Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
COUNTRY CODE:
Dial +41 for Switzerland
FROM THE AIRPORT
Car Hire :
Take advantage of the special easyJet inflight rates. Visit the Europcar desk on arrival call +41 (0)43 255 5656. Open from 6.30am-11.30pm seven days a week.
Airport Transfer :
Pre-book your door-to-door transfer with easyJet’s transfer partner, Holiday Taxis—from home to the airport and the airport to city or resort. Just log on to easyjet.holidaytaxis.com.
Train :
Trains make the 10-minute journey to the city centre every 15 minutes. Ticket: CHF6.
Taxi :
The fare to the centre is about CHF50 and the journey takes 20 minutes.
(3 Uraniastrasse. Tel. 044 210 3311) City-centre internet café that offers a more sophisticated way to surf and snack. Order a gipfeli (butter croissant) or fresh sandwich direct from your computer.
(31 Geroldstrasse . Tel. 043 818 2254) A former locksmith’s studio that's home to Zurich West’s hipsters on the weekend. Its homely Italian cooking, including delicious pizzas, is in relaxed contrast to the stark warehouse interior.
(4 Ramistrasse . Tel. 044 262 9900) Famed for serving a host of VIP guests over the years who come for the superb fine dining. The walls are decorated with an art collection that's worth a CHF40million, including original paintings by Picasso and Chagall.
(Wasserwerkstrasse. Tel. 044 383 0550) Outdoor bar by the Limmat River. Tables are hard to come by when the sun is out, so it's worth reserving one of the colourful recliners in advance to enjoy a Swiss beer or organic ginger lime drink.
(Schiffbau, 6 Schiffbaustrasse. Tel. 044 276 8000) This vast, old ship-building factory is now home to a programme featuring local and international jazz, soul and funk bands, as well as DJs every night of the week.
(12 Zwinglistrasse . Tel. 044 291 1291) The trend for 60s interior design in bars is taken to new heights thanks to the candy-coloured wallpaper, cute bubble chairs and sexy white leather sofas.
On the ground
Shop
Visit Burkliplatz flower and vegetable market on Tuesday and Friday.
A good opportunity to sample local products such as regional cheese, stone-baked bread and home-made jams.
Insider Tip
The city offers free daily bike hire, seven days a week. Pick up a bike at Globus City, Oerlikon-Swissotel or Opernhaus. You need ID and a deposit of CHF20 (Tel. 043 288 3445. www.zuerirollt.ch, not in English).
Key Area
The pedestrian-only Limmatquai is great for a waterfront city stroll. Crammed with buzzing cafés, bars and restaurants, you can also see landmarks such as the Romanesque Grossmünster church and the Rathaus, Zurich's Parliament building.
This month
Warmer Mai is the annual gay and lesbian festival that takes place throughout the city during May. From plays to tango nights and dance workshops, cabarets, discussions and live music, the festival offers a broad range of cultural activities (www.warmermai.ch, not in English).
Day Tripping
Baden
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Famous for its sulphurous hot springs, known for their relaxing and therapeutic qualities. The pretty, car-free Old Town is worth a wander, as is Lenzburg Castle, the oldest hilltop castle in Switzerland. The train journey from Zurich's main station takes 15 minutes.
No way!
Lenin apparently liked nothing better than to lie in the grass on the Uetliberg hillside and eat chocolate.
