Zurich city
Most of our properties in this region are apartments in the city. The old town straddles the Limmat, the lake is a short walk from the centre, and in summer locals swim from the wooden lake and river baths (Badis) at Utoquai and Letten. The S10 train climbs the Uetliberg for views over the lake to the Alps. Zurich airport is around 10 to 15 minutes by train from the main station.
Best for: City breaks with lake swimming, museums and fast train links
Not for you if: You're budget-led: Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in Europe to eat out in.
The east shore (Meilen and Mutzmalen above Stäfa)
The north-eastern shore, known locally as the Gold Coast, catches the afternoon sun. Meilen has a lakefront, vineyards on the slope behind and a car ferry across to Horgen. Mutzmalen is a hamlet in the vineyards above Stäfa. Lake boats stop at both towns, and the S-Bahn reaches Zurich in around 20 to 30 minutes. The airport is about half an hour by car.
Best for: A quieter lakeside base with fast trains into the city
Not for you if: You want a resort feel: these are well-off commuter towns, busy on weekdays and quiet at night.
The upper lake and Zürcher Oberland (Wald, Gommiswald, Reichenburg)
At its eastern end the lake narrows into the Obersee. Rapperswil has a castle, a rose garden and a long wooden footbridge across the water to Hurden. Wald lies in the green hills of the Zürcher Oberland below the Bachtel, a popular walk with a lookout tower. Gommiswald looks down over the Linth plain, and Reichenburg sits on the flat land below. Zurich airport is around 45 minutes to an hour away.
Best for: Walkers who want hills, farmland and a short drive to Rapperswil
Not for you if: You want to step out of the door onto the lake shore: these villages sit back from the water.
The Albis and the Sihl valley (Langnau am Albis, Wettswil, Aesch)
The wooded Albis ridge runs south-west of the city. At Langnau am Albis the Wildnispark Zurich Langenberg keeps deer, bison, wolves and bears in large enclosures, and paths lead along the ridge to the Felsenegg cable car above Adliswil. Wettswil and Aesch are small villages on the far side of the hill, with Berikon just over the border in Aargau. The city is around 20 minutes by car.
Best for: Families who want woods, wildlife and quick access to the city
Not for you if: You want lake views: the Albis ridge sits between these villages and the water.
Winterthur and the Weinland (Dinhard, Rorbas, Berg am Irchel)
North of Zurich the land opens into farms, orchards and vineyards. Winterthur, Switzerland's sixth-largest city, has strong art collections and the Technorama science centre. Dinhard and Berg am Irchel are farming villages, and Rorbas sits on the Töss river, with walks along the bank. The Rhine Falls at Neuhausen are around half an hour by car. Zurich airport is 20 to 30 minutes away.
Best for: Rural quiet with day trips to the Rhine Falls
Not for you if: You don't plan to drive: buses to these villages are infrequent in the evenings.
