SWITZERLAND
Is Zürich worth a visit?
he largest city in Switzerland, Zürich, was our first stop in the Swiss tour – due to its airport and how close it was to Chur, from where the Bernina Express would take us to the Alps. It was never in my travel plans, but we did have time to walk around and live in it for a bit.
A great viewpoint to see Zürich is Lindenhof. This spot provides a glorious view of the city
We landed in Zürich, at Thessoni, a cute boutique hotel where we would be staying for three nights. Before we arrived at the hotel, we made a stop at Rhine Falls (entrance fee €5). At 23m high and 150m wide, it’s Europe’s biggest waterfall and it is indeed grand. What is fascinating about Rhine Falls is that it was formed during the last Ice Age, approximately 14,000 to 17,000 years ago and the location is truly scenic. You can even walk down and in a small cave to be right next to it, and if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can take a boat ride on its wild waters.
In the middle of it all stands a tall rock like an arch, that has withstood the elements for a thousand years, and can be reached on a circular tour of the Rhine Falls.
Other than that, Zürich is a typical, big European city, you will find everything you need and more, with cute shops, parks, crowds and chocolatiers. It’s a mix-and-match of historic and modern worlds, connected through bridges. You get the picturesque old town (Altstadt) on the one side of Lake Zürich and the modern one on the other, and both have a lot to offer but not both sides have things to write home about.
The old town is beautiful, with the imposing clock tower of St. Peter’s church, the colorful buildings in the main square, cute shops and parks where you can enjoy the beautiful view. A great viewpoint to see Zürich is Lindenhof. This spot provides a glorious view of the city, Grossmünster Church, the City Hall, the Limmat river, the university and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
Zürich is also a nice layover for a day if you want to catch the Bernina Express to the Alps at Chur.
Zürich, a city with population a bit over 400,000, is a destination with something for everyone. However, if you want a place with many landmarks and things to see, this might not be it. The modern city is as big and as European as it gets (though, exceptionally clean), where you can find anything you want, and the old city is good for a nice, peaceful walk.