Are you on the lookout for the very best issues to do in Zürich? You’ve come to the proper place. We tried the very best meals, adventures, and actions in Switzerland’s largest metropolis, and have rounded up essentially the most stunning lookouts and must-see sights. Being the monetary capital of Switzerland, Zürich is full of stylish eating places, posh patrons, and an entire lot of cash. Zürich is trendy and complicated, however additionally it is enjoyable and laid again.
Greatest Issues to do in Zürich
Whenever you go to Zurich we extremely counsel buying a Zürich Card. It’s one of the best ways to get across the metropolis and to save cash. 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 You get free or diminished admission to museums and 50% off an Outdated City strolling tour.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 advocate spending not less than three days in Zürich. Learn our full The Good 3 Days in Zurich, Switzerland
1. Lindt House Chocolate – Manufacturing facility Tour
It could sound cliche to go to a chocolate manufacturing unit when on the lookout for issues to do in Zürich, however this isn’t your atypical manufacturing unit tour. Lindt House of Chocolate is likely one of the prime Zurich sights and for good motive. This chocolate museum is a spectacle and while you go to Zurich, be sure to place this on the prime of your listing.
Upon getting into you come nose to nose with a large chocolate fountain standing tall within the large corridor. It’s then onto a tour to be taught in regards to the historical past of chocolate and eat numerous 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 while you enter a room full of 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 might decipher the completely different flavors.
We failed, however we had been glad to maintain making an attempt. Our tour then resulted in a room full of vats of well-known Lindor candies permitting us to eat as many as we wished. The Lindt House of Chocolate is actually 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 can even guide experiences like making your personal chocolate.
2. SUP on Lake Zürich
Arms down our favourite factor to do in Zürich spending time on Lake Zürich. We made our technique to Badi Enge the place they lease paddleboards by the hour. It was a lot enjoyable to get on the water through the sizzling summer season day.
Being on a paddleboard allow us to see the town from a special 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 should you don’t need to paddleboard, be sure to get on the water while you go to Zurich. Lake Zurich has a few of the greatest views of the town. A ship journey is included in your Zürich Card, so if nothing else, not less than hop on a ship to soak up 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 folks 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 may 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 info Go to the Zürich Web site at Seebad Enge
4. Strolling Tour of Altstadt (Zürich Outdated City)
The most effective methods to get acquainted with Zürich is to take a strolling tour. You may get 50% off a strolling tour along with your Zurich Card and this can be a nice technique to see many of the prime Zurich sights 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 means by way of the medieval structure to the College for among the best views of Zürich. Weaving our means by way of the outdated city, we noticed the highest Zürich sights 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 necessary 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. Folks 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 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 Chagal had been put in in 1970. Inside there may be additionally a powerful pipe organ with 5793 pipes.
7. the Altstadt (Outdated City)
When visiting any European metropolis, the very best factor to do is solely stroll by way of the Outdated City, get pleasure from an aperitif and do some window buying. 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 may choose up some Swiss chocolate or scrumptious cheese.
One among 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 likely one of the costliest cities on the planet and watching the style and households stroll by made for some of the attention-grabbing people-watching afternoons of our lives.
8. Go Up Uetliberg Mountain
Our subsequent large shock was making our means as much as the very best 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 is just about 45 minutes to get right here from the town middle and it’s properly price it for the very best views of Zurich
Whenever you attain the tip of the road, it’s a few 10-minute stroll to the lookout tower for wonderful views of Zurich, Lake Zurich, and the Swiss Alps. If in case you have greater than a day or two, we extremely counsel you make the journey up the mountain while you go to Zurich. It was our favourite factor to do outdoors the town middle.
After you’ve taken within the views of the rolling hills and the town beneath, you may have lunch on the restaurant or proceed mountaineering for about 2 hours to the gondola that can take you again down. If in case you 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 utterly price the price.
9. Discover Zürich West
Zürich West is the hippest spot on the town. (I believe utilizing the phrase hip, simply made me look sq.). As soon as a warehouse and manufacturing unit district, Zürich West has been reworked into a spot with fashionable bars, cool cafes, and loads of buying. There are nice artworks scattered all through ZürichWest so it’s price exploring on foot.
It’s straightforward to get to by utilizing our Zurich card. We hopped on public transportation and had 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 buying alongside the Viadukt. This 550-meter-long railway viaduct is a phenomenal show of arches full of 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.
While you’re on the Viadukt, get pleasure from dinner at Restaurant Viadukt situated instantly beneath the practice tracks trying in the direction of the park. There may be outside and indoor eating. It’s endorsed to make a reservation.
11. Have a Drink at Frau Gerolds Garten (Mrs. Gerold’s Backyard)
Zürich West is full of 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 sizzling spot is a modular bar and eating space with outside meals stalls and markets. Seize a beer and other people watch as you’re 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 sights, City Surf. For a steep worth, you may attempt some metropolis browsing of their wave pool.
If you’re not up for getting moist, no worries, you may sit on one of many plush patio chairs and revel in a cocktail as you watch folks 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. 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 group of Wollishofen utilizing our Zürich Card for a free boat journey. 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 obtainable to the general public and individuals are now not allowed to buy waterfront property on Lake Zurich. In entrance of the homes that had been grandfathered in with waterfront property, the town constructed a boardwalk on the water to permit entry to the general public.
14. Lunch at Mönchhof am See
While you’re strolling by way of Wollishofen, take your time to go to the group of artists. It’s a funky neighborhood of Zürich that isn’t to be missed. Slightly additional south is Kilchberg which has loads of waterfront eating places the place you may sit again and benefit from the surroundings.
We ate a Mönchhof am See, which we realized is owned by one of many prime restauranteurs within the metropolis. With scrumptious truffle fries, refreshing ginger photographs and a recent burrata and tomato salad, my mouth was full of flavors. There may be loads of outside eating, you may make a reservation right here.
15. Window Store at Bahnhofstrasse
Talking of buying, Zürich boasts some of the costly buying streets on the planet. Bahnhofstrasse is Zürich’s major downtown road spanning 1.4 km from the primary practice station.
As you stroll from the practice 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 marvel how a lot money and jewels are sitting inside their vaults.
16. Dawn From Lindenhof
One of many prime 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 might probably get fairly busy, however at dawn, it’s quiet and peaceable.
As soon as house to a Roman Fort, Lindenhof provides among the best views of Zürich and the river. After you go to Lindenhoff, cease by St. Peter’s Church one of many 4 major church buildings within the historic metropolis middle.
17. Eat a Fondue at Swiss Chuchi
Dave and I had a purpose 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 all the nation was Swiss Chuchi within the Altstadt.
Situated 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 outdoors, we ordered a refreshing aperitivo and once we felt silly ordering a sizzling dish in the course of summer season, our waiter mentioned “It’s all the time time for fondue.” I imagine 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 when you’re at it, get pleasure from a Swiss sizzling chocolate too! Swiss Chuchi is situated within the Lodge Adler, Zurich.
18. Replenish on the Many Fountains
Probably the most fascinating issues, while 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 artworks. You’ll see youngsters enjoying 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 operating from the fountains is clear and recent and simply ready so that you can have a style. Some Zürich fountains are merely stunning so if you are filling your bottle, be sure to benefit from the particulars of the artist’s work.
19. zürich Opera Home
The Zürich Opera Home, often known as the Opernhaus Zürich was first inbuilt 1891 and has undergone a number of renovations through the years. The opera home is situated in Sechseläutenplatz which is likely one of the largest squares in Switzerland. It’s price 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 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 house 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 comparable 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. Referred to as Landesmuseum, it’s the oldest and largest cultural historical past museum within the nation. The museum provides a complete have a look at the historical past of Switzerland, from prehistoric instances to the current day. Guests can be taught in regards to the nation’s political, social, and financial growth, 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 intensive collections of medieval and Renaissance artwork, textiles, weapons, and furnishings. It additionally has a big assortment of ornamental artwork, comparable to ceramics, glass, and metalwork. If you’re 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 searching Kunsthaus Zürich the place you may view the greats comparable to Chagall, Monet, and Van Gogh. There are many different artists to see because it homes one among Switzerland’s most necessary artwork collections. There are 1000 items on show at any given time. It has the biggest 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 might spend a complete season exploring. However Dave and I made go of it. Operating 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 very best of Zurich. Observe the map to see should you can try all of those sights.
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 all over the place making it straightforward to get round. We stayed on the Florhoff Lodge. This boutique resort was refurbished in 2014 and has a historic character with fashionable rooms and facilities. A scrumptious breakfast is included, there’s a common 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 resorts in Zurich West which is just 10 minutes to downtown by transit and is a extra inexpensive choice.
The way to Get Round Zurich
One of the simplest ways to get round Zurich is to buy a Metropolis Move Zurich Card. It supplies limitless journey by bus, practice, cableway, and tram plus you may take a brief boat journey 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 enables you to enter one among Zurich’s 43 museums at no cost or with diminished admission. Plus, you can even take a Zurich Outdated city strolling tour at half worth. This card is the very best bang on your buck for getting round Zurich and seeing its prime vacationer sights.
Earlier than boarding any public transport, be sure to validate your ticket and have it useful. As soon as it’s validated, you may hop on any public transport on the town at some stage in your ticket. You don’t must validate it once more when you’ve performed it the primary time.
Greatest Day Journeys from Zurich
Switzerland has an environment friendly practice system making it among the best methods to journey round Switzerland. Plus it’s sustainable journey. Journey by practice produces much less O2 than another mode of transportation (apart from bicycle or foot) together with electrical automobiles which produce 13 instances extra emissions. It’s straightforward to do day journeys from Zurich with the Swiss Journey Move or to maneuver onto you rnext vacation spot
Swiss Journey Move
Whenever 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 Web site, you may take a day journey from Zurich. Should you don’t have numerous 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 Experience provides 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 automotive on the Grindelwald Terminal for a spectacular 15-minute journey to the Eiger Glacier by gondola. Learn extra about this at
Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls
If you’re on the lookout for nearer day journeys from Zurich, a go to to the medieval city of Stein am Rhein and the wonderful Rhine Falls is an effective 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 raise to Rhine Falls and see an in depth 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 possibility to discover a little bit of the area by yourself, and we advocate going as much as Grindelwald First. Right here you may take the cable automotive to stroll the First Cliff Stroll, hike out to the lake (about 2 hours return) after which get down shortly through the First Adventures that embrace 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 Greatest 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 means as much as Mountain Titlis, 3000 metres above sea stage. 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’ll be able to guide today 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 sure to place Zurich on the prime of your listing.
The folks in Zurich know easy methods 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 buying alongside one of many world’s costliest streets to mountaineering within the close by Swiss Alps there may be by no means a boring second in Zurich.
Our journey to Switzerland is in partnership with My Switzerland. Go to their web site to start out planning your journey as we speak.
