Top 10 Things to Do in Zurich

Zurich's relationship with its lake is one of the most enviable in any major European city — crystal-clear water lapping granite quays where locals plunge in for a swim straight from work, often accompanied by swans. The Seebad Enge and the Frauenbadi are beloved urban bathing institutions.

Running 1.4 km from the central station to the lake, Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world's most exclusive shopping streets — home to Zurich's finest jewelers, watchmakers, department stores, and the legendary Julius Bär bank vaults said to contain more gold per square meter than anywhere on earth.

Expanded in 2021 with a spectacular new building by David Chipperfield, Zurich's fine arts museum now houses the largest art collection in Switzerland — from Giacometti and Monet to Munch, Picasso, and a remarkable collection of Alberto Giacometti sculptures in the purpose-built Giacometti wing.

No visit to Zurich is complete without sitting around a pot of bubbling Gruyère fondue on a cold evening — a communal ritual that strips away Swiss reserve and brings strangers together over bread, kirsch, and white wine. The Restaurant Kronenhalle and Le Dézaley are temples of this tradition.

Zurich's own mountain rises to 873 meters directly from the city, reachable by a 20-minute train ride from the main station. The summit plateau offers a panoramic view of the city, Lake Zurich, and the entire Alpine chain from Säntis to the Bernese Oberland, and a network of hiking trails links it to the lake.

Zurich's Romanesque skyline is defined by the twin towers of the Grossmünster, where Ulrich Zwingli launched the Swiss Reformation, and the slender spire of the Fraumünster across the river, whose nave windows were designed by Marc Chagall. Both are free to enter and represent the city's deepest history.

Zurich's most diverse and energetic neighborhood, Langstrasse buzzes from early evening through dawn with a mix of immigrant restaurants, craft cocktail bars, underground clubs, and sex-positive venues. The city's reputation for nightlife restraint dissolves entirely once you cross into this quarter.

Housed in a fairytale neo-Gothic castle built specifically for its collections, the Swiss National Museum tells the complete story of Switzerland — from prehistoric lake dwellers to watchmaking and Alpine culture — with beautifully presented artifacts and immersive reconstruction rooms.

The Lindenhügel (Linden Hill) at the heart of the old town offers one of the most serene viewpoints in central Zurich — a small terrace shaded by ancient linden trees overlooking the Limmat, the guild-hall rooftops, and the lake. It is a favorite spot for residents to read and watch the city drift by.

Zurich's relationship with its lake is one of the most enviable in any major European city — crystal-clear water lapping granite quays where locals plunge in for a swim straight from work, often accompanied by swans. The Seebad Enge and the Frauenbadi are beloved urban bathing institutions.

Running 1.4 km from the central station to the lake, Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world's most exclusive shopping streets — home to Zurich's finest jewelers, watchmakers, department stores, and the legendary Julius Bär bank vaults said to contain more gold per square meter than anywhere on earth.

Expanded in 2021 with a spectacular new building by David Chipperfield, Zurich's fine arts museum now houses the largest art collection in Switzerland — from Giacometti and Monet to Munch, Picasso, and a remarkable collection of Alberto Giacometti sculptures in the purpose-built Giacometti wing.

No visit to Zurich is complete without sitting around a pot of bubbling Gruyère fondue on a cold evening — a communal ritual that strips away Swiss reserve and brings strangers together over bread, kirsch, and white wine. The Restaurant Kronenhalle and Le Dézaley are temples of this tradition.

Zurich's own mountain rises to 873 meters directly from the city, reachable by a 20-minute train ride from the main station. The summit plateau offers a panoramic view of the city, Lake Zurich, and the entire Alpine chain from Säntis to the Bernese Oberland, and a network of hiking trails links it to the lake.

Zurich's Romanesque skyline is defined by the twin towers of the Grossmünster, where Ulrich Zwingli launched the Swiss Reformation, and the slender spire of the Fraumünster across the river, whose nave windows were designed by Marc Chagall. Both are free to enter and represent the city's deepest history.

Zurich's most diverse and energetic neighborhood, Langstrasse buzzes from early evening through dawn with a mix of immigrant restaurants, craft cocktail bars, underground clubs, and sex-positive venues. The city's reputation for nightlife restraint dissolves entirely once you cross into this quarter.

Housed in a fairytale neo-Gothic castle built specifically for its collections, the Swiss National Museum tells the complete story of Switzerland — from prehistoric lake dwellers to watchmaking and Alpine culture — with beautifully presented artifacts and immersive reconstruction rooms.

The Lindenhügel (Linden Hill) at the heart of the old town offers one of the most serene viewpoints in central Zurich — a small terrace shaded by ancient linden trees overlooking the Limmat, the guild-hall rooftops, and the lake. It is a favorite spot for residents to read and watch the city drift by.