The culture of Switzerland is influenced by its neighbours and its international sentiment, but over the years a distinctive culture with some regional differences and an independent streak has developed. In particular, French-speaking regions have tended to orient themselves slightly more on French culture and tend to be more pro EU. Swiss German speaking areas may perhaps be seen more oriented on German culture and can be more traditionalist and neutralist, and Italian-speaking areas can have more of an Italian culture. A region may be in some ways strongly culturally connected to the neighbouring country that shares its language. The linguistically isolated Rhaeto-Romanic culture in the eastern mountains of Switzerland is also robust and strives to maintain its very rare linguistic tradition.

Many mountain areas have a strong highly energetic ski town culture in winter, and a hiking/wandering culture in summer. Some areas throughout the year have a recreational culture that caters to tourism, yet the quieter seasons are spring and autumn when there are fewer visitors and a higher ratio of Swiss. A traditional farmer and herder culture also predominates in many areas, and this connection to the land and agriculture is a strong glue holding all the Swiss together. Even though most no longer actually farm themselves, the small farms are omnipresent outside the cities, and as well many Swiss at least have a small garden plot or many window boxes with geraniums and other flowers.

A predominant cultural tendency in Switzerland is responsibility, safety, and respect for the rule of law with people even hesitant to cross the street unless the walk sign is green. Switzerland has traditionally had a very low rate and reputation for crime, yet many Swiss are concerned the crime rates have been slightly increasing with the large influxes of immigrants. On occasion, as reported in the newspapers, there are instances of a mugging, robbery, or attack on the streets of a big city, yet this is still quite rare, and even young women or children will walk unaccompanied through the forests or cities. Although crime rates in Switzerland are among the lowest in the world, there is some organized crime. The Swiss are well known for their affinity for cleanliness and punctuality, which is often the source of jokes. This reputation is not unfounded with Switzerland possessing one of the best road and public transportation networks in the world. Like many European nations the Swiss are big fans of football (soccer) and the national team or ‘Nati’ is widely supported. Swiss wrestling or “Schwingen” is an old tradition from the rural central cantons. However, motorsport has been banned in Switzerland ever since the 1955 Le Mans disaster.

A number of culturally active Swiss have chosen to move abroad, in the historical past, many times as of limited opportunities and a difficult economic situation in Switzerland. At the same time, the neutrality of Switzerland and the low taxes have attracted many people from all over the world, and the population is very diverse with many cultures represented at least on a small scale. On news stands all around the country there are papers in dozens of languages, representing many countries even far from Switzerland. In war times the tradition of political asylum helped to attract artists, scientists, and political figures. Recently a reputation for safety, security, and cleanliness, good economic prospects with low taxes, a high level of infrastructure, and beautiful scenery encourage many companies and also individual immigrants (both legal and illegal). Recently Switzerland has experienced more traditionalism and a turning inwards from some quarters, with a reluctance and hesitation towards more foreigners coming to the small country, especially those coming illegally or that the Swiss fear have begun to abuse the asylum and immigration systems.

There are still the various traditional mountain dress styles worn on festive occasions with the traditional music styles and yodeling. On wandering through the mountains though, the alphorn will frequently be heard playing, and this Swiss cultural institution still is thriving. Also the Swiss card game Jass is still quite popular in some areas. The mountainous regions promote the most traditional Swiss culture and try to maintain some traditions in the face of the pressures of modern international cosmopolitan cultural homogenization. Swiss cities maintain a handful of traditional celebrations such as the “zweibelimärit” in the capital Bern in November, yet tend mainly towards a modern international cosmopolitan culture with many theater performances, modern musical acts & concerts, art shows, film showings, and other such events. The Swiss National Independence Day, centered on the Rütli meadow in the center of Switzerland on August 1, is very popular with the Swiss themselves, and this celebration is a festive day across Switzerland, with large and impressive fireworks displays in all the towns, on the lakes, and even remote locations scattered across the mountainsides.