Traveling to Zurich means visiting a city that showcases the high quality of life characteristic of Switzerland, combining economic prosperity with a deep respect for nature.
Why Visit Zurich?
Zurich is the most populous city in Switzerland and home to a thriving industrial sector. However, don’t let this fool you; Zurich has a close relationship with nature, particularly the Alps. Here, you can choose between experiencing an urban atmosphere or exploring more rural settings.
With over 50 museums and 100 art galleries, Zurich also boasts Switzerland’s most dynamic and varied nightlife. The city’s high standard of living supports excellent infrastructure, making it a model in many ways. You could shop in luxury boutiques, and in just a few minutes, find yourself strolling through serene woods nearby.
Zurich combines luxury and nature in a way that just works, attracting many visitors year-round. Whether for a weekend getaway or as a base to explore the rest of Switzerland, Zurich never disappoints.
Zurich Tourism Guide
Zurich is a city with everything to captivate visitors.
When traveling to Zurich, you’ll find a charming historic center with a distinctly Central European character, set against a lake and parks where urban nature thrives. The city streets are lively, lined with exclusive shops, restaurants, and bars.
Its central location in Europe, along with its position at the northern tip of Lake Zurich, creates a multicultural vibe and a wide range of leisure options, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Zurich International Airport offers direct flights to 150 destinations worldwide. A quick 10-minute train ride connects the airport with the city’s main train station, which is an important European rail hub.
In addition, Zurich is a highly walkable city, ideal for exploring on foot, and offers a unique blend of urban sophistication and outdoor adventure opportunities.
Zurich has a highly appealing location for tourists, where its 400,000 residents benefit from excellent infrastructure in a natural setting that also hosts important research and studies.
Nature is a constant companion in this city, and one of the best experiences is walking through its old town, where you can admire the city’s oldest churches and medieval buildings.
Points of Interest in Zurich
- Augustinergasse Street: This street’s colorful facades make it feel like a scene from a storybook.
- Niederdorf Street: A pedestrian-friendly area that’s perfect for strolling and shopping. By night, it becomes the center of Zurich’s nightlife.
- Lindenhof: A lovely spot in the city center offering great views of the old town, cathedral, river, and university. It’s a peaceful oasis amid Zurich’s busy life.
- Chipfe District: This charming area has a name derived from “Schupfen,” which refers to the boatmen who used to push boats along the river. With waterside houses, typical taverns, quaint streets, and scenic views, it’s well worth a visit.
- Bahnhofstrasse: Known for its bustling commercial activity and upscale boutiques, this street is a showcase of the latest luxury fashion trends.
- Zurich Lake Area: The lake is ideal for swimming, boating, and water sports. If you’re exploring Zurich, this beautiful area is a must-visit.
- Uetliberg Mountain: The highest point offering panoramic views of Zurich. You can also take a city tour with audio guide and train to the “Top of Zurich”.
- Sechseläuten: Every April, Zurich’s guilds and residents joyfully celebrate this traditional spring festival, an excellent chance to experience the authentic Zurich created by its locals.
- Hot Tropical Festival: In June, Zurich embraces hot rhythms in an event that brings vibrant colors and energy to the city as summer arrives.
- Street Parade: No Zurich guide is complete without this iconic event. One of the largest techno festivals worldwide, it attracts fans from across Switzerland and neighboring countries to the banks of the Limmat River every August.
- Zürcher Festspiele: Each summer, Zurich hosts this festival featuring a unique blend of opera, concerts, theater, dance, and open-air performances.
- Zurich Cathedral: This prominent religious building, constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, is distinguished by its twin towers and features a beautiful cloister and crypt.
- Fraunmünster Church: Dating back to the 9th century, this church is famous for its stained glass windows, masterpieces by renowned artists Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti.
- St. Peter’s Church: Known for having the largest clock face in Europe, its clock measures an impressive 9 meters in diameter.
If you plan to visit Zurich in 3 or 4 days, you’ll have plenty of time to see all these highlights.
Top Activities in Zurich
During this tour, you’ll get to see impressive churches and historic buildings, surrounded by fascinating history and architecture. And to top it off, you’ll enjoy a scenic boat ride—a fantastic way to view the city from a different perspective.
Heard of this bus tour that takes you around Zurich? It’s a great way to see the city’s highlights, including the old town, its churches, and breathtaking views from Zürichberg.
Zurich is a fascinating blend of culture, history, and stunning views, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and excitement.
The historic center walking tour in Zurich is a popular choice, taking you through the city’s beautiful, ancient streets. The best part is hearing the fascinating stories about Zurich’s history as you go.
This tour includes a visit to the old town, stops at some stunning churches, and then a ride on a cable car for spectacular views of the lake and the Alps.
Imagine strolling through Zurich’s old streets, exploring historic churches, and then ascending by cable car to take in the natural beauty surrounding the city. Truly an amazing experience!
Travel Tips for Zurich
The Swiss city is among the safest in the world, with an exceptionally low crime rate.
This makes Zurich a secure destination for travelers. However, it’s wise to remain vigilant, as petty crime can sometimes target unsuspecting tourists. Be mindful of your belongings while exploring Zurich.
Zurich, like the rest of Switzerland, is known for being relatively expensive, especially in the capital. To fully enjoy all Zurich has to offer without overspending, it’s essential to keep track of your spending. Consider setting a budget for shopping, as both cash and cards can go fast in Zurich if you’re not careful.
Zurich: The City and Its History
After conquering the Alps, the Romans established a military base in Lindenhof in 15 BCE.
This marked the start of the Roman era in Zurich (then known as Turicum). By around 400 CE, a customs point and later a fortress were built.
Little is known about Zurich’s history from the early Middle Ages until the mid-9th century, when the Germanic people arrived around the 6th century.
The 12th century saw Zurich expand, driven by a thriving economy. By 1118, Zurich had gained free city status, and in the 13th century, the famous city walls were constructed.
In 1383, Zurich established a system of dual mayors who alternated every six months, a practice maintained until the guilds took power in the 15th century.
During the 14th and 15th centuries, Zurich gained territory equivalent to today’s canton, dedicating itself primarily to trade and money lending.
Ulrich Zwingli led the Swiss Reformation starting in 1519, ushering in a new era for Zurich. This religious movement led to a civil war, ending Zurich’s autonomy as a city-state, but it remained a Protestant stronghold.
In the 16th century, Protestant refugees from Locarno and Huguenots brought new life to Zurich’s commerce and industry, with the textile industry flourishing by the 17th century. Zurich had shed its rural past, gaining prosperity from this emerging industry.
By the 18th century, Zurich experienced cultural growth alongside a population boom. After the fall of the Old Regime, Zurich lost control of its lands and economic privileges, leading to the division of the city and canton between 1803 and 1805.
Throughout the 19th century, Zurich’s economy, industry, and transport systems grew steadily. Alfred Escher played a crucial role, driving economic recovery and boosting Zurich’s influence within the Swiss Confederation.
The democratic movement engaged many residents from rural Zurich and Winterthur, ultimately breaking down Escher’s authoritarian, free-market policies.
In the 20th century, Zurich continued to grow economically, becoming one of the wealthiest and highest-quality cities globally. This success owes much to Switzerland’s neutrality during the world wars and the nation’s strong economic foundations.
For more on traveling to Zurich, you can also find more tips in our Zurich Guide blog for further information.