Zurich is a vibrant cosmopolitan city steeped in culture and history dating back 5000 years. A beautiful river and a stunning lake surrounded by lush green hills add to the charm of this city.
I’ve lived in Zurich for a couple of years and can already understand why it ranks so highly on the list of cities with the world’s best quality of life. Head on to Zurich to discover for yourself and be prepared to be amazed at the plentiful opportunities (and mostly free ones!) for leisure, enjoyment and relaxation and the beautiful cultural and gastronomic diversity.
Planning a trip to Switzerland? Click here for a detailed travel guide to Switzerland – including the best time to visit, itinerary options (for 3, 5, 7 or 10 days), visa, transportation in Switzerland (including Swiss Pass), and more!
Here are more ideas for your trip to Switzerland: 25 best places to visit in Switzerland!
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Things to do in Zurich – All year round
Stroll along the Bahnhofstrasse
The famous shopping boulevard of Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse is where you should start your day exploring the city. The Bahnhofstrasse connects the lake to the main train station and is ~1.5 km long. Start from the main train station and head into the street – just follow the crowds and you won’t miss it!
Bahnhofstrasse is a tram-only street, lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. While there are multiple high-end stores, there are several department stores also located here where you can shop. Switzerland is expensive so don’t expect to find cheap bargains! January and July though are great times to visit since most stores have products on sale.
Have limited time in Switzerland? Here’s a 5-day Switzerland itinerary to take in the best of the country!
Visit Lindenhof
Take a turn from Bahnhofstrasse into Rennweg (another charming shopping street) and head towards the historic spot of Lindenhof. Located on a hill, you can look out over the river, the old town and the mountains from this spot. Lindenhof is steeped in history – it has been an important meeting point since the 4th century when a Roman fort was built here.
Transport yourself back in time at the Zurich Old Town
From Lindenhof, walk towards Niederdorf, the charming old town district. Car-free, cobbled stone streets lined with boutiques and small shops – this area combines the best of history, architecture & shopping! Stroll along the Limmat river taking in the beautiful old town and the romantic streets.
Also located here is the landmark of Zurich – the Grossmünster church. The twin spires of the church are as recognizable as the glamorous Bahnhofstrasse. Beautiful bronze doors and stained glass windows add to the delight of visiting this church.
Cross the bridge across the Limmat and you’ll find yourself at the Fraumünster church, another of Zurich’s highlights. More than 1000 years old, this church is known for its stained-glass windows by Chagall.
Relax at Sechseläutenplatz
As you walk from the old town towards the lake you’ll come to one of the largest squares in Switzerland – Sechseläutenplatz. Located between the Zurich Opera House and Bellvue, this square has several cafes and restaurants around it making it the perfect spot for a lunch break. This square is also the site for the spring festival of Sechseläuten.
Catch a show at the Zurich Opera House if you have the time – it offers a very diverse array of performances and is one of the most renowned in Europe.
Enjoy Lake Zurich
One of Switzerland’s largest lakes, Lake Zurich is a sight to behold.
Take a stroll along the lake promenade which is right next to the Sechseläutenplatz. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the views and maybe get ice cream too!
Another fun way to explore the lake is to take a cruise. Head to one of the nearby towns such as Rapperswil or Thalwil or just enjoy the scenery on a round trip cruise! Head to the ticket and information centre located near Bürkliplatz (a short walk along the lake from Sechseläutenplatz) to get your tickets.
Delight in the panoramic views at Uetliberg
Zurich’s own mountain, Uetliberg is the perfect place to get panoramic views across the lake and the city. You can take the train up to the mountain and walk 10-15 minutes to reach the summit. There are several hiking routes on this mountain where you can enjoy hiking in the summer and sledding in the winter.
I can see this mountain from my balcony and I love watching the weather change over it – a fresh coating of snow in April or bright green trees in June, it’s a beautiful sight.
Discover art at Zurich’s prominent museums
Several art museums showcase beautiful art collections for art lovers in Zurich. The most renowned of these, the Kunsthaus Zürich houses not only a collection of Classical Modernism but also Swiss paintings and sculptures.
Enjoy Zurich’s nightlife
Head to Langstrasse to sample Zurich’s diverse bars and clubs or join a pub crawl tour to discover more! If live music is what you are looking for, head here to find the best live music venues in Zurich.
More things to do in Zurich – In the summer/ spring
Go hiking
Zurich offers the best of both worlds – a beautiful city steeped in history & culture and numerous outdoor activities within an hour/ ninety minutes! Some of the most spectacular hikes, with sweeping panoramic views and some of my favourites, can be found at the mountains of Rigi, Uetliberg and Stoos. All these are easily reachable by public transportation.
Here’s my complete guide on visiting Mt. Rigi
Take a dip
Fancy a swim with a view of the Swiss Alps? Head to Seebad Enge or the historic Seebad Utoquai for a dip in Lake Zurich.
Float down the Limmat in a boat and jump out for a swim. Or join the fun summer event of The Limmat Swim where you float (or swim) down the river taking in the sights of the city. This swim starts at Seebad Utoquai and ends at Flussbad Oberer Lettern, Lettensteg. Purchase your tickets here.
More things to do in Zurich – In the winter
Enjoy the Holiday Season
Christmas is one of the best times to visit Zurich – it transforms the already beautiful city into nothing short of spectacular! Twinkling lights, huge Christmas trees (including a live singing one!), bustling markets, and scores of events, all add to the magic of Zurich.
Visit the Christmas Markets
Start at the main station and visit the largest covered market in the continent. This market boasts 100+ stalls and a huge Christmas tree decorated with thousands of Swarovski crystals as its centrepiece.
Walk towards the old town under the twinkling lights through the magnificently decorated Bahnhofstrasse. The Christmas market in the old town is Zurich’s oldest and will captivate you with its romantic atmosphere. Sample some mulled wine and fondue to get into the spirit of the holiday!
Head to Sechseläutenplatz for one of the largest Christmas markets in Zurich. The Opera House in the background of this market and the lake next to it add to the charm of this market.
Check out some of the Christmas events
Lichterschwimmen floating candle event is one of the most popular events in Zurich where hundreds of candles are placed in the Limmat river and it is a delight to watch them float down the river.
The Singing Christmas Tree is one of Zurich’s highlights during Christmas. Walk down the Bahnhofstrasse and you’ll find the choirs spread cheer from podiums set up in the form of a giant Christmas tree.
Have you ever thought what hundreds of Sants’s swimming across a freezing river would like? Well, now that I have put that thought into your head, come on over to Zurich for the Samichlausschwimmen tradition. A popular charity event, this tradition takes place in December and is a fun event for spectators and swimmers (so they claim, I don’t have the courage to try!) alike.
Celebrate New Year’s eve
The best place to enjoy New Year’s Eve in Zurich is around the lake at the largest New Year’s Eve party. Bars and music, food and fireworks and the atmosphere of cheer and celebration are the best way to herald in the new year.
Enjoy winter sports
Zurich is located very close to many ski regions – head to the numerous slopes such as Rigi, Stoos or Flumserberg to enjoy skiing, tobogganing or snowboarding.
Several ice skating rinks in the city are a must-visit for skating enthusiasts. Some of these (such as the one at Sechseläutenplatz) are located in the Christmas market so it’s even more fun to ice skate amidst the festivities.
Useful information for your trip to Zurich
How to get to Zurich
By flight
Zurich has a large international airport – one of the 2 major international airports in Switzerland (the other being in Geneva).
How far is Zurich airport from the city?
Zurich airport is located very close to the city – you can take a direct train to the main station and reach in 10 minutes! By taxi, it will take ~15 min to reach the city centre.
How to get from Zurich airport to the city?
By train: Unless you have a lot of luggage, I highly recommend taking the train – it’s fast, convenient and cheap. Plus you can get to see the highly acclaimed Swiss efficiency in action as soon as you get here!
The train station (called Zurich Flughafen) is located right at the airport and is very well marked. As you leave the baggage claim area, look for the signs pointing towards the trains. There are numerous kiosks close to the train platforms to buy tickets. You can select the language option on the screen to help you navigate. You can pay using a card or cash (Euro will also work if you do not have Swiss Franc). A one-way ticket to the main station in Zurich (called Zurich Hauptbahnhof or Zurich HB) will cost ~7 CHF. You can also buy tickets at the ticket windows if you’d like to speak to someone or get information.
Trains to the city centre run every 5-10 minutes between 5 am and 12:30 am.
From the main station, there are numerous local (train, tram, bus), domestic as well as international connections.
- If you’re staying in the city, ask your hotel/ hostel/ apartment which station (train/ tram/ bus) is closest to them and take the train/ tram/ bus to that station. Tickets can be bought at the kiosks at the main station or at the ticket counter located near the entrance to the station. Most places in Zurich are located very close to public transportation stations so you will not have to walk more than 8-10 minutes to reach your destination.
- If you’re directly headed out of the city, you can take a train to Lucerne, Interlaken, etc.
You can look up train/ tram/ bus/ ferry schedules and buy tickets on the SBB app or here. SBB is the main transportation provider in Switzerland.
By taxi: An Uber will cost you 25-30 CHF to bring you to the city centre.
By train
If you’re already in Europe, you can take a train to Switzerland as well. Zurich is only 4-5 hours from Paris/ Lyon, 3-4 hours from Milan, 7 hours from Munich.
By bus
Zurich bus station is served by several long-distance buses (Eurolines, Flixbus etc.). These are a cheap and easy way to reach Zurich. The Zurich bus station is located right next to the main train station so it’s walking distance from the city centre.
How to get around Zurich
Zurich is best explored on foot, with the public transportation system helping you out when you get tired! Switzerland has an excellent public transportation system – from trains and buses to trams and cable cars. Everything is amazingly well maintained, super clean and extremely efficient. Every 300-400 metres in the city you will find a tram stop, complete with ticket machines, detailed maps and timetables. Even for the most inexperienced travellers, the Swiss transportation system is extremely easy to figure out.
Another fun way to explore the city is by renting a bicycle! Here a few bike rentals you can check out.
What is the best time to visit Zurich
Spring (March-May)
The weather starts getting warmer in March & April and the average temperatures are around 12-15° C. Rain and snow are also a possibility during these months. May is milder with average temperatures around 20° C, however, there are higher chances of rain.
Spring is a beautiful time to visit Zurich – it’s lovely to walk down the streets of the old town with flowers blooming everywhere. The spring festival of Sechseläuten is celebrated in April – it translates to 6 o’clock ringing of bells. The tradition began more than 500 years ago when the church bells were used to signal the beginning of spring and the new working hours (accounting for daylight savings the workday would end at 6 pm instead of the wintertime of 5 pm). The celebrations for Sechseläuten include parades in elaborate costumes, horse-drawn floats and music ensembles. The main event is held at Sechseläutenplatz and involves a huge bonfire with the Böögg on top. The Böögg is a snowman packed with firecrackers symbolizing the end of winter. Traditionally, the faster the fire reaches the Böögg, the finer the summer will be!
Spring is also the time when you can start exploring some of the amazing hiking options around Zurich. Continue reading below for more details.
Summer (June – August)
Summers are typically mild with temperatures reaching 30° C. However, this year was a scorching one and we had temperatures go up to 38° C. Never thought I’d experience a hotter summer in Switzerland than in India! And without the benefits of an air-conditioner!
Rain and thunderstorms are often a welcome relief during these months – though probably not so much when you’re planning for a trip to the mountains and they’re completely engulfed in clouds!
The heat aside, summer is the best time for all outdoor activities – hiking, biking, swimming etc. There are 15+ hours of daylight so there’s ample time to enjoy! Continue reading below for the best places to swim and hike.
Fall (September – November)
The weather starts getting more pleasant and less rainy. Temperatures fall from ~15° C in September to <10° C in November. The first snow also starts by the end of November.
The best thing to do in this season is to enjoy the fall colours – take in the beautiful views over the lake and spectacular sunsets from the nearby mountains. You can also continue to enjoy hiking or biking in and around Zurich.
Winter (December – February)
The weather in winter is cold and foggy with temperatures <2-3° C. Snow and ice are common during these months.
For me, winter is one of the best times to visit Zurich! Beautiful snow-covered streets, dazzling Christmas markets, entertaining events, delicious fondue and hot chocolate – all can be enjoyed during the winter! Continue reading below for the best things to do during winter.
Where to eat in Zurich
Kronenhalle – One of the most iconic restaurants of Zurich, Kronenhalle is located in Bellevue and is as well known for its decor as it is for food. Paintings by famous artists such as Picasso & Chagall will delight you as much as the food. Try the Zurich speciality of Zürich Geschnetzeltes here.
Sprüngli – The most famous cafe and confiserie in Zurich, this is a must-visit to try their chocolate, cakes and macarons. Did you know that Muesli originated in Zurich? Try the Sprüngli Bircher muesli for an authentic taste of this famous dish. Another speciality of Sprüngli is the Zurich classic Luxemburgerli which are bite-sized and utterly delectable macarons.
Älplerstube – Try the famous Swiss fondue at this restaurant designed to look and feel like an alpine hut, making your experience even more authentic! Located close to the Bahnhofstrasse, this restaurant is the perfect place to stop for lunch and warm up during your stroll along this shopping boulevard.
Weisser Wind – This traditional restaurant is located in the old town, close to the Grossmünster. Serving classic Swiss food, this restaurant is steeped in history.
Where to stay in Zurich
Stay close to the main train station and old town to best enjoy the city. It will enable you to walk nearly everywhere and you’ll be able to better take in the beauty & rich history of Zurich. Some stay options include:
Hotel
Hotel Altstadt – Located between the Grossmünster Church and the Limmat River, this hotel is within walking distance of most sights. This is a mid-range hotel, quite reasonably priced by Zurich’s standards! It features rooms designed by a local artist.
Marktgasse Hotel – A slightly more expensive hotel, this one is also located in the old town area of Zurich. Located very close to most sights, this hotel is next to a tram stop so it’ll make it very easy to travel even with luggage.
Savoy Baur en Ville – This is a luxury hotel located at Paradeplatz, walking distance from the main train station. Zurich old town and Bahnhofstrasse are also steps away.
Apartment
The Crown Penthouse Bellevue – Located in the old town area of Zurich, this apartment boasts lake and river views. It can house 6 people and has a kitchen and laundry facilities.
Zürich Niederdorf – Grossmünster – Located close to Fraumünster & Grossmünster in the old town, this apartment can house 2-3 people. It has kitchen and laundry facilities.
Paradeplatz Apartment by Airhome – A a 2-minute walk from Bahnhofstrasse, this apartment is ideal for 2-3 people. This apartment has a kitchen and is located very close to grocery stores.
Practical tips for visiting Zurich
- Don’t waste money on water bottles. There 1000+ water fountains in the city! You will come across a water fountain every few meters, just fill up your bottle as required.
- Shops remain closed on Sundays and public holidays. If you need something, head to the train station or the airport where shops are generally open.
- Switzerland is an expensive country. To travel on a budget, head to supermarkets such as Migros or Coop for meals instead of restaurants. These supermarkets offer a large variety of both hot and cold food.
- The currency used in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). While the Euro is widely accepted, you may not get the best exchange rate. A better idea may be to withdraw some CHF from an ATM or get some exchanged at the airport or the train station. You can mostly manage by just using your card too since almost everywhere cards are accepted (except maybe a few parking meters, toilets or small market stalls).
- The emergency number for Switzerland is 112. For 24 hour pharmacies in Zurich, head to Bahnhofplatz or Theaterstrasse.
- The language spoken in Zurich is Swiss German. Here are a few useful phrases to know,
- Hello – Grüezi
- Thank you – Merci!, Danke! Dankeschön!
- Yes – Ja
- No – Nein
- Please – Bitte
- Do you speak English – Sprechen Sie Englisch?
So there you have it, all you need to know for a fantastic trip to Zurich! What Zurich activities are you looking forward to the most?
Let me know if you have any questions, happy to help!
If you have more time in Zurich, check out these beautiful locations which can be done as day trips from Zurich,
Mount Rigi – An excursion to the queen of mountains
If you found this useful, please share and spread the love!
More information for your trip to Switzerland:
ITINERARY GUIDE: Travel guide to Switzerland | 5 days in Switzerland | Best time to visit Switzerland
BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS: 25 best places to visit in Switzerland
HIDDEN GEMS: 10 hidden gems in Switzerland
TRAIN RIDES: The Golden Pass train line
HIKES: Bannalpsee | Oeschinensee | Hike to Bachalpsee | Swiss Grand Canyon | Gornergrat hike | 5 lakes hike
LAKES: 7 most beautiful lakes in Switzerland | Lake Brienz | Melchsee-Frutt
MOUNTAINS: Mount Titlis | Mount Rigi | Schynige Platte
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Looking for advice on what to see in Switzerland or want to share your love for everything Swiss?
This is just perfect. It has everything we wanted to know. Thanks for sharing this Smita 🙂
Glad that you found it useful! Thanks!
Such a great detailed post! Zurich is definitely on my list of places I have to travel for the shopping and hiking. I love that you broke everything down so nicely whenever I travel I like to know exactly what I can do and where I should be going and how I can get there.
Thanks Vicki!
Literally the complete guide! Sounds like there is lots to do during the winter but I for sure would want to go when it’s warm so I can hike. Those views are beautiful!
Thanks Tina!
Zurich is a nice place! i loved it there so much! It is a very lively place, hanging out there is the best!
Absolutely, it’s a fantastic city!
Zurich in the spring sounds amazing! I would love to visit. Although your pictures of the snow covered mountains in winter is very temping as well. Zurich sounds like not only a very welcoming city, but one that is super easy to get around and navigate.
Zurich is a wonderful city to visit in any weather really!
So many beautiful places to see and things to do! If I am ever in the area I will have to check out Lindenhof it looks like such a beautiful little spot.
Lindenhof and the entire old town area around it is a beautiful place. You should definitely keep it on your list.
way to go girl! this is the most complete guide I have ever seen!! I can just used it when I visit Zurich and won’t miss a thing because I can just see your guide! thank you so much for sharing! great work!
Thanks, Daphne!
This post has all the information necessary to plan a great trip to Zurich. I would love to visit the old town.
Thanks, Norma! Zurich old town is definitely a fantastic must-visit place.
What a beautiful place, I love all your pictures for sure. Lake Zurich looks very pretty xx
Thanks, Melanie!
Zurich looks like such a beautiful city! I especially like your photos at Lindenhof hill and the promenade.
Thanks, Kelly! Lindenhof Hill is my favourite place in Zurich 🙂
This is a very informative guide! From your post, I’d say it sounds like I’d enjoy Zurich in spring the most. The spring festival sounds really fun, and I enjoy hiking when it’s still a little coolish. I love walking around and exploring new cities and hopping buses and seeing different sites. Sounds right up my alley!
Thanks, Kayleigh! I love Zurich in the spring – flowers are blooming, weather is amazing and there are fewer tourists!
I have never been anywhere outside of the U.S.. This looks absolutely dreamy!! I would love to visit one day this would make the perfect guide! Looks like you enjoyed your stay, thanks so much for sharing!
Do visit when you can, it’s a beautiful place!
Wow! Such a through guide. You have covered every single detail needed to visit Zurich. A fantastic blog.
Thanks, Georgina!
Switzerland is definitely on my bucket list. Your phots make me want to go even more!
It is indeed a bucket list-worthy place 🙂
It looks really beautiful! I’m also very glad that you write in detail what the seasons are like because that is one of the most important things tourists need to know. We don’t want to get caught in bad weather.
Thanks, Alexandra!
This post is very comprehensive and informative. It tells almost everything what a tourist should know. 🙂
Thanks, Quin!
We had an excellent tour of Zurich Switzerland. Mount Titlis is beautiful (we had bad weather and did not have a clear view at the top but still beautiful) We also took a quick stop in Lucerne and walked along the beautiful river. We had the opinion of places to eat along the way of our tour! I always say I will be back to Zurich.
Mt Titlis and Lucerne are indeed beautiful – and both are close enough to Zurich to do them as day trips!
I would absolutely love to visit Zurich! I’d prefer not to go in the winter but part of me feels as though I’d have to experience a city like this in the snow and with the Alps skiing would be a must for me. I love how comprehensive this guide is.
Thanks, Scott! Winter is indeed a magical time to visit – supremely charming with much fewer tourists!
Switzerland is in my Top 5 bucket list destination. You have written a very comprehensive guide on Zurich. This would help me in better planning my trip
Thanks, Nitin! Hope you are able to plan your trip soon!
This is the most detailed guide I have ever read for Zurich. You have got everything covered. To be honest, I haven’t decided on visiting Switzerland yet because of the big rush of tourists. It is so popular. I guess Switzerland will have to wait for a few years.
Thank you! Yes, Switzerland is quite a popular location but you can still enjoy a lot of beautiful spots with minimal tourists. Check out some of my other posts for ideas 🙂
I’d love to visit Zurich in the spring. I think Switzerland is such a beautiful country and I know my kids would love all the outdoor activities (and those beautiful flowers). When they’re older I definitely want to visit in winter and go skiing in the mountains. That’s my dream vacation!
Zurich does have something for everyone, and for every season too! Hope you get to do your dream vacation soon 🙂
Excellent details. I’ve been considering a visit to Switzerland and your post really gave me some good suggestions. I had been hesitant to visit in winter but fondue and hot chocolate when visiting a Christmas market sound delightful. Thank you for including so many beautiful photos!
Thanks Sheila! It’s a beautiful place to visit, especially around Christmas.
You’ve put together a very comprehensive guide for visiting Zurich. I like that you can spend your days relaxing in the old town, shopping in the city and hiking through the most beautiful mountains. It sounds like it has it all.
Thanks, Emma! It really does have it all 🙂
This is my favorite kind of post – super detailed and comprehensive. This is everything I need to know about going to Zurich – I’ll save it for the ext time I’m in Europe!
Thanks, Julie! Hope you are able to visit soon!
You got me hooked on the Christmas markets. I have enjoyed them in Germany and in the US. DO you have any photos of the Xmas markets in Zurich?
Don’t have the best photos yet, waiting for November to start when the festivities begin.
This is one of the most thorough and helpful guides I’ve ever read about Switzerland. I definitely want to go there someday
Yay! this is very informative. Thank you for sharing <3
Thanks! 🙂
Zurich is beautiful. We visited Zurich on a long layover (not long enough for outdoor activities). I agree with you that winter is the best time to visit the city if you can bear the chills. Thanks for writing about it.
Winter does bring with it an added charm, and fewer tourists!
Oooh fantastic post! I looove those jagged mountain views from Lake Zurich. If it was the summer time that would make me want to head straight out for a hike!
Although it does sound amazing to come for the holidays and eat through that fab list of restaurants! I just had to google Geschnetzeltes, but now I’ve seen it, I’d LOVE to try it!
Thanks, Josy! Aren’t the names really amazing – I love the sound of Luxemburgerlis too! Not to mention the taste of them 🙂
Wow what a thorough guide! This helps so much, instead of having to jump to multiple sites to put all this information together. I love how you broke it down by season as well, since so many attractions aren’t always the best depending on the season/weather. I personally cannot wait to visit Switzerland, although it may be a while, but this just re-inspired me to make it happen soon!
Thanks, Darby!
I had often wondered why Zurich is a hub. Now I know why. And nice tip: a thousand water fountains! Such a comprehensive guide.
The water fountains are one of my favourite parts of the city – so many, and so uniquely designed too!
Hi Smita!
Great post!! There is a lot of information about Zurich and after reading this, I regret not going last year when I went to Germany. And it was in Winter, the best season to go to Zurich. I was just a few hours away from there but still couldn’t go.
I will definitely go next time I plan a trip to Europe and will come back to your post and write down all the information.
Thanks, Mariana! Hope you’re able to visit Zurich soon!