Top Rated Attractions in Zurich

The Beyer Clock and Watch Museum is a one of its kind museum and houses an extensive collection of timepieces. Horologists will marvel at the exhibition which showcases over 250 chronological instruments that date back from 1400 BC all the way to modern quartz clocks that are accurate upto a millionth of a second. The instruments are meticulously arranged according to chronology, so the collection begins from shadow sticks, sundials, oil clocks and tails off with navigational chronometers. There is a lot you can learn about man’s complex relationship with time here.

Once an all-women abbey for those of aristocratic lineage, the Fraumünster Church commands dignity and a place of pride in Zurich. Perhaps one of the most striking features of this church is the troupe of magnificent, diversely colored stained glass windows crafted by renowned artists Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti. Another such recognizable gem of the church is its soaring tower, which was built in 1732, standing today in stark contrast to the twin towers of the nearby Grossmünster. This Gothic-Romanesque church also features an ornate nave, a Romanesque chancel, and exquisite frescoes which are but an escape into the church's storied past. Topped by a gleaming teal cap, this church proudly graces the heart of Zurich's old town.

Declared as one the world's most expensive shopping streets, Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse easily holds its own compared with its peers in New York, Hong Kong, Paris and London. Blue-and-white trams whisk shoppers along this mile-long and mainly car-free stretch between the main train station and the lake. Bahnhofstrasse is where the affluent shop for designer clothing and gold watches. However, it also finds a fair share of the general populace, all in awe of the shopping extravaganza. Elegant department stores worth a visit include Jelmoli and Globus, which is separated from Bahnhofstrasse by a small park. Numerous restaurants and cafes feature outdoor seating, ideal for observing fellow shoppers.

Augmented by the steely waters of the Limmat River, this church is a stirring escape into history. A stone's throw from Lindenhof Hill in the old town of Zurich, this is one of the four major churches in the city. Although the current holy site was not declared sacred until 1706, an early church structure was believed to have been built by the 8th or 9th Century. The most iconic feature of St. Peterskirche is its clock tower, which plays host to the largest clock face in the country, its minute hand alone measuring 5.7 meters (18.8 feet). With a facade as legendary and imposing as this, it is no surprise that St. Peter Church lords over pristine, fawn-roofed houses which dot the charming landscape of Old Town. However, the interiors of the church are just as beautiful, its stuccoed white ceiling and carved wooden balconies illuminated by a line of chandeliers that swing overhead. While an ornate Romanesque choir stall and Baroque naves add to its magnificence, it is the now faded murals that are a true testimony to the church's long-standing history and religious repute.

A venerated cathedral made memorable by its imposing twin towers, Grossmünster is among the best-known landmarks in Zurich. Construction on the Romanesque-style structure began in the early 12th Century and continued for roughly 110 years. Legend reckons that the church was built as a monastery on the graves of Zurich's patron saints Felix and Regula and today proudly stands guard over the city and its spectacular landscape. Other significant architectural features apart from the towers include magnificent bronze doors, an 11th-century crypt, and grotesque-ornamented capitals that top the medieval columns of the grand south portal. Besides its architectural glory, the Grossmünster is also revered for its historical significance as the site where religious leader Huldrych Zwingli launched the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland during the 16th Century. The cathedral has since witnessed a handful of modifications, such as the stained-glass windows added in 1932 by Augusto Giacometti.

Running parallel to the Limmat River, Limmatquai is a sunny street within walking distance of Zurich's main train station. It offers a mix of high-end and budget clothing and shoe stores, some of which are sheltered by shady arcades. In addition to numerous shops and Cafés, Limmatquai is also home to several beautiful guild houses as well as the city hall. From here there is a good view of Grossmünster and Fraumünster, two of Zurich's most famous churches. When the weather is fine, street musicians entertain the happy listeners who gather on the benches along the river.