Itineraries for Your Trip to Zurich
1 Day in Zurich for First Timers
I don’t remember my first visit to Zurich—or I was so young that most of those memories are murky. My parents have always had close friends living there, so we would often visit while living in Europe. But what I do remember distinctly from those early visits is the sound of church bells ringing out on a Sunday, a foreign sound for an Australian boy.
As a result, when I returned to Zurich as an adult to explore the city’s compact old town, wander its lakeshore, and battle with fondue, it felt like my first time there. Knowing some locals (those same friends) certainly made the visit easier, but sightseeing in Zurich is actually quite easy—especially if you have a plan. Here’s a 1-day itinerary to help you get the most out of a short visit.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a visit to the Lindenhof for its city views.
Zurich is not particularly close to the mountains, so it can get hot in the summer.
Zurich Old Town is home to many of the city’s highlights, making it the ideal place to start your day. Explore the historical center with a walking tour and you can see landmarks such as the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches and the Lindenhof terrace viewpoint while hearing stories and learning about the city’s history. Make sure you also take a stroll down by the riverfront, along the Limmatquai, for more classic views of Old Town.
Because Zurich is one of Switzerland’s financial hubs, it often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves as an important center of Swiss culture. Visitors interested in history and art should make a beeline to the National Museum Zurich (part of the Swiss National Museum) and Kunsthaus Zurich. Alternatively, dive into the local culture through your tastebuds: Zurich has a dizzying range of chocolate tours that explore the national fixation with cacao. Pick one, and you can learn about this history while sampling authentic Swiss chocolate for yourself.
Since Zurich is famously expensive, why not see how expensive things can get by starting your evening with a walk past the high-end retail stores of Bahnhofstrasse, the city’s primary destination for luxury goods? Visitors hoping for a special souvenir won’t have to look far for the big names in Swiss watches. Afterwards, sample some Swiss wine at one of the many bars in the Old Town area. You’ll also find a bevy of restaurants serving famous Swiss fondue, so that you can experience the real deal to end your trip.
