Zurich: What to Do — Best Attractions & Experiences Guide

Old Town (Altstadt) — historical heart

• Grossmünster: 12th-century Romanesque cathedral. Tower climb CHF 5 for panoramic view.
• Fraumünster: 9th-century convent church. Marc Chagall stained-glass windows (1970s) — masterpiece. CHF 5 entry.
• St. Peter’s Church: largest church clock face in Europe (8.7m). Free entry.
• Lindenhof viewpoint: elevated park where Zurich began. Free. Chess sets available.
• Niederdorf (east bank): car-free medieval alleys. Restaurants + bars + boutiques.
• Augustinergasse: oldest preserved street in Zurich.
• Rathaus (Town Hall): 1690s Renaissance. Tours available.
• Limmat river boat tours: ZSG short city tours from CHF 9.
• Münsterhof Square: medieval pedestrian zone.
• Spitalgasse: historic alley with shops + cafes.
• Free walking tours: daily 11am + 3pm — tips-based.

Lake Zurich + water activities

• Lake Zurich (Zürichsee): 40 km long. Boat tours from Bürkliplatz.
• ZSG short tour (90 min): CHF 9 — covered with Zurich Card.
• ZSG longer tours: Rapperswil castle town round-trip 4h CHF 26.
• Strandbad Mythenquai: lakeside swim area. CHF 8 entry.
• Letten river beach: free urban swim spot. Hipster vibe.
• Stand-up paddleboarding rental: CHF 30/h at Mythenquai.
• Kayaking: CHF 25-40/h.
• Sailing lessons: CHF 100+ for half-day.
• Swimming season: May-September (water 18-23°C).
• Lake water clean enough to drink: filtered + tested daily.
• Quaibrücke + Münsterhofquai promenade: free strolling.
• Lakeside picnic: Bürkliplatz, Mythenquai, Wollishofen — all popular spots.

Museums + culture

• Kunsthaus Zürich: Switzerland’s largest art collection. Monet, Picasso, Chagall, Munch, Klee. CHF 23. Free Wednesday evenings.
• Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum): next to HB. Swiss history + culture. CHF 13.
• FIFA Museum: football world’s biggest. CHF 28.
• Museum of Design (Museum für Gestaltung): design history + posters. CHF 12.
• Rietberg Museum: Asian + African + Pre-Columbian art. CHF 17.
• Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst: contemporary art. CHF 8.
• Cabaret Voltaire: birthplace of Dada art movement (1916). Free.
• Zurich Opera House: ballet + opera + classical. CHF 60-250 tickets.
• Tonhalle: concert hall — Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra performances. CHF 30-150.
• Schauspielhaus: German-language theater.
• Theater 11: musicals + comedies.
• Filmpodium: arthouse cinema.

Outdoor + mountain activities

• Uetliberg (870m — Zurich city peak): S10 train 20 min from HB. Free entry. Panoramic view + 4-hour hike to Felsenegg.
• Felsenegg via Uetliberg ridge: 2-hour ridge walk (cable car back).
• Mount Rigi (Lucerne area): Queen of Mountains. 2.5h via SBB + cogwheel train. CHF 90 with Half-Fare card.
• Mount Pilatus (Lucerne): world’s steepest cog railway. 2h from Zurich. CHF 78.
• Mount Säntis (Appenzell): 2,502m. 6-country view. 2.5h from Zurich. CHF 60.
• Stoosbahn: world’s steepest funicular. Schwyz region. CHF 28.
• Adliswil cable car: from Uetliberg cable car. Combined day-trip.
• Greifensee + Pfäffikersee: smaller lakes for hiking + swimming.
• Zurich Zoo: world-class. Masoala rainforest hall + Kaeng Krachan elephant park. CHF 27.
• Bicycle rental: Zürirollt (free with deposit) — 4-hour limit. Or Donkey Republic CHF 5/day.
• City Hike route: 27 km marked through Zurich green spaces.

Day trips from Zurich

• Lucerne: 50 min SBB + Chapel Bridge + Mt Pilatus / Rigi.
• Rhine Falls (Schaffhausen): 50 min SBB + Europe’s largest waterfall. Boat rides CHF 11.
• Interlaken: 2h SBB + Bernese Oberland gateway + Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe”.
• Bern: 1h SBB + Swiss capital + UNESCO Old Town.
• Lavaux UNESCO vineyards: 2h30 SBB to Vevey + walking through vines.
• Basel: 53 min SBB + Kunstmuseum + Rhine river.
• St Gallen Abbey UNESCO: 1h SBB + baroque library.
• Appenzell: 2h SBB + traditional Alpine village + Säntis nearby.
• Rapperswil: 1h boat + 35 min SBB + medieval castle + roses.
• Engelberg + Mt Titlis: 2h SBB + glacier walk.
• Lindt Home of Chocolate (Kilchberg): 25 min S-Bahn S20.
• Zurich Zoo: 30 min by tram 5/6.

Food + Lindt + Swiss specialties

• Lindt Home of Chocolate (Kilchberg): 25 min S20 train. 1h experience CHF 18 — tastings, exhibits, factory store.
• Sprüngli Confiserie (Paradeplatz): Luxembergerli macarons.
• Confiserie Sprüngli HB: easier branch at Hauptbahnhof.
• Zeughauskeller restaurant: 1480s armory turned beer hall + sausages + rosti.
• Rosti + Bratwurst: Swiss classics — Restaurant Helvetia + Sternen Grill.
• Cheese fondue: Le Dezaley + Adler’s Swiss Chuchi. CHF 35-50/person.
• Raclette: melted cheese on potatoes. Many restaurants.
• Markthalle Im Viadukt: indoor market — cheese, sausage, wine, restaurants.
• Bürkliplatz farmers market: Tuesday + Friday.
• Hiltl restaurant: world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant (since 1898). Buffet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Top things to do Zurich first-time?

Old Town walking tour (free), Lake Zurich boat or swim, Bahnhofstrasse, Kunsthaus museum, Uetliberg mountain via S10 train, day-trip to Lucerne or Lindt chocolate factory.

Free things to do in Zurich?

Walking Old Town + Lindenhof viewpoint, Lake Zurich beaches + Letten urban beach, Bahnhofstrasse window shopping, Quaibrücke promenade, Sechseläutenplatz.

Best Zurich day trip?

Lucerne (50 min SBB) — Chapel Bridge + Mt Pilatus. Or Rhine Falls (50 min — Europe’s largest waterfall). Or Lindt Home of Chocolate (25 min S-Bahn).

Lindt chocolate factory tour?

Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg — 25 min S20 train from HB. 1h experience CHF 18. Tastings + history + factory store. Book ahead summer.

Uetliberg from Zurich?

S10 train 20 min from HB. Free entry. 870m city peak with panoramic view. 4h hike along ridge to Felsenegg (cable car back to Adliswil).

Best Zurich Card value?

24h Zurich Card CHF 27 / 72h CHF 53 — unlimited transit + airport + discounts at 100+ attractions. Worth it if visiting 3+ paid attractions.

See also

• Zurich airport to city centre
• Zurich HB station guide
• Where to stay in Zurich
• Swiss Air baggage