When planning a visit to Zurich, one might ask: what can be sexier, glitzier than the Finance capital of the world?! And then one might answer…welp, many things out-dazzle the seemingly straight-laced world of fiscal affairs. Well, let’s kill this stereotype because Zurich does sport a rebellious side. Yes, you will pass more UBS branches than you thought humanly possible, but the skinny-dipping, legal graffiti spaces, and yearly techno party certainly balances the banks out.
In recent years, this small city has broken out of its conservative shell with creative makings of a lively Millennial generation – modern coffee shops and culturally vibrant restaurants litter the streets throughout the city. On a sunny day, you’ll find the proof of youth as they lounge around the pristine waters of Lake Zurich; which hugs the South side and flows through the city as the Limmat River. And let’s not forget to honor the old as well since this was, in fact, an original Roman city. Strewn throughout the quaint area of Old Town are remnants of Zurich’s fascinating history – from its deep involvement in religion’s tug-of-war to its often-times disputed participation in World War II. With true dynamic range, these architectural highlights and historical squares can be spotted right next to “up-and-coming” boutiques. So…bring on that sexy Fondue, Financiers!
SKINNY:
- This guide only taps the surface and is meant for 1.5 days.
- This is the German-speaking region of Switzerland.
- It is NOT the capital of Switzerland.
- Switzerland is expensive. There’s no way around it.
- Order a Roesti! A damn delicious Swiss side dish.
- Do not forget the fondue.
- The ease of getting to Uetliberg Mountain makes the reward even more worthy.
- DO grab a coffee, find a seat on Lake Zurich’s promenade and people watch.
ARRIVE:
We arrived in Zurich via train from Munich — straight into Zürich Hauptbahnhof. We found this pretty convenient since most accommodations are within walking distance from the station, too!
STAY:
If you are in a time crunch, it’s probably best not to stay where we did in West Zurich. This area is a young, trendy version of New York’s MeatPacking district that offers edgy places to dine and explore. However, it’s a little bit of a hike to the top sights/attractions of the city. So, if you do have the time or the energy — I recommend this area! And this Airbnb place in particular. White it’s definitely one of those Airbnb factory-esque spots, it gets the job done in a cozy, modern, and efficient way.
EXPLORE:
Especially when time isn’t on your side, Walking Tours are a must. Yes, the structure of the most popular tour will always hit up the same places you’d visit if you explored solo. Yet, the knowledge of the local guide can quickly orient you to a new city geographically (less likely to get lost and lose time) AND allows you to suss out what spots you’d like to revisit and spend more time at. Most importantly, local guides always have a secret or two up their sleeves that you’d never learn on your own.
We hopped on the most common Downtown Zurich Tour with Zurich Walking Tours and didn’t regret it! We met at Paradeplatz at 11am and meandered through Fraumunster, Lindenholf, Grossmunster, and Niederdorf. The guide did exactly what I mentioned above, including the “hidden” places and stories of Zurich.
If you’ve already been to Zurich, I’d recommend another one of their more specific tours by location; Zurich West, Langstrasse, New In Zurich, or by activity; Running, Pub, Chocolate, or Food!
Grossmünster
This ex-cathedral is an iconic part of Zurich’s skyline that was originally built on the tombs of 2 Christian martyrs, Felix and Regula. Rumor has it that these two carried their headless bodies up a hill to their graves! Much like Fraumunster, this building lived through Catholic and Protestant period renovations–and your run-of-the-mill church fire.
In my opinion, the main attraction is the view from the towers. For some reason, we had some difficulty finding the entrance to the dang church. We entered into this quaint and pretty courtyard, but you won’t find the entrance to the towers here! We finally realized we could enter through the large brass biblical doors on the south side. The interior of the church is quite bare because it’s original extravagance was denounced by the Protestants.
Pay $2 and make your way up 200 windy, narrow stairs to the top. Once you catch your breath from the workout, you are faced with four different doorways to embrace four different viewpoints. The city and it’s surrounding areas provide a gorgeous mix of cityscape and landscape. On a clear day, you’ll witness some majestic mountains looming behind the shimmering Lake Zurich!
In Season:
- Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 6.00pm
- Open on Sundays after the service
Lake Zurich
You simply cannot visit Zurich without a leisure walk around it’s Lake. Simply follow the bustling boardwalk on the left side! Since we visited in early fall, the sun was still shining; bringing locals to the shore for picnics and lounging. We were lucky enough to also be there during the Zurich Film Festival, which provided some neat architectural installations along the water. We ran out of time because we were meeting a local for dinner, but if you are feeling active, there are paddle-boats for rent! I always feel like this is a fun way to explore new angles from a river or lake.
Old Town / Altstadt
Zurich’s Old Town is a charming part of the city. Here, you’ll be enticed to window-shop down the main cobblestone streets and off hidden alleyways. These streets are lined with quaint signs held by wrought iron posts that jut out from rustic, shuttered townhouses.
At night, this area transforms into a lively place with bars and restaurants that cater to any kind of tourist.
Fraumünster
This Romanesque-Gothic landmark stands out with it’s blue spire piercing through the lower buildings and into the sky. While we were there, a funeral was being held inside for a noteworthy Swiss citizen which meant fascinating loads of traditional security and the inability to go inside. If your visit is funeral-free, the inside showcases some remarkable stained glass.
It was actually built on the remains of a former abbey for aristocratic women that was established in 853. While this and other rights/property granted to women during this historical time is surprising, women in Switzerland were not allowed to vote until 1971!
Zurich was the epicenter of Protestant Reformation in Europe and you’ll find bits and pieces of this history throughout the city. You’ll find a remnant of one interesting story at Fraumunster. Near the entrance at the corner, there is a domed arch that one can walk under. Back in the day, they would use this walk to decipher whether you were a no-frills Protestant or not. If your dress was “over-the-top” enough to hit the side-walls as you walked through the test, you were obviously a Catholic!
Daily 10.00m – 5.00pm
Lindenhofplatz / Lindenholf
Through some winding streets leading up, we were taken to Lindenhofplatz. While it may be quite known to travelers, the lesser crowd made it feel like a hidden gem. This viewpoint park offers rooftop views of Zurich and seems like the perfect place to sit and watch the sunset.
Uetliberg Mountain
This is where the ½ day comes in and it is a must-do! To get here, take the Sihltal Zurich-Uetiloberg Bahn (S10) from Zurich main station. We had a little difficulty finding the track, which was 20/21…so feel free to ask if you can find an English Speaking helper. It runs every 20-30 minutes, so if you miss your original plan, just grab a 10 dollar soda from Burger King and hop on the next! The train chugs up and up the mountain and the very last stop is Uetliberg.
You’ll find some pretty killer views off the train, but this is not the famed top. Follow the signs and make your way up through the forested trail for about 15 minutes. On a clear day, you’ll know it once you make it because this place offers sweeping views of Zurich, the Lake, the green Limmat Valley and a panoramic of the magnificent Alps! There’s incredible shots to be taken off the viewing platform, but the best can be found after climbing the tower (for a fee of about $3). Be warned that the wind makes this tower sway a little bit…which in turn makes you question gravity and Swiss reliability. The views from the top are absolutely incredible. GO.
If you have more time than we did, there are several hiking paths that you can tackle after/before/during your trip to the peak. The area’s website provides descriptions of the options.
GRUB:
Johanniter
Although it attracts tourists due to location, a local friend of ours brought us here for dinner. If you want some local Zurich food, order off this menu! I had the Roesti with Mushroom Cream Sauce and it was damn delicious.
Fribourger Fondue
Come ready to fill your tummy and empty your pockets here. This fondue is damn DELICIOUS and the atmosphere is relatively romantic.
Kon-Tiki
We danced to the most epically ridiculous show here, put on by two feminist rockers from South Africa…the SoapGirls! While I can’t promise you their unforgettable appearance during your visit, it’s an alternative bar that attracts locals and offers yummy Swiss brews.
Si O No
If you find yourself in Zurich West during lunch time, this is an adorable, no-frills establishment that makes simple and delicious paninis and sandwiches.