Zurich — Swiss Alps Gateway

Zurich sits at the northern tip of Lake Zurich, surrounded by gentle hills with the Alps visible on clear days. The city is compact, walkable and exceptionally well-connected by rail — making it the perfect base for Alpine adventures.

The medieval Altstadt (Old Town) on both banks of the Limmat river rewards slow exploration: the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, the guild houses of Niederdorf, and the boutique-lined streets of Schipfe. The Kunsthaus Zürich houses one of Switzerland's finest art collections, while the Swiss National Museum covers the country's history from prehistoric times.

From Zurich Hauptbahnhof, the entire Swiss Alps network opens up: Graubünden in 1.5h, Bernese Oberland in 2h, Appenzell in 1h, Toggenburg in 45min. Rent gear at Transa or Bächli Sports before heading out. The Zürichsee promenade and Uetliberg hill offer easy warm-up walks with lake and Alpine panoramas right in the city.

Stay in Zurich the night before or after any Alpine trip — the city's restaurants and bars make a welcome reward after a day on the trails.