The many faces of Zurich

Once a small Roman customs post, the city of Turicum has developed over time into a vibrant metropolis and became Zurich as we know it today. The city is so diverse that it will be unfair to call it only one of the world’s financial hub. Zurich is disciplined and relaxed; serious and funny; traditional and progressive… the list is endless. So let’s get to know the city of Zurich a bit closer.

Zurich is known worldwide as the economic and business capital of Switzerland, its business engine, so to speak. A great number of international companies and banks have chosen the city to locate their headquarters in. And it’s no wonder! According to Mercer Quality of Living Survery 2016, Zurich has been rated (for the sixth consecutive year!) as one of the top five places to live.

And yet, the city with a more than a 2000-year history, Zurich has much more to it than banks and francs. Zurich is a city that values talent and progress. No wonder that for years the city has been an attractive destination for the world’s biggest names (and greatest minds): Albert Einstein, James Joyce, Richard Wagner and Thomas Mann were among them. Students willing to connect their lives with studying sustainable technologies, high-tech, information and communication technology, life sciences choose between two internationally renowned universities, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, with ETH Zurich being the highest-ranked university in the continental Europe. And since numbers can at times speak louder than words – here are the numbers: more than 21 Nobel Prize winners are connected to the ETH Zurich.

But if you have no intention to win a Nobel Prize but are looking for something exciting, Zurich is still worth visiting. As the old adage goes, all roads lead to Rome. We don’t mean to underplay the role of the Italian capital but it will be just to say that a lot of roads in Europe lead to Zurich (and vice versa). Judge for yourself, less than 2.5 hours of flight from almost any European capital, be that Stockholm or Madrid, and you are in Zurich. There are also options to get to the city by train, by bus or by car. When in Zurich you can fully enjoy your stay. In the Safest City Index 2015 compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit the city of Zurich got into the top ten out of 50 safest cities in the world. The report underlines the city’s high quality of infrastructure and health security. Speaking about health, it is impossible not to mention how remarkably clean the city is - and actually was. Years ago the Irish poet James Joyce apparently said: "The Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich is so clean that if you spilled minestrone soup on it you could still eat it without a spoon."

By the way, minestrone! Zurich is a renowned gastronomic attraction for foodies.  They will definitely slake their appetite for something traditional as well as something fresh and contemporary in one of Zurich’s famous cafes (including street cafes) or award-winning restaurants. For vegetarians Zurich offers a special treat. Did you know that Zurich is home to the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world? If you long for trying the ‘landmarks’ of Swiss cuisine – cheese and chocolate – they can be eaten on almost every street corner (a magnificent view of the Swiss Alps and glancing water surface of Lake Zurich will come as a nice bonus). 

Nature lovers, culture vultures as well as party animals won’t be disappointed as well. The city of Zurich is blessed with beautiful vistas, numerous art galleries (Zurich is a birthplace of the artistic movement known as Dadaism) and live music venues. Night-life in Zurich will not allow even the most demanding night owl stay indifferent, since the city boasts the highest number of clubs per capita in Europe.

So, what’s the best way to describe Zurich? A city rooted deep in its past or young and cool? A city teeming with busy bankers and students? Or a city of culture, leisure and foodies? Well, it’s all up to you, actually! Zurich has many faces and is always happy to show you each and every one!

Welcome to Zurich – Welcome to Fantastic Switzerland