Fun Things to Do and Tourist Spots to Visit in Zurich

October 6, 2020 Mustafa Natalwala 5658 Views

Zurich is the most well-known city in Switzerland and also its largest. It is located north of the eponymous Lake Zurich. All the best things to do in Zurich are the ones Switzerland is known for skiing, chocolate, fondue, and so on. The city is also known as a global financial hub besides Zurich tourist attractions. It is one of the most serene cities to visit in Europe. The general vibe of the city is a balance of opulence and simplicity. Though, when you turn to the top things to do in Zurich at night you can experience the fun and happening side of the city as well. There are several nightclubs, bars, and lounges to enjoy a jolly evening. Some of the best places to visit in Zurich for good food and drinks are situated around the city’s eponymous lake. Zurich lake is the center for a variety of tourist activities in the city from swimming and boating to shopping and dining. One of the prime attractions to enjoy in the city is Boat Cruise. It is a pristine experience within itself, plus you get to enjoy Zurich sightseeing from a unique perspective.

Switzerland, like most of Europe, ardently celebrates its art, both past, and present. One of the most popular Zurich attractions to explore is the Museum of Art. You will get to enjoy great works by artists such as Alberto Giacometti, Ferdinand Hodler, Henry Fuseli, Peter Fischli, and many more among things to see in Zurich. Besides the Swiss artists, the museum boasts an impressive collection of creations by internationally acclaimed artists including big names such as Victor van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, and so on. There are also several contemporary art museums and exhibitions around the city to explore. Zurich also has a rich variety of street art, but you will need some time to hunt down each of them.

Zurich is also the headquarters for FIFA. Though the headquarter building itself is among Zurich’s famous places, it is the museum of the FIFA world cup which attracts more visitors. If you are a fan of the beautiful game, you will thoroughly enjoy this museum. It is also designed very differently from a museum.

If you wish to explore Zurich’s tourist places on foot, then take walking tours of the Old Town. This is where the majority of museums and historical buildings are located. The area is also renowned as a shopping district and for authentic Swiss cuisine. It is also the place to go for Zurich’s top attractions like Swiss chocolate, Swiss fondue, and Swiss cheese. We have listed some of the best places to go in Zurich to find these items in this article.

Certain spots in the city are best explored during colder days. Switzerland is among the most popular places in the world for skiing and other winter activities. It is no surprise that there are so many fun things to do in Zurich in winter. The ski resorts take a new life as the snow sets in and so do the lakes. Besides these, you can also enjoy ice skating at several Zurich tourist spots. If you are in the city around 25th December, be sure to enjoy the evening festivities along with the Christmas market. It is a very merry time to visit Zurich.

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Table of Contents

Visit The Best Tourist Attractions of Zurich in 3 Days (3 Days Travel Itinerary)

Mostly we have already mentioned the top attractions in our below itinerary, but if you have less than 3 days or more than 3 days in Zurich, then here I am suggesting some of the top-rated tours and days trips from Zurich. You can choose any below-listed tour as per your interest.

Day 1

1. Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum)

Also known as the Swiss National Museum is a collection of several Zurich tourist attractions in close proximity. Among the things to see in this Zurich Museum are the Forum of Swiss History, the Castle of Prangins, Cantine de Grandia, and many more. You will need at least 2 hours to cover all the places to visit in Zurich under Landesmuseum and their exhibits.

2. Lindenhof Hill

This hill is included among Swiss Heritage Sites owing to its rich history. The hill is surrounded by city walls and includes a major park among other Zurich attractions. You will need an hour for Lindenhof Hill.

3. St. Peter’s Church

St. Peter’s Church and its clock tower are one of the most popular landmarks in the city. You need one hour to explore this church and learn about its history, architecture, and art.

4. Fraumunster Church

This 9th-century church was built by Louis the German for his daughter Hildegard. The church has beautiful works of art in its interior. You will need 1 hour for this church.

5. Grossmunster Church

This church is the stuff of legends as it is said to be built on the graves of three saints. You can keep aside an hour for this place.

6. Kunsthaus

Also known as Modern Art Museum is home to several art exhibits by artists from the middle ages as well as contemporary times. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore this gallery.

Day 2

1. Lake Zurich

The iconic lake is the center of several top things to do in Zurich and around it. Though you won’t be able to explore the entire circumference of the lake in one go, you can easily spend 2 hours here enjoying various sights & activities.

I suggest you should go for a City Sightseeing Tour with a Cruise in Lake Zurich.

2. Museum Rietberg

This museum exhibits a collection of historic artworks from Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. It will take you 2 to 3 hours to explore this museum and all its exhibits.

3. Museum of Design (Museum für Gestaltung Zürich)

The museum of design focuses on the significance of aesthetic beauty and design intelligence in our day-to-day lives as well as the role it played in the progress of civilization. You will need 2 hours for this museum.

Day 3

1. Urania Observatory (Urania-Sternwarte)

Urania was built in the year 1759 and remains one of the oldest observatories in the world. You will need 2 hours to explore various exhibits concerning astronomy at this observatory.

2. Zunfthaus zur Meisen

This mansion was designed based on baroque palaces. It was a popular gathering point for various influencers of the city once upon a time. You will need 1 to 2 hours to explore this mansion among places to go in Zurich.

3. Beyer Watch and Clock Museum (Uhrenmuseum Beyer)

This is the museum of clocks and their mechanisms. Here you will know why Swiss watches are so popular and revered. You will need 1 hour to explore this Zurich tourist attraction.

4. Zurich Toy Museum (Zürcher Spielzeugmuseum)

This museum of toys boasts a collection of over 1200 items. These come from several European countries and have a history of their own. You can easily spend an hour and a half at this museum.

5. Tonhalle Orchester (Tonhalle Gesellschaft)

This historical place to visit in Zurich is popular for its two concert halls and its history with regional music. You will need 1 hour for this attraction.

6. Zurich Opera House

Besides its Neo-classical architecture on the outside and Neo-rococo interior, the Zurich Opera House has a rich history of hosting several incredible performances. Unless you are attending an event, you can explore the Opera House in 20 to 45 minutes.

If you visit Zurich for more than 3 days, you can also check out other famous places to visit in the city as listed in the article below.

Things to do in Zurich

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Zurich

Grossmunster Cathedral
Fraumunster Church
Swiss National Museum
Kunsthaus Art Gallery
Rietberg Museum
Zurich Opera House
Church of St. Peter
Le Corbusier House
FIFA World Football Museum
Museum fur Gestaltung
Uhrenmuseum Beyer – Museum of Horology
Wasserkirche Church
Zurich Town Hall
Urania Sternwarte Observatory
Foundation E.G. Buhrle Collection Art Museum
Zentralbibliothek Library
NONAM North America Native Museum
Zurich Tram Museum
Museum Haus Konstruktiv
FIFA Headquarters
Migros Museum of Contemporary Art
Kulturama Musee de I’homme
Focus Terra Museum
Zoological Musuem, University of Zurich
Predigerkirche Church
Zurcher Spielzeug Museum
Muhlerama Museum
Museum of Design
Fluntern Cemetery

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Zurich

Mount Uetliberg
Lake Zurich
Felsenegg Summit
Zurich Wilderness Park
Greifensee Lake
Sihlwald Forest
Turlersee Lake
Sihl River
Albis Mountain Pass
Zurichberg Hill
Kaferberg Mountain Peak
Pfannentiel Mountain
Katzensee Lake
Wedinsel Island
Adlisberg Mountain
Glatt River
Egelsee Lake

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Zurich

Zoo Zurich
Polybahn Railway
Zurich Botanical Garden
Cabaret Voltaire
Enge Swimming Bar
Old Botanical Garden
Kunsthalle Zurich Contemporary Art Gallery
Casino de Zurich
Rote Fabrik Arts & Cultural Center
Standbad Mythenquai Public Bath
Bruno Weber Park
MFO Park
Helmhaus Contemporary Art Gallery
Dolder Sports Ice Skating Rink
Explorit Kindercity Volketswil Amusement Park
Umwelt Arena
Park im Gruene
Freitag Tower
Sukkulenten Sammlung Greenhouse Garden
Lake Promenade
Galaria Gmurzynska
Chocolate & Cheese Tour
Flumserberg Ski Resort
Elm Ski Resort
Brunni Alpthal Ski Resort
Raten Ski Slope

Shopping in Zurich

Bahnhofstrasse Street
Glatt Shopping Mall
District 1
Europaallee Passage Shopping Mall
Niederdorf Street
Im Vaidukt
Seefeld
Letzipark Shopping Center
Altstadt Old Town
Migros City
Kreis District 4
Sihlcity
Kreis District 5
Langstrasse Street
Burkliplatz Flea Market
Bahnhof Stadelhofen Mall
Teuscher
Chocolat Dieter Meir
Taucherli
Max Chocolatier
Vollenwieder
Laderach
Lindt Chocolate Shop
Maestrani Chocolatarium

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Zurich

Adliswil—Felsenegg Cable Car
Ice Skating
Hiking
Seilpark
Zurich Lake Cruise
Zurich Lake Bike Ride
Skiing Trip
Lake Swimming

Sightseeing in Zurich

Bahnhof Strasse Street
Lindenhof Hill
China Garden
Paradeplatz Square
Burkliplatz Square
Bellevueplatz Square
Limmatquai Street
Augustinergasse Street
Zurichhorn Park
Munsterhof Square
Langstrasse Street
Platzspitz Park
Sechselautenplatz Square
Niederdorf Strasse Street
Landiwiese Park
Josefwiese Park
Backeranlage Park
Rieter Park
Irchel Park
Uetliberg Observation Point
Minster Bridge

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Zurich

Brasserie Lipp
Rimini Bar
Ecco
Pumpstation
Kronenhalle
Kleine Freiheit
Haus Hiltl
Frau Gerolds Garten
Blindekuh
Swiss Chuchi Restaurant
Sprungli
Fribourger Fonduetubli
Contidorei Schober
Le Dezaley
Bovelli Cafe
Baracca Zermatt
Zunfthaus
The Artisan
Neumarkt
Ooki
Burgli
Gelati Tellhof
Uto Kulm
La Stanza

Where to Stay in Zurich?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Zurich. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Zurich.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Zurich

How to Reach Zurich?

By Air

Zurich Airport is the largest airport in Switzerland and also the busiest airport in the country. Despite its hectic schedule, the airport is the best option for Zurich travel owing to its Swiss efficiency. If you are a fan of well organized execution and attention to details, then this airport itself is a Zurich tourist attraction for you. You can get direct flight to visit Zurich from several countries in Europe, Asia, Americas, Africa and Middle East. Once you are at the airport, you can choose between train, tram, bus and taxi to reach places to visit in Zurich. You can get the ticket at the booth at the airport. The same ticket is valid for both train, tram and bus. Hence, you need only choose the mode of transport most comfortable and convenient to you for places to see in Zurich.

By Road

Another mode of transport run with well known Swiss efficiency is the train network for Zurich travel, both domestic and international. There are multiple railways stations in the city serving trains from different directions. You can get a direct train to visit Zurich from several European cities like Munich, St. Galen, Salzburg, Vienna, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Budapest and many more. The bus network to reach Zurich is even more widespread than the train network. You can also get day trip tours cover several Zurich attractions from nearby countries. If you are traveling by private vehicle just get along any major highway in the country & it will lead you to Zurich.

By Water

The city is located at the northern end of Lake Zurich. You can take a boat ride to several villages or forests around the lake among top things to do in Zurich.

Image Reference

Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum) – Roland zh / Wikimedia Commons
Lindenhof Hill – Roland zh / Wikimedia Commons
St. Peter’s Church – Richard Bonnett / Flickr
Fraumunster Church – Jörg Vieli / PixaBay
Grossmunster Church – Julian Hacker / PixaBay
Kunsthaus – Roland zh / Wikimedia Commons
Lake Zurich – John Mason / Flickr
Museum Rietberg – Roland zh / Wikimedia Commons
Museum of Design – Photones / Wikimedia Commons
Urania Observatory – Clemens v. Vogelsang / Flickr
Zunfthaus zur Meisen – Andrzej Otrębski / Wikimedia Commons
Beyer Watch and Clock Museum – Natalia Sverdlova / Wikimedia Commons
Zurich Toy Museum – Flominator / Wikimedia Commons
Tonhalle Orchester – Adrian Michael / Wikimedia Commons
Zurich Opera House – Torbjorn Toby Jorgensen / Flickr