About Zurich
With a history dating back to over two millennia, Zurich offers plenty to see and do. It is home to several tourist attractions including grand churches, magnificent monuments and lovely parks. Summer is the peak tourist season in Zurich with a range of outdoor activities to tempt travellers from all walks of life.
Places to visit in Zurich
There are plenty of amazing places to explore in the vibrant city of Zurich. Some of the destination’s must-see attractions include:
- Grossmunster (Great Minster): This 12th-century church is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks that features the striking Romanesque architectural style. Its interiors are decorated with stunning stained glass paintings, huge bronzed doors, Gothic artwork and bricked walls. It houses a crypt with the original statue of Charlemagne, the Protestant order’s founder. Moreover, its sky-high twin towers flaunt a platform that offers breathtaking views of Lake Zurich and the city sprawled down below.
- Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum): The museum is a renowned establishment that provides a deep understanding of Switzerland's cultural history. Situated at the meeting point of the Sihl and Nimmat rivers, near Park Platzspitz, the museum complex features impressive displays of paintings, texts, and photographs. It boasts a staggering collection of over 840,000 objects, guiding visitors from the late Middle Ages to the present day. Beyond its impressive exhibits, the museum's architecture is a marvel in itself. Designed by architect Gustav Gull in 1898 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Swiss federal constitution, the neo-Gothic style complex resembles a majestic castle from a distance.
- St. Peter's Church: St. Peter's, Zurich’s only Baroque church, has a rich history dating back to the first century. Its iconic tower boasts the largest clock face in Europe, measuring 8.7 metres in diameter. The tower is also home to five bells, including one weighing over 6,000 kg, which hold great historical significance. Throughout the Middle Ages until 1911, the tower served as a lookout for fires. The church is not only a popular tourist destination but also a place of historical importance. Theologians once worked within its walls, and it is the final resting place of Zurich's first mayor, whose monument and grave can be visited along the outer tower wall.
- Zurich Opera House: The opera house holds the distinction of being the city's first permanent theatre and was a significant hub for the renowned composer Richard Wagner during his exile from Germany. Within this expansive building, visitors can also explore the Ballet and the Bernhard-Theatre. With a seating capacity of over 1,000 spectators, the theatre was rebuilt by renowned architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner after a devastating fire in the 19th century. In addition to attending a show, visitors can embark on guided tours of the opera house, marvelling at the magnificent ceilings adorned with intricate ancient paintings before the start of their chosen performance.
- Old Town Zurich: Located in Kreis 1, this is the oldest part of the city and is split into two by the River Limmat. Largely divided into four quadrants, the historical heart of Zurich flaunts many churches, guild houses and Renaissance buildings. Steeped in culture and history, Old Town Zurich is full of archaic architecture and is a heaven for history buffs. Moreover, it is home to some of the city’s finest shopping and dining destinations.
Zurich Airport
Zurich Airport is Switzerland’s largest international airport and has three terminals and three runways. The IATA code for the airport is ZRH. Located at 8058 Kloten, Switzerland, it is at a distance of just 13 km from central Zurich. Plenty of airlines operate regular flights from and to Zurich Airport. Once you’ve landed, you can easily take a train, bus, tram or taxi to any part of the city. Moreover, the airport has many shops and dining places that you can check out.
