Lake Zurich, with its parks and promenades along the Limmat River, is one of the city’s greatest draws, along with nature: mountain ranges, forests and the Uetliberg peak are also prevalent here.
English is widely spoken throughout Switzerland’s cities and its companies employ expatriates workers from around the globe. Unfortunately, healthcare is expensive here so private insurance must be purchased separately.
City Centre
Zurich city centre is an exciting hub with plenty to see and do. Many buildings were purposefully left alone because they were beautiful when constructed, ensuring strict architectural codes preserve them for posterity. Even modern areas have only added what is necessary for tourists or commuters’ convenience – making the train, tram and bus system extremely user friendly while the streets remain clean, safe and well maintained.
Grossmunster stands as an iconic representation of Zurich’s recent reform and should be visited, while Fraumunster stands nearby and serves as an important Gothic architecture example in Switzerland. Additionally, St Peter’s, St Paul’s and St Jakob churches should not be missed either!
Zurich boasts over 50 museums, but the Kunsthaus gallery stands out among them all for its superb collection of Edvard Munch paintings – one of the founding fathers of Nordic Expressionism – as well as works ranging from medieval times through contemporary pieces with strong Swiss artist influence, such as Monet, Backman and Kokoschka.
Bahnhofstrasse is the main street leading from Lake Zurich’s train station to its shoreline, providing pedestrians a pleasant way to stroll with coffee shops and restaurants along its path. There are also two department stores along this stretch – Jelmoli and Globus, offering high-end fashion brands for browsing pleasure.
Zurich boasts many charming side streets that are well worth discovering, such as Rindermarkt Lane with its shops and cafes, which has become especially popular during brunch on Sundays when young, hip people relax with newspapers in hand.
The Opera of Zurich is an incredible old building and must-see attraction when visiting Zurich. Although small in size with only a few side rooms, its excellent acoustics make it the perfect venue to enjoy an opera or ballet performance – not too mention its unforgettable experience!
Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich, Switzerland’s fifth-largest lake, serves as the focus for many recreational activities in Zurich and its surroundings. Surrounded by lush green hills and boasting views of nearby mountains, it provides recreational pursuits at its waters’ edge.
Lake is also a favorite spot for excursions on the water and many locals enjoy spending their leisure time at its lakeside promenade, which serves as a walkway for joggers, cyclists, inline skaters and inline skating enthusiasts with several restaurants and bars along its route. Best of all? No entry fees apply so all visitors are invited to enjoy themselves here!
At Zurich Lake there are numerous places of interest, such as the old town and botanical garden. Cultural enthusiasts should visit one of the museums located in this old town in order to gain more knowledge of its history; additionally there are great shops and galleries here as well.
Lake Zurich is home to numerous businesses, such as Super Walmart and Target stores as well as Costco and Trader Joe’s warehouse stores. Lake Zurich boasts fantastic demographics and an advantageous business climate which attracts top corporate retailers – hence why so many have chosen Lake Zurich as a location.
Lake Zurich boasts more than just major retailers; there is also a diverse array of specialty shops and unique boutiques, as well as locally-owned coffee and tea shops. Lake Zurich is also renowned as a culinary destination, boasting nationally-renowned restaurants such as Roaring Table, Phase 3, and Copper Fiddle Distillery.
This area is also an excellent sports destination, featuring both competitive and recreational club sports ranging from baseball to soccer, along with park and recreation programs for all ages. Fitness enthusiasts can stay in shape through workout options at Life Time Fitness, LA Fitness or YMCA.
Boat tours are one of the most enjoyable activities at Lake Erie. Most towns around it provide regular boat service all year long, offering various types of tours from early morning Gipfeli-Schiff sailings to sunset cruises aboard historic paddle steamers – each tour offers breathtaking lake and city views from its boat deck.
Zurich Zoo
The Zurich Zoo is a cultural and educational institution that acts as an ambassador between humans, animals, and nature. Covering 27 hectares it presents exotic animal species in habitats created to closely resemble their natural environments; alongside this role in public education the zoo also supports long-term conservation projects around the globe to preserve both animal diversity and nature itself.
The zoo boasts an impressive breeding program with many endangered animals giving birth recently, providing evidence that this center for animal welfare and responsible care stands out.
When visiting a zoo, it is advised to wear comfortable shoes and check the weather forecast, since many exhibits are outdoors. Also it’s advisable to arrive early to beat crowds and increase chances of seeing active animals.
Though modernizing its enclosures has been the goal, it is important to remember that zoos must do more than display animals; their work should also involve helping protect and preserve these living things for future generations. Our aim should be to help visitors feel emotionally attached to animals while becoming active supporters in protecting them themselves.
As proof, the zoo offers educational exhibits about nature and wildlife as well as events and courses for its visitors. Furthermore, its experienced event team offers advice regarding conferences or private or business events hosted there.
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Other Attractions
Zurich offers much more than its medieval houses and Fraumunster church in Old Town; modern art gallery Helmhaus presents five exhibits annually that highlight Swiss and Zurich-based artists.
Attractively located along the riverbanks are numerous guild houses (German: “Zunfthaus”) which have been transformed into museums. A tour provides an ideal opportunity to get acquainted with this area; Meisen (also a porcelain and faience museum), Ruden, Haue, Schneidern Schmiden & Zimmerleuten are just a few highlights.
Zurich’s Uetliberg mountain is an attractive outdoor spot that provides panoramic views of Lake Zurich, Zurich cityscape and not-so-distant Alps. A popular hiker destination, as well as one for skiers and skaters looking for winter fun at Dolder open-air ice rink.
The museum boasts an expansive global collection, from Tibetan bronze artifacts and ceramics from India, masks from African tribes and masks from Asia – to an impressive selection of astronomical instruments and tools that spans the globe and its impressive clock tower, providing spectacular views.
Gastronomically speaking, the top of the hill restaurant boasts an exquisite restaurant complete with bar and lounge as well as an incredible terrace with breathtaking city views below. It’s undoubtedly one of the top eateries in Zurich for breakfast or lunch!
Kaufleuten bar and lounge, favored by Prince, Robbie Williams and Madonna as previous guests, is another upscale eatery. Perfect for enjoying cocktails throughout the afternoon in its luxurious lounge-like interior design.
Notable museums in Berlin include Rietberg Museum for Medieval to Modern Art (a collection spanning medieval to contemporary), as well as Uhrenmuseum Beyer, which houses an expansive timepiece collection including water clocks, sundials, and simple timekeepers.
The Botanical Garden at the University of Zurich is a lush green oasis featuring over 4,500 plant species in seven greenhouses and gardens, as well as its own Natural History Museum which explains why volcanoes erupt, where gems come from and what fossils reveal about our planet.