Location: Zurich
Top Things to do in Zurich
The 10 Best Things to do in Zurich, Canton of Zurich
The largest city in Switzerland is a major contemporary art and shopping destination. Important artworks are displayed in the Kunsthaus and the Rietberg Museum, while those who consider shopping an art can hone their skills along Bahnhofstrasse and Niederdorf. Chagall's stained glass windows in the Fraumunster amaze and Zurich's 500 clubs and bars, including several in swimming pools, pulse with life 'til the early hours. This city on Lake Zurich has excellent public transit and a free bike rental system.
Restaurants in Zurich
1. Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,130 reviews
Zürich's historic section features cobblestone streets, a variety of small stores and restaurants and many of the city's most significant religious landmarks.
Reviewed By blajevaina - London, United Kingdom
It’s like walking back in time but even better like a perfect movie set where every building is perfectly positioned and specially preserved, where every street is clean and well maintained, where every tree and street lights are in tune with the buildings and overall everything around is in pristine condition ????❤️???? You can walk around everywhere it is very well organised and easy to navigate. The traditional Trams are very charming and worth the ride . The bicycles are good solutions is you in a hurry. Google map works perfectly they are many hot spots and free wi-fi zones too. Plenty to see from medieval Cathedrals to Alpine masterpieces and Renaissance, museums and galleries,shops and cafe and tavern style restaurants all with charm and character. Very easy on the eye and inviting streets and small piazzas with water futures and corners . Yes the water on the streets is drinkable and very delicious straight from the Alps ! Zürich has the cleanest and most well organised Old town in Europe and you can see it easily. The high Swiss ????????standards are not in the price but in what you get for it and the Old town is up to the highest standards in Europe???????????? Zurich has the cleanest air for European capital city and you’ll feel it referring ! Must see , must explore and must experience the Old Town by walking without rushing. Take time to enjoy, to sit for coffee and admire the atmosphere around you . Don’t rush in a 24 hours you can not see everything . Pick top 3 places of interest for the day and leave few hours to explore without planning and to enjoy! For the romantics that’s the perfect place and there is the bridge where you can put your lock of Love ???? ???? discover it ! ???????? For the historical places tickets online to skip the Q are better options. For shopping, boutique style of Local and High Fashion. For souvenirs few special shops only but no street junks . (No fast food , no any junks on the streets at all ) For picture perfect views of the Old Town- the University terrace, the high Square and the Cathedral Tower! It’s photographers place - no billboards on the buildings or streets no advertising no posters no commercial junk at all ! Beautiful clean well preserved architecture only! One practical advice - Comfy but smart wear it’s a must ! Swiss are very well smart dressed but understated and discreet (no flushing fashion and labels, no fashion statements) Don’t forget the phone chargers, battery extenders and converts if you planing on photos all day (the weird non EU - Swiss sockets need convertor). Most coffee shops and restaurants have where to plug in and recharge but Swiss style only! They usually have free wi-fi too but you need to ask for the password. One of the weird difference from other European capital City’s is that Speaking in high voice and making a noise is considered very rude and impolite! Do keep your voice down NO shouting and screaming in public places (it’s offensive)! Other than that keep it clean and be kind and you’ll be welcome everywhere ! Swiss in generally are very polite and welcoming for tourists ???? Go enjoy,make happy memories and share with the World ????????????????????????????????
2. Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,862 reviews
This fantastic art museum displays Western works since the 1600s and has an especially impressive selection of modern art.
Reviewed By SadieMT - Missoula, United States
We spent about 3 hours here and enjoyed both the museum itself and the artwork. We spent most of our time in the 19th century and forward collections and had the opportunity to see some fine Chagall paintings and a stunning Van Gogh work painted the last year of his life. Many sculptures by Giacometti and a current exhibit on Matisse sculptures.
3. Museum Rietberg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 441 reviews
This art museum is the only art museum in Switzerland that focuses on non-European art, and has a substantial collection from Asia, America, Africa and Oceania. It's also located in one of Zürich's most beautiful parks.
Reviewed By finman2016 - Dublin, Ireland
This is one of Europe's hidden gems. Hidden, it has to be said, partly through its own fault. I talked to people who live in Zurich who did not even know about it and it is not well advertised or signposted. But it is really worth finding. The collection of early Chinese ceramics alone is stunning -- most of the pieces would be in any national museum that could get hold of them. But there are also fabulous collections of Japanese, pre-Columbian, Indian and African art. The displays are excellent, with labels in English as well as German and the design of the buildings (linking a new extension with a 19th century villa) is very pleasant to move around. The scale overall is ideal -- a good morning or afternoon with lunch in the cafe is perfect.
4. Zoo Zurich
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,934 reviews
«People who know animals will protect them.» Up above the city of Zurich, spanning a surface of approximately 27 hectares, is Switzerland’s largest and most frequently visited cultural and educational institution: Zoo Zurich. The popular nationwide excursion destination wants to get people interested in animals and encourage them to play an active role in nature conservation and the protection of species.
Reviewed By Meike_Ka_9 - Zurich, Switzerland
I really like the Zoo Zurich it has a nice and not too big selection of animals including some very lovely koalas. Most of the enclosure seems spacious to me and my impression is that animals are in good condition as well. Every now and then they have volunteers explaining details about the animals and even on a rainy day there are enough houses to spend time inside
5. Lake Zurich
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,034 reviews
Reviewed By GrahamB67 - Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
The 85 minute short cruise from Bürkliplatz to Thalwil is a relaxing way to see both sides of the lake. Excellent price for the trip, and food and drink on board was sensibly priced, too. Quite busy in the low season, as less boats are operating, so there were few spare seats
6. Hauptbahnhof
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,033 reviews
Reviewed By ECExpatLife - Zurich, Switzerland
Need to shop on a Sunday when all of the other stores are closed? Not to worry, they are open here... groceries, clothing, electronics... It is easy to get to the station via train or tram. In addition, during the Christmas season there is a wonderful market inside the station with food, gifts, and a beautiful Christmas tree.
7. Lindenhofplatz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,564 reviews
Lindenhofplatz is a nice quiet park, overlooking the city; where Rietberg Museum is located.
Reviewed By TheSwissNomad - Lugano, Switzerland
Whenever we happen to be in town we always head straight to this park, from which you have a wonderful view on the city. The park itself is also nice, with a playground for kids and a beautiful fountain you can use to refill your bottles. It is also scattered with benches, so you can easily sit down and watch people play chess. Overall a wonderful park and attraction.
8. Tourist Information
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 915 reviews
Zurich Tourism Tourist Information - your own personal information center. Zurich Tourism would be happy to provide you with tourist information and answer any questions you may have about the city and region of Zurich. Furthermore the Tourist Information sells tickets (Zürich Card, Swiss Travel System tickets, single entries to Zoo Zurich, event tickets of Starticket and Ticketino), provides a range of souvenirs and brochures. The wide range of services includes booking hotels, organize guided city tours or excursions and arrange tour-guide hostesses, supporting programs and special trips (bus, tram, boat). You can find the Tourist Information Office at Zurich Main Station. Come and visit us!
Reviewed By s0undaryaa - Hong Kong, China
I cant thank Barbara enough for the old town walking tour I took from the office of Tourism from Zurich main station. She is amongst the most enthusiastic tour I met who so loves her city and have advice for all ages. She gave me some awesome recommendations for bars and places to spend time in the city. Hope my Thank you note reaches her. Anand ( Hong Kong)
9. Uetliberg Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,522 reviews
Reviewed By jnegri85 - Littleton, United States
My husband and I were visiting Zürich in December 2019 and we decided to spend part of one day traveling up to Uetliberg to see the views of the city, Lake Zürich, and the Alps. We took the tram from Zürich HB to Uetliberg and walked up to the viewing deck, paid to go up the viewing tower, and had lattes on the deck of the Uto Kulm restaurant. The weather was beautiful and pleasant to sit outside. This is definitely worth the trip and offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding valleys!
10. Bahnhofstrasse
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,788 reviews
This famous pedestrian street offers the best in world-class shopping opportunities and is also home to some of the world's most important banks.
Reviewed By 638kc - Western Australia, Australia
A shopping street with a difference.... Every major store you have ever heard of on a treelined street with many benches to enjoy as you admire the shops..
