Zürich

Divided by the Limmat River, Zürich’s Altstadt consists of Niederdorf on the east bank and Lindenhof on the west. Winding cobblestone alleyways feature preserved Renaissance guild halls, boutique watchmakers, and the iconic dual towers of Grossmünster paired with the stained-glass brilliance of Fraumünster (created by Marc Chagall).

Lake Zürich (Zürichsee) provides the dramatic alpine curtain that defines the city. Stroll along the Bellevue promenade to Bürkliplatz, where public steamboats depart for historic round trips toward Rapperswil. In summer, the historic wooden lake baths (Frauenbadi and Seebad Enge) transform into serene swimming pavilions and sunset lounges.

Stretching 1.4 kilometers from the Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) down to Lake Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse is universally recognized as one of the world's most prestigious avenues. Lined with century-old linden trees, Swiss haute horlogerie flagships, and the historic Paradeplatz banking epicenter, it offers an unmatched glimpse into Swiss precision and design.

Rising 870 meters above sea level, Zürich's home mountain provides sweeping 360-degree views across the city, the lake, and the snow-capped Glarus Alps. The SZU mountain train (S10) whisks visitors directly from Hauptbahnhof to the summit in just 20 minutes, followed by a gentle 10-minute walk to the lookout tower and scenic restaurants.

Resembling a fairy-tale castle adjacent to the Hauptbahnhof, the Landesmuseum houses the most extensive collection of Swiss cultural history from prehistory through the Middle Ages to the modern federal state. The museum’s modern concrete wing seamlessly merges 19th-century Neo-Gothic masonry with avant-garde contemporary architecture.