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Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful city in Switzerland, and was voted by the consulting agency Mercer the city with the best quality of life several years in a row.

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is often mistaken for the capital of Switzerland. Although Bern is the political capital of Switzerland, Zurich is considered the cultural capital and the downtown of Switzerland.

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The lake of Zurich attracts both the Swiss and tourists on warm summer days. Whether it is to cool their feet in the water or to feed the ducks and geese, adults and children are always seen along the shore. When the weather permits, it is possible to rent pedalos, rowing or motor boats and enjoy the tranquility of the lake, surrounded by a breathtaking scenery of hills, mountains, forests and the old town of Zurich.

Zurich is a very clean city, and with Switzerland having a big café culture, sitting along the shopping street, Bahnhofstrasse, while sipping on a cappuccino or tasting free samples from the chocolate stores permits you to fully take in the sounds of the trams and the church bells, as well as the smells of fresh bread and chocolate.

ATTRACTIONS

Kunsthaus Zürich: This museum counts as one of the most important art museums in Switzerland. It is home to one of the most extensive art collection in Europe, ranging from medieval to contemporary art, with a great emphasis on Swiss art. However, works by Dalě, Picasso and Monet are also included. The collection holds paintings, prints and sculptures, as well as a photography and video collection. A delightful museum for anyone who is interested in art. http://www.kunsthaus.ch/en/

Bahnhofstrasse: This is Switzerland's most famous shopping street. It is home to and headquarters of Switzerland's two biggest banks, Credit Suisse and UBS, and offers many luxurious shops and boutiques for the shopaholics. Designer shops such as Chanel, Armani and Louis Vuitton are found right next to little cafés. The famous Confiserie Sprüngli is located on Bahnhofstrasse, a chocolate shop and café that will gladly offer free samples of their various chocolate creations. Bahnhofstrasse connects the train station Zurich, the biggest train station in Zurich, with the lake, and the walk on the cobblestone road surrounded by houses and buildings dating back to the 14th century is a delightful and picturesque one.

Niederdorf: Niederdorf is the old town of Zurich, opposite the train station and the Bahnhofstrasse, just across the Limmat river. It has various restaurants and bars and is a popular place for nightlife. It is also famous for its Red Light District. During the day, many street performers entertain pedestrians with music, and there are many shops in this area, which attract people from any age group. Like the Bahnhofstrasse, this is a pedestrian-only zone.

Grossmünster: The twin towers of this 12th century cathedral dominate Zurich's panorama and are considered the real landmark of Zurich. Situated right next to the river Limmat, legend has it that Charlemagne himself founded this church after his horses bowed down at a spot that marked the graves of three early Christian martyrs. It has beautiful Romanesque architecture, and climbing the North Tower offers a fascinating view of the city of Zurich.

Landesmuseum: Anyone interested in learning more about Swiss national history should visit the Landesmuseum, or Swiss National Museum. Its collection of ancient artifacts ranges from the Stone Age to modern times to ensure its visitors to fully understand Swiss history and culture. The museum itself is a beautiful piece of architecture, palace-like and a popular outing destination among the Swiss. http://www.railaway.ch/uploads/media/Landesmuseum-Zuerich_03.jpg

EVENTS

Zurich Open-Air Cinema: Every summer Zurich hosts an open-air cinema festival in the lovely Zürichhorn Park, which is situated right next to the lake. This is an event for people of all ages with various movie preferences. You can dine in the numerous restaurants and then find a cozy place in the park to watch a movie under a blanket of stars. This is one of the most popular events in Zurich.

Street Parade: This is one of the largest events in Zurich and one of the largest techno parades in Europe. It started out as a demonstration for love, peace, freedom, generosity and tolerance. A strange but fun event to attend, especially for young adults.