In June, as the entire art world gathered in Basel for the renowned Art Week, something interesting was happening an hour and a half to the north. Zurich was carrying out its own cultural revolution - but not through a single week-long event. Instead, it transformed itself into an open-air gallery all year round.
Rather than betting on one time of year, Zurich chose to turn every moment into a cultural experience. More than 1,300 public artworks are scattered across the city like a hidden network waiting to be discovered. They’re not in fancy museums - they’re in the places you least expect.
Take the local police station, for example. Instead of the cold entrance you might imagine, you’ll find a stunning floral fresco by Augusto Giacometti. It feels more like walking into a gallery than into a police station.
The Experiment That Worked: From Industry to Culture
The area that tells the most fascinating story is Zurich West. Once filled with factories and breweries, the district has undergone a complete transformation. The old Löwenbräu brewery has become one of the most advanced cultural complexes in Europe.
Under one roof you’ll find: the Migros Museum, leading international galleries like Hauser & Wirth, dining spaces, and even shops selling limited edition prints. It’s like a perfect cultural ecosystem.
What You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Zurich’s uniqueness lies in its non-museum approach to art. At the Dolder Grand Hotel, for example, the private collection is worth over €800 million - but it’s not locked away in a room. Guests wake up to Keith Haring sculptures in the garden and eat breakfast beside works by Takashi Murakami.
Why does it work better than the traditional model? In Basel, the big week draws huge crowds, outrageous prices, and the pressure to see everything in a limited time. In Zurich, the experience is spread throughout the year. You can discover a new gallery on each visit, return to an evolving exhibition, and enjoy the city without feeling like you’re racing against the clock.
For Israeli travelers, this offers a real alternative to traditional cultural trips. Instead of being stuck in London or Paris with all the other tourists, you can experience something completely different. A city that has Swiss classicism - but with cultural layers you won’t find anywhere else.
Zurich isn’t trying to be Barcelona or Amsterdam. It’s developing its own path to becoming a cultural center - a quieter path, a more sophisticated one, and perhaps a more sustainable one.