10 Best Places to Visit in Zurich (2019): Lose Your Heart to the City with Breathtaking Vistas!

Zurich is situated on the banks of Lake Zurich, where the first settlers came around 5000 years back. The first settlers were the Romans who settled back in the 57/58 BC. Having started as a customs point, the city grew to hold an important place in the industrial revolution back in the 19th century.

Now, Zurich is the financial capital of Switzerland and has also been voted as the “City with the world's best quality of life” in the Mercer Research. It also holds the pride of being Fifa’s headquarters and also home to the software giant Google's worldwide second largest development center. Zurich also has the country’s largest and busiest airport. The city is also highly efficient and the same applies to its public transportation system. Hence it is very tourist-friendly. Alternatively, tourists can also rent bikes or skates and move around the city.

Most of the tourist attractions can be found in the old town. Not just daytime activities, Zurich also has a busy nightlife with more than 70 clubs, restaurants, bars, cafes, opera, theaters, concert halls and more.

Tired of walking around the city? Would you like to stop and smell the roses and rest your legs for a while? Your stop should be the Botanical Garden maintained by the University of Zurich. Earlier it was a private garden. Breaking all the norms of a botanical garden, this one stands on its own by maintaining wild plants. There are no systematic plant beds and hybrid plants, just wild plants growing in its nativity. There is also the bubble greenhouses which are worth a visit. Put together a picnic basket and relax in their meadows watching the frogs jump in the lake. With around 7000 distinct plant species in about 13 acres, the botanical garden attracts visitors from all corners of Switzerland.

Opening Hours
March to September:
Weekdays: 7 AM – 7 PM
Weekends and holidays: 8 AM – 6 PM

October to February:
Weekdays: 8 AM – 6 PM
Weekends and holidays: 8 AM – 5 PM

Zug is considered to be one of the most beautiful places to live in Switzerland and lies close to Zurich. The peril of visiting Zug is that you might not want to part from the beauty of the place. The small town boasts of lake Zug on one side surrounded by mountains giving it an ethereal look. It is surrounded by history with Zytturm, the Clock Tower taking the lead. Then, there is a 16th century Powder Tower and also the Zug Castle which houses a museum. You could also rent bikes at the train station and ride along the winding alleyways taking in the beauty. When you are tired, make your way to the Rosengarten on top of Gucci Hill.

The Chänzeli Tour is a 3-hour hike that takes you through four amazing viewpoints all of which offer amazing views of Baden. Baden is a pretty town that is famous for its mineral-rich thermal springs that dot the place. While this might sound romantic, the town is overrun by resorts and spas. The Chänzeli Tour starts at the Unterer Bahnhofplatz and goes through Schartenfels, Geissberg, Martinsburg and Stein Castle. There are also many fire pits along the way, most importantly, the Schweizer Familie fire pit, which is preferred by many. The hiking trail gives you an idea of the history of Baden and the diverse flora and fauna of the place.

P.S: Visit Baden Information Office for details on the guided hikes.

Opening Hours
Monday: 12 PM - 6.30 PM
Tuesday to Friday: 9 AM - 6.30 PM
Saturday: 9 AM - 4 PM

The two towers that dominate the city skyline sit atop the Grossmünster. The legend says that the church was built over the graves of Felix and Regula who is the city’s patron saints. Emperor Charlemagne who discovered the graves had the church built to honour them. The church has a hand in the growth of the city since it was built. The theological college which then adjoined the Church is now the University of Zurich. The church has a rather bleak architecture but it sets off the stained glass windows by Sigmar Polke, the choir windows by Augusto Giacometti and the bronze doors by Otto Münch. The Romanesque crypt and the cloister Reformation Museum are the highlights of the Grossmünster church.

Opening Hours:
March to October:
Weekdays and Saturday: 10.00 AM – 6.00 PM
Sundays: Open after the service

November to February
Weekdays and Saturday: 10.00 AM – 5.00 PM
Sundays: Open after the service

Zurich’s very own mountain Uetliberg, is a must-see place when you are in Zurich. Towering at around 2,850 ft above sea level it provides a scenic view of the beautiful city and the Alps. Not to mention it is the most visited place by the locals themselves for the most part of the year. In summer, the mountain has well-marked hiking trails and also a trail for mountain bikes. If you are travelling with family, you might not want to miss out on the famous Planet Trail. All these culminate in the most amazing view of the Lake Zurich and the city on its banks. In Winter the trails are converted to sledding runs.

Europe’s largest waterfalls, the Rhine Falls roar thunderingly on the borders of Zurich and Schaffhausen. The mighty castle, Schloss Laufen lies in the rocky shores of the Rhine falls. Just take a leisurely stroll through the castle to the “Känzeli” and watch the spectacle beneath. The glass panoramic elevator also gives a first-line view of the marvel of nature. The castle itself has a 1000 year history worth checking out through the “Historama” exhibition. Also, check out the railway network that runs underneath the castle.

Opening Hours:
Tuesdays to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM

Platzspitz Park or locally called the Needle Park played an important part in the history of Switzerland’s social reforms. It remains a painful reminder of the city’s fight with drugs, which was an open drug scene in the 80s and the 90s. Now the park has reformed with the city and is a place of recreation for the citizens of Zurich. The park is situated right in between the two rivers- The Sihl and Limmat rivers. The highlights of the park are the Gazebo (Originally built to be a musical pavilion) and also the Swiss National Museum.

Opening Hours
Open on all days and hours with limited access at night.

Once an important feudal castle, Museum Schloss Kyburg is located on the banks of River Toss., The Schloss Kyburg is a museum that gives an idea of the lifestyle of the people in the ages of knights and maidens. Rather than having a hands-off attitude about the artifacts, everyone is encouraged to touch and take part in the activities. Sneak around the cellar, the torture chamber, bedrooms and even prisons. The village of Kyburg is also picturesque and is worth a walk or a hike. If you are travelling with children, the Museum Schloss Kyburg ought to be on your schedule. Apart from the entertainment value, it also holds an educational value and interesting insight.

Opening Hours:
March to October
All days of the week except Monday 10 AM – 5.30 PM

The city of Rapperswil-Jona aka the town of roses is situated to the south of Lake Zurich. It is a quaint historic town that has a 12th-century castle (that is now a Polish museum), a lakeside promenade and majestic castle grounds. The Rapperswil castle sits atop a hill and offers stunning views of the Lake Zurich and the town adjoining it. The castle is a short walk through old-Rapperswil which in itself is very educating and relaxing. The old part of the town maintains its medieval look and is vehicle-free owing to its historical status. Take a walking tour of the town, continue to the Polish Museum, and finish with a breathtaking view from the castle terrace.

Lake Zurich, on the banks of which Zurich is located, happens to be one of the most important transportation routes. That was in the past but currently, it is a famous recreational spot. You can see the locals sailing, boating and swimming all through the year. The banks of Lake Zurich is a famous picnic spot. Lake Zurich has 4 islands of which “Lützelau and Ufenau” island is famous for its St. Peter and Paul Parish Church. “Staffa” Island is also sought out since it is just a short footbridge away. If you are visiting in Summer, you might want to check out the Seeüberquerung festival where tens of thousands of people swim from Wollishofen to Tiefenbrunnen.

Opening Hours:
Open at all hours and all the days of the week.

If not just for the places, Zurich’s festivals are an excellent reason to visit the city. The locals definitely know how to enjoy every season.

Switzerland has a very active music scene. That is proved by the multiple music festivals that happen all over the country. In Zurich, however, the most famous is the Street Parade when the Trance, Techno, Electronic and House music fans come from all over the world to dance in the streets of Zurich. Many clubs around the city have after-parties particularly the Roten Fabrik which conducts the Lethargy Event.

Next Street Parade: August 8, 2020.

Zug has the privilege of conducting the largest sporting event in Switzerland which is the Federal Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival. The event is also referred to as “Eidgenössische” and features Switzerland’s national sport, the Swiss Wrestling. The wrestlers referred to as the “Wicked Ones” fight for the title of “Schwingerkönig”. Of course, it also includes music and dancing.

Next Federal Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival: August 23 – 25, 2019.

SlowUp Zürichsee allows the visitors and the residents of Zurich and the other lakeside villages to enjoy the lakeside either on foot, bikes or skates. This festival happens on a 30 km route from Meilen to Rapperswil-Jona and finally into Schmerikon. Along the towns, there would be food and other attractions for the participants.

Next SlowUp Zürichsee: September 22, 2019.

The Theater Spektakel happens every year on the shores of Lake Zurich. The Landiwiese park is home to the Spektakel and provides an amazing backdrop for all the performances. Including the open-air stage directly on the lake, there are six stages for the performers. And of course, the Spektakel also includes food stalls and bars.

Next Zürcher Theater Spektakel - August 15 - September 1, 2019.

Zürcher Silvesterlauf literally translates to New Year's Eve Run. Every year participants of all ages run through the city center. The distances vary from 1 mile to 6 miles. This grand race has established itself to be one of the most sought out sporting events in Zurich. The athletes are also encouraged by friends and family lined along the festive lit streets.

Next Zürcher Silvesterlauf - December 15, 2019.

Every city has a distinct facet that only the locals know of. Enjoy this face of Zurich like a local and visit the following establishments for once in a lifetime experience.