A city to choose in Switzerland
 

Hello. I'm planning a trip to Europe for September.

I made a probably itinerary and I want to include a city of Switzerland. I'm interested in cities with nice arquitecture preferent old, a bit of history, sightseeing and a lively nightlife. After reading some articles I choosed Zurich.

1) Do you suggest another city?
2) Do you think that 2 days and 1 night is enought to that city?

Thanks a lot!!!!!

Hernan.-

is there anybody there to make me a suggestion???

Luzern, not Zurich. ((b))

Another vote for Lucern.

Blackduff

I'll join the bandwagon for Luzern!

Luzern...on a clear sunny day, you just can't beat that.

Luzern is a nice day trip. If you want to get something like a city, where you don't only rub elbow with fellow tourists, stay in Zürich.

You posted the same question on the Thorn Tree, right? Check my reply there.

Kathrin

Thanks to all for the replies, specially you Kathrin for your reply in thorn tree planet. Very usefull and complete. I think that a will do what altamiro says: spend 3 days in Switzerland. May be two in Zurich because I like cities. And the other and excursion to Luzern.
I have plenty of time to decide. Thanks again to all!!!!!!

Zurich tends to be much more a business city - Luzern focuses much more on trousim and natural beauty.

Have spent only 2 days in Zurich, saw an OK museum and otherwise it was kind of dreary (but it was November).

There is not much to see/do in Zurich. To me, the essence of Switzerland is in its countryside - fields of flowers and cows, snow covered mountains, etc. We were bored with Zurich within 24 hrs.

Poster sez "There is not much to see/do in Zurich." That is s-o-o-o not true!

And OP wants a city - why suggest countryside?

Zürich is very rich in architecture, in history, in museums, and it offers a lot of variety in day excursions in many directions. Just the city itself can keep you busy for days if you take the trouble to look and ask.

Bern, the site of the federal government with the house of parliament smack in the middle of the historic (but modern) old town, has also a lot to offer.

The Bern Altstadt (old town) goes back to 1191 (down by the river where the bear pits are), the old Nydegg Bridge still stands.

The city has grown over the centuries, and every time the city walls were pushed out, a new tower was built. Two still exist, the Käfigturm (prison tower) and the Zytglogge (clock tower), where you can watch the centuries old figurines do a dance every hour, and a special performance at 12 noon.

The streets in the historic center are lined with arcades, great for strolling and window shopping (even in the rain).

Art museums, especially the new Paul Klee building on the outskirts (tram #5 will get you there) are brilliant, and there is much more to see. Plus - Bern is located so centrally, it isn't far to go in any direction, about an hour on the train to places like Zürich, Luzern, Basel (another gem of a venerable old city with a fully modern lifestyle), Neuchatel (watchmaking and wine region, especially Le Locle for watches), Lausanne and the Lake Geneva with Montreux etc.

The one city that sometimes disappoints people if they expect too much of the city itself is Geneva - not that much to offer to tourists, mostly bustling with UN and other international organizations and their international staff, hence very expensive, but with a good classical music program and other attractions, and - of course - the French Alps and the lake and all that nearby.