Top Things to Do in Zurich Switzerland During a Day Trip
If you are planning a day trip to Zurich Switzerland and looking for the best things to do, see, and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. Zurich is the gateway to the Alps. You will find a turquoise lake with an Alpine background, 100+ art galleries, shutter adorn Altstadt, fountains, fondue, elegant watches, and Swiss Army knives. Below is how I spent my day in Zurich, please use my day trip itinerary as a template and make it your own by filling in your personal bucket list dreams. Enjoy your time out of the office!
READ Complete Switzerland Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
Is Zurich Worth Visiting?
Zurich is the financial capital of Switzerland. It is a banking city and one of the most expensive cities in the world. If you are planning a vacation in Switzerland, you will likely fly into the Zurich airport. It is worth it to spend a day window shopping the high-end stores and chocolate boutiques.
How to Get to Zurich Switzerland
The Zurich Airport is the largest airport in Switzerland and a short 10-minute train ride to the city center. If you are traveling internationally, you will want to stay awake as long as possible. Drop your bags at the hotel and jump into this one-day Zurich itinerary.
Where to stay in Zurich Switzerland
One Day in Zurich Switzerland
One Day in Zurich Itinerary Overview
Grossmunster | Fraumünster | Rathaus | Niederdorfstrasse | Augustinergasse | Rennweg Streets
How to Spend One Day in Zurich
8 am From the train station go across the river and ride the Polybahn up to the University for panoramic views. Add a love lock to Muhlesteg Bridge as you cross back over the river on your way to the Police Station to view Giacometti’s murals on the vaulted ceiling and walls at the entrance. Next, wander along the Schipfe and explore one of the oldest quarters of Zurich. Head up to Lindenhof Park for views of Grossmunster Church, City Hall, and the Limmat River. Now, walk towards the Aldstadt and take photos of Augustinergasse and Rennweg Streets. Refill your water bottle at the Münsterhof fountain before sampling Swiss chocolate and window shopping at the high-end stores of Bahnhofstrasse. If time permits, stop in the Beyer Watch Museum.
Tip: Food is expensive in Switzerland, and water is free from public fountains throughout the city.
Noon Stop Check out Zurich’s beautiful Opera House and grab picnic supplies at the open-air market for a picnic next to Lake Zurich. Relax on a bench watching the swans before taking a boat ride around the lake. Head to the Grossmünster and climb the stairs to the top of the tower for panoramic views. Walk along the river towards the Rathaus before checking out the famous Chagall Windows of the Fraumünster. Spend the rest of the day wandering the cobblestoned, shutters adorn pedestrian-only streets of Niederdorfstrasse. Be sure to splurge on chocolate and macaroons as you wander the old town.
Tip: If you enjoy exploring museums, Zurich has over 150! Consider purchasing a Zurich Card; it will cover admission to many museums, desserts at many restaurants, and transportation in the city including a boat ride on the lake and the train ride to and from the airport.
6 pm Try the cheese fondue at Adler’s Swiss Chuchi or the chicken cordon bleu at Zeughauser Beer Hall. Stop at the Old Crow for an after-dinner whiskey.
Looking for more options? Continue on for additional things to do in Zurich Switzerland to supplement this day trip itinerary or jump down for more day trip ideas.
Things to Do in and Around Zurich Switzerland
- Take a guided tour at the Urania Sternwarte Observatory
- Enjoy the rooftop pool at Thermalbad and Spa Zürich
- Explore the glass biodomes at the Botanical Garden
- Have lunch under the umbrellas at Gerold Chuchi
- Grab lunch from a food truck and shop the stores at the Bohemian Frau Gerold’s Garten
- Enjoy a performance at the Zurich Opera House
- Enjoy dinner and cocktails with panoramic city views at Clouds atop the Prime Tower
- Take the cable car up to Felsenegg Lookout for views over Lake Zurich
- Go for a swim at Flussbad Oberer Letten riverside beach and pool
- Ride in a flatboat down the River Limmat
- Go for a hike on Uetliberg Mountain
- Browse the shops on Rennweg Street
- High-end shop along Bahnhofstrasse
- Explore the history of timekeeping at Beyer Clock and Watch Museum
- Eat Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (veal cutlets with mushrooms in white sauce)
- Stop in Sprungli for Luxemburgerli for macarons
- Explore Swiss culture at the Swiss National Museum
- Watch the elephants swim at Zurich Zoo’s Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park
- Shop the trendy Viadukt
- Take a dinner cruise on Lake Zurich
- Shop for souvenirs on Niederdorf Street
- Browse the art galleries in the old Löwenbrau Factory
- Ride up the Dolderbahn for city views
- See the largest clock face in Europe on St Peter’s Church
- Stop for hot chocolate and a sweet treat at Café Schober
- Enjoy a Swiss chocolate-tasting session at Läderach
- Spend a romantic evening touring Zurich while enjoying cheese fondue on the fondue tram
- Tour the Lindt Factory and bring some chocolate home for friends and family
- Photograph the flag-adorned Augustinergasse
- Design your own Swiss Army knife at Victorinox
Check the Zurich Switzerland Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Day Tours From Zurich
Take a DIY day tour to pretty Lucerne
Spend a day exploring nearby Interlaken
Ride the cog train up Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe
Spend a day in Basel, the third largest city in Switzerland
Instagrammable Zurich Switzerland, Find the Best Shots
Instagrammable Zurich Switzerland is full of postcard-perfect opportunities. The city is easy to maneuver, simply zigzag across the Limmat River to catch Zurich’s Instagrammable spots. Be sure to grab a photo of the love locks on the Muhlesteg Bridge and wander the postcard-perfect Schipfe District. The pedestrian-only streets of Niederdorfstrasse are cobblestoned and full of fun architecture, interesting storefronts, fountains, and shutters. The flagged Augustinergasse in Zurich’s Altstadt yells ‘Instagram me’. Zurich Switzerland offers many rooftop views from unexpected places, don’t miss the unique view from the Toy Museum. Lake Zurich is a great spot to stop for a picnic lunch with plenty of lakefront postcard moments. There are so many photo opportunities in Zurich Switzerland you will find it difficult to move from Point A to Point B, be sure to schedule your time. Visit my Instagram Feed for inspiration.
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