It's the best place to live in the world, apparently. The Swiss enjoy the good life and residents of the country's biggest city topped the poll five years running for having the best quality of life of any city on the planet.

They're by and large affluent, have good jobs, nice homes and live on the banks of Lake Zurich. So does that make a good place to visit?

Yep. It's not the cold, faceless, soulless city you may imagine of a financial capital.

Efficient, yes. Clean, yep. Expensive? Well, it's not cheap. Twenty four hour party people? Probably not.

But the people are chilled out and friendly. It's not all work, work, work and the cafes and bars do a steady trade as people take in a coffee, a beer or a bratwurst in the crisp clear air.

The streets of Zurich aren't exactly paved with gold but the main shopping street, Bahnhofstrasse, is reputed to have the most expensive properties in Europe.

Don't expect to find a Poundstretcher here, the one mile long route of classical buildings is home to world famous luxury brands in clothes and jewellery - and those so exclusive you won't have heard of them. The famously wealthy banks of Switzerland are based here too and apparently their vaults of gold are underneath the street.

Bahnhofstrasse is on the west side of the River Limmat and between the main drag and the river is Zurich's Aldstadt.

It's more laid-back and among its narrow paths are the most recognisable landmarks - the Grossmunster cathedral with its dual towers, and the stunning St Peterskirche, with the biggest clock face in Europe (28 and a half foot wide, in case you didn't know and cared).

To truly get away for the business sector and pricey stores head over one of the bridges to the east side - this is where Zurich really goes to chill out.

A smattering of cafes line the riverside but I'd recommend heading uphill from the banks to the Neiderdorf district. Among its cobbled winding lanes you'll discover speciality shops, restaurants and bars.

The main route, Neiderdorfstrasse, runs parallel to the quayside and is busy daytime and evening,  but roam just a few yards off and you'll be among edgy clothes stores, tiny picture galleries, book shops - a world away from the bustle across the river.

Prices in Zurich aren't cheap. This is not the land of beer for 50p. Expect to pay London prices wherever you go and it won't catch you out.

To soak up the clean air stroll down the quayside until the river flows into Lake Zurich, a vast expanse of water that is hugely popular with sailors and watersports enthusiasts.

Zurich has a smattering of museums that may or may not take your interest. It doesn't have one knockout attraction that you have to do. However, there's enough to do for a couple of days, several places are in easy reach via train.

The best advice is to enjoy the hospitality, soak up the air and chill out. Then you'll realise why people love to live there.



Trips out of town

If you're yearning to head out of town Switzerland's impressive train network can whisk you  anywhere in the country, and a big number in little over an hour.

The closest, easiest and, yes, cheapest journey is up Zurich's very own mountain, Uetliberg. The best bit is the 25 minute train journey which makes the winding route from Zurich Hauptbahnhof (the S10 route) every half an hour. From Uetliberg halt it's a ten minute walk up to what is termed the Top of Zurich and from there you can see right over the city, the lake and if you're lucky, the Alps in the distance.

There's a cafe and hotel with restaurant at the top and you can even get that bit higher by scaling the tower there. It's a base for numerous hiking walks and you can consider a cable car route to get you back again.
www.uetliberg.cz

To buy a ticket buy an Albis day pass (select button combination 131) .


Lake Zurich is an attraction in itself and any number of cruises will take you across it or to one of the many villages along its shores.

The train service is quick and efficient but these further trips are more expensive.