Are you searching for the perfect issues to do in Zürich? You’ve come to the correct place. We tried the perfect meals, adventures, and actions in Switzerland’s largest metropolis, and have rounded up essentially the most stunning lookouts and must-see points of interest. Being the monetary capital of Switzerland, Zürich is crammed with stylish eating places, posh patrons, and a complete lot of cash. Zürich is fashionable and complicated, however it’s also enjoyable and laid again.
Finest Issues to do in Zürich
While you go to Zurich we extremely recommend buying a Zürich Card. It’s one of the best ways to get across the metropolis and to economize. It consists of limitless public transportation together with tram, bus, practice, boat and cableway. It even features a mini lake cruise and river cruise. You get free or lowered admission to museums and 50% off an Outdated City strolling tour. We did all this with our Zurich Card.
You’ll be able to select from 24 hours passes to 72-hour passes beginning at 24CHF. We suggest spending at the very least three days in Zürich. Learn our full The Good 3 Days in Zurich, Switzerland
1. Lindt House Chocolate – Manufacturing facility Tour
It might sound cliche to go to a chocolate manufacturing facility when searching for issues to do in Zürich, however this isn’t your odd manufacturing facility tour. Lindt House of Chocolate is among the high Zurich points of interest and for good purpose. This chocolate museum is a spectacle and while you go to Zurich, ensure that to place this on the high of your record.
Upon coming into you come head to head with an enormous chocolate fountain standing tall within the huge corridor. It’s then onto a tour to be taught in regards to the historical past of chocolate and eat lots of chocolate.
We picked up our audio information and chosen our chosen language (English) as we adopted the shows to discover the evolution of chocolate. It was an fascinating and entertaining tour, however the true deal with comes close to the tip while you enter a room crammed with chocolate fountains.
The fountains are pouring out the heavenly Lindt chocolate simply ready to be tasted. We grabbed a disposable spoon and tasted white, darkish, and milk chocolate till our hearts had been content material. We didn’t understand that there was extra, however as we walked on, we had one other pattern of chocolate bars to see if we may decipher the totally different flavors.
We failed, however we had been joyful to maintain making an attempt. Our tour then led to a room crammed with vats of well-known Lindor sweets permitting us to eat as many as we wished. The Lindt House of Chocolate is really a chocolate lover’s paradise.
Go to the Lindt House of Chocolate Web site for excursions and knowledge. Excursions begin at 15 CHF per individual, you may as well guide experiences like making your individual chocolate.
2. SUP on Lake Zürich
Palms down our favourite factor to do in Zürich spending time on Lake Zürich. We made our strategy to Badi Enge the place they hire paddleboards by the hour. It was a lot enjoyable to get on the water in the course of the scorching summer season day.
Being on a paddleboard allow us to see town from a unique view and we had the liberty to paddle into the Schanzenbraben Canal the place we escaped the hustle and bustle as swans adopted us by the calm and quiet waters.
Even when you don’t need to paddleboard, ensure that to get on the water while you go to Zurich. Lake Zurich has a number of the greatest views of town. A ship experience is included in your Zürich Card, so if nothing else, at the very least hop on a ship to absorb town views.
3. Seebad Enge
Zürich is the land of public baths and from what we perceive, there are six lake baths on Lake Zurich and 5 different river baths all through town the place individuals get pleasure from basking within the solar whereas with the ability to take a dip within the clear and clear waters.
Seebad Enge was simply reached by strolling from town heart, and it’s a ravishing walkway alongside the lakefront with parks and views of the Swiss Alps and town. There’s a blended and women-only solely swimming space, swimming lanes, a restaurant, and picket solar decks.
Within the winter Seebad Enge is become a sauna, so you’ll be able to go to it year-round. Think about scorching in a sauna as you view the snow capped mountains of the Swiss Alps. That’s heavenly.
It prices 8CHF (8.74 USD) to enter and paddleboard leases begin at 35 CHF (38 USD) for an hour. For extra data Go to the Zürich Web site at Seebad Enge
4. Strolling Tour of Altstadt (Zürich Outdated City)
Probably the greatest methods to get acquainted with Zürich is to take a strolling tour. You may get 50% off a strolling tour together with your Zurich Card and this can be a nice strategy to see a lot of the high Zurich points of interest in a short while. We beloved our time with native information Barbara who confirmed us all of the little unseen gems that vacationers miss.
From the chewing gum artwork in entrance of Cabaret Voltaire, the Birthplace of Dadaism, to her favourite fountains the place we may replenish our water bottles with recent water.
We began our tour of town heart by strolling by the attractive Rechberg gardens earlier than making our approach by the medieval structure to the College for the most effective views of Zürich. Weaving our approach by the outdated city, we noticed the highest Zürich points of interest from Kunsthaus to Grossmünster, Zürich’s most well-known landmark.
5. Grossmünster(Nice Minster)
Grossmünster is an imposing landmark in Zürich with its twin towers standing tall over the Limmat River. It’s also some of the vital locations in Zürich because it was the sight of reformation in Switzerland. You’ll be able to stroll up the towers to see stunning views over Zürich and ensure to enter the crypt to see an impressive statue of Charlemagne.
6. Go to Fraumünster
One other church to go to in Zürich is Fraumünster. Individuals go into this church to see the attractive stained glass home windows by Marc Chagal and Augusto Giacometti (uncle to the well-known Swiss sculptor, Alberto Giacometti) Fraumünster is among the most recognizable landmarks within the metropolis.
Based in 853, this church was initially a convent inhabited by aristocratic females from Europe. 5 stained glass home windows designed by Chagal had been put in in 1970. Inside there may be additionally a formidable pipe organ with 5793 pipes.
7. the Altstadt (Outdated City)
When visiting any European metropolis, the perfect factor to do is solely stroll by the Outdated City, get pleasure from an aperitif and do some window procuring. The Cobbled Streets of Zürich’s Altstadt are lined with medieval buildings and bridges lining the Limmat River. There are numerous galleries and outlets the place you’ll be able to decide up some Swiss chocolate or scrumptious cheese.
Certainly one of our favourite issues to do in Zürich’s Outdated City was to easily pull up a seat on one of many outside patios and other people watch. Zürich is among the most costly cities on this planet and watching the style and households stroll by made for some of the fascinating people-watching afternoons of our lives.
8. Go Up Uetliberg Mountain
Our subsequent large shock was making our approach as much as the perfect lookout over Zürich. Utilizing our Zürich Card, we boarded a bus after which a tram, and at last a practice as much as the highest of Zürich’s very personal mountain. Uetliberg Mountain It’s only about 45 minutes to get right here from town heart and it’s nicely value it for the perfect views of Zurich
While you attain the tip of the road, it’s a couple of 10-minute stroll to the lookout tower for wonderful views of Zurich, Lake Zurich, and the Swiss Alps. You probably have greater than a day or two, we extremely recommend you make the journey up the mountain while you go to Zurich. It was our favourite factor to do outdoors town heart.
After you may have taken within the views of the rolling hills and town beneath, you’ll be able to have lunch on the restaurant or proceed mountain climbing for about 2 hours to the gondola that may take you again down. You probably have a while, this makes for an excellent half-day tour in Zürich. To climb the tower it prices 2 CHF (bank cards accepted) and it’s fully value the associated fee.
9. Discover Zürich West
Zürich West is the hippest spot on the town. (I feel utilizing the phrase hip, simply made me look sq.). As soon as a warehouse and manufacturing facility district, Zürich West has been reworked into a spot with stylish bars, cool cafes, and loads of procuring. There are nice artworks scattered all through ZürichWest so it’s value exploring on foot.
It’s simple to get to through the use of our Zurich card. We hopped on public transportation and had been on this hip a part of city inside 10 minutes from town heart. When the lights go down, locals and vacationers alike flock to the bars for his or her intoxicating nightlife scene. Enjoyable truth, Zürich has extra bars per capita than every other metropolis in Europe!
10. Zürich Viadukt
Don’t miss procuring alongside the Viadukt. This 550-meter-long railway viaduct is a ravishing show of arches crammed with boutiques, eating places, and galleries. In-built 1894, it’s a spot the place locals meet up, have picnics within the park, and benefit from the laid-back environment on a summer season’s day.
When you are on the Viadukt, get pleasure from dinner at Restaurant Viadukt positioned straight beneath the practice tracks trying in the direction of the park. There may be outside and indoor eating. It is strongly recommended to make a reservation.
11. Have a Drink at Frau Gerolds Garten (Mrs. Gerold’s Backyard)
Zürich West is crammed with cool cafés however the busiest spot we encountered was Frau Gerold’s Garten. That is the place everybody who’s anybody hangs out after work. This outside scorching spot is a modular bar and eating space with outside meals stalls and markets. Seize a beer and other people watch as you are feeling like an area for the night. Go to the web site for particulars.
12. City Surf
Proper subsequent to Frau Gerold’s Garten is among the extra distinctive Zurich points of interest, City Surf. For a steep worth, you’ll be able to attempt some metropolis browsing of their wave pool.
In case you are not up for getting moist, no worries, you’ll be able to sit on one of many plush patio chairs and revel in a cocktail as you watch individuals wrestle within the waves. No matter you resolve, it’s a enjoyable place to hang around. Go to City Surf for classes and costs.
13. Take a Boat to Wollishofen
No journey to Zürich could be full with out hopping on a ship tour of Lake Zurich. We had a style of that when transferring to the cool lakeside neighborhood of Wollishofen utilizing our Zürich Card for a free boat experience. It was simply quarter-hour from town heart.
The spotlight of this location is the beautiful stroll alongside the Cassiopeia Boardwalk. We discovered that Zürich has labored laborious to make its treasured waterfront out there to the general public and individuals are not allowed to buy waterfront property on Lake Zurich. In entrance of the homes that had been grandfathered in with waterfront property, town constructed a boardwalk on the water to permit entry to the general public.
14. Lunch at Mönchhof am See
When you are strolling by Wollishofen, take your time to go to the neighborhood of artists. It’s a funky neighborhood of Zürich that’s not to be missed. Somewhat additional south is Kilchberg which has loads of waterfront eating places the place you’ll be able to sit again and benefit from the surroundings.
We ate a Mönchhof am See, which we discovered is owned by one of many high restauranteurs within the metropolis. With scrumptious truffle fries, refreshing ginger pictures and a recent burrata and tomato salad, my mouth was crammed with flavors. There may be loads of outside eating, you’ll be able to make a reservation right here.
15. Window Store at Bahnhofstrasse
Talking of procuring, Zürich boasts some of the costly procuring streets on this planet. Bahnhofstrasse is Zürich’s fundamental downtown avenue spanning 1.4 km from the principle practice station.
As you stroll from the practice station towards Lake Zürich, the outlets turn into ever extra unique with the likes of Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Rolex, and all the opposite big-name manufacturers. Zürich is the center of the Swiss Financial institution system and when you attain Paradplatz, one can solely surprise how a lot money and jewels are sitting inside their vaults.
16. Dawn From Lindenhof
One of many high issues to do in Zürich is to go to the quiet park overlooking Zürich from the Outdated Metropolis Partitions. Lindenhof is the oldest a part of Zürich the place the stays of a Roman medieval metropolis wall stands excessive on a hill overlooking the Limmat River. Throughout the day it will possibly get fairly busy, however at dawn, it’s quiet and peaceable.
As soon as dwelling to a Roman Fort, Lindenhof presents the most effective views of Zürich and the river. After you go to Lindenhoff, cease by St. Peter’s Church one of many 4 fundamental church buildings within the historic metropolis heart.
17. Eat a Fondue at Swiss Chuchi
Dave and I had a objective when going again to Switzerland, and it was to eat as a lot fondue and raclette as potential. We managed to take action and one among our favourite fondue eating places in your complete nation was Swiss Chuchi within the Altstadt.
Positioned within the coronary heart of Niederdorf a pedestrian plaza resulting in hidden alleyways across the Outdated City, Swiss Chuchi is among the greatest locations in Zürich for Fondue. (we discovered that out after selecting to eat there, fortunate us!) The scrumptious melted goodness got here with a sack of potatoes and recent bread.
Who cares that it was 30 levels Celcius outdoors, we ordered a refreshing aperitivo and once we felt silly ordering a scorching dish in the midst of summer season, our waiter mentioned “It’s all the time a great time for fondue.” I imagine he was right as a result of after we obtained our dish, a number of different vacationers joined us on the terrace to order fondues of their very own! Hey whilst you’re at it, get pleasure from a Swiss scorching chocolate too! Swiss Chuchi is positioned within the Lodge Adler, Zurich.
18. Refill on the Many Fountains
Some of the fascinating issues, while you go to Zürich, is to maintain an eye fixed out for the 1200 ornate fountains scattered all through town. These aren’t your common ingesting fountains, the fountains of Zürich are artworks. You’ll see youngsters taking part in within the fountains, runners stopping for a fast slurp, and many individuals filling up their water bottles.
You’ll by no means go thirsty in Zürich, because the water working from the fountains is clear and recent and simply ready so that you can have a style. Some Zürich fountains are merely stunning so while you’re filling your bottle, ensure that to benefit from the particulars of the artist’s work.
19. zürich Opera Home
The Zürich Opera Home, also called the Opernhaus Zürich was first in-built 1891 and has undergone a number of renovations over time. The opera home is positioned in Sechseläutenplatz which is among the largest squares in Switzerland. It’s value going to this sq. alone, however you need to go inside to see this stunning venue. You’ll be able to take a 50 minute tour that may take you thru all of the departments from make-up to wardrobe and also you’ll even go onstage.
The Zürich Opera Home is dwelling to plenty of world-renowned productions and occasions together with the Zürich Opera and the Zürich Ballet. The opera firm performs a variety of operas, from classical works by composers equivalent to Mozart and Verdi to up to date operas.
20. Swiss Nationwide Museum
A go to to the Swiss Nationwide Museum is included in your Zürich Card. Generally known as Landesmuseum, it’s the oldest and largest cultural historical past museum within the nation. The museum presents a complete have a look at the historical past of Switzerland, from prehistoric occasions to the current day. Guests can be taught in regards to the nation’s political, social, and financial improvement, in addition to its artwork and tradition.
The Swiss Nationwide Museum was designed to seem like a historic castle-like constructing, which is an attraction in itself. It homes in depth collections of medieval and Renaissance artwork, textiles, weapons, and furnishings. It additionally has a big assortment of ornamental artwork, equivalent to ceramics, glass, and metalwork. In case you are searching for issues to do in Zürich on a wet day, this can be a nice alternative.
21. Kunsthaus Zürich
Artwork lovers will get pleasure from searching Kunsthaus Zürich the place you’ll be able to view the greats equivalent to Chagall, Monet, and Van Gogh. There are many different artists to see because it homes one among Switzerland’s most vital artwork collections. There are 1000 items on show at any given time. It has the most important Edvard Munch assortment outdoors Norway, you’ll see Andy Warhol, Picasso, Rembrandt and Monet. We by no means tire of being uncovered to beautiful artwork.
Plan Your Journey to Zürich
There are such a lot of wonderful issues to do in Zurich that you possibly can spend a whole season exploring. However Dave and I made a great go of it. Working on only a few hours of sleep every day, we had been up on the daybreak to late into the night time trying out the perfect of Zurich. Comply with the map to see when you can try all of those points of interest.
The place to Keep in Zurich
When selecting the place to remain in Zurich, we suggest the Outdated Metropolis which is inside strolling distance to in every single place making it simple to get round. We stayed on the Florhoff Lodge. This boutique resort was refurbished in 2014 and has a historic character with trendy rooms and facilities. A scrumptious breakfast is included, there’s a fashionable restaurant on-site and whereas it’s within the Outdated City, it’s far sufficient away from the hustle and bustle making it a quiet choice.
There are many inns in Zurich West which is barely 10 minutes to downtown by transit and is a extra reasonably priced choice.
How you can Get Round Zurich
The easiest way to get round Zurich is to buy a Metropolis Move Zurich Card. It gives limitless journey by bus, practice, cableway, and tram plus you’ll be able to take a brief boat experience and a Limmat River cruise. Metropolis Move Zurich Playing cards begin at 24 CHF for twenty-four hours. Get extra particulars right here.
The Zurich Card additionally permits you to enter one among Zurich’s 43 museums at no cost or with lowered admission. Plus, you may as well take a Zurich Outdated city strolling tour at half worth. This card is the perfect bang in your buck for getting round Zurich and seeing its high vacationer points of interest.
Earlier than boarding any public transport, ensure that to validate your ticket and have it helpful. As soon as it’s validated, you’ll be able to hop on any public transport on the town in the course of your ticket. You don’t need to validate it once more when you’ve carried out it the primary time.
Finest Day Journeys from Zurich
Switzerland has an environment friendly practice system making it the most effective methods to journey round Switzerland. Plus it’s sustainable journey. Journey by practice produces much less O2 than every other mode of transportation (aside from bicycle or foot) together with electrical automobiles which produce 13 occasions extra emissions. It’s simple to do day journeys from Zurich with the Swiss Journey Move or to maneuver onto you rnext vacation spot
Swiss Journey Move
While you buy a Swiss Journey Move it consists of:
Limitless journey by practice, bus, and boat
Public transportation in additional than 90 cities and cities
Together with mountain excursions: Rigi, Schilthorn, Stanserhorn and Stoos
Free admission to greater than 500 museums all through Switzerland
Two free informative apps to assist plan your Switzerland journey are: Grand Prepare Tour of Switzerland app and Swiss Journey Information app
Jungfraujoch
Whereas Jungfraujoch deserves three to 5 days to go to this UNESCO World Heritage Website, you’ll be able to take a day journey from Zurich. If you happen to don’t have lots of time, this is among the greatest day journeys from Zurich however it’s a lengthy one!
This guided day journey to Jungfraujoch with Prepare Experience offers you a style of seeing one among Switzerland’s most stunning areas. You’ll get to discover the snow capped mountains of Jungfraujoch and the excessive Alps surroundings. After a cease in Interlaken, you’ll board the cable automobile on the Grindelwald Terminal for a spectacular 15-minute experience to the Eiger Glacier by gondola. Learn extra about this at
Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls
In case you are searching for nearer day journeys from Zurich, a go to to the medieval city of Stein am Rhein and the wonderful Rhine Falls is an efficient choice. Your guided tour will take you on a journey in the direction of the Swiss/German border of northern Switzerland to see the largest waterfall in Europe!
You’ll tour the Medieval village of Stein am Rhein and see the luxurious medieval fortress of Schloss Laufen and the mighty Rhine Falls and expertise Europe’s greatest waterfall. You’ll take the elevate to Rhine Falls and see a detailed up have a look at 700,000 liters of water plunging into the basin. You’ll additionally get to see the half-timber body townhouses in outdated city, and St. George’s Abbey.
Grindelwald
One other day journey that’s potential from Zurich is to see Grindelwald. This full day tour takes you to the Bernese Oberland. You’ll have the prospect to discover a little bit of the area by yourself, and we suggest going as much as Grindelwald First. Right here you’ll be able to take the cable automobile to stroll the First Cliff Stroll, hike out to the lake (about 2 hours return) after which get down shortly by way of the First Adventures that embody the zip traces, First First Flyer, and First Glider, and whizzing down the mountain on Trottibikes and mountain carts. Learn extra About Grindelwald at The Finest Issues to do in Grindelwald
Lucerne and Mount Titlis
One other day journey from Zurich is to go to the medieval metropolis of Lucerne earlier than making your approach as much as Mountain Titlis, 3000 metres above sea stage. You’ll take the Rotair revolving cable automobile and cease at an ice grotto. It’s then onto the Ice Flyer chairlift and the Titlis Cliff Stroll bridge. You’ll be able to guide this present day tour right here.
Zurich is among the most enjoyable cities to go to in Switzerland. With a balanced mixture of outdated and new, journey and eating, there’s something for everybody. When planning your journey to Switzerland, ensure that to place Zurich on the high of your record.
The individuals in Zurich know the right way to get pleasure from life by spending time on the lake and watching the sundown over the Limmat River in each summer season and winter. From procuring alongside one of many world’s most costly streets to mountain climbing within the close by Swiss Alps there may be by no means a uninteresting second in Zurich.
Our journey to Switzerland is in partnership with My Switzerland. Go to their web site to begin planning your journey immediately.
