Zurich City Guide   As an international centre of finance and home to a range of luxury industries, Zurich is among the wealthiest and most liveable cities on earth, and it consistently ranks among the top cities in the world for quality o...

Zurich City Guide

As an international centre of finance and home to a range of luxury industries, Zurich is among the wealthiest and most liveable cities on earth, and it consistently ranks among the top cities in the world for quality of life. The city attracts well-heeled visitors eager to enjoy high-end offers and tourists who want to get a taste of a laid-back and scenic corner of Europe.

Visit Zurich to indulge your love for all the finer things in life – from designer jewellery and exquisite watches to gourmet chocolate, wine and cheese.

There is a lot more to Zurich than banks and you can easily find some of Switzerland's best exports in this city – from designer watches and jewellery to fine foods. Brussels might have the most indulgent chocolate waffles but it's Zurich where the art of chocolate-making is at it's highest as it is evident from the numerous excellent chocolate brands. From the popular Sprungli and Teuscher stores to more obscure artisan shops tucked into the Old Town alleys, the city holds many temptations.

There are two ways to see Zurich. One is by taking a cruise on the river Limmat and lake Zurich, which allows you to relax and see the city from a beautiful vantage point. The other way is to simply walk. Zurich is a real pleasure to explore on foot. The city's clean, well-maintained streets are dotted with more than a thousand drinking fountains inviting weary travellers to pause and recharge. Also, many of the major shopping avenues in the Old Town are pedestrianized and that makes shopping and sightseeing a leisurely and safe experience.

The Old Town is the heart of Zurich and the hub of shopping and night life.

Almost any visit to Zurich begins in the Old Town (Alt Stadt), which is the centre and the oldest part of the city. This characterful district has preserved beautiful, pre-20th-century buildings, while its winding, cobbled alleys are lined with trendy boutiques, restaurants, cafes and art galleries.

Pedestrian Niederdorf street is a serene home to small shops, open-air cafes and lively bars. Limmatquai, which runs parallel to Niedersdorf and along the river Limmat offers an ever more scenic shopping experience. This avenue is also pedestrian so you can safely explore all that it offers, from the fashion boutiques to the restaurants, while taking in the river views at the same time.

The ultimate shopping experience in Zurich, however, awaits you on Bahnhofstrasse, the trendiest high street in Europe. A wide range of high-end brands along the Bahnhofstrasse vie for the attention and cash of shoppers.  From Chanel and Cartier to Apple, there are many temptations and many ways to splurge.

At nightfall when the shops close down, numerous bars open doors to the public transforming the Old Town into a lively night life hub.

Apart from the shopping and dining outlets, the Old Town has many cultural offers.

There are nearly a dozen museums in the city and with the majority of them dedicated to art, culture and design, any art lover can feel at home in Zurich. Two of the most notable institutions are located in the Old Town, namely the Zurich Museum of Art which houses works by the likes of Braque and Picasso, and the Swiss National Museum with its collection of artefacts documenting the history of the city and the nation.

Those who enjoy seeing art in its original setting should pay a visit to either of the two most notable cathedrals in Zurich. The Fraumünster boasts a series of rainbow coloured stained glass windows created by modernist artist Marc Chagall, while the Romanesque Grossmünster features work by Giacometti.

For a more unusual experience, check out the Uhrenmuseum Beyer. This venue is solely dedicated to one of Switzerland's finest products – timepieces. The collection covers everything from ancient hourglasses and grandfather clocks to modern pieces.

In the Züri-West district you can discover a contemporary side of city life.

Venture out of the charmingly traditional Old Town and you find a modern Zurich. Once home to factories that manufactured all from motors to ship parts, today the Züri-West district is a trendy hotspot of restaurants, galleries and design shops. Former factories and warehouses have been converted into residential and commercial quarters. The façades might still look stern and unwelcoming but the interiors are vibrant and exciting. Expect to find anything from quaint antique shops and live music venues, to the offices of start-ups and fine dining restaurants.

Whether you seek the modern or the traditional, the luxury or the budget-friendly, we are here to help you find accommodation in Zurich to match your needs and desires. Our selection of vacation rentals and apartments throughout the city can accommodate many different tastes. So, let us help you find the perfect apartment for your city break.