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The Grossmünster: a landmark of the city with its impressive twin belfries, the building of this church started in 1100 where an older church used to stand, commissioned by the first emperor of Western Europe, Charlemagne. The impressive interior of the church is decorated by exceptional stained glass by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti. Address: Grossmünsterplatz, 0041442513860, www.grossmuenster.ch

The Fraumünster: across the Grossmünster, on the other bank of river Limmat, stands the church with the sharp-edged belfry, a former abbey. Thousands of visitors flock to its interior every year to admire the unique stained glass work designed by painter Marc Chagall, in the 70s. Address: Münsterhof 2, 0041442114100, www.fraumuenster.ch

Kunsthaus: a must-see destination for art lovers, the fine Arts Museum of Zurich hosts sculptures by Alberto Giacometti, paintings by representatives of Italian baroque, works by Swiss artists of the 19th and 20th century as well as the largest collection of works by Edvard Munch (outside Norway), masterpieces by Chagall, Picasso, Monet, pop art works. Address: Heimplatz 1, 0041442538484, www.kunsthaus.ch

Haus Konstruktiv: internationally acclaimed museum for constructivism and design, housed in an old power substation in the heart of Zurich. The only museum of its kind in Switzerland, it holds a creative discourse with all trends in modern art and gives the opportunity to up-and-coming and established artists alike to present their works in the periodic exhibitions and installations it hosts. Address: Selnaustrasse 25, 0041442177080, www.hauskonstruktiv.ch

Heidi Weber Museum - Centre Le Corbusier: do not miss a visit to the museum that is dedicated to the multifaceted artistic work of the Swiss modernist architect, Le Corbusier, housed in a building designed by the same. This building in the suburb of Zurich, Seefeld, was meant to be the last work of the artist, as it was inaugurated two years after his death. The initiate for its establishment was taken by gallery owner Heidi Weber, who made it her purpose in life to promote the work of her compatriot on an international level. The museum is temporarily closed and will open again in early summer 2015. Address: Höschgasse 8, 0041443836470, www.centerlecorbusier.com

Beyer Watch and Clock Museum of Zurich: the city with the long tradition of watch making could not but have a space dedicated to time measuring mechanisms. This private museum, one of the best of its kind internationally, unfolds the history of clocks from 1400 BC to this day. See ancient hourglasses, pocket watches, pendulum clocks, table clocks and examine some exceptional and fragile quartz clocks measuring time with the microsecond precision. Address: Bahnhofstrasse 31, 0041433446363, www.beyer-ch.com/

Chinese Garden: exotic atmosphere from the Far East, on the bank of lake Zurich, a landscaping masterpiece with the beautiful pond in the centre and a small palace. A gift by Zurich's Chinese partner city, Kunming, the gardens were a token of gratitude to Swiss people for their offering of technical and scientific help on water supply matters. Address: Bellerivestrasse 138, 0041443803151, www.stadt-zuerich.ch/chinagarten

Uetliberg: climb on the verdant hill of Zurich with its top at an altitude of 868m to enjoy beautiful hiking tracks and enjoy the view to the city and lake and the snowy Alps. In the winter, the hiking tracks are converted to sleigh tracks, while in the summer they are also ideal for bike riding on mountain bikes. Address: Uetliberg is 20km south-west of the city centre, by motorway A3.

Cruise on lake Zurich: get on board on one of the boats for an aquatic trip on the quiet waters of the lake. You may choose a theme mini-cruise or combine your ride with a dinner on board, enjoying the scenery of city lights. Address: ZSG Rundfahrten Bürkliplatz, 0041444871333, www.zsg.ch

Shopping in Zurich translates, of course to precision watches, Swiss chocolates as well as exclusive purchases in the boutiques of the old railway station, renovated by Calatrava. Go window shopping in the hip Seefeld suburb on the east bank of the lake. Make your way for the former industrial zone, the Aussersihl where new Swiss fashion and interior designers present their creations in their hip studios. Take a peak of Bahnhofstrasse Street in the centre of the city with the tempting, ultra-luxurious shop windows. At Zurich's “Fifth Avenue”, one of the most expensive streets in the world, you will find the crème de la crème of international fashion houses, jewellers' and watchmakers. Make some smart buys in western Zurich, explore the streets around it, such as Münstergasse, Napfgasse and Schoffeigasse, full of small shops with urban chic clothes, accessories and avant-garde jewellery. At the picturesque cobbled streets of Niederdorf in the old city, discover charming shops with tasteful souvenirs, while in the shopping centres you can enjoy shopping and exploring buildings of unique aesthetics.

In the restaurants of Zurich you will taste international cuisine as well as local flavours influenced by the German, French and Italian cuisine, neighbouring countries to Switzerland. Try Zürcher geschnetzeltes sliced beef, served with rösti, finely chopped potatoes fried in butter. You can also try schnitzel as well as Italian pasta, Japanese sushi, falafel, tapas in Niederdorf, by the lake, at the hip hotspots of western Zurich. Do not miss the Swiss cheese fondue ritual, a classic special that you can enjoy on a restaurant terrace overlooking the calm waters of the lake, on a cruise on board and even on the fondue-tram. This is a tram with retro wagons, which operates a circular service touring the most beautiful points of Zurich, while you dip bread bits in the melted cheese with the special forks. Indulge to Swiss chocolate as key ingredient in desserts after dinner, in pralines and bars that are available in incredible variety of flavours in Zurich's chocolatiers. As the night falls, the bars of the old city, the hangouts by the lake and those in western Zurich turn up the volume. Party atmosphere with pop, rock and hip hop music, internationally acclaimed DJs on the decks, dance in classic discos and bands that perform live.

Events in Zurich are spectacular and popular way beyond the boundaries of this Swiss canton.

• Sechseläuten Festival: This spring festival, held every April, is full of colours and notes. Locals can't wait for the moment when the Böögg, the straw pile with a snowman on its top, will be spectacularly consumed by flames. According to local tradition, the faster its head - filled with fireworks - burns, the more pleasant the summer will be. 
• Zurich Parade: Top music event in electronic, techno and house music, held in the city centre, every August. The bank by the lake transforms to a massive open air stage, while colourful vans with sound systems, the so called, love mobiles, excite the crowd with deafening beats in this event that is a statement of liberty and tolerance to diversity. 
• Zurich Festival: The main cultural institutions of the city, such as the opera, the Municipal Theatre, the Kunsthaus, various theatres and museums, focus every year to a period or a personality of the arts, such as the Italian Renaissance, or Shakespeare and host relevant shows of classical music, opera, ballet, exhibitions and lectures for four weeks in June and July. 
• Zurich's table (Il Tavolo Food Festival): A very popular gastronomy festival held every June. The best chefs of the city lay the table in Zurich's restaurants, prepare gourmet dishes and welcome their guests for Swiss tasting nights.

Transportation from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands on Zurich International Airport ,13 km from the city centre. One of the largest airports in the world, it has many shops, restaurants and cafés, banks, foreign exchange offices, post office, hair salon, children's play areas, and Wi-Fi available free of charge for 90 minutes. On the special observation decks, you can watch aircraft traffic and participate in organised airport tours for young and older passengers. To get to the city from the airport, you can catch the train to the central railway station of Zurich. Otherwise, you can take the tram (No. 10) or take a taxi.