Zurich
Fly here
The country's largest city, on the shore of its lake. Old town, Bahnhofstrasse and a thriving cultural scene.
From the basket
Zurich spreads out at the tip of its lake, where the Limmat slips away to cross the city. From the balloon you can see the river cut the old town in two: on one bank the Fraumünster and St. Peter’s with its huge clock face; on the other, the twin towers of the Grossmünster. To the south the lake runs off towards the Alps, and on a clear day the snowy peaks close off the horizon.
The city was born around these churches. The Fraumünster, an abbey for women, goes back to the year 853: King Louis the German founded it and handed its leadership to Hildegard, his daughter. On the neighbouring hill, the Lindenhof, an old castle marked the presence of the kingdom facing the Alemanni.
In summer, locals swim in the Limmat, right in the centre, between the bridges and the old façades. In late April a great festival, the Sechseläuten, celebrates the end of winter around a big bonfire, on the lakeside square.
Fly over the Limmat from where it leaves the lake up to the roofs of the old town, then let the wind carry you over the lake.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Zurich”.
All around
- Lake Zurich, close by, to the south-east
- Lake Zug, 22 km to the south
- Lake Lucerne, 33 km to the south
To discover around Zurich
Bahnhofstrasse – Zurich’s shopping boulevard
Discover Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's most famous street: On 1.4 kilometres from the main train station to Lake Zurich, you will walk past fashion chains, watch and jewellry stores – and Paradeplatz, the financial centre of Switzerland.
Giacometti Frescoes ("Blüemlihalle")
Jules Verne Bar
Breathtaking view from the tower at this former observatory.
Limmat river cruiser
The Limmat river cruiser takes you in comfort past the most beautiful sights of Zurich’s old town until the view of Lake Zurich opens up.
Niederdorf
The celebrated Old Town district of the Niederdorf is affectionately known by locals as the Dörfli – the “little village”.
Pavilion sculpture by Max Bill
The Swiss artist Max Bill created this walk-in "Pavilion Sculpture" in 1983, which may be viewed on its prime position on the Bahnhofstrasse. The stone sculpture, with its pillars, arches and plinths, is certainly one of the best-known works by the late Max Bill.
Victorinox Flagship Store, Zurich
The store opened in October 2014 to celebrate Victorinox’s 130th birthday.
Source: Switzerland Tourism — myswitzerland.com, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.