Zurich Switzerland – what to see and visit

Zurich (German: Zürich) is the largest city in Switzerland and is one of those that can pleasantly surprise you. At first glance, it looks like a banking metropolis, but in reality, it offers much more – a historic center, modern art, a clean lake, and views of the Alps. Anyone who likes cities where you can take a morning walk along the promenade, climb to a viewpoint after lunch, and sit by the river with a glass of wine in the evening will love it here.

What to see in Zurich

There is an information center at the main train station. Here you can get a map of the city and plan your route to see as many sights as possible. It is best to start with a walking tour from the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) towards the Limmat River.

Old Town (Altstadt)

Narrow streets, stone houses, cafes, and the smell of chocolate – this is the heart of Zurich. A place where medieval atmosphere mixes with modern bustle.

Grossmünster

The Grossmünster church with its two towers is one of the most famous symbols of the city. According to legend, it was founded by Charlemagne. It is worth climbing to the top, from where there is a beautiful view of the city and the lake.

Fraumünster

On the opposite bank stands Fraumünster, a former monastery church with stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. Inside, there is a silence that underlines the magic of the colorful light from the windows.

St. Peter Church

The Church of St. Peter (St. Peter Kirche) has the largest clock face in Europe – over eight meters in diameter. You can see it from almost anywhere in the center.

Lindenhof

The quiet hill Lindenhof offers relaxation and a beautiful view of the city’s rooftops. A place with benches, trees, and an atmosphere that will make you slow down.

Bahnhofstrasse

Continue along Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most luxurious shopping streets in the world. Luxury shops, banks, and small cafes – even if you don’t buy anything, the walk is worth it.

Lake Zurich (Zürichsee)

The promenade around Zürichsee is ideal for an evening walk. Or take a short boat trip, for example to the Zürichhorn district. The view of the city from the water is an unforgettable experience.

The water is beautifully clear and the beautiful nature around you will captivate you.

Polybahn

The Central Polybahn is the local funicular that takes you to the top of the hill and runs through a house.

Swiss National Museum

Next to the train station stands the Landesmuseum Zürich. It looks like a castle, but inside you will find modern exhibitions about the history of Switzerland. A great tip for families with children – the exhibitions are interactive and fun.

Kunsthaus Zürich

Art lovers should not miss the Kunsthaus Zürich – one of the best galleries in Europe. Here you will find Monet, Picasso, Matisse, and the famous Swiss artist Giacometti.

Uetliberg – view of the city and the Alps

In the afternoon, take the S10 train to Uetliberg (871 m). From the top there is a wonderful view of the whole city, the lake, and the Alps in clear weather.

Dinner by the river

End the day at the Bauschänzli restaurant, which lies on a small island in the middle of the Limmat River. In the summer there is live music and the illuminated city has a magical atmosphere in the evening.

Tips for trips from Zurich

If you have more time, the surrounding area offers beautiful places.

Rhine Falls (Rheinfall)

Only 50 km from Zurich are the largest waterfalls in Europe near the town of Schaffhausen. From the observation deck at Laufen Castle, the waterfall is within reach and a boat will take you directly to the roaring water.

Lucerne and Mount Pilatus

Lucerne is about an hour’s drive from Zurich and is one of the most picturesque cities in Switzerland. From there, you can take a cable car or cogwheel railway to Mount Pilatus (2132 m) with magnificent views.

Einsiedeln Abbey

A more peaceful trip is offered by the Einsiedeln Abbey, the spiritual center of Switzerland surrounded by green meadows and Lake Sihlsee.

Recommended accommodation in Zurich

• Hotel Marta – right in the Old Town, excellent location and breakfast included.
• Hotel Adler Zürich – traditional hotel with a restaurant and comfortable rooms.
• Baur au Lac – iconic hotel by the lake, often frequented by celebrities.
• The Dolder Grand – luxury hotel with wellness and views of the Alps.

Weather in Zurich

Month	Average temperature (°C)	Precipitation (mm)	Note
January	2	63	Winter, occasional snow
March	7	68	Spring begins
May	14	92	Ideal weather for trips
July	20	126	Summer, suitable for swimming
September	16	90	Quieter season
November	6	87	Fog and cold
December	3	78	Advent markets and decorations

How to get to Zurich

By car

It is about 750 km from Prague, 850 km from Brno. The fastest route leads via Plzeň – Rozvadov – Munich – Bregenz – St. Gallen – Zürich.

• Travel time: 8–9 hours.
• Toll:
  • Germany – free.
  • Austria – 10-day vignette (approx. €11).
  • Switzerland – annual motorway vignette (40 CHF).
    In the center, I recommend the Urania or Hohe Promenade parking garages.

By train

The Nightjet night train runs from Prague or Brno to Zurich (via Linz and Innsbruck), the journey takes 10–11 hours.

By plane

Direct flights from Prague are provided by Swiss Air and ČSA, the flight takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
You can get from the airport to the center by train in 10 minutes, connections run every few minutes.

By bus

One way from Prague takes about 10 hours by bus. You can travel overnight there and then overnight back again. This way you don’t have to pay for accommodation. After all, Zurich is the 3rd most expensive city in Europe.

You will have a whole day, most often Saturday, to explore the city and at night you will go back to the Czech Republic.

The best places to take photos in Zurich

Lindenhof – ideal view of the Limmat River and the towers of Grossmünster. The best light is in the morning.

View from Grossmünster – panorama of the city and lake, the best place for a classic photo of Zurich from above.

Uetliberg – view of the whole city and the Alps, ideal for sunset.

Zürichsee promenade – morning reflections of light on the surface and swans against the background of the city.

Bahnhofstrasse in the evening – illuminated shop windows and trams add charm to the street, especially in winter during Christmas decorations.

Münsterbrücke Bridge – beautiful view of both main churches (Grossmünster and Fraumünster) and the Limmat River.

Interesting facts about Zurich

• More than 1200 fountains – water from most of them is drinkable.
• The largest clock face in Europe – on the Church of St. Peter.
• Birth of Dadaism – the artistic movement originated in 1916 in the Cabaret Voltaire.
• Traditional dish Zürcher Geschnetzeltes – comes from here.
• City of cyclists – perfect network of cycle paths and shared bikes.
• Albert Einstein – studied and later worked at the ETH Zürich technical university.

Recommended restaurants and cafes in Zurich

Zeughauskeller – traditional Swiss restaurant in the center with a historic interior. Try the local specialty Zürcher Geschnetzeltes.

Café Sprüngli – iconic cafe on Bahnhofstrasse, famous for its Luxemburgerli pralines and Swiss chocolate.

Haus Hiltl – the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world (from 1898). Excellent quality and healthy food.

Restaurant Bauschänzli – summer restaurant right on the island by the river. Ideal place for an evening sit-down with a view of the Old Town.

Da Michelangelo – Italian restaurant with excellent pizza and friendly service.

Where to eat cheaply in Zurich

Zurich is known for its high prices, but you can also eat cheaper:

• Haus Hiltl – the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world, where you pick up your food yourself and pay by weight.
• Manora Restaurant – self-service restaurant in the Manor department store, good selection and reasonable prices.
• Café Zähringer – simple and affordable bistro in the center.
• Street stalls at Hauptbahnhof station – offer sandwiches, sausages (Bratwurst), pastries or coffee for a fraction of the price of restaurants.
• Migros and Coop – local supermarkets have their own buffets with fresh food, often hot. COOP in Zurich is the main retail chain.

Note: Most shops are closed on Sundays.

Don’t miss a visit to the Lindt chocolate shop. There is a huge amount of great chocolate here, but the prices are also worth it.

What is free in Zurich

Even though Zurich is a more expensive city, there are a lot of interesting things here that are free:

• Drinking water from more than 1200 fountains around the city. (you don’t have to buy bottled water)
• Walks through the Old Town (Altstadt) and along the promenade by Lake Zurich.
• View from Lindenhof
• Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich – free admission, beautiful greenery and tropical greenhouses.
• Art installations in public spaces – modern sculptures, graffiti and street art.
• Some churches (Grossmünster, Fraumünster, St. Peter) – free admission, you only pay for admission to the tower.
• Summer swimming pools by the lake or in the Limmat River – for example, Oberer Letten or Unterer Letten are accessible for free.

My tips

And finally, a few tips. It is good to take more money with you. When traveling to Switzerland, you usually go through Germany, so it is good to take some euros with you as well. You can save on public transport. Even though Zurich seems like a big city, you can manage it on foot if you don’t want to go somewhere on the edge of Zurich. It is also good to visit the botanical garden, which has free admission.

Frequently Asked Questions