Zurich
Overview
On your first trip to Zurich, discover the charm of Switzerland's largest city from the plush boutiques of the cobbled Altstadt (Old Town) to the picture-postcard views of Lake Zurich. Before long you'll be drawn back to Zurich to learn about the history of Dadaism art at the Cabaret Voltaire exhibition centre and to party in lively Zuri-West.
Background
The Limmat River splits Zurich in two and then heads south to Lake Zurich where you can see the snow-dusted Swiss Alps on a clear day. Head to Zurich's Left Bank for outdoor cafes and galleries in the medieval Altstadt, and designer boutiques along Bahnhofstrasse. You'll find artists' workshops in former fishing quarter Schipfe. Step across to the Right Bank to glimpse 12th-century Grossmünster church's spires or to relax on cobbled Neumarkt square. Edge south-east for botanical gardens and lakefront restaurants in Riesbach. Or head north-west to up-and-coming Zuri-West for world cuisine and Zurich's hottest nightlife.
First-time visit
Get your bearings from Lindenhof terrace, where locals play chess under the linden trees. Then squeeze through the cobblestone lanes of the Altstadt, pausing to buy hand-decorated chocolates. Soon you'll reach the Limmat River and Schipfe, the medieval fishing district now home to arty boutiques and workshops. Marvel at Grossmünster church's intricate stained-glass windows, or Giacometti masterpieces at the vast Kunsthaus Zurich art gallery. Feast on Swiss rösti potatoes at a traditional wood-beamed beer hall.
Return visit
If you love Impressionist art, see Cézanne and Renoir originals at the Foundation E G Bührle Collection, housed in a vine-clad villa. Admire controversial works at former brewery Kunsthalle Zurich or pioneering graphic art at the cuboid Museum of Design Zurich. Explore the roots of the anti-war Dadaism movement that influenced Surrealism, at the Cabaret Voltaire exhibition centre in Zurich's Altstadt. Buy Swiss cheeses at Bürkliplatz market for a lazy picnic on the banks of Lake Zurich then spend the evening with Zurich's trendsetters in Zuri-West's lively lounge bars.
airports
Zurich Airport
Essentials
Switzerland's intercontinental air hub is a favourite of shoppers and plane-spotters alike. More than 19 million passengers pass through the stylishly revamped airport each year. Central Zurich is only 12km (eight miles) away, a 10-minute train ride.
Airport Facts
- Airport code
- ZRH
- Airport website
- Zurich Airport website
- Airport tel
- +41 (0) 43 816 2211
- No. of terminals
- The airport has three check-in areas, two arrivals halls and departure Gates A, B and E.
- Distance from city centre
- 12kms (eight mile) north of Zurich.
- Transport between terminals
- Walkways link Gates A and B (allow 15 to 20 minutes for transfer). The Skymetro light-rail shuttle runs to Gate E (allow 25 minutes to transfer from A to E).
- Airport parking
- The airport has short-stay curb-side parking spaces, multi-storey covered car parks for longer stays and valet parking. The cheaper car park P5 is a five-minute walk away. Rates run from 15 minutes to multiple hours and days. Pay stations take Swiss Francs, euros and credit cards.
- Time zone
- GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
- Useful tips
- The airport complex is divided into landside (public) and airside (passenger-only) sections. If you're busy shopping landside and flying from Gates E, allow at least 25 minutes to travel through the airport to reach your gate.
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