If you have exhausted the boutique of Paris and got your Gaudi fix in Barcelona. Why not try Zürich this summer, and add it to your list of shopping destinations? Fashion-forward and cosmopolitan, the Swiss city offers world-class art, upscale bars and haute cuisine in one beautiful lakeside location.
The waterways are defining feature of the city and on summer evenings you’ll find the buzzing with bars, live music and open-air cinemas. Frauenbadi lido becomes the Barfussbar (barefoot bar) by night and at the Unteer Letten river swimming area. Filmfluss screens films for two weeks during summer, with sundowners served in the adjoining Flussbar.
The lengenday Restaurant Kronenhalle has original art by Picasso and Matisse and a French menu. Or choose between the lavish dining room and secluded garden at the Restaurant Segantini.
Cafe Sprungl, a Zürich institution that has been around since 1859, think high tea in the sitting room of your oldest, poshest, slightly bohemian auntie. This cafe society reimagined by a city of artists and if you want to follow in their refined, yet risque footsteps, order the hot chocolate with a shot of fiery pear brandy. Local folklore has it that single young men who attend the cafe alone may signal their availability by turning the spoons in their coffee cups.
The most label-concious destricts are the former industrial areas of Zürich-West and Aussersihl; here you’ll find fashion boutiques housed in old factories. Fabric Frontline, just off the vibrant Langstrasse, pays homage to Zürich’s rich silk tradition and two other Swiss labels worth checking out here are Ikou Tschüss and Beige.
For exclusive fashion head to Tran Hin Phu, one of the country’s top designers, or the Market Hall in Zürich-West for shops in restored viaduct arches.
Zürich-West is also the city’s thriving cultural centre. Head to the Migros Museum of Contemporary Art in the restored Löwenbräu brewery. Or stroll along the former Wipkinger viaduct, which has been transformed into a vibrant market street with delis, bars, galleries and shops. Check out the Mai 36 Galerie on Rämistrasse for pop art.