The Top 8 Things To Do In Zurich, Switzerland

Author: Shubhankar Sen on Jan 11,2023

Switzerland is difficult to top with breathtaking Alpine landscapes and charming communities oozing fairytale romance. The Alps' soaring snow-capped peaks, sparkling blue lakes, verdant valleys, glaciers, and charming lakeside hamlets give this landlocked country a beautiful appeal. There is nothing more beautiful than being engulfed by the sweet cold of the snowy region throughout the year. Switzerland is known for its romantic charm, adventures, and activities such as hiking, boating, paragliding, and many more! 

When visiting the country, the first stop that comes to mind is none other than Zurich. The city is located on the shores of its dazzling eponymous lake. Zurich is a financial powerhouse with a liveability rating that exceeds nearly every other city on the planet. You may take railroads from the Hauptbahnhof and be on a mountain in minutes, breathing in the fresh air, the city's rivers, and that lovely lake famous for swimming. These outdoor pools have turned into nightclubs in the city's heart, leaving tourists occupied and a space to unwind. 

With plenty of activities in store, here is our guide on the top 8 things you can do in Zurich, Switzerland.

8 Things You Must Do In Zurich

1. Visit Lake Zurich

This long, crescent-shaped lake fed by the melting glaciers of the Alps curves eastward beyond the wooded peaks of Pfannenstiel and westward past the Albis chain. The cantons of Zurich, St.Gallen, and Schwyz surround the lake, and Zurich, Switzerland's largest city, is located at the western end. 

The lake itself is an art of nature with numerous activities to get the best experience when visiting the venue. The beautiful beachfront along the east shore in the Seefeld neighborhood is a nice alternative if you're just strolling around the city. This sun-drenched area is known for its rich and glamor at low taxation, and it is along this stretch of coast that you can view the spectacular residences and villas of society's top crust. In the summer, you may look across the lake to Uetliberg and see hundreds of yachts and other crafts gliding across the water and also take part in swimming and paddling across the glistening water at an affordable price. 

2. Enjoy the view at Uetliberg Mountain

Uetliberg, at 2,850 feet above sea level, towers over Zurich's roofs with its magnificent build and snow-covered peaks. The city, the lake, and the Alps are all visible from the top of the mountain, which takes a short 10-minute ride to reach the viewpoint or summit. 

In November, the Uetliberg is especially popular because its top is often above the fog that blankets the city at this time of year. In the winter, the summit hiking trails are transformed into toboggan courses. There are lots to see and do in the summer on well-marked hiking trails, a mountain biking path, and the Planet Trail. This two-hour trek from Uetliberg to Felsenegg takes you on a fascinating tour of a solar system replica. 

3. Appreciate art at the Museum of Fine Arts

Zurich's magnificent Museum of Art is located beside the Schauspielhaus on Heimplatz. Beginning with the forerunners and early Impressionists Delacroix, Corot, Courbet, and Manet, the Kunsthaus is particularly strong in Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, and Modern schools. 

View works by symbolists like Ferdinand Hodler, Romantics like Henry Fuseli, and modern artists like Pipilotti Rist and Peter Fischli to satisfy your Swiss art interest and give your inner artist a moment to stare in awe at the paintings dated as old as 1200 AD. As one might anticipate, there are several works from the Dada school, which began in Zurich. The museum has significant holdings of remarkable paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, the Flemish (Rubens and van Dyck), Italian Baroque, and Venetian Settecento periods. And who can go to the Museum of Fine Arts without seeing Van Gogh's masterpieces?

4. Visit Grossmnster

Above the river, on an open terrace, this Gothic church's two towers may be Zurich's most distinctive icon. It is a Medieval three-aisled galleried basilica built between the 11th and 13th centuries with a chancel over a crypt dating from around 1100. The towers' upper levels were built in 1487, but the domed tops were constructed in 1782.

The main gateway, with its sculpted capitals exhibiting leviathans, will appeal to historic architecture connoisseurs. Grossmnster was the heart of the Swiss Reformation, which was led by Huldrych Zwingli and ended in 1523 with the church's separation from the monarchy. The stained glass windows are contemporary, with Alberto Giacometti's compositions in the choir. For tourists who wish to know more about the history of this twin chapel, a museum relating to its event stands next to it. 

5. Travel around Bahnhofstrasse

Being one of the richest cities globally, Zurich is no less than a luxury getaway for couples, families, and solo adventurers who wish to spend their money on some branded items. Zurich's main shopping strip is one of the most expensive per square meter in the world.

Bahnhofstrasse is the epitome of Zurich affluence, and the street is even more so in December when the Christmas decorations are up. The boulevard is lined with dazzling stores of practically every luxury brand; one might imagine, from your dream Gucci belt to the most expensive Louis Vuitton collection. On this square, you may visit the renowned Sprngli candy shop and cafe, which has been serving coffee and pastries to Zurich's upper crust since the 19th century. The majestic Bahnhof is an attraction in itself, with its lofty hall lined with stores and cafes and more in the massive mall beneath. If you visit during Christmas times, you will be greeted by the largest winter market at this place. 

6. Go to the Swiss National Museum

An excellent museum showcasing Switzerland's cultural past is housed in a castle-like edifice with neo-Gothic flair. With more than 820,000 objects from prehistory to the twentieth century, it is by far the most important collection of Swiss historical and cultural relics.

This museum, which highlights Swiss culture and takes you on a journey through the country's past, has Switzerland's largest collection of historical items. The museum's most famous exhibit, a collection of replicated historical rooms, displays furnishings and decorative arts in room settings, charting the history of living spaces through the centuries. You will find some exceptional collections of the armory, medieval paintings, carvings, artworks, and gold and silverwork. This museum is an excellent place to relive history via the works and arts of a prehistoric person. 

7. Enjoy the Zurich Zoo

The exotic world of the Zurich Zoo, one of Europe's best, is home to over 360 different animal species. Snow leopards roam the rocky mountain scenery, penguins swim in cold water, and flying foxes may be seen from a canopy walk amid 13,000 square meters of lush rainforest. 

The habitats have been meticulously designed, integrating entire ecosystems and providing animals as much freedom as possible. You may see the Asian elephant family play with their young and swim in their artificial complex, which was built to imitate their natural Thai habitat, at the Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park. The Zurich Zoo is a great place to explore the rares of nature and wildlife, making it an excellent spot to visit with your family and kids. 

8. Visit the Rietberg Museum

The Rietberg Museum showcases art and archaeology from throughout the world in a combination of palatial villas and a modern redevelopment in the Rieterpark. The museum reflects on Neoclassical architecture and was used as a meeting venue for great intellectuals and scholars. It is Switzerland's only non-European art museum, including Indian sculpture, Tibetan temple paintings and bronzes, Chinese tomb decorations, Buddhist stele, and Asian ceramics and jade among its collections. Along with African carvings, masks, and bronzes, there are works from the Pacific, the Near East, and North America.

The collections are vast, with plenty of material for temporary exhibitions focused on various regions or subjects from all across the globe. 

Wrapping Up

Switzerland is undoubtedly the ideal winter vacation destination for quiet and luxury. You may see everything at once, from frigid peaks to zoo animals to magnificent medieval chapels. Zurich's beauty, culture, history, and luxury will leave you speechless. Allow yourself to be swept up in the street parades or lost in Zurich's bustling streets of splendor and Gucci. With our top 8 suggestions for things to do in this financial center, you can tailor your getaway to your preferences! For more information on planning your next holiday or finding the perfect location to stay in Zurich, Switzerland, go to leisure.com!