Zürich is pleasant and very picturesque city. Before hitting Banhofstrasse for some high-end shopping, do take time to walk around the well preserved Old Town, soak up relaxing atmosphere along the Limmat river and Lake Zürich and visit some of the Zürich’s churches and vantage points.
Grossmünster church
One of the most characteristic features of Zürich’s cityscape, Grossmünster church is worth visiting for Romanesque crypt, Romanesque capitals in the church and cloister, Choir window by Augusto Giacometti (1932) and bronze doors by Otto Münch (1935 and 1950).
If you are more into views than arts and history, you can climb on top of one of the twin spires. It's a steep climb of several hundred stairs, but once on top you are rewarded with commanding views of Zürich and its surroundings.
Location: Grossmünsterplatz. Transport: Rathaus, Tram 4/15.
Fraumünster church
Fraumünster church was founded back in 853, but it enjoys its fame thanks to relatively recent additions: stained glass windows. Those in the north transept are by Alberto Giacometti's cousin, Augusto (1945), while the five-part cycle in the choir (1970) and the rosette in the southern transept (1978) are by Marc Chagall.
If you are into music, you might be interested in Fraumünster's pipe organ. They are the largest in the canton with 5793 pipes.
Location: Am Münsterhofplatz. Transport: Paradeplatz, Tram 4/15.
St. Peter's Church
St. Peter’s is the oldest church in Zürich, dating back to pre-900. It was first mentioned in 857, when king Louis the German gave it as a gift to one of his two daughters. It has some interesting architectural features such as late Romanesque-Gothic tower, Baroque nave (1705/06), stucco work by Salomon Bürkli from Zürich and Franz Schmutzer from Wessobrunn.
The most famous of the church's features though is its clock face (8,7 m diameter), which is the largest clock face in Europe.
Location: St. Peterhofstatt. Transport: Rathaus, Tram 4/15. Web: www.st-peter-zh.ch
Swiss National Museum (MUSEE SUISSE)
Swiss national museum houses Switzerland's most comprehensive collection of artefacts pertaining to its cultural heritage. The building of the Swiss National Museum next to the main train station is reminiscent of a fairytale castle. It was built by Gustav Gull in 1898 and took over 100 years to complete.
Location: Museumstrasse 2. Transport: Bahnhofquai/Hauptbahnhof, Tram 4/11/13/14/Bus 46. Web: www.musee-suisse.ch