If you want best-in-class health and wellness destinations, look no further than the clinics of Switzerland. You’ll find your longevity superstar in no time.
Switzerland has always triumphed as the go-to country for health. In 1853, German doctor Alexander Spengler put this Alpine paradise on the medical map, when he arrived in Davos. He was immediately struck by the healing abilities of the clean, mountain air. Word soon spread. By 1865, Davos had become Europe’s most important and largest pulmonary health resort. Spa resorts with healing thermal waters swiftly followed. International visitors flocked to the country. Some resorts are still going strong, including Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, founded in 1868, which combines the latest therapies in preventive and complementary medicine.
Today, Switzerland continues to flourish as a medical hotspot with renowned specialists and cutting-edge medical facilities offering groundbreaking treatments. Couple that with the country’s excellent safety and security record, spectacular scenery and first-class service. It’s no surprise that the Swiss healthcare system was recently awarded gold in the prestigious EHCI (Euro Health Consumer Index), which compares the healthcare systems of 36 European countries.
These exceptional health and wellbeing offerings have catapulted Switzerland into a powerhouse of longevity. Switzerland has one of the highest life expectancies. People across the planet want to follow in their footsteps. Not just living longer but thriving and on track to leading a long and healthy life. Switzerland takes the crown as the ideal place for people wanting to take a serious look at their health on all levels.
Switzerland’s hospitals are considered the best in Europe. University Hospital Zurich has the broadest range of medical services. Alternatively, the long-standing clinic Privatklinik Bethanien, part of the Swiss Medical Network, is a five-minute walk away, with superb medical care, a highly skilled interdisciplinary team and complete discretion. Switzerland also excels in its specialist health clinics, which offer medical procedures from hip replacements to rhinoplasty to the most advanced cancer treatments. The elegant Vista Eye Clinic, Pfäffikon ZH, overlooking Lake Zurich, is the first place for eye health, tackling cataract surgery, glaucoma, orthoptic treatments for children and everything in between.
Privatklinik MENTALVA
Mental health is very much a focus of Switzerland’s clinics. Private psychiatric clinic Privatklinik MENTALVA, amid the Swiss Alps, offers psychotherapy and complementary medicine for depression, anxiety, personality disorders and more. Also in the Alps is Clinic Les Alpes, near Montreux, with its tailor-made recovery plans for the treatment of addiction, trauma and other mental health issues. The Kusnacht Practice in Zurich takes a scientific approach, integrating internal medicine, psychiatric intervention and longevity treatments, using rigorous laboratory testing to design ‘your new life’.
To ensure lasting change, Switzerland is home to excellent rehabilitation clinics. At Clinic Bad Ragaz, rehabilitation is treated like an art form, carefully combining the very highest standards of evidence-based medical expertise in the world with outstanding five-star hotel facilities. There’s also Rehaklinik Dussnang which specialises in musculoskeletal and geriatric rehabilitation, working with the latest medical insights and cutting-edge technology
Switzerland is one of the most innovative countries in the world. Its medical team is no different, pioneering new medical techniques, spearheading research and introducing some of the most advanced medical care internationally. This is boosted by the doctors working closely with universities, research institutes and major pharmaceutical companies. Indeed, two of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, Roche and Novartis, are based in Switzerland. This provides the perfect blend of scientific knowledge and practical expertise. The super impressive medical infrastructure also means minimal waiting time to see doctors. It’s no wonder that Switzerland has the highest survival rate in the world for cancer patients
Clinic Bad Ragaz
State-of-the-art hardware and software are used to create patients’ personalised treatment plans. This continues into aftercare, with telemedicine allowing medical data to be shared remotely. And the tech continually evolves thanks to the strong financial position of the Swiss healthcare system. An excellent example of a tech-focused approach is Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, which uses robotics to treat stroke and brain injuries, plus diseases such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. Clinique Générale-Beaulieu in Geneva also impresses with its robot-assisted Laparoscopic Surgery Centre featuring Da Vinci’s robotic system, one of the world’s leading technological advancements.
Switzerland’s healing natural beauty adds to the country’s excellent medical care. Thanks to its boutique size, it’s quick to travel to and from both the clinics and the sensational sights. The life-giving sparkle of the mountains is glorious, from the glistening Matterhorn to the Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station, surrounded by an Alpine wonderland of ice, snow and rocks. Then there’s the Glacier Express, Switzerland’s most luxurious (and spectacular) train journey, with breathtaking views of the rolling landscape. Alternatively, head to roaring Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall, and take in the extraordinary view. Or stick to one of Switzerland’s many elegant cities, such as Lucerne, with its cobalt lake, charming plazas and painted buildings.
Luxury hotels are another way to reset and recharge. There is the urban retreat Dolder Grand with its standout 4,000 square-metres medi-spa. Just around the corner is Storchen Zürich, a centuries-old grande dame on the River Limmat, offering traditional hospitality, contemporary bedrooms and a Michelin-starred restaurant. In St Moritz, Carlton Hotel, perched high above a lake with palatial architecture, opulent interiors and spacious spa, is the ultimate escape – as is another mountain hideaway LeCrans Hotel & Spa, in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, with beautiful views over the slopes.
From hospitals to clinics to luxury hotels with serious spas, Switzerland offers an all-around package for long-lasting health. The country’s extraordinary level of medical offerings now means visitors can significantly improve their physical health, mental acuity and emotional fulfilment long into their later life.
Switzerland’s Top Health Clinics
Whatever your diagnosis, there is a place for you…
Privatklinik Meiringen
Experts In: Mental Health
Ever since Privatklinik Meiringen opened in the beautiful Hasli Valley in the Bernese Oberland in 1918, the clinic has been transforming lives with its treatment of all mental illnesses, particularly depression, personality disorders, burnout and geriatric psychiatry. With internationally acclaimed specialists at the helm, therapy programmes are individually tailored. Each is based on the latest thinking in psychiatric and hospital care, complemented by creative and experiential therapies. The comfortable hospital rooms hit all the right notes. So does the restaurant, which serves healthy, balanced dishes, adding to the healing process.
This clinic in Basel focuses on environmental medicine, using advanced laboratory diagnostics to cleanse your body from environmental effects (think pesticides, car exhaust and industrial emissions). The world’s leading specialist in ‘Body Clearance’, chronic and autoimmune diseases and healthy ageing are the main issues tackled here. Its approach is based on INUSpheresis technology, one of the most speedy and efficient methods for clearing the blood of toxins, inflammatory markers and disease-promoting substances. This clinically proven technology offers over 30 health benefits, regenerating your system and returning your body to its natural self-regulation.
One of Switzerland’s largest private health clinics, Clinique de Genolier is Swiss Medical Network’s flagship. Founded in 1972 and brilliantly located between Geneva and Lausanne, expect specialist medical care, cutting-edge technology and excellent outpatient services. There are luxury hotel services with contemporary-style bedrooms and an exceptional restaurant – complete with spectacular Alpine views. While this big hitter is multidisciplinary, Clinique de Genolier is celebrated for its cancer treatment. Its Radio Oncology centre ranks among Europe’s most advanced facilities. The clinic is also the first facility in Switzerland to offer Intra-Operative Radiotherapy, an innovative treatment for early-stage breast cancer.
Overlooking glistening Lake Zurich, this elegant clinic is the Pfäffikon outpost of the Vista Group which leads the way in modern ophthalmology, with 30 clinics throughout Switzerland. All eye diseases are covered here, combining outstanding specialised ophthalmologists and state-of-the-art technologies. Specialities include cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, laser and orthoptic treatments for children. There’s also a specialised department for aesthetic facial treatments. The pre- and post-operative care is excellent – plus, there is a concierge service for international guests to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Founded in 1932, Clinique de Montchoisi, in Lausanne, shows no sign of slowing down. Now part of the Swiss Medical Network, the clinic stands out for its medical services complete with cutting-edge technology, offered by the best specialists across the globe. ENT is one of the clinic’s focuses, with an excellent team covering the whole gambit, from rhinoplasty to sinus operations to hearing aids. The spacious accommodation is spot-on, as is the La Pergola restaurant, with delicious seasonal dishes, accompanied by verdant views.
Run as a family venture since 1889 and today headed up by the fourth generation, Klinik Schloss Mammern, set on the shores of Lake Constance, does rehabilitation in style. Housed in a 17th-century chateau, with a new state-of-the-art medical centre, every stage of rehabilitation is catered for by the very best physicians, working with the latest technology. Nature plays an important role, too, with the clinic’s design letting the outdoors in, from the beautiful bedrooms with terraces to the therapy rooms with lake views. The glass-walled restaurant tops it off, serving a daily-changing five-course lunch and dinner.
This ultra-private boutique rehab clinic, with stunning views over Lake Lucerne, only opened in November 2022. However, it is already making its mark with its intelligent approach to addiction coupled with all the services of a luxury Swiss resort. Founder Oliver Neubert drew upon his own recovery to bring together a crack team of experts who tackle the underlying causes of addiction, using medical, psychological and nutritional therapies.
Close to Geneva airport, Hôpital de La Tour’s mission is ‘caring for you as we would for ourselves’. The result is highly specialised multi-disciplinary medical care, accompanied by personalised state-of-the-art programmes. Metabolism and obesity are some of its focuses, with an Obesity Centre on site. The doctors take a carefully thought-out approach, not just tackling the issue but also looking at the medical conditions behind the disease.
Health stays get a luxury upgrade at Clinique Nescens, which offers an integrative approach to healthcare backdropped by a setting that could upstage a five-star hotel. Bespoke cure stays are tailored to the individual, tackling everything from detoxing to weight loss, and are offered alongside medical check-ups, aesthetic and regenerative medicine treatments. Clinique Nescens is also home to a holistic seven-day programme designed to help completely reset the body and mind. Based on the latest scientific advances in health optimisation, La Cure Reset covers all angles: medical expertise, high-tech treatments, therapies and even sports and dietary monitoring.
Specialising in highly private rehabilitation, CALDA Clinic curates its personalised treatment plans that are delivered by a team of 18 doctors, specialists and therapists – headed up by Dr Claudia Elsig, an internationally recognised figure in the fields of psychiatry and psychotherapy. The team are well-versed in the idiosyncrasies of UHNWIs, and offer a range of treatments that span clinical hypnosis, CBT, EMDR, epigenetics and a full suite of alternative therapies.
On the picturesque shores of Lake Lucerne is where you’ll find Chenot Palace Weggis, a wellness retreat that specialises in a combination of traditional Chinese medicine and precision medicine to promote the body’s natural healing mechanisms – aka, the Chenot Method. Here, aging is regarded as a medical condition, and is treated through a combination of state-of-the-art diagnostics, highly personalised treatments and detoxification techniques to reset the body at a cellular level. Some of the retreat’s key features include a world-class metabolic and sports laboratory, a -110ºC cryotherapy chamber, antigravity technologies, an altitude chamber and advanced fitness space.
