Holiday lettings & accommodation in Zurich

The district of Niederdorf in the Altstadt (old town) is a great base for a city break - it is packed with restaurants and bars, and very pretty, with medieval alleyways criss-crossing ancient squares. The area around Niederdorfstrasse is very busy, but just up the hill towards Oberdorf is a little quieter, and very charming. The other half of the old town is known as Lindenhof, and again is full of great eating and drinking spots. It is also bordered on one side by one of the world’s great shopping streets: Bahnhofstrasse. The wealthy district of Seefeld overlooks the eastern shore of Lake Zurich, and an apartment here means being within walking distance of the promenade, with swimming areas and boat rental. The Langstrasse area has become increasingly popular in recent years - it is now Zurich’s most multicultural and cosmopolitan area and perfect for a weekend of bar-hopping and some of Zurich’s most interesting nightlife.

First-time visitors to Zurich should head straight to the Altstadt, or old town. Picturesquely situated on the edge of the river, and running down to the edge of the lake, this district holds most of Zurich’s main tourist attractions, as well as being packed with charming cafes, great restaurants and independent bars. Start exploring at the Grössmunster, one of Zurich’s most famous landmarks and symbol of Switzerland’s reformation from Catholicism. Climb the tower for a great panoramic view of Zurich and the lake, though be aware that the stairs are steep. Further must-sees in the Altstadt are the clock at Peterskirche - Europe’s largest clock face - and the beautiful stained glass windows of the Fraumünster, which were designed by Giacometti and Chagall. The cobbled streets and winding alleyways of the Altstadt are lovely to wander around independently, but joining one of the many walking tours is a great way to learn about the city’s fascinating history.

Switzerland has some wonderful national dishes, and it is a shame not to try a few of the local delicacies while visiting. Zurich’s most characteristic dish is Zürigeschnätzlets, a chopped veal recipe, with cream and wine sauce, served with a delicious grated potato Rösti. Cheese lovers should visit in winter and enjoy the Swiss favourites of melted cheese fondue and raclette - although they are not specifically from Zurich, they are just as popular here as elsewhere in Switzerland. Whatever cuisine you desire, Zurich can provide: it has one restaurant for every 180 inhabitants. After a hearty meal, head to the main bar-hopping areas of Niederdorf in the Altstadt and the streets around Langstrasse and Zurich West. With the highest concentration of clubs in Switzerland, Zurich can easily justify its reputation as Switzerland’s party city, and night owls flock into the centre at weekends from surrounding areas. For a slightly quieter evening, head to Paradeplatz for a more laidback atmosphere and some lovely bars.

Zurich’s public transport is clean, efficient and safe. The city has a comprehensive network of trams, buses and trains - not to mention boats - and the system is fully integrated so that fares work across the network. Zurich is divided into fare zones, and the more zones you travel through, the costlier your ticket will be. Most of the main tourist sites are in zone 110 and it’s worth bearing in mind that you only need to use ten zone 110 cards before a monthly pass becomes cheaper - so if you are staying for a week it might be cost-effective to buy a monthly ZWW NetworkPass. A day pass costs the same as two zone 110 tickets. Most of the most popular tourist attractions, including the old town and the lake area are easily walkable, and it’s a great way to soak up Zurich’s atmosphere. Cycling is a very popular way to get around and in exchange for a copy of your passport you can easily rent a bike.