Zurich blends a charming old town, a lakeside setting, and a thriving arts and design scene. You find historic streets, modern galleries, and green spaces all within easy reach.
Discover Zurich
Discover Zurich
Why visit Zurich?
What to expect
Expect a clean, compact city where trams glide past medieval façades and contemporary architecture. The pace is relaxed yet cosmopolitan, with efficient transport and a strong café and cultural culture.
Plan your trip
Zurich works well as both a city break and a base for exploring the Swiss Alps and neighbouring regions. With excellent rail links and day trips to lakes, mountains, and nearby cities, you can build a varied Swiss itinerary around your stay.
Top sights in Zurich
Altstadt (Old Town)
Wander cobbled lanes, hillside stairways, and quiet courtyards in Zurich’s Old Town, where colourful townhouses, guildhalls, and churches reveal the city’s medieval past.
Lake Zurich promenade
Stroll or cycle along the lakeside promenade, stopping at small parks and piers for wide views of the water and, on clear days, distant mountain peaks.
Bahnhofstrasse
Walk down Bahnhofstrasse, one of Zurich’s most famous shopping boulevards, lined with boutiques, department stores, and elegant cafés close to the main station.
Uetliberg mountain
Take the train up Uetliberg for panoramic views over the city, lake, and Alps, with walking trails and viewpoints that are especially atmospheric at sunset.
Kunsthaus Zurich
Explore the Kunsthaus, Zurich’s major art museum, home to an impressive collection from Swiss masters to international modern and contemporary works.
Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches
Visit these landmark churches on either side of the Limmat River to admire striking stained glass, towers, and riverfront views.
Zurich West
Head to Zurich West, a former industrial district transformed into a creative quarter of design shops, galleries, and distinctive converted warehouses.
Limmat riverfront
Follow paths along the Limmat River for peaceful walks, bridges with city views, and seasonal riverside spots for relaxing by the water.
Experience Zurich’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use Zurich’s integrated tram, bus, and S-Bahn train network for quick journeys across the city and into nearby suburbs. For a different view, try a lake boat or river cruise, then complete shorter trips on foot, as many key sights sit within a compact central area.
Local life & culture
You feel Zurich’s rhythm in its cafés, riverside hangouts, and neighbourhood squares where people gather after work. Creative districts host galleries, design studios, and cultural venues, while city festivals and events bring music, art, and performances into the streets and by the lake.
Relax in lakeside parks, on river terraces, or in hilltop green spaces with open views. In warmer months, outdoor bathing areas by the lake and river are lively in the afternoon, while evenings are ideal for quiet walks along the water or up viewpoints like Uetliberg.
A taste of Zurich
Street food & local specialties
Sample Swiss classics such as cheese-focused dishes and hearty mains in traditional taverns and casual eateries around the Old Town and Niederdorf. Street food markets and small stalls also offer sausages, baked goods, and sweet treats near the lake and central squares.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In areas like Zurich West and around the main station, you find food halls, bistros, and mall dining with flavours from across Europe and beyond. Portions are often modest enough to share or try several dishes, making it easy to explore different tastes in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, choose restaurants overlooking Lake Zurich, hilltop viewpoints, or rooftop terraces with skyline and river views. Many spots pair seasonal Swiss ingredients with modern techniques, creating refined yet relaxed dining experiences against a striking city backdrop.
Retail therapy in Zurich
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Central Zurich offers modern shopping centres and department stores near the main station and along Bahnhofstrasse, where you can browse international labels, Swiss brands, and lifestyle goods, often alongside cafés and entertainment options.
Markets & local crafts
Explore neighbourhood streets in the Old Town, Niederdorf, and Zurich West for independent boutiques, design shops, and craft studios. Selected markets feature local makers, textiles, homewares, and unique Swiss souvenirs with a contemporary twist.
Evening retail scene
After dark, central shopping streets glow with window displays, and some districts host late-opening stores or seasonal evening markets. Public transport runs frequently into the evening, so it is straightforward to reach these areas and return to your hotel.
Best time to visit Zurich
Spring (April to June, shoulder season) brings mild weather, with average temperatures around 10–20°C (50–68°F), blooming parks, and fewer crowds than summer. Summer (July to August, peak season) is warm, about 18–28°C (64–82°F), ideal for lake swims, outdoor terraces, and festivals. Autumn and winter (October to March, low season) are cooler, roughly -1–10°C (30–50°F), with crisp days, possible snow, and cosy indoor attractions and seasonal markets.