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Together In Switzerland

All Things Swiss

Introduction To All 26 Switzerland Cantons

Zoe| General

Did you know that Switzerland has 26 official cantons? It’s more than we were expecting when we learnt this! These 26 Swiss cantons are all fully set up with their own independence, administration and power since – which make up total member states of the Swiss Confederation since 1979.

What is a canton?

A canton in Switzerland is a subdivision such as a state (like in the US), where they for example manage their own local laws, healthcare and taxes. For example, when you are working and living in Ticino canton in the South, you will be paying different tax rates to those who live and work in Zurich canton.

Each canton also manages their own education, law enforcement and social welfare. As you may know, there are also different official languages based on what canton you are in. They have their own dialect, but also usually speaking either German, French or Italian.

Noun: Canton
1. a subdivision of a country established for political or administrative purposes.

The History OF Swiss cantons

What started out as 13 sovereign confederate allies in the 16th century, who would fight together to block common enemies, has since grown into 26 independent territories. The first cantons are dating back to the year 1291 when they established official independence, with the local benefit of setting up their own taxes, alliances, laws and so on.

There are some fantastic books about Switzerland that go in depth about the history for those interested.

THE LIST OF 26 SWISS CANTONS

The Purpose OF A Canton These days?

Ultimately there are of course many different actions that a canton can do which are important. To highlight a few of these are:

  • Manage all car related matters
  • Control the unemployment rates and assist when you are looking for a new job
  • Processes the local taxes based on the taxation of that specific canton
  • Manages the Switzerland social security
  • Run the Cantonal Migration Office when receiving a Swiss residence permit.
  • Manages the military national service

Fun Fact: Did you know the Swiss flag is actually square? Check here why! 

THE LIST OF 26 SWISS CANTONS

The full list of all 26 Switzerland cantons can be found below:

  1. Aargau (AG)
  2. Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR)
  3. Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI)
  4. Basel-Landschaft (BL)
  5. Basel-Stadt (BS)
  6. Bern/Berne (BE)
  7. Fribourg/Freiburg (FR)
  8. Genève (GE)
  9. Glarus (GL)
  10. Grisons (GR)
  11. Jura (JU)
  12. Luzern (LU)
  13. Neuchâtel (NE)
  14. Nidwalden (NW)
  15. Obwalden (OW)
  16. St. Gallen (SG)
  17. Schaffhausen (SH)
  18. Schwyz (SZ)
  19. Solothurn (SO)
  20. Thurgau (TG)
  21. Ticino (TI)
  22. Uri (UR)
  23. Valais/Wallis (VS)
  24. Vaud (VD)
  25. Zug (ZG)
  26. Zürich (ZH)

Curious of some specific posts based on the cantons? Click the links above to see more!

A Switzerland flag pinterest pin about the 26 Swiss cantons

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Ciao, I’m Zoe!

Zoe Together In Switzerland

I’m a native Brit-turned-Dutch expat living in Ticino, Switzerland with my boyfriend and kitty cat since 2022.

Our site highlights our most fun adventures and experiences while exploring local life in Switzerland.

Enjoy!

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Swiss Travels!

2022

  • Basel – April 2022
  • Zurich – April 2022
  • Chiasso – September 2022
  • Zermatt – November 2022
  • Zurich – December 2022

 

2023

  • Vaud – January 2023
  • Grisons – April 2023

—————

L’amore è un viaggio non una destinazione.

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Let's start the Weeeeeekend ♡ We have no plans Let's start the Weeeeeekend ♡ 
We have no plans yet, but a boat ride is always a lovely idea ☀️
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.#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #lakelugano #montesansalvatore #summerinlugano #summervibesonly #sᴜᴍᴍᴇʀ2023
All aboard! Exploring the world, one train ride at All aboard! Exploring the world, one train ride at a time... 🚂
We notice how much more touristic Lugano is becoming in the last few weeks, with the local tourist trains looking packed every time we see it!! 😬
We've not been on it ourselves, but it does seem like an easy, fun way to see the city while visiting for a day or weekend 🇨🇭
Have you been on it while visiting? ✌️
📍 Lugano, Switzerland 
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.#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #lakelugano  #summerinlugano #summervibesonly #summer2023☀️
Our month of May in 18 shots ❤️ We did so mu Our month of May in 18 shots ❤️ 
We did so much in May that I don't know how we did it 😅
To sum it up we...
- picked up our new car 🚗
- stayed in a wooden tiny home 
- visited 2 car shows (one in 🇩🇪 and one in 🇮🇹)
- explored Viamala gorge 🌿
- drove 3 scenic Switzerland passes
- saw a huge rainbow 🌈
- dipped our toes in the lake
- explored new Ticino locations (Sonogno!) 🏠
- drank too many Aperol spritz to remember 🍹
- visited 3 waterfalls 💦
So grateful for living in Switzerland ❤️🇨🇭
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.#ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #swissexplorers #switzerlandcolors #switzerlandtourism #myswitzerland🇨🇭 #switzerlandmylove #visitswitzerland
Last night was quite a storm! 🌹 We're not used Last night was quite a storm! 🌹
We're not used to every day being more than 20°c with storms in the evenings! ⚡
A good sign that hot summer days are coming! 
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A few moments of zen 🙏 . . . . . . . . . .#luga A few moments of zen 🙏
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.#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #lakelugano #montesansalvatore #summerinlugano #summervibesonly #summer2023☀️ #luganobeach
Varenna 🇮🇹 A pretty little pitstop on Lake C Varenna 🇮🇹 A pretty little pitstop on Lake Como! 
We stopped here for a walk and lunch one day, which was already touristic for May, but still lovely. 
Restaurant tip: Albergo del Sole Ristorante Pizzeria 🍕
We went by car to Monza first for a car event. Then we drove back via Varenna and took the boat. It was very convenient back to Menaggio and then a 40minute drive back to Lugano. 🚘
We'll definitely return one day as you can visit the botanical gardens at Villa Monastero 🦋🌿
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#lakecomoitaly🇮🇹 #varennaitaly #varennalakecomo #lakecomolife #lakecomophotographer #lakecomoholidays #italia_super_pics #comolaketoday #togetherinswitzerland #varennaturismo #roadtripcouple #italyroadtrip #lakecomotravel
Today went like sunny > cloudy > sunny > extra sun Today went like sunny > cloudy > sunny > extra sunny > rainy > rainbow > sunset 🌈☀️
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.#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #lakelugano #montebre #hikinginswitzerland
Let's start the Weeeeeekend ♡ We have no plans Let's start the Weeeeeekend ♡ 
We have no plans yet, but a boat ride is always a lovely idea ☀️
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.#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #lakelugano #montesansalvatore #summerinlugano #summervibesonly #sᴜᴍᴍᴇʀ2023
Our month of May in 18 shots ❤️ We did so mu Our month of May in 18 shots ❤️ 
We did so much in May that I don't know how we did it 😅
To sum it up we...
- picked up our new car 🚗
- stayed in a wooden tiny home 
- visited 2 car shows (one in 🇩🇪 and one in 🇮🇹)
- explored Viamala gorge 🌿
- drove 3 scenic Switzerland passes
- saw a huge rainbow 🌈
- dipped our toes in the lake
- explored new Ticino locations (Sonogno!) 🏠
- drank too many Aperol spritz to remember 🍹
- visited 3 waterfalls 💦
So grateful for living in Switzerland ❤️🇨🇭
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.#ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #swissexplorers #switzerlandcolors #switzerlandtourism #myswitzerland🇨🇭 #switzerlandmylove #visitswitzerland
Rainy azalea flowers at Parco Ciani 🌸 📍 Lug Rainy azalea flowers at Parco Ciani 🌸
📍 Lugano, Switzerland 
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #azaleas #azaleasinbloom #parcociani #parcocianilugano
Varenna 🇮🇹 A pretty little pitstop on Lake C Varenna 🇮🇹 A pretty little pitstop on Lake Como! 
We stopped here for a walk and lunch one day, which was already touristic for May, but still lovely. 
Restaurant tip: Albergo del Sole Ristorante Pizzeria 🍕
We went by car to Monza first for a car event. Then we drove back via Varenna and took the boat. It was very convenient back to Menaggio and then a 40minute drive back to Lugano. 🚘
We'll definitely return one day as you can visit the botanical gardens at Villa Monastero 🦋🌿
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#lakecomoitaly🇮🇹 #varennaitaly #varennalakecomo #lakecomolife #lakecomophotographer #lakecomoholidays #italia_super_pics #comolaketoday #togetherinswitzerland #varennaturismo #roadtripcouple #italyroadtrip #lakecomotravel
Walk with me in the rain 🌧️ . . . . . . . . . Walk with me in the rain 🌧️
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #rainymood☔️
Happy Sunday! 🌸 . . . . . .. .. . . #luganoswit Happy Sunday! 🌸
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin
Buongiorno Lugano 🇨🇭! We're excited to wor Buongiorno Lugano 🇨🇭! 
We're excited to work less this week, with a long weekend ahead for a road trip! 🚘
I'll also be editing lots of our recent photos and videos, writing new blogposts and at one point probably eating pizza! 
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin

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