Historic, charming, and even whimsical are words that slip from the tongue when describing a visit to Zurich. Painted in pastels, and framed by moody skies, the traditional Swiss buildings cuddle together as if in preparation for their famed cold winters. Wandering the old town cobblestones sparks memories of childhood fairytales. Albeit a historic destination, Zurich is also modern and dynamic with plenty to offer through its art and dining scenes too. Due to its size and relatively high cost to visit most only spend 2 days in Zurich, which is enough to get a taste of what this quaint European city has to offer. Our Zurich city guide shares things to do in Zurich for the first-time visitor including off-the-beaten-path gems if you have 3 days in Zurich or more. 

Anna Vagstad | Skye Gilkeson

A moody day wandering around Zurich’s old town | © Skye Gilkeson

How to Spend 2 Days in Zurich

Arriving in Zurich

• Grab a Zurich Card from the airport or train station, depending on how you are arriving in the city. The Zurich Card, will allow you to enter more than 40 museums, use public transport, and access discounts on Zurich restaurants which will come in handy in this pricey city.
• In Zürich HB, Zurich’s main train station you will find plenty of cafes, shops, and restaurants. You will likely find yourself here a number of times during your visit as it is the key connector hub station for regional, international, and local trains.
• Take the time to check out the artworks hanging in the main hall of the station by Niki de Saint Phalle and Mario Merz.
• Zurich is a very walkable city, which is one of the big attractions when visiting. However, make sure you are wearing comfortable, supportive shoes as the old streets are paved with cobblestone. Also, pack plenty of layers as the temperatures can become particularly cold with limited protection from the elements when walking between the gorgeous old buildings.
• You will find public fountains with clean drinking water all around Zurich centre. So, pack your travel water bottle to refill it here to save waste and money.

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Delicious coffee awaits, just opposite the station at ViCafe Roastery. | © Skye Gilkeson

Artworks by Niki de Saint Phalle and Mario Merz add an exciting element to Zurich’s train station. | © Skye Gilkeson

The Best Time to Visit Zurich

Your Zurich itinerary may be affected by what time of year you are visiting the city. Zurich weather can be very intense where temperatures can reach about 0° in January (32°F) at the peak of winter.

So, is Zurich worth visiting in Winter? While Christmas can be a charming time to see the city illuminated with lights and bursting with seasonal cheer, the summer months (June – September) are the best time to visit Zurich with temperatures sitting in the low 20s (68°C).

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Where to Stay in Zurich 

You guessed it, accommodation in Zurich is not cheap with even the most budget Zurich Hotels sparking gasps when researching prices. The easiest way around this is to stay slightly outside of the city in an apartment or hotel and utilize the efficient train system to commute in and out of town.

The only drawback to this is if you only have 2 days in Zurich, you will be spending some of that precious time on the train.

On our recent visit, we stayed at the  ACASA Suites Zurich and we absolutely loved it. An award-winning 4-star hotel in Zurich, the suite hotel features modern design features, in-room kitchenettes, luxury furnishings and amenities, and delicious dining offerings.

There are a few iconic 5 star hotels in Zurich like the

There is also a supermarket within walking distance. Oerlikon Train Station is a few minutes walk away and trains will take you directly to the city with your Zurich Card. It is also just a few kilometers from the airport.

If you are able to splurge, there are several incredible hotels in Zurich’s city center. Search all Zurich hotels here.

The pretty pastel and grey Zurich skyline. | via Claudio Purzlbaum

The Best Things to Do in Zurich  – From a Local

Luckily, 2 days in Zurich will be enough to cover quite a bit of ground; with plenty of things to do in Zurich city centre and surrounds, if you manage your time well.

Visit Zurich Old Town

Walking Zurich Old Town is high on every visitor’s list of things to do in Zurich. It is a must-do for first-time visitors or those who only have a day in Zurich.

Stroll Bahnhofstrasse

From Zurich HB, wander across the road from the station, grab a delicious takeaway coffee from ViCafe, and walk up to Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s famed shopping street.

You’ll find big brand names, fast fashion, lovely architecture, and those iconic clocks and watch boutiques for visitors with deeper pockets.

St. Peter Church

Peterskirche (or St. Peter Church) features Europe’s largest clock face. The oldest Parish church in Zurich is just a short detour off Bahnhofstrasse and a landmark you won’t miss while wandering the old town.

Giacometti Hall

Stop in at Giocometti Hall to see the stunning murals that make this the prettiest police station you’ve probably ever seen. Artist Augusto Giacometti spent two years transforming the space with a vibrant, warm palette of florals.

He completed the work in 1925. You need your identification to get in as it’s a police station. Entry is from 9-11 am and 2-4 pm daily.

Lindenhof

Get your camera ready, Lindenhof is one of the best photography spots and a must-do in Zurich.

Formerly the site of a fort in the 4th Century fort and a palace in the 9th century, today it offers the perfect panorama of the old town, the Limmat River, and the Swiss mountains beyond.

Fraumünster Church

A travel guide to Zurich wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Fraumünster Church.

It should be on your list, whether you are religious or not. Famous for its breathtaking Chagall stained glass windows and other treasured works by Giacometti and Bodmer. The church itself dates back to 853 and is one of the most iconic sites in Zurich.

Admission costs CHF 5 which gives you entry to the crypt museum. It also entitles you to a discount on admission to the Kunsthaus Zürich to see more of Chagall’s work. In winter (November to February), the church is open from 10 am to 5 pm. The rest of the day it is open until 6 pm.

Once you’ve visited the church, you’ll find lots of cute cafes and restaurants, and boutiques in the surrounding streets should you need a break from the weather or the walking, before heading to the nearby Kunsthaus Museum.

Kunsthaus Museum

Nestled in the heart of Zurich’s old town, the Kunsthaus Museum is home to the largest Marc Chagall collection in Switzerland.

It also features pieces by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Monet, as well as local artists in its permanent collection and a dynamic schedule of temporary exhibitions worth looking up before your visit.

If you go to the Fraumünster Church, your ticket will get you a CHF 5 discount to the museum. The museum is closed on Monday.

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