Zurich is a city with a long and historic past, which offers a wide array of sights and attractions that ideally require several days to fully appreciate. The city is relatively small and compact, making it an ideal destination to explore on foot; however, much of the city is built around hilly terrain, so remember to pack a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

The elegant blue spire of Fraumunster Church is another of the most recognisable features of the Zurich skyline. The original church was built next to the pig market in the old square of Munsterhof in 853 AD, while the building that stands today was built on the same site in the 13th century. The church is famous for its large elaborate organ, but the main attraction for most visitors are the five sets of stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall in 1970.

The Cathedral of Great Minster is one of the many Zurich buildings that dominate the city’s skyline. The cathedral was allegedly founded by Charlemagne in the 9th century, while the present day building was built around 200 to 300 years later. The interior of the cathedral is a classic example of the effects of the Reformation, which saw elaborate and expensive decorations ripped out in favour of more modest styling. The cathedral can be visited daily from 10:00 to 16:00 between November and March, and from 09:00 to 18:00 between April and October.

Heimplatz Square is the location of Switzerland’s leading art gallery. The Kunsthaus Zurich is world-renowned for its expansive, permanent collection that includes works by some of history’s most revered artists. The ground floor is reserved for temporary collections that are regularly changed, while the galleries upstairs contain great works by artists such as Picasso, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh and Rubens. A new wing that houses a collection of modern art including several works by Andy Warhol was recently added to the museum. The museum is open from Tuesday to Thursday, 10:00 to 21:00, and Friday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00.

The Kunstmuseum is yet another superb fine art gallery not to be missed, with the collection focusing on European and American art from the late 19th century to the present day. Highlights of the gallery include works by Van Gogh and a fine collection of Rodin’s sculptures. The gallery’s permanent collection is only open to visitors between June and August, while the museum’s temporary exhibits can be viewed year-round.

Once home to the composer Wagner, Wesendonck Villa now houses an incredible collection of non-European artwork from dozens of countries throughout Asia and Africa. The collection was originally put together by Baron von der Heydt in the 19th century and has continued to grow to this day; you will find the villa in the park to the south of the city centre. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.

St Peter’s Church was built in the 13th century, making it the oldest church in the city. The church is open for services on Sundays and for general viewing at other times; you will find the church situated on the left bank of the Lindenhof River. St Peters main point of interest is its enormous clock face, which is said to be the largest in Europe.

Housed in a mock gothic castle behind the Central Train Station you will find the immense collection of the Swiss National Museum. The museum is home to a wide collection of items which detail Swiss history through the ages, with separate sections covering the areas of military history, toys, national costumes and archaeology amongst many others. As the museum is so vast in layout and content those with limited time are well advised to pick up a copy of the museum catalogue and head to the areas that interest them most. The museum is open from 10:30 to 17:00 Tuesday to Sunday and entrance is free.

The observatory is one of the city’s more unusual attractions and on clear days, it is well worth taking the time to explore. You will find the observatory on Uraniastrasse, in the heart of the city, where the 20-tonne telescope has been scanning the heavens since 1907. Interested visitors are able to view the planets and stars, while the view of the city, lake and mountains is worth the visit alone. The observatory is only open to the public on clear days, so it's best to check in advance.

Whether you are visiting Zurich for just a weekend or for a whole two weeks, you will never be short of things to keep you and your family busy, with countless sights and activities available in the city itself as well as many interesting side trips on offer in the surrounding areas.

Get out on the water. The city’s location on the shores of Lake Zurich offers endless potential for outdoor activities, with sailing, swimming and boat cruises all possible, particularly in the summer months. Swimming areas at the lake are open from May to September, with two main sites recommended - Utoquai on the east shore and Mythenquai on the west bank.

Boating on Lake Zurich is a popular pastime for both visitors and locals, with many choices of duration, route and cost available. All cruises depart from Burkliplatz in the city, with short cruises of 1 hour, 30 minutes and longer 4-hour cruises being the most popular options; both are available daily. Another popular and particularly pleasant option is the one-hour lunch cruise, which runs from Monday to Friday and includes a light meal.

Get back to nature. The people of Switzerland have always enjoyed a close relationship with nature, a fact that is apparent in Zurich, where parks and gardens appear around every corner. One of the city’s most popular spots is Zurichhorn Park on the shores of the lake; here you will find sprawling lawns, children’s play areas, food stalls and all sorts of street musicians and entertainers. Another of the city’s well known green areas is the highly regarded Chinese Garden situated at one end of Zurichhorn Park. The garden was a gift from the city’s twin town of Kunming and is considered to be one of the most important gardens of its type outside of China. This beautiful and peaceful park is open to the public from March to October. 

Go bargain-hunting. If you find yourself looking for something to do in Zurich on a Saturday, why not head to one of the city’s flea markets in search of a bargain or two. Burkiplatz flea market can be found at one end of Bahnhofstrasse, on the lake shore. Here you will find food stalls alongside market stalls selling mainly antique goods. Kanzlei flea market is a more low-key affair and tends to attract the city’s arty crowd; you will find the market just a short walk from Central Train Station.