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Switzerland's banking capital has undergone something of a metamorphosis over recent years, with an explosion of bars, restaurants and cultural attractions transforming the formerly beautiful yet staid city into one of the most vibrant in Europe. Although Switzerland is best known as a nation of cheese, Swatch watches, army knives and cowbells, Zurich has frequently been called the new Berlin due to the sheer dynamism with which the city's social and cultural pedigree has flourished.

However, for all its attractions Zurich is surprisingly compact. The city features a wealth of old churches, fountains, and cobbled streets with buildings, some of them more than 700 years old, housing charming galleries and small shops. The pedestrian streets of the Old Town contain most of the major sights, the most famous of which is the Grossmunster with its unique dual towers. Believed to be of Carolingian origin, its oldest parts date back to the late 11th century.

The 'Kunsthaus' (the Zurich Art Gallery) is Zurich's top address for art, boasting paintings, sculptures and graphic art, mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Museum of Fine Arts also has a large permanent collection, ranging from 15th-century religious art to Monet and Manet. After nightfall, why not enjoy Zurich's vibrant club scene, which runs the gamut from techno to salsa. But anyone looking for live rock or jazz may be disappointed, as these genres very much play second fiddle. The city is also home to a top-flight orchestra, a world-famous opera company, and one of the German-speaking world's premier theatres.

What Zurich lacks in international recognition, it certainly makes up for with its wealth of cultural and social pursuits. Whether you visit for the spectacular scenery, its pumping nightlife or for some outdoor activities, the alpine beauty can cater for all tastes.

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