Are you on the lookout for the perfect issues to do in Zürich? You’ve come to the appropriate 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 an entire lot of cash. Zürich is trendy and complicated, however it is usually 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 simplest ways to get across the metropolis and to economize. It contains limitless public transportation together with tram, bus, prepare, boat and cableway. It even features a mini lake cruise and river cruise. You get free or diminished admission to museums and 50% off an Outdated City strolling tour. We did all this with our Zurich Card.
You possibly can select from 24 hours passes to 72-hour passes beginning at 24CHF. We advocate spending at the very least three days in Zürich. Learn our full The Excellent 3 Days in Zurich, Switzerland
1. Lindt House Chocolate
It could sound cliche to go to a chocolate manufacturing facility when on the lookout for issues to do in Zürich, however this isn’t your peculiar manufacturing facility tour. Lindt House of Chocolate is likely one of the high Zurich points of interest and for good purpose. This chocolate museum is a spectacle and once you go to Zurich, be certain that to place this on the high of your checklist.
Upon coming into you come nose to nose with an enormous chocolate fountain standing tall within the large corridor. It’s then onto a tour to study concerning the historical past of chocolate and eat a number 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 attention-grabbing and entertaining tour, however the actual deal with comes close to the tip once 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 have 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 might decipher the totally different flavors.
We failed, however we have been blissful to maintain attempting. Our tour then resulted in a room crammed with vats of well-known Lindor goodies 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 particular person, you too can e-book experiences like making your personal chocolate.
2. SUP on Lake Zürich
Palms down our favourite factor to do in Zürich spending time on Lake Zürich. We made our method to Badi Enge the place they lease paddleboards by the hour. It was a lot enjoyable to get on the water throughout the sizzling summer season day.
Being on a paddleboard allow us to see the town from a distinct 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 way of the calm and quiet waters.
Even in case you don’t need to paddleboard, be certain that to get on the water once you go to Zurich. Lake Zurich has a number of the greatest views of the town. A ship experience is included in your Zürich Card, so if nothing else, at the very least hop on a ship to absorb the 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 the town the place individuals get pleasure from basking within the solar whereas having the ability to take a dip within the clear and clear waters.
Seebad Enge was simply reached by strolling from the town middle, and it’s a phenomenal walkway alongside the lakefront with parks and views of the Swiss Alps and the 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 changed into 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. Altstadt (Outdated City)
When visiting any European metropolis, the perfect factor to do is just stroll by way of the Outdated City, get pleasure from an aperitif and do some window purchasing. The Cobbled Streets of Zürich’s Altstadt are lined with medieval buildings and bridges lining the Limmat River. There are numerous galleries and retailers 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 out of doors patios and other people watch. Zürich is likely one of the costliest cities on the planet and watching the style and households stroll by made for one of the vital attention-grabbing people-watching afternoons of our lives.
5. Strolling Excursions
Among the best methods to get acquainted with Zürich is to take a strolling tour. You will get 50% off a strolling tour together with your Zurich Card and this can be a nice method to see many 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 might replenish our water bottles with recent water.
We began our tour of the town middle by strolling by way of the attractive Rechberg gardens earlier than making our method by way of the medieval structure to the College for top-of-the-line views of Zürich. Weaving our method by way of the outdated city, we noticed the highest Zürich points of interest from Kunsthaus to Grossmünster, Zürich’s most well-known landmark.
6. Grossmünster (Nice Minster)
Grossmünster is an imposing landmark in Zürich with its twin towers standing tall over the Limmat River. It is usually one of the vital essential locations in Zürich because it was the sight of reformation in Switzerland. You possibly can stroll up the towers to see stunning views over Zürich and ensure to enter the crypt to see an impressive statue of Charlemagne.
7. 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 Chagall and Augusto Giacometti (uncle to the well-known Swiss sculptor, Alberto Giacometti) Fraumünster is likely one of 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 Chagall have been put in in 1970. Inside there may be additionally a formidable pipe organ with 5793 pipes.
8. Go Up Uetliberg Mountain
Our subsequent big shock was making our method as much as the perfect lookout over Zürich. Utilizing our Zürich Card, we boarded a bus after which a tram, and eventually a prepare as much as the highest of Zürich’s very personal mountain. Uetliberg Mountain It is just about 45 minutes to get right here from the town middle and it’s effectively price 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 superb views of Zurich, Lake Zurich, and the Swiss Alps. In case you have greater than a day or two, we extremely recommend you make the journey up the mountain once you go to Zurich. It was our favourite factor to do exterior the town middle.
After you might have taken within the views of the rolling hills and the town under, you’ll be able to have lunch on the restaurant or proceed climbing for about 2 hours to the gondola that can take you again down. In case you have a while, this makes for a fantastic half-day tour in Zürich. To climb the tower it prices 2 CHF (bank cards accepted) and it’s utterly price the 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 remodeled into a spot with stylish bars, cool cafes, and loads of purchasing. There are nice artistic endeavors scattered all through ZürichWest so it’s price exploring on foot.
It’s straightforward to get to through the use of our Zurich card. We hopped on public transportation and have been on this hip a part of city inside 10 minutes from the town middle. 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 another metropolis in Europe!
10. Zürich Viadukt
Don’t miss purchasing alongside the Viadukt. This 550-meter-long railway viaduct is a phenomenal 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 ambiance on a summer season’s day.
When you are on the Viadukt, get pleasure from dinner at Restaurant Viadukt positioned straight beneath the prepare tracks trying in the direction of the park. There’s out of doors and indoor eating. It’s endorsed to make a reservation.
11. 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 out of doors sizzling spot is a modular bar and eating space with out of doors 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 likely one of the extra distinctive Zurich points of interest, City Surf. For a steep value, you’ll be able to strive 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 battle within the waves. No matter you resolve, it’s a enjoyable place to hang around. Go to City Surf for classes and costs.
13. Wollishofen
No journey to Zürich can 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 the town middle.
The spotlight of this location is the stunning stroll alongside the Cassiopeia Boardwalk. We realized that Zürich has labored laborious to make its treasured waterfront out there to the general public and persons are now not allowed to buy waterfront property on Lake Zurich. In entrance of the homes that have been grandfathered in with waterfront property, the town constructed a boardwalk on the water to permit entry to the general public.
14. Mönchhof am See
When you are strolling by way of Wollishofen, take your time to go to the neighborhood of artists. It’s a funky neighborhood of Zürich that isn’t to be missed. A little bit 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 realized 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’s loads of out of doors eating, you’ll be able to make a reservation right here.
15. Bahnhofstrasse
Talking of purchasing, Zürich boasts one of the vital costly purchasing streets on the planet. Bahnhofstrasse is Zürich’s foremost downtown avenue spanning 1.4 km from the principle prepare station.
As you stroll from the prepare station towards Lake Zürich, the retailers change 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. 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. Through the day it may get fairly busy, however at dawn, it’s quiet and peaceable.
As soon as dwelling to a Roman Fort, Lindenhof provides top-of-the-line views of Zürich and the river. After you go to Lindenhoff, cease by St. Peter’s Church one of many 4 foremost church buildings within the historic metropolis middle.
17. eat Fondue
Dave and I had a aim when going again to Switzerland, and it was to eat as a lot fondue and raclette as attainable. We managed to take action and certainly one of 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 likely one of 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 exterior, we ordered a refreshing aperitivo and once we felt silly ordering a sizzling dish in the midst of summer season, our waiter mentioned “It’s all the time a superb time for fondue.” I consider he was appropriate 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 sizzling chocolate too! Swiss Chuchi is positioned within the Resort Adler, Zurich.
18. Replenish on the Many Fountains
One of the fascinating issues, once you go to Zürich, is to maintain a watch out for the 1200 ornate fountains scattered all through the town. These aren’t your common consuming fountains, the fountains of Zürich are artistic endeavors. 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, be certain 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 likely one of the largest squares in Switzerland. It’s price going to this sq. alone, however it is best to go inside to see this stunning venue. You possibly can take a 50 minute tour that can 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 numerous 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. Often known as Landesmuseum, it’s the oldest and largest cultural historical past museum within the nation. The museum provides a complete take a look at the historical past of Switzerland, from prehistoric instances to the current day. Guests can study concerning the nation’s political, social, and financial growth, in addition to its artwork and tradition.
The Swiss Nationwide Museum was designed to appear like a historic castle-like constructing, which is an attraction in itself. It homes intensive 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 on the lookout for issues to do in Zürich on a wet day, this can be a nice selection.
21. Kunsthaus Zürich
Artwork lovers will get pleasure from looking Kunsthaus Zürich (Zurich Museum of Artwork) the place you’ll be able to view the greats equivalent to Chagall, Monet, and Van Gogh. There are many different artists to see on the Museum of Artwork because it homes certainly one of Switzerland’s most essential artwork collections.
There are 1000 items on show at any given time. It has the biggest Edvard Munch assortment exterior 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 superb issues to do in Zurich that you possibly can spend a whole season exploring. However Dave and I made a superb go of it. Operating on only a few hours of sleep every day, we have been up on the first light to late into the evening testing the perfect of Zurich. Comply with the map to see in case you can take a look at all of those points of interest.
The place to Keep in Zurich
When selecting the place to remain in Zurich, we advocate the Outdated Metropolis which is inside strolling distance to in every single place making it straightforward to get round. We stayed on the Florhoff Resort. 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 well-liked 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 just 10 minutes to downtown by transit and is a extra inexpensive choice.
Methods to Get Round Zurich
One of the best ways to get round Zurich is to buy a Metropolis Move Zurich Card. It offers limitless journey by bus, prepare, 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 allows you to enter certainly one of Zurich’s 43 museums free of charge or with diminished admission. Plus, you too can take a Zurich Outdated city strolling tour at half value. 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, be certain 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 at some stage in your ticket. You don’t should validate it once more when you’ve executed it the primary time.
Finest Day Journeys from Zurich
Switzerland has an environment friendly prepare system making it top-of-the-line methods to journey round Switzerland. Plus it’s sustainable journey. Journey by prepare produces much less O2 than another mode of transportation (aside from bicycle or foot) together with electrical vehicles which produce 13 instances extra emissions. It’s straightforward to do day journeys from Zurich with the Swiss Journey Move or to maneuver on to your subsequent vacation spot
Swiss Journey Move
While you buy a Swiss Journey Move it contains:
- Limitless journey by prepare, 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 Web site, you’ll be able to take a day journey from Zurich. In case you don’t have a number of time, this is likely one of the greatest day journeys from Zurich however it’s a lengthy one!
This guided day journey to Jungfraujoch with Prepare Journey offers you a style of seeing certainly one of 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 automotive on the Grindelwald Terminal for a spectacular 15-minute experience to the Eiger Glacier by gondola. E book your tour right here. Learn extra about this at Spectacular Switzerland, a Go to to Jungfraujoch – Prime of Europe
Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls
In case you are on the lookout for nearer day journeys from Zurich, a go to to the medieval city of Stein am Rhein and the fantastic Rhine Falls is an effective choice. This extremely rated 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 sumptuous medieval fort of Schloss Laufen and the mighty Rhine Falls and expertise Europe’s largest waterfall. You’ll take the raise to Rhine Falls and see an in depth up take a look at 700,000 liters of water plunging into the basin. You’ll additionally get to see the half-timber body townhouses within the outdated city, and St. George’s Abbey. E book it right here.
Grindelwald
One other day journey that’s attainable from Zurich is to see Grindelwald and Interlaken. This full-day tour takes you to the Bernese Oberland. You’ll have the possibility to discover a little bit of the area by yourself, and we advocate going as much as Grindelwald First.
Right here you’ll be able to take the cable automotive to stroll the First Cliff Stroll, hike out to the lake (about 2 hours return) after which get down rapidly through the First Adventures that embody the zip strains, 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 method as much as Mountain Titlis, 3000 metres above sea degree. You’ll take the Rotair revolving cable automotive and cease at an ice grotto. It’s then onto the Ice Flyer chairlift and the Titlis Cliff Stroll bridge. You possibly can e-book at the present time tour right here.
Zurich is likely one of 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, be certain that to place Zurich on the high of your checklist.
The individuals in Zurich know 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 purchasing alongside one of many world’s costliest streets to 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 at the moment.