Zürich Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Christian Suzon

Last updated 6 May 2022

Experience the best things to do in Zürich with our handy-dandy guide!

Any trip to Europe wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Zürich, a city in Switzerland known for its attractive location, rich history, and vibrant nightlife like no other in the world. At Zürich, you can easily lose track of time as you explore its winding streets to go from one attraction to another and meet new people along the way.

But being one of the more expensive cities in Europe, it can be a bit intimidating to travel to Zürich - you’ll have to track your budget carefully during your trip, making sure to book your accommodation and dine in areas that won’t break the bank. Luckily for you, the pros far outweigh the cons: despite the potential price tag, Zürich is still one of the most popular destinations to visit in the entire world! After all, it’s a very safe city with a fantastic transportation system, lots of free things to do, and it’s conveniently located near other tourist destinations in Switzerland such as Lucerne and Stein am Rhein.

To make it even better, we’ve come up with this handy guide for those who wish to explore this wonderful city and all that it has to offer. Read on for more information on the best things to do in Zürich, nearby attractions worth visiting, and even some handy tips!

Must-try Activities in Zürich

1. Visit Zürich Kunsthaus

Despite being a relatively small city, Zürich still has a lot of art and history to offer. With over 100 museums and art galleries to choose from, you won’t be short of cultural treasures to sightsee during your stay.

Zürich Kunsthaus, our top recommendation, features a diverse collection of artwork - here you’ll find European artwork from the Middle Ages up to the 20th century, featuring pieces from renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Giacometti, and Rodin. And though all of the individual works housed inside are spectacular in their own ways, we can’t help but play favorites! Check these out on the day of your visit:

Alberto Giacometti, The Chariot: depicting a thin but tall woman balancing between two wheels, The Chariot simultaneously portrays both movement and stillness. Depending on how you perceive the sculpture, the woman and her chariot can either be moving or standing perfectly still.
Claude Monet, Le Bassin aux Nymphéas, Le Soir: Part of Monet’s Grandes Décorations, in which he recreates scenes from his own water garden at his Giverny residence, particularly how light, water, and color interact with each other. This piece in particular showcases his garden, which he cultivated himself, in the evening.
Piet Mondrian, Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow: In this painting, Mondrian breaks free from the realistic and naturalistic illustrations of the world and instead focuses on the abstract. Though the painting uses simple colors and composition, Mondrian seeks to portray motion and harmony through this simplicity.

Zürich Kunsthaus is also home to various temporary exhibitions, talks, and tours that you may be interested in. For more information on these limited-time events, you can check their official website before you visit. If you’re interested in any of these events, make sure to purchase tickets well in advance as they can sell out quite quickly!

Klook Tip: Like other cities in Switzerland, many shops in Zurich will be closed on Sundays. However, Zürich Kunsthaus is one of the few establishments in the city that will be open then. If you're visiting Zürich on a Sunday, then a trip to this museum is a must (though we still recommend visiting even if your trip isn’t on a Sunday!)

2. Go swimming at the local badis

Make the most of the short Swiss summers by visiting the many badis, or public baths, where both locals and tourists alike can spend hours swimming in Zürich’s crystal-clear rivers and lakes. Activities available will vary depending on which badi you visit - some of them are built for purely swimming, while others even have tables for meals and grass for sunbathing.

Our recommended badis in Zürich include:

Flussbad Oberer Letten: A mixed-crowd badi located in the heart of the city with no entry fees required, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most frequented bathing areas in the city. At Flussbad Oberer Letten, you can easily spend an entire day relaxing as you float along the River Limmat. There is also a 2-meter-tall diving platform, a couple of volleyball courts, and even sun terraces where you can borrow books! Should you get hungry or thirsty, you'll also find a restaurant and bar nearby. Flussbad Oberer Letten is at its busiest on sunny weekends, so visit during the weekdays if you wish to avoid the crowd.
Frauenbad Stadthausquai: On the left bank of the Limmat is Frauenbad Stadthausquai, a women’s-only bath frequented by businesswomen during their lunch breaks. This badi is at its best at noon when the sun is at its hottest, as you can warm up in the sun before you cool off in the cool waters of the Limmat or find some shade.

3. Climb atop Lindenhof Hill for sweeping views of Zürich

When you talk about viewing points in Zürich, few can compare to what Lindenhof Hill has to offer. At its peak, you’ll be treated to uninterrupted views of the city and its landmarks across the Limmat River, such as the Altstadt and Grossmünster Church. It’s one of the best and most popular places in the city to take souvenir photos, whether it’s for social media or for your personal collection.

And though Lindenhof Hill is known for being a photo-taking spot, it’s actually got much more to it than that! Lindenhof Hill is also a fantastic place for picnics, where you can spend a few hours with family and friends as you take in the views while you eat, or even play a round or two of boules. However, there’s no need to fret if you’re visiting Lindenhof Hill alone - many come to Lindenhof to take a break from the city and enjoy some quiet time outdoors as they read a book, listen to music, or just bask in the sun, so you won’t stick out if you choose to visit by yourself.

Lindenhof Hill also has fascinating stories and historical artifacts attached to it. At the park, you’ll find the ornate Hedwig Fountain and a statue of a helmeted woman right next to it, which commemorates the women of Zürich who dressed up as armored men to protect the city from a siege. The remains of a Roman fort and bathhouse can also be found at the bottom of the hill by the river, so try to spot them during your trip.

Klook Tip: Even though the climb uphill is relatively easy, we still recommend wearing comfortable shoes for your visit, especially if you’re planning to play boules.

4. Go shopping at the local boutiques and markets

No visit to Zürich would be complete without a stop at Bahnhofstrasse, a famous shopping mile in the city center. Walk around for hours, pass by luxury boutiques, and maybe even treat yourself to a purchase or two if you have the cash to spare. But Bahnhofstrasse is a must even if you don’t plan to buy anything, as just walking through the area is a memorable experience in itself.

If high-end goods aren’t your thing, you will instead prefer the trendy shops at Im Viadukt, composed of an eclectic selection of locally-owned shops, cafés, and even a market hall. You can also stop by the many markets in Zürich to see what they have on offer.

Our favorite markets in the city include the following:

Oerlikon Markt: This market behind Oerlikon Railway Station is the perfect place to buy bread, cheeses, and freshly-picked produce. You’ll also be able to buy other products such as pasta, herbs, mushrooms, and even a colorful array of flower bouquets that will catch your eye. Make sure to try some Zopf, a soft and buttery yeasted bread that’ll delight your taste buds. Oerlikon Markt is open only on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Helvetiaplatz Markt: Just like the Oerlikon Markt, Helvetiaplatz Markt is also a popular market among locals for food and produce. However, Helvetiaplatz Markt offers a more international range of items, where you can find regional specialties from Italy and Greece next to the local products. Helvetiaplatz Markt is open weekly on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
Rosenhof Markt: If you’re looking for some awesome souvenirs from Zürich, then Rosenhof Markt is the place for you! Filled with shops that sell handcrafted jewelry and trinkets, and even some succulents, you’re sure to find something to bring home. Rosenhof Markt is open weekly on Saturdays.

5. Travel back in time at Zürich Old Town

Spend some time wandering through the winding cobblestone streets of the Altstadt to discover the city’s well-preserved buildings. Here you’ll find many of Zürich’s most-recognized landmarks, which are well worth a visit if you’ve got time to spare. But if you’ve only got a few hours, then we recommend the following:

Grossmünster Church: experience panoramic views of Zürich and the surrounding areas by climbing up 187 steps to the top of the tower. Other highlights include the Romanesque crypt, the bronze doors designed by Otto Münch, and a museum dedicated to the Reformation.
Fraumünster Church: a Gothic church first built in the 19th century, known for its stunning stained glass windows created by Augusto Giacometti (on the north side) and Marc Chagall (on the south side). You’ll also find a series of frescoes created by Paul Bodmer at the cloister.
Uraniastrasse Police Station: marvel at the red-and-ochre frescoes that adorn the walls of this police station, highly-regarded as a national treasure. Photos don’t do justice to the intricacy of the flowers and geometric patterns depicted in the frescoes, which appear even more beautiful in person.

You can then check out the local shops and see if they have anything you might be interested in. We recommend visiting one of the chocolatiers in the area to try the famous Swiss chocolate at their best before you have a drink or a meal at the nearby restaurants and cafés (don’t miss out on the fondue while you’re here!)

6. Try popular day trips from Zürich

Due to its convenient location and good transportation system, Zürich is also a great hub for excursions, whether you’re looking for outdoor expeditions, discovering hidden small towns, or just traveling to other cities for the next big adventure. Some of our favorite day trips from Zürich include these three:

Zürich to Uetliberg

Towering over Zürich at 2,850 feet above sea level, the peak of Uetliberg is a fantastic place to admire views of Zürich, Lake Zürich, and even a glimpse of the Alps if you’re lucky! Uetliberg is accessible by train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof, which typically takes around 20 minutes.

Aside from admiring the view, you can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in Uetliberg throughout the year. In summer, biking and hiking through the marked routes are popular among visitors. In winter, these trails are then converted into sledding routes for anyone who wants to tackle the snow. There is also a planet trail on the way to Felsenegg that you can try, designed following the model of the solar system.

Klook Tip: On cloudy days, try climbing the lookup tower for a chance to see the Alps. As you’ll need to climb both up Uetliberg itself and the tower, sturdy and comfortable shoes are highly recommended.

Zürich to Stein am Rhein

Take in views of the Swiss countryside as you make your way to Stein am Rhein from the Zürich Hauptbahnhof, a journey that takes around an hour. Along the way, you’ll get to soak in the views through the train’s huge windows, giving you an experience you’ll never forget.

There are endless activities you can try once you reach Stein am Rhein, a charming small town where the River Rhine and Lake Constance meet. Walk around town and admire the local sights, including the half-timbered houses and decorative frescoes, or walk up the steep path to Hohenklingen Castle if you’re up for a challenge (do remember to wear walking shoes or similar if you plan to take the castle on).

Zürich to Lucerne

Like the other day trips from Zürich already mentioned, Lucerne is easily accessible by train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof. Though the train trip itself may not be as scenic as the other options, you’ll have more spectacular scenery to admire after you alight at Lucerne.

Once you reach Lucerne, you’ll have countless options on what to do, where to eat, and which places to visit. Our favorite stops in the city are Lucerne Altstadt for sightseeing and the Rosengart Collection to admire the artwork of Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso. Cruises at Lake Lucerne are also a must-try if you’ve got spare time during your visit.

Zürich Travel Tips

We recommend spending around 2-3 days in Zürich before you proceed to other destinations in Switzerland. This gives you enough time to explore what the city has to offer without feeling rushed.
There are lots of choices available with regard to where to stay in Zürich - staying in the city center is ideal if you want easy access to the shops and attractions. However, because of its efficient transportation system, you can also opt to stay in the nearby towns or areas a bit farther away from the center so you can save some money.
Many establishments in Zürich are closed on Sundays, so make sure to plan with this in mind so you don’t end up with an empty day in your itinerary.
Though most places in Zürich accept credit cards, it’s still highly recommended to have some Swiss Francs on hand, as you may run into the odd instance where you’ll need them.
Since you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors walking around, wearing comfy and sturdy shoes is a must!
If you're staying in Switzerland for an extended time, you can save money on travels both within Zürich and across Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass (if you're a non-EU citizen/resident) or the Interrail Pass for Switzerland (if you're an EU citizen/resident).

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Book It, Klook It!

Now that you’re all set with ideas for your Zürich itinerary, it’s time for you to actually book and plan for your trip. For more ideas on things to do in Zürich, check out the Klook Zürich page or any of the related articles below. Have a happy trip!