Things to see and do Zurich

The zoo is home to 5,500 animals from all over the world, divided into 360 species, including the exotic fish aquarium. The zoo fulfils two functions: raising visitors' awareness of nature conservation and preserving endangered species through exchange programs with other zoos. Constantly evolving, the park has seen the opening of the Masoala rainforest (2003) before the construction of the elephant dome (2014) and the Mongolian steppe (2015). Construction work on Panterra, the feline facility, began in July 2023.

In the heart of the city of Zurich, in a small covered alleyway, the remains of a Roman thermal bath discovered in 1983 are on display. They have been left in situ and can be viewed as they are. Archaeologists estimate that the baths date from 160 AD and must have covered an area of 500 m². They were even enlarged at the beginning of the 3rd century. The baths were of great importance in the social life of the Romans and it is not surprising to have discovered them in the heart of the city. The visit is free and well worth the detour.

Freitag is the Zurich brand that everyone is talking about all over the world! Created by two Zurich brothers, proud inhabitants of Zurich West, Freitag bags are handmade from colourful and above all madly trendy truck tarpaulins. The brand's flagship store is located in a surprising tower composed of seventeen colourful sea containers 26 metres high. Totally unusual, it's worth a look!

It is reached by a very pleasant walk along the lake, from the east bank. At the edge of the city, the site is peaceful and very pleasant, with some contemporary works, including sculptures in the style of Tinguely. The Chinese garden, set back from the lake, was donated to Zürich by the twin city of Kunming in 1994. This small enclosure is enchanting and exotic with a small bridge over the water, Far Eastern flowers, pagoda roofs and carved wood. It is one of the most important open-air Chinese gardens outside China.

In Zurich, urban development and nature coexist in perfect harmony. Belvoir Park, one of the oldest landscape gardens in the region, is a fine example of this. It's a serene green space where it's a pleasure to stroll among the flowers. The iris and daylily garden, with over 120 species, is a real delight. What's more, the view of the city, lake and mountains is resplendent. The park's villa houses a hotel school and restaurant. A historic park full of charm to discover on your visit to the city.

In an idyllic lakeside setting, this is the last project by the famous Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier (real name Charles-Édouard Jeanneret - 1887-1965), one of the most influential urban planners of the ^20th century. It is also his only work in German-speaking Switzerland. Inaugurated in 1967, the colorful two-storey pavilion is a jewel of architecture designed entirely in glass and steel. The exhibition follows the Modulor, an architectural concept invented by Le Corbusier in 1945, based on the golden ratio and human scale.

In the heart of the country, you're treated to a truly 360-degree panoramic journey! Escape is guaranteed aboard the Gotthard Panorama Express, which links two magnificent regions of Switzerland: Central Switzerland and the canton of Ticino. The history of the country flashes before your eyes, and at every stop, you'll plunge into the vibrant past of ancient myths such as William Tell. You're free to choose the direction of your itinerary, with various departure points such as Lugano, Bellinzona, Lucerne or Arth-Goldau via the Rigi. The tour is ideal if you combine the boat and the panorama train, as they guarantee totally different and complementary sensations and views. We also recommend that you take your time to optimize your discovery. We also suggest that you indulge in the on-board restaurant, with its menu of authentic, typical dishes.

Departure by steamboat: in Lucerne, embark on a Belle Époque journey aboard your paddlewheel-powered boat. You'll cruise the crystal-clear waters of Lake Lucerne, gazing out over the Rütli meadow, the Schillerstein, Tell's chapel and other historic sites of the cantons that founded Switzerland in 1291.

Panorama train tour: the experience becomes even more intense as you continue your journey on board the panorama train of the historic St. Gotthard line, departing from Flüelen. Comfortably seated, the commentary provided by our guides along the way is a real bonus, ensuring that you don't miss a thing during the journey. It's a real thrill to watch this condensed selection of landscapes, from the most Alpine to the most southern! One of the most emblematic passages is the 15 km crossing of the Saint-Gotthard railway tunnel. This titanic structure dates back to 1882. This "secret passage" through the mountains is a feat of engineering and the stuff of legend. After this unusual crossing, your panoramic train continues to the far south of Switzerland to Bellinzona and Lugano. After this unforgettable journey along Switzerland's historic rail route, you'll be charmed by the dolce vita of Ticino. Ticino has something for everyone: a different panorama, a different lake, a different language and, above all, a different taste, like a wine full of sunshine.

The Gotthard Panorama Express is definitely an all-round experience!

A must-see museum and the largest art museum in Switzerland. The collection represents all the important periods of European art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Its highlight is the exhibition of numerous works by Alberto Giacometti. The collection also includes paintings by Marc Chagall and Vincent Van Gogh, as well as a large number of works by the Zurich Romantic genius Johann Heinrich Füssli, numerous pictures by the great masters and leading representatives of the classical movements of modern art, and a collection of works by Swiss artists such as Ferdinand Hodler, Giovanni Segantini, Peter Fischli and David Weiss. The Kunsthaus also has an outstanding collection of photographs by Swiss and international artists. In addition to the permanent collection, the Kunsthaus offers temporary exhibitions, making it one of the leading exhibition centres in Switzerland. Each year, 10 to 15 exhibitions are held.

In 2021 the Kunsthaus will house the E. G. Bührle Collection, one of the world's most outstanding private art collections. The focus is on French Impressionism with its precursors and successors from the early 20th century: Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Braque, Picasso. All these painters are represented by major works. The collection also includes works by the Venetian masters of the 18th century, Dutch masters of the 17th century and medieval sculptures.

Together with Prangins Castle, the Forum of Swiss History in Schwyz and the collection centre in Affoltern am Albis, the National Museum in Zurich forms the so-called Swiss National Museum. Located opposite the main railway station, the museum was built in 1898 in the historicist style by the great Zurich architect Gustav Gull to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Federal Constitution. Inspired by the Hohenzollern castle in Germany and the French Renaissance castles, the building has the appearance of a fairy-tale castle with turrets and vaults. Once you enter the courtyard, you will see a completely different face of the museum: the new wing, an ultra-contemporary construction of 7,400^m2, opened to the public in 2016. The Christ & Gantenbein agency designed this extension, known for its geometric and monolithic appearance, its abrupt lines and the use of concrete and tuff. Tradition and modernity are thus combined in a beautiful harmony. The museum houses the largest collection of objects on the cultural history of Switzerland and traces the history of the country from prehistoric times to modern times. Works of art, handicrafts and everyday objects tell the story of the country's inhabitants over the course of time. The art of the Middle Ages has a particularly important place here. The permanent exhibition "Simply Zurich" on the first floor of the old building is not to be missed.

The Romanesque-Gothic church on the right bank of the Limmat is, together with the Grossmünster Cathedral, one of Zurich's landmarks. The church, with its Benedictine monastery, was founded in 853 by King Ludwig the German, whose two daughters, Hildegard and Berthe, were the first abbesses. The abbey was home to women of the European nobility, mainly from southern Germany. The church enjoyed royal favour and influence, including the right to mint Zurich's currency until the 13th century. Following the Reformation movement (1524), the church and convent became the property of the city of Zurich. The most interesting parts are the 18-metre high Romanesque choir and the transept vault. Today it is appreciated by many visitors for its magnificent stained glass windows, world-famous masterpieces that make it a place of art. The famous painter, engraver and sculptor Marc Chagall, born in Belarus and naturalized in France in 1937, executed the five stained glass windows in the choir in 1970 and the rose window in the south of the transept in 1980 at an advanced age. Augusto Giacometti, the uncle of the famous Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti, made the stained glass windows in the north window representing the four evangelists, God, the eight prophets and Christ in 1947. The cloister also features frescoes by the Zurich artist Paul Bodmer depicting the legend of the construction of the monastery. The organ of the Fraumünster, inaugurated in 1953, is the largest organ in Zurich with 5,793 pipes.

Best of Switzerland Tours offers a wide range of private and group excursions in the city of Zurich and the most important tourist attractions in German-speaking Switzerland. Our multilingual guides will take you to the eternal snows of the Jungfraujoch, to the Top of Europe or to the Mount Titlis... This is the ideal formula for those who appreciate organized bus tours. Some of the guides tell many interesting stories about the places visited. Book in advance!

Overlooking Zurich's skyline, this small (by Swiss standards) 871-metre-high mountain is affectionately known as "Zurich's mountain". A trip to the top of the Uetliberg promises a day out in nature and a breath of fresh air on the outskirts of the city (30 minutes from downtown). The highlight? A splendid panoramic view of the city, the lake, the Limmat and the Alps in the distance. Each season has its own charms: in summer, the mountain offers superb walks and bike rides, in November, Zurich locals come to seek the sun hidden above the stratus clouds, while in winter, the hiking trails transformed into toboggan runs delight the young (and not so young). The panoramic tower of the Hotel Uto Kulm, which proudly bears the title of "Top of Zurich", ensures an even more spectacular view. The hike from Uetliberg over the mountain range to the Albis Pass offers splendid views of the city of Zurich, the lake and the Central Swiss Alps. The route is perfectly signposted and there are hardly any climbs. At the end of the trail, you'll be rewarded with a natural treasure, Lake Türlen, where in some places you can even go for a swim. Departure point: Uetliberg station, Zürich. Arrival point: Türlen Landhus bus station. Duration: 4 hours. The "Planet Trail" links Uetliberg to Felsenegg in 2 hours via a ridge path. It offers a reconstruction of the solar system and a discovery of the planets. Fun and unusual.

The Grossmünster Cathedral, a shrine steeped in history and a true emblem of Zurich, has marked the cityscape and the old town for many centuries. According to legend, it was Charlemagne who had the church built when he discovered the tombs of Felix and Regula, the patron saints of the city of Zurich, martyrs who died for the Christian faith against Roman domination. Its construction in Romanesque style began in 1100 and spanned a long period with numerous renovations and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century, Ulrich Zwingli, the main architect of the Reformation in Zurich, was appointed parish priest of the cathedral and turned the city over to Protestantism within a few years. In 1525, Catholic services were officially abolished, and Grossmünster became the first Reformed church in Switzerland. The cathedral's characteristic two large, identical towers, once made of wood, were replaced in 1781 by neo-Gothic bell towers. One of the two towers, the Charlemagne Tower (Karslturm), has a copy of a statue of Charlemagne at its top, the original being housed in the crypt, the oldest part of the site. The chancel has beautiful stained glass windows by Augusto Giacometti from 1932 highlighting scenes from the Old Testament. In 2009, German artist Sigmar Polke created beautiful agate windows in the nave depicting key figures from the Old Testament. The most courageous will climb the 187 steps to the top of the Charlemagne Tower.

The Urania Observatory built in 1907 is open to the public. Everyone can therefore have the chance to observe the stars and planets thanks to the telescope that grows 600 times. Seeing this beautiful object is already worth the trip, but the evening becomes truly magical evenings without clouds. For those who want to have the head in the stars, for real!

The building dates from before the 9th century. It is the oldest parish church and the only baroque church in Zurich. It is difficult to miss its clock, whose dial is the largest in Europe. It measures 8.70 m in diameter. Until 1911, the bell tower was used as a fire lookout tower. It houses five bells, the largest of which weighs more than 6 tons. Inside, the choir dates back to the 13th century and most of the furniture and decoration to the 18th century. Rudolf Brun (1290-1360), who was the first mayor of the town, is buried here.

For all football fans! With over 3,000^m2 of exhibition space, the Fédération Internationale de Football Museum traces the great moments in the history of football and pays tribute to a sport whose popularity around the globe is unrivalled. In addition to the original FIFA World Cup trophy, the museum exhibits over 1,000 objects, 4,000 books and archive documents, and 1,400 photographs depicting the world's footballing heritage.

Caution: you are entering the temple of chocolate! The Lindt House is the size of four soccer stadiums and takes you on an interactive journey to the origins of chocolate. You'll discover how cocoa conquered Europe, and learn how Swiss pioneers revolutionized the world of chocolate in the ^19th century with their inventions. Did you know, for example, that cocoa beans were once used as currency? At the end of the tour, you'll be able to taste as much white, dark and milk chocolate as you like. Exciting and addictive!

This association lists the 16 shipping companies on the country's lakes and rivers. Here are the details of the lakes and rivers of the country included in the pass: Lake Geneva, Lake Neuchatel, Lake Biel, the Rhine in Basel, the Rhine and the Untersee, Lake Constance, Lake Greifen, Lake Zurich, Lake Walenstadt, Lake Hallwil, Lakes Zug and Aegeri, Lake of the 4 cantons, Lakes Thun and Brienz (Interlaken), Lakes Maggiore, Garda and Como and Lake Lugano.

A small opera house worthy of the world's greatest! With its 1,100 seats, the Zurich Opera House - or Opernhaus - welcomes international stars. Each season, the opera's orchestra accompanies at least 250 performances with passion and artistic quality. As one of the world's most renowned opera houses, you won't be surprised to see debutantes dressed in ball gowns. You too can take a few waltz steps, visit the disco room, the cigar bar or relax in the lounge. Chic and expensive!

Switzerland was first and foremost an agricultural country with crops produced by family farms. This grain museum pays tribute to the rural world, to farmers and their grain harvests. The history of wheat harvesting and flour production is presented, as well as special exhibitions on nutrition and the culture of eating and drinking. The 100-year-old Tiefenbrunnen industrial mill is still grinding. You can also get your hands dirty and make your own bread.