It may seem slightly unusual to suggest that tourists should be interested in visiting the drinking fountains of Zürich, but they are very important and symbolic for the city. Zürich prides itself on providing a clean-living, healthy environment for all of its citizens. This translates into shiny streets, (so clean that James Joyce once commented that you could eat minestrone from the pavements of Bahnhofstrasse), a clean river and lake and over 1,200 drinking fountains.
I have marked one of my favourites on the map below, but you will find them everywhere. Some are old, some are new, most of them are engraved with the year they were established. Some are truly works of art and others are purely there to fulfill the need for safe hydration.
So, while you are visiting this idyllic city, do like the locals... Invest in a steel or glass water bottle and fill up as you go. You'll be saving the environment and becoming a true Zürcher.
Find your way with 180 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Seefeld, to which The Opera House serves as a gatekeeper, will please urban souls with a mix of neoclassical and functionalism aesthetics, oak-shadowed streets, and an excess showcase of small local boutiques.
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The view opens up from a terrace, which overlooks a tiny vineyard, the lake, and the city. In addition to this, you can explore the entire silhouette of Zürich’s very own mountain - Uetliberg.
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What brings the shopping experience to a truly next level, is the mini-restaurants scattered throughout the store. You will find a tea room, premium sushi, a grill at the butchers, and gourmet pasta.
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It harbors almost half of all known species and serves an educational purpose for casual visitors and specialists alike. Get lost in the lush cactus “jungles” and between giant palms.
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My personal highlight is a modern geological exhibition Focus Terra, with a stunning design by Holzer Kobler Architekturen as well as The Library of a Law School, renovated according to Santiago Calatrava’s project.
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Hardbrücke is a former industrial area left behind by a manufacturer of turbines and other industrial equipment called Escher Wyss. The area is landmarked by the arched railway bridge from the nineteenth century - The Viaduct.
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If you get tired of the conservative landscape of the city center, Europaallee is your next stop. The allee, shadowed by the modern glossy giants, is reserved exclusively for pedestrians and offers plenty of opportunities for shopping and relaxing.
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You are about to embark on a journey through the most controversial and fun districts of Zürich - Kreis 4 or District 4. Since the 2000s, it has developed a significant nightlife scene, with plenty of popular bars and clubs.
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Starting from the Bürkli Platz, just behind a luxurious hotel Baur au Lac begins a manmade canal through the city. It follows the outskirts of the old town and offers picturesque views of the boats, pretty facades, and terraces.
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Oberer Letten is very popular amongst the younger population. Usually, in the evenings and over the weekends, it is filled with big friend groups, loudspeakers, exposing clothing, and alcohol.
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Beyond the culinary experience, Blinde Kuh embraces an important message of understanding and inclusivity as well as the power of sensory perception.
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"Aelpli-Bar" translates to "Mountain Bar" in English, and it couldn't be more fitting - you will be transported to a warm and cozy mountain atmosphere.
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