TRAVELSCAPES 06.21

Zürich & Zermatt

Zürich is a remarkably beautiful city set at the foot of the Swiss Alps. This sophisticated city is also the financial capital of Switzerland. It is ranked as one of the best cities to live in the world, and that’s easy to appreciate. It sits right on Lake Zürich and has the waters of the River Limmat running through it. There are lots of tours and activities in and around this very beautiful city.

Start with the Landesmuseum (also known as the Swiss National Museum) which has important art collections dating back to the prehistoric era. From there, you can opt to visit more eclectic museums such as Cabaret Voltaire, the birthplace of Dadaism in Switzerland. Or you can go the family route and visit any of the 14 museums specifically designed for children. Buy a Zürich City Pass to get free or discounted entry to 40 of Zurich’s museums. It includes a boat trip on Lake Zurich, a 50% discount on an Old Town walking tour and more.

Lake Zürich

Take a stroll, go for a bike ride, or enjoy a sunset cruise on Lake Zurich. Not only are the views breathtaking but the waters are crystal clean and inviting. Badis are lake and riverside outdoor bathing areas for the summer months. You can go straight from a museum to a swimming spot. The Upper Letten River Pool is a short walk from the Landesmuseum and it’s free.

Old Town

The Old Town is Zurich’s tourist hub. The western side of the Limmat River (closest to the train station) is called Lindenhof and it features the Lindenhof Hill. It’s the only public park within the old town walls and is also registered as a Swiss Heritage Site. Not only is it a pleasure to hang out here but you get one of the best views in the city. The eastern half of the Old Town is where you’ll find Niederdorfstrasse. During the day, this pedestrian zone is lined with shops and quaint cafes. As the sun sets, the entire place transforms into a hub with bars and outdoor restaurants. Here you will find anything from Starbucks, Indian, Italian, Spanish or Cheese Fondue.

Zürich’s Own Mountain

Uetliberg is Zurich’s home mountain. It offers panoramic views of the entire city, the lake, and the Alps in the distance. There are two options to get there: either by train from downtown or you can hike it from its base. It’s a strenuous hike – so be warned! Uetliberg is a popular recreation area all year round. In the summer, visitors can go mountain biking or on the many hiking trails, like the Path of Planets. The same hiking trails will be covered with snow in the winter and can be used for snowshoeing or sledding.

ZERMATT

101 miles from Zürich is a green valley enclosed between steep mountainsides; the climbing and winter sports capital of the Valais region is also one of Switzerland’s great international resorts. Zermatt is dominated by the definitive mountain, the huge and gracefully curved Matterhorn, making almost any angle a postcard view.

You can’t drive to Zermatt. The closest you can get by car is a large carpark, about five miles from the village, to which there are shuttles by electric vehicles. Trains from Brig deposit passengers right in the village; from here, a rack railroad, funicular, and cableways lift visitors to an endless series of panoramic Alpine views, as well as skiing and hiking trails.

Zermatt is famous for its magnificent long ski runs, with terrain for all skill levels, but it also offers outdoor sports for other seasons. There is a mountain trail for cyclists from the Winkelmatten up to the Furi, and the Zermatt Alpin Center offers expert guides for climbers year-round.

Hotels, fine restaurants, and luxury spas abound in Zermatt, but summer or winter, it’s the mountains that are still the prime tourist attraction.