"Zurich's Iconic Spot for Lake-Gazing The tree-lined Utoquai and Arboretum at Enge offer excellent views of Lake Zurich and the snow-capped Alps, but the iconic spot for lake-gazing is at the Bürkliterrasse, with its statue of Zeus and Ganymede and straight-shot view of the Alps. Photo © Bruno Macor /FB/Zürich Tourismus."

"A Moody Winter Day in Zurich Snow clouds rolled into Zurich casting a dark mood on the Swiss city. Some of the best views can be taken in from atop the old ramparts or from the 11th floor Jules Verne Bar."

"Drinks in a Glass Cube in Zurich West The Schiffbau, a renovated shipbuilding factory, is home to the glamorous restaurant LaSalle, the popular jazz club Moods, and this stunningly chic bar, which sits atop the 1892 brick structure in a striking glass cube. The modern-day clubhouse has sleek brown leather sofas, a circular wood-burning fireplace, and yes, phenomenal panoramic views of the city."

"High-in-the-Sky Dining in Zurich West Atop the Prime Tower, Switzerland’s tallest building, Clouds offers two dining experiences: an ambitious restaurant that serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as a Jerusalem artichoke velouté with smoked mackerel as well as a bistro with more casual dishes and a terrific weekend breakfast. Both offer phenomenal views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Photo © Clouds."

"Freitag's Iconic Shipping Container Store It seems like every other person in Zurich—at least among the label-conscious, under 40-set—has a Freitag, the cult messenger bags made from old truck tarps, with no two alike. While brothers Markus and Daniel Freitag started their brand back in 1993, their flagship Zurich store only opened in 2006. The wait was worth it: the coolest shop in the city consists of 19 stacked shipping containers with a rooftop for a birds-eye view of the industrial neighborhood below."

"This landmark hotel, built in the Swiss rustic style popular at the turn of the 19th century, has hosted Winston Churchill, Arturo Toscanini, Albert Einstein, the Shah of Iran, Henry Kissinger, and the Rolling Stones, among others. Situated high above Zurich , with a sweeping forest and a golf course for company, it offers breathtaking views of the city, the lake, and even—on clear days—the Alps. Renovated in 2008 by Lord Foster for a cool 385 million Swiss francs, it now features a bold, contemporary edifice that wraps around the turreted original, two entirely new wings (the Spa Wing and the Golf Wing), and a completely revamped interior. While the rooms in the Main Building (the historic structure) are appointed with traditional furniture and hand-painted wallpaper to give a regal, turn-of-the-century feel, the newer rooms are equipped with balconies and bathrooms of white marble or sand-colored Jura limestone. Imagined by London-based United Designers, they also come with flat-screen televisions with integrated Bang & Olufsen CD and DVD players. The four signature suites sprawl over hundreds of square meters andfeature steam showers, whirlpool baths, and even (in one case) a grand piano. The hotel also offers an expansive spa and wellness center."

"A Modern Sanctuary High Above the City What this 66-room property lacks in proximity to the Old Town (it’s a 25-minute tram ride to Bahnhofstrasse), it more than makes up for with its prime hillside perch on the Zürichberg overlooking the city below, and just beyond, Lake Zürich and the majestic snow-capped Alps. Spread across a restored Art Nouveau building and a modern annex with a Guggenheim-like corkscrew ramp, the minimalist, stylish rooms come with shocks of color—for instance, purple Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs. Guests can borrow bikes to make their way to the nearby Fluntern Cemetery, where James Joyce is buried, or meander the wooded paths of the Zürichberg forest."

"Lake Swimming with a View of the Alps The most centrally-located mixed badi boasts a prime spot on Lake Zurich , though not too much swimming actually goes on here—it’s more about sunbathing, people-watching, and the occasional dip. There’s also a sauna, massage treatments and outdoor yoga sessions, all surrounded by a beautiful arboretum and fantastic views of the Alps. Photo © Martin Rütschi/Zürich Tourism."

"Catch-Your-Breath Views from Einstein's Alma Mater Paris has the Sacré-Coeur, on top of Montmartre, for catch-your-breath views of the city. Zurich’s answer: the terrace at ETH Zurich . Also known as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich and where Einstein was an alum, it lords high above the city for prime views beyond to the lake, the Uetliberg, and the Alps. The bQm café and bar lets you pair that stellar view with a drink."