The architectural appearance of the historical center of Zurich – the Altstadt district, was formed over several centuries and finally took shape by the end of the XIX century. The old Town is located on the banks of the Limmat River, it includes the quarters of Hochschulen, Rathaus, Lindenhof. The main churches of Zurich and medieval mansions are concentrated in the historic district. Some Altstadt buildings were erected in the XI century.

The business center of Zurich, where the offices of world-famous Swiss banks, boutiques of watch brands, designer showrooms, jewelry stores, hotels are located, offering a beautiful view of the lake. Thanks to convenient infrastructure, this place is considered the best (and one of the most expensive) for shopping. Paradeplatz square is also famous for a large number of pastry shops where delicious pastries and cakes are made.

The square is located near Lake Zurich, one of the central streets – Bahnhofstrasse - rests against it. There is a convenient observation deck on the Buerkliplatz, from where you can admire the flawless water surface of Lake Zurich surrounded by the Alps. There is also a pier from which pleasure boats depart. The square is decorated with a sculptural fountain "Geyser", created at the beginning of the XX century.

Even in such a respectable city as Zurich there are its "hot spots". They are mainly located on Langstrasse Street. This is the local "red light district" with an abundance of entertainment venues, bars, brothels. The Langstrasse area is home to a large number of immigrants. The annual Langstrassefest street music festival is held here, during which all the surrounding areas have fun.

The alley, which starts at the central city station and ends at Lake Zurich, its length is about 1.5 km. The street runs on the site of the old fortress walls and separates the historical part of Zurich from the modern quarters. Bahnhofstrasse is one of the best places for shopping, walking and exploring the respectable life of the city. There are many five-star hotels and expensive restaurants here.

The cathedral is located on the banks of the Limmat River, its gray towers are clearly visible from all the central districts of Zurich. The temple is built in a gloomy Romanesque style. It is believed that its history began in the IX century and is associated with the name of the Emperor Charlemagne. His horse fell to his knees in front of the grave of the Christian martyrs Felix and Regula, who fled from the persecution of the Romans. The brother and sister were executed and buried on the hill where the Grossmunster was subsequently erected.

According to the surviving documents, the temple was built in the IX century under Louis II for his daughter Hildegard, who preferred monasticism to worldly life. For a long time there was a convent at the church, where representatives of noble families took vows. The monastery had great influence and even minted its own coin, but by the beginning of the XVI century it had lost its power and was dissolved. Until the middle of the XX century, the Fraumunster church was in decline, but in the 60s it was restored. The artist M. Chagall worked on the stained glass windows.

The temple of the IX century with an ancient tower clock with a 4-meter minute hand and a dial diameter of about 9 meters. The church was built on a foundation that has been preserved since the VIII century. In the XIII century, the building was rebuilt in the Gothic style, and in 1706 acquired its modern appearance. Part of the temple premises is owned by the city, the other part belongs to the Swiss Reformed Church.

The extensive museum collection is housed in 3 buildings - Villa Vesendok, Villa Riterov, the mansion "Kiel House", where temporary exhibitions are regularly held. The main theme of the exhibition is the history of non–European cultures. The museum exhibits exhibits brought from Asia, Oceania, America and Africa. A great contribution to the replenishment of museum funds was made by the German banker Van der Heide.

The city Art Gallery, where the works of P. Fischli, I. Fusli, D. Alberto, R. Pipilotti, E. Munch, E. Manet and other masters are collected. Some tourists come to Zurich specifically to visit the Kunsthaus, as the museum's collection is valued all over the world. In addition to famous paintings by world-renowned artists, here you can see interesting works by Swiss masters.

The museum is located in the city center on the territory of a real castle with harsh walls and watchtowers. The exposition introduces visitors to the history of Switzerland from ancient times to the present day. It contains artifacts of the Stone Age, household items and art of the early Middle Ages, unique knight armor, clothing, weapons and other items. A separate collection is dedicated to the history of Swiss watches.

The museum operates at the Beyer Chronometry watch store. The collection contains more than 500 exhibits that tell the story of the most prestigious and expensive brands of Swiss watch movements. There are precise quartz mechanisms, antique chronometers, modern models, as well as very ancient exhibits that were used to measure time many centuries ago.

A modern museum of the history of football, a real "paradise" for fans of this game. The collection consists of cups, banners, photographs, documents, and player uniforms that FIFA has been collecting since 1930. Here you can see epoch-making exhibits from the world championships and unique pictures of the most exciting moments of the game. On the ground floor of the building where the collection is located, there is a sports bar for visitors.

The magnificent opera house is located near Lake Zurich. It was built at the end of the XIX century and renovated in 1984. R. Wagner played a significant role in the formation and development of the stage. The theater is distinguished by a large number of bold interpretations of classical operas, which may appeal to connoisseurs of everything new and progressive, but scare away fans of tradition.

The Town Hall was built in the XVII century near the Grossmunster Cathedral on the territory of the Old Town. The building is a symbol of the well-being of the city, a measured and orderly way of life of people. The Town Hall is built in the style of restrained Baroque, but the interior is distinguished by luxury and a lot of decorative decoration. From the inside, the town hall looks more like a palace than a meeting room of the city authorities.

The observatory has been operating since 1907, providing an opportunity for everyone to admire the stars. It is equipped with a powerful 20-ton Zeiss telescope. In addition to contemplating distant worlds, from under the dome of the observatory you can look at the panorama of the city, the magnificent Alps and Lake Zurich. There are various educational and entertainment programs in the observatory, some of them are created specifically for children.

The transport hub connects Zurich with other Swiss cantons, as well as with Italy, France, Germany and Austria. The tracks are laid through a picturesque mountainous area, during the train you can admire the alpine meadows, peaks and lakes. The station is located at the beginning of the main "artery" of the city – Bahnhofstrasse Street. The modern building was built in 1871 according to the project of J. F. Wagner.

The historic lift, which began operating in 1889. It was created for students of the University of Zurich, forced to climb a steep hill every day from the Limmat River embankment to the doors of the educational institution. Over time, it turned into a tourist attraction. In the 70s of the XX century, the service company of the funicular went bankrupt, the construction was taken under the care of the Swiss USB bank.

The zoo occupies an area of more than 11 thousand m2 and is one of the largest, well-maintained and modern in Europe. According to common practice, the space is divided into thematic zones, in which animals from similar climatic conditions are placed in groups. The ecosystems of the tropical forest, Antarctica, savannah and others are represented here. There is even a makeshift agricultural farm.

The garden was created in 1833 at the University of Zurich with the assistance of the physician and naturalist I. Gesner. Now it is considered "old", since in 1976 another garden was organized, which is also under the jurisdiction of the educational institution. In the Old Garden there are unique trees planted by Gesner, as well as many medicinal shrubs and herbs known since the Middle Ages. There is a monument in honor of the founder in the park.

The park is a gift to Zurich from the Chinese sister city of Kunming. The garden is located in close proximity to the shores of Lake Zurich. Among the restrained Swiss luxury, this corner of the East with bridges, pagodas, and figures of mythological characters looks especially bright. Bamboo, pine trees and a special kind of cherry, adapted to local climatic conditions, grow on the territory of the garden.

The city block, which is part of the historical part of Zurich and is located on a hilly shore, from where the surroundings are perfectly visible. On the territory of the district there is one of the best viewing platforms of the city at an altitude of 25 meters above the river level. From this point, it seems as if the city stretches at the very feet, excellent panoramic photos are obtained here. In the Middle Ages, archery competitions were held on the top of the hill.

The main waterway of Zurich, dividing the city into two parts. It originates in Lake Zurich and carries its blue and clear waters through several settlements. The total length of the river is about 30 km . There are many attractions and recreational walking areas on the Limmat embankment within Zurich. Swans have found refuge in the waters of the river, which are fed with pleasure by local residents.

A picturesque pond, on the shores of which Zurich, Mailen, Lachen, Jena and other settlements are located. It is entangled with a network of railways and highways. River cruises are popular among tourists, although a car ride around the lake will bring no less pleasure. From the Buerkliplatz square in Zurich, you can admire the peaks of the Alps reflected on the water surface of the lake.

A regular train runs to the mountain from the city station. There is an observation deck at the top, which can be reached by a gravel road. The journey takes about 10 minutes. The slopes of the mountain are a landscaped park equipped with paths and ramps. It is pleasant to visit it in any season – both in summer and in winter. From the top of the mountain there is a view of the city and the Alpine valleys, there is also a local TV tower.