Zurich is usually on the high of any Switzerland itinerary. Because the monetary capital of the nation, the most important metropolis in Switzerland, and a picturesque setting on Lake Zurich and the Limmat River there are many issues to maintain you busy. 3 days in Zurich is simply sufficient time to expertise all of it. This itinerary will allow you to plan the proper three days in Zurich from selecting the very best issues to do, locations to see, and the place to eat. So are you able to plan the proper Zurich itinerary?
How To Spend 3 Days in Zurich
Welcome to your first day in Zurich! At this time we’re going to get acquainted with the previous metropolis however we’re then going to move to the hippest a part of Zurich, Zurich West. That is the place previous meets new and you’re going to see the very best of each. We extremely suggest reserving a strolling tour of the previous city to see the highest landmarks of Zurich. We love taking a tour after we first arrive at any metropolis and Zurich is not any exception. It helps us plan out the remainder of our journey and lets us see the highest points of interest in a short while.
Zurich Itinerary Day 1
Day 1 of this Zurich Itinerary takes you thru a strolling tour of the Outdated Metropolis and West Zurich. In case you are staying within the previous metropolis, you possibly can stroll to the entire points of interest after which hop on public transit for a brief and straightforward 10-minute journey to West Zurich.
Notice: The easiest way to get round Zurich is to buy a Zurich Card. It offers limitless journey by bus, prepare, cableway, and tram plus you possibly can take brief boat journeys and a Limmat River cruise. Zurich Playing cards begin at 24 CHF for twenty-four hours. Get extra particulars right here. To discover the Outdated Metropolis, it’s simply completed by foot as there are numerous pedestrian-friendly streets and again alleys to discover.
Spend the Morning of Day 1 in Zurich Exploring the Outdated City
After a scrumptious breakfast at Resort Florhof within the Outdated Metropolis, our metropolis information Barbara met us at our lodging. From right here it was simple to make our approach to see the very best landmarks of the Outdated Metropolis.
1. Rechberg Gardens
Situated straight beside Resort Florhof, Rechberg Gardens are one of the vital scenic spots in Zurich. They’re straight behind Rechberg Mansion which is one other standard landmark in Zurich. Relationship again to 1759, the mansion was renovated in 2014 and is taken into account a cultural asset of nationwide significance and is open to the general public. The Baroque fashion Rechberg Gardens is a peaceable approach to begin the day.
2. College of Zurich View
As you proceed your morning stroll, make your approach to among the finest viewpoints in Zurich. The Federal Institute of Know-how (ETH) on the College of Zurich provides panoramic views of the Outdated City, Limmat River, and so they metropolis’s church steeples. We walked as much as the panorama terrace, however you may also take the Polybahn to keep away from strolling up the hill. It wasn’t operating on the time we have been in Zurich however is scheduled to open in Sept 2021. (which implies any day now). It is likely one of the most iconic modes of transportation within the metropolis. This historic funicular began working in 1889 so in the event you get the possibility, hop on. Albeit, it’s a simple stroll to the highest as nicely.
3. Get Misplaced within the Alleyways of Altstadt
Upon getting neglected Zurich from the College, it’s a good and straightforward stroll downhill by means of the previous metropolis of Zurich (Altstadt). A part of the allure of visiting Zurich is to buy within the boutiques within the previous city, seek for its many fountains, and discover the proper espresso store to take a seat arrange on a patio for prime people-watching. Different issues to see within the Outdated City: see the birthplace of Dadaism at Cafe Voltaire, go into the Belleview Apotheke relationship again to 1887, or have a Spritz on an outside cafe on the pedestrian-only road of Niederdorfstrasse.
4. Grossmunster
Earlier than you allow the West Financial institution of the Limmat River, don’t miss visiting essentially the most iconic constructing in Zurich. Grossmünster (Nice Minster) Church. Legend has it that when Charlemagne found the graves of the town’s patrons, he constructed a church upon them. If you happen to go into the crypt within the cellar and also you’ll see a big sculpture of Charlemagne himself. Grossmünster additionally performs an essential half in Swiss historical past because it was the birthplace of the Reformation of the church. You may also go as much as the highest of the tower for among the finest views in Zurich. It prices 5CHF to climb up the 187 steps for a birds-eye view of the town.
5. Cross the Münsterbrücke
A lot of the Outdated Metropolis’s foremost points of interest crisscross alongside the banks of the Limmat River, and no journey to Zurich can be full with out crossing the Münsterbrücke footbridge. This bridge takes you from Grossmunster throughout the Limmat River on to Fraumunster. Be sure that to cease and take within the views. It provides an unobstructed view of a number of the most stunning locations on the water. Marvel on the Rathaus (Zurich’s Outdated city Corridor) as you make your approach from Grossmunster to Kirche Fraumunster.
6. Fraumunster Church
Fraumunster Church (Church of Our Girl) is a must-visit in Zurich relationship again to 835. It attracts guests to view its stained glass home windows designed by Marc Chagall. It prices CHF 5 to enter Fraumunster.
Spend the Afternoon in Zurich West
Upon getting seen a number of the finest sights within the previous city it’s time to see Zurich’s hippest neighborhood, West Zurich. It is a tremendous place to spend the afternoon into the night. Hop on the streetcar and prepare to spend the afternoon in West Zurich.
Frau Gerolds Garten (Mrs. Gerold’s Backyard) for Lunch
Seize a late lunch at Frau Gerolds Garten (Mrs. Gerold’s Backyard). This outside occasion house is a backyard neighborhood with eateries, bars, and the proper place to seize a beer. The funky ambiance units the tone in your afternoon in West Zurich. Go to the web site for opening instances, menu and reservations.
Freiteg Tower
One of the recognizable landmarks in West Zurich is the Freitag Tower. You could know the title, Freitag, the fashionable baggage are created from recycled truck tarps and freeway baggage. Their flagship retailer is situated in West Zurich and you may’t miss its 19 stacked transport containers reaching 26 meters (85 toes) into the air.
City Surf
Proper subsequent door is likely one of the most original issues to do in Zurich. City Surf is a implausible spot to be transported to the Caribbean. Seashore umbrellas line a deck surrounding a large wave pool. You possibly can hop in to catch a wave or just chill out within the solar as you get pleasure from a cocktail. Go to City Surf web site for classes, costs and opening hours.
Go Artwork Searching
After you’ve loved a bit of enjoyable within the solar, it’s time to seek for the distinctive artwork that’s scattered all through West Zurich. From Towers at Escher-Wyss-Platz, Anne Sophie in entrance of 25hours lodge Zurich-Wes, or you possibly can go into Maag Corridor to see the newest shows (at present Steve McCurry) or go to Puls 5 to take a look at the newest reveals.
Store alongside the Zurich Viadukt
It’s then time to make your approach to the Zurich Viadukt. The five hundred-meter lengthy road is really a one-of-a-kind vacation spot. This previous railway viaduct incorporates boutique retailers and eating places situated inside 36 arches beneath the viaduct. You may also stroll alongside the highest of the Viaduct for some implausible views of the Josefpweis Metropolis park and West Zurich.
Dinner at Viadukt Restaurant
Upon getting had your fill of purchasing, make your approach to the Viadukt Restaurant for dinner has some nice views of Zurich. There may be indoor and outside seating. Go to their web site for reservations.
Cocktail at Clouds Prime Tower
If you happen to nonetheless have vitality, keep out after darkish in West Zurich for a cocktail at Clouds in Prime Tower. Prime Tower is the very best tower in Zurich (second highest in Switzerland). Clouds are on the thirty fifth flooring and provides an incredible view of Zurich being the very best bar in Zurich. You possibly can have dinner there if you wish to splurge as nicely.
It’s been a full day, so get on the tram along with your Zurich Card and make your approach again to your lodge as a result of your Zurich itinerary nonetheless has much more on the agenda.
Zurich Itinerary day 2
Spend the Morning of Day 2 on the Water and Lake Zurich
At this time is all about taking within the views, experiencing the 2 completely different waterfronts of Zurich and indulging in some decadent Swiss Chocolate.
Dawn at Lindenhof
At this time is an early begin as you make your approach to Lindenhof for dawn. This former Roman fortress is now a stunning park sitting excessive on a hill on the stays of the previous metropolis partitions. It’s a stunning place for dawn with views of the solar rising over the Limmat River, the Outdated City, and Grossmunster Church. Seeing it at dawn is the proper time of day to beat the crowds and benefit from the peaceable solitude of the view.
St. Peter’s Church
From Lindenhoff Hill, it’s now time to walk alongside the Limmat River in direction of St. Peter’s Church the place largest clocktower in Europe resides. Relationship again to the ninth century, it’s the oldest church in Zurich. We didn’t go inside however you possibly can go into see it and it’s free to enter.
Breakfast at Cafe Milchbar am Paradplatz
Because you awoke at dawn, it’s rather a lot to stroll again to the lodge for breakfast, so as a substitute, make your approach to Cafe Milchbar at Paradplatz. This quiet courtyard is a stunning place for a cappuccino and pastry to begin your day. You are actually able to have a tremendous day exploring actions outdoors of the Outdated City. It’s time to see Lake Zurich.
Bürkliplatz Pier
Bürkliplatz Pier is a sq. on Lake Zurich and the place to catch a ship in your journey across the lake. It has pretty scenic views of the mountain, the pier and the shores of Lake Zurich. By the way in which, there’s a vegetable market right here twice per week and a Sunday farmer’s market. So there’s a lot happening at this gathering place. There’s additionally a implausible strolling path the place you may make your approach round to locations like Arboretum Park and the swim platforms scattered alongside the lake. However right now, as a substitute of strolling, you’re going to use your Zurich Card to hop on the ferry to Wollishofen.
Boat to Wollishofen
Wolishofen is an artists neighborhood that was a former industrial space. It’s stuffed with artists . One fascinating undeniable fact that we discovered about Wollishofen is that when massive builders spend money on property and growth in Zurich, a proportion of their funding should go to the artwork neighborhood. Wollishofen has many festivals and artists occasions and there are many locations to eat as nicely.
Cassiopeia Boardwalk
As you proceed your stroll alongside Lake Zurich from Wolishofen his stunning boardwalk on Lake Zurich is an excellent place for a stroll. One other fascinating truth we discovered is that waterfront property is now not being offered alongside Lake Zurich. Town now makes certain that everybody can expertise the waterfront. For waterfront properties that have been already owned earlier than the regulation got here into place, the town has developed a boardwalk out on the lake bypassing the personal houses. This fashion, individuals can proceed to stroll round Lake Zurich unobstructed.
Lunch at Mönchhof on Lake Zurich
The morning of your second day is coming to an finish it’s time for lunch. There are many locations for lunch alongside Lake Zurich and we loved lunch at Mönchhof. It’s beer backyard is situated on the water and overlooks an previous harbour. Seize a contemporary salad with some truffel fries and benefit from the views of the Swiss Alps standing proud over Lake Zurich within the distance. Don’t eat an excessive amount of, since you are actually going to essentially the most scrumptious cease in your Zurich itinerary.
Lindt Dwelling of Chocolate
You possibly can catch the bus or stroll off your lunch as you proceed on within the afternoon. Lindt Dwelling of Chocolate is a should cease on any Zurich Itinerary. If you happen to like chocolate, you’re going to love this interactive multimedia expertise. The cutting-edge constructing homes a testing plant the place chocolatiers develop new recipes and strategies letting you peek into the artwork of chocolate making. There are a number of experiences to select from however merely happening the chocolate tour is superior as you study of the historical past of chocolate earlier than attending to style liquid chocolate from an array of chocolate fountains to chunks of chocolate to check your style buds and eventually finish in a room with vats of Lindor goodies prepared so that you can eat!
Bahnhofstrasse
If you find yourself completed up on the chocolate museum, make your approach again to downtown Zurich to discover the world’s costliest purchasing road. Bahnhofstrasse stretches from Lake Zurich to Hauptbahnhof station. You possibly can take the tram again to downtown utilizing your Zurich card and start the window purchasing as you stroll alongside this pedestrian-friendly road. There are streetcars and site visitors, however the sidewalks are broad as you try the common high-end purchasing from Gucci to Rolex, and Chanel to Burberry. When you’ve had your fill of gawking within the home windows it’s meal time.
Niederdorfstrasse
Make your approach to Paradplatz a pedestrian-only strolling road to seek for a chew to eat. We selected an outside seat at Restaurant Zeughauskeller. This busy place was inbuilt 1487 and is extraordinarily standard. The service was glorious and it serves typical Swiss delicacies, making for the proper place to seize a chew in Zurich.
Head to Quaibrücke for Sundown
Relying on the time of 12 months, you’ll most likely be consuming earlier than sundown. Within the top of summer season with sundown late within the night, you’ll need to eat first as we found the exhausting approach that eating places kitchens shut early. So after dinner, head to Quaibrücke, the final bridge between Zurich Outdated City and Lake Zurich. That is the traditional spot for images the place you possibly can see the entire Limmat River and Zurich’s 4 main church buildings. It’s a vigorous spot at sundown, so make certain to go throughout the road to see how The Alps mild up over Lake Zurich as nicely.
It’s now time for relaxation as you’ve been up since dawn, so make it an early evening. The second day of your Zurich itinerary has come to an finish. In case you have your coronary heart set on a nightcap some recommendations for bars are Jules Verne Panoramabar for the view, Outdated Crow for cocktails, or have a glass of champagne at Cafe Odeon the primary place the place champagne by the glass was ever served!
Zurich Day 3
It’s your closing day in your Zurich itinerary and right now is all in regards to the outside. The individuals of Zurich love the lake so make your approach to the waterfront. Stroll alongside the waterfront in direction of the Arbetorium the place individuals sunbathe on the water’s edge. It’s a pleasing stroll as you make your approach to Badi Enge the place it’s time for our favourite exercise in Zurich.
SUP on Lake Zurich
Badi Enge is a public swimming space on Lake Zurich with solar decks, swimming lanes, a restaurant, and a sauna. It has stunning views of the Alps, Lake Zurich, and the town. However one of the best ways to expertise it’s to lease a paddleboard to do discover the waterfront. You possibly can take the boards by means of the marina after which onto the Schanzenzengraben Canal. This picturesque canal is to not be missed!
Chill out at Seebad Enge
As soon as you’re completed paddleboarding, you’re free to go for a swim, chill out on the swimming platforms or seize some lunch. You may also replenish your water bottle right here earlier than shifting on. Examine for costs or make a reservation for SUP on the Seebad Enge web site.
Lunch at Swiss Cuchi
I do know that we stated you possibly can eat lunch at Seebad Enge however we suggest making your approach again to the previous city for lunch to have a Swiss Fondue at Swiss Cuchi. No journey to Switzerland is full with out a fondue, so that is your probability. Swiss Cuchi is situated within the coronary heart of the previous city. You are actually only a brief stroll to your subsequent cease.
Go as much as Uetliberg
After lunch, it’s time to hop on the tram to catch the Uetliberg. It takes about an hour to get to by public transit from the Outdated City, so this can be your total afternoon. However it’s value it. Uetliberg is a mountain standing 869 meters (2850 toes) above Zurich. Public transport takes you to the prepare that goes almost to the highest. When you arrive by prepare, it’s a couple of 10 to 15-minute stroll to an unbelievable lookout. There’s a tower which you can climb for 2CHF and it’s positively value it. We nearly didn’t put this on our Zurich itinerary and I’m so glad we made time for it. There are beautiful views of the town, the mountains, and the lake plus the rolling hills of the Limmat Valley. In case you have time, you possibly can go for a two-hour hike to take the cable automotive down from Felsenegg.
Sundown Over Lake Zurich
On your final evening in Zurich, seize a beer and make your approach all the way down to the Lake to look at the sundown in entrance of Sechseläutenplatz. Situated on the east aspect of Lake Zurich is a public park on the lakeshore the place locals hand around in the night. It is a vigorous spot and provides stunning views. It’s situated simply in entrance of Sechseläutenplatz which homes the attractive Zurich Opera Home. At 16000 sq. meters, Sechseläutenplatz is likely one of the largest squares in Switzerland.
Dinner BierGarten Bauschaunzli
As soon as the solar goes down, make your approach throughout the bridge to the West Financial institution of the Limmat River for a correct Beergarden expertise at Bauschaunzli. Situated beneath the shade of huge chestnut timber, that is additionally a great place for a beer within the afternoon solar. However in your closing evening in Zurich, it’s a great conventional spot to have a beer and luxuriate in a pint of native brew.
Methods to Get Round Zurich
The easiest way to get round Zurich is to buy a Zurich card. The Zurich Card provides entry to trains, trams, cable automobiles and boats round Zurich. It additionally provides free or discounted admissions to museums. Be sure that to validate your ticket earlier than you are taking your first journey on transit. As soon as it’s validated, you don’t want to indicate it except requested throughout your ticket. Zurich Playing cards vary from 24 to 72 hours. Zurich Playing cards begin at 24 CHF for twenty-four hours. Get extra particulars right here.
Choose shops additionally supply reductions to Zurich Card holders to ensure to ask.
- A few of the finest museums to see in Zurich with the Zurich Card are are:
- Kunsthaus Zürich
- Museum Rietberg
- Museum Haus Konstruktiv
- FIFA World Soccer Museum
- Landesmuseum
Methods to Get to Zurich
Worldwide flights arrive each day to Zurich Airport, (ZRH) the most important airport in Switzerland. Trains run often from Zurich Airport to the primary Zurich Important Prepare Station, Hauptbahnhof. You should utilize your Swiss Journey Go to take the prepare. Do you know that Hauptbahnhof is the busiest prepare station in Europe? You possibly can then use your Zurich Go to hop on a tram to your lodge which could be very simple when touring Zurich.
Once you buy a Swiss Journey Go it contains:
Limitless journey by prepare, bus, and boat
Public transportation in additional than 90 cities and cities
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
The place to Keep in Zurich
When in search of lodging in Zurich, a keep within the Outdated Metropolis is a good suggestion as it’s simple to get round. We stayed at Resort Florhof and it was inside strolling distance to in every single place. It additionally has parking when you’ve got a automotive rental, a implausible restaurant, very good breakfasts included and there are many historic regalia together with an previous ceramic wooden range and an previous radio within the sitting room.
Zurich will steal your coronary heart. We had all the time dreamed to visiting Zurich and after three visits to Switzerland, we lastly managed to discover this thrilling cosmopolitan. In case you are planning a visit to Switzerland, makes certain to spend three days in Zurich to really expertise the entire superb issues to do within the metropolis.