Must-Buy Souvenirs

The original multi-tool folding knife, made since 1884 by Victorinox in the canton of Schwyz, ranging from a simple two-blade classic to models packed with a dozen tools. The Bahnhofstrasse flagship store will engrave a name or date on the spot.

Bahnhofstrasse holds one of the densest concentrations of watch boutiques anywhere, from accessible Swatch and Tissot to the luxury houses. Look for the 'Swiss Made' stamp, which by law requires the movement to be Swiss and at least 60% of the manufacturing cost to originate in Switzerland.

Chocolate bark, truffles and pralines made fresh daily on marble slabs in the shop window and sold by weight, from a family business founded in Glarus in 1962. The nut- and dried-fruit-studded 'FrischSchoggi' bark travels reasonably well if kept cool.

A hand-forged or cast bronze bell, hung around Alpine cows' necks so herders can locate them by ear, sold in miniature souvenir sizes up to the full-size versions used at the autumn Alpabzug cattle-descent festivals. Often decorated with edelweiss or a Swiss cross.

Vacuum-sealed wedges of Gruyère or Emmentaler from cheese counters and specialist shops around the Hauptbahnhof and Niederdorf, an easy way to bring home the flavour of a raclette or fondue evening. Look for the AOP (protected designation of origin) seal for the real thing.