Zürich Sights

  1. Arboretum

    Wander down the west bank of the lake in Old Town and the concrete walkways give way to parkland in the Arboretum.

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  2. Bahnhofstrasse

    Elegant Bahnhofstrasse is simply perfect for window-shopping and affluent Züricher-watching. The bank vaults beneath the street are said to be crammed with gold and silver. Above ground, you'll find luxury shops selling the best Switzerland can offer - from watches and clocks to chocolates, furs, porcelain and fashion labels galore.

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  3. Beyer Museum

    The Beyer Museum is devoted to time pieces of all kinds, from shadow sticks to striated medieval candles to Renaissance table clocks to watches that check their own accuracy via a wireless connection with an atomic clock. The exhibition is arranged chronlogically and has a technical as well as an aesthetic emphasis.

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  4. Cabaret Voltaire

    Cabaret Voltaire is the birthplace of the iconoclastic Dada art movement. It has been reopened as an exhibition space cum café/bar, dedicated to modern Swiss art and hosting Dada-related events.

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  5. Fluntern Cemetery

    Like many disgruntled pacifists, Irish writer James Joyce took refuge in neutral Zürich during WWI - although he managed to distinguish himself from most by writing Ulysses, one of greatest pieces of world literature, while here. Joyce returned to the city just before his death in 1941 and is buried in Fluntern cemetery.

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  7. Foundation Emil G Bührle Collection

    The Foundation Emil G Bührle Collection is another inspiring private collection with a wealth of late-19th and early-20th-century art. Yet another little treasure-trove of European masterpieces, art lovers should definitely visit this former private home, the most notable works by Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh and the other usual fin-de-siècle suspects.

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  8. Fraumünster

    The 13th-century Fraumünster is renowned for its distinctive stained-glass windows, designed by the then elderly Russian-Jewish artist Marc Chagall in 1967.

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  9. Grossmünster

    Across the river from the Fraumünster is the dual-towered Grossmünster. This was where, in the 16th century, the Protestant preacher Huldrych Zwingli first spread his message of 'pray and work' during the Reformation - a seminal period in Zürich's history. The figure glowering from the south tower of the cathedral is Charlemagne, who founded the original church at this location.

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  10. James Joyce Foundation

    Hosts regular public readings in English from Ulysses ( to Tuesday) and Finnegan's Wake ( to and to Thursday).

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  11. James Joyce's Grave

    One of the greatest works of English literature, James Joyce's Ulysses , was written in Zürich and its author is buried here. Irish Joyce was just one disgruntled intellectual - Lenin and Trotsky were others - who took refuge in this neutral city during WWI, and he finished his epic during wartime exile here (1915-19). He returned shortly before dying in January 1941 and his carefully tended grave is found in Fluntern Cemetery; take tram No 6 to Zoo.

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  13. Johann Jacobs Museum

    Johann Jacobs Museum is as addictive as the coffee to which it is devoted. Temporary exhibitions range from the scientific effects of caffeine to displays of chinaware.

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  14. Kunsthalle Zürich

    Kunsthalle Zürich, like the Migros Museum, features changing exhibitions of contemporary art, particularly conceptual works.

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  15. Kunsthaus

    After a major renovation in 2005, Zürich's Kunsthaus is looking better than ever, with its rich collection of Alberto Giacometti stick-figure sculptures, Monets, Van Goghs, Rodin sculptures and other 19th- and 20th-century art. Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler is also represented.

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  16. Kunsthaus (Museum of Fine Arts)

    Zürich's leading art gallery can easily hold its own against those of much bigger cities. In fact, temporary exhibitions at London's Tate Modern have sometimes either originated or ended up here. The permanent holding is not shabby either, with a rich collection of Alberto Giacometti's trademark stick figures, the largest number of Munch paintings outside Norway, plus Monets, Van Goghs and Rodin sculptures.

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  17. Le Corbusier Pavilion

    Many international visitors are mystified that Zürich doesn't make more of the stunning Le Corbusier Pavilion and Heidi Weber museum. Looking like a Mondrian painting set in parkland, with differently coloured square panels, glass and steel, this was the last building designed by Le Corbusier (who died in 1965).

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  19. Le Corbusier Pavilion and Heidi Weber museum

    Many international visitors are mystified that Zürich doesn't make more of the stunning Le Corbusier Pavilion and Heidi Weber museum. However, as a cash-strapped private museum its opening times are sadly limited. Looking like a Mondrian painting set in parkland, with differently coloured square panels, glass and steel, this was the last building designed by Le Corbusier (who died in 1965).

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  20. Letzigrund Stadium

    Letzigrund Stadium has been refurbished as the venue for the Euro 2008 competition. Bus No 31 to Letzipark will get you here.

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  21. Lindt & Sprüngli

    The Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate factory is just south of the city centre. An inexpensive day can be spent with a free museum (English notes on request), free chocolate and a rather self-congratulatory film is screened, free. You can even get there on a free city bike. Opening times are irregular at best but everyone waits for chocolate.

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  22. Migros Museum

    Migros Museum is one of two main museums in the converted Löwenbräu brewery, which also houses several galleries, a bookshop, a bar and a club.

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  23. Museum of Design

    Taking a very broad definition of design, this museum comes up with some wonderful exhibitions... For example, looking at how Bollywood film producers love to shoot films in Switzerland; examining dendrites - or tree-shaped structures - that are found throughout nature; or fondly presenting takeaway food packaging.

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  25. Museum Rietberg

    An unexpectedly wonderful collection of African, Oriental and ancient American art is found in the Museum Rietberg. It's set in three villas in a leafy park.

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  26. Plakatraum

    Draws on a huge archive of vintage tourism, Dada and other posters.

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  27. Schweizerisches Landesmuseum

    The Swiss Museum, set in an imitation castle, is a great big cream cake of a place; try to digest it all in one go and you could come away feeling bloated. The permanent collection gives the ultimate rundown on Swiss life and times from the prehistoric to the present. The special exhibitions are usually enticing.

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  28. St Peterskirche

    On the west bank, you'll find the 13th-century tower of St Peterskirche is hard to miss. It has the largest clock face in Europe (8.7m in diameter).

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  29. The Chinese Garden

    Zurich's Chinese Garden was a gift from its sister city Kunming, in gratitude for assistance with its water supply and drainage. The garden, with its pavilions, bridges, islands, water palaces and moon gate, is well worth a visit - especially when the winter cherry trees are in bloom.

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