Culturally-rich and oozing with charm, Zürich has everything from opera and ballet to elegant historic buildings, boutique shopping experiences, and top-notch restaurants. Luxury holidays to Zürich also provide the chance to explore the great Swiss outdoors, such as skiing at world-renowned resorts and taking a cruise around Lake Zürich.
Culturally-rich and oozing with charm, Zürich has everything from opera and ballet to elegant historic buildings, boutique shopping experiences, and top-notch restaurants. Luxury holidays to Zürich also provide the chance to explore the great Swiss outdoors, such as skiing at world-renowned resorts and taking a cruise around Lake Zürich.
As Switzerland's most extensive and wealthiest city, it is no surprise that Zürich plays host to excellent shopping, fine dining experiences, and an excellent variety of luxury hotels. There's more than meets the eye to this well-known financial centre, such as beautifully restored historic buildings and a post-industrial art scene, all surrounded by snowy mountains and glistening waters.
Much of Zürich's charm lies in its Altstadt or Old Town, where tall church steeples look down on winding lines and cobblestone alleyways. The east bank quarter of Niederdorf is equally appealing, with a laid-back atmosphere providing the backdrop to trendy taprooms, corner cafes, and upmarket eateries. For the best in designer boutiques head southeast to Bahnhofstrasse, the city's main shopping drag.
Away from its ancient centre, Zürich is quickly becoming a hub for contemporary cosmopolitan culture. In Züri-West, the epicentre of the city's nightlife, former warehouses and old factories now serve as artsy attractions and elegant living spaces. And if you want a break from this modern metropolis, both Uetliberg mountain and Lake Zürich promise quintessential Swiss experiences.
An attractive destination to visit at any time of year, Zürich has four distinct seasons. Spring is when colourful blossoms appear and cafe tables spill onto the street. During summer, take to the lake for swimming and enjoy the warm weather with temperatures around 21 degrees Celsius.
Autumn is an excellent time of year to explore Zürich's art and culture scene or enjoy its traditional cuisine. Although winter weather is best-enjoyed skiing or snowboarding at nearby resorts, you can sip mulled wine at Zürich's indoor Christmas markets.
Zürich is home to over 1,700 restaurants and bars, which range from traditional taverns and medieval 'union clubhouses' to high-end restaurants and trendy nightclubs. Dining experiences are equally varied, with both laid-back lunches on outdoor terraces and dinner in intimate, often historical surroundings available.
Over the past 20 years, most of Zürich's restaurants have favoured lighter and leaner meals, where form is just as important as function. But traditional cuisine 'cooked in the Zürich style' (nach Zürcher Art - meat, potatoes, butter, and cream) can still be found.
British citizens do not need a visa to enter Switzerland, but your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. For more information about entry requirements and customs regulations, visit GOV.UK.
We believe that true luxury is only possible when all the details – the ones that really matter to you – are taken care of personally, professionally and to the highest standard.
TRAVEL AWARE – PREPARING FOR SAFE AND HEALTHY TRAVEL ABROAD
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provide the latest travel advice by country including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. For the latest FCDO advice please refer to travelaware.campaign.gov.uk
Current travel health information can be found by visiting travelhealthpro.org.uk/ a resource set up by the Department of Health. The advice can change on all sites so please check regularly for updates.