Zurich is not only the largest city in Switzerland, but it is also the city deemed to give the best quality of life to its citizens. Though the political capital of Switzerland is Bern, Zurich is often deemed one of the world’s global cities. The city of Zurich is widely diverse as with regards to culture and industry, and it is an exciting place to visit as a tourist.
Here are some of the main tourist attractions in Zurich, Switzerland.
Landesmuseum
The Swiss National Museum or Landesmuseum is one of the most prominent tourist attractions for people who want to experience a glimpse of the Swiss culture throughout the ages. The museum is open daily and puts on special exhibits every 3 – 6 months. In the museum, there is an exhibition of 16th Century stained glass, frescoes dating back to the 9th Century, and spectacular altarpieces which were gilded by craftsmen. The Swiss are famous for making clocks and timepieces and there are traces of these trades in some of the exhibits. There are prehistoric relics and Roman artifacts on display; a comprehensive look at Swiss culture can be gained by visiting this exceptional museum.
Zoologischer Garten
The zoological gardens of Zurich are quite spectacular and make this zoo one of the best known and most prestigious in Europe. There is an aquarium inside the zoo which incidentally houses around 260 of animals. There are many big cats on display such as the snow leopard, clouded leopards, and Indian lions. There is an open-air aviary which houses a wide variety of exotic birds, and the terrarium houses spiders, snakes, and many other creatures. The temperate climate of Zurich makes the zoological gardens a nice place to visit for children and adults alike.
Boat Tours
If you are interested in seeing the picturesque mountain ranges that surround Zurich, the best way to do it is to take a boat tour around Lake Zurich. The tickets are available from many vendors and the boats depart approximately every half an hour. There are many comforts on board to allow you to dine or relax whilst taking in the scenery. The best tours generally last for a total of four hours, and many of them stop for you to visit some of the towns in close proximity to the lake. The shoreline and mountain ranges are exquisite, so the boat tours are well worth the nominal fee.
Urania Observatory
This observatory uses a 20 ton telescope to allow you to view distant planets and stars. You also get a panoramic view of the Alps and the lake. On cloudy days the observatory is not open, but on clear days, the knowledgeable staff will point out some of the most noteworthy points on the horizon.
Aside from the sights, Zurich is home to many world-class restaurants and shopping malls. Swiss chocolate can be expensive, but it is worth every penny. Zurich offers a unique and diverse range of scenery which can be experienced on tram or cable car as well as by boat.
