Where to actually go in Zurich

Im Viadukt

Market · Zurich West

Shops and a food market built into the arches of an old railway viaduct.

Best for: lunch and browsing

Best time: lunch

Hiltl

Restaurant · near Bahnhofstrasse

The world's oldest vegetarian restaurant (1898), with a buffet paid by weight.

Best for: a cheaper filling meal

Best time: lunch

Zeughauskeller

Restaurant · Old Town

A historic arsenal turned beer hall, serving sausages and rösti.

Best for: Swiss classics

Best time: dinner

Confiserie Sprüngli

Dessert · Paradeplatz

The famous chocolatier, known for Luxemburgerli mini macarons.

Best for: a sweet souvenir

Best time: afternoon

Old Town (Altstadt)

Walk · both banks of the Limmat

Cobbled lanes, guild houses and churches on both sides of the river.

Best for: a first walk

Best time: any time

Lindenhof

Viewpoint · Old Town

A tree-shaded hilltop square with a view over the river and old town.

Best for: a free view

Price: free

Best time: any time

Grossmünster

Sight · Old Town

The twin-towered church where the Swiss Reformation began; climb a tower for the view.

Best for: the landmark, a tower climb

Best time: morning

Fraumünster

Sight · Old Town

A church famous for its stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.

Best for: the Chagall windows

Best time: afternoon

Bahnhofstrasse

Walk · centre

One of the most expensive shopping streets in the world, from the station to the lake.

Best for: window-shopping

Best time: afternoon

Lake Zurich swimming spots (Badi)

Beach · lakeshore and riverside

Locals swim in the lake and river at wooden bathhouses, some of which become bars at night.

Best for: a summer swim like a local

Best time: afternoon (summer)

Lake promenade (Utoquai to Zürichhorn)

Walk · lakeshore

A lakeside promenade with views of the Alps on clear days.

Best for: a free sunset walk

Price: free

Best time: sunset

Lake Zurich boat trip

Activity · Bürkliplatz pier

Public boats cruise the lake; short trips are covered by some transport tickets.

Best for: seeing the lake cheaply

Best time: afternoon

Kunsthaus Zürich

Museum · Heimplatz

A major art museum with Giacometti, Monet and Munch.

Best for: art on a rainy day

Best time: afternoon

Swiss National Museum

Museum · next to the main station

Swiss history in a fairy-tale castle-like building.

Best for: understanding Switzerland

Best time: afternoon

Polybahn and ETH terrace

Viewpoint · Central to ETH

A little red funicular up to the university terrace, with a free view over the city.

Best for: a cheap view with students

Best time: sunset

Uetliberg

Viewpoint · by train from the main station

Zurich's own mountain: a short train ride and walk to a tower view over the lake and Alps.

Best for: a half-day nature escape

Best time: afternoon

Lindt Home of Chocolate

Museum · Kilchberg

A chocolate museum with a giant chocolate fountain and tastings.

Best for: a chocolate fix

Booking: Book a time slot online.

Best time: afternoon

Rhine Falls

Activity · Neuhausen (about 1 hour by train)

Europe's most powerful waterfall, with boats to a rock in the middle.

Best for: a half-day trip

Best time: half day

Frau Gerolds Garten

Bar · Zurich West

A beer garden and bar built from containers, with a rooftop view.

Best for: a relaxed drink

Best time: evening

Langstrasse

Area · Kreis 4

Zurich's rough-edged nightlife street of bars, clubs and kebab shops.

Best for: a cheaper night out

Best time: after 10 PM