Discover Zurich
Hotels, halal food, prayer spaces, things to do, and itineraries in Zurich.
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Must-see attractions in Zurich
From headline landmarks and heritage icons to parks, waterfronts, and major museums, discover 20 standout sights to build into your time in the city.
Though Zurich isn't the capital of Switzerland, it is the country's largest and most important city. It is the economic hub of Switzerland and a center of international banking and finance. The friendly business climate has also attracted many of the world's top corporations and lots of high-tech industries. Consequently, Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but it is also consistently ranked as the most livable.
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Muslim travel planner
Plan a Muslim-friendly trip in Zurich
Halal restaurants in Zurich
Zurich’s food scene is part of the city experience. Choose from 19 restaurants and food districts with location notes and planning tips.
zurichKronenhalle (Swiss)
This restaurant is famous for its exquisite Swiss food and desserts that melt in the mouth. If you want to rub shoulders with the rich and famous of Switzerland (and even celebrities from around the world), Kronenhalle is where you want to be seen. The restaurant also has some magnificent paintings by artists such as Picasso, Miro, Chagall and Matisse to name a few. You definitely ‘pay’ in paintings every time you dine here. With such an interesting history to its credit, its hard not to go to Kronenhalle if you are in the mood to splurge.
zurichWidder Hotel (international)
One of the best and most expensive hotels in town, the Widder Hotel restaurant offers top-notch cuisine. The hotel caters to most international cuisine given that guests from all over the world come and stay here.
zurichPetermann's Kunststuben (French)
Located along the shores of Lake Zurich, the Kunstsuben not only offers great French food but also a splendid view. The restaurant has to its credit one of the best Swiss chefs: Horst Petermann. There is wide selection of wines to choose from and has played host to many a public figure. One must make reservations beforehand. Address: Seestrasse 160, Küsnacht Tel: 044 910 0715. Website: www.kunststuben.com
zurichCasa Ferlin (Italian)
With an intimate feel to it thanks to antique wall hangings, a fire place and dark colours, the Casa Ferlin probably has the best Italian food in town. The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner and once again, attracts some of the richest residents of Zurich.
zurichBlaue Ente
Blaue Ente (Swiss and international with a seasonal menu) – Loosely translated as ‘Blue Goose’, this restaurant is situated beside Lake Zurich and boasts of an architecture that is largely eclectic. Perhaps one of the best things about the Ente is that the menu is not only diverse but also keeps changing. It is most famous for its duck.
zurichHaus zum Ruden (Swiss)
Housed in a historic 13th-century building, the Ruden has three different dining halls, each of which feature a different decor (historic). Once again, you need to make reservations in advance in order to dine here.
Zurich masjids and Muslim travel
Landmark masjids and prayer-aware notes for visitors planning salah, family movement, and halal-friendly days.
Where to stay in Zurich
Choose where to stay by trip style, from landmark luxury and family bases to central, airport, and neighborhood-led stays.
zurichCrowne Plaza Zurich
This four star international hotel chain offers plenty in the city of Zurich. Free high speed internet, free parking, free access to the health club and rooms with air conditioning and a state of the art media panel, this newly renovated establishment is definitely the place to stay if you have money to spend.
zurichRenaissance Zurich Hotel
This hotel is ideally situated between the airport and downtown Zurich and provides spacious and elegantly designed rooms with all the modern amenities of a deluxe hotel. The hotel restaurants serve a delectable Asian and Swiss Cuisine and are definitely worth a visit even if you choose not to stay at this hotel. Besides the standard guest rooms and suites, the hotel also offers a sauna, health club, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam bath, solarium and a massage centre for guests’ added comfort and benefit.
zurichThe Dolder Grand
This five star hotel boasts 173 luxurious rooms and suites with panoramic views of the city. The resort boasts a spa, several restaurants and is a prominent landmark of Zurich.
zurichZurich Marriott Hotel
Situated in the heart of Zurich and a mere 10 minutes drive from the airport, this elegant hotel of the many Marriott’s around the world has much to offer in modern amenities. With 264 guest rooms and excellent Thai and Swiss restaurants, this hotel is definitely the place to stay.
zurichWidder Hotel
Perhaps the finest hotel in the city, the Widder Hotel is located in Zurich’s old town but is quite close to the main city as well. The service quality is outstanding and the architecture and floor plan, exquisite. The room rates start from CHF560 and go up to almost CHF2,000 per night. Both deluxe rooms as well as penthouses are available. There are several restaurants, a bar, limousine service, functions hall for your events as well as the availability of internet at the Widder Hotel.
History and today in Zurich
Read the city today, its history, residents, culture, and character before planning your route.
When to Go
Zurich has four distinct seasons and a fairly cool climate. Average high temperatures in the summer are in the low twenties, with only a couple days each year above 30C.
City Information
Fast facts
Location: Zurich canton, North Central Switzerland; situated at the tip of Lake Zurich. Dialling code: 41 Emergency numbers Police: 117 Ambulance: 144 Fire brigade: 118 Population: 350,200 (city); 1.2 million (Zurich canton). Languages: The official language is Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch) Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from March to October). Average January temperatures: -0.5°C (31°F) Average July temperatures: 18°C (64°F) Annual rainfall: 1,142mm (45 inches)
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Exchange rates
The currency used is Swiss Franc.
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Public holidays
• January 1, 2010: New Year’s Day • January 2, 2010: Saint Berchtold (New Year Shopping, Stores are open) • April 2, 2010: Good Friday • April 5, 2010: Easter Monday • May 1, 2010: Labor Day • May 13, 2010: Ascension Day • May 24, 2010: Whit Monday • August 1, 2010: Swiss National Day • December 25, 2010: Christmas Day • December 26, 2010: Boxing Day
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Annual temperature
January: 9°C (high); -11°C (low) February: 11°C (high); -8°C (low) March: 16°C (high); -6°C (low) April: 21°C (high); -2°C (low) May: 25°C (high); 2°C (low) June: 28°C (high); 6°C (low) July: 29°C (high); 8°C (low) August: 29°C (high); 7°C (low) September: 24°C (high); 4°C (low) October: 20°C (high); 0°C (low) November: 16°C (high); -4°C (low) December: 11°C (high); -9°C (low)
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Zurich Residents
With a population of over 300,000 in the main city, the people of Zurich are surprisingly diverse. Over 30 per cent of the population consists of Germans who do not hold Swiss citizenship. 22 per cent are Italians who do not hold Swiss passports either. There are over one million people living in the suburbs of the city. The people are generally friendly but one must be on the look-out for pickpockets and drunken brawls.
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Zurich Today
Though Zurich isn't the capital of Switzerland, it is the country's largest and most important city. It is the economic hub of Switzerland and a center of international banking and finance. The friendly business climate has also attracted many of the world's top corporations and lots of high-tech industries. Consequently, Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but it is also consistently ranked as the most livable.
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Zurich History
Zurich has been consistently settled since the Roman Empire, though humans have lived in the area since prehistoric times. The first historical reference is from 15BC, when a military base was established. The nearby town was called Turicum. Little is known about Zurich's history throughout the early middle ages. The area was controlled by a succession of Germanic tribes.
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Shopping in Zurich
Explore 13 shopping stops, from malls, markets, and book bazaars to fashion streets and souvenir finds.
zurichTOD’s
This store has top-class designer footwear. Customers are spoilt for choice with regard to the variety available. There are also several handbags, belts and other leather accessories to choose from.
zurichBrunos
A clothing store that caters to both men and women, Brunos has some of the most expensive clothing lines that money can buy. Women can accessorise (as can men) given the number of accessories available at the store.
zurichFranz Carl Weber
This three-storey toy store is every child’s dream come true. There are specialty toys, souvenirs and collectors’ items to choose from. Mainstream toys such as Barbies and PlayStations are also available.
zurichGlobus
This is a top-notch departmental store that has everything from clothes to shoes to toys to cosmetics. There is also food court of sorts on one of lower levels and needless to say it has really fine food.
zurichJamarico
The store’s appeal lies in the burgeoning youth market of Zurich. It consists of trendy, hip clothes that are not too expensive and are wearable as well.
Signature sights in Zurich
A curated pick of the city's standout sights, led by the strongest editorial recommendations.
Festivals and events in Zurich
Plan around 27 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.
zurichThe Fespo Holidays and Leisure Fair
features a different guest country every year. This is perhaps the largest fair held in Switzerland and is divided thematically – from continents/countries to wider categories such as health and education.
zurichCSI Zurich
one of the world’s top five horse riding events. It attracts thousands of keen riders and non-riders every year.
zurichThe Salsa Festival Switzerland
held in Kongresshaus Zürich, is just another way to celebrate winter in the city. For those who wish to participate in this festival, there are a number of salsa workshops set up prior to the festival where you can hone your skills.
zurichThe Opera Ball
has to its credit international opera stars that perform alongside the Zurich Opera Orchestra. The evening kicks off with the debutantes of the season dressed in breath-taking ball gowns. Other attractions include ballroom dancing, a cigar bar and chill-out lounge.
zurichArt on Ice
is a figure skating event that has some of the finest Swiss figure skaters doing their thing. Performances by international pop stars and a light show are some of the other features of the event.
Zurich tours and experiences
Heritage walks, food crawls, coastal trips, museum circuits, family days, and guided ideas for an easier day out.
zurichCircle Tour
This is a three-hour-long tour of Zurich on a trolley. The tour takes you around the city where you get to see buildings of historic significance and major landmarks. Address: Jupiterstrasse 35 Tel: +41 44 383 7878
zurichHans Meier Cityrama Tour
This tour takes you along the historic sights in the city via the bus and is a three-hour-long trip that is operational all the year round. This is a completely guided tour that takes you around the Old Town as well.
zurichHans Meier Combo Tour
This is a four-hour-long trip that takes you via train to the ‘top’ of Zurich where the view will simply take your breath away. The tour is also operational all year round and the entire trip is quite a relaxing experience.
zurichBest of Switzerland Tours
This guided tour will let you explore the expensive shopping district, museums, parts of the Old Town, Opera House as well as the Frausmunster and Grossmunster.
zurichToptrek Touren Zürich
This is a trip to the countryside that you take on bikes, thus letting you see things that you would ordinarily miss while sitting in a car or train. Tourists who are into this sort of thing will enjoy riding on some of bike tracks and the view that one will be able to witness along the way.
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Zurich travel guide sections
Focused sections for articles, directories, maps, and trip planning.
