Zurich Travel Guide
Zurich Travel Guide
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, and one that is worth adding to your Switzerland itinerary, especially if you’ll be flying in or out of Zurich, one of the country’s main airports.
Zurich has a charming Old Town, world-class shopping, lakeside views & more.
Jump to:
- *Backpacks & Bubbly – Top Picks for Drinks With A View*
- Where to Stay in Zurich
- How Long to Spend in Zurich
- Best Things to do in Zurich
- Getting to Zurich
- Safety for Solo Female Travel in Zurich
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
*Backpacks & Bubbly – Top Picks for Drinks With A View*
Rathaus Cafe
Situated right along the river in Old Town this small cafe offers drinks with stunning Old Town views. It’s a great plae for sunset!
Jules Verne Panoramabar
If you’re ok with walking a bit uphill Jules Verne Panoramabar offers panoramic views over Zurich’s Old Town
Where to Stay in Zurich
Boutique Hotel Wellenberg
I loved this hotel in the heart of Old Town Zurich. Boutique Hotel Wellenberg is in the perfect location, has a terrace/bar, great breakfast & more!
Highly recommend trying this hotel on your next trip!
How Long to Spend in Zurich
1-2 Days
Zuirch is a large city, but the highlights are all really in the Old Town area and can be easily explored in a day or two. You could definitely spend more time there, but there are so many more amazing places to see in Switzlerland
Best Things to do in Zurich
Explore Old Town
Old Town Switzerland is located on either side of the river connected by Rathausbrücke. Wandering through these picturesque cobblestone streets, surrounded by colorful medieval houses will take you past most of the famous places in Zürich without needing to do much planning.
Old Town contains the Grossmunster double towers and St Peter’s Church (with the infamous clock) On either side of the river you’ll find tons of restaurants and cafes, all with outdoor patios (even in the colder weather the quintessential European patios are open and seats offer fur blankets and steamy fondue to warm you up)
Explore Lake Zürich
The lake is worth visiting in any season and always provides stunning views. In the summer take a dip in the lake, try some watersports or just hang out in one of the many lakeside cafes and bars. In the winter you can ice skate on the lake or warm up in one of the lakeside saunas!
Take a stroll or do some shopping at Bahnhofstrasse
One of the most famous shopping streets in the world is worth a stroll (even if the shopping is a bit out of your price range, like me) Also, around Christmas the “Lucy” lights (named after the Beatle’s song, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds) light up the Bahnhofstrasse, and many other areas of Old Town, and is definitely worth seeing!
Find the Best Views in Zurich
Head to Lindenhof Hill to get the best views over the city of Zurich’s Old Town. It’s super easy to get to from Old Town.
Getting to Zurich
By Train
Switzerland has a great train system and is connected to all other major cities in Switzerland by rail
- Bern –> Zurich 1 hour
- Lucerne –> Zurich 40 minutes
- Interlaken –> Zurich 2 hours
By Plane
Zurich also has an international airport. The airport is located about 20 minutes via train from downtown Zurich. Trains between Zurich’s HB (main station) and the airport run regularly, just look for any train that has a stop at Flughafen
Safety for Solo Female Travel in Zurich
5 out of 5
Switzerland is one of the safest countries for solo female travel. I’ve spent a bunch of time in Switzerland traveling solo and have never felt unsafe, even in a bigger city like Zurich. I do recommend sticking to the Old Town area, as it’s always busy with tourists even at night.
