Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. In 15 BC, it was found as a global center for banking and finance by the Romans, who called it Turicum. This modern-day city has become a hub for railways, roads, and air traffic. Zurich’s airport and its main train station are the largest in the country.
This beautiful cosmopolitan city, which is by the water, combines creative urban life with nature in all its glory. With its countless events, diverse museums, own food festival, and Switzerland’s most vibrant nightlife, Zurich is abuzz with activity day and night. You can be in the Swiss mountains in less than an hour if you are after rest and relaxation.
It is in the heart of Europe and Zurich is Switzerland’s center of economic life and education. Without sacrificing its natural side, the city offers all the modern amenities of a cosmopolitan metropolis. In terms of quality of life, this beautiful city has for years ranked among the world’s top cities. It is offering everything that implies, albeit in a small and exquisite format that is why it is known as a boutique city.
The Limmat
The Limmat is a river in the beautiful land of Switzerland. In the southern part of the city of Zurich is the river which begins at the outfall of Lake Zurich. After 35 km reaching the river Aare from Zurich, it flows in a northwesterly direction. The Limmat river of Switzerland flows northwest until it joins into the river Aare, which is north of the small town of Brügg. Its name is derived from Linth and Maag, the main tributaries of the lake of Zürich. The main tributaries of the Limmat river are the Sihl (in Zürich) and the Reppisch (in Dietikon). This river is also one of the major providers of hydroelectric power in Switzerland. For about 22 miles, the Limmat river flows through the city of Zurich. Historically also the Limmat was an important navigation route. Today, it has become a popular swimming spot for locals because the water is spotless.
Niederdorf/ Old Town
Running through Zurich’s Niederdorf district is the main street of Niederdorfstrasse and it lies on the east bank of the Limmat. The cobblestone street is only used for pedestrians. You will find busy pubs and fast-food restaurants along the way. There are small streets and tightly packed outdoor cafes which have an unmistakable medieval vibe to them.
Just opposite the Zurich HB is the pedestrian zone of Niederdorfstrasse which runs parallel to Limmatquai and the river Limmat. With historic buildings towering over you and tight medieval alleyways to wander, it is a beautiful place to explore on foot. With many bars, clubs, and street artists, the area transforms into a nightlife and entertainment district. With music, food, and shows, the Dörflifäscht festival takes place here in late August.
Limmatquai is also a pedestrian zone, and it lies just one block west of Niederdorfstrasse. It provides spectacular views of the Limmat and it as well as a park-like atmosphere. You will find Grossmünster church on the south end of Limmatquai in the Niederdorfstrasse district and the Romanesque cathedral’s twin towers can be seen from all around town.
Grossmunster Cathedral, Fraumunster, and St. Peter’s Church
Grossmunster Cathedral, Fraumunster, and St. Peter’s Church are the three major churches that dot the Swiss skyline. The twin towers of Grossmunster are some of the most recognized landmarks in Zurich. The Grossmünster is a Romanesque-style Protestant church. This church is one of the four major churches in the city. The Fraumünster is a church that was built on the remains of a former abbey for aristocratic women which was founded in 853 by Louis the German for his daughter Hildegard. St. Peter is also one of the four main churches of the old town of Zürich.
Lake Zurich
The Albis and Zimmerberg hills frame lake Zurich on the southern side and on the north by the Pfannenstiel chain of hills. The bent in the lake is almost banana-shaped. The cantons of Zurich, St. Gallen, and Schwyz border the lake, and at the western end of the lake lies Zurich, which is Switzerland’s largest city.
In the past, the lake was above all a route for traffic and transport. But today it is a popular place for excursions, and homes along its shores are much sought after. The best way to discover the Lake Zurich area is by taking a boat trip with the gently rocking waves, peace and quietness, relaxation, and fine food. It serves most of the places around the shore by a regular boat service all year round.
From Zollikon to Feldmeilen lies the famous “golden coast” which extends along the northern side of the lake. This beautiful sunny region is famous for its low rates of taxes and prime property prices. You can also see the magnificent houses and villas of the upper echelons of society at the stretch of the coast.
Popular places to visit around Lake Zurich include the many swimming areas. The Alpamare in Pfäffikon is the largest covered water park in Europe. There are also the sunny islands of Ufenau and Lützelau near Rapperswil where the wooden footbridge is across the lake between Rapperswil and Hurden. Few other places are the Baroque church in Lachen, the famous Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate factory in Kilchberg, and, of course, the dynamic metropolis of Zurich. You can also see other sights which are the famous shopping mile of the Bahnhofstrasse and its vast range of cultural amenities.
The city of Zurich rests on the edge of Lake Zurich, which is fed by glaciers of the Glarus Alps and connects to the Limmat. Making it another popular swimming destination, the lake’s water quality is top. Lake Zurich’s water is purified into Zurich’s water system which means that it’s even drinkable. No matter where you are in Switzerland, you’re never over 10 miles away from a lake because this tiny country is home to over 1,500 lakes.
Bahnhofstrasse
One of the world’s most expensive and exclusive shopping avenues is the Bahnhofstrasse, which is Zürich’s major downtown street. In 2011, the most expensive street for retail property in Europe, and the third most expensive worldwide, was named the Bahnhofstrasse, but further in 2016, it ranked ninth in the world.
Bahnhofstrasse is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world, which stretches 1.4 kilometers from the main railway station to the lake. The Paradeplatz is the heart of the Bahnhofstrasse and serves as an important tram junction close to Lake Zurich.
This world-renowned shopping boulevard was created after the construction of Zurich’s Main Railway Station. You will find many boutiques, department stores, and timepiece stores here. It is as well as at Paradeplatz which is the Swiss banking center. It is always worth a visit to Bahnhofstrasse as it is just as popular with locals and visitors. While strolling and relaxing along the lake in the summer, you can always enjoy mulled wine or hot chocolate at every corner in the winter. During the Christmas season, they adorn the street with twinkly lights and the Swarovski Christmas Tree.
The Uetliberg
The Uetliberg is a mountain in the Swiss plateau which is part of the Albis chain. Rising to 870 m, part of the Albis chain, Uetliberg is a mountain in the Swiss plateau. It lies on the boundary between the city of Zürich and the municipalities of Stallikon and Uitikon. This mountain offers a panoramic view of the entire city of Zürich and the Lake of Zurich. This mountain is 2,850 feet above sea level. Uetliberg towers over the rooftops of Zürich. The mountain affords an impressive panoramic view of the city, the lake, and the Alps. The beautiful Uetliberg is popular in November. It’s when the summit is above the blanket of fog that can cover the city at this time of year, also in winters, the hiking trails to the summit are converted into sledding runs. Although in summers also there’s plenty to discover on well-marked hiking routes, a mountain bike route, and on the Plane Train.
Zurich Opera House
Zurich’s opera house is in Sechseläutenplatz and it is a large town square on the edge of Lake Zurich. The opera house has been home to the Zurich opera since 1891. It also houses the Bernhard-Theater Zurich, Zurich ballet, and Zurich philharmonic. Viennese architects Fellner & Helmer built this neo-classical opera house after Richard Wagner’s Aktientheater was burnt down. It is the first opera house in Europe to have electrical lighting.
The Zurich Opera House is one of the best in the world. At the International Opera Awards, in 2014, they awarded it Best Opera Company of the Year. There are 250 performances that take place every year featuring international stars such as Cecilia Bartoli, Diana Damrau, Joyce DiDonato, Anna Netrebko, Emily Magee, Nina Stemme, Stephen Gould, René Pape, Matti Salminen, Klaus Florian Vogt, and Conductors like Marco Armiliato, Fabio Luisi, Carlo Rizzi and many more.
Every performance includes four wheelchair spaces in price category 4, which accompanies an adult who receives a 50% discount, which is for price category 1. The Bernhard Bar café is the perfect place to relax during the 20-minute interval at the Opera House with its convivial theatre ambiance. There are many extremely varied programs featuring popular plays, renowned singers and frequent premieres, performances for children, and ballets.
Polybahn Zurich
The Polybahn which is also known as the UBS Polybahn is a funicular railway in the city of Zürich, Switzerland. Since the opening of the Polybahn in 1889, it has carried over two million passengers each year to the Polyterrasse between the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the University in just two and a half minutes. This amazing Polybahn links the old town with one of the most beautiful viewing terraces high above the city. It is a historic monument to late 19th-century engineering and its route has not changed at all since it first came into service in 1889.
The historic Polybahn was completely overhauled in 1996 and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which saved it from closure at the last minute by a Swiss bank in 1976. In 2001, they repainted the upper station in its original Sienna red color. The Student Express still uses it, thanks to this complete overhaul. Also affectionately known as the “Polybähnli”, will continue to transport future generations from Central to Zurich’s seats of learning and back.
Rieterpark
The largest and most impressive landscape garden in Zurich is Rieterpark. It is in the Zurich Enge area of the city. This beautiful park is also near Lake Zurich. The 19th-century glamour is still clear in the Rieterpark of today. This is the largest park in Zurich with over 70,000m2 of space.
The park and its villa are now known as Museum Rietberg. It was built in 1855 and was taken over at the end of the 19th century by the Winterthur industrial family Rieter. Later it become the property of the city in 1945. Some beech trees are over 150 years old in the park and are still part of the original grove. The Glarus Alps provide a visual endpoint when the weather is clear, which creates a sense of unending vastness.
This small park on a hill is a quiet picnic spot with kids or you can enjoy the view of Lake Zurich. It is a pleasant retreat from buzzing Zurich, and you can even see the view of the Glarner Alps. It is also accessible from the surrounding residential area and by public transport.
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