Planning a honeymoon trip or executing that long-delayed trip? Switzerland is certainly a dream destination for every plan but your dreamy trip to Switzerland is incomplete without visiting Zurich. It is the largest city of Switzerland. This city is full of life, there are so many things to do in Zurich like viewing picturesque landscapes, spending quality time at lakes, visiting museums etc.
Top Things to do in Zurich to Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of Nature and Art
Zurich is a perfect combination of majestic landscapes and heart soothing art. Life runs at a slow pace here, offering you a chance to cherish each moment. The lush green planes and snow-covered mountain will surely leave you in awe. Apart from these hypnotic views, Zurich also offers you some treasured moments to spend with your loved ones. Activities like visiting museums, lakes, and hills are one of the most common things to do in Zurich.
- Spend an evening at Lake Zurich
- Dive into the art and history of Zurich
- Go shopping spree at Bahnhofstrasse
- Stroll Around the Bustling Streets of Old Town
- Peddle Around the Streets on Bike
- Revive your romance at Jules Venre Panorama bar
- Go hiking at mount Rigi and mount Titlis
- Savor the World-famous Swiss Chocolate
- Take a Therapeutic Dip at Hurlimannbad & Spa Zurich
- Explore the Coffee Culture at Niederdorf’s
- Dine at World’s Oldest Vegan Restaurant
- Visit the Historic Sight of Lindenof Hill
1. Spend an Evening at Lake Zurich
A dreamy destination where the sparking water flows alongside the shore of Zurich city, Lake Zurich is one of the best places to visit in Zurich. It is located in the southeast part of the city. The sunlight reflecting on water and making it gleam like a sheet of thousands of diamonds is indeed a sight to watch. The longer you stare at it the more it will awe you. You can also take a boat ride or stroll around the lake premises. If you want to explore the lake on your own, you can also opt for paddleboard. You can also visit Alpamare in Pfäffikon which is near this lake and one of the largest covered water parks in Europe.
Best time to visit: June to August
More activities to do: Ride in luxurious cruise or Play water sports
Nearby attractions: Alpamare in Pfäffikon, Rapperswil Castle,and Baroque church in Lachen
2. Dive into the Art and History of Zurich
Zurich has numerous museums to visit and learn about history and culture. If you are someone who enjoys the sight of colors and emotions expressed on canvas, then the Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zürich) is the perfect spot for you. This museum is very popular among tourists. It holds the work of some of the most renowned artists in the world like Pablo Picasso and Wassily Kandinsky. Another museum that one must visit is the National Museum Zurich. There is no better place than this museum to understand the history of Switzerland. Visiting these museums can be one of the most astonishing things to do in Zurich on Sunday.
Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zürich)
Time to visit: Tue, Fri – Sun 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wed – Thu 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
National Museum Zurich
Time to visit: Fri – Wed 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thu – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Closed on Monday
Note: Timings may differ during holidays
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3. Go on a Shopping Spree at Bahnhofstrasse
Treat yourself with luxury, Bahnhofstrasse is a downtown in Zurich which is hub of luxury brand outlets. It is considered as one of the world’s most expensive and exclusive shopping lanes. The chaos of this street is what brings it alive. Visiting this street is one of the most amazing things to do in Switzerland. You can find outlets of luxurious but also affordable brands here like Giorgio Armani, H&M, Zara Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry, and Chanel. Apart from shopping you can also visit fancy restaurants or Bayer Clock and Watch Museum.
Timings:
- Mondays to Fridays: 09:00 am to 08:00 pm (Smaller shops may close earlier around 6:30 pm)
- Saturdays: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm or 06:00 pm
- Sundays and public holidays: Most shops are closed.
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4. Stroll Around the Bustling Streets of Old Town
From medical houses to the highest number of clubs, Old Town is the most alive part of Zurich. There is so much to do in Zurich. If you are a spontaneous person, then you will absolutely be going to love this place. You can experience the sophisticated past of the Old Town by taking a tour of the entire city. You can visit the squares and parks of the city like Rechberg, Old botanical garden, and Polyterrasse. Don’t miss out on the churches which holds glorifying history, Like St. Peter Church is the oldest church of Zurich. This town is as alive at night as in day, the sparking light enhances the beauty of the town, which makes exploring it one of the amazing things to do in Zurich at night.
Nearby attractions: Bahnhofstrasse street, Fraumünster Church, Rennweg
Located in: North-Central Switzerland
Tip: If you get in-depth knowledge of the history of town, you should opt for “Zurich Old Town Walking Tour”
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5. Peddle Around the Streets on Bike
Explore the city on bike, you can avail yourself of these rides on rent or for free. There are some paths that are exclusively dedicated to bike riding. You can also ride around the city and enjoy the magical beauty of Zurich at your own pace. Riding a bike is one of the most common things to do in Zurich for free. You can start at the Bellevue rental station, ride along the splendid river views down the car-free Limmatquai, before making your way around the train station and down Josefstrasse ride down until you reach Josefswiese and then hand in your bike at the on-site rental station.
Other Bike Routes: Bike Tour Rhine – Hirzel – Linth or Bike Tour Glatt Route
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6. Revive Your Romance at Jules Venre Panorama Bar
Spending some quality time with your beloved at Jules Venre Panorama Bar is one of the top things to do in Zurich. Enjoy the mesmerizing 360-degree view of the magical city. While sipping your favorite drink and having your favorite person by your side. Don’t forget to take the window side table to make your date completely magical. At night, you can also go stargazing here, which is one of the most magical things to do in Zurich at night.
Timings:
- Tuesday & Wednesday: 5.30 pm to 11 pm
- Thursday: 5 pm to 11 pm
- Friday: 5.30 pm to 12 pm
- Saturday: 2 pm to 12 pm
- Remains closed on Monday & Sunday
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7. Go Hiking at Mount Rigi and Mount Titlis
Located in the heart of central Switzerland, Mount Rigi AKA Queen of the mountain is famous for the majestic panorama view that it offers. The mountain is surrounded by the water of three different lakes which are Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz. Mount Titlis not only offers you alluring landscapes but also has a number of activities to do. Activities like Skiing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, and car zipline riding are one of the most fun things to do in Zurich. These two mountains are not the pride of Zurich only but also considered among best places to visit in Switzerland.
Mount Rigi:
Best time to visit: December to March
Activities to do: Cruising, Spa, E-bike Tour
Mount Titlis,
Activities to do: Hiking, Zipliner, Mountain Biking, Rowing
Best time to visit: Year-round destination
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8. Savor the World-famous Swiss Chocolate
There is always something in Zurich to satisfy your sweet tooth, whether you prefer pralines, milk, dark, or handmade bean-to-bar specialty. Zurich is renowned for its world-class taste in chocolate. At any of the confectioneries, boutiques, cafés, and department shops, chocoholics can stock up on the delicious, melt-in-your-mouth treats. Don't forget to visit the renowned Lindt chocolate factory while you are in Zurich.
Must visit shops: Lindt, Bachmann, Honold, and Sprüngli
Must try chocolate brands: Lindt, Caillers, Toblerone, and Milka
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9. Take a Therapeutic Dip at Hurlimannbad & Spa Zurich
Spend a day pampering yourself at Hurlimannbad & Spa Zurich amid fresh water with valuable minerals in 35-to-41-degree warm water which stands for peace and relaxation. With an influence of Roman Irish spa ritual, it consists of a central bathing area with an open stainless pool, impressive massage jets, bubble loungers, massage & bubble rings. The emerald bath with underwater music accompanied by an invigorating light show, steam bath, course bath, & a rain shower is the major highlight of the spa which is therapeutic and phenomenal. Indulge yourself in treating your soul, body, and mind at one of the best places to visit in Zurich.
Location: Brandschenkestrasse 150, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland
Timings: 9 am to 10 pm
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10. Explore the Coffee Culture at Niederdorf’s
While planning your trip to Zurich, exploring the beautiful alleys and quirky corners of Niederdorf’s should be added to your list of things to do in Zurich. This picturesque area in the old town of Zurich will delight your senses as the streets are filled with artistic confectioneries, instagrammable cafes, exclusive boutique stores, minimal art & craft studios, and fancy bookstores. Sipping a cup of coffee at the classic Cafe & Conditorei 1842 along with some fluffy delectable pastries with chocolate fillings is the must activity to carry out in Zurich for extracting its deep-rooted coffee culture.
Location: Napfgasse 4, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland (Cafe & Conditorei)
Timings: 9 am to 7 pm
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11. Dine at World’s Oldest Vegan Restaurant
Located in Sihlstrasse, Zurich, Haus Hiltl Restaurant is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world and one of the best restaurants in Zurich that offers top-notch hospitality to its guests. A gourmet trove of healthy recipes to tantalize your taste buds with the amalgamation of Indian, Asian, Mediterranean, and Swiss influences resulting in exotic palates. With an aim of taking vegan diet to reach heights in the world culinary platform, the restaurant welcomes millions of visitors for a vegan relish to savor for a lifetime.
Location: Sihlstrasse 28, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Timings:
- Tuesday & Wednesday: 7 am to 10 pm
- Thursday & Friday: 7 am to 11 pm
- Saturday: 8 am to 11 pm
- Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm
- Monday: 7 am to 10 pm
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12. Visit the Historic Sight of Lindenof Hill
Exploring the hidden gem and the significant historical landmark in Zurich, Lindenof Hill should be added to the list of things to do in Zurich for an enriching experience. This moraine hill, once being the home to a Roman Castle, is best known for its recreational purposes today which attracts millions of visitors today. Soak yourself in the pristine and tranquil surroundings that prevail amid the hills, making the attraction one of the best picnic spots in the old town of Zurich. Since the hill is in proximity to the picturesque Limmat river, you can get some intriguing panoramic views.
- Location: Lindenhof, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
- Opening Hours: Open for 24 Hours
From the best chocolate to the best views, one may have many amazing things to do in Zurich, the more you discover the city the more you will fall in love with it. It doesn’t matter if you cover the whole city on your trip or not, but this will surely be the most unforgettable trip you can ever have with the above amazing things to do in Zurich. Those heart stealing view and lush green fields will leave an imprint on your mind forever. This city can be the perfect get away from your usual life. To experience the beauty of Zurich to the fullest book our Zurich Tour Packages.
FAQs
If you want to cover the whole city but don’t have much time, then here’s a list of things you can do to make the most of your trip.
- Roam around in the old town (Altstadt)
- Visit Lindenhof Hill
- Explore the Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich)
- Shop at Bahnhofstrasse
- See the beautiful scenery at Lake Zurich
Your Switzerland trip is incomplete with the experience the beauty of Zurich. Zurich is the capital of Switzerland as well as a very happening city. Thus, we believe 2-3 days are enough to explore the city.
With waterfront walking opportunities, the historical ambience of the Old Town, and sensual food, Zurich has a lot to offer couples looking for a little romance during their Swiss vacation.
Switzerland's seven major airports considering their passenger traffic are Zurich Airport, Geneva Airport, Basel Airport, Bern Airport, St Gallen Airport, Lugano Airport and Sion Airport. Out of these seven Zurich, Geneva and Basel are the top three airports having more than one million passenger per annum.
True essence of any place is hidden in its food, and if you dont try zurich food, you will really miss out on something. Here are the 5 famous street food in zurich that you must try.
- Roasted chestnut
- Swiss veal
- Pretzel
- Wrust
- Rosti
Apart from the lakes and museums there are so many fun thing that aren’t explored by many tourists but are a must try.
- Moulagenmuseum: Museum of showing of disfiguring diseases through wax models.
- Visit toy museum
- Go for wild river swimming
- Explore Brocki Land
Even though the things in zurich are so preety that you might wanna buy them all, but we have carefully curated the top 5 items to buy from Zurich as souvenir.
- Swiss Chocolate
- Cukoo Clock
- Swiss-made watches
- Swiss Army Knife
- Cheese Founde Set
Zurich is a very lively place, regardless of time. Zurich’s nightlife is famous all around the Switzerland. It has a diverse spectrum of parties and clubs to choose from. Zurich nighlife is so fun that you will regret missing it.
Even though Zurich is the financial capital of Switzerland, but it is also known for the booming tourism sector making the city encounter tourist influx throughout the year. Since Zurich is popular for being the cultural hub to feature a range of world class museums along with the diverse gastronomic landscape, it attracts millions of tourists every year.
Since Zurich is geographically a small city in Switzerland, 2 days are ideal to explore the major highlights of the city. As the city is brimmed with a myriad of classic museums, you can visit Swiss National Museum, Grossmunster Church, Fraumunster & St. Peter to gain historical insights.
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