Experience
Switzerland

BUCKET LIST TRAVEL : ZURICH

Activities on the water and a melting pot of cultures

Far from being just a financial hotspot, the city offers a relaxing and traditionally Swiss atmosphere, with its lake and buildings full of character. Known for its gentle way of life, Zurich is a city on the water, with the Limmat River running through it. It’s also a city of art with several museums and galleries.

ZURICH’S PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS

In Zurich, swimming is an enduring tradition, and the public swimming pools in the city’s heart are testimony to that. Badi (swimming pools) are part of the Zurich way of life. The Frauenbad Stadthausquai, a lovely pool with an Art Nouveau building and wooden deck over the Limmat, is women-only during the day. This tranquil location is the perfect place to enjoy pretty views of the Grossmünster church and the Old Town. Its two 30-metre pools make it ideal for a swim with friends, family or solo. There’s even a little library so you can take some time to read beside the water.

The pools were once used for bathing, as homes at the time didn’t have in-built washing facilities. There’s also an equivalent for men: Männerbad Schanzengraben is an aquatic oasis in the city centre dating back to 1864. Surrounded by ancient ramparts, this natural pool was built in a 17^th-century moat. When night falls, everyone is welcome to swim together.

Must-sees in Zurich

KUNSTHAUS ZÜRICH

Switzerland’s most prominent art museum is formed of two buildings: the Moser building and the David Chipperfield extension, which opened in 2021 and doubled the exhibition space. 1,000 pieces are permanently exhibited here, including the most extensive collection of Edvard Munch paintings outside of Norway.

BAHNHOFSTRASSE

The stylish Bahnhofstrasse street is built on the site of the former city walls, stretching over a kilometre from Lake Zurich to the central train station. The city’s main shopping street is lined with big chains, luxury boutiques and jewellers. It’s the ideal place to treat yourself to a shopping spree.

GROSSMÜNSTER

The Grossmünster (great minster) is a Romanesque church in the old town. It’s one of the symbolic locations of the Protestant Reformation in the 16^th century. Besides its iconic twin towers, its colourful stained glass windows made from agate stone and created by Sigmar Polke in 2009 are well worth a look.

UETLIBERG MOUNTAIN

At 871 metres high, Uetliberg Mountain is a short train journey from Zurich and is the perfect place for a walk in nature with several walking paths. It also has uninterrupted views of the city and lake. In good weather, you can even see all the way to the Alps.

THE MUSEUM RIETBERG

The Museum Rietberg, nestled in an oasis of greenery, is dedicated to non-European cultures with sculptures, paintings and original objects from Asia, Africa, America and Oceania.