Guide number 7 - Shopping and entertainment

Window-shopping in Zürich’s famous Bahnhofstrasse doesn’t cost you a penny. But if you’re keen to spend some cash or wear out your credit card, these suggestions might save you money:

Alpenrhein Village Landquart (GR) is conveniently located next to the Chur autobahn and right beside Landquart train station. Good for household goods, kitchenware, bedlinens, factory stores, shoe and sports shops as well as several chains aimed at the younger, slimmer shopper.

Mainline stations and airports are great places to buy just about anything, also on Sundays. Zürich airport features Switzerland’s biggest retail centre, also try Basel and Geneva airports. 80 Swiss train stations also have shopping centres. Basel station has a surprisingly good wine store in the passageway from the Swiss to the French side.

Westside Shopping Centre near Bern (BE). As well as the shops, there’s a spa, cinemas and restaurants. Sale time is usually July to August.

Lindt Chocolate Shop in Kilchberg (ZH) is always worth a visit just for the smell, and they have bargains and new ranges too. Bus 165 stops at Schooren or S8, S24 trains to Kilchberg and then a 5 minute walk.

Jucker Pumpkin Farm (ZH)

The pumpkin show runs from mid-August to early November each year. And every year a different themed display! As well as pumpkins of many sizes and varieties, you can buy local produce and gifts in their farm shop, and enjoy pumpkin soup or a choice of salads for lunch on one of the picnic benches overlooking the Pfäffikersee. Great place for families. Suggested by Helga.

http://www.juckerfarmart.ch/

Im Viadukt market (ZH)

Zürich’s first covered market nestles under the railway arches in Josefstrasse, Zuri-West. The market hall is extensive and features food and drinks from all over Europe. You can taste before you buy in many cases. A feast for the eyes, nose and mouth. Tram 4 or 13 to Dammweg.

http://www.im-viadukt.ch/

By the roadside Look out for farm sales and ‘pick your own’ flowers and fruit in the countryside during late summer.

Near Lugano, look out for Fox Town Mendrisio (TI), a large outlet shopping centre. Suggested by Joanne S. 
http://www.foxtown.ch/index.php?lingua=en&centro=mendrisio

Over the border

Lindsey reports, ‘I like to go shopping to Singen in Germany which is quite close to Schaffhausen. Not a particularly pretty town but has some lovely clothes shops. Prices are about half what you pay in Switzerland. Particularly when the exchange rate is so low at the moment! Also Constance (Konstanz) is a lovely place to shop. Sometimes I food shop in the large Carrefour in Mulhouse, France. It is a huge supermarket and the choice is enormous! Fish is a particularly good price and always fresh’.

Arts and entertainment

Cinemas are cheaper on Mondays.

Arthouse cinemas in Zürich are cheaper than the multiplex cinemas.

Sculpture in the open is free and widespread in Switzerland. Max Bill and Jean Tinguely are often featured.

Lunch concerts at the Zürich Tonhalle, usually on the first Thursday of the month from September to June, last an hour or so and are cheaper than the evening performances. Family concerts on some Sundays are also reasonably priced.
The annual Zürich Festival in June/July has a comprehensive program.

Lucerne Festivals at Easter and in summer at the KKL are world-renowned. Book early to get the cheaper seats.

Festivals in other cities – look out for SBB special deals in Neuchatel, Winterthur, Ascona, St. Gallen Open-Air, Montreux Jazz Festival, Frauenfeld Open-Air, Live at Sunset at the Dolder Eisbahn, Gurten Festival Bern, Nyon Paleo, Locarno Film Festival etc are just a few examples. Train ticket offices have excellent brochures. www.sbb.ch

Be your own tour guide!

No need to pay for an expensive guided tour; you can take a tour of the main sights in any major Swiss city with the help of a good guide book and a street map. The following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra information from our members:

Featured town: Schaffhausen

The following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra information from our members.

Zurich

Zug

Luzern

Bern – you can also visit the Swiss Parliament on a guided tour

Basel Altstadt

St. Gallen cathedral area

Chur

Bellinzona

Murten
Konstanz

Plus why not explore on your own these lovely towns and cities:

Geneva - see http://www.geneva.info/

Fribourg – on the French/German language border

Appenzell – an old-fashioned town

Lugano – gateway to three lakes

Locarno – on Lago Maggiore

And more…

Compiled by Julia Newton, September 2011.

With contributions from Amy Eber, Colin Hawker, Ewelina Pace, Gill Rüttimann, Helga Meyer-Piening, Joanne Seiler,  Lindsey Carver, Otto Schreibke, Paola Cavallari, Sue Poolman, Trudi MacDonald ,Valerie Quiblier.