Search Hotels in Zurich

Located in the heart of Switzerland, Zurich is a picturesque city which is also the largest in the country. Though Zurich is the name that comes to you first when you think of Switzerland, it is not the country’s capital. Yet it is much more important than a mere tourist location.

Being one of the largest cities in the country it forms an important centre with respect to trade and commerce. The stock exchange and the headquarters of a large number of national and international companies reside here. Not only this, it also houses National and international media agencies as well as most of the national TV channels.

It is also the nerve centre of Switzerland’s transport. The Zurich airport is the biggest and busiest international airport in the country. This may be one reason why Switzerland generally means Zurich for most tourists. It is also the closest city to the Alps and hence landing here makes it easier for the tourists to reach the Alps.

German and Swiss German are the most frequently used languages here. However you can find your way around even if you know English and French.

Having received the ranking of being the city with the highest standard of living, worldwide, Zurich is a place which is never dirty. You can breathe in fresh air and walk on clean roads. The crime rates are also extremely low. Zurich is thus, the perfect destination for those tourists who are looking for a break from the daily hustle bustle of urban life.

Situated in Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, the Swiss National Museum is one of the most important museums of art in the whole of Europe.

The museum lies in Zurich’s old city district and the museum is the most major part of its heritage. Its tall towers are seen from far and the beautiful park built on an island between the rivers Sihl and Limmat is a nice place to take an evening stroll.

The architect Gustav Gull built the museum’s building in a historicist fashion in 1898. Its façade is fascinating and resembles the French chateaus of the French Renaissance period.

The exhibition displays art from prehistory through ancient times and the Middle Ages to the 20th century. However paintings are not the only art products present here. The display also features a comprehensive collection of liturgical wooden sculptures, panel paintings, gothic art, chivalry and carved altars. The Swiss collector René Braginsky has accrued one of the most amazing collections of Hebrew documents in the entire world and that too is up on display.

A fantastic porcelain and faience collection is also there in Zunfthaus zur Meisen near Fraumünster church. Trips along the Limmat River through the city of Zürich are also available at the Swiss National Museum.

The beautiful city of Zurich takes pride in its lake which is a heaven for sun bathers, boats and cyclists on a warm day. The lake offers a breathtaking view of the mountains far down South on a clear day.

Lake Zurich is located in the southwestern part of the canton of Zurich. To the east are two minor lakes Lake Greifen and Lake Pfäffikon. Zimmerberg and the Etzel regions lie to the west.

Lake Zurich is formed by the river Linth which rises in the glaciers of the Tödi Range in Glarus. The waters of the lake are very clean and during summer, the temperatures reach well beyond 20 °C. Swimming in the public baths and beaches is very popular. The lake’s water is purified and fed into Zurich’s water system.

Each side of the lake has something unique to offer. The Northern part of the lake touches the city of Zurich. On the Western side, a tree-lined promenade leads to the arboretum, which offers a beautiful expanse of magnolia trees and here, the sun seekers lounge and barbeque sausages in the large expanses of lawn.

The Eastern bank of Lake Zurich is flanked by a longer promenade which leads to the Zurichhorn park. This park has nature at its best with lawns for playing and lying on, bathing areas complete with water slides and changing rooms, an enclosed Chinese garden, a sand playground and the striking Heidi Weber pavilion. The end of the lake in the South to Rapperswil is ideal for a leisurely stroll along its wooden bridge over the water and a closer look at the mountains.

Zurich abounds in greenery owing to its varied and great collection of public parks and large gardens. Those green patches which lie around the lower side of Lake Zurich appeal more to the public as they can enjoy the summer months here with picnics, boat ride or a ferry trip across the lake. Here are some of the parks worth visiting in Zurich:

Zürichhorn
CH-8008, Switzerland, CH
Located close to the central Zurich and standing alongside the lake of Zurich, the garden appeals to the visitors for its Chinese Gardens and eye-catching sculptures. The park also takes pride in its outdoor swimming pool, fish-filled ponds, bridges, lanterns, ornate pavilions, and maples.

Sculpture Gardens
Zur Weinrebe, Zurich, CH-8953, Switzerland, CH
This park is unique in itself owing to its host of fun animal sculptures which can be touched, climbed and clicked by the tourists. It is open from May to October and on Saturdays from14:00 to 16:00.

Bäcker Park
Hohlstrasse 67, Zurich, CH-8004, Switzerland, CH
Although positioned in Central Zurich, this is a peaceful spot where tourists can enjoy greenery, stroll along the many pathways, have a meal at the onsite restaurant, and even enjoy a summer concert.

Irchelpark
Irchelstrasse, Zurich, CH-8057, Switzerland, CH
Popular among the visitors for the ducks in the pond which can be fed, the park stands within the district of Kreis 6. The park features enough greenery and open space for children to play. You can also enjoy refreshments at the cafe.

Situated in the Lindenhof quarter of Zurich near Bahnhofstrasse and Rennweg, Augustinergasse, which happens to be a street and a tram stop is one of the main attractions of Zurich. Augustinergasse connects bustling Bahnhofstrasse with the St. Peterhofstatt “oasis” in the picturesque Old Town.

This small street within the town of Zurich, lead from St. Peterhofstatt at the St. Peter church, passing the former Augustine monastery below the Lindenhof hill, towards the Kecinstürlin gate at the southern Fröschengraben moat during the middle ages.
In the medieval times, Augustinergasse used to be the hub of artisans and rich factory owners who took pride in decorating their house front. Now-a-days, the numerous carved wooden bay windows of these colourful houses lure the tourists. These houses display many colorfully painted oriel windows. Among other things, the oriels were a way to keep an eye on who came to the door and so they were never situated directly over the front door, but rather built just to the side. Also found in these narrow streets are tourist-oriented shops, coffeehouse’s and restaurants.

The Rennweg / Augustinergasse tram stop, on lines 6, 7, 11 and 13, is situated at the southern end towards Bahnhofstrasse. In the north it goes to the Münzplatz St. Peterhofstatt, at the site of the former monastery, now the Augustinerkirche church.

Some of the main hotels at and near Augustinergasse are:

Widder Restaurant
Rennweg 7
Zürich
044 224 25 26

Hotel zum Storchen
Am Weinplatz 2
Zurich
044 227 27 27

Hotel Kindli SA
Pfalzgasse 1
Zurich
043 888 76 76

Baur au Lac Hotel
Talstrasse 1
Zurich
044 220 50 20

Sorell Hotel Seidenhof
Sihlstrasse 9
Zurich
044 228 75 00