Travel Insights

Situated at the foot of the Swiss Alps and straddling both the new world and the old world, Zurich is one of the most remarkable and opulent cities to visit in Europe. In Zurich you can shop high street brands, daintily bite into (or gorge on) luxe chocolates, go on beautiful cruises, admire the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, experience art and culture spanning centuries – the options are pretty much endless.

With so much to see and do in Zurich, what do you prioritize?

Don’t worry though – we’ve created a rock solid itinerary to help you make the most of your Zurich trip.

1. Beyer Clock and Watch Museum

Switzerland is the birthplace of premium watchmaking and this museum situated in the heart of Zurich is one of the most prominent ones dedicated to horology (the art of watchmaking). In fact, the Beyer Clock and Watch Museum recounts the complete history of timekeeping from 1400 BC to current practices and is home to 300 exhibits! Plus, these exhibits are examined from both technical as well as the art-history point of view on a guided tour.

Visit the museum from Monday to Friday between 2 PM and 6 PM.

2. Bahnhofstrasse

Bahnhofstrasse is Zurich’s prime shopping district and features some of the leading luxury brands in the world such as Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton.

The most upmarket shops are towards the south near Paradeplatz. And if you’re tired after giving your credit cards a workout, pop in for premium baked goodies at Sprüngli, a confectionery shop and cafe.

3. Lake Zurich

This long, crescent-shaped lake can be enjoyed by tourists in a number of ways. You can take a leisurely stroll on the promenade starting at Bellevue or duck into a quaint restaurant to sample regional cuisine (with a view of the lake of course!). Adventure sports enthusiasts can go for windsurfing and water skiing, and if you’re visiting in winter, you can even ice skate on the lake!

4. Swiss National Museum

The building of the museum is constructed in the style of French Renaissance-inspired chateaus and will take you through remarkable exhibits from the prehistoric times to the end of the 20th century that retell the history of Switzerland. The museum also houses an impressive collection of Gothic art as well as an extensive collection of liturgical wooden sculptures, carved altars, and panel paintings.

Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours here. You can visit the museum on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday between 10 AM to 5 PM.

5. Zurich Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zürich)

The Zurich Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of artworks from the Middle Ages to the early 21st century, with a focus on Swiss artists. You can also see prominent pieces by Picasso, Swiss master Alberto Giacometti, Van Gogh, and Monet.

Here are the museum timings:
Tue/Fri–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wed/Thu 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

6. Cabaret Voltaire

Art lovers, experience stunning postmodern artworks at the birthplace of Dadaism, an art movement that took off after World War I to ridicule the absurdity of our modern world. Founded in 1916 by Hugo Ball (German poet and the founder of the Dada movement) and his wife Emmy Hennings (also a famed poet and performer) for artistic performances and political activism.

Cabaret Voltaire was shut down for a brief period, but now it continues in the same vein to celebrate art and political freedom.

7. FIFA World Football Museum

Located opposite the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, this museum takes you on a journey of the evolution of the game from its early days to the present day. Apart from the exhibits, you can also do fun and quirky things like mock-reporting a match in your own voice and listening to it later. Super entertaining for football fans and little ones who are learning to love the sport.

You can visit the museum Tuesday to Thursday between 10 AM and 7 PM and Friday to Sunday between 10 AM and 6 PM.

8. Zürich Zoo

The best thing about Zurich Zoo is how ethical they are while building their exhibits. Animals in Zurich Zoo stay in huge exhibits that mimic their natural habitats as closely as possible. You can see at least 300 species at the zoo, from emperor penguins to anteaters. A key attraction of the zoo is the Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park, which features underground viewing areas where you can see Indian elephants going for a dip or a swim.

9. Altstadt (Old Town)

You can go for a walking tour in the old part of Zurich known as Altstadt, which is surrounded by the city’s oldest religious buildings. Explore the cobbled streets and you’ll have a surprise waiting for you at every corner – from quaint cafes to cool bars and quirky shops.

10. St Peter Church, Zurich

The church of St. Peter in Zurich was constructed goes as far back as the 8th century, however, the existing structure is as a result of restoration in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Here’s a cool fact about this ye old religious building: the church’s tower is owned by the city while the centrum belongs to the religious body of the Canton of Zürich.

Plus, the clock in the tower is the largest in Europe with a diameter of 86.64 m!

11. Grossmünster

Built on the graves of the city’s patron saints Felix and Regula, the Grossmünster is one of the most prominent churches in Zurich.

As legend has it, this Romanesque-style church was actually built by Charlemagne the great. whose horse fell to its knees near the graves of the patron saints. The twin towers of the Grossmünster are perhaps Zurich’s most iconic landmark (once mocked by Richard Wagner as representing two pepper dispensers!) and the then theological college is now the University of Zurich.

Don’t forget to check out the beautiful stained glass windows by German photographer and painter Sigmar Polke while you’re there.

12. Niederdorf

This neighborhood of Zurich, fondly called Dorflii or little village by locals, is an eclectic and happening one (if you’re visiting Cabaret Voltaire, you’ll be here). Stroll around the neighborhood, explore the cool boutiques during the day, and at night, get ready to let your hair down at some of the hottest clubs in the neighborhood.

13. Dolderbahn

Riding the Dolderbahn is one of the most quirky things you can do in Zurich. You can board this one-of-kind single coach from Römerhof and it will take you up to the Grand Dolder Hotel at the foot of Adlisberg, the highest peak of Zurich.

By the way, hold on to your seats on the Dolderbahn as it ascends inclines as steep as 20 degrees. The ride will last about 5 minutes but it can be quite thrilling!

14. Uetliberg

The SZU can take you to Uetliberg, Zurich’s backyard mountain. Take the train up to the top and climb the observation towers to catch a breathtaking view of your surroundings.

On your way back, you can take the Planet Trail to Felsenegg (stop for awesome views of Lake Zurich) and take a cable car back to Zurich. The Planet Trail is a fascinating hiking trail which shows the enormous distances in the solar system, with each meter of the path representing 1 million kilometers in space! On your 2 hour hike, you will from the sun all the way to the dwarf planet Pluto – how about that!

15. Zürich Opera House

Zürich Opera House has been the home of Zurich’s opera culture since 1891 and also houses the Bernhard Theatre and Zurich Ballet. There are about 250 performances each year featuring some of the stalwarts of the craft in the international arena.

If you’re in the square, check out the busts of masters such as Shakespeare, Goethe, Wagner, Mozart, and Schiller on the facade.

16. Limmat Cruise

No one passes up a cruise on holiday! And definitely not a Swiss holiday.

Your cruise on the river Limmat (March to October only) will take you on a relaxing tour through Zurich’s old town till the view opens up to Lake Zurich -remarkable!

17. Street Parade

Love EDM? You can’t miss the Street Parade of Zurich, the most visited technoparade in the world!

Get yourself to Zurich on the second Saturday of August and enjoy the incredible vibe!

18. Outdoor Swimming in Zurich

If you’ve had your fill of art and culture in Zurich, set aside a day to experience the city’s enthralling urban bathing culture. Zurich has a number of outdoor swimming pools ranging from the secluded and serene one in Mythenquai beach to more happening spots like Seebad Utoqua, which has two swimming pools, separated by gender (it’s fun anyway!).

The Wrap: The best time to visit Zurich

The summer months in Zurich (June to August) are cool and breezy, making it comfortable to visit the city’s hotspots, enjoy the cool festivals, go sailing, or go for a quick dip in one of Zurich’s numerous outdoor pools.

If you’d rather enjoy winter sports, visit Zurich during December and January. You can even ice skate on Lake Zurich when it freezes over!
The shoulder season in Zurich is September-November and March-May, with low hotel prizes and plenty of cultural festivals to enjoy.

Our suggestion? Zurich is the most vibrant in the summer months. And though the hotel prices are quite steep during this time, you can get great deals if you book well in advance (5-6 months).