Zurich Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Zurich blends a charming old town with a modern financial hub, offering a rich tapestry of culture, history, and innovation. From its scenic lakeside setting to its vibrant arts scene, the city caters to both business and leisure travelers.
With 404+ hand-picked places to explore, Zurich rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Below is our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for, with every place linked to its full profile.
Must-See Attractions in Zurich
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Felsenegg — accessible by cable car, it offers stunning vistas of Lake Zurich and the Alps. Just as worthwhile is ETH Zurich Main Building: a symbol of educational excellence, the ETH Zurich Main Building is a neoclassical gem from 1864. Bürkliterrasse completes the picture: provides sweeping views of Lake Zurich and the distant Alps, especially breathtaking at sunset.
Felsenegg
Zurich • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Accessible by cable car, it offers stunning vistas of Lake Zurich and the Alps.
ETH Zurich Main Building
Zurich • Historic Architecture
A symbol of educational excellence, the ETH Zurich Main Building is a neoclassical gem from 1864.
Bürkliterrasse
Zurich • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Provides sweeping views of Lake Zurich and the distant Alps, especially breathtaking at sunset.
Waid
Zurich • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Offers spectacular views of Zurich and Lake Zurich from its elevated position.
Museums & Culture in Zurich
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Opernhaus Zürich: known for its impressive opera and ballet performances, this venue is a cornerstone of Zurich's cultural landscape. Locals will also point you to Hauser & Wirth Zürich — internationally acclaimed, this gallery showcases contemporary and modern art from renowned artists. And for something different, there's Kunsthaus Zürich: home to one of Switzerland’s most extensive modern art collections, showcasing works from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Opernhaus Zürich
Zurich • Theaters
Known for its impressive opera and ballet performances, this venue is a cornerstone of Zurich's cultural landscape.
Hauser & Wirth Zürich
Zurich • Art Galleries
Internationally acclaimed, this gallery showcases contemporary and modern art from renowned artists.
Kunsthaus Zürich
Zurich • Museums
Home to one of Switzerland’s most extensive modern art collections, showcasing works from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Augustinergasse
Zurich • Historical Sites
Charming medieval street known for its colorful houses and vibrant history.
Best Things to Do in Zurich
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Lake Zurich — a central part of Zurich's identity, offering scenic views and recreational activities along its shores. Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich earns its reputation too — a vast collection of succulents from around the world, housed in a serene lakeside setting. Round out the shortlist with Uetliberg Mountain — offering panoramic views of Zurich and Lake Zurich, Uetliberg is a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts.
Lake Zurich
Zurich • Outdoor
A central part of Zurich's identity, offering scenic views and recreational activities along its shores.
Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich
Zurich • Indoor
A vast collection of succulents from around the world, housed in a serene lakeside setting.
Uetliberg Mountain
Zurich • Outdoor
Offering panoramic views of Zurich and Lake Zurich, Uetliberg is a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts.
Hallenstadion
Zurich • Sports
A premier venue for sports events and concerts, known for its impressive architecture.
Where to Eat in Zurich
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Dapur, indonesian plantbased restaurant — offering a plant-based twist on traditional Indonesian cuisine with bold spices and flavors. Just as worthwhile is Kronenhalle: iconic Zurich restaurant known for classic Swiss cuisine and its art collection. Pavillon completes the picture: elegant location offering refined French cuisine under the guidance of a celebrated chef.
Dapur, indonesian plantbased restaurant
Zurich • Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants
Offering a plant-based twist on traditional Indonesian cuisine with bold spices and flavors.
Kronenhalle
Zurich • Local Cuisine
Iconic Zurich restaurant known for classic Swiss cuisine and its art collection.
Pavillon
Zurich • Fine Dining
Elegant location offering refined French cuisine under the guidance of a celebrated chef.
Ecco Zürich
Zurich • Fine Dining
Michelin-starred restaurant known for its creative and seasonal dishes.
Zurich After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Clouds Bar: high above Zurich, Clouds Bar offers sweeping views and a modern, relaxed atmosphere. Locals will also point you to Widder Bar — historic setting meets innovative cocktails in this sophisticated Zurich bar. And for something different, there's Exil: a dynamic venue famous for hosting both emerging and well-known artists.
Clouds Bar
Zurich • Rooftop Bars
High above Zurich, Clouds Bar offers sweeping views and a modern, relaxed atmosphere.
Widder Bar
Zurich • Cocktail Bars
Historic setting meets innovative cocktails in this sophisticated Zurich bar.
Exil
Zurich • Live Music Venues
A dynamic venue famous for hosting both emerging and well-known artists.
La Muña
Zurich • Rooftop Bars
A fusion of Peruvian and Japanese flavors set in a stylish rooftop setting.
Where to Stay in Zurich
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Park Hyatt Zurich — offers sophisticated luxury with a focus on personalized service and a serene spa retreat. Widder Hotel earns its reputation too — an artful blend of history and modernity in Zurich's charming Old Town. Round out the shortlist with Atlantis by Giardino — combines urban ease with tranquil surroundings, set against the backdrop of Uetliberg Mountain.
Park Hyatt Zurich
Zurich • Spa Hotels
Offers sophisticated luxury with a focus on personalized service and a serene spa retreat.
Widder Hotel
Zurich • Luxury Hotels
An artful blend of history and modernity in Zurich's charming Old Town.
Atlantis by Giardino
Zurich • Spa Hotels
Combines urban ease with tranquil surroundings, set against the backdrop of Uetliberg Mountain.
Hotel Alex Lake Zurich
Zurich • Luxury Hotels
An elegant retreat on Lake Zurich's shores with contemporary design and stunning waterside views.
Shopping in Zurich
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Confiserie Sprüngli — famous for its luxurious Swiss chocolates and delightful pastries. Just as worthwhile is Flohmarkt Kanzlei: largest flea market in Zurich, offering a variety of vintage items. Bucherer completes the picture: offers a stunning range of Swiss watches, jewelry, and luxury accessories on Bahnhofstrasse.
Confiserie Sprüngli
Zurich • Souvenir Shops
Famous for its luxurious Swiss chocolates and delightful pastries.
Flohmarkt Kanzlei
Zurich • Markets
Largest flea market in Zurich, offering a variety of vintage items.
Bucherer
Zurich • Luxury Shopping
Offers a stunning range of Swiss watches, jewelry, and luxury accessories on Bahnhofstrasse.
Prada
Zurich • Luxury Shopping
A symbol of Italian luxury and sophisticated fashion on Bahnhofstrasse.
Parks & Green Spaces in Zurich
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Sihlwald Nature Discovery Park: a sprawling forest park offering a glimpse into Swiss wilderness just outside Zurich. Locals will also point you to Uetliberg Trail — a popular trail offering panoramic views of Zurich and the Alps, suitable for hikers of all levels. And for something different, there's Sihlwald Trail: a trail through Switzerland's first nature discovery park, offering a true forest experience.
Sihlwald Nature Discovery Park
Zurich • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A sprawling forest park offering a glimpse into Swiss wilderness just outside Zurich.
Uetliberg Trail
Zurich • Hiking Trails
A popular trail offering panoramic views of Zurich and the Alps, suitable for hikers of all levels.
Sihlwald Trail
Zurich • Hiking Trails
A trail through Switzerland's first nature discovery park, offering a true forest experience.
Spielplatz Blatterwiese
Zurich • Playgrounds
A spacious playground set near the botanical gardens with a variety of play options.
Zurich Like a Local
The spots most visitors walk straight past.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Uetliberg Felsenegg — a popular ridge walk offering stunning views over Zurich and its lake. Didi's Frieden earns its reputation too — an elegant dining experience with a focus on seasonal Swiss cuisine and intimate ambiance. Round out the shortlist with Gamper — a small restaurant with a daily changing menu that emphasizes fresh, local ingredients.
Uetliberg Felsenegg
Zurich • Secret Viewpoints
A popular ridge walk offering stunning views over Zurich and its lake.
Didi's Frieden
Zurich • Secret Foodie Spots
An elegant dining experience with a focus on seasonal Swiss cuisine and intimate ambiance.
Gamper
Zurich • Secret Foodie Spots
A small restaurant with a daily changing menu that emphasizes fresh, local ingredients.
Loorenkopf
Zurich • Secret Viewpoints
A wooden observation tower offering panoramic views over Zurich and the surrounding area.
65 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Zurich that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Zurich list:
- The Restaurant· Fine Dining
- Zürcher Opernball· Cultural Events
- Old Crow· Cocktail Bars
- Tonhalle Zürich· Concerts
- Zurich Lake Promenade Walk· Self-Guided
Planning where to stay in Zurich?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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