Overview to Zurich: Travel Guide and Tourist Information
- Zurich Information
- Eating & drinking in Zurich
- Things to do in Zurich
- Where to stay in Zurich
- Zurich street map
Zurich has really shaken off its slightly sterile reputation in recent years and revealed itself as a hip and happening continental city. The streets are still spotless, but they’re now accompanied by a full complement of trendy galleries, cafés, bars and clubs.
The city sits astride the River Limmat, which runs from north to south before meeting Lake Zurich. The older, cobbled parts of town are found on the east bank, whereas the land to the west of the river is given over to more modern architecture, commercial streets and trendy hangouts.
The district of Niederdorf on the east bank is the historic core of the city. Narrow medieval lanes spread along the river, providing an intricate network of romantic buildings and eateries. Lenin lived around here, whilst the Dada movement was born in one of the area’s many small cafés.
Just to the south of Niederdorf sits the Grossmunster – a 15th Century church replete with octagonal domes and stained-glass windows. A little to east is the stunning art collection at the Kunsthaus, which includes works by Kandinsky, Dali, and Picasso.
Over on the west bank the Fraumunster and St Peters-Kirche are both sites worth seeing. But the area is better known for its shopping and socializing, with Bahnhoftrasse (the city’s main shopping stretch), Helvetiaplatz and Langstrasse forming the city’s vivid nightlife strip.
And with one of the densest populations of clubs in Europe and a local population who really know how to have a good time, nightlife in Zurich can be quite an eye-opener. So however tired you are after a day’s sightseeing, you may just have to push on and party throughout the night as well!
