Zurich Sights / Attractions

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Augustinergasse

Trams 6, 7, 11, 13 to << Rennweg/Augustinergasse >>
A gently ascending, picturesque lane with beautiful guildhouses that date from 14th-18th century. Of particular interest are the ornate bay windows and intricately painted facades of the lane's period buildings, which today, effectively showcase the upmarket goods offered by Zürich's most stylish boutiques. In December, Christmas lights - which make it a must-see as part of a romantic stroll around the Old Town - attractively light the entire street.

Bäcker Park

Hohlstrasse/Stauffacherst, 8004 Zürich, Website: www.baeckeranlage.ch, Tram 8 or Bus 31 to << Hohlstrasse >>
Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful parks in the city, Bäcker is situated in the middle of district 4 and attracts locals and visitors alike. Here, you'll also find the well-liked, no-nonsense "Restaurant B" which is open from 10am until midnight.

Bahnhofstrasse

Contact: Vereinigung Zürcher Bahnhofstrasse, Postfach 2422, CH-8022 Zürich
Tel: +41 (0) 43 243 9000, Website: www.bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch, Tram 3, 14 or Bus 31 to << Bahnhofplatz/HB >>
Whether arriving in Zürich by air or by train, the vast majority of visitors here will likely first encounter the main railway station and the city's foremost shopping street Bahnhofstrasse. From the station it can be reached via the large Shopville shopping subway (underneath/adjacent to the platform areas), or the bustling Bahnhofplatz.

Directly outside the station lies the monument to the statesman and railway pioneer Alfred Escher, flanked on either side by the triumphal arch of technology. This facade, which dates from 1871, honours technology and technical progress. Escher himself (1819-1882) was a railway pioneer, builder of the Gotthard railway and a member of the Swiss Federal Parliament.

Renowned worldwide as a centre for upmarket shopping, Bahnhofstrasse plays host to a wide range of watch, jewellery, fashion and department stores. A good example of the latter being Globus which lies behind a small, but historically significant piece of parkland. It was here that, following the public execution in the 19th century of a convicted criminal, the land was not permitted to be sold. Instead, a memorial to the educator and protector of orphans Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi - which stands to this day - was erected at its centre.

Nowadays, as far as Paradeplatz, Bahnhofstrasse is strictly a pedestrian zone, the exception being streetcars (trams), which transport visitors and locals alike between the station and a nearby lake area.

Whilst in recent years, locals have argued that the quality of shops found along the street has deteriorated (especially fashionwise), there remain a good selection of prestigious boutiques - including Cartier, Bally and Gucci - stocking all manner of goods including shoes, furs, accessories, porcelain, watches and jewellery, along with some of the best pastry shops and confectioners in town.

Indeed, we recommend a visit to Globus' marvellous (albeit expensive) foodhall along with Jelmoli - The House of Brands, which is Zürich's biggest and longest-standing department store (www.bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch). For chocolate lovers, a visit to Confisserie Sprüngli (Bahnhofstrasse 21) - the city's oldest pastry shop – is a must! Renowned for their quality and a varied assortment, Sprüngli's 'Luxemburgli' biscuits are firm-favourites with locals and tourist alike. Morever, it's also possible to visit the company's Lindt & Sprüngli factory (located south of Zürich at Seestrasse 204, Kilchberg) which includes a tour, museum visit and commemorative chocolate gift.

Belvoir Park

Tram 7 to << Brunaustrasse >>
Along with a wide-rage variety of recreational activities, visitors to Belvoir Park can enjoy relaxing strolls away from the bustle of downtown Zürich, as well as impressive floral displays all-year-round.

Also located within the park, you'll find the upscale restaurant of the same name (with talented young chefs and a menu to match). Moreover, from a corner of the terrace, diners can enjoy views of Lake Zürich and, on clear sunny days, the Alps too.

Bauschänzli

An artificial island at the mouth of the River Limmat, which was once used for military defence of the city. Its wall, which is situated downriver, marked the former shoreline when it was raised in the 17th century. In wartime, the Schänzli was equipped with cannons and guns, although today, it contains just a self-service restaurant (http://www.bauschaenzli.ch).

Botanical Garden of the University of Zürich

Botanischer Garten Universität Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008 Zürich, Tel: 01/634 8461, Fax: 01/634 8404, E-mail: enz@systbot.unizh.ch, Website: www.bguz.unizh.ch, Open (garden times only): March-September: 7am-7pm Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm Sat-Sun, October-February: 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Sat-Sun, Tram 11 to << Hegibachplatz >> or 2 or 4 to << Höschgasse >>. Bus 33 to <<Botanischer Garten>>
Instantly recognisable thanks to its unique 'bubble' shaped green houses, this former private garden covers an area of 53,000m2 and boasts approx. 1.5 million plant species. As well as Swiss native flora, a Mediterranean garden, mountain plants, wetland vegetation, meadows and gently undulating woodlands can also be found here. In addition, display greenhouses house three varieties of vegetation, namely: humid tropical, warm humid, and tropical to subtropical. All in all, a perfect place in which to unwind and be inspired by the garden's many natural wonders.

Bürkliplatz

Tram 5 or Bus 161, 165 to << Bürkliplatz >>
At the lake-end of Bahnhofstrasse you'll find Bürkliplatz – home to a twice-weekly flower and fruit market. Opposite stands a landing stage, from where steamers and other vessels ply their trade during the busy tourist season. From here (and also the nearby Quaibrücke), visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Zürich which also take in the snow-tipped peaks on clear, sunny days.

The area is also home to Zürich's Annual Whiskyship Festival, an event to which connoisseurs of the world's finest single malts and blended varieties gather. Taking place on six deluxe ships moored in the dock area, it's a must-visit for those who enjoy a wee dram (or two) of Scotland's finest.

Central (Square)

Tram 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, Bus 31, 46 to << Central >>
As the name suggests, Central is a square which stands between the city's main station and the Old Town. Serving as a busy transport interchange, a number of tram routes converge here (see above), while the adjacent Central Plaza Hotel overlooks both the square and the Limmat River. From here, it's just a few minutes walk to Zurich's main railway station (Hauptbahnhof), while the lower terminus of the quaint Polybahn - a funicular that ascends Polyterasse - is also just steps away. From here, the Limmatquai (the Limmat River's embankment) stretches all the way to Bellevue Square (at the lake) making it an ideal base from which to start touring Zurich's downtown sights.

Chinese Garden

Bellerivestrasse, Zürich, Tel: +41 (0) 44 435 2111, Website: www3.stzh.ch/internet/chg/home.html (German only), Open: daily from 11am-7pm, Guided tours also arranged by Zürich Tourismus by phoning 01/215 4088, Bus 912 or 916 to << Chinagarten >>, Tram 2 and 4, bus 33 to << Fröhlichstrasse >> and << Hoschgasse >>
Presented as gift to the people of Zürich from Kumming, its twin city in China – the Chinese Garden serves as a thank you for the technical help Swiss experts gave in developing Kumming's drinking water supply and municipal drainage system. First established by gardeners and artisans from both cities between May and October 1993 (under the supervision of Zürich's garden's authority) the Chinese Garden is an expression of one of the main themes of Chinese culture – three friends in winter. These are three plants that defy the elements of the cold season – namely pine, the winter cherry and bamboo.

The surrounding wall, which separates the peace and serenity of the garden from the outside world, is embellished with decorative eaves and cornerstones as well as a frieze along its entire length featuring moulded figures that represent the dragon of the clouds. Ideograms emblazoned on the gilt plate over the garden's main gate simply say "Chinese Garden" while an artificial mountain, which encompasses a water feature, lends the garden an air of stability and simultaneously defines the garden's spaces, as well as guiding the eye to features elsewhere. Other traditional Chinese Garden structures also feature, with arched and zigzag bridges connecting to a central island which, as the Chinese believe, recalls the Isle of the immortals.