Medieval history and luxurious modern shopping streets. Parks and lakes, and a vibrant cultural scene. This is Zürich, Switzerland’s largest city and a unique combination of old and new, natural beauty and urban sophistication. Here are 10 of the best things to do in Zürich.
Contents
1. Explore The Old Town
Zürich’s Old Town (Altstadt) is a maze of narrow streets lined with medieval buildings. Highlights include the Grossmünster Church, with its twin towers, and the picturesque Lindenhof Hill, which offers panoramic views of the city, its landmarks, and the Alps in the distance. The Old Town is also home to numerous cafés and shops.
You can explore the old town on foot, picking up a map at Visitor Information at the Main Station. Or you could join an organised walking tour, exploring the main sights with an expert guide.
2. Visit The Fraumünster Church
One place in the old town you won’t want to miss is the historic Fraumünster. This was originally founded as a monastery for aristocratic women in the 9th century, and rebuilt in the 12th and 13th centuries. It later became a Protestant church.
The cloisters still remain, and feature some magnificent frescoes illustrating the early legends associated with the monastery. The church itself has been remodelled many times, and is remarkable for its modern stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti.
Read more: The Zürich Fraumünster And The Deer With The Lighted Horns.
3. Discover The Historic Guilds Of Zürich
As you walk around the old town you can’t help noticing the colourful flags and insignia outside many of the buildings. These are symbols of Zürich’s medieval guilds, the trade associations that played a crucial role in shaping the city’s history and economy.
You can enjoy spotting the signs, trying to work out what trades they represent, and looking for the historic guild houses that still stand today. And, if you are in Zürich on a Sunday afternoon, you can learn more at the Zunftstadt Zürich museum.
Read more: Discovering The Ancient Guilds Of Zürich.
4. Learn About History At The Swiss National Museum
Located close to the main train station, the impressive Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum Zürich) was built in the style of a French chateau in 1898. Inside you will find a large range of artefacts and artworks covering Swiss history and culture from prehistoric times to the present day.
Entrance charges apply but there is free admission for children and for holders of the Zürich Card.
5. Immerse Yourself In Art At The Kunsthaus Zürich
The Kunsthaus Zürich is a must for art lovers. This is the biggest art gallery in Switzerland and holds one of the country’s most important collections. It features works from the Middle Ages to the present day, with an emphasis on Swiss artists. However it also has substantial holdings of some prominent modern painters including Claude Monet, Edvard Munch and Pablo Picasso.
Entrance to the Kunsthaus is free to holders of the Zürich Card.
6. Relax In The Rechberggarten
Located between the Kunsthaus and the university, Rechberg Park (Rechberggarten) is an ornate Baroque garden. Created in 1790, it features terraces, fountains, trees and an orangery, and is a popular place for locals and students to relax.
Entrance to the park is free.
7. Stroll Beside The Zürichsee
Zürich sits at the northern end of the Zürichsee (Lake Zürich), one of the country’s largest lakes. Traditionally it was a transport route, but it is now mostly a leisure amenity, a place for swimming, rowing and boating. It is also popular for hiking, with several lakeside paths.
Within the city itself you can stroll along the Lake Promenade. You’ll pass street artists, sculptures and waterside parks, finally coming to the colourful Chinese Garden (free entry).
8. Enjoy A Boat Tour Of Lake Zürich
Another way to explore the lake is by taking a boat ride. This allows you to experience the natural beauty of the area and to see the city from a different angle.
Various options are available, from short trips around the edge of the city, to longer voyages as far as Rapperswil (see below).
9. Take A Day Trip To Rapperswil
Just a short train ride away (around 40 minutes), Rapperswil makes a perfect day trip from Zürich. Known as the “Town of Roses,” it offers a medieval town centre and castle, rose gardens, and lakeside walks.
Rapperswil also has a historic river crossing, the longest wooden bridge in Switzerland. The bridge is also remarkable for its situation in a nature reserve, and as an ancient place of pilgrimage.
Read more: The Wooden Bridge Of Rapperswil, On Lake Zürich.
10. Walk The Planetary Way On The Uetliberg Mountain
Just on the edge of the city is the Uetliberg, Zürich’s “home mountain”, with many miles of woodland walks. On a clear day you can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Zürich, the Swiss Alps, and the surrounding countryside.
A particular feature of the mountain is the so-called Planetary Way, a 6 km hiking trail that is also a scale model of the Solar System. Walk from the Sun to Pluto, stopping at the information boards along the way to learn more about each of the planets (yes, Pluto still counts as a planet for the purposes of this trail).
Read more: Uetliberg Planetary Way, Zürich: Explore The Solar System.
How To Visit Zürich
- Regular trains run from Zürich Airport to the city centre, taking around 10-12 minutes.
- Zürich is one of the most expensive cities in the world, a point to bear in mind when visiting restaurants and cafés. For some meals you might prefer to pack a picnic to eat in the park or beside the lake.
- You can save money by purchasing a Zürich Card, valid for 1-3 days. This entitles you to travel on public transport (including boats and cable cars), a short boat trip on the lake, and museum entrance.
- There is a wide variety of accommodation available in Zürich. However, if you are looking for less expensive options you might want to stay further from the centre, or to consider one of the city’s conveniently located hostels.
