About the city of Zurich


Grüezi! A Zurich portrait

Zurich has a unique position in Switzerland. It is the country's largest city and home to an internationally reputed financial centre as well as being the focus of an economic region which acts as the motor of Switzerland, and along with Geneva is the most important gateway to the country.

The wide variety of cultural activities and educational institutions define Zurich's character as a diverse, open city with a passion for life. Zurich is the capital of the canton of the same name and the centre of a number of regions which together have some 1.9 million inhabitants. It is famous for its lakeside location and green, densely wooded chain of hills which run through the city from north to south.

Zurich's place on the world stage does not come down to its size but to its strong international networks. The high standards of living, working and accommodation are regularly confirmed in surveys of the local residents, and Zurich consistently finds itself at the top of international rankings of cities in terms of quality of life.

Zurich is Switzerland's biggest tourist destination and was listed in the «Lonely Planet» guide book as one of the top ten best places to visit around the world. The city of Zurich offers visitors from Switzerland and abroad a wide variety of cultural and sporting opportunities to enjoy with various events and public festivals taking place throughout the year.

«Zurich Tourism» is the marketing organisation which promotes tourism for the city and the canton as well as for the region around Zurich in collaboration with the authorities, the hotel and hospitality industries, cultural institutions and other interested parties.