The "metropolis by the water", with a magnificent view of the snowcapped Alps on the horizon, Zurich offers a unique mix of attractions, with over 50 museums, more than 100 art galleries, international fashion labels and the most flamboyant and lively nightlife in Switzerland. Recreational activities range from a visit to the riverside and lakeside bathing areas in the very heart of the city, to spectacular hikes on the Uetliberg mountain.
The city of Zurich lies in the heart of Europe and at the centre of Switzerland, on the northern shores of Lake Zurich. Its multicultural flair and the variety of leisure activities on offer attract visitors from all over the world. Zurich is quick and easy to reach, whether by train, plane or car - the international airport has direct connections with over 150 destinations. Just a 10-minute train ride from the airport and situated right in the city centre, Zurich’s main railway station is regarded as a central European railroad hub. Zurich is a centre for science and business, with a population exceeding 400,000. Thanks to its top-quality infrastructure set amidst natural surroundings, it’s a popular place for study and research. For example, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), built by Gottfried Semper from 1858 to 1864, is today associated with 21 Nobel prizewinners.
Some 150 years ago, part of the city’s fortifications were transformed into what is now arguably one of the most famous streets in the world, the Bahnhofstrasse. Zurich’s shopping mile has contributed greatly to the city's reputation as a magnet for shoppers and is a top address for international fashion labels, jewellery and watches. However, it is just one of the places where you can find urban Zurich labels; in Zurich-West or in the Aussersihl quarter, you can often come across local brands where you least expect them.
Zurich boasts the highest density of nightclubs in Switzerland. There are no official closing times, so you can party well into the small hours, whether your preference is for house music at the legendary Kaufleuten to greatest hits from the eighties at the oldest club in the city, the Mascotte, or a gay event at the Labor Bar. In summer, nightlife can be found not only in the clubs, but also outside in the open air, where the daytime visitor venues are transformed into ideal places for fun and dancing the night away.
For lovers of art, Zurich has a lot to offer. The city alone is home to over 50 museums, some 14 of which are devoted to art. The museum of fine arts, the Kunsthaus Zürich, boasts a significant collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs and videos. In addition, it has an extensive collection of works by Alberto Giacometti. Another highlight is the Rietberg Museum, one of the leading centres of non-European art in the world. Just a stone's throw from Zurich's main station, the Swiss National Museum - housed in an over-100 year old building reminiscent of a fairytale castle - contains the country's most comprehensive collection of exhibits pertaining to Swiss cultural history. Zurich's museums and galleries aren't the only places to enjoy art: visitors can also admire Giacometti's entrance hall in the main police station, the choir windows by Marc Chagall in Fraumünster abbey, or Jean Tinguely's open-air Heureka by Lake Zurich.
The tradition of merchant guilds in Zurich dates back to the Middle Ages. The fine guild houses and guildhalls - such as the Zunfthaus zur Waag, open since at least 1303, are an impressive sight to behold. The Grossmünster church, the Lindenhof square and the Öpfelchammer restaurant in the Niederdorf are now among the city’s most cherished emblems.
A shopper’s paradise; a metropolis of the arts; legendary nightlife; nature on the doorstep. No wonder Zurich’s overall quality of life is frequently voted the best in the world.
Places to Visit
Kunsthaus - Switzerland’s most important art gallery contains a collection from all the important periods of European art - from the Middle Ages through to the present.
Rietberg Museum - the museum houses non-European art, particularly from India, China and Africa.
Bahnhofstrasse - the mile-long street of exclusive fashion boutiques, department stores and inviting street cafes.
Zurich Zoo - featuring an 11,000 square-metre ecosystem hall containing several hundred plant and animal species from the Madagascan Masoala Rainforest.
Altstadt - with its art galleries, antiques and book shops, the place for art aficionados.
Top Events
Sechseläuten - every year Zurich’s merchant guilds celebrate their traditional spring festival (April).
Festival Tropical Caliente - a festival of salsa and samba and a diverse mix of top acts and trendsetters in Latin music (June).
Zurich Festival - this major arts festival, offering a unique combination of operas, concerts, drama, dance and open-air theatre, takes place annually in the summer (June/July).
Streetparade - one of the world’s biggest techno events draws fans from throughout Switzerland and its neighbouring countries (August).
Title Image Credit: Jean-Marc Bolfing (www.flickr.com) (Image Cropped)