Zurich Information

In Zürich, the shopper's heart will beat faster: apart from the wide range of boutiques selling jewelry and watches, shops, and department stores on world-famous Bahnhofstrasse, the designers of Zürich label like Freitag or Fabric Frontline in trendy districts are also causing a sensation. And after your shopping spree, indulge your palate in a variety of gastronomic excursions, traditional fare in a historic guildhouse, trendy cuisine behind the walls of old factories, or gourmet dining out in the country side.

As one of the world's leading centers of the art trade, Zürich offers over 100 galleries and more than 50 museums. And the traces of the past invite the visitor to explore the very well preserved Old Town, which can look back on a history spanning 2'000 years.

There's also something for nature lovers: bathing in Zürich's lakeside swimming baths and riverside lidos is hop. And that's no surprise, because Zürich's water is among the cleanest in the world and 1'200 fountains in the city even provide drinking water.

Whether you take a boat trip on lake Zürich or go hiking on the Uetliberg, whenever you gaze at the snow-covered Alps on the horizon, you can take a breather from everyday life and enjoy Zürich's first-class quality of life. No excursion destination is too far away, because Zürich is the ideal point of departure, even for trips to winter sports resorts. And when night falls, the mood will just be warming up in Zürich's numerous bars and clubs.

Places of interest in Zurich

A good place to start is the Lindenhof, which offers a splendid view of the Old Town. In 15 B.C., the Romans constructed a customs outpost on this site, thereby founding Turicum, which is now Zurich. The city walls encircled the city's actual center, which you can experience today as a well-preserved Old Town, until well into the 19th century. The striking towers of three churches dominate the city's skyline: the Grossmünster, commissioned by Charlemagne, St. Peter's Kirche with the largest clock face in Europe (8.7 m, or 28.5 feet), and the Fraumünster, much admired for its glass windows by Marc Chagall. Located directly on the lake, Zurich's China Garden is one of the most important Chinese gardens outside of China. These attractions can best be discovered by strolling around the Old Town or taking a bus tour of the city.

• City Tours & Excursions: www.zuerich.com/sightseeing/index.html
• Experience Zurich: www.zuerich.com/zurich/index.html

About Switzerland

The diversity of the landlocked, mountainous country is the essence of Switzerland and gives the country its unique identity. Still, it is best known for its financial institutions, fine cheeses and chocolate, watch making industry, for its scenery and an excellent network of public transportation.