Before the gooey Swiss chocolates and the lavish luxury lifestyle can be indulged, the perfect stay needs to be found first. While the city is nowhere near the size of London and New York, it still requires a bit of finesse to get around and locate the ideal area to stay in. The city itself has 12 districts, each with its own unique feel. Whether it’s Altstadt, home to the old town, or Wiedikon, Aussersihl, Riesbach, and Schwamendingen, there are many parts of the city that are characteristically beautiful, busy and chilled.
- Kreis 1 (Altstadt) - contains the old town, and the neighbourhoods of Hochschulen, Rathaus, Lindenhof, and City.
- Kreis 2 - contains the neighbourhoods of Enge, Wollishofen and Leimbach.
- Kreis 3 (Wiedikon) - contains the neighbourhoods of Alt-Wiedikon, Sihlfeld and Friesenberg.
- Kreis 4 (Aussersihl) - contains the neighbourhoods of Werd, Langstrasse, and Hard.
- Kreis 5 (Industriequartier) - contains the former industrial area of Zürich and the neighbourhoods of Gewerbeschule, and Escher-Wyss.
- Kreis 6 - contains the neighbourhoods of Oberstrass and Unterstrass.
- Kreis 7 - contains the neighbourhoods of Fluntern, Hottingen, and Hirslanden.
- Kreis 8 (Riesbach) - contains the neighbourhoods of Seefeld, Mühlebach, and Weinegg.
- Kreis 9 - contains the neighbourhoods Altstetten and Albisrieden.
- Kreis 10 - contains the neighbourhoods of Höngg and Wipkingen.
- Kreis 11 - contains the neighbourhoods of Affoltern, Oerlikon and Seebach.
- Kreis 12 (Schwamendingen) - contains the neighbourhoods of Saatlen, Schwamendigen Mitte, and Hirzenbach.
Whichever district is eventually chosen, guests of business and leisure can relax and kick back in an apartment that’s homely and makes the days and night as cosy and convenient as needs are. With a portfolio of many Zurich apartments, the perfect stay is easy to find at TheSqua.re.
Facts About Zurich
Despite its present form as a global financial centre, the city of Zurich was once a small settlement, founded by the Romans many, many moons ago. With the Lake Zurich and the river Limmat providing access for trade, Zurich expanded easily. But that’s just the start. There’s also the Old Swiss Confederacy, the Helvetic Revolution and the formation of the Swiss Federal State.
But rather than trawling through history, here are a few facts that are both fascinating and essential before heading to the city of Zurich.
- The population is 415,215.
- Zürich was founded by the Romans and was known as Turicum.
- The Church of St Peter has the largest clock face in Europe.
- Lake Zurich froze over twice in 1929 and in the winter of 1962.
- Zurich is considered one of the happiest cities in the world.
- Zurich has more than 12 museums.
- Zurich has the most night clubs per capita in Europe.
- Most shops in Zurich are located on the Bahnhofstrasse.
- Zurich has the largest number of public baths, 40 in total.
- The official language of Zürich is German, but the main spoken language is the local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect, Zürich German.
- Both Zurich Airport and railway station are the largest and busiest in the country.
Those that want to learn more about the city should visit the Zurich Museum of Art and the Swiss National Museum to gain greater insights.
Things to Do in Zurich
When guests have settled into their serviced apartment and had a refreshing snack or drink to get their energy back, they can then hit the city and explore many of its exquisite marvels. From the art galleries and museums to hidden treats and boutique stores, there’s going to be something for everyone.
What are the most popular things to do in Zurich?
Some of the most popular things to do in Zurich are:
- Shop on the Bahnhofstrasse.
- Explore the Swiss National Museum.
- Visit the Zurich Museum of Art.
- Take a few snaps of Grossmünster.
- Go around the Botanical Garden.
- Wander around Münsterhof and its panoramic views.
- Explore the expensive restaurants in the city.
What is the best way to spend a day in Zurich?
Here’s how you should spend a day in Zurich:
- Go shopping on Bahnhofstrasse.
- Visit the Grossmünster Cathedral.
- Explore Altstadt (The Old Town).
- Go to Fraumunster, the 9th-century church.
- Take a relaxed or romantic walk along Lake Zurich.
- Board a cruise on the Limmat river.
- Walk around the cool Niederdorf neighbourhood.
- Go to the incredibly old St Peter’s Church.
- Relax with a glass of the alcoholic Aelpli Milk.
Places to Visit in Zurich
Exploring the city of Zurich is always exciting, thanks to its vast and intriguing attractions that highlight its history and fascinating culture. But out of all the outstanding hotspots, which are the best ones to visit? The answers can be found below:
- Swiss National Museum - take a tour from prehistory through ancient times and the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
- Kunsthaus Zürich - an art museum in the Swiss city of Zürich, it houses one of the most important art collections in Switzerland, assembled over the years by Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft.
- Schauspielhaus Zürich - with 750 seats, this is one of the most prominent and important theatres in the German-speaking world.
- Rietberg Museum - displaying Asian, African, American and Oceanian art, this is the only art museum focusing on non-European art and design in Switzerland.
- Grossmünster - one of the four major churches in the city, the Romanesque-style Protestant church holds a special place for tourists and locals alike.
- Uhrenmuseum Beyer - one of the world's leading private museums dedicated to horology, this is a fascinating visit.
- Münsterhof - surrounded by medieval buildings, Münsterhof is a town square situated in the Lindenhof quarter.
- Haus Konstruktiv - exhibiting concrete, constructivist and conceptual art, this art museum is housed in a former power station.
- North America Native Museum - specialising in the conservation, documentation and presentation of ethnographic objects and art of Native American, First Nation and Inuit cultures, this is an insightful experience.
- Fraumünster - with its imposing tip and long history, this church is one of the top places to visit in the city.
Places to Eat in Zurich
Eating is one of the many joys of travelling, and in Zurich, guests can expect to indulge in a variety of dishes. But there’s more than the usual Swiss cheese and chocolates, guests can also try the likes of rösti, raclette, zurcher geschnetzeltes, bircherműesli, zürcher eintopf and bündnerfleisch.
What are the best restaurants in Zurich?
The 10 best restaurants in Zurich are:
- Restaurant Parkhuus
- The Restaurant at Dolder Grand
- Pavillon
- White Elephant
- Kronenhalle
- Rico’s
- Zeughauskeller
- Alpenrose
- Restaurant zum Kropf
- Alpenrose
What are Zurich’s cheaper dining options?
Those looking for cheaper places to eat in Zurich should go to:
- Don't Worry Eat Curry
- Chaima
- Thach
- Khujug
- Sternen Grill
- Äss-Bar Zürich
- Il Pentagramma
- Neela
- Wurst & Moritz
- Bahnhof Wiedikon
Shopping in Zurich
Every traveller loves a bit of shopping; browsing the long busy streets, staring at items that are outside their budget, buying gifts for friends and family. Zurich, being renowned for luxury, expensive goods, and boutique shops, more than deliver a pivotal shopping experience for all travellers, leisure and corporate. So whether guests choose to wander down the long stretch of Bahnhofstrasse (the most popular shopping destination in Zurich) or go to stores like Grieder, Lele Pyp, Harrison Spirit, Einzelstück, Akris Outlet and Frau Gerolds Garten, the city has much to show off.
Some of the top places to shop in Zurich are:
- Bahnhofstrasse
- Bahnhof Stadelhofen
- Europaallee Passage
- Glatt
- I'm Viadukt
Transportation in Zurich
Due to the sufficient infrastructure in the city, public transport is extremely popular. Whether it’s the S-Bahn, trams, buses or boats, there are ample choices for moving around. However, while public transport in London, New York, and Tokyo is understandable given the size of the cities, Zurich is significantly smaller, meaning that public transport is more of a convenience than a necessity.
With 16 railway stations (and 10 additional stops) within Zürich's city borders, there are 5 other major passenger railway stations. Three of them belong to the ten most frequented railway stations in Switzerland: Stadelhofen, Oerlikon, Altstetten, Hardbrücke, and Enge.
Also, Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (ZSG) operates passenger vessels on the Limmat and the Lake Zürich, connecting the surrounding towns between Zürich and Rapperswil.
When it comes to paying for transport like trains, it is best to keep in mind that the cost will change based on the zone that is being travelled to. Guests can get a half-fare card for one month for 120Sfr or can choose the likes of a Swiss Travel Pass or Zurich Card that covers travel and entry into many museums, as well as other reductions. The Zurich Card costs 27Sfr for 24 hours and 53Sfr for 72 hours.
Weather in Zurich
As in any location, the weather plays a big role in the success or failure of a corporate or leisure trip. Naturally, the weather changes throughout the year and is defined by the seasons. From cold winters to boiling summers, guests should be prepared for change when they come to Zurich.
January is the height of winter with snow and ice forming alongside nippy 0-degree temperatures. This continues through to the next month but begins to brighten up by March, with the first buds appearing and temperatures hitting 10-15 degrees. By the time June, July and August appear, the sun is out and hot days are regular (over 30 degrees!). November becomes a foggy few weeks while the year is rounded off with December and bit more fog - just for a change.
It is a safe bet to bring hats and scarves in the colder months and t-shirt and sunglasses in the warmer months.
The best time to visit Zurich is between June and August when the temperatures have mellowed out and the city (and the lake) can be indulged with other adventurers.
