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See and Do in Zurich

By Denise - Posted on 03 December 2009

Zurich has plenty to see and do for expats looking for a bit of down time - and much of it is completely free. There are of course a good quality range of monuments, museums and churches worth seeing, the best of which are detailed below. A good day out in the city could start with a wander along the charming old streets of Niederhof, filled with chic little cafes and skilled buskers and performers.

Top Zurich attractions include the Swiss National Museum, the Fine Arts Museum and the Museum of Design while the Zurich Zoo features rare and endangered species including the elusive snow leopard and very unusual red panda. Expats planning on doing a lot of sightseeing on a particular weekend would do well to buy the Zurich Tourist Card, which gives the bearer free use of local transport and free admission to 40 museums plus other benefits like free drinks at several city bars.

Rhine Falls

Take a day trip to the little town of Schaffhausen, home to spectacular Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) largest and most powerful waterfall in Europe. It’s an impressive natural spectacle at its best during late spring when the snowmelt expands the volume. The hill above hosts romantic medieval castle Schloss Laufen. This is the place to be on Swiss National Day (1 August) when a spectacular fireworks display is held.

Zurich Zoo

If Greenpeace could design a zoo this would be it. Expats will be delighted by this eco-friendly centre dedicated to nature conservation, and preserving endangered species. There are over 260 different species and 2200 animals within authentically recreated ecosystems such exotic Madagascar and Ethiopian Highlands.
www.zoo.ch
Telephone: 044 254 2505

Neiderdorf

This is the traditional heart of Zurich, home to intimate cafes, crusty old bars and zippy street performers. The buildings, dating from the 14^th century, host fashion stores, bookshops and antique dealers and plenty of boutique cheese and wine shops.

Museum of Design Zurich

Zurich’s underrated design credentials are showcased here at this excellent museum. Check out designs across the Poster Collection, Design Collection and Graphic Collection, covering a Swiss commercial art and also modern architecture.
www.museum-gestaltung.ch
Telephone: 043 446 6767

Fraumünster Church

The distinctive blue spire of Fraumünster is one of Zurich’s most emblematic sights and certainly its most graceful. Founded in 853, it stands sentinel over the old square of Münsterhof, once a pig market. Look out for the stunning Romanesque choir and the incredible five stained glass windows designed by Chagall in 1970.

Kunsthaus Zurich (Fine Arts Museum)

Famed for its collection of Edvard Munch, Chagall, Picasso, Monet, Rothko and the Expressionists, this museum holds many treasures within its attractive premises. The perfect rainy day out for expats looking to stir their senses.
www.kunsthaus.ch
Telephone: 044 253 84 84

Swiss National Museum

Not all museum are dull as this illuminating study of Swiss life and consciousness over the centuries. The building itself is impressive while inside you can find tools from the stone age to Middle Age treasures like the Celestial globe of Jost Bürg (1594). Don’t miss the Armoury with some distinctly non-neutral Swiss weaponry.
www.nationalmuseum.ch
Telephone: 044 218 6511

Zurich for free

Despite being a city with a reputation for being expensive Zurich has a lot to offer which involves spending absolutely no money at all. Here is local expert Denise Pulis' pick of the best of Zurich for free...

Free Museums and Art Galleries

The University’s archaeological collection and prints and drawings collection are free, as is the delightful Toy Museum. Daros, a gallery hosting contemporary Latin American Art, is free for students, and the world-famous Kunsthaus, a collection of old and modern Swiss art, does not require the purchase of an entry ticket on Wednesdays. If you wish to take a peek into the Kunsthalle modern collection with works by relatively unknown artists and the Migros Museum of contemporary art, simply visit on Thursdays between 5 and 8 and you won’t have to pay the usual 8 CHF.

Free drinks

You will find this tip as effective at helping save the environment as it is at conserving your cash – bottled water from kiosks in Zurich could end up setting you back as much as 4.50 CHF and expect to pay the same or more in restaurants. Not only is tap water perfectly safe to drink, but Zurich is also conveniently dotted with around 1,200 fountains, which, unless otherwise stated by an appropriate sign, are great for refills.

Free nature

Zurich’s natural spots are best enjoyed in the warmer months, but are most spectacular in Spring when a frenzy of flowering trees and plants flood them with colour. There is no price to pay to enjoy a sunbathing siesta at the old botanical gardens or a barbeque and a beer with friends on the lawns of the arboretum. If you want to meet a few local featured and fury friends but don’t want to pay the admission ticket for the admittedly exceptional Zurich Zoo, head to Voliere for a close encounter with over 150 species of birds. If larger beasts are what you’re looking for, it is perfectly possible to cycle to the Wildnis Park Langenberg and feast your eyes on wild boar, European bison, brown bear, moose, and if they’re not acting too shy, a couple of lynx too.

Free sightseeing

Zurich is similar to Amsterdam – you feel like you’re doing something just by walking around and enjoying the wonderful and beautifully preserved architecture and its narrow lanes and streets which provide constant surprises as you navigate through them. They also make for a unique window shopping experience, as you will regularly find yourself coming across little shops selling specialised items ranging from bespoke shoes to the best tea selection in the city. Wander through the architecturally splendid Zurich Main Station for some free art, walk along the western bank of the Limmat and make sure to take in the view from Lindenhof, go for a quick spin around the Grossmunster and the Fraumunster and remember not to forget to visit the latter’s silent and fresco-decorated courtyard, and finally, take it easy below street level as you stroll along the Schanzengraben.

Free Street Culture

There is nothing like visiting a city when something is happening in its streets. For events you can enjoy with the rest of the Swiss crowd, I’d suggest the infamous Street Parade and the mellow and much more traditional sechselauten, featuring, amongst other things, an exploding snowman. During this festival some of the parade participants have been spotted throwing bread buns and whole raw fish to the crowd.

Free Swimming

There are some extremely picturesque spots in and around the city where to sit back and relax. While if you’re looking for a proper deck with umbrellas and all you’ll need to pay a small fee, there are numerous no-frills yet beautiful spots around the city’s water bodies where all you’ll need is your own towel to spread on grass (or concrete) and a generous amount of sunblock. If you’d like to investigate the river’s temperature, head to the little Werdinsel island, the Flussbad Unterer Letten (for strong swimmers) or the Flussbad Oberer Letten. If you’re a man, you can enjoy the Mannerbad on the schanzengraben (gents only) for free and welcome your female companions after 5 pm, when its Rimini bar opens its doors to both sexes alike. And then of course, there is the Zurich lake itself, where you can take a dip while enjoying the sight of the Alps in the distance, something which is, above everything else, priceless.

Free transport

Zurich’s transport system is efficient, consistently punctual, but not cheap. Having said that, the city is definitely bite-sized, and the trick to saving transport costs is doing what the locals do – cycle. Yes, cycle…for free. You can get your free ride (for a period of 6 hours which can be extended by allowing for pit stops) from various points around the city. Most of them only rent out between May and October, but the Velogate branch next to the Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum) and the Zurich Main Station is open all year round.

Get more ideas of what to see and do in Zurich at travelwithdenden.wordpress.com

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