The Rathaus is Zürich’s Renaissance town hall that dates back to the 1600s. The richly ornamented building is still the seat of city and cantonal parliaments. There are no tours of the interior, so you’ll have to be content with the outside view. Limmatquai (at Rathausbrucke). Stussihofstatt Fountain dates back to 1574, and has been restored many times, but still retains its charm, and is typical of the more than 1,000 fountains found in this city. On Niederdorfstrasse in Old Town.

Johann Jacobs began a coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate and biscuit business in 1895 in Bremen, Germany, and the name Jacobs soon became synonymous with coffee throughout most of Europe. This museum was founded in his honor in 1984 by his great-grandson.The Johann Jacobs Museum has displays on the cultural history of coffee, along with porcelain, silver and graphic arts. Guided tours are offered on the second and fourth Friday of every month at 5 pm; Friday and Saturday 2-5 pm; Sunday 10 am-5 pm.

The Bellerive showcases displays of modern art, including those by William Morris, Emile Galle, Diego Giacometti and Sonia Delaunay, to name a few. A rich commercial art collection is on permanent display. Guided tours every Thursday at 5:30 pm. Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday- Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm; Friday from 10 am-5 pm; and Saturday from 11 am-5 pm. Located on Hoeschgasse.

Kunsthaus Zürich is a museum of fine arts displaying paintings, sculptures and graphic arts, mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries, many by Swiss artists. Highlights are the Dada collection, works by Munch, Giacometti, Chagall and Mondrian. Since 1976 it also housed the Swiss Foundation for Photography (SSP) and exhibitions by the world’s leading photographers are held on a regular basis. Tuesday-Thursday 10 am- 9 pm, Friday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. 10 Sfr for adults. Audio guides available in English, French and German for 6 Sfr.

The Rietberg Museum is housed in Villa Wesendonck, a beautiful mansion in Rieter Park with a view of the lake. The permanent collection features non-European art, including famous works from India, China, Africa and Japan. Museum hours, Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Villa hours, Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 pm, Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. 3 Sfr-12 Sfr. Gablerstrasse 15 (take Tram 7). The Rietberg is actually made up of a pair of villas set in a tranquil park just southwest of Zürich city center.

The Zürich Toy Museum provides an impressive display of toys from centuries past. This museum (Zurcher Spielzeugmuseum) appeals to kids of all ages, as it houses over 1,200 antique toys from all over Europe. Monday- Friday, 2-5 pm, Saturday, 1-4 pm.

The Zoologisches Museum is part of the University of Zürich and has displays relating to all aspects of the animal kingdom. Popular attractions include hands-on exhibits with sophisticated microscopes and various forms of insect life. The exhibits of a giant crab and a giraffe are also well done. Tuesday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am- 4 pm.

Schweizerisches Landesmuseum – The Swiss National Museum – is housed in a 19th-century castle, and details the history of Switzerland from prehistoric and Roman times through the Confederation. One particularly interesting exhibit is a display of arms and armor with Swissmade weapons from medieval times, including impressive crossbows and swords. Another exhibit features book-inscription from the Middle Ages. Tuesday-Sunday, 10:30 am-5 pm (Thursday to 7:30 pm). Free admission, though special exhibitions run 8-10 Sfr. Museumstrasse 2 (behind the Hauptbahnhof).

St. Peterskirch is one of the oldest in Europe and has the largest clock face of any church in Europe. Built in the 13th century, the church was altered and the clock added in 1705. The clock is 28.6 feet in diameter and the minute hand alone is 12 feet long. St. Peterhofstrasse, 1-211- 2588. Open Monday-Friday 8 am-6 pm, Saturday from 8 am-4 pm; Sunday service is from 10-11 am. Concerts are held occasionally on Saturdays. Admission is free.

The Grossmünster was built between 1100 and 1250 on the site of a ninth-century church, and is dedicated to the patron saints of Zürich. Artist Augusto Giacometti designed its stained-glass windows. It’s found at Zwingliplatz and Münsterplatz, 1-252-5949. The church is free but to climb the towers costs 3SFr. The climb is well worth the 3Sfr and provides excellent views of the city. Open Monday-Saturday from 10 am-4 pm and after Sunday services until 4 pm.