Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is home to many of the country's attraction sites. It is also the country's financial center as it is home to many of its famous banks and watch stores.
The abundance of attractions in the city makes it a bit tasking to decide where to visit or go first. As a result of this, we have taken the time to select the best 10 things to do in Zurich to guarantee you a wonderful experience in the city.
Without further ado, let's explore Zurich!
One of the best ways to explore Zurich is by taking a boat tour at Limmatschifffahrt. The boat tour takes about an hour. It is advisable to book your tour in advance online on the station's website as the station can get a bit crowded with many tourists.
Asides from getting to see Zurich from a boat, you can also look forward to booking a dinner cruise at the station with Swiss fondue and barbecues on offer for interested tourists.
Flussbad Oberer Letten is a facility located along the Limmat River and is one of the best places to swim or sunbathe in Zurich.Although there is not much to do here other than to relax, it is still an excellent place to chill. Besides, you can always join in the unending beach volleyball played by tourists and locals who also came for a swim or relaxed.
Tip: You can't go wrong with a quick ride to the flea market at Buerkliplatz after your swim.
Arguably the most expensive street in the world, thanks to the many designer brand shops, swiss watch stores, and Swiss Banks found there. You don't want to leave Switzerland without checking this place out, even if you won't buy a single item.
There is even a watchmaking museum, the Beyer Clock and Watch Museum, where you can learn how the expensive Swiss watches are made for a small fee of CHF 10. Before leaving the street, you might also want to check out the iconic Café Sprungli.
Located within the Old Town, Lindenhof District offers two main attractions. A towering hill with 187 steps built on it to take you to the top and a relaxing public square always filled with people.
The district's location makes it difficult to miss, and the view from the top of the hill is one you want to capture on your camera for future viewing!
There is no better place to learn about Swiss history than the Swiss National Museum. The museum not only has the most significant historical artifacts collection, but it also offers the best guides to learn about the country's past. There are different exhibits at different times of the day and each exhibition covers various aspects of swiss history from the time the country was created until this present day.
The museum entrance fee is pretty cheap and is even free if you have a Zurich Card.
TIP: There are other museums worth checking as each of them also showcases a different type of collection. Below are some other museums you might want to check out:
-Helmhaus Zurich: A Swiss Art museum
-Rietberg Museum:An art museum that showcases American, Asian, Australian, and African Art.
-Migros Museum:Another Swiss art museum that offers free entry every Thursday Evening
-Paleontological Museum: A museum that offers a look at the skeletons of endangered species as well as a collection of fossils. There are no entrance fees to access this museum as its collections are strictly for educational purposes.
Although this might seem like a waste of time considering every country has zoos of their own, the Zurich Zoo boasts a vibrant animal ecosystem that offers an unforgettable viewing experience should you decide to visit.
The zoo has about 340 animal species, all of which live in a habitat built to replicate the natural habitat the specific animal species was captured from.
If you are an animal lover, you don't want to miss the zoo.
The towers of Grossmünster is regarded by many as the most prominent and difficult to miss landmark in Zurich. The construction of the Grossmünster started in the 12th Century and took over a century to complete. This makes it one of the oldest buildings in the country.
While some modern additions to the church, the Grossmünster still retains most of its medieval architecture brilliance that makes it an unmissable place.
Also known as Zurich West, Kreis 5 was previously an industrial area in Zurich. While it does not offer as many sights as the Old Town, for instance, it does give you an insight into the city's history.
This area's main attraction is the Viadukt, a railway viaduct, which now houses several stylish bars, shops, and restaurants in its arches. There is also a Saturday Summer market worth visiting, an urban garden, a local-favorite pizza restaurant called "Rosso", among other attractions.
Located on the banks of River Limmat, there is so much to love about Zurich Old Town. Asides from being one of the historic sites in Zurich, a big chunk of activities in the city goes on there, and for a good reason. The old town is home to many historic sites, Universities, highly rated restaurants, medieval churches, landmarks, and monuments worth visiting in the city.
Even with the many renovations and modern additions to the town, it still retains all the medieval buildings that make it beautiful and peaceful. Coupled with the various cafes and shops, you can never be bored here.
If you visit Altstadt by yourself, the old Town Hall and the Limmat Waterfront are must-visit places you should not miss.
TIP: The best way to explore the Old Town is by booking a tour. This way,you won't miss even the tiniest detail about the country. Also, you get to ask as many questions as you want from the tour guide, which is reason enough.
Lake Zurich is the ultimate tourist attraction site in Zurich, well other than the Old Town. The lake offers gorgeous and relaxing scenery and is one you don't want to miss for any reason.
There are a couple of ways to explore the lake.However, the best and most convenient way to do it is by going for an evening stroll or a morning run via the old promenade walkway (from Bellevue to Tiefenbrunnen). The promenade offers a scenic view allowing you to catch the various yachts looking to enter Uetliberg.
