10 Best Things to Do in Zurich

Münsterhof is the largest town square in Aldstalt, Zurich’s Old Town. It’s surrounded by many of the city’s guild houses and historical structures, including Fraumünster Church and the Zunfthaus zur Meisen art museum.  

Situated in the Lindenhof district, Münsterhof is also a car-free zone, making it easy for sightseeing on foot or bicycle. You can also dine at restaurants such as Zunfthaus zur Waag, Zeughauskeller and Sprüngli that were once a home from home for central figures in Zurich’s avant-garde art movement – Dadasim.

Grossmünster is one of the city’s most important churches as it was the centre of Switzerland’s Protestant Reformation back in the 16th century. The Romanesque cathedral dates back to 1230, and was supposedly built on the graves of Zurich’s patron saints, Felix and Regula.  

The Reformation Museum occupies the church cloister, while the crypt hosts seasonal art exhibitions and literature events. For about 5 Fr, you can climb 187 steps to the top of Karlsturm tower, where you’ll be greeted with panoramic views of Zurich and the Glarus Alps.

If you only have time for one gallery, make it Kunsthaus Zürich. This gallery contains exhibits that cover all the major genres - from Monet's impressionist landscapes to Munch's expressionist paintings. The museum has over 95,000 works, including sculptures, paintings, and sketches that date from the 15th century to the present day. 

Kunsthaus Zürich’s biggest draw is the Alberto Giacometti collection which spotlights some of the Swiss surrealist's thought-provoking masterpieces. The collection showcases more than 150 sculptures and 20 paintings, most of which were produced by Alberto or his brother, Bruno Giacometti.

The Swiss National Museum examines Zurich culture through a wealth of artefacts, from distant prehistory to the modern day. Founded in 1898, the museum occupies a turreted, neo-Gothic building between Platzspitz Park and Zurich Main Station. 

A tour through this museum’s extensive collection will take you to the medieval treasury's gem-encrusted relics, the armoury tower's jousting paraphernalia, and various archaeological discoveries – one of the museum’s most valuable relics is a 100,000-year-old flint stone.

Bahnhofstrasse is a catwalk for big-name designers, such as Cartier, Prada, and Chanel. Located 500 metres northwest of Münsterhof, it’s widely known as Zurich’s upmarket shopping avenue.  

The southern end of Bahnhofstrasse is where you can visit Paradeplatz, a town square closest to Lake Zurich. The square is known for Confiserie Sprüngli, a luxury chocolatier dating back to 1836 – the city’s elites often meet here for coffee and the café’s famous Luxemburgerli macarons.

The city’s largest urban park, Rieterpark covers 70,000 sq m of green space near Lake Zürich. It’s a popular spot for recreational activities, including picnics, jogging, and sports. The area surrounding the park’s fountain is often used for classical concerts during summertime.  

Perched on a green hill above Lake Zürich, Museum Rietberg occupies an impressive neoclassical mansion, where Wagner once set Mathilde Wesendonck's poems to music. Today, the museum displays non-European works, including Tibetan bronzes, Indian miniatures, and Aztec sculptures.

Cabaret Voltaire is where Hugo Ball founded Dadaism, an anti-war artistic and political movement, back in 1916. Today, it has a museum showcasing exhibitions, screenings, and readings all year round. There’s a café and bar where the politically engaged can meet up for discussions over absinthe. Cabaret Voltaire even has its own brand of absinthe, aptly called Dada Absinthe.  

If you want to learn more about Dadaism, Cabaret Voltaire offers 2 overview tours (1 hour for 250 Fr and 1.5 hours for 300 Fr) in English, German, and French. Both tours begin with a history of Dadaism and visits to important landmarks such as Zunfthaus zur Waag, and Zunfthaus zur Meisen.

The Fraumünster Church is easily recognised from just about anywhere in Zurich, thanks to a distinctive green steeple towering over the Münsterhof square. It was founded in AD 853 by Louis the German, serving as one of the 4 main churches of the city.

Aside from its steeple, you’ll find that the church also houses 5 stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti’s 9-metre-tall stained-glass window called The Heavenly Paradise. The Fraumünster Church is an important place of worship among the local community, so be respectful when exploring the building.

Uetliberg sits on the Swiss plateau, at 871 metres above sea level. Its peak offers panoramic views of Zurich, Limmat Valley, and the Alps (if you’re lucky). A wide range of outdoor adventures takes place throughout the year. You can enjoy a leisurely hike or mountain bike ride during summer. If you visit during winter, the hiking trails are transformed into sledding paths.

Planetenweg Uetliberg (Planet Trail) is a popular hiking route between Uetliberg and Felsenegg. The 2.5-hour-long walk is a recreation of the solar system, starting from the sun and ending at Pluto.

Located west of downtown Zurich is the working-class-turned-trendy district of Zurich West. Also called Kreis 5, it’s known for its upbeat nightlife and dynamic arts scene, making it a haven for the city’s youth. Many locals recommend Frau Gerold’s Garten for its casual atmosphere, Bogen F for diverse live music, and Hive for top-notch electronic dance music.  

During the day, Zurich West's Viadukt Arches complex attracts shoppers with its delicatessens, art galleries, sports, and fashion boutiques. You can also shop for produce and Swiss delicacies at the onsite Market Hall.