How to get to Zurich City Center?
- By Train: When you arrive at Zurich Airport or one of the other Swiss Airports (Geneva or Basel), the easiest way to reach Zurich City Center is by train. From Zurich Airport you reach the City in 10 minutes. First train in the morning runs at 5:00, lates at 00:42 at night. Since there are trains available every 10 minutes, it is easy to travel to the City Center. If you want to plan the trip in advance, visit the SBB website.
- By Tram: The line 10 brings you from Zurich Airport to the main station at City Center. The ride takes around half an hour and gives you the opportunity to take a first glimps of the area.
- By Car: If you travel by car, you best let your GPS navigate you to the “Parkhaus Urania” or “Parkhaus Hauptbahnhof”, which ar both located near the main station. The price per day is 45.- CHF.
Discover Zurich -Itinerary
In the description below you find information about all the showplaces on the way through Zurich as shown on the itinerary.
What to do in Zurich?
1. Zurich Main Station
When at the main station, make sure to purchase your Zurich Card. The ticket allows you to use the public transportation in the city and also grants you free access to various museums. Even a boat cruise is included.
↳Take the tram 6 or 10 from main station to the station ETH/Universitätsspital or walk to Central from where the Polybahn brings you to the Polyterrace.
2. ETH/ Polyterrace
The Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) is where Albert Einstein was a professor of theoretical physics. But it is also a perfect first stop on your trip through Zurich. Not only is the building stunning the Polyterrace in front of it also offers a splendid view over the city.
3. Museums and Collections of the University
The University of Zurich runs different collections, which are accessible to the public for free. The Zoological Museum takes you on a journey back in time to the moment when live has begun. Highlights are the huge dinosaur in the entrance area and a sceleton of a mammoth. The Botanical Museum, the Anatomical Collection and the Museum of Anthropology are just arround the corner.
↳From the Polyterrace or the Museums of the University take the Polybahn to head back down to Central or take the short walk.
4. Niederdorf (Old Town)
The Niederdorf is part of the Old Town. It holds lots of small shops and restaurants. Enjoy the stroll through the narrow, medieval streets and the places with their unique fountains.
5. Grossmünster
the Niederdorf also lies the Grossmünster. The Romanesque Church was built in the late 12th century. It’s characteristic double towers were modyfied several times and only finished in their current form in the 18th century. The church is open for visitors. The colourful window of the choir was painted by the more outstanding Swiss Artist Augusto Giacometti.
If you dare to climb the 187 stairs to the “Karlsturm”, named after Charlemagne, you are rewarded with a stunning view over city, lake and the Alps. Be aware that the stairs are very narrow and steep. If you are claustrophobic this experience might not be for you.
Option: Kunsthaus Zürich (Art museum)
Interested in Impressionism, Classical Modernism, Old Masters and Swiss artists like Ferdinand Hodler, Paul Klee or Alber Anker? Take the tram 5 or 9 to the station Kunsthaus and visit the Kunsthaus Arts museum.
6. Sechseläutenplatz
Continue your stroll towards the lake, where you reach the Sechseläutenplatz. Here you can relax in the shadow of the trees, have a seat and soak up the good atmosphere. The Opera is located at the Sechseläutenplatz.
↳Take the bus 161 or 165 at the station Bellevue in direction of Rüschlikon or Kilchberg to the station Sukkulentensammlung. If you prefere a long walk alongside the lake and throught lovely parks you can also walk.
Option: Boat Cruise
Situated at the Bürkliplatz lies the ship pier. If your legs are tired from all the walking discover the lakeside from the deck of a ship and skip point 7 of our tour.
7. Sukkulentensammlung
The Succulent Collection is a public garden and greenhouse where succulents and cacti from all over the world are grown. In this area of Zurich you also find the Belvoirparc and the public bath “Mythenquai”. So if you travel in summer, do not miss the opportunity to have a bath in the Lake Zurich.
↳Take the bus back to the station Bürkliplatz.
8. Bahnhofstrasse/ Paradeplatz
The Bahnhofstrasse is the main shopping street with shops from the most prestigious brands, jewelry and watch stores and of course the Paradeplatz, the financial center of Switzerland known throughout the world. Do not miss the opportunity to have a drink and some patisserie at the famous Confiserie Sprüngli.
Option: Fraumünster Church
This stunning church with painted glass windows from Chagall, Giacometti and Heaton is also a museum. The crypt exhibiton displays archeological artefacts which were rediscovered during the restauration of the Fraumünster church in 1900.
Option: Watchmuseum Beyer
Located at the Bahnhofstrasse 31 lies the watchmuseum. Do not miss the opportunity to discover rare and original watches from different epochs.
WOW Museum – Room of Illusions
Across three floors and more than 400 square meters you will lose yourself in infinity, stand upside down and wonder about your own perception. Your smartphone or tablet will playfully guide you through the museum. As a surplus you will leave this place with a bunch of great instagrammable pictures.
↳At the end of the Bahnhofstrasse pass in front of the railwaystation to reach the Landesmuseum.
9. Landesmuseum/ Swiss National Museum
The most visited museum in Switzerland gives you a deep insight into Swiss History. Visit the livingrooms of long gone times and discover Swiss Ideas from the past and the present. Temporary exhibitions, guided tours and workshops create an individual experience for every visitor. Located right behind the museum lies the Platzspitz parc.
↳Take the tram 4, 13 or 17 in direction of Werdthölzli to the station Löwenbräu.
10. Zurich-West
The former industrial district is a vibrant trend district nowadays. Shops and restaurants under the railway viaduct, bars like Frau Gerolds Garten or the Freitag flagship store offer a great opportunity to finish off the day with a drink and lively conversations with your frieds or locals. If you travel with kids make sure to visit the Josefwiese playground.
Where to eat in Zurich?
- Swiss Style Restaurant in Zurich: The Swiss Chuchi Restaurant at Rosengasse 10, Zurich (located at the Niederdorf) servers typical swiss meals. Have you ever tasted Fondue?
- Fine Dining: The Kronehalle at Rämistrasse 4, Zurich (located near the Bellevue) is well known for its “Geschnetzeltes” and offers you the best meat courses in an elegant atmosphere and surrounded by art.
- On a Budget: The Sterne Grill at the Theaterstrasse 20, Zurich sells good Swiss food from local suppliers for a fair price. The Restaurant and Take away is located at the Bellevue.
- Vegetarian/ Vegan: The Haus Hiltl at Sihlstrasse 28, Zurich is an all vegetarian Restaurant with a big variety of vegan meals too.
Where to stay in Zurich? Best Hotels for every budget.
- On a Budget: At the Oldtown Hostel Otter you stay for under 100.- CHF in the middle of the old town at Oberdorfstrasse 7, Zurich. Here are a lot of nice bars and restaurants located.
- Elegant: The air-conditioned, stylishly furnished rooms at the Glockenhof Zürich located at the Sihlstrasse 31 offer you a quiet stay with all amenities. A tea bar and a Nespresso coffee machine are provided in each room.
- Luxury: The best adress to stay a few splendid days in Zurich is the Baur au Lac at Talstrasse 1. Located in the heart of Zurich in the middle of its own park, the historic 5-star hotel welcomes you with a magnificent view of Lake Zurich and the Alps. Its unique, privileged location, stylish rooms & suites, award-winning gastronomy and incomparable Baur au Lac service delight guests from all over the world. The Baur au Lac has set the standard in the Swiss luxury hotel industry from the very beginning and still enjoys the reputation as one of the best hotels in the world.
