Lake Zurich
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Zürich ( / ˈzjʊərɪk / ZURE-ik, German: [ˈtsyːrɪç] ⓘ; see below) is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland, [5] at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich.
Zurich is abuzz with activity day and night with its countless events, many museums and diverse gastronomic scene, as well as Switzerland’s most vibrant nightlife. And if you’re after rest and relaxation, you can be in the Swiss mountains in less than an hour.
Discover the best day trips, as well as tips on cultural highlights, sightseeing attractions and things to do in the city of Zurich and surrounding region.
- Admire Chagall’s Modernist Windows at The Fraumünster
- Learn Switzerland's History at The Landesmuseum
- Wander The Old Town and Relax in Lindenhof
- Explore Niederdorf’S Coffee and Craft Culture
- Discover Dada at Cabaret Voltaire
- Swim in A Lakeside Badi
- Hike Up Uetliberg, Zürich’s Local Mountain
- Join The Post-Work Crowd in Zürich West
- Eat Plant-Based Food at Hiltl, The World’S Oldest Vegetarian Restaurant
- Climb The Freitag Tower
Standing tall on the left bank of the Limmat River, the Fraumünsteris one of Zürich’s oldest religious buildings, founded as a convent way back in 853 CE. But its major draw these days is something much more recent: a set of stained glass windows created by modernist artist Marc Chagall in 1967. The five panels use bold colors and abstract imagery ...
Housed in a 19th-century stone building near the train station, the Schweizerisches Landesmuseum(Swiss National Museum) is a great place to get a sense of the country. The permanent collection takes visitors through the country’s eclectic history from the Middle Ages to the present day. Exhibits illuminate Switzerland’s recent history by detailing ...
When you’re done wandering around the Altstadt (Old Town) – its narrow cobbled streets, decorative buildings, boutiques, cafes, taverns and bierkellers (beer cellars) may keep you there a while – rest your legs on a bench under the trees at Lindenhof, a peaceful plateau on a hill overlooking the Limmat River and the skyline of its right bank. Once ...
Known as Dörfli (meaning "little village"), Niederdorf sits on the right bank of the Limmat River and forms part of Zürich’s Old Town. Reflective of Zürich’s young heart as much as its old soul, the area’s cobbled pedestrian alleyways harbor contemporary artists’ galleries and upmarket artisan shops, cafes, delis, old taverns and fashionable bars t...
While WWI was raging in Europe in 1916, a group of artists, writers and thinkers sought safe haven and like-minded souls in neutral Switzerland, which – counter to the country’s reputation these days – became a magnet for the avant-garde. These anti-bourgeois intellectuals would hang out at Zürich’s Cabaret Voltaire, a small bar on a cobbled street...
Like most Swiss cities, Zürich lives for its waterways, and in summer the banks of the Limmat and the shores of the Zürichsee (Lake Zürich) simmer with sunbathers, swimmers, and the smell of barbecued sausage. The city’s many badis(swimming baths) are a longstanding part of Zürich life, providing changing facilities, sun decks and water access, as ...
Higher and mightier mountains are within a short distance of Zürich, but Uetliberg holds a special place in people’s hearts as Züri’s local mountain – so local, in fact, that all you need do to get there is take the S10 tram from the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) and walk 10 minutes to the viewpoint. Popular in all seasons, Uetliberg has family...
In stark contrast to the beauty of the city’s Old Town and riversides, Zürich West isn’t pretty at all. But what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in personality. A patchwork of former industrial buildings, concrete flyovers and railway tracks, this area has been seized upon by enterprising locals in recent years who have opened quirky bars, resta...
Plant-based food may be all the rage these days, but in Zürich, it’s nothing new. The vegetarian restaurant Hiltlhas been operating since 1898, making it – according to the knowledgeable folk at Guinness World Records – the oldest meat-free restaurant in the world. The original restaurant at Sihlstrasse, Haus Hiltl, has since spawned several other ...
It’s hard to pass a day in Switzerland without seeing someone with a Freitag bag. This ubiquitous Swiss brand began life in Zürich in the early 1990s as the brainchild of two inventive brothers who decided to make practical messenger bags out of old truck tarps. It’s appropriate, then, that the flagship store in Zürich West is also made out of recy...
Explore Zürich! Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Zürich.
This ritzy Alpine city set on a bright blue lake is the largest in Switzerland and a major destination for contemporary art, shopping, and nightlife. Wealthy, tidy, and efficient, Zurich is easy to navigate thanks to excellent public transit and a free bike rental system. Use it to visit Kunsthaus Zurich, with its impressive modern art ...
Zürich's Altstadt (Old Town) is the main reason you're here, thanks to Gothic treasures like the Fraumünster, shopping galore, and an amazing collection of restaurants
