Things to do in Zurich: the old town, the lake and the mountains
Zurich is tidy, clean and easy to walk, with an old town on both banks of the Limmat and a lake at the end of the main street. Two or three days is enough. The one thing to know: it is one of the dearest cities in Europe, so plan meals and transport with that in mind.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay near the old town and see it on foot. Add a lake boat, a museum and one day trip.
- Where to stay
- Altstadt for walking, Zürich West for modern rooms and bars, near the lake for quiet.
- How many days
- Two days for the city, three if you add Lucerne or the mountains.
- Best time to go
- May to September for the lake, December for the Christmas markets.
- Book ahead
- A table at a traditional restaurant, and Christmas market weekends.
- From the airport
- The train runs from the airport to the main station in about 10 minutes.
Where to stay in Zurich, in brief
Altstadt
first-time visitors
Narrow lanes, churches and the river on both banks. Everything is on foot. The catch is price, and noise from bars on Friday and Saturday nights.
Zürich West
design and nightlife
A former industrial district with converted warehouses, restaurants and bars. It feels modern and is a short tram ride from the center.
Enge and the lake
quiet and views
South of the center, beside the lake. Calm, residential and close to the water, with trams and trains into town.
Niederdorf and Seefeld
evenings out
Niederdorf is a pedestrian lane of bars and restaurants on the east bank. Seefeld is quieter and greener, along the lake.
Things to do in Zurich
Grossmünster
The twin-towered church above the river. Climb a tower for a view over the old town and the lake.
Fraumünster and the Chagall windows
A church on the west bank known for its stained glass by Marc Chagall. Check opening times before you go.
Lindenhof
A quiet square on a hill in the old town with views over the Limmat. Good for a short rest.
Bahnhofstrasse
The main shopping street, running from the station to the lake. Walk it for the lime trees and the shop windows.
Lake Zurich boat
Short boat trips run from the Bürkliplatz pier. Public ferries are cheaper than the sightseeing cruises.
Kunsthaus Zürich
One of the main art museums in Switzerland, with a large modern wing. Allow half a day.
Swiss National Museum
Swiss history in a castle-like building beside the station. Good for a wet afternoon.
Uetliberg
The hill above the city, reached by train in under half an hour. Walk the ridge for views of the city, the lake and the Alps.
Swimming in the river and lake
In summer locals swim in the Limmat and in the lake baths. Use the marked swimming places.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Zurich can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Zurich, and which to pick- A table at a traditional restaurant1 to 2 weeks ahead
The best-known rooms fill at weekends, and more so in December.
- Hotels in December2 to 3 months ahead
Christmas market weekends sell out, and rooms near the old town go first.
What to skip in Zurich
- Eating on Bahnhofstrasse
You pay for the address. Walk into Niederdorf or Zürich West for better value.
- Taxis in the center
Trams and buses are quick and run late. Buy a day ticket and use them.
- A rushed day trip from another city
A few hours is too little. Stay one night so you see the old town in the evening.
Best time to visit Zurich
Zurich is at its best from May to September, when the lake is warm enough to swim in, terraces are open and days are long. July and August can be hot, and thunderstorms are common in summer.
December has the Christmas markets in the old town and at the station, a real reason to come in the cold. Expect temperatures around freezing and early dark. April and October are quieter and cheaper.
- From Zurich airportTrains run from the airport station to the main station in about 10 minutes. Trams and buses serve nearby districts.
- On footThe old town, the lake and the main street are within a walk of 10 to 20 minutes. You rarely need transport in the center.
- Trams and busesThe tram network is frequent and covers the whole city. Buy a ticket before you board, and check which zones you need.
- Trains and boatsS-Bahn trains reach the hills and nearby towns. Lake boats are part of the public network on many tickets.
Zurich in three days
- Day 1
Walk the old town: Grossmünster, Lindenhof and Fraumünster. Eat at a traditional restaurant in the evening.
- Day 2
Walk Bahnhofstrasse to the lake and take a boat. Spend the afternoon at the Kunsthaus or the National Museum.
- Day 3
Take the train up Uetliberg for the view, or go to Lucerne for the day.
Day trips from Zurich
- LucerneAbout 45 minutes by direct train. A covered wooden bridge, an old town and a lake with mountains behind.
- Rhine Falls at SchaffhausenAbout an hour by train. A wide waterfall, with boat trips to the rock in the middle.
- RapperswilA small town with a castle on the upper lake, reached by train or boat in under an hour.
Zurich: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Zurich?
Two days covers the old town, the lake and a museum. Three lets you add a day trip to Lucerne or a hill. A fourth is only needed if you want the mountains.
Is Zurich worth visiting?
Yes, for a short city break. It is clean, compact and easy to move around, with a lake and good museums. It suits people who like order more than bustle.
Is Zurich expensive?
Yes, it is one of the dearest cities in Europe. Eating lunch rather than dinner out, using public transport and drinking tap water keep the bill down.
What is the best time to visit Zurich?
May to September for the lake and the long days, and December for the Christmas markets. Spring and autumn are quieter and cheaper.
Where is the best area to stay in Zurich?
The Altstadt for walking, Zürich West for modern rooms and bars, and Enge for quiet beside the lake.
Can you do Zurich as a day trip?
You can from Lucerne, Basel or Bern, but it is rushed. One night lets you see the old town after the shops close.