Experiences in Zurich

The Prime Tower is Zurich’s tallest building, a sparkling, glass-clad construction soaring 105.5 metres above the fashionable Zurich- West district.

Enjoying unforgettable moments on a boat cruise or aboard one of Lake Zurich Navigation company’s Dream Boats.

Zurich Zoo, located on the Zürichberg, is home to around 350 animal species in near-natural habitats. As a modern, scientifically managed zoo, its primary goal is the preservation of nature. It works towards this goal in four equally important areas: Species conservation, nature conservation, education and research.

In the place where the machine factory, Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon (MFO), once stood, an architecturally fascinating park hall bears witness to the past usage of the site. Particularly in summer, the facility is frequently used for various cultural events, such as open-air movie theatres or festivals of all kinds.

It’s just like Zurich to boast Switzerland’s only tram museum. The historic Depot Burgwies is home to the collection, up to twenty original cars, the eldest dating back to 1897. It also features an exhibit on the development and workings of the Zurich tram.

Irchelpark is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy being surrounded by nature. Trees and bushes shield this relaxing retreat from the streets surrounding it. It’s not uncommon to cross paths with students of the University of Zurich’s Irchel Campus here. The institution’s buildings are set in an enchanting location in the upper part of the park.

The Limmat river cruiser takes you in comfort past the most beautiful sights of Zurich’s old town until the view of Lake Zurich opens up.

The 70,000 m2 Rieterpark is Zurich's largest and most impressive landscaped garden and is set in the district of Zurich Enge near Lake Zurich.

Four collections – Poster, Design, Graphics and Applied Art – encompass more than 500,000 objects at the Museum für Gestaltung. Switzerland’s foremost museum of design and visual communication is also one of the leading institutions in Europe, known for its fascinating temporary exhibitions.

At the National Museum Zurich, you can explore Swiss history from archaeology to the present day – visit permanent and special exhibitions, take part in guided tours and workshops and discover a collection of over 870,000 objects.

The natural pond is part of the Zurich Wilderness Park.

Walk barefoot over pine cones and beech leaves, tune in to your own note with your head in a huge humming stone, or track down insects by following feeding traces in deadwood.

In the last 10 years the industrial wasteland to the west of Zurich has grown into a new bright lights district: The blue-green shimmering Prime Tower, the University of Arts on the Toni-Areal and newly awakened life beneath the arched viaducts. And the nicest way to view all this and the constantly made changes is on foot or by bicycle.

WOW Museum Zurich – Room for Illusions Come and be amazed by our rooms full of surprising illusions and new perspectives! A museum with a difference for visitors of all ages. A cultural highlight in the heart of Zurich, just 50m from the main train station.

The regional city headquarters of the Zurich police force houses a fresco by Augusto Giacometti (1877-1947) that is one of the most important works of art and architecture in the city of Zurich.

The Adliswil cable car takes you up to 800 metres to Felsenegg in 5 minutes. Hiking trails and a magnificent panorama over Lake Zurich, the city and the Alps await you here.

In the green parks around the lower basin of the lake, there’s always something going on in the summer months. Inline skaters, water sports enthusiasts, jewellery sellers and street artists all gather here to create a colourful scene. Anyone looking for peace and quiet will be able to escape the hustle and bustle on the Zürichhorn at the end of the lakeside promenade, in the wonderful Chinese Garden.

Sechseläutenplatz, located between Bellevue and the Zurich Opera House, combines tradition and modernity and is a place of relaxation. Here, young and old alike walk, sit and play on the square, which covers an area of 16,000 square metres and is made of Vals quartzite. The many trees, places to sit and water elements lend it an urban cosiness.

The Grossmünster is Zurich's landmark. You will visit the Romanesque church, climb the Karlsturm and discover the medieval stained glass windows – right in the heart of the old town, between Limmat and Niederdorf.

This gem among the parks of Zurich was built in the middle of the beautiful park for a high-classicist style villa at the start of the 19th century. Today, this villa is home to the renowned Belvoirpark hotel management school and a restaurant.

A train ride with an over 100 years old steam train! The "Zürcher Museumsbahn" offers this unique event which will make the stay in and around Zurich even more rememberable.

Steamboats operate scheduled services on eight of Switzerland's lakes today. Thanks to donations, the “Stadt Zürich” and “Stadt Rapperswil” have also been saved from the scrapyard. The two paddle steamers were renovated between 2003 and May 2006, and are now in use almost every day.