You might accuse the people of Zurich of arrogance when they claim to live in the only Swiss metropolis. The fact is, however, that no other Swiss city comes close to deserving this title. And even if Zurich's status as a metropolis is debatable, the city on the Limmat is undoubtedly a cosmopolitan melting pot today. This is reflected in the large culinary and cultural offering with numerous museums and diverse events - all in a small area. Of course, the city is also one of the richest in the world, so anyone looking for luxury will have no problem finding it. Zurich travelers are spoilt for choice, especially when it comes to upscale hotels. We decide on Hotel Storchen, located in the middle of the old town and therefore the ideal starting point for an initial exploration tour.

Zurich's old town is a great place for a stroll. The first stop is Fraumünster with its stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. From there you cross the Limmat to the Grossmünster. Various artists were also commissioned to design the windows here, and from the tower you also have a wonderful view over the city and its surroundings. After the ascent, we take a lunch break: Bauernschänke, a former tavern with a long tradition, now serves modern, international cuisine made from market-fresh ingredients. Strengthened, we explore Niederdorf with its small stores, traditional pubs and popular bars. We treat ourselves to a coffee or a glass of wine at Soul café and then cross the Rudolf Brun Bridge.

Our next destination is Zurich City Regional Police Station, where a very special work of art is hidden: the entrance hall was decorated by artist Augusto Giacometti. It's also known locally as the so called Blüemlihalle (hall of flowers) because of its colorful wall paintings. From there, it's just a stone's throw to the famous Bahnhofstrasse, where you can not only shop but also enjoy a good coffee. The best place is the legendary Café Sprüngli on Paradeplatz, the ideal place for people-watching. However, you shouldn't give in to too many temptations, as there are countless restaurants in the evenings where you can enjoy a tasteful dinner. We choose Widder restaurant, whose delicious Michelin-starred cuisine combines French haute cuisine with influences from Asia. Afterwards, we enjoy an excellent cocktail in the bar in the same building.

On Saturday we explore the new Zurich. We start with a coffee in Café Nude on the banks of the Limmat - if you've skipped the hotel breakfast, you'll also find excellent brunch options here. From there we cross the Letten Viaduct and walk to the market hall in the viaduct. There, you'll find all the culinary souvenirs you could wish for: Tritt Käse sells selected cheese specialties and bread, Berg und Tal has delicacies from small producers on offer, the Mini Metzg offers charcuterie - everything you need for a picnic on the nearby Josefswiese. Later you can continue shopping, as numerous boutiques have set up shop in the viaduct arches; there are clothes, furniture and much more for sale.

We need another coffee for refreshment. We have one in Miró" café. It has its own roastery. From there we go to Gamper Bar in no time at all, where we treat ourselves to our first glass of wine, accompanied by a few delicious snacks - the generously buttered sourdough bread with ham or tête de moine is highly recommended. Strengthened, we set off for the lively Kreis 3 district. There are many small boutiques and curiosity stores to discover in the trendy former working-class district. When the weather is fine, the best place to enjoy a well-earned aperitif is in Sacchi bar, which is legendary for its Negroni, but only has a few indoor seats. If it rains, you can sit down in the cozy natural wine bar 169 West nearby. For dinner, we head to Rosi, where Bavarian chef Markus Stöckle has given the tavern cuisine of his homeland a new look and spiced it up with plenty of humor.

The stores are closed, but the museums are open. However, it's difficult to choose, as the city on the Limmat has a total of 55 museums with different themes. The National Museum, where you can learn all about Swiss history, is well worth a visit. In addition, there are always interesting changing exhibitions on various topics. We stay in for lunch: Spitz restaurant serves delicious, modern Alpine cuisine and a fantastic range of drinks - without doubt one of the best museum canteens in Europe.

An absolute must for art lovers is a visit to Kunsthaus Zürich, which has the largest exhibition space in Switzerland at 11,500 square meters. There's a large collection of important works from the 13th century to the present day to admire, as well as special exhibitions that strike a chord with the times. The art museum is also an architectural highlight, especially since the new building designed by Chipperfield Architects opened in 2021.

So much art makes you hungry - and thirsty! Fortunately, it only takes just under ten minutes to reach the legendary Kronenhalle Bar on foot. The mahogany-clad bar is truly unique, with lamps specially designed by Diego Giacometti - Alberto's brother and a distant relative of the Blüemlihalle artist Augusto. There is art here too: you can enjoy excellent cocktails with a view of original paintings by masters such as Picasso, Klee and Mirò. The collection of the late Kronenhalle owner Gustav Zumsteg is so large that it also decorates the walls of the adjoining restaurant. There, we also enjoy our dinner, the famous Zürcher Geschnetzelte with the perfect rösti, served at the table by liveried waiters. On the way back to the hotel, we take another stroll along the Limmat. Zurich can be so beautiful!