Overview & visitor information
is set up in the main city and is an indoor market. It features over 100 stalls that sell hand-crafted knick-knacks and gourmet desserts and pastries.
Festival
The Zurich Christmas Market
is set up in the main city and is an indoor market. It features over 100 stalls that sell hand-crafted knick-knacks and gourmet desserts and pastries.
City guide
More festivals in Zurich
Keep exploring Zurich.
zurichThe Fespo Holidays and Leisure Fair
Activity
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
Activity
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
Activity
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
Activity
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
Activity
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.
zurichThe Sechseläuten Spring Festival (April 18-19)
Activity
is one of the most famous annual festivals held in Zurich. The festival symbolises the end of winter and the main feature consists of the burning of the snowman effigy, Boogg. The festival kicks off with children, men and women parading the streets in traditional Swiss outfits and at the end of it, the snowman effigy is set on fire.
zurichThe Zurich Marathon
Activity
starts and ends at Hohe Landiwiese, with participants running around some of the main sight-seeing spots of the city.
zurichThe Tweakfest
Activity
is an annual technology exhibition where manufacturers unveil their latest gadgets and hold seminars and workshops.
zurichThe Krieslauf
Activity
4 - 5 May: is a haven for art lovers who can explore at length Zurich’s art, culture and fashion districts’ four and five. There are over 60 boutiques that hold special events and display their wares.
zurichThe Circus Knie
Activity
that tours throughout Switzerland arrives in Zurich in the months of May and June. This circus has been around for 200 years.
More places in Zurich
Keep exploring Zurich.
zurichKids in Tow
Activity
Switzerland is famous for toys ranging from trains to wooden carved toys and the Zurich Toy Museum and Franz Carl Weber, the toy store, should be part of any visit to the city when you have children in tow.
zurichGrossmünster
Churches
Grossmünster, or 'Gross Monster' as it's lovingly referred to by English speakers, is Zurich's most important church and one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. The original church was supposedly commissioned by the Emperor Charlemagne himself. It was also supposedly the burial place of Zurich's patron saints: Felix and Regula. The present structure was built in the traditional Gothic style during the twelfth century and consecrated around 1220AD. The twin, neo-Gothic spires were added in 1781 after the original wooden steeples were destroyed in a fire.
zurichFraumünster
Churches
Fraumünster, or Church of Our Lady, is one of Zurich's most important churches. The original church was opened in 850 and served as a Benedictine Abbey. The convent here was home to many of the elite women of Medieval Germany. The crypt dates from this original building. The current church was built in the mid-thirteenth century and a Romanesque spire was added in 1732. The spire towers above central Zurich, making this an important landmark.
zurichSwiss National Museum
Museum
The Swiss National Museum opened in 1898, seven years after its establishment. The building is in the style of a French Renaissance chateau, designed by architect Gustav Gull. It has been expanded several times since. The museum is dedicated to Swiss culture
zurichBahnhofstrasse
Street
Bahnhofstrasse is Zurich's main shopping street and also one of the world's most expensive streets. It dates back to 1864 when the surrounding swamp was filled in. The street quickly became a hub of commerce and banking, which it remains today. Here the world's elite congregate to shop and store their wealth.
zurichKunsthaus
Museum
Kunsthaus is Zurich's best art museum. It opened in 1910 and was designed by architect Karl Moser in the Greek Revival style. The facade is a little drab, but it belies the excellent collection housed inside. Many of the European masters are represented here, though the museum features some of their lesser works. Painters include Edward Munch, Marc Chagall, Vincent Van Gogh, and Salvador Dali to name a few.
zurichSchanzengraben
Canal
The Schanzengraben is a canal that connects Lake Zurich to the Limmat, through the western end of central Zurich. The canal was dug beginning in 1642 as a part of a new set of defensive fortifications necessitated by the Thirty Years War. It was actually a moat, and the bridges across were wooden so they could easily be burned in times of trouble. Originally, it ran along what is now Bahnhofstrasse, but was rerouted in the 1860s as the area was developed.
zurichNiederdorf and Oberdorf
Town
Niederdorf and Oberdorf is the neighborhood located on the right bank of the Limmat River. The atmosphere here is more casual than the rest of central Zurich. Instead of banks and upscale shopping there are cafes, art galleries, and boutiques. Many of the city's best restaurants are located here too.
zurichRietburg Museum
Museum
The Rietburg Museum is located in the middle of a 17 acre park, Rieterpark, in central Zurich. The park was bought by the city of Zurich in the 1940s. The collection is housed in the Wesendonck Villa, a mid-nineteenth century mansion built for industrialist Otto Wesendonck. It was also home to Richard Wagner. The beautiful Neo-classical villa was designed by Swiss architect Leonhard Zeugheer. The museum opened in 1952, but has expanded into the Schönberg Villa and an underground extension.
zurichMore restaurants in Zurich
Keep exploring Zurich.
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.
zurichMasala (Indian)
As the name suggests, the restaurant is the place to go for Indian food. It caters mostly to tourists who are looking to experiment with food.
zurichSwiss Chuchi (Swiss)
Located in the Adler Hotel, the Swiss Chuchi offers traditional fare, once again catering to the tourists. While the food is great, it is the fondue here that attracts many and is on the menu all the year round. It is the unconventional fondue combinations that appeals to one’s taste buds.
zurichBierhalle Kropf (Swiss)
This restaurant has a marvellous painting on its ceiling which adds to the overall decor of the place.
zurichOutback Lodge (Australian)
This restaurant is strictly for those who are quite experimental with their food since it has ostrich, crocodile and kangaroo on its menu. Of course, there is mainstream food also for those who are into exotic meats but the Outback Lodge is known for the former rather than the latter.