Zurich! The tips for a great weekend

Zurich without Badis? Inconceivably!

Lunch break in the offices of the city center? For many Zurichers that means: off to the lake or off to the Limmat. Swimsuits drying on wall hooks behind desks in the afternoons are not an unusual sight in summer. With over 40 baths (or "badis" as the people of Zurich say), including 18 lake, river and outdoor pools, Zurich offers everyone the chance of a refreshing bath. In the evening, some of the "badis" are transformed into bars where they dance until late at night. The best bathing places under www.badi-info.ch.

Princely or cheap stay?

The Hotel Greulich (named after a social reformer) is located in the trendy district of Kreis 4 - an architecturally outstanding ensemble with a sound installation in the birch-lined courtyard, a classic bar and a small library. Double room from 167 Euro (Herman-Greulich-Straße 56, Tel. 00 41/43/243 42 43, www.greulich.ch). Colorful design and creative atmosphere can be found in the "25hours Hotel Zürich West". DZ / F from 135 Euro (Pfingstweidstraße 102, Tel. 00 41/44/577 25 25, www.25hours-hotels.com). If you want to discover urban Zurich, the "Hotel Rothaus" is well located in the former red light district. Small hotel with 43 rooms and a quiet dependence in the backyard. Double / F from 154 Euro (Sihlhallenstraße 1, Tel. 00 41/43/322 10 50, www.hotelrothaus.ch). Cheaper alternative: The guest house "Zum Guten Glück" has next to the café some rooms in the retro style on the first and second floor. DZ / F from 118 Euro (Stationsstraße 7, Tel. 00 41/43/540 72 99, www.zumgutenglueck.ch).

So close to the sky

The container tower of the flagship store "Friday" is not to be overlooked here: ship containers were stacked on top of each other and provided with a terrace on the top. Those who get a first overview of the city there and have enjoyed the Alpine panorama can look down the sales areas for the latest models of unique bags and accessories from truck tarpaulins (Geroldstraße 17, www.freitag.ch).

Bars, cafes and restaurants

Ships for Switzerland and ship engines for the whole world were built here in the past: The restaurant "La Salle" moved into a former factory building in the immediate vicinity of the Schauspielhaus and the jazz club "Mood". Be sure to try the Nüssli salad (Schiffbaustraße 4, www.lasalle-restaurant.ch).

Vegetarians will be delighted when they discover the varied offerings at "Hiltl", a traditional restaurant with exclusively meatless cuisine. In 1898, the great-grandmother brought the first vegetarian recipes from India? long before the first veggie trend. Her grandson leads the restaurant today in its fourth generation. Incidentally, on the weekends, the "Hiltl" turns into a club where people dance to Black Music or Deep House (Sihlstraße 28, www.hiltl.ch). Especially recommended: The forest mushroom penne.

The "Ambrosi Coffee Bar" is a good address for those just returning from a visit to the market hall and looking forward to an exquisite espresso. Daily freshly prepared pasta and specialties in clay pot (Viaduktstraße 37, www.ambrosi.ch). Even more gastro-tips: small portions, great enjoyment lure in the "Josef" (Gasometerstraße 24, www.josef.ch). Here, who likes, first the dessert and then later eat the main course. The order of the courses is expressly canceled in the "Josef". Meeting point at the Helvetiaplatz with down-to-earth cuisine - the restaurant "Volkshaus" (Stauffacherstraße 60, www.restaurantvolkshaus.ch). Late at night, there's a select cocktail at "Bar 63" (Rolandstraße 19, www.bar63.ch).

Culture and dance

The "Kaufleuten" in the former Kaufmannsbörse is at the same time a restaurant (the best Schnitzel of the city, which one still remembers weeks later), concert hall and club. Be sure to study the program before you visit Zurich and, if necessary, order tickets (Pelikanplatz, www.kaufleuten.ch).

The "Kunsthaus" is the city's art museum with around 4000 paintings in its inventory. From November 28, 2014 to March 1, 2015, there will be the exhibition "Monolithic Water" from the series "Bilderwahl!" the element of water in the art. The painterly and photographically examined phenomenon of the flickering surface and the human relation to the water are the focus. Paintings, photographs, prints, videos and installations by James Ensor, Morris Louis, Gerhard Richter, Roni Horn, Klara Hobza, Pamela Rosenkranz and others. open up a historical and thematic range (Heimplatz 1, www.kunsthaus.ch).

Chocolate tastes just as good in Switzerland

"Sprüngli", the traditional confectionery in Bahnhofsstraße 21, is the next destination on a pleasurable weekend (www.spruengli.ch). Delicacies have been produced here since 1836. The palette ranges from small tartlets and cakes to truffles and chocolates to several home-made ice creams. Brand new is the creation "Luxemburgerlin Kir Royal Deluxe", an airy light macaroon with a fruity cassis core, embedded in champagne / cassis cream, covered in the finest Grand Cru chocolate. What only a few know: You can also buy a delicious vegetable burger at "Sprüngli".

Shopping: delicatessen, fashion, design and books

Stop for the picnic shopping: The Markthalle Zurich

In the Zurich market hall you can taste (and buy) wonderfully what the region has to offer in terms of specialties. Crispy bread, Swiss cheese and other delicacies are served in a unique ambience with cast-iron columns and plenty of glass (Limmatstraße 231, www.markthalle.im-viadukt.ch). Incidentally, the adjoining, restored railway viaduct between Limmatstraße and Heinrichstraße houses around 50 trendy shops for design, fashion, sports, kitchens, small furniture and accessories. Ideal for "lädelen", as the Zurich call relaxed shopping.

Jewelry fans are on their way to Tom Urben. He has his goldsmith's studio at Zeughausstraße 69 (www.tomurben.ch). Beautiful relief silver rings.

The Langstraße with many new shops and a younger crowd is particularly suitable for an extended shopping experience as well as the Niederdorfstraße, where you will also find the oldest bakery in Zurich.

This bookstore is more a meeting place than a shop: the "Sphères" is an urban oasis with a small stage and bar. Here you can quickly hear which books are written on the pulse of the times, and who has something unheard of and entertaining to tell. There are magazines and postcards. The most beautiful: You may leaf through all copies and read (Hardturmstraße 66, www.spheres.cc).

Excursion to the mountain

The Uetliberg, the city's local mountain, is just under 25 minutes away by tram from Zurich main station. In addition to an impressive panoramic view of Zurich, numerous hiking and biking trails, there are also paragliding passenger flights (www.uetliberg.ch).

More information for weekend guests can be found at www.zuerich.com and www.myswitzerland.com