These are the Top 10 Things to do in Zurich. Zurich in Switzerland is chic and cool, historical and interesting. Switzerland is an amazing country, and here are our suggestions on the top places to visit in Switzerland.
The city is one of the most easy cities to navigate either on foot or by tram. A car is totally unnecessary as you explore the cities beautiful buildings as well as its very renowned lake. The city might have be noted as banking HQ but it is a really very trendy city, yet in a manner that is not pretentious.
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These are the top 10 things to see and to do in Zurich
Contents
- 1 These are the top 10 things to see and to do in Zurich
- 1.1 Lake Zurich
- 1.2 Visit Niederdorf, the Old Town
- 1.3 See oossmünster, the iconic church
- 1.4 Admire Fraumunster
- 1.5 Go to the Police Station
- 1.6 People watch on the main street or Bahnhofstrasse
- 1.7 Chocolate – enough said
- 1.8 Go to the Museum of Modern Art, Zurich
- 1.9 Check out The Rietberg Museum, Zurich
- 1.10 Eat in Zurich
- 2 Where to Stay in Zurich
- 3 EMA House Hotel Suites
Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich can be explored in many different ways. You can sail on the lake yourself by hiring a boat, or hopping on one of the many organized boat tours. Cycle or walk around the lake and earn those Lindt chocolates that you know are waiting for you. Alternatively you may choose to roller blade around, which seems still a very popular way to get around as are skateboards. Go for a swim in the lake. Here you will find designated swimming pools built into the lake and any day that the sun appears, so do the beautiful people to replenish their tans.
Visit Niederdorf, the Old Town
Located on eastern bank of the river Limmat, this is where history meets a very lively café scene. There are medieval alleys and small squares as well as beautiful Renaissance buildings, to admire as you are walking through the old town. There are four main areas in the old town, each distinctive from the other so make sure that you check out each – these are the Rathaus, Hochschulen, Lindenhof and City.
See oossmünster, the iconic church
The Great Church is iconic to and of Zurich. It is the landmark most associated with this Swiss city. Legend has it that the church was built on the graves of the city’s patron saints, Felix and Regula. The church includes two towers, and has been designed by a who’s who of art and architecture. The stained glass windows are by Sigmar Polke, the Romanesque crypt, choir windows by Augusto Giacometti and the bronze doors are by Otto Münch
The church is a Roman style. In the early 20th century, stained glass windows and ornate bronze doors were added to the building, giving it a mix between ancient traditions and more modern trends.
Grossmünster
Grossmünsterplatz
8001 Zürich
Opening hours
March to October: Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 6.00pm Open on Sundays after the service
November to February Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm Open on Sundays after the service
Admire Fraumunster
The slender, blue spire of Fraumünster, the Minster of Our Lady is one of the most beautiful church spires in Zurich
See the magnificent Marc Chagall stained glass window or Giacometti’s windows.
Stadhausqust, 19
Opening hours
Open: 10:00 – 18:00
Go to the Police Station
No you are not in trouble, but in the entrance hall you can see Giacometti’s murals on the vaulted ceiling and walls. Make sure you take identification, as this is a police station.
Polizeiwache, Bahnhofquai 3
Opening hours
9:00 – 11:00
14:00 – 16:00
People watch on the main street or Bahnhofstrasse
Zurich is about people watching and sitting and catching up with friends at any of the innumerable cafes. Time is unimportant when you linger over a wine or a coffee.
Should you feel the need to move, there is ample shopping to be done in Zurich, though the prices tend to be on the steep side.
Watch for the very fashionable men in Zurich.
Chocolate – enough said
Lindt and Sprungli chocolate for one.
Lindt chocolate is made just outside of Zurich and there are samples to be had if you visit the factory. Details are on there website though it is free to visit.
Details are on their chocolate website
Even if you don’t you go to the source, you can hardly be in Zurich without seeing these chocolates everywhere.
Go to the Museum of Modern Art, Zurich
The Museum of Modern Art is also known as the Kunsthaus, and houses an impressive collection of pieces from the Middle Ages to present day. The collection includes some famous names such as Van Gogh, Rodin, and Monet, plus Swiss artists that you may not have heard of before.
Heimplatz 1,
Zurich 8001
Opening hours
Tue/Fri–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wed/Thu 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Monday closed
Check out The Rietberg Museum, Zurich
The Rietberg Museum in Zürich is the only art museum for non-European cultures in Switzerland. It possesses an internationally renowned collection of works from Asia, Africa, America and Oceania.
It consists of a new museum extension called the “Emerald”: a glass pavilion, which merges perfectly with the existing buildings in one of Zürich’s most beautiful parks, the Rieterpark.
Gablerstrasse 15
Opening Hours
Tue−Sun 10am−5pm
Wed 10am−8pm
Closed on Mondays
Eat in Zurich
There are over 1,500 restaurants and cafes that span every cuisine as befits such a multicultural city. Interestingly two of the most favoured foods are kebabs and tapas. Prices will vary so it pays to read the menu before you go in. Restaurant Orangerie is a pleasant choice, if you happen to like great food in a green environment.
Where to Stay in Zurich
Engimatt City-Gardenhotel
A green oasis in the middle of a magnificent city. Read about our stay here, and the wonderful food and ambience. Latest reviews and prices on TripAdvisor
Hotel du Theatre by Fassbind
Very close to central old city area, with pedestrian streets, full of pubs, bars, restaurants and shops. Latest reviews and prices on TripAdvisor
EMA House Hotel Suites
Luxurious and affordable apartment in the city of Zurich. Latest reviews and prices on TripAdvisor
Zurich is chic, interesting and an easy city to visit. There is always something going on that is not always in the guidebooks. Hope you enjoyed the Top 10 Things to do in Zurich Switzerland
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Written so well! I loved reading your experiences! you captured beautiful pic in your post. Zurich looks like a great place to visit. Whenever i go i use your article. Thanks for sharing this amazing post with us.
Thank you.
Zurich ,whole of Swiss is so enchanting,I wish I cd visit again!I remember a town near Zurich with world’s largest Biblithography?
That is possibly the ETH-Bibliothek, the largest scientific and technical library at Rämistrasse 101
8092 Zurich
I loved your opening about Zurich being so pedestrian friendly as well as a great place for people watching (my first choice might be more of those style loving men…!) Back to the point – The old town of Niederdort looks fascinating and your pictures are beautiful. We’ve talked about riding the train through Switzerland and if we do Zurich would definitely be on our list of places to see!
Yes to train travel, yes to people and many watching, yes to the old town – you will have a great time.
We trained all over Switzerland a few months ago, but managed to skip Zurich! Next time we’ll be sure to spend time there, inspired by your post.
Thanks Kristin. We love the trains in Switzerland indeed Europe a lot. Make sure to add Zurich and also and you may have done it, a cog wheel train trip to Wengen https://contentedtraveller.com/train-trip-stunning-wengen-switzerland/
Three hours from Geneva. Well then I should have gone to Zurich! I didn’t know about chocolates, especially Lindt!!! I love those boxes where you have open hours and location!
Are you in Geneva? We were there last year and have some posts on our visit and staying at the amazing Hotel de la Paix.
Looks like a very useful list for any visitor; thanks for including the opening hours! Will bookmark this for our next trip to Zurich~
Thanks Irene. I hope that you are able to use this information. Enjoy Zurich
Oh, yes, I do love Swiss milk chocolate! That should be #1!!!
LOL, chocolate seems to win everyone over
We have been to Zurich many times, but never really seen it. Always just passing through. Looks like we need to fix that.
Switzerland is so diverse and interesting and Zurich is an interesting place, with some great things to see and do.
I have only been to Lucerne and it was beautiful. I would definitely enjoy a visit to Zurich! I have never listed a police station as a place to visit but I will be sure to visit the one in Zurich now. And I will eat lots of chocolate! I do remember having the best hot chocolate of my life while in Switzerland.
I love Switzerland and it was a random find, the police station.
The police station is a great tip. Didn’t know about the murals or even that Giacometti painted- always think of him as a sculptor.
Ditto, we only found out by accident.
Zurich looks like a great city. The stained glass windows, and even the ceiling of the police dept. looking beautiful!
Thanks Shelley, the art and the murals are amazing.
Beautiful photos! You had me at chocolate! I was only in Zurich as a college student, too long ago to remember the details! I loved your post, thank you!
Thanks Suzanne, I will be honest, I hot chocolated out. I have hardly touched one since our last visit. However, it Switzerland is magnificent country.
I’ve only been to Lucerne, and that was many years ago. I really loved it though. I’d like to make it back to Switzerland, and now I have some great tips for Zurich.
Thanks Patti; it is a beautiful city.
Chocolate, IS, enough said but it is nice that you included other things to see and do in Zurich. I remember it being a gorgeous but expensive place, and I cannot wait to return.
Charles, I think that as we live in Australia we didn’t notice a lot of difference in price. Both countries are bloody expensive 🙂
I’d put people watching at the top of the list of things to do in Zurich. Those are some fashionable looking and handsome men!
I agree; the men seemed to be rather good looking and the women oh so chic ..some of them.
We’ve only briefly passed through Zurich by train. Lake Zurich was a beautiful sight. I’d love to return!
This is a country that has so many things to see and to do; Zurich is just one of many of its beauties.
Been to Zurich only once and many years ago, but I do remember it to be quite cool and easy to navigate; so systematic! Loved strolling along the Limmat and definitely enjoyed the chocolates 😉 Great guideline to a great city!
Thanks, it is a great city and it is, as you say, very easy to get around. There are so many things still to see there.
Oh, that lake is gorgeous. And yes. Chocolate. So. Much. Chocolate. 🙂
It was fun and the chocolate was really good
Paula, I haven’t spent any time at all in Zurich, but it looks like fun. I’m going to Gruyeres next weekend….maybe I’ll stop by.
Another one of my favourite cheeses. Do stop by, Zurich is a great little city with lots of things going on. 😀