There are a few cities in the world which, in my opinion, would be more suited as the capital of their respective country than the existing choices. Of course these are subjective, and capital cities are chosen for a variety of reasons, but my own view is that some cities are much more iconic, much larger and epitomise not just the heritage but the modern culture of the country as well.
Which brings me to Zurich.
Now I have nothing against Berne, which is the capital of Switzerland. It’s a beautiful city, justifiably a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But Zurich is bigger, it has more and it is much more representative of contemporary life in the country and across the continent
Not only is Zurich the biggest city in the country, not just by physical size but by population as well, it is also the home of a number of major businesses and industries, including the headquarters of FIFA. Zurich is often mistaken as the capital for these reasons, and it has recently grown to become a hugely popular tourist destination.
Zurich itself lies on the Limmat River, but it more serves as an excellent start or end point if you’re looking at a Rhine sailing. It’s a short transfer from Basel, and the ideal place to extend your river cruise holiday with a hotel break while you explore the wealth of interesting sights and attractions that the city has to offer.
It’s a very modern city so you’ll find a lot of different cafes, bars and clubs if this is your scene, but some of the true gems lie in both the incredible architecture of the cityscape and the range of museums to enjoy. Make sure you visit the Grossmunster, an impressive Romanesque Church, and the Fraumunster, a Gothic church with incredible windows.
There are the typical museums you would expect, dedicated to the history of the country, local art and art from further afield etc, as well as a number of less common museums such as the Beyer Watch Museum which covers the history of timepieces, and the Jacob Coffee Museum.
One thing in Switzerland – you simply have to try the chocolate. Even if you aren’t usually one for sweet items, the chocolate in Switzerland, as it is in Belgium, is supremely good. Whether you decide to head to a local confectioner or you just buy a sample of the major brands, Frey and Lindt, you’ll be glad you did.
Swiss army knives, Swiss watches and clocks – there are a number of traditional local items that you can shop for, along with other local crafts and major shopping chains, so you’re never short of the opportunity to spend your Swiss Francs.
This is only a brief overview but there are loads of things to see and do. It’s no surprise Zurich is one of the fastest-growing cities for tourism in the whole of Europe.
By Ian Lewis
Google