The Story of Swissaround
Welcome to Swissaround! I’m Markus Manfredi – a Swiss travel photographer and content creator with over 5 million followers.
Known as Swissaround, I have set out to create a blog that not only inspires but also helps you plan your perfect trip to Switzerland in a way that is entertaining, visual, and full of authentic insider tips.
And if you’ve ever wondered when, where, and how to capture Switzerland in its most breathtaking form, you are in the right place.
No matter how many times I visit a place, I always see it with new eyes and discover new beauty and perspectives each time.
My Mission
As a Swiss native, it is my mission with Swissaround to bring people closer to the true beauty of my homeland. Every day I travel, I discover new hotels, hiking trails, and breathtaking places that I love to share with my community. Capturing stunning landscapes through photography and videography, and showcasing the incredible diversity of Switzerland, never fails to put a smile on my face.
With the Magical Switzerland Guide, I don’t just want to share my favorite places with you, but also my insider knowledge about Switzerland’s history, the best tips on local cuisine, traditions, and even the language. This travel guide is designed to help you prepare perfectly for your trip and experience Switzerland from an authentic perspective!
My name is Markus Manfredi, but most people know me as Swissaround. I am the founder and owner of Swissaround and the Magical Switzerland Guide. I am 34 years old, born and raised in Zurich as part of a large and loving family. Since 2018, I have been based in Switzerland as a self-employed photographer.
My passion for photography began in childhood during my time with the scouts, where I discovered the beauty of Swiss nature. Armed with the simple mobile phones of that time, I was the only one in my circle who photographed landscapes. Back then, no one understood my fascination – it was the time before Instagram or TikTok, when Facebook was the “Instagram” of its era.
In 2013, I received my first DSLR camera from Canon, which at the time was as expensive as a car. My first subjects were flowers and animals, as I was fascinated by macro photography and wanted to see the smallest details up close. Since then, I have refined my skills in photography and videography through practice, online tutorials, and trial and error. Because practice truly makes perfect. Perhaps a bit of talent runs in the family, as my mother also had a passion for photography.
At first, I completed an apprenticeship in the creative construction field, as office work was never my thing. I began training as a tinsmith, often described as a “metal artist on the roof.” After completing my apprenticeship, I realized that I had drifted further and further away from my true passion – photography. So in 2018, I decided to follow my heart, become self-employed as a photographer, and share my work on social media.
From hobby to profession. 2018 marked the beginning of Swissaround. In the beginning, it was all about photography, as reels and videos were not yet a trend on social media. Since then, I have been traveling across Switzerland as a freelance photographer, showcasing stunning hotels, breathtaking hiking trails, and the most beautiful places my home country has to offer. My goal has always been to make Switzerland even more attractive for travelers. Today, I am proud to collaborate with various tourism organizations to bring this vision to life.
In 2020, after working closely with social media managers, I realized that combining my passion for photography with my expertise in social media management would be the perfect career path. I completed specialized training in social media management, which allowed me to establish myself in this field. By combining photography with social media strategy, I bring unique expertise in nature, landscapes, and online storytelling.
The year 2022 was a milestone for me. What started as a community of around 180,000 followers grew beyond my wildest dreams, reaching over 2.9 million followers by January 2025. I could not have imagined this even in my boldest dreams. For those who believe that growth is no longer possible, I am living proof that success is still achievable. In that year, I shifted my focus to videos and reels, as photos alone no longer define the future of social media.
With love,
Markus Manfredi aka Swissaround
Tell me about your idea
Whether it’s a collaboration, a project, or photography, I’m always open to new ideas and exciting opportunities. I love telling stories through images and discovering places that many people have never seen before.
