Switzerland City Guide: Zurich (Zürich)
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Zurich at Night
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Zurich
- financial center
- 350,000 thousand people
- cosmopolitan European City with cafes, street life, parks
- very livable city on Lake Zurich
- Switzerland's largest city
- preserved Old Town
- the Street Parade rival's London's Notting Hill Carnival as Europe's biggest party
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Zurich was originally a tax-collecting center
for goods that passed along the Limmat River. Though the
city has deep roots as a religious center as well, it is mainly
known today as a world financial center.
The original settlement of the area dates from around 7,000 years
ago. The Romans arrived in 15 BC, on one of their many campaigns.
In what is now Zurich, they set up a customs post called "Turicum."
Here they began building the first structures in stone. They thrived
until withdrawal in 401 AD. The Franks and Alemans who succeeded
them were mainly farmers, and the city did not develop for many
centuries.
Zurich was given the right to be a free imperial city in the early
part of the thirteenth century. The city then became part of what
is now Switzerland in 1351, but was kicked out some 90 years later
thanks to warring with other member states of the confederation.
Zurich lost the war and once again became a member of the confederation
in 1450.
One of the main symbols of Zurich is the Grossmunster church
(built in 820 AD). In the past it was much more than symbolic. In
the 16th century, Huldrych Zwingli was appointed the first priest
of the Grossmunster church. He read the Bible literally, and was
opposed to anything not found therein: mercenaries, the selling
of indulgences, and more.
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Zurich Cityscape
© Zurich Tourismus |
As a result of his influence, religious refugees from the South
came to live and work in Zurich. These immigrants brought with them
their business skill. One result of this was that the city became
a textile center. Industrialization and, in 1847, the railroads
followed, helping to create the financial center that is world famous
today.
Another well known church is the Fraumunster, which is today
famous for its Chagall stained glass windows. It was renovated in
2004. The clock face at St. Peter, which is just down the
road from Fraumunster, is said to be the largest in Europe.
Museums
Zurich has several museums well worth visiting. The Museum Barengasse
covers the history of Zurich, primarily in the 18th century. It
is part of the national museum system of Switzerland, and is located
at Museumstrasse 2 CH-8023.
The Kunsthaus
Zurich, has a fantastic collection of Modern Art, featuring
works by Munch, Picasso, Braque, Giacometti, and more (Tel: 044
253 84 84).
Next is the Museum
Rietberg, with its lovely collection of Asian art. Gablerstrasse
15 8002 Zurich (Tel: 044 206 31 31).
For those with an interest in fashion and design, head to the
Museum
Bellerive. Höschgasse 3, CH-8008. (Tel: 043 446 44
69). Entrance is 9 euros.
 Finance
Many financial institutions are headquartered in Zurich, which
is the world's main city for offshore banking. Swiss secrecy and
its multilingual residents are the main reasons for this. It is
said the financial sector of the city is close to one quarter of
total economic activity.
Nightlife
The Grand Casino Baden is a classic European casino. It is located
at Spielbank Baden AG Haselstrasse 2 CH-5400 Baden. Downtown there
are many bars and clubs that cater to all tastes. For a taste of
working class Zurich beerhalls (and huge plates of french fries)
try some of the places at the beginning of Niederdorfstrasse.
For a more ambient experience try the pavement cafes on the riverside
Limmatquai including the historic but pricey, Odeon.
Across the river there are good watering holes around the main station
including Helvetia and a good English-style pub Lions
on Oetenbachstrasse just near the excellent Orell Fussli
English bookshop.
Shopping
The Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world's most elegant boulevards.
High end fashion, jewelry, two great department stores--Globus and
Jelmoli--can be found here.
Festivals
April
 Sechselautern
- a spring festival with a parade in historic costumes and a pyrotechnic
snowman (Böögg).
August
Street Parade - a huge techno-inspired street party - Europe's
largest www.street-parade.ch.
September
Knabenschiessen - youth shooting competition www.knabenschiessen.ch
Tourist Offices
Located at Zurich's
Main Train Station
Tel. +41 44 215 40 00
Fax +41 44 215 40 44
information[at]zuerich.com
Getting There
Zurich Airport (Flughafen Zurich) is 8 miles north of downtown.
The trip into town could not be easier. There are of course taxis
and buses, but the S-Bahn (rail) is the best option. It takes but
10 minutes to get to the Hauptbahnhof (main station).
Train
The Swiss federal railways, the Schweizerische
Bundesbahnen, is excellent for travel within Switzerland. There
are direct trains to both Basel and Bern (just over an hour).
For football fans under 26, the Inter-Rail pass is an attractive
possibility. It offers unlimited travel on almost all European railways
which includes the Swiss system. Switzerland is located in the pass's
Zone C.
Bus
There are long-haul buses from the UK to Zurich: 18 hours in a
coach. It is however the cheapest way to get there. Eurolines
will get you there and back.
The A1 will get you to Zurich from Geneva
or Berne.
From Lucerne, take the A3. For drivers coming from Munich,
take the E17. The A136 goes to Innsbruck.
Getting around
Getting around Zurich on foot is not a big problem. A ZurichCard
valid for 24 and 72 hours allows free public transport, free admission
to a number of museums, shopping discounts and even a free drink
in some restaurants.
S-Bahn, Buses & Trams
Zurich has an integrated system of S-Bahn suburban trains, buses
and trams. The railway station is the main hub. S-Bahn suburban
trains link to Zug, Einsiedeln to the south and Schaffhausen, Stein-am-Rhein
and Winterthur to the north.
If you look on the front of the ticket machine where you get on
a tram or bus, you can find most stops from a list, and by the name
of the stop either a 4-digit number or the letters KS. KS stands
for ‘Kurzstrecke', (a short journey), the numbers represent
a destination. Just choose the corresponding ticket. Day tickets
are also available. There are infrequent night buses for the suburbs
departing Bellevue.
Bike
You can hire or borrow bikes with a cash and identity card/passport
deposit.
Boat
There are pleasure cruises on Lake Zurich and the River Limmat.
Rent
A Car With Holiday Autos
Rent
A Car With Sixt
Featured Hotels
Dolder Grand Hotel, Zurich
Kurhausstrasse 65
Zurich 8032 Switzerland
Built in 1899, the Dolder is located on the edge of a woods and
has its own golf course.
Bristol
Hotel - quiet city center 3-star hotel.
Rex
Hotel - some great, high-tech rooms with views of the street.
Wireless Internet for a fee. Check out the groovy lighting with
the excellent breakfasts. Walking distance or tram 7 to the center.
Book Accommodation in Zurich
Hotels
in Switzerland - Accommodation Online - hotels throughout Switzerland
Hotels
in Switzerland - Bookings - hotels throughout Switzerland
Hotels
in Zurich - Hotel.de - hotels in Zurich
Hostels
in Switzerland - Hostelworld.com - cheap accommodation throughout
Switzerland
Hotels
in Switzerland - Agoda - hotels in all locations
Eating
List your restaurant here.
Drinking
List your bar, cafe or club here.
Internet Cafes
List your internet cafe here for FREE!
Football Teams
 FC
Zurich was founded in 1896 from the merger of three local clubs.
The team now plays in the Swiss first division and were champions
in 2006. FCZ plays
its home matches at Letzigrund Stadium, which held 23,605 but will
move to the new 30,000 capacity Letzigrund
stadium being built on the same site for Euro 2008 and due to
open in 2007. FC Zurich play in blue and white striped shirts and
blue shorts. Take tram #2 from Paradeplatz.
 A
second team, Grasshopper-Club Zurich, also is based in Zurich.
Founded in 1886 by English students, the Grasshoppers
have a huge and loyal following and are the most successful team
in Swiss football having had good runs in European competition and
appearing in the Champions
League. Grasshopper played its home games at 22,000 capacity
Hardturm Stadium, a 5-minute minute ride on the tram from the main
station. Grasshopper and FC Zurich will share the new Letzigrund
Stadium until the new Stadion Zürich replaces the old Hardturm
Stadium. Take tram #4 from the main station to the old Hardturm
Stadium.
Grasshopper play in blue and white half shirts and white shorts.
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