Schaffhausen is a historic Rhine-side town north of Zürich. Its well-preserved old town includes painted façades and the former All Saints’ Abbey, now home to the Museum zu Allerheiligen. The Munot fortress overlooks the town and offers panoramic views.
Schaffhausen is a historic Rhine-side town north of Zürich. Its well-preserved old town includes painted façades and the former All Saints’ Abbey, now home to the Museum zu Allerheiligen. The Munot fortress overlooks the town and offers panoramic views.
Nearby places to explore when planning your route.
Keep exploring Zurich.
zurichSwitzerland 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, 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, 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.
zurichThe 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 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 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.
zurichThe 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 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.
zurichThe 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.
zurichKeep exploring Zurich.
zurichThis 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.
zurichOne 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.
zurichLocated 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
zurichWith 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 (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.
zurichHoused 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.
zurichAs 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.
zurichLocated 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.
zurichThis restaurant has a marvellous painting on its ceiling which adds to the overall decor of the place.
zurichThis 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.
Keep exploring Zurich.
zurichThis 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.
zurichThis 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.
zurichThis 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.
zurichSituated 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.
zurichPerhaps 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.
zurichLocated along the shores of River Limmat, Hotel zum Storchen is also within the confines of the Old Town but not too far from the city centre. The hotel boasts a 24-hour concierge service, free internet in the hotel lobby, a business centre, laundry and dry-cleaning service along with an exclusive restaurant.
zurichFrequented by celebrities, politicians and other public figures, the Baur au lac overlooks the Alps but at the same time is quite close to the financial district of Zurich. There is free wireless internet, private garage and car wash, an in-house florist, a business centre and a fitness centre available here.
zurichA five-star hotel with modern architecture, the Park Hyatt provides internet, transport, shopping, restaurants and parking services to its guests.
zurichThe ALDEN Hotel Splugenschloss is an intimate 5 star boutique hotel which is situated 5 minutes walking distance from Lake Zurich. Ideally located near the Bahnhofstrasse, this 22 suite hotel boasts large bedrooms, sitting rooms and bathrooms fitted with the latest ameneties. The little touches of luxury that this hotel is known for also extends to a large Mediterranean fine dining restaurant, ALDEN per te.
zurichThis five star hotel is yet another luxurious branch of the many Radisson hotels around the world. The Rasission Blu Zurich provides the standard exemplar facilities that you would expect to find at any of the Radisson hotels, including 330 rooms and suites, 50 meetings rooms, free WLAN access and an excellent restaurant serving an international cuisine.