Zurich hotels

Visiting Zurich – A City Guide
Zurich is so much more than a city of banking. It’s also home to a picturesque Old Town, 50 museums and 100 galleries, designer shops and the liveliest nightlife in Switzerland. All of that comes with an unbeatable setting beside Lake Zurich and – weather permitting – panoramic views of the snow-capped Alps.

Zurich: city layout
Zurich’s central Altstadt (old town) is bisected by the Limmat River. To the east is the largely pedestrianised Niederdorf, while Lindenhof lies to the west. Further west, the Bahnhofstrasse ‘shopping street’ marks the border with the City financial district. South of the centre, Seefeld is a wealthy residential district on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich. Northwest of the centre, Zurich West is a fast-developing business and residential area. Further north, Zurich Nord – Oerlikon, close to Zurich Airport (ZRH), is home to numerous businesses and the Messe exhibition hall.

What to see and do in Zurich
You can easily spend an afternoon wandering the medieval cobbled alleyways and squares of the Altstadt in Niederdorf, which are packed with restaurants and cafés. The landmark, twin-towered Grossmünster church faces its Fraumünster sister across the river, which has stained-glass windows by Augusto Giacometti and Marc Chagall. In summer the riverbanks become a laidback gathering place, while in winter a layer of snow transforms the narrow streets and ancient buildings into a scene from a fairy tale. Make time for a stroll along the shore of Lake Zurich, and a boat trip on the water.

The concierge recommends…

• Marvelling at the paintings in the Kunsthaus, Switzerland’s finest art gallery. Its collection of European works from the Middle Ages to the present includes pictures by Picasso, Monet and van Gogh.
• Learning about other cultures in the Rietberg Museum, with art from India, China, Africa and elsewhere.
• Going Swiss in the National Museum Zurich, which explores the country’s history through cultural artefacts such as furniture, handicrafts and folk art.
• Admiring the views of the city and lake from the top of Uetliberg. At 900 metres it’s more foothill than Alp, but it’s covered in hiking trails.

Hotels in Zurich
From historic hotels in the heart of the old town to luxury retreats in the surrounding countryside, Zurich has accommodation to suit most budgets. The city’s efficient public transport system means that even the airport is only a short train ride from the centre.

If you stay in the Altstadt you’ll be in the heart of the city, close to a high concentration of restaurants, bars and shops. Business visitors may prefer to stay west of here in City, Zurich’s financial district, while hotels in lakeside Seefeld often come with views of the water. Staying in Zürich Nord - Oerlikon puts you within easy reach of the airport, close to numerous businesses and near the Hallenstadion and Messe Zurich exhibition halls. If you have an early flight to catch, you can also stay right beside Zurich Airport (ZRH).

Eating Out in Zurich With around 1,700 restaurants and bars, Zurich caters to every palate and budget. You’ll find places serving traditional local and Swiss dishes, as well as global fare of every description. Don’t miss the chance to dip your crusty bread into the cheesy national treat, fondue.

The streets of the medieval Altstadt are teeming with restaurants and cafés, particularly to the east of the Limmat River in Niederdorf, between the Central and Bellevueplatz squares. West of the river in Lindenhof, you’ll find many more, including Hiltl, founded in 1898 and famous as the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant. Zurich West is a fast-developing entertainment area with a growing number of places to eat, some in renovated warehouses. There are plenty more choices in Zurich Nord - Oerlikon, as well as in Seefeld, near the eastern shore of Lake Zurich.

The chef recommends...

• Fondue: The Swiss national dish of melted cheeses – usually Gruyère and Emmental – mixed into a sauce with white wine, garlic and kirsch liqueur. Served in a communal pot, and eaten by dipping bread into the cheese using long-stemmed forks.
• Rösti: Grated potatoes, usually shaped into flat discs and pan-fried until crisp and golden, not unlike hash browns. Originally a traditional farmers’ breakfast, it’s now a Swiss staple.
• Zurcher geschnetzeltes: A traditional Zurich ragout of sliced veal, calves’ kidneys and sweetbreads, sautéed in butter and served in a sauce of onions, white wine, cream, and mushrooms.

Shopping in Zurich
If you have deep pockets and a taste for the exclusive, Zurich is a shopper’s paradise. The centre is packed with designer outlets. On the other hand, purpose-built shopping centres are modest in scale compared to other parts of Europe. Most shops remain closed on Sundays, except those in railway stations.

Start your browsing along Bahnhofstrasse (Station Street), one of the world’s most expensive and upmarket shopping boulevards. It has a reputation as the address for international fashion labels, watchmakers and jewellers. If you need something to help you digest the prices, it’s also home to some mouth-watering bakeries and chocolate shops. For more affordable Swiss fashion and urban designs, try the area around Langstrasse, in the city’s once notorious but now fashionable red light district. Riverside Limmatquai in the Altstadt is also a great place to look for both local and imported designer goods.

Top souvenirs from Zurich

• Luxemburgerlis: Macarons made from two almond meringue discs joined with buttercream. Zurich’s sweet treats of choice are sold by local confectioner Sprüngli at its 180-year-old café on Bahnhofstrasse.
• Swiss Army knives: Whether it’s the scissors, mini saw or corkscrew you need, there’s nowhere better than Zurich to pick up the world’s most-famous multi-purpose tool.
• Watches: Finely crafted Swiss watches are synonymous with excellence, and you can find some stunning examples in Zurich, from affordable to covetable.
• Swiss chocolate: For the finest handmade chocolates, head to Bahnhofstrasse. Step into the wondrous showroom at Läderach and you may never want to leave.

Culture & Nightlife in Zurich
Zurich’s cultural scene appeals to young and old alike. For art lovers there are more than 50 museums, and after dark the city has the highest density of clubs in Switzerland. Official closing times in these are rare, and parties continue until morning. In summer the nightlife spills outdoors into the open air.

Zurich’s museums and galleries are evenly spread throughout the city, with a slightly higher concentration in the Altstadt and around the main station. After dark the old town transforms into a huge entertainment quarter. The area of Zurich West around Escher-Wyss-Platz has also become a major nightlife district filled with bars and clubs, many of them established in abandoned industrial buildings. Langstrasse is the centre of the recently rejuvenated and sanitised red light district, now transformed into an area of hip urban bars where young trendsetters come to party around the clock.

Live music venues in Zurich

• Zurich’s largest event hall, Hallenstadion hosts the biggest-name international music stars, and has room for 13,000 fans.
• Jazz-oriented Moods is a music venue and cocktail bar in a former factory that presents local and international acts.
• The Komplex 457 concert hall presents live local and international bands, and has a large outdoor terrace in summer.
• The city’s longest-established club and music venue, Mascotte, hosts international touring bands, comedy acts and regular DJ nights.
• Opernhaus: Zurich’s 19th-century opera house offers a varied programme of classical music and dance events.

Visiting Zurich with a Family
Zurich has plenty of family-friendly attractions to keep little ones entertained. From toy museums to wildlife parks, you’ll be able to keep them amused whatever the weather. When it’s time to eat, youngsters are welcome in most of the city’s restaurants, some of which offer dedicated kids’ menus.

Your children will love the short train ride to the top of Uetliberg, a hill with fine views of the city and lake. In winter its hiking trails turn into sledding runs. For a fun ride without leaving town, you can hop aboard the Polybahn funicular railway. It’s only a two-minute ride up from Central square to the university above, but you get to pass through a building along the way. You can also take to the water for a cruise on Lake Zurich. Trips start from the jetty at Bürkliplatz, and last from 90 minutes to four hours.

Best family attractions in Zurich

• Opened in 1929, Zurich Zoo has more than 2,000 animals from 300 species. One enormous enclosure recreates the Madagascan rainforest and contains hundreds of plant and animal species.
• Just south of Zurich you can meet some authentic local wildlife, including wolves, brown bear, elk and wild boar, at the free-to-enter Langenberg Wildlife Park Zurich. You can watch the animals roam in their natural environment as you follow routes through the forest.
• Zurich Toy Museum houses a private collection of toys dating from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, collected locally in Zurich and brought in from Germany and France.