Zurich a unique and a charming multifaceted city is located at 409 meters above sea level at the northern end on the river Limmat where it flows out of Lake Zurich. It is the largest town in Switzerland. Zurich is Switzerland's most populous city located in the heart of a country which has been described as an abundance of fascinating contrasts, such as Alpine regions with Glaciers and snow-covered peaks, crystal blue lakes, endless lush green meadows, breathtaking mountain passes, tiny villages, and cosmopolitan cities such as Zurich.
Zurich offers a wide variety of amusements. There is not only the famous Schauspielhaus but some small but fine theatres with less well known ensembles that offer exquisite drama. As for a small city of less than 400,000 inhabitants, Zurich also has excellent movie theatres. Unlike in Germany, movies here are not dubbed and mostly shown in their original language with German and French subtitles - and usually you'll see good copies. Today it boasts not only many museums and concert halls, but some 500 bars, nightclubs and discos.
The Bahnhofstrasse is one of Switzerland's prime shopping streets. Visit the main sights of Zurich including the world-famous shopping and business centre on Bahnhofstrasse, the Limmatquai with its medieval Old Town with view to the Lindenhof. On the other side of the river Limmat convince your catering needs. The Niederdorf offers plenty of cheaper places to buy, eat and drink. Although considered Zurich's most touristy area, you still find some pretty genuine places here - just wander through the narrow lanes with their old houses, many of which date back to the 14th century.
Visit the largest church clock-face of Europe on St. Peter, the patriarchal Guild Houses, the National Museum, the Opera house with its famous June-Festivals and the China Garden. Short picture stop at the harbour where you enjoy incredible views of Lake Zurich, the city and surrounding hills, as well as the University. The city is home both to Zurich University and to one of Switzerland's two prestigious Federal Institutes of Technology, the ETHZ. Between 1975 and 2002 the ETHZ alone produced 7 Nobel science laureates.
Furthermore being a business centre and a shopping paradise, Zurich is known for 'culture': The city is a cultural mecca, and in international polls frequently figures among the most desirable cities in the world to live in. Old Churches, such as the 'Grossmünster' and the 'Fraumünster' with stained glass windows by Marc Chagall; art galleries with the finest collections, amongst them Chagall, Miro and Picasso and museums for all sorts of tastes. Try to stay at least two days. This will give you the time to explore not only the city by daylight but also Zurich's exciting and varied nightlife, ranging from jazzy bars and popular discos to cabaret performances in smokey clubs.
Switzerland's largest airport is in Kloten near Zurich. The city is also an important rail hub. As for urban transport, Zurich claims to have the best-served urban traffic network in the world.
THE ZURICH TROLLEY EXPERIENCE
Experience the tourist attractions of Zurich aboard the unique 'Classic Trolley'. In two hours you will be taken through our beautiful city and shown the business and financial center, Bahnhofstrasse, the most important museums, a section of the Old Town, Fraumunster Church with its famous Chagall windows, historical Limmatquai, the University district, residential areas, beautiful hillside villas on the Zurichberg, as well as recreation areas and views of the Alps from Zurich's vantage point on the lake.
