Please enjoy these photos of Zurich taken over this past summer, which I spent house-sitting in the area. Switzerland is very much a βpicture-perfectβ country, and Zurich is no exception to the rule!
See also: The Swiss Life – Random Observations about Switzerland

This post was originally published in 2012. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.

Lounging along the riverbanks is a very popular activity. Sometimes it’s difficult to find a spot of wall!

I don’t know if these boats serve anything other than an aesthetic purpose. But if they weren’t tied down, they’d float away in the strong current.

Zurich is such a pretty city, especially on a sunny day.

Enjoying lunch in a very popular area near the main station

Further down the same street. Although you might think this is Spain, rest assured it’s just one of a few Spanish restaurants.

The colourful crowds at Street Parade: one of the biggest parties in Europe, the world’s largest techno party, and Zurich’s largest annual event.

Not exactly a Zurich-specific photo, but an interesting thing to be found at most grocery stores: hard-boiled eggs! You know they’re hard-boiled because they come in all sorts of colours, including some very patriotic ones (as pictured here).

One of the popular spots to jump into the river and float down with the current. Believe it or not, this is only a few minutes’ walk from the epicentre of Zurich! Similar to Lucerne, the water everywhere is clean for swimming, even in downtown areas.

Doing backflips off a bridge into the chilly waters.

Enjoying happy hour at Clouds: a lounge and restaurant at the top of the Prime Tower β Switzerland’s tallest building. (Although you would suspect the drinks would come at a premium, I was delighted to drink beer at the same price as the local pub).

There are lots of rules on the trams in Zurich, including a strict one against sawing up the seats. I guess this bears mentioning…

Thanks, Zurich! It’s been a slice. See you next time!
Well, if you liked Zurich… You should visit the nicest city in Switzerland as well: Basel! But don’t ask anybody in Zurich about it, they will not tell you Basel is the nicest city but insist it’s Zurich π
Nice photo essay! Zurich is so pretty – too bad my only experience with it so far has been the airport. Those hard-boiled eggs made me smile, great find!
Hi Nora,
I can’t see any photo in this article!!
I can only see blank spaces!!
Is a hacker attacking your system?
Who knows…!!
All the best!
Fab
@tkhobbes – It’s nice to know that friendly rivalry between cities is alive and well around the world! π
@Pola – Switzerland is certainly a favourite place of mine, and one I expect I’ll return to.
@Fab – I’m hoping it was just a glitch on the part of my photo hosting service. Can you see them now?
Hi Nora,
Yes, now I can see them!!
Very nice photos, as usual !!
All the best!
Fab
beautiful photos! I really liked Switzerland when I visited on my high school graduation Euro trip, back in 2005 (although I only went to the Lucerne region). It was so peaceful and scenic
– Maria Alexandra
Wow, what a gorgeous city! Would love to visit. I’m imagining myself sitting in that sunshine eating delicious food… Great photos.
@Spanish Translator – There are many people in Switzerland who would suggest that Zurich isn’t the prettiest or the best city to visit (Lucerne being a bigger attraction). And although I’ll agree that there are prettier cities than Zurich in Switzerland, I still quite enjoyed my time there, and I hope to return to the city – and the country – soon.
@Rebecca – Thanks! Mm….Swiss sunshine and lots of cheese. How can you go wrong?! π