Go to two nations in simply 48 hours with this 2 days in Zurich itinerary to see the very best of Switzerland’s largest metropolis and Vaduz, Lichenstein within the winter.
Need to expertise the magic of two fantastic European nations in simply forty-eight hours? Two days in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest metropolis, mixed with a straightforward day journey to tiny Liechtenstein, blends historical past, culinary delights, spectacular vistas, distinctive purchasing, and top-notch museums into one quick go to.
The most effective information is, you possibly can observe this 2 day Zurich itinerary at any time of yr! Whereas many individuals go to this area in hotter climate, we love visiting Europe throughout the festive winter season. On our December journey, we delighted in wandering by way of spectacular Christmas Markets, seeing cities decked out in twinkling lights, and having fun with the very best cold-weather treats, tacky fondue, and mulled wine!
If you’re planning a visit to Zurich within the winter, observe this simple 2-day Zurich itinerary to plan your journey together with issues to do, the place to remain, and ideas for visiting.
2 Days in Zurich Itinerary
Be aware: This put up could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. In the event you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
DAY 1 in ZURICH
Procuring the Bahnhofstrasse
Whether or not your gang enjoys retail remedy, window purchasing, cafe hopping, or chocolate sampling, begin your first day in Zurich by strolling the world-famous Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s grand purchasing boulevard. This .87-mile stretch, previously a moat, has all of it—excessive style, watch outlets, department shops, chocolatiers, boutiques, native artwork, regional culinary specialties, and many motion.
Discover the Outdated Metropolis
After the Bahnhofstrasse, take a step again in time within the metropolis’s historic Metropolis Middle. As you stroll the streets, you’ll uncover quaint squares, guild homes, and even fountains spouting recent glacier water.
Take pleasure in passing the pastel-colored buildings as you stroll alongside Rennweg, a medieval major purchasing avenue that now presents a pedestrian zone lined with high-end shops. Whereas strolling alongside Augustinergasse, often called one of the charming streets in Zurich, search for on the hanging bay home windows and peruse the native outlets.
Two of Zurich’s most well-known landmarks are the Grossmünster Church, which lies atop town’s patron saints, and Fraumünster Church, adorned with Chagall Stained glass home windows. A stand-out on the skyline is Zurich’s oldest parish church, St. Peter, which boasts Europe’s largest church clock face.
Remember to climb up the hill to the Lindenhof Overlook for a peaceable and breathtaking view over the Limmat River. Take a look at the realm locals name “Dörfli,” the favored Niederdorf promenade in Outdated City, to absorb extra of Zurich’s outlets and eating places.
When it’s time for lunch, dine at one of many two Neni areas for tasty falafel, hummus, and different Mediterranean dishes. Different handy choices embody grabbing a desk at Confiserie Sprüngli on the Paradeplatz, a restaurant/cafe identified for its native sweets reminiscent of macarons, praline goodies, truffles, and Swiss chocolate bars, or different cafes in Outdated Metropolis.
Pop into Black Faucet Craft Burgers and Beers proper off the principle avenue, widespread within the US for its mega-milkshakes and burgers.
Afternoon Adventures
Within the afternoon, there are lots of nice points of interest to go to, relying in your pursuits and touring companions.
Into cool Instagram pics or optical illusions? Children of all ages (and oldsters, too) will benefit from the entertaining hands-on WOW Museum, Room for Illusions. Snort and find out how the stunning illusions work. The cameras in every room ship the images on to your telephone.
Soccer or fútbol followers? The FIFA Museum will maintain you busy for hours. Its reveals embody a group of 211 colourful uniforms from around the globe, a timeline of the sport’s historical past, priceless mementos from groups worldwide, well-known trophies, and rather more.
Our household particularly loved the interactive reveals that examined our kicking and dribbling expertise. Make your method to the World Cup Gallery to relive all the nice World Cup and the Ladies’s World Cup experiences of the previous.
Artwork lovers? Wander across the Kunsthaus Zürich, Switzerland’s mega-art museum, with a various assortment that includes works spanning the Outdated Masters to Expressionists to the most important Munch portray assortment outdoors of Norway.
Need to see the hip facet of city? Take a look at vibrant Zürich-West (we ran out of time, so that is on our listing for our subsequent go to!), a previously industrial space remodeled right into a burgeoning cultural hub of classy outlets, eating places, and bars.
Fondue Time
No wintertime journey to Switzerland is full with out a fabulous fondue feast. Our fondue expertise at “Helvti-Chäschtli,” positioned in our resort Lodge Restaurant Bar Helvetia, titillated all of our senses. We liked the luxurious really feel of eating on cozy fake fur chairs surrounded by colourful trendy artwork, listening to stress-free background music, gazing out at a riverside view, and savoring a scrumptious multi-course meal.
Our entire household loved dipping a wide range of tasty treats into this yr’s classic fondue cheese home mix, created by way of a collaboration between the restaurant’s wine associate Martel and Maître Fromager, Rolf Beeler. Menu highlights embody Hokkaido Pumpkin frothy “Cappuccino” model soup, a mustard-champagne dressed bacon salad, and different connoisseur treats, together with roasted potatoes, wiener schnitzel, and greens. We ended our eating expertise with home made tangy yuzu sorbet topped with amaretto. This pop-up additionally presents varied alcoholic wines and spirits to enhance every course.
Get within the Vacation Spirit
Zurich is aware of do Christmas! In every single place you look, you’ll come upon a bustling market, even within the heart of the Zurich Prepare Station. We loved the Christmas Market within the coronary heart of one of many grandest squares in Switzerland, the Sechseläutenplatz, which opens as much as the opulent Opera Home.
All yr spherical you’ll discover individuals sitting at cafes having fun with the waterfront views. We loved testing the Christmas markets at evening whereas sipping scorching drinks. One other “should do” at evening is to walk the abruptly quiet Bahnhofstrasse beneath the romantic twinkling lights.
Day 2 Liechtenstein & Zurich
With Zurich as your base, you possibly can take a wintertime day journey to all kinds of areas starting from a snowy Alpine journey on Mount Titlis to a fairytale go to to France’s Strasbourg.
We jumped on the alternative to go to Vaduz, the capital of the petite Principality of Liechtenstein, positioned about 90 minutes from our resort by public transportation. German-speaking Vaduz, with a inhabitants of simply 38,300, sits doubly landlocked between Austria and Switzerland.
Located within the Rhine Valley, Liechtenstein is thought for its excessive wealth, compact metropolis, and Alpine surroundings. It’s additionally a straightforward bus trip from Vaduz to Liechtenstein’s most well-known ski resort village, Malbun. In Malbun, you’ll discover lodges, eating places, snow sports activities within the winter, and mountain climbing choices in the summertime.
TIP: Lease a automobile to avoid wasting time and extra simply discover the pure surroundings in Liechtenstein outdoors of Vaduz.
It’s tremendous simple to go to Vaduz in case you observe the instructions on the tourism workplace’s web site. Catch an early prepare to Sargas, Switzerland. From there, hop on one of many buses proper outdoors the prepare station headed for Vaduz.
As soon as in Vaduz, begin on the centrally-located Tourism Workplace, the place you’ll find souvenirs, chat with useful employees, and obtain an official stamp in your passport. Relying in your time and pursuits, you possibly can fill your day in some ways.
Into museums? Take a look at Vaduz’s “Museum Mile.” Dive into this nation’s distinctive historical past on the Liechtenstein Nationwide Museum.
Take a look at the Fabergé Egg and different baubles within the Liechtenstein Treasure Chamber and the intensive assortment of stamps and shows in regards to the postal service on the PostalMuseum. The strikingly designed Kunstmuseum with trendy and modern artwork additionally homes the Hilti Artwork Basis’s classical assortment.
Nestled Within the Rhine Valley, wander the romantic vineyards on the Prince of Liechtenstein’s Vineyard and pattern royal wines, a few of which have been created by the H.S.H. Princess Marie herself, who’s a skilled sommelière.
It’s onerous to overlook the Prince of Liechtenstein’s house, a 700-year-old fort with its tower and turrets, nestled within the hilltops, sitting means above the capital metropolis. A spotlight for us was taking a 20-30 minute brisk, winding stroll up a steep marked path to see the outside of the Schloss Vaduz (Vaduz Citadel); no vacationers are allowed inside.
Spherical out your keep playing within the quaint on line casino (age 18 and older admission), ducking into shops within the purchasing heart, and consuming lunch at one of many many eating places or cafes. Relying on the time of yr, you’ll discover festivals, together with the Christmas Market with locals ice skating and celebrating the season. After a pleasant day sampling a brand new nation, we hopped a bus again to Sargans after which a prepare again to Zurich, arriving simply in time for sundown.
TIP: For price financial savings, think about shopping for the Journey Move from the nation’s official tourism workplace. The Journey Move presents free or discounted admission to sights and points of interest all through Liechtenstein and free transport on the LIEMobil bus community, offering a straightforward method to journey from the prepare station to Vaduz and across the capital in addition to the countryside.
Historic Dinner in Zurich
Time your return again to Zurich to soak within the lovely sundown over the Limmat River and kick off an evening you gained’t overlook.
Dinner on the famed Hiltl Haus lived as much as all of the hype! Listed within the Guinness E-book of World Information because the oldest frequently working vegetarian restaurant, relationship from 1888, and with oodles of excellent critiques praising its perception in “wholesome indulgence,” we couldn’t wait to pattern its intensive menu.
You’ve two choices at Hiltl Haus, a delicious buffet that includes dishes from around the globe (pay by weight) or a chic multi-story full-service restaurant complimented by distinctive service. Our highlights included the Hiltl Starters Platter overflowing with cold and hot treats, flavorful Greek-inspired Tagliatelle alla Mediterranea, a hearty Hiltl vegetarian Cheeseburger (we opted to order it with actual cheese), and the zesty Indian Palak Paneer.
The home made juices and big selection of dessert choices have been additionally a success with our desk. Hiltl Haus additionally presents a wide range of family-friendly cooking lessons and invitations friends to bop and revel in craft cocktails after darkish.
TIP: This restaurant has a number of Zurich areas with the intention to choose the most suitable choice for you. The Hiltl Haus is their flagship location.
Get Enchanted
A deal with for all ages! Finish your wintertime journey with a go to to the Illuminaraium, arrange seasonally at dusk within the Swiss Nationwide Museum’s courtyard. There’s no entrance charge. Immerse your self in a winter wonderland full of colourful lights, music, and concession stands providing meals and drinks. For a charge, watch certainly one of two mild reveals projected on the museum’s partitions surrounding you with lovely sounds and lights.
The place to Keep in Zurich
Only a quick stroll from the prepare station, a fast trip from the airport, and close by the city heart is the 34-room Boutique Lodge Helvetia. The cool vibe of this basic artwork nouveau-decorated boutique resort blends trendy room design with a traditionally charming constructing on the riverside.
With a welcoming resort employees, this boutique is the right base for exploring Zurich. The resort additionally presents some nice options to boost your keep together with free passes to a close-by health membership, a pub-like restaurant and bar, a modest European breakfast for resort friends to begin the day, and the wintertime fondue pop-up described earlier on this article.
Discover extra locations to remain in Zurich:
The right way to Get Round Zurich
Zurich is a supremely walkable metropolis. Like most Swiss cities, Zurich has wonderful public transportation. We took just a few taxis and located the costs to be affordable.
On this dear nation, there are some issues you are able to do to make your go to budget-friendly. Contemplate buying a public transportation move or Zürich Card, which incorporates free journey on Zurich’s public transportation, free/diminished museum admissions, and different reductions in shops and eating places.
In simply forty-eight hours, your loved ones can pattern the highlights of Switzerland’s largest metropolis Zurich and Liechtenstein’s compact capital, Vaduz. We liked our wintertime escape to this area that is aware of have a good time the Christmas season.
You probably have extra time in Switzerland, think about including in a day journey to Mt. Titlis or 2 days in Lucerne.
DISCLAIMER: Lisa was supplied with meals and a few complimentary attraction passes in order that she might expertise them and evaluate it on your data. All opinions are her personal.
In regards to the Creator
This visitor put up was written by Lisa Grabelle. Lisa, a journey author for Hilton Motels, has been touring all her life…35 nations and loving it! Initially from the sunny skies of Miami, Lisa, a former lawyer, lives close to Philadelphia along with her husband and has two daughters who’re in faculty. Journey is her ardour. As quickly as one trip ends, Lisa busily plans her subsequent journey for her continuous household of adventurers. Lisa’s motto is “don’t simply go to the vacation spot…stay it!” You may observe Lisa on Twitter or Instagram.
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