SIGHTS

Schipfe
"Schipfe" is one of the oldest quarters of the city of Zurich. The name originates from the nautical term "schupfen" (push) used by the fishermen to describe how they pushed their boats to and from the river bank. During the Middle Ages, the Schipfe was the transfer point for essential merchandise, and from the 16th century became the headquarters of the silk industry, and the location of bathhouses and boatbuilding. Even today, the Schipfe is still the street of artisans where...

SIGHTS

Schipfe
"Schipfe" is one of the oldest quarters of the city of Zurich. The name originates from the nautical term "schupfen" (push) used by the fishermen to describe how they pushed their boats to and from the river bank. During the Middle Ages, the Schipfe was the transfer point for essential merchandise, and from the 16th century became the headquarters of the silk industry, and the location of bathhouses and boatbuilding. Even today, the Schipfe is still the street of artisans where the craftspeople take the necessary time for their customers, providing expert advice and suggestions. Quality and custom-made products are available in the small, romantic shops and workshops along the Limmat River. The Schipfe is an idyllic location to linger, shop and enjoy some good food.

Fraumünster
Founded in 853 by King Louis the German, this church with its convent was inhabited by the female members of the aristocracy of Europe. The convent enjoyed the patronage of kings and the right to mint coins in Zurich until well into the 13th century. Ownership of the church and convent passed to the city of Zurich after the Reformation. Important architectural features include the Romanesque chancel and the high vaulted transept.
The nave was last renovated in 1911, following work to heighten the north tower and remove the south tower in the 18th century. In addition to boasting the largest organ in the canton of Zurich (5,793 pipes), the church's most stunning jewels are the stained glass windows: those in the north transept are by Alberto Giacometti's cousin, Augusto (1945), while the five-part cycle in the chancel (1970) and the rosette in the southern transept (1978) are by Marc Chagall. There is a series of frescos by Paul Bodmer in the cloister to mark the founding of the Fraumünster.

Grossmünster
According to legend, Charlemagne discovered the graves of the city's martyrs Felix and Regula and had a church built as a choristers' cloister on the spot. Construction work on the present building began around 1100. In the first half of the 16th century, Grossmünster Church was the starting point of the Swiss-German Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger. The theological college then annexed to the cloister became the germinal cell of what is now the University of Zurich. Don’t miss taking the stairs up to Grossmünster’s "Karlsturm" to have a breathtaking view over Zurich.

Niederdorf
During the day, this is a pedestrian zone and a shopper's paradise with lots of boutiques hidden away in a network of alleys. At night, the many bars, restaurants and street artists turn the Niederdorf into an exciting center of entertainment for a diverse crowd.

Opera
The history of Zurich Opera House begins with the “Actien-Theater” (shares theatre), which opened in 1834 with Mozart’s Zauberflöte. Musical theatre and drama have gone their separate ways in Zurich since 1921. Now with a seating capacity for approximately 1,100, the theatre was renovated entirely between 1982 and 1984, and an extension was added on Uto-Quai to accommodate a second, studio stage. In 2012, with the beginning of Andreas Homoki’s directorship and the accession of the new General Music Director Fabio Luisi, the Zurich Opera Orchestra became the Philharmonia Zurich.
Each season, the Orchestra can be heard at about 250 opera and ballet performances given by Zurich Opera House. The Philharmonic Concerts are also organised as a podium for the concert repertoire. Soirées and chamber music matinees complete the Orchestra’s artistic spectrum.

Tonhalle
The excellent acoustics of the Tonhalle Zurich concert hall rank among the best in the world. The large concert hall was built in 1895 and inaugurated in the presence of Johannes Brahms. It can seat up to 1,455 concert-goers.

Zoo Zurich & Masoala Rainforest
Elephants, rhinos, penguins and 20 species of monkeys are just some of the animals on the Zurichberg that will transport you into an exotic world – with all your senses.
Enjoy the sight of the snow leopards in their rocky Himalayan landscape, watch the Andean bears as they go climbing in search of food in their misty mountain world, and admire the giant turtles swimming in the Masoala Rainforest, where it is warm and humid all year round – a fragrant, tropical green oasis, a piece of Madagascar live in 13,000 square yards.
Explore the rainforest along a twisting path and gain insight into a typical rainforest dense with palms and inhabited by lemurs and turtles and discover sparse swamp areas with a myriad of brightly colored frogs. It's also possible to host events in the adjacent restaurant with a stunning view of the rainforest.

Üetliberg
At 2,850 feet above sea level, Uetliberg towers over the rooftops of Zurich. The mountain affords an impressive panoramic view of the city, the lake and the Alps. The Uetliberg is particularly popular in November, as its summit is often above the blanket of fog that can cover the city at this time of year. In the winter, the hiking trails to the summit are converted into sledding runs. In summer, there’s plenty to discover on well-marked hiking routes, a mountain bike route, and on the Planet Trail. This hour-and-a-half to two-hour walk from Uetliberg to Felsenegg (Adliswil) takes you on a fascinating tour through a model of our solar system.

NATURE & REGION

The Panorama Trail: From Üetliberg to Felsenegg
Comfortably, and running according to a scheduled timetable, the Üetlibergbahn railway takes summiteers to Zurich's 871 metre high local mountain. The alpine hike that follows is equally suited for families. And on Felsenegg the gondola lift waits to take you down to Adliswil, where the S-Bahn runs back to Zurich. But, hold on: don’t miss the home-made apple strudel at restaurant Felsenegg!

A boat trip on Lake Zurich
With a shoreline of 87.6 km a boat trip across Lake Zurich is a wonderful alternative to the classic way of sightseeing. You will receive a thorough impression of Zurich’s cityscape and catch a glimpse of the stately homes situated right on the lakeside. There are many ways to navigate across the lake: The city of Zurich offers short and long boat trips and also themed trips with culinary offerings. If you prefer it a little more intimate, you may also rent your own boat. Nothing is more romantic than floating on Lake Zurich at sunset with your beloved ones while enjoying a glass of sparkling wine.

Lucerne
Lucerne offers a diverse range of attractions for everyone: an Old Town with historical houses decorated with frescoes, the Chapel Bridge with its Water Tower, the Lion Monument & Glacier Garden, a lakefront promenade on Lake Lucerne, Europe’s largest transportation museum, an IMAX film theater, the Culture and Convention Center Lucerne (KKL) and numerous museums.
Pilatus: Lucerne's very own mountain, Pilatus, is one of the most legendary places in Central Switzerland - and one of the most beautiful. On a clear day, the mountain offers a panoramic view of 73 Alpine peaks.
The mountain can be reached from Lucerne by gondola lift and aerial cable car and from Alpnachstad with the world's steepest rack railway. Thus a special roundtrip tour is possible, involving journeys by paddle steamer, rack railway, aerial cable car and bus. The trip can be combined with various types of sports, hiking tours, or a visit to the summer toboggan run.

Rhine Falls
At 500 feet wide and 75 feet high, with an average of 21,000 cubic feet of water per second, the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen are Europe's biggest. 

Rapperswil
In addition to being a car-free medieval town, Rapperswil, the city of roses, has a great deal to offer - namely, a lovely bathing resort, a castle with a Polish museum, Knies children's zoo, a wooden bridge to Hurden and much more. A visit to this picturesque town is definitely worth your while.

St. Gallen
St. Gallen, the local capital of northeastern Switzerland, is the heart of the region, providing every opportunity for cultural pursuits and leisurely shopping expeditions. The historic abbot’s territory with the magnificent baroque cathedral and the rococo library are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Buildings by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava lend the historic townscape a highly modern look. The narrow, winding streets of the old part of town, adorned with bay windows, are ideal for leisurely shopping and eating out in comfort. Wood-panelled, old St. Gallen ‘Erststockbeizen’ (cosy restaurants on the first floor of houses in the old town), provide a diverse range of culinary delicacies, from haute cuisine to hearty regional specialties.

Rigi
Visit Mt. Rigi, one of Switzerland’s most popular excursion destinations. The different transportation methods you will use make this excursion a true adventure. You will travel over the Albis Pass to Weggis, and then take a cable car to Rigi Kaltbad and reach Rigi-Kulm (5,900ft a.s.l.) with Europe’s first cogwheel train. Enjoy a lovely view of the Swiss Midlands and a stunning Alpine panorama.


SHOPPING

Bahnhofstrasse
The world-famous shopping precinct was created following the construction of Zurich Main Station on the very site where 150 years ago the city’s fortified moat was located. 1.4 kilometers in length, it connects Zurich Main Station to Lake Zurich. Department stores, boutiques and jewellery shops are strung together like pearls on a chain. The further along Bahnhofstrasse you go in the direction of Lake Zurich, the more exclusive the shops become. Here, people even stroll on Sundays when the shops are closed, to indulge in some window shopping. Bahnhofstrasse, Rennweg and Augustinergasse lead to the picturesque old town.

Old town
In Zurich’s old town you will find tradesmen, antique dealers, bookshops and florists alongside trendy shops, jewellery shops, Zurich labels and hairdressers. This combination of many different specialist shops, which can only be found here, makes the old town a unique shopping district. Traditions are maintained to this day in many of the businesses.

In sharp contrast are the numerous trendy shops contributing to the diversity and unique character of the shopping precinct in Zurich’s old town. The Time-Tunnel is a good example of this: here the fashion-conscious can find second-hand designer objects, or have their hair cut at the hairdressers. Situated on the opposite bank of the River Limmat is one of the city’s oldest districts. The Schipfe is still dominated by tradesmen today, and you can often obtain expert advice from the specialist or artist in person, whether a goldsmith or expert wood carver. And along Strehlgasse and Storchengasse, in Gassen and Wühre, you will find boutiques with exclusive fashions.

Zürich West
Zurich labels are often to be found where you would least expect them. In Zurich, creative ideas are routinely put into practice and welcomed with open arms. The creative sector in Zurich is booming. This is particularly evident in the trendy districts of Zurich-West and Aussersihl, where creative people have taken up residence – among other places, in former factories. New galleries, restaurants, bars and clubs are opening all the time. Textile and furniture designers, jewellery makers and fashion designers, architects and graphic designers all have their studios or shops here. The closer you get to Langstrasse, the more colourful it becomes: the multicultural street is home to people from more than 110 different countries.

Viadukt Arches
Life has returned to the arches of the viaduct built in 1894 in Zurich West. A 550-yard urban meeting place invites you to stroll, shop, eat and drink. A shopping paradise has been created under the 36 arches. The colourful mix of delicatessens, studio galleries, sport and fashion boutiques is open to everyone. At the heart of it all is the Market Hall where 20 farmers and food vendors from the area offer their wares.

SIGHTS

Schipfe
"Schipfe" is one of the oldest quarters of the city of Zurich. The name originates from the nautical term "schupfen" (push) used by the fishermen to describe how they pushed their boats to and from the river bank. During the Middle Ages, the Schipfe was the transfer point for essential merchandise, and from the 16th century became the headquarters of the silk industry, and the location of bathhouses and boatbuilding. Even today, the Schipfe is still the street of artisans where...

SIGHTS

Schipfe
"Schipfe" is one of the oldest quarters of the city of Zurich. The name originates from the nautical term "schupfen" (push) used by the fishermen to describe how they pushed their boats to and from the river bank. During the Middle Ages, the Schipfe was the transfer point for essential merchandise, and from the 16th century became the headquarters of the silk industry, and the location of bathhouses and boatbuilding. Even today, the Schipfe is still the street of artisans where the craftspeople take the necessary time for their customers, providing expert advice and suggestions. Quality and custom-made products are available in the small, romantic shops and workshops along the Limmat River. The Schipfe is an idyllic location to linger, shop and enjoy some good food.

Fraumünster
Founded in 853 by King Louis the German, this church with its convent was inhabited by the female members of the aristocracy of Europe. The convent enjoyed the patronage of kings and the right to mint coins in Zurich until well into the 13th century. Ownership of the church and convent passed to the city of Zurich after the Reformation. Important architectural features include the Romanesque chancel and the high vaulted transept.
The nave was last renovated in 1911, following work to heighten the north tower and remove the south tower in the 18th century. In addition to boasting the largest organ in the canton of Zurich (5,793 pipes), the church's most stunning jewels are the stained glass windows: those in the north transept are by Alberto Giacometti's cousin, Augusto (1945), while the five-part cycle in the chancel (1970) and the rosette in the southern transept (1978) are by Marc Chagall. There is a series of frescos by Paul Bodmer in the cloister to mark the founding of the Fraumünster.

Grossmünster
According to legend, Charlemagne discovered the graves of the city's martyrs Felix and Regula and had a church built as a choristers' cloister on the spot. Construction work on the present building began around 1100. In the first half of the 16th century, Grossmünster Church was the starting point of the Swiss-German Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger. The theological college then annexed to the cloister became the germinal cell of what is now the University of Zurich. Don’t miss taking the stairs up to Grossmünster’s "Karlsturm" to have a breathtaking view over Zurich.

Niederdorf
During the day, this is a pedestrian zone and a shopper's paradise with lots of boutiques hidden away in a network of alleys. At night, the many bars, restaurants and street artists turn the Niederdorf into an exciting center of entertainment for a diverse crowd.

Opera
The history of Zurich Opera House begins with the “Actien-Theater” (shares theatre), which opened in 1834 with Mozart’s Zauberflöte. Musical theatre and drama have gone their separate ways in Zurich since 1921. Now with a seating capacity for approximately 1,100, the theatre was renovated entirely between 1982 and 1984, and an extension was added on Uto-Quai to accommodate a second, studio stage. In 2012, with the beginning of Andreas Homoki’s directorship and the accession of the new General Music Director Fabio Luisi, the Zurich Opera Orchestra became the Philharmonia Zurich.
Each season, the Orchestra can be heard at about 250 opera and ballet performances given by Zurich Opera House. The Philharmonic Concerts are also organised as a podium for the concert repertoire. Soirées and chamber music matinees complete the Orchestra’s artistic spectrum.

Tonhalle
The excellent acoustics of the Tonhalle Zurich concert hall rank among the best in the world. The large concert hall was built in 1895 and inaugurated in the presence of Johannes Brahms. It can seat up to 1,455 concert-goers.

Zoo Zurich & Masoala Rainforest
Elephants, rhinos, penguins and 20 species of monkeys are just some of the animals on the Zurichberg that will transport you into an exotic world – with all your senses.
Enjoy the sight of the snow leopards in their rocky Himalayan landscape, watch the Andean bears as they go climbing in search of food in their misty mountain world, and admire the giant turtles swimming in the Masoala Rainforest, where it is warm and humid all year round – a fragrant, tropical green oasis, a piece of Madagascar live in 13,000 square yards.
Explore the rainforest along a twisting path and gain insight into a typical rainforest dense with palms and inhabited by lemurs and turtles and discover sparse swamp areas with a myriad of brightly colored frogs. It's also possible to host events in the adjacent restaurant with a stunning view of the rainforest.

Üetliberg
At 2,850 feet above sea level, Uetliberg towers over the rooftops of Zurich. The mountain affords an impressive panoramic view of the city, the lake and the Alps. The Uetliberg is particularly popular in November, as its summit is often above the blanket of fog that can cover the city at this time of year. In the winter, the hiking trails to the summit are converted into sledding runs. In summer, there’s plenty to discover on well-marked hiking routes, a mountain bike route, and on the Planet Trail. This hour-and-a-half to two-hour walk from Uetliberg to Felsenegg (Adliswil) takes you on a fascinating tour through a model of our solar system.

NATURE & REGION

The Panorama Trail: From Üetliberg to Felsenegg
Comfortably, and running according to a scheduled timetable, the Üetlibergbahn railway takes summiteers to Zurich's 871 metre high local mountain. The alpine hike that follows is equally suited for families. And on Felsenegg the gondola lift waits to take you down to Adliswil, where the S-Bahn runs back to Zurich. But, hold on: don’t miss the home-made apple strudel at restaurant Felsenegg!

A boat trip on Lake Zurich
With a shoreline of 87.6 km a boat trip across Lake Zurich is a wonderful alternative to the classic way of sightseeing. You will receive a thorough impression of Zurich’s cityscape and catch a glimpse of the stately homes situated right on the lakeside. There are many ways to navigate across the lake: The city of Zurich offers short and long boat trips and also themed trips with culinary offerings. If you prefer it a little more intimate, you may also rent your own boat. Nothing is more romantic than floating on Lake Zurich at sunset with your beloved ones while enjoying a glass of sparkling wine.

Lucerne
Lucerne offers a diverse range of attractions for everyone: an Old Town with historical houses decorated with frescoes, the Chapel Bridge with its Water Tower, the Lion Monument & Glacier Garden, a lakefront promenade on Lake Lucerne, Europe’s largest transportation museum, an IMAX film theater, the Culture and Convention Center Lucerne (KKL) and numerous museums.
Pilatus: Lucerne's very own mountain, Pilatus, is one of the most legendary places in Central Switzerland - and one of the most beautiful. On a clear day, the mountain offers a panoramic view of 73 Alpine peaks.
The mountain can be reached from Lucerne by gondola lift and aerial cable car and from Alpnachstad with the world's steepest rack railway. Thus a special roundtrip tour is possible, involving journeys by paddle steamer, rack railway, aerial cable car and bus. The trip can be combined with various types of sports, hiking tours, or a visit to the summer toboggan run.

Rhine Falls
At 500 feet wide and 75 feet high, with an average of 21,000 cubic feet of water per second, the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen are Europe's biggest. 

Rapperswil
In addition to being a car-free medieval town, Rapperswil, the city of roses, has a great deal to offer - namely, a lovely bathing resort, a castle with a Polish museum, Knies children's zoo, a wooden bridge to Hurden and much more. A visit to this picturesque town is definitely worth your while.

St. Gallen
St. Gallen, the local capital of northeastern Switzerland, is the heart of the region, providing every opportunity for cultural pursuits and leisurely shopping expeditions. The historic abbot’s territory with the magnificent baroque cathedral and the rococo library are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Buildings by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava lend the historic townscape a highly modern look. The narrow, winding streets of the old part of town, adorned with bay windows, are ideal for leisurely shopping and eating out in comfort. Wood-panelled, old St. Gallen ‘Erststockbeizen’ (cosy restaurants on the first floor of houses in the old town), provide a diverse range of culinary delicacies, from haute cuisine to hearty regional specialties.

Rigi
Visit Mt. Rigi, one of Switzerland’s most popular excursion destinations. The different transportation methods you will use make this excursion a true adventure. You will travel over the Albis Pass to Weggis, and then take a cable car to Rigi Kaltbad and reach Rigi-Kulm (5,900ft a.s.l.) with Europe’s first cogwheel train. Enjoy a lovely view of the Swiss Midlands and a stunning Alpine panorama.


SHOPPING

Bahnhofstrasse
The world-famous shopping precinct was created following the construction of Zurich Main Station on the very site where 150 years ago the city’s fortified moat was located. 1.4 kilometers in length, it connects Zurich Main Station to Lake Zurich. Department stores, boutiques and jewellery shops are strung together like pearls on a chain. The further along Bahnhofstrasse you go in the direction of Lake Zurich, the more exclusive the shops become. Here, people even stroll on Sundays when the shops are closed, to indulge in some window shopping. Bahnhofstrasse, Rennweg and Augustinergasse lead to the picturesque old town.

Old town
In Zurich’s old town you will find tradesmen, antique dealers, bookshops and florists alongside trendy shops, jewellery shops, Zurich labels and hairdressers. This combination of many different specialist shops, which can only be found here, makes the old town a unique shopping district. Traditions are maintained to this day in many of the businesses.

In sharp contrast are the numerous trendy shops contributing to the diversity and unique character of the shopping precinct in Zurich’s old town. The Time-Tunnel is a good example of this: here the fashion-conscious can find second-hand designer objects, or have their hair cut at the hairdressers. Situated on the opposite bank of the River Limmat is one of the city’s oldest districts. The Schipfe is still dominated by tradesmen today, and you can often obtain expert advice from the specialist or artist in person, whether a goldsmith or expert wood carver. And along Strehlgasse and Storchengasse, in Gassen and Wühre, you will find boutiques with exclusive fashions.

Zürich West
Zurich labels are often to be found where you would least expect them. In Zurich, creative ideas are routinely put into practice and welcomed with open arms. The creative sector in Zurich is booming. This is particularly evident in the trendy districts of Zurich-West and Aussersihl, where creative people have taken up residence – among other places, in former factories. New galleries, restaurants, bars and clubs are opening all the time. Textile and furniture designers, jewellery makers and fashion designers, architects and graphic designers all have their studios or shops here. The closer you get to Langstrasse, the more colourful it becomes: the multicultural street is home to people from more than 110 different countries.

Viadukt Arches
Life has returned to the arches of the viaduct built in 1894 in Zurich West. A 550-yard urban meeting place invites you to stroll, shop, eat and drink. A shopping paradise has been created under the 36 arches. The colourful mix of delicatessens, studio galleries, sport and fashion boutiques is open to everyone. At the heart of it all is the Market Hall where 20 farmers and food vendors from the area offer their wares.

To make your and your kids' travels as convenient as possible, the hotel offers a variety of kids' amenities from which to choose:

- Baby crib
- Bedrail
- Changing mat
- Step stools
- Baby phone
- Bottle warmer
- Baby spoon/cutlery
- Plug protection
- Diaper pail
- Children toilet seat
- High chair
- Bottle sterilizer
- Night light
- Humidifier
- Bath thermometer