Venues to visit in the city of Zurich

With its winding, car-free alleys, its emblematic Grossmünster church and its many small boutiques, antiquarian bookshops and craft studios, it is a delight to explore both by day and in the evening. The Niederdorf also perfectly embodies the city’s unique charm. The Schober-Péclard boutique and confectionery, for example, is a listed building that stylishly combines the elements that make a trip to Zurich so special: history, architecture and shopping.

Strung along it like pearls on a necklace are department stores, boutiques and jewellery shops; the further you stroll towards the lake, the more exclusive the shops become. The Paradeplatz is the heart of the Bahnhofstrasse and serves as an important tram junction close to Lake Zurich. Since the major Swiss banks set up their headquarters here, the Paradeplatz has made a name for itself as Switzerland’s biggest money-handling centre. Along the way, alleys such as Rennweg and Augustinergasse lead off into the picturesque Old Town.

Where ships were once built and motors bolted together, today you view a colorful urban lifestyle. And undisputed highlights - in addition to Zurich’s new Prime Tower in the west of course; which is Switzerland’s second tallest building - is Frau Gerolds Garten: the charming city garden with restaurant and bar, with neighboring Friday container tower and leisure and pleasure mile to stroll beneath the arched viaducts.

Those roaming the district can’t help but notice the frequent changes and discover new and old oases: Including the large atrium of the new University of the Arts, the sprawling Josefwiese meadow with its outdoor café and the gigantic hall with Nietturmbar in the old shipbuilding establishment. And a peek at the cultural agenda reveals that Zurich West has something to offer for all tastes and pleasure seekers - whether in the club, cinema or theater.

Originally planned as a “central cemetery”, Sihlfeld Cemetery is located in the present-day Zürich-Wiedikon quarter. The first two crematoriums in Switzerland still stand on the site; however, they are no longer in operation, but instead are used as rooms for funeral services.

Sihlfeld Cemetery is also the largest continuous green space in Zurich and is greatly valued by walkers as a peaceful and magnificent nature oasis.

Besides numerous historical tombs and monuments, many graves of famous people can be found here, such as “Heidi” author Johanna Spyri and International Red Cross founder Henry Dunant.

Lake Zürich is a lake in Switzerland, extending southeast of the city of Zürich. Depending on the context, Lake Zürich or Zürichsee can be used to describe the lake as a whole, or just that part of the lake downstream of the Seedamm at Rapperswil, whilst the part upstream of Rapperswil may be called the Obersee or Upper Lake.

An equally organic sculptural stair and bridge system serves as a pedestrian passage across the railway and up to a gangway providing passers-by with seating and a view. Particularly striking are the ornate hinged doors that close off the exits to the underground shopping area each night. Stadelhofen Station is not Calatrava’s only work in Zurich. He also designed the Alumni House and the Library of the Law Institute at the University of Zurich. After completing his degree in civil engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in the 70's Calatrava opened his first architecture and engineering firm in Zurich in 1981.

Zurich's Medieval houses, contorted, narrow lanes and guild and town halls from the Renaissance period offer an attractive backdrop for world-class entertainment. A tour of the Old Town lets visitors experience Zurich's multifaceted past. The backdrop turns into a living history of characteristic buildings and the people that lived and acted out their lives in them.

The double towers of the Grossmünster (Great Minster) are Zurich's landmark. According to legend, Charlemagne built the towers at the location where the graves of the city saints Felix and Regula were discovered. Further sights worth seeing include the Peterskirche (Peter's Church), which has Europe's largest clockface, and the Fraumünster (Minster of Our Lady), which is known for its stained glass windows by Giacometti and Chagall.

A shopping paradise has been created under 36 viaduct arches. The colorful mix of delicatessens, studio galleries, sport and fashion boutiques is open to the public. At the heart of it all is the Market Hall where 20 farmers and food vendors from the area offer their wares.

Rapperswil, the Riviera on the upper half of Lake Zurich, maintains its promise of southern charm. The small and quaint alleys of the medieval old part of town invite visitors to a charming stroll or spot of window-shopping.

Overlooking the town, the Rapperswil castle is perched high on a hill and is home to a Polish museum. This top spot additionally offers visitors breathtaking views of the lakeside surroundings. Rapperswil earns its name as the town of roses owing to the more than 16,000 roses that flower in the rose gardens of the Capuchin monastery and on the "Schanz". The latter is a rose garden for the blind with particularly fragrant roses, the names of which are written in brail on guide panels.