This guide to places to see in Zurich will help you prepare your walking route so that you don't miss anything interesting and make the most of your time.
Situated at the confluence of the Limmat River and Lake Zurich and close to the Alps, Zurich is the financial and cultural heart of the country, as well as one of the world's most expensive cities with the highest quality of life.
While many know it for its luxury shopping, the city also has a rich historical and cultural heritage in its beautiful old town and numerous tourist attractions such as museums, art galleries, parks, churches and viewpoints, which are well worth a visit. With its many luxurious 5-star hotels, you certainly get your money’s worth. To view more information about these accommodations, simply follow the provided link.
Before leaving the city, don't forget to try its delicious cheeses and especially the famous Swiss chocolate, a real treat for the palate.
Among the most incredible places to visit in Switzerland and one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, here is a list of the 10 must -see places to visit in Zurich. Let's get started!
1. Historical centre
One of the best things to do in Zurich is to get lost in its beautiful historic centre (Altstadt), made up of 4 neighbourhoods and surrounded by a few remaining ruins of an old medieval wall.
The most interesting area is near the Limmat River and around the City Hall (Rathaus), where the most charming narrow streets and squares, medieval houses and Renaissance guild buildings with traditional style and colourful facades are concentrated.
In addition to hundreds of shops and restaurants, this pedestrianised area is home to some of the city's main points of interest, such as the Bahnhofstrasse shopping street, the Grossmünster, Peterskirche and Fraumünster churches, the Grimmenturm tower, the guild houses on Limmatquai Street and the Cabaret Voltaire, where the Dada cultural movement began.
The area is also home to some of Zurich 's best restaurants, such as Swiss Chuchi, which specialises in fondues, and the Zeughauskeller, which makes delicious sausages with rosti.
Old Town2. Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich, which stretches to the south-east of the city and is surrounded by hills, is another must-see in Zurich.
This huge, banana-shaped lake, more than 40 kilometres long, is perfect for relaxing walks or bike rides along the shore, especially in summer, when you can swim at some of the beaches or have a picnic.
Another of the best things to do on the lake is a boat trip to see villages, luxury villas, beaches and Rapperswil, known as the city of roses for its gardens with more than 15,000 rose bushes.
Lake Zurich3. Grossmünster Church
The Grossmünster Church, built along the Limmat River between 1100 and 1220, is one of the most emblematic buildings to visit in Zurich.
Romanesque in style and known as the great cathedral, this church has enormous historical importance as the place where the Protestant Reformation began in Switzerland by Zwingli in 1519. The exterior of the church features twin bell towers added between 1487 and 1492, while the interior has fabulous stained glass windows, the Romanesque crypt, the choir window, the bronze doors, as well as a cloister with magnificent Romanesque capitals.
Before leaving the church, we recommend climbing the 187 steps to the top of one of its towers to enjoy the views of the city and the river.
Other interesting churches to see in Zurich are Fraumünster, which impresses with its five stained-glass windows, and Peterskirche, with a beautiful clock tower.
Visiting hours: daily from 10 am to 6 pm, closed one hour earlier in winter.
Grossmunster Church4. National Museum of Zurich
Another of the best things to do in Zurich is to enter the National Museum, located in a French-style building that resembles a medieval castle, for a good overview of the history and culture of Switzerland, from prehistoric times to the present day.
In addition to the extensive collection of permanent exhibits, this is the country's most visited history museum, which also hosts temporary exhibitions, debates, lectures and workshops, all with a focus on knowledge and learning.
Another museum to visit in Zurich is the Kunsthaus, which has one of the most important art collections in Europe, consisting of works by great masters such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Munch and Monet, among others.
National Museum opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, closed at 7pm on Thursdays.
Kunsthaus Museum opening hours: Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 8pm.
National Museum, one of the places to see in Zurich5. Bahnhofstrasse, one of the places to visit in Zurich
Bahnhofstrasse, known as Station Street, is the most famous street to see in Zurich and one of the most luxurious and exclusive shopping streets in the world.
On this golden mile of almost one and a half kilometres, you'll find shops beyond the reach of most budgets, such as Tiffany & Co, Cartier and Louis Vuitton, as well as art galleries, cafés, restaurants and, above all, chocolateries such as the fantastic Läderach Chocolatier Suisse.
Other beautiful streets in the historic centre include Limmatquai, which stretches along the Limago River and is lined with beautiful houses, and the medieval Augustinergasse, which is a delight at first glance with its colourful facades and wooden windows.
6. Üetliberg Viewpoint
At Üetliberg, a peak 870 metres above sea level, is a lookout point with stunning views of the city, the lake and even the Alpine mountains, if the skies are clear.
To get to the viewpoint you can take tram line 13 to Albisguiti and from there walk up for about 45 minutes along a beautiful path surrounded by nature. Another less recommended option is to take the train from the central station, which takes about 20 minutes.
At the top of the hill, as well as enjoying the views and doing some hiking, there are several restaurants to recover all the energy from the climb.
Another place to visit in Zurich with good views of the city is the small hill where the University of Zurich is located. To reach this area you can take the old Polybahn funicular from Limmattquai Street.
Views from the University7. The Opera House
The Opera House, housed in a magnificent neoclassical building built in 1891, is another must-see in Zurich.
This 1100-seat concert hall has hosted performances by some of the greatest opera and ballet artists of the time and has become the city's cultural landmark.
Visiting the Opera House, one of the things to do in Zurich8. Lindenhof, one of the best things to visit in Zurich.
Another of the best things to do in Zurich is to explore the Lindenhof district, the oldest part of the city, located between the Limmat River and Bahnhofstrasse.
In this medieval quarter of steep cobbled lanes you'll find everything from artisan shops, charming cafés and historic buildings to Roman ruins, located on its popular hill.
This hill was the birthplace of the city more than 2,000 years ago and today it has become a spectacular viewpoint for sunset and an oasis of peace, ideal for relaxation.
9. Zurich Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden, located half an hour's walk from the city centre and belonging to the University, is one of the few free places to see in Zurich.
This open-air space has more than 7,000 plant species and three dome-shaped greenhouses containing trees, plants and flowers from all over the world.
On a fine day, it is the perfect place to relax and take a leisurely stroll along the paths until you find a small pond, or sit and read on one of the benches or directly on the grass.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 6pm.
Botanical Garden, one of the places to visit in Zurich10. Excursions from Zurich
Another of the best things to do in Zurich, if you have the time, is to take a day trip to some of Switzerland's nearby wonders.
These tours will take you to the top of mountain peaks over 3,000 metres, to green valleys dotted with small mountain villages that look like something out of Heidi's fairytale and to some of Switzerland's prettiest towns.
For more information you can read this post on how to climb the Jungfraujoch and this guide to visit the Rhine Falls.
Mount TitlisMap of things to do in Zurich
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