Zürich, with its colourful outdated city and useful public transportation community, is a good metropolis so as to add on to your tour of Switzerland. Wander the picturesque outdated city, dine on fondue, buy groceries, and take a ship tour of Lake Zürich. Listed here are the perfect issues to do with at some point in Zürich.
One Day in Zürich
Attention-grabbing Details about Zürich
Finest Issues to Do
One Day Strolling Tour
Ought to You Buy the Zürich Card?
The place to Eat
The place to Keep
Day Journey Concepts
Attention-grabbing Details about Zürich
Zürich is the most important metropolis in Switzerland. With a big prepare station and a global airport, this can be a main transportation hub in Switzerland. If you’re planning a visit to Switzerland, there’s a good likelihood your journey will begin and/or finish right here.
In 2018, Zürich was ranked because the 4th most costly metropolis on the planet to reside in. Zürich is house to many banking and monetary establishments, making it one of many world’s largest monetary facilities. These costs will get handed right down to you as a vacationer. Anticipate greater costs for lodges and meals than you’d see in different main European cities, though the value distinction shouldn’t be astronomical.
Town middle of Zürich is small and compact and that is the place you’ll spend most of your time. The Limmat River runs proper by means of town middle, flowing into the Lake Zürich. The church steeples of Grossmünster and Fraumünster dominate the skyline, and a maze of slim, cobblestoned streets course by means of the outdated city, making this the right place for a leisurely stroll.
One Day in Zürich
Relatively than having a minute by minute itinerary, here’s a listing of the perfect issues to do if in case you have at some point in Zürich.
On the finish of this text, get suggestions on the place to eat and the place to remain.
If in case you have plans to remain longer than at some point in Zürich, we additionally give a number of nice concepts for day journeys. Zürich is a good house base for day tripping to different locations in Switzerland.
Finest Issues to do in Zürich
1. Wander the Previous City (Altstadt)
The outdated city is the historic metropolis middle of Zürich. These slim, pedestrian solely streets are lined with retailers, eating places, lodges, and the residences of the locals.
The Limmat River divides the outdated city into two sections, however with a collection of bridges, it’s simple to crisscross backwards and forwards as you discover Zürich.
Zurich Previous City | One Day in Zürich
The outdated city is bordered by the central prepare station (Hauptbahnhof) within the north, Lake Zürich within the south, and spreads east and west a number of blocks from the Limmat River. It takes a number of hours to wander by means of the outdated city at a leisurely tempo. There are a number of notable sights, similar to Grossmünster and Fraumünster church buildings, to see alongside the way in which (these are talked about beneath).
Niederdorf (known as Dörfli by the locals), is a small district situated inside the outdated city. This space is the primary vacation spot for town’s nightlife and it’s house to many retailers, eating places, and scenic facet streets. It will get its title from Niederdorfstrasse, the primary pedestrian avenue that runs by means of the district.
Cabaret Voltaire is the cafe the place the Dada artwork motion started in 1916. You may nonetheless go to this café. It usually opens at 5:30 pm (earlier on weekends) and options reside jazz music.
Later on this put up, you’ll be able to see every part on a map, together with a strolling route by means of the outdated city.
2. Grossmünster
The Grossmünster is a Protestant church that’s situated within the outdated city. It is likely one of the most recognizable landmarks within the metropolis. The church is open every day from 10 am to six pm, with diminished hours from November to February.
Grossmünster | One Day in Zürich
3. Fraumünster
Fraumünster is one other essential church in Zürich. This church is legendary for the stained-glass home windows that have been designed by Marc Chagall in 1970. For five CHF, you’ll be able to take an audio-guided tour of the church and the crypt. Click on right here to be taught extra.
4. Lindenhof Hill
For a good looking view over Zürich, stroll to the highest of Lindenhof hill. Discover a spot alongside the sitting wall and benefit from the view.
View from Lindenhof Hill | One Day in Zürich
PRO TRAVEL TIP: This makes an incredible picnic spot in Zürich. We purchased pastries and chocolate at Confiserie Sprüngli and ate them whereas having fun with the view over town. Yum!!
5. Museum of Artwork (Kunsthaus Zurich)
See 4,000 work and sculptures from the Center Ages to current day. This assortment consists of artwork by Claude Monet, Edvard Munch, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Edouard Manet, and Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti.
Value: CHF 26
Hours: Tuesday and Friday by means of Sunday: 10 am to six pm; Wednesday and Thursday 10 am to eight pm; closed Monday
Click on right here to get up to date hours and pricing.
6. Swiss Nationwide Museum (Landesmuseum Zürich)
This museum incorporates displays on Switzerland’s historical past, with work and sculptures from prehistory by means of the Center Ages to the twentieth century. See gothic artwork, carved altars, and cash from the Center Ages.
Swiss Nationwide Museum | One Day in Zürich
Value: CHF 10
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to five pm; Thursday 10 am to 7 pm; closed Monday
Click on right here to get up to date hours and pricing.
7. Bahnhofstrasse
House to Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Prada (simply to call a couple of), this is likely one of the most costly purchasing streets on the planet. This avenue begins on the central prepare station (Hauptbahnhof) and ends close to Lake Zürich.
8. Lake Zürich
A well-liked factor to do whereas in Zürich is to take a ship cruise on Lake Zürich. This makes a pleasant break from strolling town streets and visiting museums. Click on right here on your cruising choices on Lake Zürich.
When you don’t really feel like taking a cruise, you’ll be able to have a picnic lunch on the promenade and benefit from the view.
9. FIFA World Soccer Museum
For these with an curiosity in soccer, that is definitely worth the go to. Study concerning the historical past of soccer by means of the museum’s interactive shows and quick movies.
This museum is situated exterior of the outdated city, however you’ll be able to nonetheless get right here by strolling (it’s a few 20-minute stroll from the outdated city). You may also get right here by tram.
Value: CHF 24
Hours: Tuesday by means of Sunday 10 am to six pm; closed Monday
Get up to date hours and pricing right here.
10. Uetliberg Mountain
This “mountain” is admittedly simply a big hill, nevertheless it gives a pleasant view over town of Zürich. That is situated on the outskirts of Zürich, so getting right here will take a while. When you solely have at some point in Zürich, your time is healthier spent in and across the outdated city, however those that make the journey out this manner are inclined to benefit from the expertise.
To get right here, you’ll be able to take the prepare from Zürich (about half-hour) after which it’s a 10-minute uphill stroll to the perspective. Click on right here to be taught extra about the best way to get right here.
One Day Strolling Tour of Zürich
Beneath is a map of the highest sights in Zürich. The strolling route is an efficient start line on the best way to hyperlink every part collectively. Nonetheless, I extremely advocate exploring the facet streets as you stroll by means of the outdated city.
Since this strolling route is a loop, you can begin and finish at any level on this route.
Not included on the strolling route are the FIFA World Soccer Museum and Uetliberg Mountain, since they sit exterior of the outdated city.
The best way to Use This Map: Click on the tab within the high left hand nook of the map to view the layers (factors of curiosity and the strolling route). You may click on the test marks to cover or present layers. When you click on the icons on the map, you may get extra details about every focal point.
When you click on the star subsequent to the title of the map, this map will probably be added to your Google Maps account. To view it in your cellphone or pc, open Google Maps, click on the menu button, go to “Your Locations,” click on Maps, and you will notice this map in your listing.
Ought to You Buy the Zürich Card?
The Zürich Card covers limitless journey by tram, bus, and prepare, within the metropolis of Zürich and in addition features a cruise on the Limmat River and a brief spherical journey cruise on Lake Zürich. Get free or diminished admission to the museums and a 50% low cost in the event you take their guided outdated city strolling tour.
With the Zürich Card, you get free admission into the Swiss Nationwide Museum, a 30% low cost to the FIFA Soccer Museum, and a 33% low cost to the Kunsthaus (Artwork Museum).
The Zürich Card prices CHF 27 for a 24-hour go and CHF 53 for a 72-hour go.
When you plan to go to two museums (Swiss Nationwide Museum, FIFA, or Kunsthaus), the cardboard pays for itself. You additionally get the advantage of free transportation in Zürich, reductions at choose eating places, with the choice so as to add on a Limmat River boat cruise or a brief cruise on Lake Zürich. Plus, this card covers many sights in Zürich that we wouldn’t have listed on this article.
Click on right here to be taught extra concerning the Zürich Card.
Zürich Previous City | One Day in Zürich
The place to Eat
In Zürich, you’ll discover a complete vary of eating places to select from…conventional Swiss, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Chinese language, Mexican, Lebanese, and extra. Listed here are a couple of notable recommendations.
Le Dezaley. This common restaurant serves fondue and different conventional Swiss dishes. It’s situated close to Grossmünster within the outdated city.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: You recognize you’re getting close to a fondue restaurant when the scent of “pungent” cheese fills the air. Cheese fondue shouldn’t be for everybody. Tim and Tyler may by no means get previous the scent, however Kara and I beloved consuming cheese fondue.
La Pasta. We ate right here and beloved it. This Italian restaurant serves scrumptious pasta dishes that aren’t overly costly. It’s situated within the Niederdorf district of the outdated city so it makes an incredible lunch or dinner spot as you tour the outdated city.
Confiserie Sprüngli. It is a must-visit whereas in Zürich. Downstairs is a store promoting every kind of treats…pastries, Swiss chocolate, and cookies. Sprüngli is legendary for his or her Luxemburgerli, that are mini macaroons. Eat them now and purchase extra to take house and share together with your family and friends. Upstairs is a café and restaurant the place you’ll be able to have breakfast or lunch.
Confiserie Sprüngli | One Day in Zürich
The place to Keep
LUXURY: Baur au Lac. This high-end resort is situated in its personal non-public park within the coronary heart of Zürich. The onsite restaurant, Restaurant Pavilion, is a 1-star Michelin rated restaurant.
MID-RANGE: Lodge Adler. Situated within the coronary heart of the outdated city, this is likely one of the finest locations to remain in Zürich. We stayed right here and had an incredible expertise. Additionally they run a fondue restaurant, so the resort foyer smells like cheese.
Lodge Adler | One Day in Zürich
BUDGET: Lodge Hottingen. This resort was renovated in 2016 and has rooms that may accommodate as much as 4 folks. It’s situated east of town middle and it’s a 10 to 15-minute stroll to get to the outdated city (or you need to use public transportation).
Day Journey Concepts from Zürich
Zürich is a useful house base for exploring extra of Switzerland. Listed here are a number of day journey concepts, in the event you plan to remain right here for multiple to 2 nights.
Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus
Lucerne is a beautiful Swiss metropolis that’s only a fast prepare experience from Zürich. With at some point, you’ll be able to discover the compact metropolis middle and experience the cableway as much as Mt. Pilatus.
LEARN MORE: The best way to Go to Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus in One Excellent Day
Mt. Titlis
Mt. Titlis is a mountain in central Switzerland that’s accessible by rotating cable automobile. Providing excessive mountain views and the possibility to play within the snow, even in the summertime, that is one other nice day journey concept from Zürich. Click on right here to go to the official Mt. Titlis web site.
You may also go to Mt. Titlis on a tour from Zürich.
Interlaken/Jungfrau
With one full day, you’ll be able to day journey to the Bernese Oberland. This wonderland of small villages, jagged mountain peaks, and scenic climbing trails is the spotlight for a lot of guests to Switzerland. For extra data, learn our article about the perfect issues to do within the Jungfrau area or try these tour choices from Zürich.
Rhine Falls
Rhine Falls is the most important waterfall in Europe. It’s situated in northern Switzerland, not removed from Germany. On this 5-hour tour, journey by means of picturesque villages, go to the city of Stein am Rhein, and examine the waterfall.
Day Journey Excursions from Zürich
