Winter Switzerland: Zurich. Where to go in winter: Zurich - circus show, organic pasta and evening at the skating rink Zurich in winter

Zurich (Switzerland) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Zurich with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Zurich (Switzerland)

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the German-speaking canton of the same name. Located in the north-eastern part of the country in a picturesque area on the shores of Lake Zurich. Zurich is the economic and cultural center of Switzerland, as well as one of the largest financial centers in Europe. But this is not a boring city of banks and headquarters. Zurich is a fascinating place with interesting sights, a well-preserved old town with medieval and Renaissance buildings, and many museums and galleries.

Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but at the same time one of the best in terms of quality of life. The city is known for its cleanliness, neatness and liberal atmosphere, which, at one time, attracted such historical figures as Lenin, Buchner, Jung, Mann. Zurich is suitable for all tourists: history lovers can walk around the old town and explore ancient sights, culture lovers can visit numerous museums and art galleries, party lovers can stroll through clubs, bars and restaurants.

Geography and climate

Zurich is located in the northern part of Lake Zurich at the source of the Limmat river, which crosses the historical center. The city is located in a valley between the Uetliberg and Zurichberg mountains, 30 km north of the Alps. That's why Zurich is sometimes called the "gateway to the Alps."

The climate is temperate continental with warm but rainy summers. Winters are cool with light frosts and unstable snow cover.

Practical information

The population is more than 400 thousand people. Agglomeration - more than 1 million.
Area - 87.93 km2.
Language - German. The most common dialect is Züridüütsch. English and French languages are also widespread.
The currency is Swiss franc.
Time - UTC +1, in summer +2.
Visa - Schengen.
The most popular shopping areas: Bahnhofstrasse - one of the most exclusive and expensive shopping streets in the world, which runs from the main station to the lake, Niederdorf - clothing and shoe stores, Löwenstrasse - chains of supermarkets and inexpensive shops.
Do not buy Swiss watches in supermarkets or other similar stores. A real Swiss watch cannot cost 8-10 francs. It is better to make such purchases in branded stores. Best inexpensive brands: Swatch, Mondaine. Among the more expensive ones, it is worth paying attention to Tissot.
Frey and Lindt are leaders in the Swiss chocolate market and offer high quality at a favorable price.
We recommend purchasing traditional Swiss goods from Schweizer Heimatwerk.
Popular traditional food: fondue, raclette (similar to fondue, only cheese served with potatoes and pickles), chnöpfli (soft egg noodles with meat), würste (grilled sausages), rösti with meat (grated potatoes, tastes like potato pancakes), zürigeschnätzlets (veal in wine sauce).
The most popular traditional products are cheese, chocolate and candies, ham and sausage.

Story

In ancient times, on the site of Zurich there was a Celtic settlement, which in the 1st century BC. was conquered by the Roman Empire. The Romans built a customs post here between Raetia and Belgica and called it Turicum. The first mention of the city dates back to 929.

From the 13th to the 17th centuries, Zurich was an imperial city within the Holy Roman Empire. In 1351 he became a member of the Swiss Confederation. In the 16th century, Zurich became one of the centers of the Reformation, led by Ulrich Zwingli.

From the 16th to the 18th century, Zurich reached its greatest prosperity. In 1648 it changed its status from an imperial city to the status of a republic. In 1847 the first Swiss Railway connected Zurich and Basel. In March 1945, it was mistakenly bombed by the Americans.

How to get there

Zurich is the largest and most important transport hub in Switzerland. The city has the largest and busiest airport in the country. There are regular trains from the airport to the center of Zurich. The main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) is generally the largest in the world. The station receives almost 3,000 trains per day and has a passenger traffic of 350,000 to 500,000 people daily. It's no surprise that Zurich is easily accessible from almost anywhere. large city Europe by plane, train, bus or car.

Attractions

Old city Zurich has the medieval charm of old streets, ancient buildings and churches, as well as the brilliance of monumental architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries. Zurich Altstadt is located on the eastern bank of the Limmat River and has a varied architecture: from medieval Gothic to modern architectural movements.

In the Middle Ages, Zurich was surrounded by a fortress wall. The old city walls have not survived to this day. The old town is home to all of Zurich's most famous historical sites, making it the center of attraction for all visitors to this wonderful city.

Bahnhofstrasse is the main street of Zurich. This busy pedestrian route runs from the main train station to Bürkliplatz on the shores of Lake Zurich. Bahnhofstrasse is considered one of the most attractive shopping streets in Europe, with many expensive shops and 19th-20th century architecture.

Fraumünster is one of ancient churches Zurich, located on the Limmat promenade in the old town. The church was founded in 853 by Emperor Ludwig. The modern building is a beautiful three-level columned basilica from the 13th to 15th centuries with a Gothic nave, Romanesque altar and early Gothic transept. Also here you can see fragments of a crypt from the time of an ancient abbey of the 9th century. Interesting features of Fraumünster: beautiful stained glass windows and altar.

Church of St. Petra is the oldest parish church in Zurich, founded in the 9th century. The original structure of the ancient building is still visible under the altar. The current building is Gothic, has an early 13th-century Romanesque choir and a Baroque nave with three aisles and galleries. Most interesting feature Church of St. Petra is a giant clock on the tower, which is the largest in Europe (dial diameter 8.7 m).

Grossmünster is Zurich's largest religious building, an imposing Romanesque basilica built between the 11th and 13th centuries. In the 16th century, the church became one of the centers of the Reformation. The most interesting feature of its architecture are the twin towers. The upper levels of the towers were completed at the end of the 15th century.

Old houses along the Limmat river

Along the Limmat riverfront are several elegant old guild houses with luxurious interiors reflecting the wealth of the guilds that ruled Zurich until 1789. The town hall is also located here, which hangs over the river and is supported by the arches of the bridge. It was built between 1694 and 1698 in the late Renaissance style.

Lindenhof is the oldest part of Zurich, located between Bahnhofstrasse and the left bank of the Limmat river. It was here that the Romans built their fortified settlement. Later, Charlemagne built a royal residence here. These ancient structures have not survived to this day. Now there is a park with stunning views of the old city.

Other attractions and interesting places in Zurich

Niederdorf is an area of the old town that is a pedestrian zone. Part of this area is the Neumarkt (New Market), founded in the 12th century as a suburb of medieval Zurich.

Church of St. Augustine - medieval church 12th century, built in the western part of the old town. After the Reformation, the church was converted into a coin minting workshop. In 1841, the building was returned to its status as a religious building.

Augustinskaya street

Augustinergasse is one of the most beautiful historical streets in Zurich.

The Water Church (Wasserkirche) is a late Gothic church completed in the 15th century. According to legend, it was built in the place where the Christian martyrs Felix and Regula were executed by the Romans.

Liebfraukirchen was built in 1893 in the style of an early Christian basilica. The tower resembles a Romanesque bell tower.

Schanzengraben is an idyllic promenade in the center of Zurich. In this place you can enjoy a quiet and peaceful walk.

Things to do in Zurich:

Boat cruise on the Limmat River through the old town.
Climb Mount Utliberg (871 m) and enjoy impressive views of Zurich and the lake.
Cruise on picturesque Lake Zurich. The ships depart from Bürkliplatz.
Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts - important collections of Flemish painting, Italian Baroque and Venetian Settecento.
View Swiss collections national museum- more than 800,000 historical and cultural exhibits from antiquity to the 20th century.
Visit Zurich Zoo - more than 360 species of animals.

The climate is normal for seasonal travel. The weather in Zurich varies from month to month, because... it is very far from the equator. The average annual ambient temperature during the day is +15.0°C, and at night +4.8°C. It is a popular city to travel to in Switzerland. Below is the climate and weather in Zurich in winter, spring, summer and autumn.

The best months to travel

High season in Zurich is August, July, June with excellent weather +23.0°C...+24.7°C. At this time in this popular city the least rainfall, approximately 6 days per month, falls from 50.3 to 71.3 mm of precipitation. The number of clear days is from 18 to 21 days. The monthly climate and temperature in Zurich are calculated based on recent years.

Air temperature in Zurich by month

The warmest weather in Zurich by month and in Switzerland in general is in August, July, June up to 24.7°C. At the same time, the lowest ambient air temperatures are observed in December, January, February, up to 1.8°C. For lovers of night walks, the readings range from -1.8°C to 10.5°C.

Number of rainy days and precipitation

The rainiest periods are August, July, June when bad weather 7 days, up to 71.3 mm of precipitation falls. For those who do not like humidity, we recommend November, March, February during this period it rains on average only 2 days per month and the monthly precipitation rate is 23.5mm.

Rest comfort rating

The rating of climate and weather in Zurich is calculated by month, taking into account average air temperature, amount of rain and other indicators. Over the year in Zurich, the score ranges from 3.0 in February to 5.0 in August, out of five possible.

Climate summary

Month	Temperature air during the day	Temperature air at night	Sunny days	Rainy days (precipitation)
January	+5.5°C	+0.2°C	9	4 days (46.1mm)
February	+7.6°C	+0.2°C	10	3 days (29.1mm)
March	+13°C	+1.8°C	18	2 days (23.5mm)
April	+16.2°C	+3.8°C	15	5 days (38.7mm)
May	+19.3°C	+5.5°C	14	5 days (68.7mm)
June	+24.7°C	+9.5°C	18	7 days (61.5mm)
July	+24°C	+10.5°C	18	6 days (71.3mm)
August	+23°C	+10.2°C	21	6 days (50.3mm)
September	+19.5°C	+7.8°C	15	5 days (61.3mm)
October	+14.7°C	+7°C	17	4 days (48.4mm)
November	+10.2°C	+2.8°C	18	2 days (34.5mm)
December	+1.8°C	-1.8°C	13	5 days (60.3mm)

Number of sunny days

Largest quantity sunny days observed in March, July, August when there are 21 clear days. These months have excellent weather in Zurich for walks and excursions. The least sun is in January, February, December when the minimum number of clear days is: 9.

Where to go

Zurich, unlike other cities in Switzerland, celebrates the New Year in a big way and is famous for its lush Christmas markets. One of the most creative ones has been located in the building of the main railway station for 25 years in a row. Art objects are hung under the ceiling: huge cows, strange female figures of different shapes and colors. Among the numerous wooden chalets with all kinds of edible and inedible souvenirs, a spruce tree stands tall. The 35-year-old beauty is the most expensive in Switzerland; it’s not for nothing that she is decorated with Swarovski crystals. Sparkling decorations combined with natural light during the day and additional spotlights in the evening create a magical atmosphere.

Fair in the building of the Main Railway Station

Following from the station along the main shopping street Bahnhofstrasse, across the bridge over the Limmat river and turning right towards the opera, you come out onto Zexeleutenplatz, where the city's second Christmas market is located. Wienachtsdorf. From November 22 to December 23 right under open air There are about a hundred huts selling roasted chestnuts and mulled wine brewed exclusively with local wine. People on the square take part in master classes, spin on the carousel, and go ice skating.

Where to stay

If you're looking for a true winter wonderland, head to picturesque Hottingen on the outskirts of Zurich. Just two kilometers from the historical center on Dolder Hill, the eponymous hotel The Dolder Grand, similar to fairytale castle, dusted with snow. After a major renovation, two buildings were added to the main building, all rooms in which are made in a modern style, and the central tower turned into a fashionable two-story Maestro suite with two bedrooms, a living room, a library and a relaxation terrace. All 175 rooms offer panoramic views of the city or Lake Zurich.

Well, let's continue walking around winter Switzerland)))

We spent only a few hours in Zurich on December 4th. Therefore, a post from the category “What can you see in one day”)))

Seven hours for a transfer is quite a long time. And more or less regularly we use such transfers to our advantage when going into the city. True, more often than not there is more time, so I resisted a little - I didn’t want to explore Zurich at a vigorous gallop. But the advantage was that the airport is only a fifteen-minute drive from the center. Trains (in our case commuter trains) run remarkably regularly, literally with the precision of a Swiss watch :-)) Therefore, at 11 am we already went out to the square in front of Zurich Central Station with a green Alfred Escher , founder of the Swiss railways.

I mentioned that the main bazaar was right at the station. But we didn’t see it because our train arrived at the lower platform (there are also upper ones))), so we immediately found ourselves in underground passages, very similar to ours in Moscow, when Sobyanin had not yet overcome the “underground” trade. And most of the shops are not the cheapest)))

And this is just such a fountain)))

Most tourists who come to Zurich - especially by train - will go straight to Bahnhofstrasse (just Zheleznodorozhnaya Street)))), but in its 1.5 km it has the most expensive shops and five-star hotels. Decent people shop here.

But I’m so not into shopping:((that my respectability extended only to a pretzel bought on the “golden” street of Zurich. I just wanted to eat))) And I adore pretzels!

So we immediately turned from Bahnhofstrasse into the Old Town.

Altstadt It is a must in every European city. A sort of “sacred cow” where you can’t change anything, where crowds of tourists are hanging around from morning to morning, where living is expensive and inconvenient, but terribly prestigious...

I don’t know if I would like everyone passing by to stare at my cute little balcony))))

But it’s nice to live in a house with its own store)))

This part of the Old Town is traditionally pedestrian, only residents enter.

Many streets are decorated with illumination. It was a pity that we couldn’t stay until the evening. Surely it looks beautiful. But even without this small areas with diverging streets are good. IN different places fountains with drinking water, various statues and bright flower beds.

I kept tormented by thoughts about whether it was worth drinking water from the gushing stream. I mean, is it really drinkable? Exactly. The local people drank. Then we kissed ourselves)))

The natural border of the pedestrian area is the Limmat River.

There are many beautiful and significant buildings along its banks. For example, the town hall. The building is actually part of the bridge, you can swim under it.

They write that if externally the town hall is a restrained baroque, then inside the decoration is very magnificent and looks more like a palace.

Visible to the right of the pink building St. Peter's Church .

From the network: A 9th-century temple with an ancient tower clock with a 4-meter minute hand and a dial diameter of about 9 meters.

On the left is the green tower Fraumünster.

From the network: According to surviving documents, the temple was built in the 9th century under Louis II for his daughter Hildegard, who preferred monasticism to worldly life. For a long time, there was a convent attached to the church, where representatives of noble families took monastic vows.

Until the mid-20th century, the Fraumünster Church fell into decay, but in the 60s. was restored. The artist M. Chagall worked on the stained glass windows.

There is a monument next to the church Hans Waldmann , mayor of Zurich and military leader as far back as the 15th century...

And one more angle on Fraumünster- from another dominant city Grossmunster.

But the “pink building” itself should not be ignored)))) The name speaks for itself - “Storchen”, i.e. "Stork". And they say that this hotel has stood in this place for 650 years)).

Two equal-sized towers are visible from many parts of the city - this is Grossmünster.

From the network: The temple was built in a gloomy Romanesque style. It is believed that its history began in the 9th century and is associated with the name of Emperor Charlemagne. His horse fell to its knees in front of the grave of the Christian martyrs Felix and Regula, who fled from Roman persecution. The brother and sister were executed and buried on the hill where the Grossmünster was later built.

We went to this church. You are not allowed to take photos inside. And okay - the interior is quite ascetic. Much has been greatly updated, and as a result the feeling of antiquity is lost.

For example, such gates are very modern and clearly installed recently)).

From Grossmunster we went deeper into another part of the Old City, beyond the Limmat.

This side is perhaps less old. But the same fountains in small squares, cute houses, small shops...

An unrealistic number of second-hand bookstores per capita, certainly not cheap. But they are so cute - I love old books...

There are dog bags everywhere here. But they don’t forget about people - there are also dry closets everywhere. They are probably trying to escape the tourists wandering around in all corners. And rightly so.

This is an even less historical part of the city, although it also looks nice)))))

In search of where to eat, we returned back and ended up on the shore Lake Zurich .

Well, really, then Zurich must be))).

The day was so different. Either grey-gloomy, even with rain, or bright sun and blue sky))) And +12, which is gratifying for Russians in December :-))

You can take a boat ride on the lake. And there will be an opportunity, let's go for a ride.

For some reason, I didn’t take pictures at all on the embankment of Lake Zurich. I was just looking at the daily life of the people of Zurich. Lots of people running, walking with children, playing with dogs. Even on lawns. And nowhere are there any prohibitions in the style of the house manager from “The Diamond Arm”)))

I watched the seagulls... But not about the birds now - there are so many.

Only the “green boy” with someone’s head remained in the photo. I think David? Why was the head cut off?

AND Opera theatre . I really liked it!

A very beautiful, light building. True, the perimeter embedded (as is fashionable these days) is not unambiguous for me modern sculptures. Like an unidentified boy. On the other hand, today’s creators also need to leave a mark somewhere...

A river flows out of Lake Zurich Limmat. Which is good in itself.

It’s also very pleasant to walk along its embankments...

On the left is the building National Swiss Museum . It is located immediately behind central station. And the plans were to visit it due to its proximity.

But the weather was favorable for the walk))) Which made me very happy. Although the reviews about the museum are good, it is large and would take a lot of time. And we wouldn’t be able to get around and see so much. So next time too))

There is a small park behind the museum. Again, people are walking. And we walked. The sound of falling water was heard all the time. I kept wondering, a waterfall or something, or a dam...

It turned out, indeed, a dam)) This is the quiet and calm Limmat flowing down...

And on the other side of the arrow, the flow from the mountains seethes Zil.

And also, Limmat and Zil mix their multi-colored waters.

We timed it well. We caught the right train. People wrote in the reviews: be careful, otherwise, if you take the wrong train, you may end up in Lausanne, or even Paris. It worked out. We climbed to the second floor of the train and watched the sunset over Zurich. There were no more cute antique pictures here. There were many office buildings with glass walls, and thousands of people could be seen sitting in these large "beehives"...