Stunning Zurich has a magic of its own. Lying at the north of the Zurichsee (Lake Zurich) a lot of its attractions are featured around, on or in the water and trains to Zurich will whisk you away to an aqua-paradise. Visit one of the ‘badis’ or swimming pools, and dive straight in! For land lovers, stroll around the charming Altstadt (old town) and discover the hidden squares and alleyways, or walk to the summit of the Uetliberg mountain to see amazing views of the city skyline, the distant Alps and the lake, of course. And don’t forget the awesome chocolate!
Right next to the station is the most frequently visited museum of cultural history – and one of the most important collections of art and culture in Europe - the Swiss National Museum. It is a must-see on a walking tour of Zurich. Visually, it is stunning, with dozens of towers, built on a peninsula between the Sihl and Limmat rivers. *Visit Zurich West to go to Industrie Quartier*, the new buzzing place to be. It can be reached on foot in 22mins from the museum or the train station. Built in an old railway viaduct, this neighbourhood is enjoying a wave of popularity, with bookshops, crafts and local delicacies on sale, and stuffed with shops, quirky cafes and stylish restaurants. It also offers a hopping nightlife. Look online to see what events and concerts are coming up – there’s always something going on.
Alternatively, take a walking tour south of the station and enter into District 1 where you will find the charming and beautiful Altstadt (old town) with many of the medieval buildings, pretty squares and narrow alleyways still intact. After a coffee, why not walk along the left-hand side of the lake, and when in Zurich, do as the locals do - take a dip in the Zurichsee. You will find the Seebad Utoquai near the Zurich Opera House, and it is the oldest ‘badi’ (swimming pool) in Zurich, with the original wooden main house still in use. The Swiss have been bathing here since 1890, and it offers mixed and separate pools, with lots of diving options and floating decks to sunbathe on (summer only!). What could be better to ease off the weariness of travel, but a float in the refreshing city lake – only in Zurich!
The main train station in Zurich is the Hauptbahnhof, very centrally located and excellent for connecting services to all surrounding European countries, including Italy, Austria, France and beyond. In fact, Zurich is one of the busiest stations in the world. It is also part of the Rail City network with links to local and national S-bahn trains. Like most major cities, Zurich does have a number of other city train stations, with Zurich Enge, Hardbrucke and Altstetten being the largest. The main routes between Switzerland and France is served by the super-fast and modern TGV Lyria service.