Zurich: A stroll by the lake and through the old town

Right at the northern tip of Lake Zurich, which covers 90 square kilometres in northern Switzerland, lies the city from which the lake takes its name. Although Switzerland has no official capital – fun fact! – and the formal duties usually fall to Bern, Zurich still feels more like the country’s de facto capital. For years, it has consistently ranked among the cities with the highest quality of life. You can really feel this, even if you’re just visiting. For example, there’s an epic, unusual and extremely rewarding walk waiting for you, which you can set off on straight from our Motel One Zurich. Zurich is remarkable for many reasons, not least because of the way it nestles against the lake and winds its way around it. From our starting point, the Le Corbusier House Corbusier House Corbusier House – the famous Swiss architect’s final and most colourful building – we head towards the Zurich Opera Housethe Zurich Opera Housethe Zurich Opera House, which offers a majestic view of the lake. From there, the twin-towered Romanesque cathedral, the GrossmünsterGrossmünsterGrossmünster, is already within sight – the next stop on our route. Once you’ve strolled across the Münsterbrücke and over the Limmat from here, the FraumünsterFraumünsterFraumünster awaits you on the opposite bank with its ornate stained-glass windows, some of which were designed by Marc Chagall. Fancy a breather and a taste of the famous – and infamous – Swiss chocolate? Luckily, there are plenty of cafés and bars here in the Old Town where you can refuel for the final leg of the walk. This takes you past thethethe FIFA World Football MuseumFIFA World Football MuseumFIFA World Football Museum to the Rietberg Art Museum Rietberg Art Museum Rietberg Art Museum and RieterparkRieterparkRieterpark, Zurich’s largest park and the perfect place to round off the day.