Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is Switzerland’s biggest city, and there’s plenty to experience during a daycation. From top-class museums to an opera house that was once the mainstay of Richard Wagner, we’ve picked out some suggestions just for you.
Your Tips For A Zurich Day Stay
- Restaurants Aplenty – Naturally, there are great Swiss restaurants (such as 19th-century establishment Rechberg), but there are many other dining options too. Italian, Thai, Sushi, Indian and more culinary styles can all be found in the riverside area of the city.
- Museums – Zurich has some great museums, amongst which is the Swiss National Museum (Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum), which hosts exhibits telling the story of Switzerland’s history, including interactive exhibits and an armory tower. Art aficionados should check out the Kunsthaus (art house), home of an extensive collection of European art ranging from the 15th century to the modern day.
- Classic Performances – The Schauspielhaus Zürich was built in 1892, and today puts on dramatic performances in German. Nearby, the Zurich Opera House (Opernhaus Zürich) performs opera and ballet both classic and contemporary, and the 1834 venue is also open for tours.
- Cultural Diversity – History buffs should give the Grossmünster Protestant church a look, as the 16th-century preacher Huldrych Zwingli promoted reform there. On a more modern note, the city’s China Garden (Chinagarten) is a serene lakeside setting, featuring Far Eastern pavilions and bridges.
Seven Noteworthy Facts About Zurich
- Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, and the capital of the Zurich canton.
- The settlement was founded by the Romans over two millennia ago.
- Switzerland was neutral during World War Two but at times was surrounded by Axis territory, which led to its accidental bombing by the Allies.
- The Zurich Opera House was built in 1834, and was the main outlet for Richard Wagner when he lived in the city.
- Zurich’s Street Parade, held every August, is one of the world’s biggest technoparades.
- The city is home to a number of international sporting bodies, including FIFA.
- Famous residents of Zurich include psychiatrist Carl Jung, composer Richard Wagner, and Protestant theologian Adolf Keller.
