Despite its small size, Switzerland is home to hundreds of cities and towns that are packed with historical sites and cultural landmarks. These places can be up to 800 years old, meaning that some towns are home to some weird and wonderful street names.

Most common, longest and weirdest street names compiled by Watson

Using data from the Swiss postal service, Watson has compiled some of the longest, most common and strangest street names in Switzerland. Currently, there are around 93.000 different street names in Switzerland, named after trees, flowers, birds and professions, landmarks and much more. Here are some of the highlights: 

Most common street names in Switzerland

The most common street names in Switzerland are usually associated with towns, cities, and railway stations. To find the most common, French street names like Rue de la Gare, Avenue de la Gare, or Italian ones like Via Stazione, have been amalgamated into their German alternative (Bahnhofstrasse).

The most common street names in Switzerland are:

1. Dorfstrasse (653)
2. Hauptstrasse (533)
3. Bahnhofstrasse (524)
4. Birkenweg (314)
5. Schulstrasse (294)
6. Oberdorfstrasse (263)
7. Kirchweg (261)
8. Industriestrasse (254)
9. Schulhausstrasse (240)
10. Rosenweg (234)

Longest street names in Switzerland

The longest street names are usually found in Italian and French-speaking Switzerland, with the names honouring famous historical figures from the town or city. This means that some names can be up to 37 letters long. For example, the longest street name in Switzerland is the Via Francesco e Giovan Pietro Fossati, which is most likely named after a famous Italian cyclist.

The longest street names in Switzerland are:

1. Via Francesco e Giovan Pietro Fossati
2. Chemin des Côtes-de-la-Bourdonnette
3. Avenue Emile-Henri-Jaques-Dalcroze
4. Chemin de la Chapelle de Lignières
5. Route de Vuisternens-devant-Romont
6. Avenue Frédéric-César-de-la-Harpe 
7. Chemin Docteur Jean-Louis Prévost
8. Piazza Col. Costantino Bernasconi
9. Place Rodolphe Théophile Bosshard
10. Via alla Chiesa di San Bartolomeo

Weird and wonderful street names in Switzerland

Swiss towns are full of weird and wonderful street names with complex or confusing origins. Whether it is because of the meaning when translated or the strange use of words, there are plenty that catch the eye.

For example, Im finstern Boden, or “in the dark ground” is a rather sinister street name found next to a graveyard in Riehen, Canton Basel-Stadt. Other unusual ones are named after food or drink from the local area, such as Honiggasse. Or, you could go for a name like Neu York, which begs the question of whether someone has ever accidentally arrived there expecting the bright lights of the Big Apple, only to find themselves in Rüti, Canton Zurich.

Whether it be recognising a strange figure, place or just a simple fun name to say, Switzerland is full of quirky streets. Here are some of the highlights:

• Elefantenbach (elephant stream), Zurich
• Bierkellerweg (beer cellar way), Otelfingen
• Klein-Wüesti, (approximately translates to "little meadow") Willisau
• Melonenstrasse (melon street), St. Gallen
• Ogimatte, Reichenbach im Kandertal
• Ödhus, (approximately translates barren house) Birmenstorf
• Columbusstrasse, (named after Christopher Columbus) Rorschach
• Honiggasse (honey alley), Ossingen
• Knoblauchweg (garlic way), Olten
• Katzenplatz (cat square), Gipf-Oberfrick

Over 90.000 different street names in Switzerland

This list only scratches the surface of the large number of different street names in Switzerland. For more fun street names, check out the Watson website.