Zurich & Region
The Zurich region is the economic centre of Switzerland. Thanks to the strong presence of international companies that benefit from the exceptionally favourable location factors: The densest public transport network in the world, countless direct flights to destinations around the globe, reputable education institutions such as the University of Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and IBM Lab. In addition, Zurich and the region around Lake Zurich offer culture and art collections of world renown. Preserved nature, clean lakes and rivers, rolling hills, dense forests and mountains, picturesque villages - and all just a stone's throw from the Alps. The Zurich metropolitan region is an ideal starting point for varied excursions - and provides a globally unique quality of life.
ZURICH
The lakeside discovery metropolis with views of the snowcapped Alps on the horizon offers a unique mix: over 50 museums and more than 100 galleries, international shops and urban Zurich labels, the liveliest nightlife in Switzerland, countless lake and river swimming spots in the town centre as well as hiking and biking opportunities on the local mountain Uetliberg. In Zurich, the highest level is standard - Zurich regularly wins awards as the city with the world's best quality of life for a reason.
Events
Sechseläuten [spring holiday], Festival Tropical Caliente, Street Parade, Zurich Festival, Züri Fäscht
Highlights
Kunsthaus: Swiss Art Museum, Museum Rietberg: non-European art, Bahnhofstrasse: Bank mile & boutiques and department stores and street cafes, Zurich Zoo, old town
PFÄFFIKON
Pfäffikon offers the best of two worlds. On the one hand, it is close to the city of Zurich and its rich culture, on the other hand it invites you to leisurely walk in nature and is the gateway to the well-maintained Schwyzer hiking and biking network. Those who prefer action-packed fun can drop by at the water park Alpamare.
From the hotel Seedamm Plaza, you can enjoy the view of the natural jewel Frauenwinkel. The ecologically important nature reserve on Lake Zurich includes marshes, the islands of Ufnau and Lützelau and the intermediate area of the lake. While walking from the lock system Pfäffikon to Rapperswil, Lake Zurich is your constant companion. The last piece even leads across the lake - a 841-metre-long pedestrian wooden bridge connects the two lakeshores and gives you the feeling of walking on water.
Alpamare, near to the hotel, is the largest covered water park in Europe. On the 11 slides with a total length of 1800 metres, you can enjoy endless sliding pleasure. Things get more comfortable in the Rio Mare river swimming pool, the waves of the surf wave pool or in the spa area. Forgot your swim trunks? In the Seedamm-Center shopping centre, you will find 50 speciality shops under one roof - and a swimsuit.
Multidisciplinary exhibitions on socially relevant topics await you in the Vögele cultural centre. Art, scenic installations, everyday objects and media contributions in the exhibitions sensitise in an entertaining way and also stimulate discussion.
From Pfäffikon you can quickly and easily reach whatever your heart desires: the Children's Zoo or the ice rink in Rapperswil, the boulevard in Lachen with the most beautiful sunsets on Lake Zurich, the over one-thousand-year old Einsiedeln Abbey, the monastic winery Leutschen, the unique raised bog Rothenthurm or the local mountain of Pfäffikon - the Etzel.
Traditional markets, Shrove Tuesday, Chilbizeit and the cinema by the lake promise varied entertainment for every season.
Highlights
Roman fort, village church with frescoes, Seestrasse centre, Kehr quarter, lake dock, lake pool / swimming pool
Baden
The lively small town, just 20 minutes from Zurich and the airport, has rich cultural offerings. International festivals and the Grand Casino are amongst the highlights. The car-free Old Town with its historic defensive structures and municipal buildings, several theatres, and notable museums are additional cultural attractions. The Langmatt Foundation is one of the best art collections in Switzerland - the industrialist families Brown and Boveri left valuable paintings and furniture from the impressionist period to it.
The highest mineral thermal water in Switzerland bubbles at 47°C in Baden from 18 sulphurous springs. Baden has been known as a lively curative resort since Roman times.