Zürich

Zurich’s story begins in the Roman era, when a small settlement called Turicum occupied a customs post at the crossing of the Limmat. By the 13th century the city had gained its first charters and grew into a prosperous trading town within the Holy Roman Empire, ruled in part by guilds whose halls still stand along the river. In 1519 Huldrych Zwingli began preaching at the Grossmünster, and the Reformation that followed made Zurich a Protestant stronghold and shaped its culture and politics for centuries. In the 19th century industry and banking turned it into a financial centre, a role it keeps today, although its historic core was preserved.

Visitors start in the Altstadt, where narrow alleys reveal medieval and Renaissance buildings such as the Grossmünster, a twin-towered church linked to Zwingli, and the Fraumünster, famed for the stained-glass windows of Marc Chagall’s design and for those of Augusto Giacometti. A short walk leads to the Lindenhof hill, a quiet square on the site of the Roman fort, with views over the Limmat and the rooftops. Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets, stretches about 1.4 kilometres from the main train station to the lake, lined with banks, boutiques and cafés. The lanes of the Niederdorf, known as the Dörfli, offer small restaurants, bars and shops on the east side of the river, and the Spiegelgasse recalls the Cabaret Voltaire, where the Dada movement began in 1916.

Cultural travellers will find a lot to see. The Kunsthaus Zurich holds an extensive collection of Swiss and international art, and the Swiss National Museum, housed in a castle-like building beside the station, follows the nation’s heritage from prehistory to the present. The Museum Rietberg shows art from outside Europe in a leafy park, and the FIFA World Football Museum draws sports fans. Zurich West, a district of former industrial warehouses and railway arches, now holds restaurants, bars, galleries and the Prime Tower, which rises above the old factories, and Frau Gerolds Garten is a summer favourite beneath it. The Opera House stands by the lake at Sechseläutenplatz, the square where the spring festival of Sechseläuten ends with the burning of a snowman figure.

Outdoor life is easy to reach. A leisurely boat cruise on Lake Zurich shows villages, vineyards and the Alpine backdrop, while the lakeside promenades and parks such as the Zürichhorn invite walking. In summer swimmers use the lido-style baths on the lake and even the clean waters of the Limmat. The nearby Uetliberg, at 871 meters, is reached by a short train ride and rewards hikers with panoramic views of the city, the lake and, on clear days, the snow-capped Alps. The zoo on the Zürichberg slope has a well-known indoor rainforest hall. In winter the Limmat’s riverside quarters become lively with Christmas markets and festive lights, and ski resorts are a short train ride away.

Getting to Zurich is straightforward. Zurich Airport (ZRH) is a major European hub, linked to the city centre by frequent trains that arrive in 10 to 15 minutes. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) provides connections to other Swiss destinations and neighbouring countries. Within the city, trams, buses and S-Bahn trains run to a punctual, integrated timetable, which makes it easy to navigate without a car, and the lake steamers are part of the same network of tickets.

Seasonally, the city shines from late May to early September, when warm temperatures, long daylight hours and a lively calendar of festivals encourage outdoor dining, lake activities and hiking. Spring brings blooming gardens and the Sechseläuten, and autumn paints the surrounding hills in gold, good for scenic walks. Winter brings illuminated streets, indoor cultural events and easy access to nearby ski areas. In every season Zurich’s blend of historic charm, natural setting and modern amenities rewards a stay of more than a day.