The Best Things To Do In Zurich: One Day In Zurich

Zurich is the financial capital of Switzerland and one of the best places to visit if you want a touch of Swiss city life. There are so many restaurants that compete with the best in the world, museums galore, as well as a huge lake with views of the distant alps.
In this post I want to share with you some of the things you absolutely have to see in Zurich, along with some lesser known tips that only a local will know to help make the most of your one day in Zurich – and you never know, it may even convince you to stay for longer!
Before starting to tell you about the all the top-notch things, it is important to know that Zurich is a highly-priced city. So, it would be better for you to consider the Swiss Travel Pass. After purchasing the pass, you can roam at mountain tops with the most discounted price. Plus, it will free you from the mess of buying extra tickets to travel by bus, train & boat. It is beneficial for enjoying the travel-free experience.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ZURICH:

Zurich is at it’s best during summer, which in Switzerland means July and August. Temperatures range on average from 15-25°. This is the busiest time here, so be sure to book both accommodation if you want to stay longer, and restaurants in almost all cases.
Winter can also be a great time, as there is often snow on the ground and in the mountains, which gives the place a far different feeling. Just before Christmas there are Christmas markets and lights around town, which is also quite a unique experience. Be prepared for temperatures at least around 0° and often below.

The Best Things to Do in Zurich:

Wander the Old Town (Altstadt):

The Altstadt is the historic city center of Zürich. These narrow, pedestrian only streets are lined with shops, restaurants, hotels, and the residences of the locals. The Limmat River divides the old town into two sections, but with a series of bridges, it’s easy to crisscross back and forth as you explore Zürich.

The old town is bordered by the central train station (Hauptbahnhof) in the north, Lake Zürich in the south, and spreads east and west several blocks from the Limmat River. It takes several hours to wander through the old town at a leisurely pace. There are several notable sights, such as Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, to see along the way (these are mentioned below). You can lose yourself for hours in the winding streets of this historic centre, finding shops and cafes that most people miss, or just soak up the atmosphere of a time long passed.

Grossmünster:

The Grossmünster is a Protestant church that is located in the old town. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city.

Not only are there some impressive features in the church worth checking out (the stain glass windows and bronze doors) it’s towers are also one of the best places to get a view of the city. And, it only costs you 2 bucks! As well as a lot of sweat and tears, because there are quite a lot of stairs. But it’s definitely worth it. The church is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, with reduced hours from November to February. 

View from Lindenhof Hill:

Get a sweeping view of the city from Lindenhof Hill. When you tire of looking at old churches, walk a couple of blocks north toe Lindenhof Hill to get a look at the city.

The hill is the historical centre of the city. During Roman and medieval times, the city grew around the public square in the middle of the hill. If your Switzerland itinerary only includes time for a short half-day trip through Zurich, go straight to the hill. It gives you a chance to see a large portion of the city without needing to work your way through all the winding streets. Interestingly, the hill is part of the remains of a glacier but it’s not mostly flat.

Window Shopping On Bahnhoffstraße:

Bahnhofstraße is a rich man’s world. Zurich’s expensive shopping street is lined with designer shops and private banks. If you stroll along the sidewalk in the afternoon you’ll see lots of tall, good looking Swiss bankers grabbing a bite to eat in their lunch hour. Gaze into the shop windows of Chanel, Cartier, Louis Vuitton and dream of what watch you would buy if you came into a small fortune.

Buy Some Chocolate At Sprungli:

Sprungli has been around for over 170 years and is well-known for its excellent Swiss chocolate and confectionery. You must visit the big store at 21 Bahnhofftraße. Grab a coffee along with something sweet. I would recommend to buy some of their famous luxembergerli macaroons with your coffee.

CRUISE OVER TO RAPPERSWIL:

If you want to take it a step further, and enjoy the lake to its fullest, take a boat ride to the picturesque and romantic town of Rapperswil. This is one of the most beautiful towns in the region, and you will get a fantastic view of the mountains as you head down the lake. Once you are there, you can also soak up the history in the old town or castle on the hill.

Coffee At Cafe Schober:

Situated just off Niederdorfstrasse, Café Schober is one of Zurich’s oldest coffee houses. Order a coffee or a hot chocolate and choose one of the gorgeous sweet treats from the display cabinets!

Finish The Day With Cheese Fondue:

You can’t leave Zurich without trying the Swiss speciality- cheese fondue, which involves dipping cubes of bread into a big pot of bubbling cheese. We enjoyed an incredible fondue at Swiss Chuchi, which is in the heart of Niederdorf in the Old City. They also have an extensive dessert menu should you have room for more! It is extremely popular.

Hope you guys liked it. Do share your experiences. Have a Great Trip!