Zurich, the banking and financial centre and one of Switzerland's major cities, is located on the northern shore of the lake of the same name and is a destination that offers plenty to see and do, perfect for a weekend getaway. From culture to history, from good food to nature, you will find activities here to suit all tastes. To make your stay comfortable and enjoyable, you can check out this website for a wide variety of accommodation options.
Day 1
Distance travelled: 1.6 km
Places visited: Altstad and Bahnhofstrasse (free), Augustinergasse and St Peter's Church (free), Fraumünster (CHF 5.00/€4.90), Grossmünster (free), Wasserkirche (free), Niederdorf, Lindenhof
Where to eat: Lunch at Zeughauskeller(get directions), Dinner at Schipfe 16(get directions)
After a tiring day of sightseeing, it's essential to have a comfortable place to unwind. For luxury seekers, Baur Au Lac Hotel is an excellent choice offering superior services and comfortable rooms. For those who prefer a range of options, you can find a list of the top hotels in Zurich at tophotels.com.
1 - Altstad and Bahnhofstrasse
Start this day in Zurich by exploring the Altstadt, or Old Town, characterised by quaint alleys, old buildings, antique shops and colourful squares! But that's not all: lively during the day, this is also one of the evening centres of nightlife- nothing is really missing!
Enjoy a stroll through the streets and take the Bahnhofstrasse, which runs through the entire city centre from Zürich HB, the city's main railway station. This is Zürich's shopping street, full of high-fashion boutiques and shopping centres. Follow it all the way to Paradeplatz, the square where some of the country's most important banks are located!
Start the day at Confiserie Sprüngli: one of Zurich's most famous establishments, a real must! Prices are high, but average for the cost of living in the city and Switzerland. Order a coffee and try some chocolate cake to get your day off to a good start.
2 - Augustinergasse and St Peter's Church
As you explore the old town and walk down Bahnhofstrasse, make sure you don't miss Augustinergasse, one of the many small side streets. Walk down it to discover one of the most famous streets in Zurich, lined with colourful houses and several flags on their facades! It is also one of the most photographed places in the city, you will quickly understand why.
And if you walk all the way down Augustinergasse, you will come to St. Peter's Church, the oldest medieval structure in the city (daily 8am-6pm; free admission). Easily recognisable thanks to its Clock Tower, which houses one of the largest clock faces in Europe, the interior is also well worth a visit. Beware in case of Masses or religious events, the church may be temporarily closed to tourists.
3 - Fraumünster
Finally, conclude your morning by reaching another important church, one of the most important in the city. We are talking about the Fraumünster, located a short distance from St. Peter's Church and reachable on foot (daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun from 1 p.m.; single admission CHF 5.00/€4.90).
Built in the 11th century in the Gothic-Romanesque style, it features a bell tower with a green roof, which has become a true symbol of the city and is easily visible from everywhere. Step inside to admire its wonderful interior: you will be greeted by large stained glass windows created by various artists including Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti!
If you visit Zürich at Christmas: on the square between the Fraumünster and the Stadthaus Zürich is the Weihnachtsmarkt Münsterhof, a wonderful market with handicraft stalls, souvenirs and local specialities. Absolutely not to be missed!
4 - Grossmünster and Wasserkirche
We continue our afternoon sightseeing to admire more of the city's wonderful churches. It's time for the Grossmünster, Zurich's old cathedral, dedicated to Saints Felix and Regula, patron saints of the city (March to October 10am to 6pm, November to February 10am to 5pm; free admission). Situated on the opposite bank of the Fraumünster, to reach it you need only cross the Münsterbrücke, one of Zurich's most beautiful and famous bridges.
Built in 1100, it is a place of great historical value as it was here that the Swiss-German Protestant Reformation began in 1500. In addition to the interior tour, climb up the Karlsturm, one of your towers, to admire a unique panorama of the entire city!
Once you have completed your visit to the cathedral, right next door you will find the Wasserkirche, a small but pretty church overlooking the banks of the Limmat river Tue-Sun 2pm-5pm, Mon closed; admission free). The visit will only take you about ten minutes, but pause, again, to admire the marvellous stained glass windows on the course, the work of Augusto Giacometti.
Admire the city from the Limmatquai: that is, the long river that runs right next to the Wasserkirche, full of little shops, cafés and with a beautiful view. In summer, especially, it really is a busy place full of life.
5 - Niederdorf
Follow the Limmatquai northwards, enjoying a wonderful walk along the riverbank, until you first reach the Rathaus, Zurich's City Hall, and then your stop, the Niederdorf district.
The Niederdorf district is one of the city's most atmospheric neighbourhoods, a mix of attractions, gastronomy and shopping, with medieval-style houses and cobbled streets. Completely pedestrianised, the best way to discover it is by getting lost in its narrow streets and letting yourself be carried away by the wonderful atmosphere here.
Stop off at 1842 im Haus Conditorei Schober: one of Zurich's historic patisseries, with a beautifully furnished interior. We recommend ordering a slice of strudel, which is really delicious, to accompany a hot chocolate or something cooler depending on the time of the visit.
6 - Lindenhof
Photo by Roland zh. Finally, end the afternoon by returning to the Altstad and crossing the Rathausbrücke bridge. In doing so, you can easily walk to the Lindenhof, a wonderful hillside district, just 5 min from Niederdorf.
This charming neighbourhood stands on the remains of a Roman castle and today is a very peaceful area, where even the Swiss come to relax under the trees, read a book or simply admire the view. It is certainly one of the most beautiful places at sunset, so don't miss it.
Spend the evening in the Altstadt: full of restaurants and clubs. First enjoy dinner at the Swiss restaurant Schipfe, with a wonderful terrace overlooking the canal. Then choose one of the many venues, such as the Old Crow, The Lion Pub or the Widder Bar.
Day 2
Distance travelled: 7.4 km
Places to visit: Kunsthaus Zürich (CHF16.00/€15.70) or Swiss National Museum (CHF10.00/€9.80), Sechseläutenplatz and Opernhaus Zürich (exterior free), Lake Zürich and Zürichhorn
Where to eat: Lunch at Pumpstation(get directions), Dinner at Burgermeister Escherwyss(get directions)
1 - Morning at the museum: Kunsthaus Zürich or Swiss National Museum
Photo by Roland zh. Devote this second morning to visiting one of Zurich's museums. There are several to choose from, depending on your interests, but we recommend two that you shouldn't miss: the Kunsthaus Zürich and the Swiss National Museum.
Option A at the Kunsthaus Zürich (Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Wed-Thu until 7pm, Sun-Mun closed; admission CHF 16.00/€15.70). The city's museum of ancient, modern and contemporary art exhibits numerous collections and art memorabilia, with a focus on Swiss art. Among the main collections are those of Edvard Munch and Alberto Giacometti.
Option B at the Swiss National Museum (Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, Mon closed; admission CHF 10.00/€9.80). Close to the central station, this museum tells the story of Switzerland. With interactive exhibits, you can admire archaeological finds from prehistoric and Roman times to medieval and modern art relics.
2 - Sechseläutenplatz and Opernhaus Zürich
From the Kunsthaus Zürichlungo reach the Limmatquai again, as on the previous day, and walk along it until you reach Sechseläutenplatz, a large square that is home to events and Christmas markets. Directly overlooking the lake, it is surrounded by beautiful, elegant buildings.
But, of all the buildings on the square, the main one is definitely the Opernhaus Zürich, or Opera House, specialising in opera, operetta and ballet. Unfortunately, the interior cannot be visited, except during performances and events, but it is still worth taking a photo from the outside along with a tour of the square.
Enjoy a quick lunch at Pumpstation: this restaurant is located just behind the square and overlooks the lake. You can have lunch while admiring the view and the prices are not exorbitant either.
3 - Lake Zurich and Zürichhorn
Finally, enjoy an afternoon on Lake Zurich and in the beautiful Zürichhorn, the park along the shore, one of the green lungs of the city. Most importantly, you will have plenty of activities to choose from here, depending on your interests and the weather on the day.
In fact, several lake cruises depart from here, so you can enjoy the whole panorama. If you are travelling with children, in addition to this activity, you can hire a boat, visit the Chinagarten Zürich garden or look around all the play areas. In summer, the Seebad Utoquai bathing establishment is also open. On the other hand, if you want to continue with the cultural visits, in the park you will find the Pavillon Le Corbusier, a museum designed by and dedicated to the Swiss architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, better known in the world as Le Corbusier. A must for architecture lovers!
Spend the evening in Zurich-West: Zurich's eclectic district, completely redeveloped and packed with clubs, is a great place to spend an evening! There is no shortage of discos, such as Exil or Supermarket, but also cocktail bars such as Basilica, Aya Bar and Sphères.
Day 3
Distance travelled: 277 km
Where to eat: packed lunch recommended, Dinner at Kaufleuten(Get directions)
Excursion A: Grindelwald and Interlaken
Last day in Zurich, we recommend that you dedicate it to an excursion outside the city. There are plenty of them to do, especially in the midst of nature or to discover other beautiful Swiss places.
We recommend a visit to Grindelwald and Interlaken, two of the country's most beautiful places, especially because of their setting in the beautiful Swiss Alps. The best option is to join a tour from Zurich, transport included. Once you arrive in Interlaken, you will immediately reach Grindelwald, also known as Glacier Village, which offers a splendid view of the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. You can then decide whether or not to take the cable car up to Mount First, a unique experience. Between Interlaken and Grindelwald you will travel by train, admiring the landscape.
SEE ALSO: Excursions from Zurich
Excursion B: Lucerne and Mount Titlis
Alternatively, we recommend that you consider an excursion to the city of Lucerne, one of Switzerland's most attractive towns, located on the lake of the same name. Here too, especially for travel, the most convenient option is to join a tour from Zurich, transport always included.
You will first stop in Lucerne and have some free time to visit this wonderful location, and then take the cable car up to the high mountain glaciers of Mount Titlis. Also included in the tour is a visit to the Ice Cave, a truly unique experience!
SEE ALSO: What to see in Lucerne
How much does a weekend in Zurich cost
Zurich, like the whole of Switzerland, is an expensive destination. To meet the costs, we recommend you consider buying a Zürich Card. The city is also served by Zurich-Kloten airport, but you can also get there by car or train (direct train Milan-Zurich 3 h 20 min).
The best option is to stay in the historic centre, the Altstadt. Here you will be in the heart of the city, have all the attractions within walking distance and, above all, be able to get around easily on foot. A sightseeing tour of the city with a lake cruise is also ideal for settling in. Finally, eating out also involves a lot of expense: you could save money by organising quick lunches and stopping at clubs and restaurants just for dinner.