Are you searching for one of the best issues to do in Zürich? You’ve come to the proper place. We tried one of the best meals, adventures, and actions in Switzerland’s largest metropolis, and have rounded up essentially the most lovely lookouts and must-see sights. Being the monetary capital of Switzerland, Zürich is crammed with stylish eating places, posh patrons, and a complete lot of cash. Zürich is trendy and complicated, however it is usually enjoyable and laid again.
Best Things to do in Zürich
When you go to Zurich we extremely recommend buying a Zürich Card. It is the easiest way to get across the metropolis and to save cash. It contains 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 Old Town strolling tour. We did all this with our Zurich Card.
You can select from 24 hours passes to 72-hour passes beginning at 24CHF. We suggest spending at the least three days in Zürich. Read our full The Perfect 3 Days in Zurich, Switzerland
1. Lindt Home Chocolate
It might sound cliche to go to a chocolate manufacturing facility when searching for issues to do in Zürich, however this isn’t your bizarre manufacturing facility tour. Lindt Home of Chocolate is among the high Zurich sights and for good cause. This chocolate museum is a spectacle and if you go to Zurich, be certain that to place this on the high of your checklist.
Upon getting into you come head to head with a large chocolate fountain standing tall within the large corridor. It is then onto a tour to be taught concerning the historical past of chocolate and eat loads 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 true deal with comes close to the tip if 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 notice 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 had been pleased to maintain attempting. Our tour then led to a room crammed with vats of well-known Lindor candies permitting us to eat as many as we wished. The Lindt Home of Chocolate is actually a chocolate lover’s paradise.
Visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate Website for excursions and knowledge. Tours begin at 15 CHF per individual, you too can ebook experiences like making your individual chocolate.
2. SUP on Lake Zürich
Hands down our favourite factor to do in Zürich spending time on Lake Zürich. We made our option to Badi Enge the place they hire paddleboards by the hour. It was a lot enjoyable to get on the water through the sizzling summer time 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 if you happen to don’t wish to paddleboard, be certain that to get on the water if you go to Zurich. Lake Zurich has among the finest views of the town. A ship experience is included in your Zürich Card, so if nothing else, at the least 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 individuals take pleasure in 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 the town heart, and it’s a wonderful walkway alongside the lakefront with parks and views of the Swiss Alps and the town. There is a combined and women-only solely swimming space, swimming lanes, a restaurant, and picket solar decks.
In the winter Seebad Enge is was a sauna, so you’ll be able to go to it year-round. Imagine scorching in a sauna as you view the snow capped mountains of the Swiss Alps. That is heavenly.
It prices 8CHF (8.74 USD) to enter and paddleboard leases begin at 35 CHF (38 USD) for an hour. For extra info Visit the Zürich Website at Seebad Enge
4. Altstadt (Old Town)
When visiting any European metropolis, one of the best factor to do is just stroll by way of the Old Town, take pleasure in 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 choose up some Swiss chocolate or scrumptious cheese.
One of our favourite issues to do in Zürich’s Old Town was to easily pull up a seat on one of many out of doors patios and folks watch. Zürich is among the costliest cities on this planet and watching the style and households stroll by made for probably the most attention-grabbing people-watching afternoons of our lives.
5. Walking Tours
One of one of the best methods to get acquainted with Zürich is to take a strolling tour. You can get 50% off a strolling tour along with your Zurich Card and this can be a nice option to see a lot of the high 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 refill our water bottles with contemporary water.
We began our tour of the town heart by strolling by way of the attractive Rechberg gardens earlier than making our means by way of the medieval structure to the University for among the finest 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.
6. Grossmünster (Great Minster)
Grossmünster is an imposing landmark in Zürich with its twin towers standing tall over the Limmat River. It can also be probably the most necessary locations in Zürich because it was the sight of reformation in Switzerland. You can stroll up the towers to see lovely views over Zürich and ensure to enter the crypt to see a powerful statue of Charlemagne.
7. Fraumünster
Another church to go to in Zürich is Fraumünster. People 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 among the most recognizable landmarks within the metropolis.
Founded in 853, this church was initially a convent inhabited by aristocratic females from Europe. Five stained glass home windows designed by Chagall had been put in in 1970. Inside there’s additionally a formidable pipe organ with 5793 pipes.
8. Go Up Uetliberg Mountain
Our subsequent big shock was making our means as much as one of the best lookout over Zürich. Using 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 heart and it’s nicely price it for one of the best views of Zurich
When you attain the tip of the road, it’s a few 10-minute stroll to the lookout tower for superb views of Zurich, Lake Zurich, and the Swiss Alps. If you will have greater than a day or two, we extremely recommend you make the journey up the mountain if you go to Zurich. It was our favourite factor to do exterior the town heart.
After you will have taken within the views of the rolling hills and the town beneath, you’ll be able to have lunch on the restaurant or proceed climbing for about 2 hours to the gondola that may take you again down. If you will 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 associated fee.
9. Explore Zürich West
Zürich West is the hippest spot on the town. (I feel utilizing the phrase hip, simply made me look sq.). Once a warehouse and manufacturing facility district, Zürich West has been reworked into a spot with fashionable bars, cool cafes, and loads of procuring. There are nice artworks scattered all through ZürichWest so it’s price exploring on foot.
It is 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 heart. When the lights go down, locals and vacationers alike flock to the bars for his or her intoxicating nightlife scene. Fun 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 wonderful show of arches crammed with boutiques, eating places, and galleries. Built in 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 time’s day.
While you might be on the Viadukt, take pleasure in dinner at Restaurant Viadukt situated immediately underneath the practice tracks trying in the direction of the park. There is out of doors and indoor eating. It is really useful to make a reservation.
11. Frau Gerolds Garten (Mrs. Gerold’s Garden)
Zürich West is crammed with cool cafés however the busiest spot we encountered was Frau Gerold’s Garten. This 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. Grab a beer and folks watch as you are feeling like a neighborhood for the night. Visit the web site for particulars.
12. Urban Surf
Right subsequent to Frau Gerold’s Garten is among the extra distinctive Zurich sights, Urban Surf. For a steep value, you’ll be able to attempt some metropolis browsing of their wave pool.
If you aren’t up for getting moist, no worries, you’ll be able to sit on one of many plush patio chairs and luxuriate in a cocktail as you watch individuals wrestle within the waves. Whatever you resolve, it’s a enjoyable place to hang around. Visit Urban 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 group of Wollishofen utilizing our Zürich Card for a free boat experience. It was simply quarter-hour from the town heart.
The spotlight of this location is the stunning stroll alongside the Cassiopeia Boardwalk. We realized that Zürich has labored exhausting to make its valuable waterfront obtainable to the general public and persons 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. Mönchhof am See
While you might be strolling by way of Wollishofen, take your time to go to the group of artists. It is a cool neighborhood of Zürich that’s not to be missed. A bit of 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 contemporary burrata and tomato salad, my mouth was crammed with flavors. There is loads of out of doors eating, you’ll be able to make a reservation right here.
15. Bahnhofstrasse
Speaking of procuring, Zürich boasts probably the most costly procuring streets on this planet. Bahnhofstrasse is Zürich’s primary downtown avenue spanning 1.4 km from the primary 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 Bank 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 the highest issues to do in Zürich is to go to the quiet park overlooking Zürich from the Old City Walls. 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. During the day it might probably get fairly busy, however at dawn, it’s quiet and peaceable.
Once dwelling to a Roman Fort, Lindenhof gives among the finest views of Zürich and the river. After you go to Lindenhoff, cease by St. Peter’s Church one of many 4 primary church buildings within the historic metropolis heart.
17. eat Fondue
Dave and I had a purpose when going again to Switzerland, and it was to eat as a lot fondue and raclette as doable. We managed to take action and certainly one of our favourite fondue eating places in all the nation was Swiss Chuchi within the Altstadt.
Located within the coronary heart of Niederdorf a pedestrian plaza resulting in hidden alleyways across the Old Town, Swiss Chuchi is among the finest 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 contemporary 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 course of summer time, our waiter mentioned “It’s always a good time for fondue.” I consider 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 when you’re at it, take pleasure in a Swiss sizzling chocolate too! Swiss Chuchi is situated within the Hotel Adler, Zurich.
18. Fill up on the Many Fountains
One of essentially the most fascinating issues, if you go to Zürich, is to maintain an eye fixed out for the 1200 ornate fountains scattered all through the town. These aren’t your common ingesting fountains, the fountains of Zürich are artworks. You’ll see kids 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 contemporary and simply ready so that you can have a style. Some Zürich fountains are merely lovely so while you’re filling your bottle, be certain that to benefit from the particulars of the artist’s work.
19. zürich Opera House
The Zürich Opera House, also referred to as the Opernhaus Zürich was first in-built 1891 and has undergone a number of renovations over time. The opera home is situated in Sechseläutenplatz which is among the largest squares in Switzerland. It is price going to this sq. alone, however it is best to go inside to see this lovely venue. You can 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 House 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 akin to Mozart and Verdi to up to date operas.
20. Swiss National Museum
A go to to the Swiss National Museum is included in your Zürich Card. Known as Landesmuseum, it’s the oldest and largest cultural historical past museum within the nation. The museum gives a complete have a look at the historical past of Switzerland, from prehistoric instances to the current day. Visitors can be taught concerning the nation’s political, social, and financial improvement, in addition to its artwork and tradition.
The Swiss National 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, akin to ceramics, glass, and metalwork. If you might be searching for issues to do in Zürich on a wet day, this can be a nice alternative.
21. Kunsthaus Zürich
Art lovers will take pleasure in shopping Kunsthaus Zürich (Zurich Museum of Art) the place you’ll be able to view the greats akin to Chagall, Monet, and Van Gogh. There are loads of different artists to see on the Museum of Art because it homes certainly one of Switzerland’s most necessary artwork collections.
There are 1000 items on show at any given time. It has the most important 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 Trip to Zürich
There are so many superb issues to do in Zurich that you possibly can spend a complete season exploring. But Dave and I made a superb go of it. Running on only a few hours of sleep every day, we had been up on the morning time to late into the evening trying out one of the best of Zurich. Follow the map to see if you happen to can take a look at all of those sights.
Where to Stay in Zurich
When selecting the place to remain in Zurich, we suggest the Old City which is inside strolling distance to all over the place making it straightforward to get round. We stayed on the Florhoff Hotel. This boutique lodge was refurbished in 2014 and has a historic character with fashionable rooms and facilities. A scrumptious breakfast is included, there’s a standard restaurant on-site and whereas it’s within the Old Town, it’s far sufficient away from the hustle and bustle making it a quiet choice.
There are loads of accommodations in Zurich West which is just 10 minutes to downtown by transit and is a extra inexpensive choice.
How to Get Around Zurich
The finest option to get round Zurich is to buy a City Pass Zurich Card. It supplies limitless journey by bus, practice, cableway, and tram plus you’ll be able to take a brief boat experience and a Limmat River cruise. City Pass Zurich Cards begin at 24 CHF for twenty-four hours. Get extra particulars right here.
The Zurich Card additionally permits you to enter certainly one of Zurich’s 43 museums without cost or with diminished admission. Plus, you too can take a Zurich Old city strolling tour at half value. This card is one of the best bang on your buck for getting round Zurich and seeing its high vacationer sights.
Before boarding any public transport, be certain that to validate your ticket and have it helpful. Once it’s validated, you’ll be able to hop on any public transport on the town during your ticket. You don’t need to validate it once more when you’ve performed it the primary time.
Best Day Trips from Zurich
Switzerland has an environment friendly practice system making it among the finest methods to journey round Switzerland. Plus it’s sustainable journey. Travel by practice produces much less O2 than every other mode of transportation (apart from bicycle or foot) together with electrical vehicles which produce 13 instances extra emissions. It is straightforward to do day journeys from Zurich with the Swiss Travel Pass or to maneuver on to your subsequent vacation spot
Swiss Travel Pass
When you buy a Swiss Travel Pass it contains:
- Unlimited journey by practice, bus, and boat
- Public transportation in additional than 90 cities and cities
- Including 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 Train Tour of Switzerland app and Swiss Travel Guide app
Jungfraujoch
While Jungfraujoch deserves three to 5 days to go to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll be able to take a day journey from Zurich. If you don’t have loads of time, this is among the finest day journeys from Zurich however it’s a lengthy one!
This guided day journey to Jungfraujoch with Train Ride offers you a style of seeing certainly one of Switzerland’s most lovely 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. Book your tour right here. Read extra about this at Spectacular Switzerland, a Visit to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls
If you might be searching 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 most important 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 largest waterfall. You’ll take the elevate 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 within the outdated city, and St. George’s Abbey. Book it right here.
Grindelwald
Another day journey that’s doable 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 suggest going as much as Grindelwald First.
Here you’ll be able to take the cable automotive to stroll the First Cliff Walk, hike out to the lake (about 2 hours return) after which get down shortly through the First Adventures that embrace the zip strains, First First Flyer, and First Glider, and whizzing down the mountain on Trottibikes and mountain carts. Read extra About Grindelwald at The Best Things to do in Grindelwald
Lucerne and Mount Titlis
Another 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 Walk bridge. You can ebook today 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, be certain that to place Zurich on the high of your checklist.
The individuals in Zurich know how you can take pleasure in life by spending time on the lake and watching the sundown over the Limmat River in each summer time and winter. From procuring alongside one of many world’s costliest streets to climbing within the close by Swiss Alps there’s by no means a boring second in Zurich.
Our journey to Switzerland is in partnership with My Switzerland. Visit their web site to begin planning your journey immediately.