Introduction to Zurich

Self-confident and prosperous, Zürich is the blueprint of Swiss perfection with its banking muscle, Alpine backdrop and love of good living. Blessed with pure air, the dazzling Lake Zürich and a walkable Altstadt district full of fine boutiques and restaurants, it's little wonder the locals look so pleased. But where is the urban edge? You need only delve into Dada at Cabaret Voltaire, enjoy a literary pint at the James Joyce Pub or buy a funky Freitag bag to realize that behind its super-slick facade, Zürich inspires and innovates.

Things to Do

See the first rays illuminate Marc Chagall's exquisite stained-glass windows at the medieval Fraumünster church, rising gracefully above the Limmat River. You'll find standouts by Monet and a peerless Alberto Giacometti collection at the Kunsthaus, while Cabaret Voltaire, birthplace of the WWI Dada movement, gives insight into the rebellious Swiss psyche. With the Alps on the horizon and a crystal-clear lake for summertime recreation, Zürich is an outdoorsy place. Head up to Uetliberg peak for expansive city views and scenic hiking trails.

Shopping

Trams rumble past stately 19th-century department stores and boutiques on Bahnhofstrasse boulevard, where luxury lovers shop for Tiffany diamonds, Swiss-made Beyer watches and the latest Louis Vuitton. An affordable indulgence is a gift-wrapped box of Confiserie Sprüngli's chocolate truffles and feather-light macaroons, Zürich's best since 1836. The Limmat River flows swiftly past Schipfe, where you'll find one-off crafts in quaint workshops and galleries. In Züri West, the flagship Freitag store stocks its entire range of the hippest messenger bags.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Down by the river, the Altstadt's historic lanes attract a lively crowd with a mix of pubs, jazz bars and pavement cafés. Guinness comes with poetry at the mahogany bar in the James Joyce Pub, featuring the original Victorian interior of Jury's of Dublin mentioned in Ulysses. Champagne cocktails in the sublimely Art Nouveau Café Odeon are the perfect prelude to concerts at the neo-classical Opera House. Züri West's hip lounge bars and high-octane clubs provide late-night partying.

Restaurants and Dining

Foodies revere the menus that read like culinary poetry at Zürich's smart lakefront restaurants; book weeks ahead for the Michelin-starred Petermann's Kunststuben. For a flavor of the Alps, take comfort in gooey cheese fondue and crisp rösti potatoes at an Altstadt wood-paneled tavern. The scene is more diverse in Züri West, where diners tuck into good-value Turkish kebabs, authentic curries and Italian food.