What to see in Zurich so you don’t miss a thing (or almost)
After four trips to Switzerland, I can now tell you about those places to see in Zurich so you don’t miss anything and enjoy the financial capital of this fascinating country to the fullest (note that the capital of Switzerland is Bern). Additionally, here I will also leave you the practical info needed to visit Zurich, as well as some excursions to do in Zurich so you don’t leave anything out in the surrounding areas.
What to see in Zurich without going too far
Take note as I tell you about the essential places to see in Zurich so you can organize your visit in the best possible way. Many travelers fly directly here or use this great city as a base for their trips through Switzerland. However, I’ll tell you that if it’s your first time in this spectacular alpine country, I would choose Interlaken as a destination to spend more nights and from which to do excursions.
And if you ask me how many days to spend in Zurich the answer is that it depends on what you want to see and how you want to organize yourself. But to see the city and some of the surroundings, at least the Rhine Falls, I would stay at least three nights.
And now, keep reading as I tell you what to see in Zurich to enjoy it to the fullest.
Old Town (Altstadt)
The historic center of Zurich well deserves your full attention, so get comfortable as you go for a stroll through some of the most prominent places in this network of beautiful streets with a colorful Renaissance halo that unfolds on the banks of the Limmat River before it flows into the famous Lake Zurich.
In your itinerary, you cannot miss the charming neighborhood of Niederdorf, the medieval soul of Zurich. Its main street has a great atmosphere that continues into the night. Don’t forget to walk down the beautiful Augustinergasse, one of Zurich’s most picturesque and emblematic streets, full of buildings with beautiful facades of different colors, wooden bay windows, and striking windows.
While strolling through the old town, I recommend you keep looking up because there will always be a picturesque building or a church that catches your eye. Among the churches, you cannot miss the two you see in the photo above: Peterskirche and Fraum5nster, both with their respective clock towers. St. Peter’s church clock face is the largest in Europe, measuring over 8 meters in diameter.
On the other side of the river, the charm of Zurich’s historic center continues with spots as beautiful as the Town Hall, Rathaus, dating back to the 17th century.
Grossm5nster, the most famous church to see in Zurich
Among all the churches in Zurich, the one that undoubtedly stands out is Grossm5nster, considered by many to be a cathedral, with its peculiar Gothic-style twin bell towers, from which you will have spectacular views of the city after climbing 200 steps. Note that reaching the top is only possible between March and October, with access closed the rest of the year, by paying 2 Swiss francs.
The interior is quite austere, so enjoy the exterior facade whose silhouette next to the Limmat River is already an icon to visit in Zurich. Legend has it that Grossm5nster was founded by Charlemagne, whose horse knelt over the tombs of the holy martyrs Felix and Regula, patrons of Zurich.
Enjoy the surroundings of the cathedral, which are very beautiful, such as square M5nsterhofwhose origin dates back to the 13th century when it was the temple’s cemetery.
Bahnhofstrasse
Welcome to the most exclusive, elegant, and famous shopping streetthings to see in Zurich. The city’s main artery begins at Zurich’s main train station, Hauptbahnhof, and extends to the lake.
Bahnhofstrasse is known for its luxury shops, from international designer boutiques and jewelry stores to prestigious Swiss watchmakers. But be aware that high-end quality also applies to the famous Swiss chocolate, and on this street you will find the confiserie Sprüngli, founded in 1836, a true chocolate institution where you can go crazy among chocolates.
This street also stands out for its architecture, as many of its buildings dating from the early 20th century combine neoclassical and modernist elements.
Between shops, cafes, and restaurants, you will reach Paradeplatz, the Zurich square known as an important financial center and a key place to understand Zurich’s prosperity.
A great way to visit the best spots to see in Zurich is with a guided tour in Spanish during which you can learn about the city’s history, get to know the customs of its inhabitants better, and discover plenty of interesting facts. You can choose between the classic free tour or this complete tour of Zurich which includes the ferry por el lago y la subida a un mirador either by cable car or by rack railway, depending on the time of year.
Lake Zurich
On your list of places to see in Zurich you cannot miss its lake, which gives this lively city its own personality. A personality that shows all its splendor in summer when its river beaches and pools (which continue along the banks of the Limmat River) fill with bathers eager to swim or simply relax, honoring its ancient thermal tradition that dates back to Roman times.
The rest of the year, you can take a walk along the lakeshore, which has been improving and modernizing until it is full of restaurants, terraces, even art galleries, and alternative spots. A good example is Rote Fabrik, a cultural center located in a former abandoned factory. Nearby, a walkway that extends into Lake Zurich offers a pleasant stroll.
Another way to get to know it is on board a boat during a short cruise. For example, this cruise on Lake Zurich includes a tour of the center and entrance to the Lindt Home of Chocolate You will be able to enjoy the views of the Alps in the background, the small houses on the lakeshore, and the sailboats and paddleboards cruising the waters.
The must-see museum in Zurich
The National Museum Zurich, formerly known as the Swiss National Museum, is a vital center for exploring the country’s rich history and cultural diversity. It was inaugurated in 1898 with the aim of preserving and exhibiting cultural and historical objects from Switzerland, from prehistory to the present, including archaeological artifacts, medieval armor, clocks, and objects of Swiss folklore.
If you don’t have time to see it inside, at least take a walk outside to admire its impressive facade that looks more like a castle than a museum. It is a masterpiece of the architectural style known as Swiss Renaissance, designed by architect Gustav Gull. A collection of towers, battlements, and arcades that coexist with the modern extension added in 2016.
The museum, located next to Zurich’s main station, is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (except Thursdays when it is open until 7 pm). Admission costs 10 Swiss francs, but it is free if you have the Zurich Card or if you are traveling with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Other museums in Zurich
If you are interested in museums, you might want to include these others in your list of places to see in Zurich:
–Kunsthaus. Art lovers will enjoy this interesting art gallery that houses works by artists such as Munch, Rodin, Picasso, or Van Gogh. Location: Museumstrasse, 2.
– Cabaret Voltaire. This historic tavern where painters, writers, and musicians used to meet was the birthplace of Dadaism back in 1916. Today it is a museum and cultural center dedicated to this revolutionary artistic movement where you can also listen to a concert or have a coffee. Location: Spiegelgasse, 1.
– Rietberg Museum. It focuses on non-European art, with a notable collection of Asian, African, American, and Oceanic art. Location: Gablerstrasse, 15.
– Zürich Tram Museum Dedicated to the history of public transport in Zurich, in particular to the trams, of which it has an interesting historical collection. Location: Forchstrasse, 260.
– FIFA Museum. Football lovers will have a great time in this interactive museum dedicated to this sport, with a special focus on the history of the FIFA World Cup. Location: Seestrasse, 27.
Lindt Home of Chocolate
Although it is also a museum, Lindt Home of Chocolate needed an extra section because it ends up being quite an experience, especially for those with a sweet tooth.
Just seeing the impressive 9-meter high chocolate fountain that welcomes you is already worth it. But you will also learn where chocolate comes from and what the cocoa process is like during an interactive exhibition that will delight adults and children alike.
Add an unlimited tasting of authentic Swiss chocolate and success is guaranteed. If you are going with children, this museum is one of the must-sees in Switzerland.
I recommend that you book your tickets to the Lindt Home of Chocolate in advance because there is usually quite a lot of demand. Adults pay 15 Swiss francs, children from 8 to 15 years old pay 10 francs, and the little ones enter for free. You can get an audio guide in Spanish.
Are you prepared for what might happen to you?
The best viewpoints
This Swiss city is even more photogenic if you look at it from above. Here are some of the places from which to see Zurich from a bird’s eye view.
-Lindenhof: The most famous viewpoint is also the lowest. Walk up in just a few minutes to this famous hill where the Romans once lived. As you arrive, you will soak up the calm and relaxing atmosphere of this small urban oasis in Zurich. Once at the top, the old town and the Limmat River will be at your feet.
–Üetliberg: The highest accessible point in the city is located about 870 meters above sea level. From Üetliberg, you can enjoy a 360-degree view that covers the entire city, Lake Zurich, and on clear days, the impressive Alpine mountain range.
To get there, take the S10 train at Hauptbahnhof, which in about 20 minutes takes you to Uetliberg station.
–University Library Terrace: At the top of a hill, this peculiar viewpoint of ETH University awaits you. Tram lines 6 or 10 take you to the ETH/Universitätsspital stop. Another more charming way to get there is with the historic Polybahn funicular, which began operating in 1889. You can catch it at Central, on Limmattquai.
–Felsenegg: Another place from which to see Zurich from above is this beautiful mountain, which also features several hiking trails. Take advantage of the Swiss Travel Pass, take the train to Adliswil and then the cable car to Felsenegg. If you book the complete Zurich tour, the ascent to this viewpoint is included.
Chinese Garden, a different place to see in Zurich
An unexpected and curious place to see in Zurich is this garden that suddenly transports you to Asia. It was a gift from Zurich’s sister city, Kunming, in China, as a thank you for Zurich’s technical assistance in water purification and sanitation in Kunming.
Strolling through the Chinagarten among pagodas, small bridges and its fish pond is one of the most relaxing things to do in Zurich.
It is located at Bellerivestrasse 138 and is easily accessible by public transport. You can take the tram to the “Höschgasse” stop, which is a short distance from the garden. It is open daily from 11 am to 7 pm, except between November and April when they close at 5 pm.
Excursions from Zurich
As you have already seen, there is much to see in Zurich, but beware that the surroundings of this great city also have a lot to offer. I’ll tell you which excursions from Zurich you can do to make the most of your stay there.
Top excursions
Take advantage of the benefits of staying in this city and use it as a base of operations because some of the most impressive excursions to see the most beautiful places in Switzerland depart from Zurich. Although they are a bit further away, if you have enough days, they are very much worth it.
Here are the guided excursions in Spanish that take you and bring you back in one day to make the most of each day and not have to be changing hotels:
–Mount Titlis excursion. Take the cable car to go up there and cross the Titlis Cliff Walk, the highest suspension bridge in Europe, is one of my pending tasks. It also includes a visit to Lucerne.
-Excursion to JungfraujochGoing up to Switzerland’s star peak is expensive, but an impressive experience awaits you at the top with views of the Aletsch Glacier. Also take a look at this other excursion to Jungfraujoch and choose the one that suits you best.
–Excursion to Interlaken and Grindelwald This area is my favorite in Switzerland: lakes, peaks, waterfalls. If you don’t have many days, take advantage of this round-trip day activity, but if you have time, dedicate at least two or three days to Interlaken and be amazed by Lauterbrunnen.
–Excursion to Lucerne For me, it is the most elegant lady in Switzerland, Lucerne is a medieval beauty with a modern touch on the shores of Lake Lucerne and flanked by the imposing Mount Pilatus and the familiar Rigi. You also have the option to add Engelberg with this other excursion to Lucerne also in Spanish.
Rhine Falls
Undoubtedly, the undisputed star of the places to see near Zurich are the Rhine Falls. This particular waterfall is very different from many others I have seen, like Victoria Falls in Africa or the incredible collection of waterfalls in Iceland, but perhaps being different is what makes it so special.
Keep in mind that they can be visited from two different sides. The most spectacular viewpoints are those on the north bank, where Laufen Castle is located, while to take the boat trip (highly recommended) you have to go to the south bank.
Schaffhausen
Very close to the falls, just 4 kilometers away, is Schaffhausen, a picturesque town with beautiful medieval corners to see from Zurich if you have enough time.
At the top of Schaffhausen, its Munot stands out, a curious military fortress dating from the 16th century. Don’t forget to stop by the Allerheiligen Monastery as well.
Stein am Rhein
to see near Zurich
Stein am Rhein
excursions like this one that link both places.
Discount on your eSIM for Switzerland
Heididorf, el pueblo de Heidi
If you are going to Switzerland with children, as was my case, go ahead and organize this excursion from Zurich to walk through the authentic village of Heidi, the one where the writer Johanna Spyri was inspired to write the book that later gave way to the famous cartoons.
It is the village of Maienfeld where, on the outskirts, they have recreated Heidi’s village in great detail, creating Heididorf. It is only fully open from March to November (the rest of the year check the opening on weekends) it opens so that the little ones can enter all the little houses, from the grandfather’s mountain house to the school, without forgetting the fountain where Peter gave water to the goats. Access to these facilities requires payment, but without buying a ticket you can at least take a walk around the outside.
excursion to Heididorf from Zurich
Liechtenstein.
Where to stay in Zurich
As soon as you have researched a bit about traveling to Switzerland, you will have realized that it is not a cheap country. In case you had any doubt, I confirm that hotels in Zurich are expensive. Even so, there are always options to find where to stay in Zurich for cheap and even practically for free. I’ll tell you how I did it to stay in this city for three nights without paying anything.
Thanks to the HomeExchange platform, I found a home exchange in Zurich where I stayed for three nights with my partner and my three children. A house with two or three floors and a small garden near the lake, well connected to the center by tram and owned by a lovely family who also gave us recommendations on what to see in Zurich and where to eat.
Do you know how home exchange works?
If you have never heard of cooperative accommodation that allows you to travel all over the world staying in private homes while you leave yours, I invite you to read this article where I explain in detail how home exchange works.
I always use the platform HomeExchangee in which for only an annual subscription of €160 (which in many cases is what a single night in a hotel would cost you) you can make all the reciprocal exchanges you want or as many as your guestpoints allow.
But if you don’t feel like trying it and prefer to stay in one of the hotels in Zurich, here are three different options that I have chosen after doing a thorough search because they stand out for having a good value for money:
-Meininger Hotel Zurich Greencity This accommodation offers super economical rooms, both double and shared if you are traveling as a family. It also has a communal kitchen and a shared living room where there are usually games if you are traveling with children or young people.
– Hotel Bristol Zurich. If you want to be right in the center of Zurich, this hotel is a very good option that also offers breakfast included.
–Boutique Hotel Helvetia. For those who want an apartment with a private kitchen, more space because they might be traveling with children or friends, this one looks very good without being extremely expensive.
How to get around in Zurich
The best way to get around Zurich is on foot if you are going to be in the downtown area, as distances in the old town are not very large.
To move to other places, the most convenient way is to use public transport, whether tram or bus. You can buy tickets at the stops themselves. You pay by zone and the ticket is valid for both modes of transport for one hour. The central zone is 110 and the price for a one-hour ticket is 4.40 francs.
If you want to know how to get from the airport to Zurich, or vice versa, you have several options. The fastest is the train which goes direct in less than 15 minutes to the main station of Hauptbahnhof. You can also take tram number 10 which connects the airport with the center, but it takes quite a bit longer, about 45 minutes, to the same station, stopping on the upper level next to the buses.
In case you are carrying a lot of luggage or there are several of you, you can also book a private transfer with a direct driver to your hotel.
Remember that if you have the Swiss Travel Pass, you won’t have to pay anything to use Zurich’s public transport because it is included. If you are only going to be in Zurich and don’t plan on traveling long distances by train, it might be worth getting the Zurich Card, for 24 or 72 hours, which includes free transport, a boat trip on the lake, and discounts at museums and certain activities.
Where to eat in Zurich
Zurich restaurants recommended by locals.
–Rheinfelder Bierhalle If you want to try Swiss gastronomy without spending a fortune, head to this traditional old 19th-century brewery, right in the center. It is famous for its Cordon Bleu, we ordered the Jumbo which, as you can imagine, is huge and was very good. You can also try the Alpine macaroni with apple sauce that my children loved. Address: Niederdorfstrasse 76
-Zeughauskeller With an unpronounceable name, this is another brewery with traditional Swiss food, but a bit more expensive than the previous one. It is also in the old town, in a former armory, so its decoration will surprise you. I recommend booking. Address: Bahnhofstrasse 28A
–Fischers Fritz. If you are looking for something special, different and romantic, book a table at sunset on the outdoor terrace they set up on the shores of Lake Zurich (photo above). In summer, it was beautiful, lit up with small bulbs and even some bonfires. It is a good place to eat fresh fish and the veggie burger was very good. Don’t be alarmed when entering because it is indeed inside a campsite. However, it is a bit pricey and located on the outskirts. Address: Seestrasse, 557
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