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Visiting Zurich, Switzerland will indeed be an adventure! From the cleanliness of the city environs to the array of charming sights, you are bound to revel in all the grand highlights of this small city with a big spirit. Here are some spots of interest as you begin your tour of Zurich.
Things To Do In Zurich
Zurich is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities not only in Switzerland but perhaps in all of Europe. The 19th-century charm still remains today is large enough so that it has much to offer, and also small enough so that you’re not lost in trying to discover much of it on your own.
House Mountain
A great starting point is right in the heart of Zurich with a visit to House Mountain. This is a picture-perfect place to view the Swiss Alps, the city itself, and the lake. Further savour the beauty of the mountains and lakes with a stroll through one of Zurich’s many parks, such as Backer Park, considered by many to be one of the most beautifully designed parks in the city. You may also want to check out Rieter Park. It features Zurich’s largest landscaped garden.
Bahnhofstrasse
Of course, a visit to Zurich would not be complete without a walk along the world-famous Swiss shopping street, Bahnhofstrasse. Here you can purchase an assortment of quality merchandise, including clothes, jewellery, books, and souvenirs. If you happen to need extra cash, simply head on over to any one of the world-renowned Swiss banks which line the street of this shopper’s cove.
Swiss National Museum and The Kunsthaus Museum
With a choice of over fifty museums in this city, selecting a few to visit can be quite a challenge. Two museums worth seeing are the Swiss National Museum and The Kunsthaus Museum. Recently renovated, the Kunsthaus features the works of some great artists including Alberto Giacometti and Johann Heinrich Fussli. Claude Monet’s famous water lilies are on display here also.
The Swiss National Museum is full of culture and history as it relates to Switzerland. A number of different collections can be found, including ancient artefacts from the prehistoric age and carvings and sculptures from the middle ages. If you’re travelling as a family, be sure to make time for the Zurich Toy Museum where there are toys reflecting the history of 18th, 19th, and 20th-century life.
Gross Munster or the Great Church
An architectural sight worth seeing is the Gross Munster or the Great Church, a classically Gothic cathedral originally built in the 12th century. Legend has it that Charlemagne founded this church after his horse stumbled upon the burial site of two famous martyrs.
Getting hungry?
Zurich has many fine restaurants, each with its own unique ambience. For a stylish meal, try La Dezaley, known for its Swiss cuisine and excellent fondue. For a more contemporary, yet no less flavorful meal, visit Adler’s Swiss Cuchi where you can eat tasty home-style Swiss dishes at affordable prices.
Of course, cheese is synonymous with Swiss cuisine. For some authentic Swiss-made cheese, why not visit any one of the many cheese shops that line the streets? Chas-Vreneli is one such cheese store where you can taste several types of Swiss-made cheese.
City Of Roses – Rapperswil
Be sure to check out the city of roses. Rapperswil, a small town at the opposite end of Lake Zurich, offers many unique attractions such as the rose gardens, the castle, a deer park, and an old town itself made for taking several pictures to show friends upon arriving home.
City of Lights
A popular excursion is to the City of Lights which is only an hour from Zurich, renowned for its attractive townscape and historic Chapel Bridge, as well as excellent shopping facilities.
Winter Sports
Winter sports galore await those who love which includes skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, curling, ice climbing, as well as anything else that can be done for those who enjoy winter activities. Indoor sports include swimming, tennis, squash, bowling, fitness and many more.
Shopping
If you’re ready for shopping, the shopping is concentrated in the city centre, making it ideal for leisurely walking through the district. Bahnhofstrasse possibly the most beautiful shopping area in Europe is an absolute must on your list of visits. Everything from the most elegant fashion stores, boutiques, department stores, banks, and pastry shops to name a few.
Quays
The city is situated on the northern shore of Lake Zurich in the heart of Switzerland and is considered a major centre of international finance. Visitors are on the increase, especially in the last twenty years or so which is a reason why the development of nightlife and entertainment has dramatically increased as well.
The quays, which line the banks of the Limmat and Lake Zurich, provide those who walk along the banks, with memories which will remain for a lifetime as it is nothing short of just sheer pleasure.
You can take a sailboat or a motorboat to cross the lake where some of the most intriguing attractions await visitors to round out a day of discovery. Altstadt an old town with its two giant cathedrals as well as dozens of streets filled with what tourists would find some of the most ideal for exploring at one’s leisure.
Final thoughts
It is a city of parks and gardens with an outstanding botanical garden which provides one with the impression that something is at work creating a feast of beautiful sights for one to behold. So be it the views, the food, the shopping, the art or simply the spirit and feel of all that is Zurich, a visit to this small city is bound to make a big impression on you!
