This is not another one of those Top 10 lists with all the obvious things to do in Zürich that you’ve already seen in countless other videos. In fact, our goal is to make this the only post you need to decide what to do and see while you’re in Zürich.
We’re sharing the best experiences, viewpoints, museums, and more — basically, all the things we’ve personally enjoyed ourselves and think you will too.
And yes, you’ll see the highlights on this list — but probably some spots you’ve never heard of as well. So let’s get started.
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Transportation in Zürich
By the way, everything in this post can be reached in under 30 minutes from Zürich Hauptbahnhof, which is the main train station, by a combination of public transportation and walking. And we are including charts to show exactly how much time to expect.
You also want to know about the Zürich Card, which is a tourist pass that offers free public transportation within the city, as well as free or discounted admission to lots of museums and popular tourist attractions.
And finally, we need to mention that you can actually buy the Swiss Coupon Pass. It’s filled with more than 100 buy-one-get-one offers throughout the country, including 11 right here in Zürich. And as an added bonus, enjoy a 20% discount using our affiliate link and promotion code in the description below.
Now let’s get to the best views in Zürich.
Zürich Views
Uetliberg
We had to make Uetliberg first on our list because it holds such special memories for us!
In 2012, we came to Switzerland for our 2-week honeymoon and started here in Uetliberg. First, the views were absolutely magnificent over the city, the lake, and the Alps, which was a very nice way to be welcomed into Switzerland. Second, we feasted on an amazing 5-course meal where we watched a rain storm blow in while we ate our entree and then got to admire a double rainbow over the golden sunset when we were finishing up dessert. And third, we woke up sometime in the middle of the night thanks to jetlag and got to gaze down from our room here at Hotel UTO KULM at the twinkly lights of the city before sunrise.
Uetliberg is the mountain of Zürich, yet you can reach the top in just 25 minutes from Zürich’s main train station. Travel cost for adults (full price, one-way) is 9.40 CHF or free with the Zürich card.
Rathaus Bridge
Let’s head to the center of town to the Rathaus Bridge, which connects both sides of Old Town. Locals used to call it “Gmüesbrugg” since this used to be where the vegetable (gemüse) market was.
From here you can see most of the church steeples, Lake Zürich, the Limmat river, maybe a boat cruising beneath you, and even Lindenhof, which happens to be our next viewpoint.
Travel cost for adults (full price, one-way) is 2.80 CHF or free with the Zürich card.
Lindenhof
You know the view is good when you have to climb up a few steps to get there. Lindenhof is perched just above the Limmat River and this wide terrace is one of our favorite overlooks of the city skyline. Well, there’s actually one that’s even better but we’ll mention it later in another section.
This big square used to be a Roman Fort, a palace, and where Swiss leaders swore in the Helvetic Constitution.
Travel cost for adults (full price, one-way) is 2.80 CHF or free with the Zürich card.
Freitag Tower
If you don’t mind climbing even more steps, then you’ll love the view from the Freitag Tower. First of all, how cool is it that this building is made from shipping containers? Second, if you want a unique Freitag bag made from recycled truck tarps, you can buy one at the store on your way up the steps. Third, the 360° views over the train tracks and roads and neighboring hills are pretty impressive.
Travel cost for adults (full price, one-way) is 2.80 CHF or free with the Zürich card.
Prime Tower (Clouds Restaurant)
Just a few blocks away from Freitag Tower is yet another great view, this time from the Clouds Restaurant on the 35th floor of the Prime Tower. This is the perfect spot if you want to linger with a fancy drink or admire the skyline from inside. In fact, it used to be one of the tallest buildings in Switzerland.
Travel cost for adults (full price, one-way) is 2.80 CHF or free with the Zürich card.
Zürich Airport Observation Deck B
This next spot isn’t technically a view of the city, but it is a fascinating view nonetheless! The Zürich Airport Observation Deck B lets you watch takeoffs and landings and even spy pilots in the cockpit. And this is fun for all ages because of the views, interesting info panels, and even a mini airport playground for kids! How cool is that!
Free entry for same-day passengers with a valid boarding pass. Otherwise, entry fee for adults (full price) is 5 CHF. But what if you have the Zürich Card? That means you get free travel and entry.
Museums
We’ve seen the best of Zürich from above, but now it’s time to explore indoors. And first we’re going straight for the sweet stuff at the Lindt Home of Chocolate.
Lindt Home of Chocolate
From your first step inside the Lindt Home of Chocolate, you’re immediately greeted with this 29-foot fountain flowing with more than 3000 pounds of real chocolate. But that’s only the beginning. This well-done museum and audio guide explains how Switzerland became known as the land of chocolate. After your tour and tasting, enjoy the largest chocolate shop in the world and of course buy some Lindt chocolate to bring home as a souvenir.
By the way, this is one of the most-visited museums in Switzerland. So you can’t just show up and get a ticket. But not to fear, our 3-Day Guide to Zürich explains when and where to buy tickets in advance, how to save money on those tickets, and what to do if they’re fully booked for the dates you’ll be in town. There’s no reason for you to stand outside the museum wondering if you just wasted an entire morning.
Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum)
Learn about the fascinating history of Switzerland at the Swiss National Museum. They host rotating exhibits, but on our last visit, there was a hands-on family area, a neat collection of rings from around the world, and one about royals who have visited Switzerland. But even more than the displays, I was enamored by the building’s architecture! It looks like it was once a castle, but it was actually built in 1898 with the sole purpose of being the Swiss National Museum.
We consider those first two museums to be the top priorities for your Zürich trip. But if you have more than 1 day in the city — or it’s raining — then these next options are a great choice.
FIFA Museum
If you’re a fan of soccer, then you won’t want to miss the FIFA Museum. It explains how this became the most popular sport in the world, with displays including the FIFA World Cup Trophies and jerseys from every participating country. And even if you’re not a soccer fan, the interactive games that test your skills definitely make it worth a visit!
Tram Museum
It feels incredibly easy to get around Zürich, thanks to the dozens of trams — and the Tram Museum explains why. It provides a little behind-the-scenes context into the evolution of Zürich’s famously efficient public transit system with historic streetcars and interactive exhibits.
Mühlerama Museum and bread baking
If you didn’t know, I’m a huge nerd about food and cook a ton from scratch. And when we lived in the USA, I used to grind my own flour. So of course I absolutely had to visit the Mühlerama Museum!
Your ticket includes a cup of wheat berries that you can grind using a bunch of different grain mills. They also have bread-making classes if you’re interested. The upper floors of the former grain mill taught about the entire production from farm to consumer. And you absolutely cannot miss a ride on the slide where flour bags used to glide down!
Einstein’s Locker
Did you know that Albert Einstein studied and taught at the University right on the Polyterrasse? His old locker has become a mini museum with framed photographs, some of his favorite books, handwritten letters, and of course his iconic and beloved pipe.
Wait, what’s the Polyterrasse? Well, that’s coming up next.
Funiculars
So far we’ve covered viewpoints and museums. Next up is funiculars because there are a few really special ones here in Zürich, starting with one the locals affectionately call the “polybähnli.”
UBS Polybahn
Since 1889, the UBS Polybahn has been climbing from Central Zürich to the Polyterrasse. And this little red funicular transports more than 2 million passengers per year even though the ride only takes 100 seconds. Once you’re at the top, the wide panoramic terrace delivers sweeping skyline views over Old Town.
And in our opinion, this is the best view of the city! So if you only have time for one viewpoint, pick this one!
Rigiblick funicular
If you need a bit of a city break, the Rigiblick funicular takes you up to a beautiful neighborhood dotted with benches and sprawling views. This would be a great spot for a picnic or sunset, or even a nice meal in the swanky restaurant at the top!
Dolderbahn
If you’re looking for a splurge while you’re in Zürich, Switzerland, then you’ll want to check out the 5-star Dolder Grand Hotel at the top of the Dolderbahn. Beyond the luxury hotel, spa, and restaurants, there are pools, minigolf, tennis courts, a driving range, and a golf course. All of those cost money of course, but it’s free to visit the playgrounds, walking trails, and bike paths, which is exactly what we did.
In fact, the Loorenkopf Tower is just a 30-minute, 2-kilometer walk from the station and has incredible views over Zürich and the Alps.
Boats, Bikes, and Hikes
Free Bike Rental
Speaking of being active, let’s chat about boats, bikes, and hikes, starting with a free bike rental service within the city. You can pop over to Zürich Rolls in front of the main train station any time during the day to pick up a free bike with a simple 20 CHF refundable deposit. They also have ebikes, although those need to be reserved online in advance.
Archaeological Windows
History buffs are going to love that there are archaeological sites hidden right in the middle of Old Town!
You can pick up a free set of keys from the Stadthaus next to Fraumünster Church and then follow the map to secret spots across the city. We had 2 favorites: a nondescript door that leads to the skinniest ancient alleyway we’ve ever seen. And the underground ruins near Lindenhof that can only be accessed by a very fun staircase.
Zürich is steeped in history — it’s everywhere you look! And we elaborate more in our detailed, self-guided walking tour through Old Town in our 3-Day Guide to Zürich.
So instead of staring at your Google Maps wondering where to go, we’ve pinpointed and navigated between the historic sites for you — in a logical walking route that actually makes sense.
Limmat River cruise
We’ve been on a lot of boat rides in Switzerland, but the Limmat River Cruise was super unique. First of all, you’re sitting below water level so your eyes are even with the water. Second, it goes underneath the bridges, which was just fun. And third, it cruises straight through the center of town! So a fun way to see the city is to walk through it in one direction, then ride back on a river cruise!
Short/Mini Lake Cruise
It takes 4.5 hours to journey around the entirety of Lake Zürich. But you can still enjoy the views from a boat on a Mini 1-hour ride or a Short 90 minute cruise. This is a great way to see lesser-known tourist attractions like the China Garden, the Cassiopeia Boardwalk, the graffiti-rich Rote Fabrik neighborhood, and even as far as Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg.
Hike from Uetliberg to Felsenegg
Uetliberg was the very first place we mentioned on this list, and from there you can hike through outer space on the Planet Trail! Each meter of the 7km trail represents 1 million kilometers in space. As you walk 2 hours through forests and fields, you’ll cross models of all the planets. And plenty of viewpoints, benches, and farms as well.
The most memorable part of this trail was seeing the most magnificent colors in the sky as we rode the cable car down from Felsensegg, which happens to be the only public cable car in the canton of Zürich.
Like what you’re reading? Want more?
In the beginning of this video we promised to deliver a combo of the touristy highlights and hidden gems of Zürich. If you’ve already added a few of these places to your itinerary, then let keep reading.
And if you need help narrowing down the list even further, check out our Zürich Travel Guide or join our weekly email list for even more behind-the-scenes details!
Parks
Now, let’s chat about parks and greenspaces.
Platzspitz
Platzspitz is a big greenspace directly behind the Landesmuseum where the Limmat River splits into the Sihl and Limmat Rivers. We had so much fun watching locals jump off the bridge and float down the river.
We were so tempted to join them when we visited during the hottest week of the summer…but we didn’t have our swimsuits on. Maybe next time!
Saffa-Insel Park
On our last night in town during a recent trip, we hung out in Saffa-Insel Park. We had a picnic on the lawn, toured around the teeny tiny island a few times, dipped our feet in the water, and basically hung out with a few hundred locals who were also grilling and swimming and relaxing.
Zürichhorn Park
The Zürichhorn Park is a massive greenspace along the lake — and where I nearly got hit by a bike because I wasn’t paying attention, but thankfully no one was hurt. There are tons of paths for walkers and cyclists so just be aware when you walk (or bike) here. We spent a morning wandering, resting on the lawn, passing by restaurants, and checking out the playgrounds. Oh, and visiting the Chinagarten — which is next on our list!
Chinagarten
The Chinagarten is so elaborate that you feel like you’ve been transported to China! There are trails and tunnels and bridges and gazebos. It’s small but worth wandering for 10 or 15 minutes, and a great place to snag a few selfies.
Rieterpark
The Rieterpark is an insanely beautiful and peaceful park, which happens to be the largest in Zürich. The greenspaces are well-designed with lots of separate nooks and crannies so you feel like you’re not just in one big open field. The villa in the middle is an art museum which conveniently sells picnic baskets in the summer.
Food mention
If you’ve seen any of our other posts (or videos) about traveling Switzerland, then you know we are foodies. And there’s a lot we could say about food in Zürich. But to be honest, we’re not going to mention any of it here because we’re saving it for another post all of its own.
Churches
But…did you know that Zürich is where the first Christian martyrs were buried in what is now Switzerland? Where Charlemagne played an important role in religious reform? And where Zwingli led the Protestant Reformation? We won’t be teaching a religious history lesson today, but we will show you a few of the noteworthy churches.
Kirche Fraumünster
Fraumünster’s gothic church was established in 873 and used to be an abbey for noblewomen. Inside you’ll find classic artwork, grand stained glass windows by Giacometti and Chagall, an organ with nearly 6000 pipes, and an underground Crypt Museum. Our favorite part was the little garden outside with elaborate murals.
And the Münsterhof square outside of the church hosts one of the cutest Christmas markets in Zürich!
Grossmünster
Grossmünster is another iconic church in Zürich. You can see massive stained glass windows depicting the nativity, descend into the crypt, and climb up 187 steps to reach the tower — although your phone might get better views than you! As a book-lover, Jana’s favorite part was the library filled with historic bibles and Reformation texts, and you can also visit a peaceful cloister just outside of the church entrance.
St. Peter’s
We absolutely love sitting in the little square outside of St. Peter’s because there’s a huge tree that shades the benches beneath it and it feels like a quaint little haven in the midst of the big city.
St. Peter Church is one of the oldest churches (and the only baroque church) in Zürich. It was built in the 9th century, has the largest clock face in Europe (measuring 8.7 meters/25.5 feet), and the biggest bell in the clock tower weighs over 6 tons.
Wasserkirche
We actually somehow completely overlooked the Wasserkirche, or Water Church, on our first few visits to Zürich. But it’s so unique that we had to mention it!
It was constructed on a small island in the Limmat River where the city’s first martyrs were executed by the Romans. Ever since, it has been seen as an interesting blend of a cultural and holy site. Now it’s used more for events and art than for religious purposes, but the crypt beneath the church is absolutely worth popping into.
Here’s a little tip: it has very, very odd opening hours depending on the exhibits, so check online before your visit!
Neighborhoods & Streets
When you think of Zürich, you probably think of big buildings and wide squares and waterfront paths. While all of those are true, there are also a handful of really neat and unique neighborhoods, including this one with tiny passageways.
Schipfe
The windy riverside walkways have been called Schipfe since the Middle Ages because fishermen used to push (schupfen) their boats along the riverbank to unload their goods.
Hardbrücke Neighborhood
Hardbrücke Neighborhood was previously the industrial district of Zürich but now it’s a trendy hipster neighborhood filled with bars, restaurants, music, and shopping. The most noteworthy sites are the shops in and under the Viadukt, the Freitag Tower made from shipping containers, Frau Gerold’s Garten for food trucks and outdoor dining, plus Prime Tower for drinks with a view.
Niederdorf
Niederdorf is a popular neighborhood with restaurants, bars, and shops in Zürich Old Town. The locals call it “Dörfli” (or Little Village), and it perfectly connects the Polybahn with the Rathaus Bridge.
Augustinergasse
Augustinergasse is probably the most beautiful street in Zürich. It has flapping flags, trendy shops, brightly colored buildings, painted shutters, and endless bay windows. By the way, the bay windows weren’t designed just to let more light inside. They were a sneaky way to peek at who was ringing the bell…and decide whether you wanted to answer the door or not!
Oberdorfstrasse
Walk along the historic Oberdorfstrasse from Grossmünster to the Opera House, passing boutique shops along the way. And speaking of the Opera House…
Sechseläutenplatz
Sechseläutenplatz, the giant square in front of the Opera House, is one of the largest squares in Switzerland. It has a splash pad in the Summer and one of our favorite Christmas markets in the Winter!
Europuddle
If you visit Zürich on one of the hottest days of the year like we did last Summer, then you can cool off your feet in the Europuddle. It’s a combination fountain and splash pad surrounded by neat bars and restaurants.
…what about day trips from Zürich?
We just listed more than 35 ideas for things to do in Zürich…but what about day trips from Zürich to the widest waterfalls in Europe or our favorite Swiss city or a nearby medieval village?
Check out our Zürich Travel Guide or read this next to keep planning your Swiss vacation. And we’ll see you in Switzerland!