If you follow Rämistrasse uphill from the Kunsthaus, you’ll soon come to the university quarter. At Rämistrasse 73 is the Archeological Collection (Tues–Fri 1–6pm, Sat & Sun 11am–5pm; free), with a range of impressive pieces, but no English notes. Aside from the wealth of Etruscan ware, the most interesting artefacts come from the Middle East: outstanding are an entire case devoted to the stunning Egyptian Fayoum portraits from the first centuries BC–AD; wall-sized steles from ninth-century BC Nimrud (modern Iraq); a complete mummy, and dozens of statuettes of ancient Egyptian deities (including some memorable cats); and many Roman and Hellenic pieces.

Close by, the ETH Graphics Collection, Rämistrasse 101 (entrance on Karl Schmid-Strasse; Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Wed until 8pm; free), houses thousands of woodcuts, etchings and engravings from all periods, particularly strong on Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya and Picasso.

The university buildings are connected to Central in the city centre 40m below by the Polybahn funicular (daily 6.45am–7.15pm), an institution in Zürich since 1889. Normal city transport tickets are valid for the two-minute ride.