Zurich, Switzerland - Zurich Hotel & Travel Destination Guide
Zurich Hotel & Travel Destination Guide
Cheaper Hotel Rates - Your ultimate source for Cheap, Discount Zurich Hotel Rates & Detailed Travel Information
Country Code: CH
Source: Fastcheck Arrival Guides
Population:
360,000
Currency:
1 Swiss franc = 100 Rappen
Opening hours:
Most shops are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6.30pm. The opening hours on Saturday are 8.30am to 5pm.
Tourist information:
Zurich Tourism
At Main Train Station
Tel: +41 442154000
www.zuerich.com
Zurich
The charming metropolis of Zürich, Switzerland offers first-class quality of life. Zürich is distinguished by its unparalleled selection of stores lining the world-famous shopping mile, the Bahnhofstrasse, not to mention its broad choice of leisure activities. Numerous gastronomic establishments in the surrounding region pamper food lovers with all manner of culinary delights. After dark, some 500 bars and clubs provide a wide variety of entertainment. Zürich is also the ideal departure point for all kinds of excursions, such as to the Rhine Falls, a chocolate factory, or the snow and perpetual ice on Titlis mountain.
Zurich City
The River Limmat divides the city of Zurich into two distinct halves and it makes more sense to speak about the two banks rather than the new town / old town split. Niederdorf on the east bank is full of shops and cafés and is also home to the twin towers of the Grossmunster and the grandiose architecture of the university. The west bank is the old part of town which is centred around the Lindenhof area where the streets are characterised by fashion outlets and offices. The beautiful spires of St. Peters Church and Fraumunster church decorated by Marc Chagall are nearby as well. The curving Bahnhofstrasse follows the course of the ancient city walls and is one of Europe’s most prestigious shopping streets. As Switzerland has cultivated stability and neutrality during both World Wars, the country has built up a reputation for its banking system which for decades has been one of Zurich’s biggest industries. It is also for these reasons that today the stock market in Zurich is the fourth biggest in the world.
Things to See and Do in Zurich
The Grossmünster
The tall twin towers of Great Minster dominate the Zurich skyline. It was from this spot that the humanist Ulrich Zwingli preached the Reformation.
Address: Grossmünsterplatz
Underground: Rathaus , 4/15
Phone: +41 442525949
Internet: www.kirche-zh.ch
St. Peters Church
The largest clock in Europe is situated on the tower of St. Peters Church and it has a diameter of 8.7 meters.
Address: St. Peter-Hofstatt
Underground: Rathaus
Phone: +41 442112588
Internet: www.st-peter-zh.ch
Kunsthaus
Switzerland’s greatest art musuem contains several important works of art ranging from medieval religious paintings and Old Dutch masters to impressionist and post- impressionist paintings. Contains paintings by Van Gogh, Picasso, Chagall and Monet.
Address: Heimplatz 1
Underground: Kunsthaus
Phone: +41 442538484
Internet: www.kunsthaus.ch
Le Corbusier Haus
One of the last projects designed by the famous architect before his death in 1965 is home for a graphic art museum.
Address: Höschgasse 8
Underground: Höschgasse
Phone: +41 443836470
Internet: www.centre-lecorbusier.com
Chinagarten
The Chinese garden was given to the city as a gift from the Chinese city, Kunming, which is twinned with Zurich. The garden contains several plants and ornaments typical of the Chinese art of creating a garden.
Address: Bellerivestrasse
Underground: Chinagarten, tram 2 and 4, bus 33, 912 and 916.
Internet: www.chinagarten.ch
Zurichsee
This stunningly beautiful lake stretches an amazing 40 kilometres from Zurich to the foot of the Glarner Alps. Daytrip boats give tourists a possibility to explore several villages and towns along the lakeshore. Main landing in Zurich is at Burkliplatz. Contact Zurich Schiffahrtsgesellschaft
Meeting place: Bürliplatz
Phone: +41 444871333
Internet: www.zsg.ch
Dining in Zurich
Traditional Zurich cuisine is very rich and usually includes plenty of meat. The city’s trademark dish is the ‘Zuri Gschnetzlets’ - diced veal in a creamy mushroom sauce served with ‘Roesti’. There are plenty of very good quality restaurants on every corner throughout the city. The area around Bahnhofstrasse generally provides the best atmosphere in the afternoon, while Niederdorf is the place to be for an evening meal.
Pinte Vaudoise
Voted the best fondue in Zurich. Very helpful owner/entertainer is happy to explain the difference of the fondues on offer.
Address: Kruggasse 4
Phone: +41442512335
Spaghetti Factory
Pasta restaurant with hearty dishes in Niederdorf centre.
Address: Niederdorfstrasse 5
Phone: +41 442519400
Internet: www.myzuri.ch/artikel/45.php
Zeughauskeller
15th century location adds flavour to this beer hall where sausages are the main attraction. More than a dozen different kinds of sausages, the biggest one being one metre long.
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 28a
Phone: +41 442112690
Internet: http://www.zeughauskeller.ch/
El Parador
A Spanish restaurant which serves fantastic tapas and very good paella. The food is expertly prepared and the service is excellent.
Address: Luisenstrasse 43
Phone: +41 432724864
Internet: www.elparador.ch
Monsoon
Busy Asian restaurant located in an office block in a Business Park. Very popular amongst the locals. The menu contains Thai, Indian, and Indonesian selections. Definitely worth the journey.
Address: Forrlibuckstrasse 180
Phone: +41 439603636
Internet: www.monsoon.ch
SEEFELD AREA
Blinde Kuh
A restaurant run by blind people and in almost complete darkness; this your chance to experience first hand what it is like to be blind. Menu changes every week. Necessary to book several weeks in advance.
Address: Muhlebachstrasse 148
Phone: +41 444215050
Internet: www.blindekuh.ch
NIEDERDORF AREA
Adler’s Swiss Chuchi
Serves really good traditional Swiss national dishes enjoyed in a rustic atmosphere. Their selection of cheese and their cheese fondue are the main attractions.
Address: Rosengasse 10
Phone: +41 44 2669696
Internet: www.hotel-adler.ch
BAHNHOFSTRASSE AND WEST
Bona Dea
Excellent vegetarian restaurant attached to the main train station. Serves a great buffet with plenty to choose from.
Address: Bahnhofplatz 15
Phone: +41 442171515
Internet: www.bahnhofbuffet.ch
Zurich Cafes
Amsterdam
Dark old town café serves fresh juice and healthy snacks
Address: Schwanengasse 4
Schober
One of the best cafés in Zurich. Their hot chocolate with whipped cream is amongst the best around and comes highly recommended.
Address: Napfgasse 4
Moevenpick
An excellent people-watching café which serves a great selection of teas and coffees from around the World.
Address: Paradeplatz
Sprungli
Main branch of the famous confectioner’s, displaying the biggest selection of exquisite home-made chocolate and cakes imaginable. Naturally, there is also the speciality of the house.
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 21
Odeon
Compact Café - bar on Bellevue where Lenin once sat and watched the world go by.
Address: Limmatquai 2
Zurich Bars and Nightlife
The best café and bars are in the area of Niederdorf, especially along the riverside Limmatquai where it is a pleasant experience to sit, watch and enjoy a beverage of choice. Live rock and jazz are available in plenty of venues. The city has a bourgeoning local scene which offers rich pickings for live music. There is also a dynamic club scene, which covers the gamut from techno to salsa.
Oepfelchammer
Nice café which is notoriously famous for its association with the city’s literary son, Gottfried Keller.
Address: Rindermarkt 12.
Oliver Twist
Nice and cosy pub serving a good pint. Mainly English language spoken and live football on the TV.
Address: Rindermarkt 6.
Rheinfelder Bierhalle
Wooden benches, bright lights and no décor on display; this Bierhalle expects you to get drunk and have a good time.
Address: Niederdorfstrasse 76
Schlauch
Friendly and relaxed bar with a snooker table. Very popular amongst young people. Address: Munstergasse 20
Lions
English pub with fine pub grub!
Address: Oetenbachgasse 24
Nelson
Very popular with the younger generation at the weekends. Typically full of teenage au-pairs and exchange students on the pull.
Address: Beatengasse 11
Internet: www.thenelsonpub.com
Widder Bar
The bar inside the hotel offers quality live jazz most nights.
Address: Rennweg 7
Rote Fabrik
An alternative art complex 5 kilometres southwest of town hosting a stream of bands of all genres.
Address: seestrasse 395
Internet: www.rotefabrik.ch
Moods
Zurich’s premiere Jazz club offers high quality music from big names.
Address: In the Schiffbau building off Hardstrasse
Internet: www.moods.ch
El Cubanito
One of the city’s most famous clubs, well-known for salsa and funk music.
Address: Bleicherweg 5
Underground: Kaufleuten
Kaufleuten
A popular club in the city centre with a good mix of hardcore clubbers and young professionals. Recently voted one of the World’s best party venues by ‘Wall Street Journal’. Dress to impress.
Address: Pelikanstrasse 18
Shopping in Zurich
The main shopping area in Zurich is concentrated around the city centre which makes it ideal for pedestrians and tourists. The most famous and one of the prettiest of the shopping areas is the Bahnhoffstrasse where you will find big department stores, fashion shops, accessories, Swiss watches and everything else your heart desires. The Bahnhoffstrasse area is part of Zurich’s banking district and that is clearly visible in the number of exclusive and upmarket shops available.
The area around Langstrasse contains a very cosmopolitan selection of shops and people which makes it a special experience every time you shop or just go there. The pedestrianised alleyways around Niederdorf are a shopper’s paradise as there are several boutiques hidden away in a patchwork of alleys. Alongside the River Lammat is the old town which is also a very attractive shopping area. It has fashion shops, jewellery and plenty of other things on offer. It is also in that area of old Town that you will find the smaller and more untraditional shops. It is for instance a very good place to find anything antique. Schipfe is the place to find the craftspeople who sell their handmade products along the river.
Zurich Hotels
Luxury Zurich Hotels
Widder Hotel
Elegant and modern hotel located in old town. The impressive lobby in granite sets the tone of the hotel, and the fantastic bar houses several hundred varieties of malt whiskeys.
Address: Rennweg 7
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Baur Au Lac
A family owned hotel since 1844 and recently completely renovated. It is located in a private park on the lakeshore and offers grandiose surroundings.
Address: Talstrasse 1
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Good Value Zurich Hotels
Hotel Adler
The Hotel Adler has been welcoming guests since the end of the 14th century. The building underwent complete refurbishment in 1997 without concealing its long history.
Address: Rosengasse 10
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City Hotel Zurich
A well maintained hotel in the city centre. Bahnhofstrasse, the business district and Lake Zurich are only minutes away. The hotel has well appointed rooms and a good restaurant.
Address: Lövenstrasse 34, Zurich