A holiday in Zurich is in the largest, richest and most powerful city in Switzerland. Many may still think of Zurich as a sterile banking city, but nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, it is Switzerland's financial engine and home to one of the largest stock exchanges in the world. But if you leave the stock markets behind, you will see a vibrant and trend-conscious city that has emerged as one of Europe's hippest destinations in recent years.
Every summer, for instance, Zurich shows its artsy and post-industrial face with the Street Parade, the world's biggest techno party where dancers and DJs populate the streets. A banker with tie is then nowhere in sight. While on holiday in the city, don't miss out on hip Zurich West. Former factories, sheds and viaducts are now used as cultural centres, creative hotspots, galleries, bars and quirky boutiques. In Langstrasse, the city's infamous red-light district, you can just as easily shop for a handbag from a famous designer or a fashionable skirt.
When visiting Zurich, the wide variety of top-class hotels to stay in can be overwhelming. Whether you're looking for affordable accommodations or 5-star luxury hotels, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can always take the help of websites that offer hotel booking services to ease your task - they have compiled lists of some of the best hotels for tourists in Switzerland. You can look more at tophotels.com for a curated list of top-rated accommodations in this magnificent city.
Much of the Old Town, with its winding streets, elegantly restored historic buildings and tall church towers, has been lovingly kept intact. Architects have left their courteous marks there - check out the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, for example. You can also admire the main sights on a leisurely boat trip on the Limmat river, which cuts the charming Altstadt in half. Back on shore, Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's main shopping street, is a year-round shopper's paradise. In fact, you can find trendy boutiques and vendors selling refined chocolates or exclusive watches in every district.
Zurich has luxury restaurants serving refined cuisine and the country's best wines, as well as huge numbers of cafés and bars for all tastes - whether you like beer, cocktails, gin, football or karaoke. The good news is also that the once draconian liquor laws have been relaxed and you can always get ahead of a hangover, thanks to the more than 1,200 drinking fountains on every street corner capable of quenching your thirst.
If you want to escape the bustling city or nightlife for a while, the beautiful Lake Zurich smiles at you. Centuries-old mansions dominate its shores and snow-capped mountains define the vista barely disturbed by high-rises. A little further afield, you can head to Geneva or one of the perfectly maintained ski slopes. Zurich is certainly a neat city where Swiss precision and attention to detail are visible everywhere, but anything but stiff and boring. You will celebrate holidays in a vibrant and modern metropolis that chooses not to meander through life in too much of a hurry.
Sights in Zurich
Zurich has enough sights and museums to spend a few days on holiday. You can visit the two image-defining iconic churches, the Grossmünster and the Fraumünster, and interesting art museums. The National Museum of Switzerland is also located in the Swiss city. Read more about places to visit in Zurich here
Travelling to Zurich
Zurich is located in the north-east of Switzerland, not far from the German border. For a holiday, you can travel to Zurich by plane, train, car or bus. KLM and Swiss Airlines fly directly from Amsterdam to the Swiss city several times a week. The flight time is about 1 hour and 25 minutes. With good public transport connections, you can quickly get from the airport to Zurich city centre. Read more about flying to Zurich here
By train, it takes about 8 hours to get to Zurich from the Netherlands. You can take a direct train from Amsterdam CS to the Swiss city of Basel (6½ hours) and there change to an intercity to Zurich. The train from Amsterdam leaves early in the morning, allowing you to holiday in Zurich the same day. From Basel train station, a train to Zurich leaves every half-hour (travel time about one hour). Train tickets to Zurich are on sale from €40. ► Book a train ticket to Zurich here with NS International
By car, it is 820 kilometres from Amsterdam to Zurich (without delay 8½ hours). The fastest way is via Cologne and Frankfurt in Germany. Note that you need a toll vignette for the highways in Switzerland. There are parking meters on the streets of Zurich where you can park for a maximum of 2 to 4 hours. For longer parking, you can park in one of ten car parks, most of which are open 24 hours a day. For an overview, visit: www.parkingzuerich.ch
Public transport in Zurich
During your holiday, you can easily explore Zurich on foot. It is an uncluttered city where you can enjoy walking. Public transport is also very efficient, as you would expect from the Swiss. The transport company Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich has trams and buses running in the city. To buy a ticket, you can visit nine VBZ sales offices and numerous ticket machines at tram and bus stops. For more information on bus and tram routes, visit the VBZ website: www.vbz.ch
Activities in Zurich
Boat trips on Lake Zurich
With Lake Zurich(Zürichsee), there are countless opportunities to experience your holiday in the city from the water. Various types of boat trips are available. The shipping company Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft offers many round trips on the lake during the summer months, from an hour and a half to all-day cruises. You can also choose from themed cruises, for example a fondue cruise, a barbecue cruise, a Christmas cruise or a cheese fondue cruise. For the complete offer and reservations: www.zsg.ch
For more information on a holiday in Zurich, check out the tourist office website: www.zuerich.com