Zurich Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland's largest city, is situated on the Limmat river at the NW end of Lake Zurich, at 1,342 feet above sea level. Excellent motorways connect it with the cities of Lucerne, Geneva, Basle and Berne. Zurich is positioned in the north central part of the country, 7 mls south west of Kloten airport.

The city is undoubtedly the world's banking capital but it's not all business and the city offers a variety of attractions to its visitors. The city's Museum of Fine Arts houses one of Europe's most extensive collections from 15th century religious iconography to the modern art works of Dali, Arp, Hockney, Cezanne, Monet, Gaugin, Munch and Picasso. Most notable sights are Grossmunster cathedral, a 12th-century Romanesque church; the Wasserkirche (water church) on the Limmat river; the Kunsthaus (Museum of Fine Arts), which contains paintings, sculptures and graphic arts, mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries. On the other side of the river, at Munsterhof, lies the Fraumunster, a cathedral dating back to the 9th?11th centuries, with stained-glass windows by Chagall. St. Peter's cathedral is famous for its clock tower (1534). Up the river just past the main station is the Swiss National Museum, a castle-like structure built 100 years ago; treasures include intact interiors from as early as the 1500s (admission free). A walk through the cobblestone streets of Old Town has appeal, though crowded and noisy on Friday and Saturday nights.

Popular sights and entertainments include: visiting historic buildings, numerous museums and galleries, a fine Opera House, several theatres and cinemas. From Burkliplatz at the Lake are organised boat/river trips. Music festivals, parades, wine-tasting shows, trade shows, outdoor movies on the lake (summer), carnivals and more.

Excursions from Zurich include: Grand Alpine Tour (full day), Lucerne (half day), St. Moritz, Davos (full day), Mt. Santis, Appenzell (half day), Interlaken, Grindelwald, Berne (full day), Liechtenstein (full day), Black Forest and Rhine Falls (half-day).

Most of the interesting sights are in the old town around the river and lakefront.

Grossmünster - Old Romanesque church, symbol of reformed Zurich, where reformer Huldrych Zwingli was appointed the people's priest in 1519. Go up the tower for a great view of Zurich, though the stairs can be quite small and steep. Tower 4CHF/2CHF students.

Fraumünster - Old Gothic church (former convent) with window paintings made by Marc Chagall. No photos or videos allowed inside.

Landesmuseum - The biggest Swiss history museum. You can also learn about the various traditions of the cantons comprising Switzerland. It's currently undergoing major refurbishment works until 2009 though many exhibitions are still open.

Kunsthaus - One of the major Swiss art museums. Its specialities are modern sculpturer Giacometti and the surrealist 18th Century painter Fuseli, both Swiss. Entry is free to the main collection Wednesdays.

Schanzengraben - A small canal that used to be part of the city fortifications between Limmat and Sihl. From the main station, go to Gessnerallee, find the stairways down to the tiny creek, and walk all the way to the lake.

Rietberg Museum - One of Europe's best collections of Asian art (mainly Indian drawings).

Langstrasse - Red light district of Zürich, with more drug dealers and police than usual, but interesting because even this most notorious spot in Switzerland is so clean and safe. The area is the most overtly multicultural spot of the town. In recent years, ateliers and stylish bars start to coexist side by side to the about 15 strip clubs.

Zoo, Zürichbergstrasse - With the new Masoala Rainforest Hall, the Zoo is really worth a visit!

Lake Promenade - Especially during summer, the lake is a beautiful place to spend the evening or the weekend. Starting from Bellevue, the boardwalk goes for about three kilometers along the lake towards Tiefenbrunnen. About halfway from Bellevue there is a meadow where you will find thousands of people on a sunny day.

Chinese Garden - This small but beautiful Chinese garden was offered to the city of Zurich by the Chinese city of Kunming as symbol of gratitude after Zurich helped Kunming with technical knowledge.

Le Corbusier House - A beautiful, modern villa planned by the famous Swiss architect. The visiting hours are very limited (i.e. one day / week only in the summer) and entry is expensive. Additionally, there is a legal battle between the city (owner) and the long time tenant.

Lindenhof - The hill in the heart of the old town. A beautiful view of the city and one time location of a Roman fort.

Niederdorf - The old town offers beautiful alleys, restaurants and shopping mainly aimed at younger consumers. In the evenings, people visit the Niederdorf's many bars.

Bahnhofstrasse - One of the busiest and best known shopping streets in the world. Highly refined. Certainly a must-see for every tourist in Zurich!

Museum Buehrle - A rich private art collection worth visiting - although a little less rich after a recent brazen robbery in broad daylight. Call ahead, as it's currently not open during regular hours.

Jacob Coffee Museum - An original museum which describes the evolution of coffee and different aspects of the culture that has developed around it.

Suggest a change to the Zurich Things to do section (click to dropdown)

Population: 7.489.400
Languages: German 64%, French 20%, Italian 7% (all official);
Currency: Swiss franc
Currency code: CHF
Local Times:
Switzerland - Bern

Switzerland - Bern

Switzerland - Z�rich

Country Dialling Code: +41
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Switzerland, in central Europe, is the land of the Alps. The fusion of German, French and Italian ingredients has formed a robust national culture, and the country's alpine landscapes are certainly vast and varied. With the towering Alps, fairytale castles, forested hills, shimmering lakes, renaissance cathedrals, stylish spas and luxury ski resorts - it's no surprise to see why Switzerland has been one of the world's top tourist destinations for the past 200 years.

Switzerland's peak season starts in November with the launch parties of the various ski resorts with visitors flocking into the resorts throughout the winter and Christmas season before finally hanging up the ski boots with the onset of spring. With the highest pistes in Europe, the ski runs offer reliable snow and breathtaking views. Most of the resorts also have plenty to do for those not so keen on skiing, making Switzerland the perfect destination for a winter fantasy of log fires, fondues and glistening snow.

Despite being most popular as a Ski destination, Switzerland caters to visitors all year round. In spring and summer it offers mountain trails and spa resorts and in the sunny southern region of Ticino, visitors enjoy palm-fringed Riviera-style resorts offering a variety of water sports. Those keen on hiking and mountaineering will find over 30,000 miles of forest and mountain trails throughout the country.

Switzerland's main cities include:

Zurich - Switzerland's biggest city and a major center of banking also has a thriving nightlife.
Geneva - This center of arts and culture, the second-largest city in Switzerland, is by far the international capital-- home to around 200 governmental and non-governmental organizations. Geneva was the home of John Calvin during the Reformation, elevating the city to the rank of "Protestant Rome," the effects of which drive Geneva today.
Berne - The Swiss capital features an amazingly well preserved old-town with arcades along almost every street. Great restaurants abound, as do bars and clubs. Check out the Einstein sites as well.
Basel - Slightly smaller than Geneva, Switzerland's third city is the traveler's gateway to the German Rhineland and Alsace.
Lausanne - While Geneva is busy being the international capital, Lausanne fills the role in most of the rest of French-speaking Switzerland. Scenery, dining, dancing, boating and the Swiss wine-country are the draws.
Lugano - Italian-speaking Switzerland's top destination, with a gorgeous old-town and a pretty lake. The food is simply amazing.
Lucerne - Central Switzerland's main city with direct water links to all of the early Swiss historic sights. It's pretty too, and though it is heavily touristed the views and museums make putting up with the crowds well worthwhile.

Zurich Travel Guide

Zurich Suitability Profile