With over 50 museums, art galleries, the opera, orchestras and
the Schauspielhaus theatre, Zurich is the largest of Swiss cities
and proof that Switzerland is not just about bankers and clocks. It
pitches itself as “Downtown Switzerland” a banking and cultural
hybrid, the wealthiest city in all of Europe but also the
birthplace of the Dada art movement.

Zurich can trace its origins back to the 15BC, with the founding
of the Roman customs post of Turicum. By the 10th century AD, the
settlement acquired city status. Most of the its attractions can be
seen in the compact Old Town, spanning the River Limmat, where the
impressive Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches have been locked
in a face off for centuries.

The Fraumünster was begun in the 9th century as a Benedictine
Abbey but is famed for its five stained glass windows by artist by
Marc Chagall. Best seen from Rathausbrücke, the Grossmünster’s twin
towers facing onto the River Limmat are the city's symbol. The
minster dates back to the 11th century and the crypt is the largest
of its kind in Switzerland.

Many of the most interesting buildings and byways are clustered
along the riverbanks. The Roman customs post of nearby Lindenhof
offers a good vantage point. The baroque Rathaus, (Town Hall) and
the city's oldest church St Peterskirche, known for its clock face,
(the largest in Europe), are within a short distance of the Limmat.
Nightlife is mostly set in the Old Town bars and cafes, tucked away
on Niederdorfstrasse and Oberdorfstrasse.

Perhaps better known is architect and designer Le Corbusier, who
pioneered modernism and laid the foundation for Bauhaus. His life
is honoured at the Center Le Corbusier, a 1960s Mondrian-inspired
building in Zurichhorn Park. The park also features many
eye-catching sculptures including works by Henry Moore and Jean
Tinguely. 

The tallest point in the city is Üetliberg, 871m, which rewards
visitors with views over all Zurich, the lake and on a clear day,
the Alps.

If you have small children, you are able to trip with them. To do this, use a decent Schwinn bike trailer (have a look at this opinions) or a infant chair. The child seat can be fitted on the front of the bike or at the rear.

Zürcher Opernhaus is home to Zurich’s high-calibre chamber and
symphony orchestras. The Schauspielhaus is one of the most
important theatres in the German-speaking world.

Confiserie Sprüngli is renowned for its 50 different kinds of
chocolates. It is also Zurich's oldest pastry shop, the first to
serve coffee to women in public!

Among the city’s adopted sons were Lenin and Thomas Mann, both
of whom stayed here. Carl Jung lived and died in Zurich. The Irish
novelist James Joyce, who died in Zürich, is buried at Fluntern
cemetery. And Richard Wagner lived in the Villa Wesendonck, which
is now part of the Museum Rietberg.

The Zurich Street Parade is a technoparade second only to
Berlin’s Love Parade.

The ZürichCARD allows unlimited travel within the Zurich canton
and free admission to over 40 museums for a period of between 24 or
72 hours.