What is the largest city in Switzerland?
Wie heisst die grösste Stadt der Schweiz?
Correct answer: A
- A ZurichZürich
- B BaselBasel
- C BernBern
- D GenevaGenf
Why
About 450'000 people live in the city of Zurich. That is more than in any other Swiss city.
Common mistakes
- C: Bern
- Bern is the federal city with the government and Parliament, but it is not the largest city.
- D: Geneva
- Geneva is the second-largest city, but it is smaller than Zurich.
Topic
Bern, Zurich and the large cities
The largest city in Switzerland is Zurich. About 450'000 people live there. It is followed by Geneva, Basel, Lausanne and Bern. Zurich is the most important centre for business and banks. The large cities all lie in the Plateau. Basel is on the Rhine on the border with Germany and France, Geneva on Lake Geneva.
- 1Zurich
- 2Geneva
- 3Basel
- 4Lausanne
- 5Bern
- Federal city
Map data: BFS, BAFU, swisstopo
Switzerland at a glance
Size, neighbours and population
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 276 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.