Places to Visit in Europe

City Guide

Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich sits at the north end of Lake Zürich where the Limmat River flows out into the lake, backed by forested hills, with a beautifully preserved medieval old town of narrow lanes and guild houses. It is simultaneously a global financial hub and a city with genuine soul — coffee house culture, cutting-edge contemporary art, lakeside swimming, and some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. Consistently ranked among the world's most liveable.

Best Places to Stay

  • Luxury: The Dolder Grand (iconic, spa, views over the city), Baur au Lac (luxury lakeside), Widder Hotel (medieval buildings)
  • Mid-range: Hotel Altstadt, 25hours Hotel, Hotel Stuckbach
  • Budget: Hotel Poltzer, Jazz Hotel, Easy Guest

Best Places to Eat

  • Fine dining: Pavus, Restaurant Friedrich, The Table at Kunsthaus
  • Traditional: Zeughauskeller (armoury restaurant), Restaurant Kronenhalle (classic)
  • Lakeside: Café Pfenninger, Restaurant Neft
  • Markets: Flohmattmarkt (Saturday flea market), Bürkliplatz market (Saturday)

Best Sites to Visit

Altstadt (Old Town): Narrow lanes between the Limmat River and Bahnhofstrasse. Walk without a plan — this is a city best experienced slowly.

Lindenhof hill: Roman remains, a park, and the best city views that cost nothing to access.

Grossmünster church: Romanesque church with a tower you can climb for views over the rooftops.

Fraumünster Church: Gothic church famous for Marc Chagall's stained glass windows — extraordinary.

Kunsthaus Zürich: Swiss and international art, beautifully curated, recently expanded. One of Switzerland's best museums.

Bahnhofstrasse: One of the world's most exclusive shopping streets — perfume, watches, jewellery.

Lake Zürich: Take a boat cruise, swim from a lakeside pier (free public access), or walk the promenade from Bürkliplatz east.

Zürichberg hill: Take the Polybahn (funicular) or walk up for panoramic city views and a restaurant at the top.

Chinawiese: A locals' meadow on Zürichberg with excellent city views. Popular for Sunday brunch.

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Old Town

Morning: Hauptbahnhof → walk through the Altstadt to Lindenhof hill → Grossmünster tower climb. Afternoon: Fraumünster Church (Chagall windows), then Kunsthaus Zürich (allow 2 hours). Evening: Niederdorf — the bar street in the old town.

Day 2: Lake and Bahnhofstrasse

Morning: Bahnhofstrasse (shopping, coffee at Sprüngli), walk to Bürkliplatz. Afternoon: Boat cruise on Lake Zürich — either a 1-hour circuit or a half-day to Rapperswil. Evening: Restaurant Neft or Café Pfenninger for lakeside dinner.

Day 3: Zürichberg and Day Trip

Morning: Take the Polybahn to Zürichberg, walk the Chinawiese meadows, great views. Afternoon: Rhine Falls day trip (40 min by train to Schaffhausen — Europe's largest waterfall). Evening: Return to Zurich for dinner at Zeughauskeller.

Getting There and Around

  • By air: Zürich Airport (ZRH) — major hub, direct trains to city in 12 min (€6.50).
  • By train: Zürich Hauptbahnhof — central transport hub, direct connections across Switzerland and to Munich, Milan, Vienna.
  • Getting around: The ZVV tram and S-Bahn network is impeccable. Buy a day pass. The city centre is very walkable.

Travel Tips and Practical Info

  • Very expensive: Budget €120–200/day as a backpacker. Everything costs more than you expect.
  • Best time: June–August for lake swimming and outdoor life. December for Christmas markets.
  • Very safe: Zurich is very safe, very clean, very efficient.
  • Free: Swimming in the lake, Lindenhof hill, old town wandering, Zürichberg walks.
  • English: Extremely widely spoken — no language barrier here.

Where to Next?

  • Lucerne (1h by train — Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne)
  • Interlaken (2h — gateway to Jungfrau region)
  • Basel (1h — art scene, Baselworld, beautiful old town)
  • Rhine Falls (40 min by train to Schaffhausen)
  • Lugano (2.5h — Italian-speaking Ticino)

Additional Practical Information

Best Time to Visit

The city offers wonderful experiences year-round, each season with distinct advantages:

  • Spring (March-May): Mild weather, blooming flowers, fewer crowds than summer, occasional rain. Perfect for exploring attractions comfortably and enjoying outdoor activities.
  • Summer (June-August): Warm to hot weather, vibrant city life, peak tourist crowds, many festivals. Ideal for park picnics, evening events, and enjoying the city's incredible energy.
  • Autumn (September-November): Mild weather, beautiful fall colors, fewer crowds after early September, occasional rain. Excellent for museum visits, food exploration, and comfortable exploration as temperatures cool.
  • Winter (December-February): Cool weather, possible snow, festive holiday atmosphere, famous indoor attractions, and lovely indoor activities. Perfect for museum hopping without crowds and enjoying traditional cafés with delicious pastries.

Getting Around

  • Public Transport: Excellent integrated system of metro, trams, buses, and local trains. Buy a city travel card or single tickets valid across all modes.
  • Walking: Often wonderful for exploring compact historic centers. Many attractions are clustered and best discovered on foot.
  • Bicycle: City bike sharing services available with dedicated lanes and bike-friendly streets.
  • Taxi/Ride-Share: Official taxis are licensed. Uber, Bolt, and similar services operate but can be expensive during peak times.
  • Car: Generally not recommended for visiting the historic center due to limited traffic zones, scarce and expensive parking, and excellent public transport. Consider only for day trips outside the city.

Essential Tips for Visitors

  • Language: The local language is widely spoken but English is commonly understood in tourism industry. Learning a few basic phrases is greatly appreciated.
  • Currency: Euro (€) or local currency as applicable. Credit cards widely accepted, but carry some cash for small purchases and tips.
  • Dining Customs: Lunch typically 12:00-14:00, dinner 19:00-22:00. Many restaurants serve excellent lunch specials that are great value.
  • Safety: The city is generally safe. Use normal precautions with valuables, especially in crowded areas and on public transport.
  • Opening Hours: Many shops close earlier on Saturdays and may be closed Sundays. Museums often have late opening one day per week.
  • Electrical: 230V, 50Hz, Type C and F plugs (two round pins). Bring adapter if needed from non-European countries.
  • Toilets: Public toilets can be found in major transit stations, some museums, and larger parks (may require small fee). Cafés, restaurants, and coffee houses will usually allow toilet use with purchase.

Day Trips

  • Nearby Attraction 1: A lovely destination approximately 1 hour away by train, offering incredible sights and lovely atmosphere.
  • Nearby Attraction 2: Another fantastic option roughly 2 hours away, featuring incredible landmarks and excellent visitor facilities.
  • Nearby Attraction 3: A scenic natural area perfect for hiking, lovely picnic spots, and incredible views, reachable within 1.5 hours by public transport.