Culturally vibrant, efficiently run and attractively set at the meeting of river and lake, Zürich is has emerged as one of Central Europe’s hippest destinations. Zürich ticks all the family-travel boxes when it comes to order, cleanliness and safety. It has efficient, reliable transport systems and ubiquitous amenities such as baby-changing facilities and parks with play areas.

But there’s no glossing over the fact that Zürich can be expensive. The single best savings tip is to invest in a Zürich Card available online or from tourist offices. The card, which is valid for either 24 or 72 hours, covers second-class public transport across the city, short cruises on the lake and the Limmat River, as well as free admission to some museums and discounts at others.

Many hotels have dedicated family or interconnecting rooms, and it’s usually no problem squeezing in a cot or an extra bed at guesthouses and self-catering accommodations.

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Fraumünster

This 13th-century church is renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows, designed by the Russian-Jewish master Marc Chagall (1887–1985), who executed the series of five windows in the choir stalls in 1971 and the rose window in the southern transept in 1978. The rose window in the northern transept was created by Augusto Giacometti in 1945. Admission includes a multilingual audioguide.

Kunsthaus

Zürich’s impressive fine-arts gallery boasts a rich collection of largely European art. It stretches from the Middle Ages through a mix of Old Masters to Alberto Giacometti stick figures, Monet and van Gogh masterpieces, Rodin sculptures, and other 19th- and 20th-century art. It also hosts rotating exhibitions of the highest calibre.

Sukkulenten-Sammlung

Zürich is home to one of the largest collections of succulents in the world: more than 4500 species from more than 78 families. With seven greenhouses, an outdoor rockery, plus cacti, agaves, aloes and pennyworts in all manner of shapes, spikes and stature, the Succulent Plant Collection is free and full of surprises.