Zurich Things To Do

Museums & Galleries
The Kunsthaus Zürich (Zurich Art Gallery) features Dutch and Italian Baroque, and an excellent 19th and 20th century collection that includes Monet, Picasso, Munch, Chagall, Rothko and Bacon, plus Expressionists and Dadaists. The Museum Rietberg features Asian and African art in 19th century villas by Lake Zurich. For contemporary art head for the Migros Museum. The castle-like Swiss National Museum is one of the country’s most important archives. The baroque Zunfthaus zur Meisen Guild Hall has a superb collection of ceramics and porcelain. The Museum für Gestaltung is worth a visit for its 19th century Gothic pretensions alone.

Sightseeing
Zurich Old Town has charming streets and squares with superb examples of 16th and 17th century houses. St Peter's Church dates from the 13th century, and is famous for its clock. The Grossmünster cathedral by the River Limmat has superb stained glass. Climb the Karlstrum tower for fine views of the lake and the Old Town. The Schipfe neighbourhood by the river has interesting old buildings and a bohemian atmosphere. Lindenhof Square above the river is a wonderful spot to relax and take in the atmosphere of the river and the Old Town. All chocolate aficionados should visit the Lindt and Sprungle Chocolate Factory. See the getting around Zurich page for details of Lake Zurich.

Fraumünster & Marc Chagall Windows
This beautifully elegant Gothic and Romanesque church has a prime position between the River Limmat and Bahnhofstrasse. The church, begun in the 12th century, features wonderful 20th century stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti. Chagall was 80 when the work was commissioned. These unforgettable choir windows are a Zurich city break must. The slender blue church spire is a Zurich landmark.

Shopping
Like Geneva, shopping in Zurich is an elegant, stylish experience. Bahnhofstrasse, which leads to the lake, is one of the world’s most elegant shopping streets, notable for its jewellers and watchmakers, fashion boutiques, department stores and cafes. An entertaining Saturday street market in Bürkliplatz has antiques and good food. A more down-to-earth, alternative Saturday street market is at Kanzlei. Typical Swiss goods include knives, chocolate, porcelain, clocks, wooden toys and embroidery. The Niederdorf area is an atmospheric network of narrow lanes containing fashionable shops, great cafes and bars, and street entertainers. Interesting craft workshops in the Schipfe neighbourhood next to the river.

Entertainment
Zurich city break nightlife will pleasantly surprise. The city has a lively multicultural feel at night, and offers plenty of small music venues and DJ nights as well as more sophisticated nightclubs. The Zurich Opera House and the Tonhalle concert hall ensure Zurich has an excellent reputation for opera and classical music. Colourful Zurich festivals feature music and art in June and July, a massive electronic music street festival in August, Jazz in September and wine in November.

Zurich City Breaks  Getting Around Zurich

Things To Do In Zurich  Zurich Weather