There is not only one reason to visit Zurich. The nickname the “city with thousand faces” is not at all accidental, since it can be the economic and commercial center of the country, but at the same time it has supreme art and culture spaces, hosts various festivals and offers many entertainment options. The only sure thing is that Zurich is the most interesting town in Switzerland.
A few words about the city
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland with a population of 371,767 residents within the metropolis and 1,007,972 in the wider urban area. It extends around the northern edge of the lake of the same name and the banks of the Limat River, being the capital of the canton of Zurich, and is also considered the economic and cultural center of the country (the capital of Switzerland and seat of government is Bern). According to research, Zurich is the wealthiest city in the world and offers the best quality of life on the planet, while interesting is the fact that about 30% of Zurich residents are not Swiss citizens! The name of the city (Zurich) probably comes from the Celtic word Turus, hypothesis based on the discovery of a tomb of the 2nd century, on which the Latin name Turicum is inscribed. So I have chosen for you, what I consider to be worthy of attention for someone who is visiting the city for the first time.
Lindenhof
Lindenhof, in the old town of Zurich, is the historic site of the Roman castle and is located on the hill of the same name, on the left bank of the river Limmat in Schipfe. Apart from the stunning views that the visitor will be able to admire from this point, Lindenhof plays a very significant role for the city of Zurich. There in 1747 a 2nd century Roman tombstone was discovered, bearing the indication Turicum, from which the name of the city is said to come. Today it is a wonderful place of recreation for both locals and visitors and offers beautiful panoramas of the urban area, especially in the evening.
Grossmunster- Wasserkirche
The Great Metropolitan Church (Grossmunster) is one of the three central churches of Zurich and is a creation of Roman style. According to legend, it was founded by Charlemagne whose horse as he passed by the spot knelt due to the existence of the graves of the two patron saints of the city, Felix and Regula. The construction of the temple began in 1100 and was completed in 1220. From an architectural point of view, it has adopted the Romanesque style with the characteristic carved gate and the towering columns. The two towers were added between 1487 and 1492, originally wooden and destroyed by fire in 1781. Then they were replaced by the two huge neo-Gothic spires that exist until now. These two imposing belfries are today a trademark of the historical center of the city and are distinguished by many points. Ultimately, it is worth mentioning that the temple was the core of the Swiss Reformation, as it was the seat of Bishop Huldrych Zwingli, who pioneered the removal of the Swiss church from the doctrine of the papacy. From the previous description it is understood that the Great Metropolitan Church is an edifice of particular architectural and religious importance, which outlines the history of Zurich. Undoubtedly, a visit to it and the monastic museum which houses will not leave you unmoved. The entrance to the temple is free, but to climb to the top and admire the magnificent views of Zurich, you will have to pay either 5 francs or 5 euros, they accept both.
Just below you will find the Water Church (Wasserkirche). This particular temple is located on the banks of the Limmat River and the reason why it has this nickname is, because it was located on an island in the river until the time the Limmatquai was built in 1839. It dates back at least to the 10th century and what we see today is Gothic style from the 15th century. Admission is free.
Fraumunster- St. Peterskirche
The women's monastery (Fraumunster) was founded in 853 by Louis, the German for his daughter Hildegard. In addition to the territory on which the monastery is built, Louis occupied many territories of the city of Zurich and the surrounding areas, as well as rural areas and a large part of the nearby Albis forest. So in 1045 King Henry III granted him rights to own purchases collect tolls and issue coins. In the following years the abbess acquires so much influence and power, which makes her an essential ruler of the city. Unsurprisingly, this development turns the abbey into a dominant link in economic life and makes it stand out in wealth and luxury. The religious reform initiated by Huldrych Zwingli dissolved the monastery in 1524 and by 1898 its building complex was renewed from the foundations. Today the surviving catholicon functions as a parish church. In addition to its exquisite architecture, it is particularly famous for its five huge windows decorated with stained glass. Although the church is ope daily, there are hours when it is accessible to the public and it would certainly not be a waste of time to visit it. Entrance to the temple costs either 5 francs or 5 euros, both coins are accepted.
A few meters away is located the Church of St. Peter (St. Peterskirche). Certainly at first glance it is neither so grand nor so impressive as the above, but is considered perhaps the most important of the city's temples. The original building dates back to 1000AD, built on the site of an early church, while the building as we see it today exists since 1706 and is considered the first church built under Protestant rule! What made it famous however is the impressive bell tower clock, which has a diameter of 8.7 m. (!) and is the largest church tower clock in Europe. Entrance to the temple is free.
Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich or Lake Promenade, as it is normally called, is in my personal opinion, the most beautiful spot in the city and a prime example of the landscapes you can find in Switzerland. It is a lovely lake with incredible views of colorful landscapes, idyllic walks, lush gardens and theme parks. When the weather is good, you will see many Swiss jogging, picnicking and swimming in the lake. It is worth to board one of the many boats and take a cruise, admiring the views of the Alps.
Bahnhofstrasse
The main street of Zurich is the lively pedestrian Bahnhofstrasse (which means the street of the railway station), stretching from the main railway station (Bahnhof) to Burkliplatz in the center of the lake. The 1,200-metre long Street is one of Europe's most attractive shopping streets, reminiscent of Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and Avenue Montaigne in Paris. The truth is that the prices are not for an average tourist, as there are shops of the biggest fashion names, such as Tiffany, Dior, Zegna and Bulgari, so do not expect to find a great shopping offer. But it is a beautiful route, during which you can "gaze" at the shops windows, drink coffee, eat and see the rhythms in which the inhabitants of Zurich move.
The museums
The Model Museum of Switzerland is the National Museum of Zurich (Landesmuseum), considered one of the most important museums in European cultural history. It is located in one of the most central parts of the city and is housed in a building of 1898 which was built by Gustav Gull with a combination of historical and Renaissance style. The impressive architecture, the towers and the beautiful park that surrounds it have made it one of the main attractions of the historic city center. The museum's collection travels the visitor from prehistory to the recent past. Some of the most important exhibits relate to the period of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. You will also find Gothic art with a huge collection of sculptures and finally there is a large number of samples of folklore art made of porcelain and faience. The entrance costs 10 francs, that is, about 9e.
Another extremely interesting art space is the Kunsthaus. Since 1910, this museum is one of the most important art museums in Switzerland and throughout Europe. Its collection consists, for the most part, of Swiss art, which is as impressive as the historical edifice that houses it. And this is considered one of the most recognizable sights in the city. The entrance costs 26 francs, that is, about 23e.
How to go
Unluckily, there are no direct flights from Thessaloniki to Zurich, so your options are two. The first is to get to the city through a stopover by air. The best choice is that of Aegean, through Athens, where with proper planning one can find tickets from 87€ round trip. The second option is to reach the city by train or bus, from several nearby towns in Switzerland, France and Germany, since the distances are small.
Where to stay
Zurich is quite tourist city, perhaps the most touristic in Switzerland, which implies with many accommodations which usually have exorbitant prices. An excellent solution for accommodation, however, is the 25hours Hotel Zurich West, a 4 star hotel, in the northwestern part of the city, with spacious and luxurious rooms, tram stop right outside and according to themselves the best value for money in Zurich.
How to move
The public transport system in Zurich is considered to be one of the best in the world. It consists of buses and trams for getting around the city, trains for excursions to the countryside and water transport on the river Limmat in summer and Lake Zurich in winter. It is advisable to buy a day ticket which costs eight Swiss francs and includes transfers in all areas of Zurich and by all means of transport (including water). Taxis are very expensive; like everything in the city and in my opinion should be your last option, but if you want to use them you can find them in a square or stop them on the street. However, most of Zurich's attractions are within walking distance of each other, especially those in the old town and the lake, so to explore the beauty of Zurich you have to walk.
However, the most ideal solution for me is to rent a vehicle in Zurich. The roads are very good, the driving behavior of the locals is excellent and you will certainly have autonomy and freedom in your movements inside and outside the city. And of course the best platform to book the car of your choice is Discover Cars. It is site with many cars that has been awarded multiple times as the world's top car rental booking site at the World Travel Tech Awards (3 years in a row). They receive special offers from their suppliers, which they generously distribute to their customers. It is no coincidence that over 4 million users have used it! The most important thing for me is the fact that Discover Cars is not an impersonal site, but a user-friendly platform that helps you choose the car that suits you, quickly and easily. So if you happen to be in town, I highly recommend it.
What to eat
Most of Zurich's residents are German-speaking and local specialties are heavily influenced by Germany. Beef, cold cuts, sausages and the famous Swiss cheeses dominate. The most notable local dish is Zurigschnatzlets, which is veal with a wine sauce. The trademark dish of the country is Fondue; it is a historical dish with a mixture of cheeses, melted in a special dish, with the help of white wine. Traditionally it is considered a winter food, but it is unacceptable to go to a Swiss town and not try it. Most good restaurants can be found in Bahnhofstrasse and especially in Parade-Platz, on Niederdorf Street. To taste really delicious sausages, I suggest visiting the Sternen Grill. It is located at the beginning of Lake Zurich, and you will understand it by the huge queues that exist all year round. Finally, the famous Swiss chocolates can be found at Confiserie Sprungli. Also, on the Bahnhofstrasse, it is considered something like the temple of the sweet with a history that goes back to 1836! Besides chocolate you should try macarons, which are among the best in the world.
Useful information
In Zurich we travel with a passport or a new type of Police ID, where the details are indicated in Latin characters.
In Zurich the language used is German. The majority, however, speaks English (Italian and French), so ask for clarifications in English.
The currency of the country is the Swiss Franc (SFr), and the exchange rate at the moment is 1€ = 1.14 SFr.
Zurich is an hour behind Greece (GMT +2).
Getting to and from Zurich airport is simple, since there are continuous train services (S2 & S16), which will take you in 10 to 15 minutes to the main train station.
The Honorary Consulate General in Zurich is located at 67 Bellerivestrasse, and its phone number is (004144) 3885577.
Switzerland is a destination for every season since it combines landscapes capable of impressing even the most capricious traveler. Depending on what one wishes to do on vacation, this country can provide the appropriate activities. In Zurich the cold is bitter in winter and the rains abundant in autumn and spring, so prepare properly depending on the period you decide to visit.
Recommended excursions → Basel, Strasbourg, Freiburg
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