Things to Do in Zurich Switzerland: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and a global banking hub, yet it surprises with medieval lanes, lake water clean enough to swim in and a creative former industrial quarter. It's expensive, but compact, safe and remarkably well organised.
It's also the perfect base for Switzerland: within an hour by train you can stand at the Rhine Falls, cruise Lake Lucerne or ride a cogwheel train into the mountains.
Top things to see in Zurich
The Old Town
On the east bank, the Niederdorf's cobbled lanes are full of cafés and small shops; on the west bank, guild houses line the Limmat River.
Grossmünster and Fraumünster
The twin towers of the Grossmünster can be climbed for city views; the Fraumünster glows with stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.
Lindenhof
A tree-shaded hilltop square on the site of a Roman fort, with the best view over the old town and river.
Lake Zurich
Take a boat cruise from Bürkliplatz, or swim from the lakeside baths in summer, as locals do on their lunch break.
Swiss National Museum
A castle-like building next to the main station, covering Swiss history from prehistory to today.
Kunsthaus Zürich
One of Europe's leading art museums, with a recent extension and important works from Monet to Giacometti.
Uetliberg
Zurich's local mountain, 20 minutes by train from the station, with a lookout tower over the city, lake and Alps.
Zurich in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Old Town on foot
Lindenhof, Fraumünster's Chagall windows, a climb up the Grossmünster and an afternoon in the Niederdorf. Fondue dinner in a historic guild house.
2Day 2 · Lake and river
Morning boat cruise on Lake Zurich, a swim at a lakeside bath in summer (or the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg in winter), then Bahnhofstrasse.
3Day 3 · Museums and views
Swiss National Museum and Kunsthaus, then the Polybahn funicular to the ETH terrace for sunset.
Zurich in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Rhine Falls
Train to Schaffhausen for Europe's most powerful waterfall; take a boat to the rock in the middle and stroll Stein am Rhein's painted houses.
5Day 5 · Lucerne
Chapel Bridge, the old town and a lake steamer; in good weather, ride up Mount Pilatus or Rigi.
Zurich in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Into the mountains
A full Alpine day trip, such as the Jungfrau region via Interlaken or the Glacier-close views at Titlis.
7Day 7 · Zurich West
Shops in Im Viadukt's railway arches, the Freitag tower of containers and an evening at Frau Gerolds Garten.
What to do in Zurich on a weekend
Saturday: Old Town, Lindenhof and a lake cruise. Sunday: Uetliberg in the morning and the Kunsthaus or the Rhine Falls in the afternoon.
What to do in Zurich in the evening
In summer, Zurich lives outdoors: river and lake baths turn into bars at night, and the Limmat banks fill with people. Zurich West and Langstrasse are the centres of bars and clubs.
In winter, warm up with fondue or raclette in the old town and browse the Christmas markets at the station and Niederdorf.
Zurich for couples
Take a sunset boat on the lake, share a fondue in a candle-lit guild house and spend a day by Lake Lucerne.
Zurich with kids
Zurich Zoo's Masoala rainforest, lake swimming areas, Uetliberg's playgrounds and the Swiss National Museum's kids' areas are excellent.
Practical tips for Zurich
Best time to visit
May to September for swimming and outdoor life; late November to December for Christmas markets.
Getting around
Trains link the airport to the center in about 10 minutes. Trams and buses are excellent; a Zurich Card or Swiss Travel Pass can save money.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zurich very expensive?
Yes, but you can save with supermarket picnics, free lake swimming and city-wide transport passes.
Can you swim in Lake Zurich and the Limmat?
Yes, in summer, from official baths and designated areas.
Is the Rhine Falls a good day trip from Zurich?
Yes, it's under an hour by train.