Stand on the Lindenhof in the late afternoon and the whole city arranges itself below you: the Limmat splitting the old town, the Grossmünster's twin towers on the far bank, and the lake stretching south towards the hills. It is the quickest way to understand how Zurich is put together before you start walking it.
Zurich suits travellers who like their sightseeing compact and their evenings by the water. The old town around the river and lakefront holds most of the interesting sights, and the city is easy to cross on foot, by tram or by boat. This guide covers the places worth your time, the practical details that come with them, and a plan for a single day.
Top things to do in Zurich
1. Lindenhof
The hill in the heart of the old town, and the one-time location of a Roman fort. It gives you a beautiful view over the city and the river, and it costs nothing to stand there.
Come up in the late afternoon, when the light falls on the Grossmünster across the water, and combine it with a wander through the Niederdorf alleys below.
2. Grossmünster
An old Romanesque church and the symbol of reformed Zurich, where the reformer Huldrych Zwingli was appointed the people's priest in 1519. Climb the tower for a great view of Zurich, though the stairs can be quite small and steep.
Opening hours run 10:00–17:00 from November to February and 10:00–18:00 from March to October. Tower admission is Fr. 4, or Fr. 2 for students.
3. Fraumünster
An old Gothic church, formerly a convent, known for its window paintings made by Marc Chagall. It sits on the opposite bank from the Grossmünster, so the two make a natural pair.
It opens 10:00–17:00 from November to February and 10:00–18:00 from March to October, and admission is Fr. 5. No photos or videos are allowed inside.
4. Bahnhofstrasse
One of the busiest and best-known shopping streets in the world, and a highly refined one. It is the spine of the modern city centre, running from the main station towards the lake.
Walk it on your way between the old town and the lakefront rather than as a separate outing, and use it to reach the Lindenhof and the river crossings.
5. Lake Promenade (Utoquai, Seefeldquai)
Especially during summer, the lake is a beautiful place to spend the evening or the weekend. Starting from Bellevue, the boardwalk runs for about three kilometres along the lake towards Tiefenbrunnen.
About halfway from Bellevue there is a meadow where you will find thousands of people on a sunny day. Bring a towel and join them, or simply keep walking.
6. Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum)
This is the place to go if you want to learn more about the history of Switzerland. There are permanent exhibitions on history, archaeology and art, and changing temporary exhibitions usually revolve around Swiss topics.
It is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–17:00 and on most public holidays including Mondays, with Thursday until 19:00. Admission is Fr. 13, or Fr. 10 reduced, and free with the Zürich Card.
7. Kunsthaus
Zurich's most famous art museum. The collection includes works from many Swiss artists, such as the sculptures of Alberto Giacometti and the paintings of Ferdinand Hodler, alongside major works from international artists.
It opens Tuesday and Friday to Sunday 10:00–18:00, and Wednesday and Thursday 10:00–18:00. Admission to the permanent collection is Fr. 16, or Fr. 11 reduced, and free on Wednesdays.
8. Niederdorf
The old town offers beautiful alleys, restaurants and shopping mainly aimed at younger consumers. In the evenings, people visit the Niederdorf's many bars.
Use it as your evening base after a day of churches and museums, and pair it with the Lindenhof, which sits directly above.
9. Schanzengraben
A small canal that used to be part of the city fortifications between the Limmat and the Sihl. From the main station, go to Gessnerallee, find the stairways down to the tiny creek, and walk all the way to the lake.
It is a quiet, level route that delivers you to the lakefront, so treat it as a walking connection rather than a destination in itself.
10. Polybahn
A 19th-century funicular that climbs the steep hill from the tram station Central up to the ETH, for a fine view. There is a nice terrace up there, and during the week the student cafeteria below the terrace is also open to the public.
It operates Monday to Friday 06:45–19:15 and Saturday 07:30–14:00, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays. The fare is Fr. 1.20, free with the Zürich Card or a valid ZVV ticket for Zone 110.
11. Oberer/Unterer Letten
If you go to Zurich during summer, take your swimwear with you. The clean river at both the public river baths is used by locals to cool down after hot days: Oberer Letten is mainly for youngsters, Unterer Letten also for families.
Jump in upstream and the river will carry you down. Right in the middle of town there is also a wooden floating bath for women only, Frauenbad Stadthausquai, at the start of the Limmat. Showers and free lockers are provided, but you must bring your own lock. Entry is free.
12. Limmat river cruise
A cruise from the Landesmuseum Pier offers views of the old town and Lake Zurich, and operates between April and October. It is a short, cheap way to see the city from the water.
The fare is Fr. 4.30, free with the Zürich Card or a valid ZVV ticket for Zone 110.
13. Zürichsee steam trip
Take a trip on Lake Zurich with one of the two old steam ships. There are a few different routes you can choose from, which will vary mainly in the distance, and journeys usually start from Bürkliplatz.
Steam ships operate between April and mid-October, and ZVV tickets are valid. Pair it with the lake promenade at Bellevue before or after you sail.
14. Zoo
The zoo, with the new Masoala Rainforest Hall, is really worth a visit. It sits on the Zürichberg, above the city.
It opens 09:00–18:00 from March to October and 09:00–17:00 from November to February. Admission is Fr. 26 for adults and Fr. 19 for those under 25.
15. China Garden
This small but beautiful Chinese garden was offered to the city of Zurich by the Chinese city of Kunming as a symbol of gratitude after Zurich helped Kunming with technical knowledge.
It opens daily 11:00–19:00 from April to October, and it can be very well combined with a stroll along the lake or a visit to the Pavillon Le Corbusier.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum) when it opens, then walk into the old town and climb the Grossmünster tower while the stairs are quiet. Cross the river to the Fraumünster to see the Chagall windows, then walk Bahnhofstrasse back towards the centre.
Afternoon. Take the Polybahn up from Central for the view and the terrace, then come back down and walk the Schanzengraben from Gessnerallee all the way to the lake. Follow the Lake Promenade from Bellevue, or in summer swim at Oberer/Unterer Letten instead.
Evening. Return to the Lindenhof for the view over the river as the light goes, then spend the evening in the Niederdorf, where the alleys, restaurants and bars keep the old town busy.
Frequently asked questions
When can I climb the Grossmünster tower?
The church is open 10:00–17:00 from November to February and 10:00–18:00 from March to October. Tower admission is Fr. 4, or Fr. 2 for students, and the stairs are quite small and steep.
Is the Zürich Card worth it for museums?
It covers admission at several of the places listed here, including the Landesmuseum, the Pavillon Le Corbusier and the FIFA World Football Museum, and it also covers the Polybahn and the Limmat river cruise.
Can I swim in the city in summer?
Yes. The public river baths Oberer Letten and Unterer Letten are used by locals to cool down, and you can jump in upstream and let the river carry you down. Showers and free lockers are provided, but you must bring your own lock.
How do I get out on the lake?
Steam ships on Lake Zurich usually start from Bürkliplatz and operate between April and mid-October, with ZVV tickets valid. The Limmat river cruise leaves from the Landesmuseum Pier between April and October.
Pick the handful of places that match your pace, check the opening hours before you go, and start planning your days around the river and the lake.