Any visitor to Zurich knows he is enjoying the luxury created for one of Europe’s oldest cities with whole neighbourhoods of medieval buildings that were never damaged by the world wars, while also feeling a frisson of excitement as he passes the discrete signs of some of Europe’s oldest private banks.
Zurich is one of the world’s major financial hubs, home to over 350 banks, but I found it easy to enjoy the city and have a deeply luxurious holiday. One of its many advantages is that you can easily discover it on foot and it’s got a very reliable tram system.
The first thing you notice about this Swiss city is the glistening water of Lake Zurich stretching off into the distance where on a clear day you can see the country’s famous mountains, adding height to the beauty of the city’s charming landscape.
Even though I was in Zurich for only four days, as a guest of Switzerland Tourism, Park Hyatt Zurich and Swiss International Airlines, I felt a difference in ambience between weekdays and weekends.
During the week, the city isn’t very crowded, which makes for happy shopping, but the energy picks up on weekends when residents and tourists alike fill the streets to meet up for a meal at around midday and, of course, shop.
Visiting Zurich in the winter is ideal to get that European Christmassy feel; the city lights up at night (streets are adorned with different-colour lights, which have only been introduced 4 years ago, replacing unexciting neon lights) and they even had a singing Christmas tree that covers rock songs in the downtown area. And you should make sure you do not miss the amazing Swarovski Christmas tree at the Zurich train station.
Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city with a population of 400,000 (out of a total 8,081 million), has been ranked among the top cities with the highest quality of life in the world and talking to some residents, this is something that they acknowledge readily and take pride in.
It certainly can be felt even during a short stay. And you can count yourself lucky to be visiting now; until 2000 Switzerland had a police hour where everything would shut down by mid-night.
Here’s a list of 10 things you can do while visiting Zurich:
Take a walk by Lake Zurich: Accessible from most locations around the city, Lake Zurich is striking in terms of size and beauty. The water is very clean and during the summer, many people opt to go for a swim during lunch breaks. Moreover, Zurich has over 1200 fountains scattered around the city and the water is drinkable.
Take a stroll in the old town, Zurich’s historic centre: Slipping into this part of Zurich is very easy and you can immediately feel the difference; this is a pedestrian zone filled with small shops that are hidden in alleyways. Some stores and cafés have an artistic vibe, such as the Cabaret Voltaire café, which opened in 1916 with the aim of creating “a centre for artistic entertainment”.
Drink hot chocolate at Schober: This café is considered Zurich’s first coffee house. It was established in 1847 in a house that was built in 1357. Prior to its establishment, coffee wasn’t allowed in Switzerland. There’s no phone reception in Schober and the café encourages people to spend quality time with one-another. On Thursdays (during winter season only), they have a pianist perform and anyone is invited to sing along.
Visit the Fraumünster church: It is one of the city’s three major protestant churches; Romanesque in style, the stained glass from inside the church is very special. It is the work of the famous modernist Russian-French artist Marc Chagall and it was completed in 1970.
Go watch-shopping: This is a no-brainer; Zurich is ideal if you’re shopping for a luxury watch. The options are limitless: Rolex, Carl F. Bucherer, Chopard, IWC, Cartier to name a few and the variety is very impressive. Some shops even offer further discounts depending on payment methods.
Go vintage-shopping: If you’re into high-end designers but for a bargain, there are a couple of places to keep on your radar: Trois Pommes Outlet Donna is ten minutes by car from the city centre and the shop houses older collections (unused) of several high-end brands including: Dolce & Gabanna, Celine, Prada, and Missoni. Or you could try a vintage shop located in the old town called Le Boudoir where you’ll be able to find a colourful variety of Hermes’ Birkins and Chanel jackets. There’s also the famous “Luxury Goods” shop that has an impressive variety of brands.
Take a day trip to Lucerne: A 45-minute train ride (costing 36CHF or Dh134) from Zurich’s centrally located train station will get you to this small but stunning town. Lucerne has been ranked among the world’s prettiest cities and it is easy to discover it by foot. The cityscape is beautiful: lake, mountains and stunning buildings with several of them covered in beautiful art. Shopping is also made easy given the cosiness of the place.
Eat as many chocolates as possible from Sprungli (Lindt): Sprungli, named after the owner, was the first person to produce chocolates in Zurich and later on bought the Lindt factory. He kept the name Lindt for the international market because it is easier to pronounce but everyone in Switzerland is familiar with the history behind the brand.
Have lunch at the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant Haus Hiltl: Opened in 1898 by Ambroius Hiltl, this restaurant is now run by the fourth generation of the Hiltl family. Here, you’ll be able to feast on plenty of healthy, vegetarian options from the buffet including familiar dishes such as falafel and samosas. The dessert buffet is just as impressive. Employees at the restaurant come from 80 different nationalities, and this has had an influence on the menu.
Dine at Chasalp: Located on a hilltop just outside of Zurich, Chasalp restaurant is the place to go to for the ultimate cheese fondue experience, which I am told is Switzerland’s unofficially national dish. You will enjoy the rustic atmosphere and cottage-like setting. It is also a great option for a group meal.
