You’re done with your tour of Switzerland, seen all the jaw-dropping sceneries of the Alps, tasted all the Swiss cheese and chocolate and about to head home. But we’re all too familiar with that stressed out feeling when there are only few days left of your vacation, and yet you haven’t bought souvenirs for your family and friends!

Far too often I’ve visiting friends asking me about what EXACTLY are worth buying in Switzerland, because they aren’t too sure about the local brands and options available.

But don’t worry. I am here to help!

In this post, I’ve rounded up 10 Swiss brands, all originally made in Switzerland!

No tacky fridge magnets, no noisy cowbells…instead I have sought to curate items that are either PRACTICAL, USEFUL or EDIBLE, that doesn’t add to the clutter.

From artisan Swiss chocolates, soft wool slippers, all-natural skincare, down to your humble vegetable peeler: this blogpost features some of the best and most authentic Swiss brands you can find!

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About Swissmade Direct

Swiss products have always been renowned worldwide for being the gold standard of quality. Did you know? Switzerland was even voted the most innovative economy in 2022! Swissmade Direct is the #1 online store for Swiss products, founded with the mission to connect authentic, original Swiss brands and producers to customers worldwide.

I was pleasantly surprised by the wide categories of products and selections: from your usual cheese and chocolates, to wooden toys, paper crafts, skincare, swiss watches and more! All products sold at Swissmade Direct are authentic local products reflective of the famous Swiss quality, tradition, and exclusivity. No matter where you reside, you can order Swiss products and have them delivered direct to you door at flat rates.

Here are the items I’d picked out from Swissmade Direct which would make perfect choices for a gift or a souvenir.

1. Favarger Chocolates

Swiss chocolates come in TOP in every Swiss tourist’s shopping list. In my earlier post on Swiss snacks, I shared about two popular local chocolate brand: Cailler and Lindt. These two brands are very good chocolates, and are widely available at major Swiss supermarkets. But if you are looking for more exquisite, local artisanal Swiss chocolates, then my recommendation would hands down be chocolates from Favarger!

Founded since 1876, Favarger is a highly established Genevois chocolate-making institution with over 200 years of history. All their products are free from palm oil, GMOs and soy lecithin. and are made with freshest milk and ingredients.

(Confession: I actually prefer their chocolates over the ones at Laderach, which I find abit overly commercialised nowadays!)

TIP:If you have a stop in your itinerary in Geneva, be sure to visit their local boutique at Rive and sample their pralines. You can pick and choose and they will come wrapped beautifully in a box of 9.

2. Favarger Chocolate Fondue Pot

This chocolate fondue pot (also from Favarger) lets you enjoy chocolate…but fancier! Jut melt your dark chocolate inside the pot over a lit candle, and dip your fruit or marshmallows in these chocolatey gooey goodness!

I think this would be a super fun apéro idea with friends or as an easy after-meal dessert.

3. Wollbetten Swiss slippers

Back in hot and humid Singapore, I never had the habit of wearing indoor slippers. However, ever since moving to Switzerland, especially during autumn and winter season, I’d started wearing slippers to keep my feet warm.

Made from merino wool and cashmere, this pair of handmade slippers from Wollbetten (A Swiss family company since 2001) are a real treat to your feet. It has excellent, insulating properties and breathes well, so my feet stay warm and toasty without being sweaty.

I also love the intricate embroideries of the Eidelweiss flowers prints! In my opinion, this is a great souvenir with a bit of traditional touch but still practical for the colder months.

4. Mondaine Watch or Clock

On first glance, this Mondaine watch, powered by an automatic movement, might simply strike off as a eye-catching design. But understanding the backstory of this watch will allow you see it in a whole new light!

This watch is in fact a condensed version of the Swiss Federal Railways’ station clock, and it is not farfetched at all to say that this is the national icon of Switzerland.

With its bright red seconds hand, contrasted with thick stark black hours and minutes hands, ticking against a snow-white dial, not only does it reflect the national colours of Switzerland, it further embodies Swiss hallmark traits of clockwork efficiency and precision.

For anyone who’s into watches OR trains, or any minimalist with an appreciation for simple lines, basic colors and bold look, this wristwatch would be the ultimate keepsake.

Items 5-7 are skincare items, partly beause i’m a skincare junkie, but more because I realised that most Swiss skincare are still not as well known globally. Most people have probably heard of a few Swiss skincare brands like La Prairie, or Valmont…but in fact there are many more local Swiss brands that might be less well-known and not from luxury labels, but produce equally AMAZING high quality products with alpine ingredients. They deserve more attention!

5. Emeo Body Butter

The Emeo Calm Body Butter is in fact my favourite item in this list. I have tried other body butters before, but often they come with artificial fragrances which can be quite strong.

This body butter however is a natural blend of shea butter, coconut oil, lavender and tea tree essential oils and it just smells DIVINE. I heave the scent in and it instantly calms my mood down.

I enjoy pamper myself every night by slathering a delicious dollop of the body butter before heading to bed. It helps especially with the rough edges on my elbows knees and fingers. It is also suitable for my eczema-prone skin, and helps to hydrate deeply, without feeling oily or greasy.

If you are shopping for a girlfriend or a skincare junkie, this is a good Swiss choice!

6. Bex les Bains Pine and Juniper Oil Body Peel

This skincare brand, Bex les Bains is named after a Swiss region of the same name, which is famous for its salt mines and “white gold”. For over two centuries, visitors flock to the salt baths in Bex, believed for its healing properties that could cure over 50 diseases.

I use the Pine And Juniper Oil Body Peel during my shower. It helps to exfoliate dead skin cells and my skin has never felt more supple, plump and glowing.

7. Swissforce Anti-Wrinkle and Age spot Set

I turn 30 this year…and have started investing more into anti-aging skincare products to help reverse the clock. This 3-piece set from Swissforce comes with a sunscreen lotion, as well as an anti-wrinkle and age spot serum.

I then apply the two serums twice daily to help with reduction lines on my forehead, and dark or brown spots and uneven skin tone. As for the sunscreen, it is very lightweight, and I apply it every morning as my makeup base.

8. Rex Vegetable Peeler

This small, humble vegetable peeler was invented by just after the Second World War by Alfred Neweczerzal born in Davos, Switzerland in 1899  more than half a century ago.

Today, it is an ubiquitous Swiss household item, used by amateur home-cooks and professional chefs alike, and has since been sold 60 million times worldwide!

With its simple but ergonomic handle design, It offers ease and comfort for both right and left-handers.

The blade is ultra sharp, and also with two cutting faces, so you can peel either way up.

I use it most often for potatoes, carrots, asparagus and kiwi fruits, and since it peels so thinly close to the skin of the vegetable or fruit, it reserves the inherent vitamins within! Some people even say that you can even use it to descale fish if you use peel in the reverse directions.

Priced at 7.95CHF, it is the cheapest but possibly the most hardy souvenir on the list. You could past it down through generations like a Patek Philippe watch… Just don’t put it in the dishwasher!

9. Khun Rikon Pots

If you ask any Swiss grandma or mother-in-law which pots to get for cooking, chances are they will tell you “Khun Rikon”. The name didn’t struck me initially as Swiss, but they are certainly as strong and durable as any other product marked proudly with the Made in Switzerland seal.

Vince got one of the all round Stainless Steel pot while it was on sale, and there’s NOTHING not to love about it!

It’s oven-safe, suitable for induction, and comes with handles that stay cool even while cooking. The glass lid with the spout also makes it easy for draining out water, while keeping my food nice and warm in the pot afterwards without any transfer.

We use it nearly everyday for cooking, from western pasta to beef stews to our typical asian beehoon or herbal soups.

Khun Rikon products might be more expensive (the one we got is 114CHF at normal retail prices), but believe me, they are WORTH IT, because they are guaranteed to outlast your cheaper IKEA pots for 10 or more years.

Definitely a superb house-warming gift or a great investment for the kitchen, especially if you are a heavy-duty cook!

10. Caran d’Ache Pens

Caran d’Ache is a Swiss company with a long history in making writing instrumennts since 1924. The name Caran d’Ache in fact comes from the Russian word “karandash”, which roughly translates to “pencil”.

These Caran d’Ache pens are nothing like any other ordinary G2 pens or your 50 cent Red Leaf pens back in your primary school days.

I have one of the ballpoint pen and it just writes…like a dream. It is lightweight and the hexagonal shape gives you the perfect grip. It glides beautifully along the pages and the ink flows smoothly.

Who knew Switzerland produces such excellent stationeries?

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I hope this post has helped given you better ideas on what local brands to consider and buy in Switzerland as a gift or a souvenir!

Let me know in the comments which is your favourite item! Feel free to share too if you have any other Swiss suggestions.

Love, Ollie

This post is made in collaboration with Swiss Made Direct, and all opinions are my own.

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. This helps to support the channel so I can continue to produce content for you all!