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Zurich Attractions

Zurich spires © swiss-image.ch

Fraumünster Church

Of the church spires that characterise Zurich’s skyline, the thin blue spire of Fraumünster is the most graceful. Overlooking the historic old square of Münsterhof, the former pig market, the church was founded in 853 and its convent inhabited by German noblewomen until the 13th century. Important architectural features include the Romanesque choir and the enormous elaborate organ, but its chief attractions are the five beautiful stained glass windows designed by the 83-year-old Marc Chagall in 1970.

Address: Am Münsterhofplatz; Telephone: 044 211 4100; Transport: Tram 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 to Paradeplatz; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 11.15am to 6pm (April to October); Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 11.15am to 4pm (November to March). The church is closed for some services on Sundays; Admission: Free

Swiss National Museum

Swiss National Museum

A fascinating exploration of Swiss national history, the Swiss National Museum has an impressive and varied collection of ancient artefacts, providing visitors with a richer understanding of Swiss life and consciousness through the centuries. Housed in an exquisite castle-like building, with a distinctive tower, the permanent collection contains a comprehensive anthology of artefacts from the Stone Age to modern times. First stop is the archaeology exhibit where tools and articles dating back to before 800BC are on display. Highlights at the museum include the Celestial globe of Jost Bürg (1594), a groundbreaking symbol of European thought, religious reliquaries from the 13th to 16th centuries and ancient wheels, considered to be among the earliest ever found. Another major drawcard is the Armoury, where historic Swiss weaponry used in combat between 800 and 1800BC can be found. Expect to see crossbows, swords and suits of armour.

Address: Museumstrausse 2; Website: www.nationalmuseum.ch; Telephone: 044 218 6511; Transport: Train to Zurich main station. Museum located across from main station (follow signs); Opening time: Daily except Mondays 10am to 5pm (until 8pm on Thursdays); Admission: Sfr10 (adults), Sfr8 (concessions). Children under 16 free

Kunsthaus Zürich © Anita Affentranger

Kunsthaus Zurich (Fine Arts Museum)

Devoted for the most part to 19th and 20th century artwork, the Kunsthaus Zurich (Zurich Fine Arts Museum) is a cultural drawcard for any art lover. Holding one of the largest collections of works by Edvard Munch outside Norway, as well as works by renowned modern artists such as Chagall, Picasso, Monet, Rothko and the Expressionists, Kokoschka, Beckmann and Corinth to name a few, there is a whole host of quality artwork for the visitor to marvel at. Visitors can also view the creative talents of cutting edge Swiss artists such as the sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti, and well-known Swiss duo Fischli/Weiss. Situated in a sophisticated building with contemporary exhibitions, a trip to the Kunsthaus Zurich makes for a very rewarding cultural day out.

Address: Heimplatz 1; Website: www.kunsthaus.ch; Telephone: 044 253 84 84; Transport: Tram 3 or bus 31 from Hauptbahnhof (Zurich main station) to Kunsthaus; Opening time: Wednesday to Friday 10am to 8pm. Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday 10am to 6pm; Admission: Collection: Sfr12 (adults), Sfr8 (concessions), children 16 and under free. Combined tickets for collection and temporary exhibitions: Sfr22.50 (adults), Sfr14.50 (concessions)

Rigiblick Funicular © www.urbanrail.net

Polybahn and Rigiblick Funiculars

Trains, buses, trams and bikes are common ways of getting around Zurich. To get above the bustling streets and cobbled walkways, hop onto either the Polybahn or Rigiblick Funicular for panoramic views of the city and Lake Zurich. The traditional Polybahn was first opened in 1889 to solve the transport problem of students travelling from central Zurich to the University of Technology, which is situated on the towering Zürichberg hill. Recently renovated, the Polybahn has maintained its classic Swiss appearance and continues to haul students and tourists to the Polyterasse viewpoint. Serving an attractive neighbourhood north of Zurich, the Rigiblick Funicular rewards travellers with a sweeping panoramic view of the city and the unmistakable Mount Rigi (1797m).

Address: Polybahn: Central station (Hauptbahnhof). Rigiblick: Seilbahn; Transport: Polybahn: Tram 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 15 to Central tram stop on other side of the Limmat river from the main station. Rigiblick: Tram 9 or 10 to Seilbahn Rigiblick; Opening time: Polybahn: Monday to Friday 6:45am to 7:15pm. Rigiblick: Daily 5.20am to 12.40pm

Museum of Design Zurich © ZHdk/Museum für Gestaltung Zürich

Museum of Design Zurich

Known for sophisticated designs such as the internationally recognised symbol of the Red Cross, it is no wonder that Switzerland has a museum dedicated solely to design. With three separate collections, visitors can indulge in the modish designs of the Poster Collection, Design Collection and Graphic Collection, spanning the past century or visit one of the temporary exhibits where works of acclaimed industrial designers, photographers, graphic artists and architects are regularly shown. Designed by the progressive Swiss architects Adolf Steger and Karl Egender as a Functionalist manifesto, the Museum of Design Zurich is a great example of modern architecture in Switzerland and is a gallery not to be missed.

Address: Ausstellungsstrasse 60; Website: www.museum-gestaltung.ch; Telephone: 043 446 6767; Transport: Tram 4 or 13 to tram stop Museum Gestaltung or five minute walk from Zurich main station; Opening time: Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 8pm, Friday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; Admission: Sfr12 (adults), Sfr8 (concessions)

Niederdorf District

Niederdorf

Situated in the old town, across from central station, the narrow lanes of Niederdorf wind through towering 14th century buildings revealing small plazas where restaurants spill onto cobbled streets and buskers entertain diners and passers-by with miscellaneous music. This charming district has an interesting array of fashion stores, bookshops and antique dealers as well as superb independent cheese, wine and pastry shops. In the evening the area transforms into one of Zurich's buzzing nightlife venues with a wide selection of bars, restaurants and clubs to be explored.

Address: Niederdorfstrasse; Transport: Tram number 3, 4, 6, 7 or 10 to Central tram stop or five minute walk from Zurich main station across Limmat River

Masoala Rainforest © Zurich Zoo

Zurich Zoo

Unlike the dubious reputation of zoos worldwide, the Zurich Zoo is refreshingly dedicated to nature conservation, maintaining ecosystems and protecting animal species, with many projects of reintroduction into the wild. Offering guided tours and in depth information tools, the Zurich Zoo does its best to educate the public. With over 260 different species and 2200 animals, visitors will get the unique chance to view endangered animal species such as snow leopards and red pandas. Recreating ecosystems from exotic Madagascar to the rugged Ethiopian Highlands and housing the various animals in spacious enclosures, a visit to the diverse Zurich Zoo is a pleasurable and invigorating excursion. Visit the website to see feeding times and which new pups have been born.

Address: Zurichbergstrasse 221; Website: www.zoo.ch; Telephone: 044 254 2505; Transport: Tram 6 from Zurich main station; Opening time: Daily from 9am to 6pm (March to October) and 9am to 5pm (November to February); Admission: Sfr22 (adults), Sfr16 (children). Concessions available

Side View, Centre Le Corbusier

Centre Le Corbusier

The final work of the renowned Swiss architect who pioneered modernism and laid the foundation for Bauhaus, the Centre Le Corbusier in Zurichhorn Park is the epitome of modern design. A conglomeration of his life's work, the Centre Le Corbusier and Heidi Weber Museum unify Le Corbusier's architecture, paintings, furniture, sculpture and writings, all in one space. Created in the 1960s, the contemporary building strong references to Mondrian and is a jumble of cubic structures made of coloured panels, glass and steel, protected by a detached angular roof. Initially designed as a private house, the many spaces of the Centre Le Corbusier have fared well as an exhibition and learning centre. On your way to this illuminating masterpiece, take a stroll alongside the Limmat River in picturesque Zurichhorn Park and keep a look out for the sculptures of Jean Tinguely and Henry Moore.

Address: Hoeschgasse 8; E-mail: info@centrelecorbusier.com; Website: www.centerlecorbusier.com; Transport: Tram 2 along Seefeldstrasse to Hoeschgasse or boat to Zurichhorn Casino. Within walking distance from there; Opening time: Open July to September, Saturday and Sunday 2pm to 5pm. Exterior viewable all year round