names. As it gets difficult to catch the names. E.g. It was difficult to understand the wine names mentioned in the video and the regions they come from. It will be really nice if there could be a video on locally produced liquor and are exclusive. And some more cheese and fondue brand names will be a cherry on top :) we enjoy your videos a lot and are regularly following them. Cheers and good luck !!

[@Anne-kb9hd]

Hi, Thank you both for your great Videos. They have very useful content. I'm coming over in Late August/September and doing Tour of Switzerland & Austria. What I've been wondering, since your Videos mentioned appropriate footweat, should I buy hiking boots? My problem is, the weight , total 23kgs. As I'll be transiting through Singapore, stopping a couple of days I'll need runners there, what to do! Are the hikers comfortable to wear on Planes, do you know. Plus, how warm a Jacket will I need please & the best length for that time of year please? Hip, thigh, knee or?🤔🧐😏😁 Thank you in Anticipation of a reply, anyone? QLD traveller, not used to Colder Climates. 😏

[@gailbrandly432]

Can you guys do a video on the Swiss Chalet/ House trail in Saanen? I know there are many historic stunning Chalets in that area and there is a brochure but it’s published in German.

[@louistheodorebourgeois1182]

Zweifel chips !

[@elpidiaholguin9643]

thanks 🙏

[@yathradays897]

The video is very informative and interesting. Very much useful for people those who are going to visit

[@karenmccoy475]

Planning to come to Bern in Aug 24. We will be staying in a ski chalet at bottom of mountain. I woukd like to pick up quickly some of the fondue chocolate that u spoke about. Where would be the closest place to buy from? Also, do u know anything about Tandem skydiving out of helicopters ? Who is the best company to go with ? Whom to avoid. Thankyou for any help !

[@rafaela8286]

we use mondaine clocks in elementary school in slovenia😅 at least mine had it.

[@sabinacapuno4548]

My fav place country Switzerland

[@Wheretomeg]

I’m so curious about your Swiss flag pillow that’s always on the background. Would love to bring that home!

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

We actually bought it in a large Migros in Zürich! It was a lucky find it isn’t something they carry all year, but they may have it soon since it was a seasonal item in advance of Swiss National day (august 1)

[@Wheretomeg]

@@TheTravelingSwiss awww thank you so much for sharing! I doubt it will be there then when we visit in October, but I will still keep an eye out!

[@sonodiventataunalbero5576]

Merlot del Ticino, from the Swiss Italian region is very a good red wine.

[@gailbrandly432]

Wood Carvings from Brienz 🇨🇭 I get a Huggler carving every year when I travel to Switzerland. They are expensive but they are a truly Swiss piece of Swiss culture. All your other choices I agree with. I personally love Appenzeller Cheese.

[@user-ww9ns2zf1v]

I was just about to ask about that. My mom and I are going in August for the first time and I like wood related art.

[@gailbrandly432]

@@user-ww9ns2zf1v go to Brienz which is near Interlakken and you will go crazy. It the wood carving capital of Switzerland 🇨🇭. Huggler Carvings are also in high end gift shops around the country . They are expensive.

[@user-ww9ns2zf1v]

Thank you for the info!

[@yvrkid7070]

Great advice. I love watches and remember going through a clock and watch museum in Geneva and being in heaven. I hope to go to Switzerland in early October. The Swiss wines are amazing.

[@sherinaibrahim]

Hi...may I know where the clock & watch museum is in Geneva?

[@yvrkid7070]

@@sherinaibrahim I wish I kew. I was there in 1982 and don't know if it is still there. I couldn't find it on a map. Sorry.

[@sherinaibrahim]

It's ok...thank you for your reply, anyway.

[@teofiladelgado5316]

Thank you for your suggestions

[@balasubramanip4686]

Ok thanks

[@TimWysocki-cz5dg]

Could I ask that you please post the printed words whenever you speak a brand name or place name in Switzerland? It's difficult to know what to look for if you don't know how to recognize the names that you've recommended.

[@tupityreal9720]

9:44 😮PULLY!!!

[@jamiethian]

Hi. Can I get the Caran d’ache products at Coop or Migros?

[@justinpaddock2357]

Is it relatively easy to ship these home at a post office in Switzerland if this is the first of many countries on a journey?

[@kanaha8307]

Hi - Are there any wholesale distributors in Zurich and/or Swiss Alps?

[@Exodus3226]

Hello 🤗 thank you for sharing the unique products! May I ask what are the company name brands that make the carved cows?

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

Hi there - they are called Trauffer Cows, so they’ll all have that designation on them if you purchase. They’re made by hand by wood carvers versus companies

[@Exodus3226]

@@TheTravelingSwiss excellent 👌 Danke schön

[@oswaldburga9836]

Would you clarify about the name that I know for Luzern now you use Lucerne. What is your explanation. Merci vielmal

[@guapify2320]

Hey, do you know where exactly in switzerland this is? 9:42 - 9:52

[@xxx_phantom_xxxw_t_a9479]

I can only confirm that the souvenirs are typically Swiss. I hardly need to say much about cheese and chocolate, whoever likes to enjoy them is in cheese or chocolate heaven (or even both). When it comes to fondue, what's better than moitié/moitié (half Gryère, half Friborg Vacherin), although you can vary it a bit on one side or the other. Pocket knife from Victorinox (watch out, super sharp!!!). Since I was in the army more than 40 years ago, my pocket knife has been with me (also the one I got when I was a soldier and it is still sharp). "A real boy has a belt in his trousers and a pocket knife in his pocket" we say, that doesn't change even if you're a slightly older boy (men are only older children *laughs*). Oh, I've wanted the Edelweiss shirts for a long time, but somehow I haven't gotten my hands on them yet, but they're just the thing for a hike. Watches, as you say, it doesn't have to be a Rolex, the Swiss quality watch market probably covers almost everything and that in different price ranges. Our wine is so bad that we prefer to drink it ourselves (*irony*). No, honestly, we have very good wines, in addition to the ones you mentioned, I would also like to mention those from Ticino (especially Merlot) but also the Veltliner from Graubünden. Caran d'ache, when it comes to quality drawing pencils, stationery, etc., I can't get past it. When I finished my apprenticeship, I gave my daughter a ballpoint pen with an engraving, I'm sure it will be a pen that will stay with her for a long time. The "no go's", yes, well, you could also give a Swiss person a gift with chocolate from abroad, he will smile discreetly, thank you and hope that you will never come back. That's right, cuckoo clocks are not Swiss, which, for example, would be Neuchâtel pendulum clocks (although less common today).

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

I love all of these anecdotes :) thank you for sharing!

[@zlatkokovach7862]

Question: Are there souvenir magnets? What is the cost?

[@figureskating2724]

Where are the cheapest places in Zurich to buy souvenirs like magnets or keychains or any other small souvenirs? Are there any souvenirs for 1 Swiss Franc like keychains? Are postcards cheap there? We will be going around the Grossmunster area. Thanks for your assistance.

[@farizarahman3838]

Lyndt best chocolate and souvenir

[@vinh.n]

Do you think you can bring fondue mix or other types of cheese to the US? Does the cheese need to be refrigerated? Thanks!

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

We’ve brought many times, they’ll be fine for the duration of a flight, especially if they’re in checked luggage, it’ll be quite cool where those bags are

[@mdabufattah355]

Tomorrow I am travelling to Italy and then renting a Rv to have a road trip to Switzerland for 7 days. I will visit Interlaken, Grindelwald, lauterbrunnen, zermtt. Any tips please

[@xxx_phantom_xxxw_t_a9479]

if you come from Italy, I would recommend at least one day trip to Ticino, more precisely Verzasca Valley (Laverdezzo/Ponte dei salti), provided the weather cooperates.

[@jessicainfante2572]

You didn’t mention music boxes!

[@matildawolfram4687]

Great video! Thanks to the author of the channel for this fascinating video! It is interesting to see how people live in other countries! It is very important to know foreign languages on such trips. I would like to recommend to all travelers a practical guide to learning foreign languages by Yuriy Ivantsiv "Polyglot Notes. Practical tips for learning foreign languages". This book contains a lot of useful tips on how to learn a foreign language for tourists, students, entrepreneurs and anyone who needs a foreign language in life. There are a lot of good tips on how to solve problems with the language from beginner to advanced level of language learning. It turns out that the traveler only needs to know a few dialogues and you can easily travel around the world! You don't have to spend a lot of time to fully learn a foreign language, you just need to learn what you can use when you travel. I wish everyone exciting travels!

[@scuffle1345]

Your video is interesting and awesome 🙋🏽‍♀️❤️👍👏👌🙋🏽‍♀️❤️ Going to win the heart of each and every viewer ❤️🙋🏽‍♀️👏🙋🏽‍♀️👏❤️🙋🏽‍♀️

[@martinm.watson6369]

I think it is a great video with very special different types of souvenirs that are suitable for all ages and tastes ... but sorry I can't know the name of watches shops you say in the video .. If you can help me and write it for me .. Thanks

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

Bucherer and Les Ambassadeur!

[@Scolopente]

What about Louis’ hat!

[@sabinacapuno4548]

My caotina chocolate 🍫

[@ale_xsuisse]

Where did u guys buy ur Swiss Sweatshirts, the ones that said "Suisse and Schweiz"?

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

Here! t-chirts.com

[@BEN-tz4ok]

great tips, but mondaine can be bought online

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

To be fair I think you can buy just about everything online now lol!

[@BEN-tz4ok]

@@TheTravelingSwiss hahaha yes, anyway great channel subbed.

[@mdcoolcat]

I guessncan't bring back fondue mix back to US.... Because it's ... dairy? 😂

[@malouj7932]

I tried white wine in Geneva and my soul flew to the heavens. I forgot the name but it starts with a C 😢

[@TheTravelingSwiss]

chasselas? maybe?

[@malouj7932]

@The Traveling Swiss - Alexis & Louis most likely! I went to Chez ma cousine, and they had chasselas and côte du liberon on the menu. Ugh divine

[@florencestaheli7459]

Nice how you pronounce Caran d'Ache. It sounds french, but it is not. When we non-russians say Caran d'Ache we actually speak Russian. It is written in our alphabet the way it SOUNDS. Written in russian-kyrillic-letters we would never be able to read it. THE RUSSIAN WORD Caran d'Ache translated means "pen in wood".

[@philipohmes9395]

I wold be careful about bringing into the USA any agricultural products from another country. The Customs Officials really frown upon that. The last time I came from Germany into Washington DC Dulles Airport, that apple I had left over from my LH flight was confiscated and the sealed bottles of jelly were allowed to pass through. Best to contact the embassy or Consulate General's Office of the country you are planning to bring into, whatever products or souvenirs you bought, to see if it is OK to do so. Then there are also limits in US Dollar, SF or Euro amounts that are exempt form Customs Taxes. After that limit you owe the Government money in an excise tax. So keep the receipts for what you purchased to show the border officials, if asked. Do not neglect to fill out that Customs Declaration Card with everything you plan on bring into another country, that you bought outside of the USA or other country you may be transiting through. Australia is rather strict in what they will allow a tourist to bring into their country from elsewhere.