Sightseeing in Zurich - what to see. Complete travel guide
Zurich is the largest city and economic center of Switzerland. The number of residents of the city is 340,000 people. Approximately 30% of them came from other countries. The city is situated on the bank of the Limmat River and on the shore of Lake Zurich. Zurich is internationally famous mostly as the city of banks and a large business center, but it still has something to surprise its guests - museums, designer clothes shops, parks and a vibrant nightlife. In other words, this city is worth seeing.
Start your excursion program in Zurich by visiting the local zoo – one of the most unusual and popular in the world. You will not find typical cages in Zurich Zoo as all animals live in … Open
Fraumünster is a former monastery church, located in Munster Square. It was founded by the grandson of Karl the Great, Ludwig the German. The church was a gift to his daughter Hildegard, who became the abbess of the monastery. During its centuries long history the church has undergone numerous changes. Its design has become the mix of different architectural styles - the naves of the church are made in the Gothic style, its transept features the early Gothic style, and its choirs are made in the late Romanesque style. The Fraumünster Abbey is mostly known for five stained glass windows made by Marc Chagall. Each of these windows has its own theme and its own color. The north wing of the cross aisle is the location of a large stained glass window with a huge image of paradise. The author of this masterpiece was Augusto Giacometti. In the end of the last century the site of the monastery was occupied by the City Hall. All that has left from the church is just a covered gallery around the cloister. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Dishes served in national restaurants of Zurich are a wonderful combination of Italian, French and German culinary traditions. Foie gras is very popular among gourmet dishes, and fans of … Open
Grossmünster Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Zurich. According to a legend, it was founded by Charles the Great in the beginning of the IX century on the site of the tomb of Felix and Regula, Christian martyrs who were executed by the Romans, but they miraculously got up and, holding their heads in their hands, walked to the hill. There, on the hill, they prayed and then died. This magic hill was chosen as the place for the cathedral. The construction of the Roman-Gothic church was started in 1100. However, the building was finished only in the XV century. Humanist Ulrich Zwingli used the pulpit of Grossmünster to spread his ideas of the Reformation. During this period, according to beliefs of Zwingli, all furniture and decorations were removed from the church. The large crypt of Grossmünster is the place where visitors will see a beautiful monument dedicated to Charlemagne. The monument was created in the XV century. The stained-glass windows of the church are made by Augusto Giacometti.
The Fluntern Cemetery.
Friedhof Fluntern is famous because it has become the burial place of James Joyce, an Irish writer and a staunch pacifist, who found a refuge in neutral Switzerland during the First World War. Zurich was the place where he created one of the most significant works of world literature – “Ulysses”. Not long before his death in 1941, Joyce returned to Zurich, where he was buried in the Fluntern Cemetery. There is a large monument on the tomb of the writer, so it is almost impossible to miss.
Friedhof Fluntern is famous because it has become the burial place of James Joyce, an Irish writer and a staunch pacifist, who found a refuge in neutral Switzerland during the First World War. Zurich was the place where he created one of the most significant works of world literature – “Ulysses”. Not long before his death in 1941, Joyce returned to Zurich, where he was buried in the Fluntern Cemetery. There is a large monument on the tomb of the writer, so it is almost impossible to miss.
Switzerland is the most stable and secure country in the world, as far as managed to maintain a neutral position in the key global disputes for many centuries. It is also home to the best … Open
The Kunsthaus is one of the most important museums of Zurich. It is no less interesting than museums in larger cities. Numerous temporary exhibitions presented at the London Tate Modern were either designed or owned by the Kunsthaus. The permanent exhibition includes a rich collection of sculptures by Alberto Giacometti, the largest collection of Munch works outside Norway, numerous works by Monet, Van Gogh and sculptures by Rodin. Besides this, the museum is a great opportunity to learn something new about the Swiss art - the museum exhibits a large collection of works by Ferdinand Hodler, who lived in the XIX century and was the creator of patriotic paintings. Visitors will also be interested in beautiful and lively works of modern masters - Fischli & Weiss. (Some time ago Fischli & Weiss threatened to sue the advertising agency that had created the famous series of Honda advertisements. In these ads various parts started moving one after another, and this movement resembled “The movement of things” movie, created by Fischli & Weiss in 1987).
The Opera House.
The Opera House in Zurich was the first opera house in Europe with electric lighting. The neo Baroque building of the Opera House was constructed in 1891. The building stood on 1800 oak piles on the shore of Lake Zurich, and was opened by Wagner's opera "Lohengrin". Starting from 1996, the Zurich Ballet has been headed by Heinz Spoerli, one of the world's most respected choreographers of our time. The art director of the Opera House has been Alexander Pereira (since 1991). He performs his duties with a great enthusiasm. As a rule, 15 out of 50 performances are premieres, so the Opera House in Zurich offers its visitors the highest number of opera premieres in Europe.
The Opera House in Zurich was the first opera house in Europe with electric lighting. The neo Baroque building of the Opera House was constructed in 1891. The building stood on 1800 oak piles on the shore of Lake Zurich, and was opened by Wagner's opera "Lohengrin". Starting from 1996, the Zurich Ballet has been headed by Heinz Spoerli, one of the world's most respected choreographers of our time. The art director of the Opera House has been Alexander Pereira (since 1991). He performs his duties with a great enthusiasm. As a rule, 15 out of 50 performances are premieres, so the Opera House in Zurich offers its visitors the highest number of opera premieres in Europe.
Zurich has the right to be considered the most beautiful city in the country. It’s really hard to find such wide choice of attractions present in the territory of any other city. … Open
The Zurich Design Museum is an interesting place, where the concept of "design" is interpreted broadly. Here you will be able to see amazing exhibitions that are devoted to, for example, how Bollywood movies are filmed in Switzerland or exhibitions devoted to the analyses of dendrites, tree-like structures that can only be found in nature. A separate exhibition is dedicated to different types of "take-out" packaging. There is also a large collection of posters. Visitors of the museum will there a lot of non-standard collections and ideas.
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City tours, excursions and tickets in Zurich and surroundings
Reference information
Shopping streets in Zurich
♥ Shopping area ' Limmatquai' Zürich, 0.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area 'Rennweg' Zürich, 1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Niederdorfstrasse' Zürich, 1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Bahnhofstrasse' Zürich, 1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Löwenstrasse' Zürich, 1.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Limmatquai' Zürich, 0.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area 'Rennweg' Zürich, 1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Niederdorfstrasse' Zürich, 1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Bahnhofstrasse' Zürich, 1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Löwenstrasse' Zürich, 1.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
Survived castles around Zurich
♥ Castle 'Kyburg Castle' , 17.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Irgenhausen Castrum' , 18.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'St. Andreas Castle' , 21.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Horben Castle' , 23.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Rapperswil Castle Rapperswil' , 25.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Kyburg Castle' , 17.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Irgenhausen Castrum' , 18.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'St. Andreas Castle' , 21.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Horben Castle' , 23.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Rapperswil Castle Rapperswil' , 25.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
National and city parks around Zurich
♥ National Park 'Schwarzwald' , 61.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ World Heritage Site 'Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch' , 105.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ National Park 'Schwarzwald' , 61.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ World Heritage Site 'Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch' , 105.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
Art galleries in Zurich and around
♥ Art museum 'Kunsthaus' Zurich, 0.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Centre Le Corbusier' Zurich, 1.2 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Swiss National Museum' Zurich, 1.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Rietberg Museum' Zurich, 1.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Foundation E.G. Bührle' Zurich, 1.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Kunsthaus' Zurich, 0.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Centre Le Corbusier' Zurich, 1.2 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Swiss National Museum' Zurich, 1.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Rietberg Museum' Zurich, 1.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Foundation E.G. Bührle' Zurich, 1.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
Sights around Zurich from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Tibitis Landscape Ads
From the series “Creative and Incredible Advertising Constructions”
Check on the map: Distance from Zurich center - 69.1 km.
In order to emphasize the idea of the advertising campaign, agency employees have attached the fork of common size to the tree branches. The original landscape advertising attracted the attention of the thousands of people and significantly increased the visibility of Tibits' vegetarian restaurants. The advertising campaign, which took place in Switzerland in 2009, is by no means the only one using the huge forks for installation. One of the well-known seafood restaurants has pushed the huge forks into the sea to emphasize the freshness of the food. …
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Engelberg
From the series “15 Sparsely Populated Places for Solitude with Wildlife”
Check on the map: Distance from Zurich center - 61.3 km.
More than that, there was saved an old church, a good example of rococo style of the 1730s. The main nature sightseeing of these places is a wonderful lake Trubsee. From this lake begin the most interesting touristic walking routes. Engelberg is a unique place which give people an opportunity to combine a private vacation with original resort entertainment. At the top station of the aerial lift Rotair has placed a unique public place – the highest in Europe karaoke-bar. …
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Pilatusbahn
From the series “The Most Dangerous Railroads in the World”
Check on the map: Distance from Zurich center - 50.1 km.
Nowadays, 10 red carriages, designed to hold 40 passengers, are shuttling constantly. The carriages move with a speed not exceeding 12 km/h, which allows to transport up to 340 passengers hourly. In all the carriages the atmosphere of the middle of the last century has been recreated, which makes the trip even more interesting. If you do not lean out of the window, the trip will seem maximally comfortable, but if you do, you can catch the fragrance of mountain flowers and even pick them from the steep slopes. …
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Preferred to Open 9 New Hotels in 2022
In September 2022, the Sommerro hotel in Oslo will start operating in a carefully restored 1930s Art Deco building. This building is a true landmark of Frogner, a historic neighborhood of the Norwegian capital. A multi-million-dollar renovation carefully turned the largest preservation project in Norway into a modern hotel with 231 rooms, including 56 residences. Preferred will open five more hotels in 2022, namely, The Wall Street Hotel in New York, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences on Singer Island (Florida, the US), TOA Hotel & Spa in Zanzibar, Pendry hotel in Washington, and Pendry Park City hotel in Utah. Read this
19.03.2024
In September 2022, the Sommerro hotel in Oslo will start operating in a carefully restored 1930s Art Deco building. This building is a true landmark of Frogner, a historic neighborhood of the Norwegian capital. A multi-million-dollar renovation carefully turned the largest preservation project in Norway into a modern hotel with 231 rooms, including 56 residences. Preferred will open five more hotels in 2022, namely, The Wall Street Hotel in New York, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences on Singer Island (Florida, the US), TOA Hotel & Spa in Zanzibar, Pendry hotel in Washington, and Pendry Park City hotel in Utah. Read this
19.03.2024
Search touristic sites on the map of Zurich
All about Zurich, Switzerland - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Zurich, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Zurich in few days.