Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Switzerland from the lakeside city’s best shopping spots to museums and sightseeing Zurich is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself Bankers no longer rule the streets here; rather you’ll find vibrant neighbourhoods a ton of boutique shops and plenty of new restaurants and galleries. We might still have a reputation as one of the leading finance hubs of the world but there’s a whole lot more happening in Zurich once you scratch the surdace Below you’ll find my picks of the absolute best things to do in Zurich (or ‘Zuri’ There’s never a bad time to visit Zurich; in the summer it’s all about our open-air swimming, and in the winter nothing beats fondue and exploring the beautiful Christmas lights and markets dotted around town art galleries and easy access to some of Switzerland’s most beloved mountains national parks and gardens make this an all-year-round destination RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Geneva⛰️ The best things to do in Switzerland🏨 The best hotels in Switzerland Photograph: ShutterstockZurich’s place to be seen is the Flussbad Oberer letten Badi the oldest bathing house in Zurich dating back to 1909 This historical bathing house is basically where you’ll find locals as soon as the sun comes out to play but you’ll see the hard nuts there during winter too Plus there’s beach volleyball courts and a 400-metre swimming pool if floating down the river Limmat is not your thing Time Out tip: Check out nearby Panama bar and restaurant for a post-swim snack and tipple. © Zürich Tourismus / Kunsthaus ZürichZurich’s Kunsthaus may not be the MoMa or the Tate Lovers of Alberto Giacometti will find a whole series of rooms dedicated to the Swiss artist and sculptor Monet and Chagall are displayed in small but bright rooms on the top floor Kunsthaus is Switzerland’s largest art museum and you’ll always find an exciting pop-ups and the permanent collection is free every Wednesday. Find Swiss artists the largest collection of paintings by Edward Munch outside of Norway and a whole lot more. Time Out tip: Some say the top floor is the best floor and you can hitch a private boat straight into town afterwards on the lake’s beautiful Thalwill side (just note that the resort is closed for refurbishment until April 2025). an urban garden and some seasonal attractions like a Saturday market in summer and a fondue tent in winter Napule is a favourite with locals (and Roger Federer) for Neapolitan-style pizza. Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! facebook twitter About us Contact us By Noele IllienUpdated Jan Share full article162162Read 162 CommentsRead 162 CommentsShare full article162162Advertisement The historical Roman town has been busy at work and new exciting buildings, squares, and public parks have bloomed across the city. Since my first trip to Zürich in 2014 a lot has happened around good old Turicum and I enjoyed the privilege of a tailored itinerary the architects behind these amazing structures If you are tremendously looking forward to a little exploration, Swiss cheese, and white wine, Zürich has plenty of those to offer Because there is no better way to travel than with an architectural schedule, I made a list of my favorite places of Zürich so you can have some ideas for your next trip. You can also download my Free Architecture Guide of Zürich (PDF) Let me know in the comments...which is your favorite place of the list 1. Historical churches: Grossmünster Church Check these and other amazing buildings of Zürich on the map below or download the Free Architecture Guide of Zürich Editor's Note: This article was originally published on April 27 You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Drucken Teilen Zürichs Kaffeekultur wächst: Diese sechs Cafés setzen neben exzellentem Kaffee auf ein modernes Interieur, Apéro und erweiterte Getränkekarten. Café Lalere im Kreis 3: Auf einen Espresso an der Bar Wer regelmässig in der Nähe der Tramstation Schmiede Wiedikon unterwegs ist wird die hübschen Millennial-rosafarbenen Coffee-to-go-Becher schon gesehen haben Ein Getränk des Cafés Lalere macht sich gut in den Händen auf dem Spaziergang durch den Zürcher Kreis 3 Die geschwungene Bar aus Holz lädt dazu ein den Espresso direkt da hinunterzustürzen – man kennt das aus Italien und sollte es auch hierzulande öfter tun Wer sich Zeit nimmt für einen Cappuccino und ein Stück veganes Bananenbrot setzt sich auf die Holzbank am Fenster und schaut dem Treiben draussen auf der Strasse zu Gegründet wurde das Café Lalere von Fabian Gass, Luca Blum und Eric Blum. Grass ist für die Kaffeelieferung zuständig (@dritta.experience), die beiden verschwägerten Blums haben das Interiorkonzept als Designstudio Onkai Arts Studio gestaltet Café Lalere, Zurlindenstrasse 57, 8003 ZürichText: Lea Hagmann Dem ehemaligen «Modo» im Kreis 10 wird neues Leben eingehaucht: Seit der Eröffnung der Wim Bakery am 21. August 2024 duftet es hier nach frischem Kaffee Die Einrichtung bleibt grösstenteils unverändert: Drinnen dominieren Holzmöbel und Steintische in schlichter Formensprache die mit Blumen dekoriert sind und eine gemütliche Atmosphäre schaffen Von Mittwoch bis Sonntag können die Gäste durch die offene Backstube verfolgen wie die Backwaren direkt vor Ort zubereitet werden Draussen laden Tische unter orange-weiss gestreiften Sonnenschirmen dazu ein die ersten Sonnenstrahlen des Tages zu geniessen – bereits ab 8 Uhr morgens Wim Bakery, Breitensteinstrasse 14, 8037 ZürichText: Hannah Hitz dem Café von Patrik Varga und Patrik Horvath dreht sich alles um «coffee and good spirits» Seit der Eröffnung im April 2024 hat sich das Café als ein weiterer Treffpunkt für Liebhaberinnen und Liebhaber von Specialty-Coffee und mehr etabliert: Angeboten werden Kaffeespezialitäten wie Americano eine kleine Auswahl an Bioweinen sowie Cocktails Einer der Gründer ist zweifacher slowakischer Nationalmeister in Latte-Art – ein Schwan oder ein Herz auf dem Kaffee ist also garantiert Kulinarisch wird man auch versorgt: Morgens werden Croissants und Pains au Chocolat von der Zürcher Croissant-Manufaktur Le Petit Marais serviert. Und durch den Tag gibt es selbstgemachte Trüffel-/Käse-/Kimchi-Focaccia-Sandwiches sowie Bananenbrot von Bonana und hausgemachte Brownies Die Leckereien können draussen im Innenhof und drinnen genossen werden wo kobaltblaue Akzentstücke den Raum besonders machen Slurp, Kanzleistrasse 129, 8004 ZürichText: Hannah Hitz Beim Betreten von «Draft Coffee» im Zürcher Seefeld fällt als Erstes die klare entworfen vom Zürcher Architektur- und Designstudio RDZ Ida Héritier und Konrad Roslak haben natürliche Materialien wie Holz und dezente Farben in Kontrast zu geradlinigen metallenen Elementen gesetzt fast futuristisch anmutende Atmosphäre schafft Nicht nur das Optische belebt die Sinne – auch die funktionalen Getränke wie Matcha Chagaccino (hergestellt aus dem Vitalpilz Chaga) oder die alkoholfreien «Buzzy»-Drinks mit Adaptogenen Ein kleines wochentägliches Frühstücks- und Wochenendbrunch-Menu rundet das Angebot ab Dafür arbeitet das Team um die beiden Inhaber Tobias Nagele und Felix Rocha mit lokalen Unternehmen wie der White Rabbit Bakery zusammen das solch aussergewöhnliche Design- und Getränkekonzepte noch nicht so gewohnt ist wie etwa der Kreis 4 ist wohl öfter mit längeren Wartezeiten zu rechnen Dagegen gibt’s die nervenberuhigenden Drinks Draft Coffee, Wildbachstrasse 68, 8008 ZürichText: Sonja Siegenthaler Wie eine Zeitreise zurück in die 1970er Jahre fühlt sich ein Besuch in der Le Café Bar im Talacker an Orange Sofas zu dunkelgrünen Sesseln und im Gang eine orange-braune Tapete im typischen Seventies-Look An Sommertagen hat man hier drinnen seine Ruhe während draussen auf der Terrasse Ferienstimmung-Betrieb herrscht Zuerst ein Kaffee – und vielleicht später noch auf einen Drink Le Café Bar, Bärengasse 16, 8001 ZürichText: Lea Hagmann ersetzt «Commercial – the Project» das legendäre «Vier Tiere» das bis vor kurzem noch Fans der Zürcher Cocktailkultur anzog die der Barista und Besitzer Nick Spanoudakis auf Vorlieben der Gäste abstimmt Spanoudakis hat seine Kaffee-Skills zuvor beim Café Adrianos in Bern bei Mame und Collective Bakery in Zürich sowie an Barista-Meisterschaften verfeinert Kardamom- und Espresso-Sauerteigbuns von der Zürcher Mikrobäckerei Barba angeboten donnerstags zu einer kleinen Naturwein-Auswahl von Paul Blume sowie diversen Drinks salzige Maritozzi Das Interieur ist so schlicht gehalten wie die Karte: Das Café zeichnet sich durch eine minimalistische Holzbar vor einer Backsteinwand aus Flower-Pot-Leuchten und gelbe Akzente schaffen eine unangestrengte und für Zürich wenig durchdesignte Atmosphäre Durch die grossen Fenster kann man das Treiben im lebendigen Viertel beobachten bei schönem Wetter an einem der wenigen Tische vor dem Lokal Commercial – the Project einmal pro Woche von der Redaktion für Sie zusammengestellt We explore the most popular areas to live in Zurich for expats looking to make the move to Switzerland’s vibrant financial capital By Graham Turner you will have the tricky task of deciding exactly where to live each of the city’s districts has its own distinct character and where you decide to settle will largely come down to personal preference this guide outlines everything you need to know about living in Zurich Looking for somewhere to rent in Switzerland Spotahome takes the hassle out of househunting by doing the hard work for you and book rental properties all from the comfort of your own home Take the stress out of househunting in Switzerland with Spotahome From a social point of view, it’s also ideal for sampling the best of Swiss cuisine and the local drinking culture combined with the city’s insanely low crime rate and gleaming streets make it a very appealing place to settle for expats Zurich boasts a frankly preposterous number of drinking fountains – and hydration is very important One of the best things about living in Zurich is the warm and welcoming culture Despite being the largest city in Switzerland its population (within the ZMA anyway) of only 400,000 means that there is still a sense of familiarity and intimacy that you wouldn’t normally associate with a financial metropolis In terms of social etiquette there is a real sense of community throughout the city you can expect friendly waves and hellos from neighbors and locals that the Swiss are fairly private when it comes to personal and financial affairs That said, it’s also wise to remember the cultural nuances of the city, as it is rather unique within the European zeitgeist. For instance, the drinking culture is somewhat more restrained and you can expect social events to end at a reasonable time this might actually be considered a good thing when you get to leave a party with a healthy buzz as opposed to crawling for a taxi When it comes to choosing where to live in Zurich a broad spectrum of needs and budgets can also be accommodated Like in most financial hubs, the closer you live to the center, the more expensive things can get across the board. This applies especially to property, which can be slightly tricky to navigate for expats. However, our guide to housing in Switzerland will help you with that Zurich is a family-friendly city with a variety of options for expats While there is no particular area of the city specifically for families many internationals settle near the two main schools on either side of the lake: Kusnacht and Zumikon on the right side (known as the Gold Coast) and Kilchberg and Thawil on the left (the Silver Coast) Your best friend for getting off the ground in finding somewhere to live in Zurich is going to be the internet, whether you’d like to rent or buy property You will want to begin this process as early as possible before you move as it can take a while to get everything sorted Here are some handy websites you can use to find somewhere to live in Zurich: It can be difficult to find homes with gardens in Zurich Ground floor apartments in Zurich will often have small patios and some apartments have shared garden or barbecue areas Houses with gardens are available outside of the city and generally cost more than apartments in Zurich The average size of apartments in Zurich is between 90–100 sqm large homes with five or six bedrooms are very scarce no matter where you live and Switzerland is certainly no exception Typical houses in Zurich city boast a 1920s design with very modern interiors Such buildings are mostly in Districts 1 (the old town) Many modern buildings are popping up across the city Renting is expensive in Switzerland and even more so in big cities like Zurich Some buildings are under historical monumental protection and therefore have very high rents Housing in the industrial Districts 3 and 4 is a bit more affordable and 12 (about 15 minutes from Zurich Hauptbahnhof) All of these areas are easily accessible to the city center with public transport If you’re looking to save some money and don’t have any qualms, then flat-sharing is a popular option. There are even dedicated sites for connecting people for this very purpose. You can try WGZimmer or Craigslist Just be sure what you’re getting into before committing or paying money before you know what you’re in for Renting is the norm in Switzerland. To those considering buying a home in Switzerland Buying a home is relatively simple but selling one is a different challenge Most people in Zurich are looking to rent apartments so there are very few buyers in the marketplace It could take a year or more to sell a property banks welcome investors and are very supportive of home buyers if clients are credit-worthy and have good records Now that you know how to find housing in Zurich Zurich has 12 districts (known as Stadtkreise) in its entirety with the main areas briefly summarized below Below is a further breakdown of these areas and what they have to offer expats planning on living in Zurich If you’re looking for a relatively easy commute then you can’t go wrong with living in the Zurich Metropolitan Area (ZMA) this makes up the metropolitan hub that surrounds the city center all of these areas have at least four trains that leave every hour getting you to downtown Zurich (Zurich HB Main Station as the train stop is known) in half an hour at most (and even less in some areas) This means that you won’t have to crawl out of bed at 06:00 to drag yourself to work – which is always nice Just bear in mind when looking for a place to stay in the ZMA that landlords are incredibly thorough with background checks so get the ball rolling as early as possible as the ZMA is a great place to live in Zurich Here is a breakdown of the different towns and villages within the ZMA and what they have to offer expats looking to live there You would be forgiven for forgetting that you live in a financial capital if you choose to settle in Aarau idyllic village looks akin to an impressionist painting come to life The people are famously friendly and the surroundings are incredibly scenic making it one of the most laid-back areas in the city while still having great access to the center Furthermore, Aarau is home to the amazing Freibad Schachen (open-air swimming pool) A number of great historical sites and architectural wonders also make this a fascinating place to explore which hosts numerous gigs and stand-up comedy nights Compared to other relatively central locations in the city Aarau is on the lower end of the scale in terms of price There’s a good mix of apartments – from functional to fancy – as well as townhouses and bungalows A three-bedroom apartment that’s ‘pragmatic’ with its space can be found for CHF 250,000 with spacious designer apartments ranging from between CHF 750,000 and CHF 1,000,000 If you’ve got your heart set on a house you could find a detached bungalow (with around five bedrooms) starting at CHF 1,250,000 then you’re looking at closer to CHF 3,000,000 apartments are the way forward in Aarau and you’ll rarely see a house up for rent If you’re looking for something a bit bigger there’s always a good selection of three-bedroom apartments that range from around CHF 1,300 to CHF 1,700 Aarua is very much a Swiss-German town and many of the businesses have a real local flavor. Most of the expats living here are commuters heading to other parts of the city, so if you want to work here, you will ideally have to have a strong grasp of the language Expats with a love of the great outdoors and community who still want to be in touch or have to work in the city center It’s also great for families with plenty of outdoor activities and a neighborhood where you can relax with young kids about Winterthur is one of the largest cities within the canton of Zurich and has a population of more than 110,000 The medieval heart of Zurich is bustling with plenty of markets yet still offers a sense of old-town charm Considering how close Winterthur is to the city center of Zurich property prices are considerably higher than in other areas then you’ll likely need to settle for an apartment Prices on the outskirts of the region can see you land a three-bedroom apartment in the region of CHF 900 to CHF 1,100,000 If you’re looking to live in or around the center of Winterthur the prices can start climbing closer to CHF 2,000,000 to CHF 2,500,000 for anything between a three and five-bedroom apartment (usually with decent-sized living areas) Renting in Winterthur follows a similar trend You can find a three-bedroom apartment to rent on the fringes for around CHF 1,500 per month with prices climbing to CHF 2,500 for something similar closer to the center of the canton Winterthur is home to some large companies as well as plenty of banks One of the largest companies is industrial engineering and manufacturing firm The Union Bank of Switzerland and insurance group AXA Winterthur also have a large workforce in the canton With nearly a quarter of the population being non-Swiss It sports the city’s largest train station so getting around Zurich (and beyond) is no problem there is also plenty to do in terms of sight-seeing Found on the Riviera on the upper half of Lake Zurich Rapperswil-Jona lives up to its name as the Town of Roses from the 16,000 roses that bloom in the gardens of the Capuchin Friary and on the Schanz; a rose garden designed for the blind The town has a reasonable price range depending on how much you are willing to sacrifice on space airy three-bedroom apartment for around CHF 1,200,000 or you could get the same number of bedrooms but with slightly cozier environs for a fairly affordable (for Zurich houses are rare to come by in this small town they’re usually lovely and luxurious with a hefty price tag of anything upwards of CHF 3,000,000 Renting in Rapperswil-Jona definitely edges towards the higher end of the spectrum a standard three-bedroom property will cost you around CHF 1,500 per month there is a decent selection of smaller places on offer with two-bedroom flats costing closer to CHF 1,200 and studios setting you back around CHF 1,000 per month Although it’s a fairly small town (with a population of around 25,000) Rapperswil-Jona is a really popular weekend destination for visitors from other parts of the city and out-of-town tourists there is an availability of jobs that cater to this market This idyllic little medieval town is ideal for couples moving to Zurich It’s a joy to explore with a partner has great restaurants to accommodate the weekend tourist crowd and is within commuting distance from Zurich city center this small town lies just 20 minutes from Zurich city center This means that you get to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle that comes with living in a small town while still being close to all the action Being one of the most sought-after locations in all of Switzerland comes at a price – literally two-bedroom apartment here will cost you around CHF 1,000,000 The more luxurious options can go as high as your imagination can fathom Houses are rarer than unicorns on the market here will usually involve you having to request the price there are plenty of studios and single-bedroom apartments up for grabs furnished studio will cost around CHF 2,000 to CHF 3,000 per month Three and four-bedroom properties – which are generally exquisite – can range from between CHF 4,000 and CHF 6,000 There are options on the lower end of the scale you’ll have to request the price for anything bigger and/or better being the richest canton (and the one with the lowest taxation) in Zurich means that there are opportunities to work with some huge local and international companies located in the city; namely Siemens Building Technologies This is honestly one of the best places to live in all of Zurich combined with a plethora of great restaurants and things to do makes it an extremely desirable place to live for any expat being the smallest canton in Zurich and having the lowest taxation also means that getting in is hard and expensive These two areas of Zurich’s District 2 stand out as choice locations within the broad ‘Zurich city center’ terminology This is because they are considerably more liveable than say Altstadt in District 1 which is better suited to visitors rather than residents Despite being so close to the heart of Zurich despite it being basically in the middle of Zurich is dominated by its incredible promenade that runs along Lake Zurich This is a great place to unwind and even take a dip in one of the many designated swimming spots For great music and a welcoming atmosphere, be sure to check out Bar Enge. This area is also home to a couple of fantastic museums by way of the Rietberg and the FIFA World Football Museum As for Seefeld, you should become intimately familiar with the beautiful promenade, known as the Zürichhorn You can also watch street artists gather crowds around their Trompe-l’œil chalk drawings and pick up some handmade jewelry at the local street stalls Enge is located a mere five-minute train ride away from Zurich HB Main Station cycling is also a popular way to get to and from the city Since the train station is located right in the middle of Seefeld the journey to Zurich HB Main Station takes between 14 and 18 minutes depending on what train you get if you live in the northern tip of the district then cycling or walking is just as viable an option if you’re looking to head to the center apartments reign supreme in Enge and Seefeld – and they aren’t particularly cheap the city center is only realistically suitable for single expats or those with older children you could realistically rent a three-bedroom property from around CHF 3,200 to CHF 4,500 per month with space being the telling factor in the price swing Enge is very much on the ‘price on request’ scale places do pop up with actual asking prices These can range from the occasional CHF 500,000 studio to CHF 2,000,000 three-bedroom apartments this isn’t really surprising given how desirable a place it is to live the cheapest you are likely to find would be a two-bedroom property for around CHF 2,000 per month this can easily climb to closer to CHF 4,000 a month for more space and better views Enge is a great place to live if you are looking for a job as numerous recruitment agencies are based here Other notable companies come by the way of large insurance firms such as Qatar Reinsurance Company and the Swiss Reinsurance Company Seefeld feels much more residential in nature big businesses aren’t as abundant as they are in Enge there are plenty of recruiters to help you land a job The Porsche Center also calls Seefeld home if that’s your game Enge really does offer something for everyone And that’s not even taking into account how central it is Seefeld also has fantastic traits and remains a decidedly laid-back district it is notable for its great shopping scene which offers numerous grocery stores These make it a great place to be during the summer it’s an area that is hard not to recommend to anyone if you can find a suitable place to live then Fluntern in District 7 offers easy access to the city center be aware that properties here come at a premium they are really close to the zoo and you can’t really put a price on that Fluntern is one of the quietest suburbs you will find anywhere within a reasonable distance from Zurich city center. This is in no small part due to the fact that much of the district is taken up by Zoo Zürich meaning that there is a huge amount of nature to be explored wouldn’t be complete without checking out one of the best zoos in Europe by way of Zoo Zürich This place is absolutely massive and takes up most of the district it requires multiple visits to experience all of its indoor and outdoor enclosures Trains from Fluntern will get you to Zurich HB Main Station in around 25 minutes Because of its desirable location and top-shelf liveability This is another district where houses for rent on the market are about as common as unicorns you could rent for around CHF 2,000 a month on the lower end of the scale This can easily climb to CHF 3,000 for more spacious places There are always a few listings for houses floating around in Fluntern which are almost always on the insane level you will have to request the eye-watering asking prices for the six or seven-bedroom luxury homes here Buying an apartment is slightly more achievable with cute two-bedroom properties starting at around CHF 900,000 With Zoo Zürich taking up most of the real estate in this district it’s not exactly a booming business zone there are three hospitals in the area: Privatklinik Bethanien and Children’s Hospital Zurich – Eleonore Foundation which can be great sources of work if that’s your field With great access to one of the best parks and zoos in Europe as well as plenty of options for eating and drinking Fluntern is undoubtedly one of the best places to be for young families in Zurich then Zurich has no shortage of really cool areas or Kreis 5 (or Industriequartier) in Zurich West stands tall among the city’s trendiest areas It is also within touching distance of the city center being only an eight-minute train journey to Zurich HB Main Station Kreis 5 essentially offers everything you would expect from a place of this name Abandoned warehouses from the city’s industrial heyday have been renovated and others torn down to make way for design-savvy spaces housing a ludicrous number of galleries There is also a good selection of cool thrift stores where you can which features an amazing outdoor swimming spot on the River Limmat and a great red wine selection make this the hallmark of inescapable coziness With frequent trains running to and from the city center in just eight minutes Kreis 5 is the ideal spot for expats wanting to enjoy the best of both worlds there is always a big demand (and price tag) for living in the district Apartments here can range from economical studios to sprawling loft spaces Furnished studios tend to start from CHF 1,200 and quickly get more expensive from there three-bedroom properties start from around CHF 3,600 if you want to be that mythical Gatsby figure that big open loft you’ve always dreamed of is only around CHF 9,000 a month If you know your way around a cocktail shaker then you could easily carve yourself out a nice career in one of the canton’s many bars Kreis 5 is best suited to young singles looking to make an impact on Zurich’s dynamic social scene it’s not off-limits to those outside this demographic It just caters more to sociable types who really like to get out and about – networking The old industrial area of Affoltern in District 11 is popular among Zurich’s younger residents it’s handy for the city center with trains taking between 18 and 32 minutes to get to Zurich HB Main Station such as Lake Katzensee – which lies between Affoltern and neighboring Altburg – also make it an all-year-round hotspot for bird- and nature-watching Because it is so close to Lake Katzensee and offers a lot of green space Affoltern strikes a unique balance between the edgy industrial chic that other parts of Zurich are famed for it is the ideal location for nature lovers who enjoy a laid-back life a transportive trattoria located right in the heart of Affoltern Trains take between 18 and 32 minutes to get to Zürich Hauptbahnhof making this a good option for both commuters and expats wanting to live within a reasonable distance from the city center Affoltern is definitely one of the more reasonably priced areas of Zurich cooly decked-out two-bedroom apartment for around CHF 1,500 Three-bedroom places usually float around the CHF 2,000 mark Affoltern isn’t exactly a Fortune 500 hub and is very much a residential and leisure district a glance through job listings will present you with lots of opportunities with local financial plenty to occupy nature and nightlife lovers and a slightly more reasonable price tag than some of its ultra-gentrified neighbors Afoltern is a great middle-of-the-road option that offers something for everyone the banks of Lake Zurich are split into two neighborhoods – the Gold and Silver coasts (you can guess which one gets the sun) which lies on the western bank of Lake Zurich is particularly popular among expats due to the abundance of international schools You’ll also notice that the pubs and restaurants tend to cater to English-speaking residents Popular locations on the Silver Coast include Kilchberg The Silver Coast encompasses a huge area with many towns although they share many environmental similarities; namely incredible views of the lake and the Alps which dominate the surroundings which offers boat tours as well wakeboarding and windsurfing The Gold Coast takes in the lower eastern shore (right bank) of Lake Zurich It is generally more expensive than its silver sister as a result of getting more sun throughout the year you’ll likely be relying on a housing allowance or you’ll need to compromise on space as it’s a competitive area If you’re happy to be in close proximity to the lake without having a great view of it Villages along the Gold Coast ridge enjoy the benefits of good schools and access to the city center there are some much better property deals to be found Then direct your search to the Pfannenstiel region on the Gold Coast The Gold Coast is a beautifully gentrified part of Zurich the lake is what makes the environment so unique This is the beating heart of the Gold Coast and makes any town you choose around it a dynamic walking along the Gold Coast is a real treat There is nothing better than going from Zurich Burkliplatz to Tiefenbrunne on a Sunday afternoon for people watching and exploring the China Garden and the fun stepping stones hidden behind the trees. Just like the Silver Coast, there are countless great places to eat and drink. These are scattered across the four choice towns along the Coast. In Zollikon, head to Trube for some of the best Swiss fare going. Drinx Bar lives up to its truly terrible name by having a great selection of whiskies This one is a little tricky to answer as the Coasts run a long way if you’re at the north end of the Silver Coast then you can expect it to take around 10 minutes to get to Zurich HB Main Station but always towards the pricier end of the scale The closer you are to Zurich city center – Kilchberg in the Silver Coast or Zollikon on the Gold Coast – the more expensive it will be It is certainly pricier than down in the southern areas like Erlenbach Being so tightly squeezed along a long vertical stretch both coasts are mainly made up of residential areas and businesses that largely cater to the locals Business and trade largely center on catering to the sizeable residential population and tourists that flock to the Coasts in summer hospitality might be your best bet if you’re looking to kick-start your working life here Although the Silver and Gold Coasts cover a large area you can generally presume that there will be a thriving expat community as they are incredibly popular neighborhoods for out-of-towners to settle the other thing it’s great for is boasting about having the best views in Zurich There is an incredible range of beautiful areas to live in within the canton of Zurich many of which offer benefits that you won’t get in the ZMA such as the Zürcher Oberland and the Weinland or are looking for a fully-integrated experience then you’ll get to experience some stunning vistas If you’re looking for somewhere that is outside the ZMA but still fairly intuitive to an English speaker Zürcher Unterland is an area around the airport that has seen a burgeoning expat community flourish in recent years the main benefit here is finding more reasonable housing costs while still being within commuting distance of the city Swiss real estate: buying a house in Switzerland If Kreis 5 leans too much into hipster territory for you One of its main benefits is that it’s far enough away from the center to make it more affordable while maintaining good transport links If you’re willing to commute to the city then there is another lake in the canton of Zurich by the name of Greifensee While it’s not as handy as Lake Zurich it is set among a nature reserve with resplendent There’s a solid expat community in some of the larger towns around the lake With great international schools and reasonable housing prices any barrier of entry isn’t crime-related but purely cultural That’s not to say that any area of Zurich is hostile to expats – quite the opposite and other areas on the periphery of the city proper) are largely Swiss-German speaking These are great for immersing yourself in the Swiss experience but might make integration a bit harder if you don’t speak the language On the off-chance that you do run into trouble, though, you can head to the Kantonspolizei Zürich website, which can help you out. It’s also wise to keep a list of emergency numbers handy in case you need assistance He’s worked as a Digital Editor for lifestyle publication i-on Magazine in Edinburgh and Editor for Time Out in Hong Kong his career highlights have included covering hard-hitting topics such as cat fashion parades and breathable mesh pants – yes Clean Air Directory Find indoor locations with superior air quality Join the movementSet up a monitor and join our global community of contributors increasing access to air quality data See the most polluted cities around the world Air Monitors AirVisual SensorsWorld's smartest air monitors Featured contributorsLearn about our featured data contributors around the world and how they help their communities improve air quality Community MonitoringIQAir AirVisual Platform offers easy and convenient ways to share data and provide critical air quality data globally Air Purifiers How to get there www.hofkino.ch This summer, the open-air cinema at Landesmuseum Zurich offers an exceptional ambience within historical surroundings. Here, interested cinema-goers can expect not only exciting and entertaining film highlights such as 'House of Gucci' or 'The Last Duel' in the courtyard cinema. Food stands of well-known restaurants and pop-ups offer delicious, plant-based dishes and refreshing drinks as well as creative cocktails at the Davide Campari Bar. Even without a cinema ticket, the courtyard's gastro area is open. From early morning until late evening, the purely plant-based gastro concept can be tried out. Anoah, for example, offers fine paella with lots of vegetables and pulses, tapas and other vegan surprises. Dar also focuses on Spanish and Moroccan cuisine, and Samses, together with Lima Limón, serves Peruvian specialities, from fresh lunch bowls to the classic curry sausage with potato salad. Nomads serves plant-based dishes with local ingredients in organic Demeter quality, as does Now, whose motto is clearly 'more taste, less waste'. On the other hand, Danish pastries are a speciality of the White Rabbit bakery. Whereby the focus of every food provider is clearly: versatile and vegan, regional and seasonal. Combining food & drinks with an open-air cinema in a setting steeped in history and under a starry sky offers pure summer enjoyment - right in the middle of the city. Bestellen Sie jetzt Ihren individuellen Newsletter Note: Our newsletter is only available in German Bitte schicken Sie mir bis zum Widerruf meiner Einwilligung den Newsletter mit Informationen zu neuen Beiträgen. Die Datenschutzerklärung habe ich zur Kenntnis genommen und akzeptiere diese Would you like to discover more beautiful things Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker 24/10/2016 By Le News Aficionados of über urban culture, get thee to Zürich – specifically, the trendy neighbourhood locals call “Züri West” whiskies and prepared ethnic foods that make a great takeout lunch to enjoy in adjacent Josefwiese park where you’ll find a mix of locals and visitors Im Viadukt – Source Facebook – imviadukt On Limmatstrasse is Löwenbräu-Areal Löwenbräu-Areal a handsome orange brick brewery built in 1897 art expos and the ateliers of international artists creating original fine and applied arts This is just one of the formerly industrial buildings in Kreis 5 (District 5) as Zürich West is officially known Now imaginative artisans and entrepreneurs have redefined these buildings once devoted to shipbuilding For example: Schiffbau, formerly a shipyard, is now home to three small theatres, the classy LaSalle Restaurant, snazzy NietturmBar and Moods a scruffy jazz club which brings in exceptional international acts A few blocks away, the gleaming glass Prime Tower, Switzerland’s tallest building (only 36 floors), stands as a clean break from the area’s industrial past. It’s a handy landmark for finding a neighborhood favorite, Frau Gerolds Garten with its casual 3-season alfresco eatery Other cafés and restaurants all over the quarter offer everything from local sausages and beers to international dishes, including Alice Choo for fusion Asian cuisine until they clear the tables and it morphs into a strobe-neon nightclub On other streets in Kreis 5, like Josefstrasse and Geroldstrasse between the rail tracks and the Limmat River you’ll find small independent storefronts selling all sorts of curios, including vintage and modern furniture (Walter Vintage Moebel), colorful custom bicycles tweaked for city riding (UrbanRider) and various odd items that you suddenly can’t do without Im Viadukt Zurich – Source Facebook – imviadukt Blocks of modest apartment buildings constructed for yesteryear’s factory laborers still house longtime residents More luxurious apartments and office suites are available in places like the Mobimo Tower as well as on streets like Shiffbaustrasse The new Hard Turm Park now has office space and rental apartments with more becoming available in the next couple of years often called the world’s “most expensive city.” In Kreis 5 2-bedroom flats rent for a rough average of CHF 4500 and up triple or more of what they are in other parts of Zürich For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook and Twitter By subscribing you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy Previous Newsletters Copyright © Le News Sàrl 2014-2022 / Company number: CH-550.1.129.786-5 / VAT number: CHE-193.843.357 TVA By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy Zurich shopping experiences include hip boutiques Whether you like a handsome department store that caters for your every retail whim a hip backstreet boutique or a fusty vintage store with a line in forgotten fashions Recommended© Eline Keller-Soerensen'Don't panic it's organic' says the sign outside this tiny white-painted shop near Schaffhauserplatz all the creams and fake eyelashes are indeed natural mostly vegan and a safe haven for the allergy-prone Wednesday to Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm AddressCorWeststrasse 112 8003 Zurich-District 3.How to get there ...var cex1 = "aW5mb0Bjb3J3aW5lYW5kcGludHh0b3MuY29t";var dex1 = atob(cex1);dex1 = decodeURIComponent(escape(dex1));jQuery(document).ready(function() {jQuery(".ex1").html(""+dex1+"");});+41 44 548 10 33.corwineandpintxos.com On Weststrasse in Zurich's city centre, the wine and tapas bar Cor has recently opened, bringing uncomplicated, wonderfully small, vegan bites to the table. Zineb Hattab, who already spoils Zurich's residents with her two other restaurants, Klé and Dar, wanted to create a place, together with her colleague Bernd Vogel, where the Catalan food culture she loves can be experienced in its purest form. Hence the name Cor, which means heart in Catalan. Here, the plant-based tapas and the somewhat more elaborately prepared pintxos are now accompanied by fine biodynamic, sustainably and naturally vinified wines. The range of around 100 wines, mostly from Spanish or French production, is an absolute delight for connoisseurs. Another innovative feature is that each wine on the menu is ordered only once, and when it is used up, it is replaced by a new wine. This ensures that Cor's wine list is constantly in flux. So these wines now accompany delicacies such as small stuffed peppers, tortilla de patatas with aioli and 'pa amb tomaquet', the incredibly delicious toasted breads with grated tomato and garlic. In any case, for a spontaneous aperitif or a light dinner, the Cor is an ideal place. Monday to Friday 11.30-14 h and 17-0 hSaturday 10-15 h and 17-0 hSunday 10-15 hAddressYumaBadenerstrasse 1208004 Zurich-District 4.How to get there ...var cex1 = "d2VsY29tZUB5dW1hLXp1ZXJpY2guY2g=";var dex1 = atob(cex1);dex1 = decodeURIComponent(escape(dex1));jQuery(document).ready(function() {jQuery(".ex1").html(""+dex1+"");});+41 43 243 88 88.www.yuma-zurich.ch In Kreis 4 on Badenerstrasse, Yuma presents international and exciting cuisine inspired by street food and culinary flare to the point. In a stylish urban ambience, delicacies to share from all over the world are served for lunch and dinner, from spicy falafels and various mezze to gua bao buns and wonderfully combined poké bowls. Especially the homemade dumpling creations with various fillings are an absolute speciality here (CHF 14.80 to 15.80). From 5 p.m. onwards, creative cocktails are also on the menu, providing a relaxed start to the evening. For late risers at the weekend, the brunch menu at Yuma offers an extensive breakfast that will revive your spirits. Whether it's a Mediterranean interpretation with burrata on wholemeal bread with aubergines and tomato, combined with scrambled eggs and artichokes (32.50 CHF) or rather the Nordic-style dish consisting of smoky avocado toast topped with Alpine smoked salmon, fried eggs as well as seasonal fruit salad and bread basket (34.50 CHF), the brunch offer is overwhelming in any case. In any case, the seats at Yuma are so coveted that it's worth booking well in advance. Bitte schicken Sie mir bis zum Widerruf meiner Einwilligung den Newsletter mit Informationen zu neuen Beiträgen. Die Datenschutzerklärung habe ich zur Kenntnis genommen und akzeptiere diese. There is no better place to enjoy a drink overlooking the city of Zürich than Clouds Bar Situated on the 36th floor of the Prime Tower visitors can soar up to the scenic heights via the elevator and kick back on one of the elegant sofas The stylish design is in perfect unison with the bar’s classic theme and the numerous quality drinks will leave nothing to be desired Whether you are looking to marvel at the dazzling views or enjoy a sophisticated evening that visitors need to be a minimum of 25 years old the bar quickly established itself as one of the cities trendiest venues shiny sofas and marble statues remind the visitor of Roman architecture and the mixture of antique and oriental accents creates an elegant flair Every night sees a different theme from Soul and Funk to after work parties and Cosmic Night The extensive menu features drinks from all over the world as well as a selection of culinary delights The Basilica Bar’s effortless elegance and romantic setting have earned it a well-deserved place among Kreis 5’s best bars The casual I.Q Bar is popular with a diverse crowd over the age of 25 and the ideal hangout for a relaxed evening The bar is renowned for its extensive drinks menu featuring numerous whiskeys and gins and a good list of cocktails Additionally visitors can indulge in a variety of small snacks and antipasti The brick walls and wooden furniture give this place a cosy atmosphere and allow you to lean back with a glass of wine and enjoy the setting Ideal for an intimate night out or a reunion with friends Located in the same tower as Zürich‘s scenic Clouds bar, Hotel Rivington and Sons Bar is decorated in a New York style and serves quality beverages throughout the day The old-fashioned yet elegant design creates a particularly charming atmosphere taking the visitor back to a more sophisticated era the 80-year-old wooden bar offers classy drinks and snacks With its attention to detail and highly trained personal yet relaxed flair and welcomes a variety of different visitors Situated between a car wash and a theatre, Exil has adapted its style to the industrial setting The club’s minimalist interior is dominated by a gigantic throwing its flickering lights over the dance floor jumbled together out of piled-up wooden beams Exil is all about live music and offers performances of every genre from rock to reggae and rap If you are looking to get a break from the action venture to the cosy lounge or outside area while enjoying one of the bar’s tasty drinks Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy The first Monday of the month turns the bar into a stage with various musical and literary performances The enchanting Sphères is the ideal spot to get away from the stresses of the city and retreat with a quality glass of wine Frau Gerold’s Garten is one of the city’s most charming open air bars and additionally features a restaurant The quirky garden is a must for any trendy visitors and is frequented by a youthful On rainy days you can take shelter under the tent or in the cosy winter pavilion Old shipping containers house fashion labels and ingredients for Frau Gerold’s tasty dishes are partly grown on site The bar is the prime example for the innovative development of Kreis 5 and is truly one of Zürich’s hippest spots This alternative bar is a particularly renowned spot for live music with many Swiss and international bands providing quality performances The quirky bar relies on a minimalist atmosphere and The uncomplicated bar serves a great range of drinks in a completely laid-back environment Don’t expect to encounter suits and ties here Lena was born in rural Germany and showed a passion for philosophy and linguistics from an early age Her journeys would lead her from being a trainee in a Greek diving centre to an English teacher in Thailand to finally becoming a student of politics and languages at Royal Holloway In recent years Lena has focused on developing her personal and academic skills through her very own Ted Talk and internships in journalism and TV presenting Lena's multiple talents and curious personality have led her to seek out ever new challenges and travels Guides & Tips The Best Places to Travel in August See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Spring See & Do Lesser-Known Summer Destinations to Visit in Europe See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September Guides & Tips This Is Europe's Ultimate Road Trip See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October Guides & Tips Beat the Crowds with these Alternative Summer Destinations See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd. All Rights Reserved. but also a flourishing veggie restaurant scene From Indian influences to traditional Swiss dishes there is no lack of innovation in the restaurants here We pick the top 10 meat-free meals to seek out in the Swiss capital © Stacy/Flickr Following its theme ‘creative cuisine rather than limitations’, the Marktküche does not rely on meat substitutes instead serving healthy and organic dishes sourced from the region The restaurant’s menu varies according to seasonal availability and is likely to satisfy gourmets as well as those looking for a casual meal The small selection of high-quality dishes is outstanding and the amuse-bouche are an excellent way of experiencing the kitchen’s culinary prowess import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_2"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(window.canRunAmazon) { const amazonService = new AmazonBidService(); promises.push(amazonService.fetchBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Gärtnerei Restaurant © Russ Bowling /Flickr Located on the famous Langstrasse, Samses is an unpretentious restaurant whose red and grey tones give it a laid-back and cozy atmosphere Visitors can load up their plates from the mouthwatering buffet which features over 35 dishes the price is determined by the weight but remains reasonable no matter how many of the fresh vegetables you have piled up During the evening the restaurant offers an à la carte menu and an intimate setting Wash your meal down with the vegan wine on offer import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_3"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Bona Dea Restaurant © futuristman / Shutterstock Situated in the Mail Railway Station, Bona Dea serves innovative and skillfully prepared dishes and an extensive buffet throughout the day chutneys and desserts draw inspiration from Asian cuisine organic beers and wines satisfy the visitors’ thirst The stylish restaurant’s minimalistic interior gives it a sophisticated flair and the welcoming staff are happy to assist with any wishes Bona Dea has also released a cookbook featuring recipes for the most popular dishes © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd