Zurich

Naturally blessed, culturally vivacious and charmingly located, Zurich is one such city that attracts thousands of globetrotters each year. Counted amongst the liveliest cities in the world and Europe's hippest destinations, this city in the Alps never ceases to surprise. Zurich has been the cultural and financial hub of Switzerland since a long time and now is also one of the highly frequented European destinations. The city has beautifully blended in with modern time which is clearly visible from its architecture and outlook. From the picturesque lanes, the grand old churches and the stunning old museums to vibrant nightclubs and globally-famous restaurants, there’s a lot to see, do and explore in Zurich. One will have to visit this wondrous city to truly understand the meaning of beauty!

Location of Zurich

Zurich is located in north-central Switzerland, at the north-western tip of Lake Zurich. Flanked on the east and west sides by wooded hills, the city sits 30 km north of the Alps. While the Old Town straddles both the banks of the river Limmat, the newer parts extend to the northeast in the Glatt Valley.

What to See in Zurich

1. Lake Zurich

Offering panoramic views of the steel grey mountains with their tips covered in snow at a distance, Lake Zurich is crowned as one of the biggest and most beautiful lakes in Switzerland. Extending to the south east of the Zurich city, the lake is the creation of the river Linth which takes birth from Glarus Alps glaciers.

2. Fraumünster Church

Cradled on the west banks of Limat, Fraumunster Church is one of the most renowned destinations in Zurich. Its close proximity to a pristine river flowing to Grossmunster further enhances its charm. A popular name among the history buffs, Fraumunster dates back its existence to the 9th century.

3. Bahnhofstrasse

Bahnhofstrasse, a tiny and yet so imposing street of Zurich is all centred with luxurious fashion brands, Swizz-chocolate shops, warm cafes, art galleries and much more. This extravagant high street of Zurich is well known as one of the most exclusive and expensive shopping arcades in Europe while being the third most expensive on the global list.

So, if you are a shopping buff and like to indulge in some of the world-class brands such as Apple, Chanel, Cartier, Gucci, Hekket, H&M, Burberry, Dior and Manor etc, then it's the right place for you to be!

4. Swiss National Museum

Swiss National Museum is acclaimed as the most significant establishment offering insights into the cultural history of Switzerland, and is a must visit spot in the country. It is located at the confluence of Sihl and Nimmat rivers, adjacent to Park Platzspitz. Through numerous permanent as well as temporary exhibitions, the museum complex has a wealth of information to offer about the various aspects of Switzerland’s history, culture, and art during different eras.

5. Uetliberg

A famous mountain lying in the Swiss Plateau, Uetliberg is a mountain situated towards the northern terminal of the Albis chain, which is located in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. The mountain is considered to be the best point of the Albis hill range since it provides a birds-eye view of the entire Zurich city, the lake of Zurich, and the Alps Mountains.

6. Zurich Zoo

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of tropical forest, Zoo Zurich is the perfect escape from the hum-drum of urban life and a memorable encounter with exotic wildlife. This zoo could be located in the Fluntern quarter of Zurichberg in Switzerland. Locally popular by the name Zurich Zoologischer Garten, the zoo has existed at its place since 1929.

What to Do In Zurich

Be it a nature lover, a history enthusiast or a museum goer, there’s no dearth of amazing and exciting things to do in Zurich. The largest city in Switzerland, Zurich is packed with myriad historic buildings, classy museums, spectacular churches and opera houses. There are also several serene water bodies and gorgeous mountains surrounding the city making it a haven for nature lovers. Travellers can discover the city’s historical side by visiting the renowned Swiss National Museum and Rietberg Museum, or go on a family outing at the Bruno Weber Park or Zürich Zoologischer Garten.

Where to Eat in Zurich

Zurich is full of incredible places to eat. Kronenhalle is probably the cream of the crop, with its walls covered in artworks and menu stuffed with Swiss delights. But it's closely followed by restaurants like Zunfthaus zur Waag, the Michelin-starred Mesa Restaurant, and Le Dézaley. If all you want is a feast of fondue try Raclette Stube, and if you need a vegetarian meal give Elle'n'Belle on Limmatstrasse a try. Meals will cost between CHF25 and CHF70 at high-end restaurants, so budget accordingly.

Shopping In Zurich

Bahnhofstrasse, with its luxury shopping locales and high-end fashion brands, firmly puts Zurich on the world’s shopping map. It is one of the world’s most exclusive and expensive shopping destinations in the world. This is where Switzerland’s rich and famous come for their shopping. You can spend a fun evening here doing window shopping. For a more familiar shopping experience head to Niederdorf in the Old Town. Shop for clothes and souvenirs on cobblestone pavements surrounded by ancient buildings and antique fountains.

Keep a lookout for weekly markets where you can buy everything from homemade chocolates to various fashion trinkets. For a quirkier shopping experience, visit Freitag to shop for handmade and recycled accessories. The shop itself is made up of stacked shipping containers. Though shopping is expensive here, it is worth a visit for its architecture. Einzelstück is a cozy little shop offering an eclectic selection of glassware, large furniture pieces, figurines and scented candles.

Now that you know where to shop, let us now look at what to shop for. One of the first things to look for is a Swiss Army Knife. Though they’re available all over the world, here in Zurich they come in every size imaginable. Other favourites include Swiss watches, cuckoo clocks and Swiss cowbells. While the expensive watches may be out of reach, you will find plenty of reasonably-priced ones that fit your budget.

Best Time to Visit in Zurich

With pleasant Alpine weather, summer is the peak season in Zurich. The city is in full bloom and all attractions, indoor and outdoor, are open. This is the best time to get the full Zurich experience, but it will be crowded. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn offer nearly the same experience sans the crowds. While all indoor attractions will be open, some outdoor activities may be closed. Despite the cold weather, Zurich does not shut down completely in winter as skiing becomes the main outdoor activity.

How to Get to Zurich

Plane

Zurich Airport (ZRH) has connections with most parts of the world, including the United States and it's easy to get from there to downtown Zurich. The best way is to catch the airport train from underneath the shopping mall opposite the arrivals hall. The journey takes around 12 minutes and costs CHF6.60.

Train

All international trains to Zurich arrive at the city's Hauptbahnhof, which is right in the middle of town. However, if you are staying in the north of the city, airport trains also stop at Oerlikon, which might be more convenient.

Car

You can easily drive to Zurich from neighboring countries and other Swiss cities. If you are coming from northern Germany, take Autobahn 81, then change onto Swiss route 4 to Zurich. From Basel and the French border, route 3 is the road to take, while route 2 connects Zurich to Milan via some truly stunning alpine scenery.

Bus

Zurich's coach station is served by plenty of international bus companies, including DeinBus, FlixBus, Eurolines, and Baltour, with connections to Italy, Germany, France, and Austria (as well as long-distance services to Eastern Europe).