Luxurious One Day in Zurich Itinerary And Tips

If you’re looking for a city that has it all, look no further than Zurich. This beautiful city is home to a fascinating blend of cultures and traditions, and there’s always something new to see and do. Whether you’re interested in history, art, dining or nightlife, Zurich has something for everyone. Here is a snapshot of what you can experience during one day in Zurich.

One Day in Zurich, Switzerland

The largest city in Switzerland, Zurich is nevertheless fairly compact and has a great transport network. Although Bern is the capital of the country, Zurich is considered as the financial capital of Switzerland.

This cosmopolitan city is filled with charming neighborhoods and interesting historical landmarks. There are plenty of things to do in Zurich in one day.

But whether you’re spending one day in Zurich or longer, be sure to make the most of your time! Here are some highlights worth checking out.

Zurich also boasts a medieval Old Town that spans both sides of the river Limmat as well as the hip Zurich West district.

1. Altstadt – Zurich Old Town

With just 1 day in Zurich, the Altstadt, as the old town is known, should be your first port of call. Many of the main attractions of Zurich are located in the narrow streets here.

You could take a walking tour to explore Zurich or simply follow our suggestions below. Start in the Lindenhof quarter in District 1, where you’ll find Münsterhof.

It’s the largest square in the old town and has a contemporary fountain as well as some very attractive medieval buildings housing boutiques and restaurants.

When we visited, there was a spectacular temporary artwork suspended over the square,”Black and White Circles in the Sky”, by Swiss artist Claudia Comte. As this square is pedestrianized, you can always get good photos here.

On the side of the square you’ll find Fraumünster Church, famous for its stained glass windows created by Chagall and Giacometti. The entrance to the church is a short walk round the corner on Stadthausquai.

You can’t take photos of the interior, but it’s definitely worth a look at these colourful masterpieces. Construction of Münsterbrücke, the bridge that connects Münsterhof to Limmatquai, began in 1835.

This cobbled bridge is still in constant use today and there is a great view of the city and the river from here.

A couple of streets away in the heart of the old town on Paradeplatz, there’s the 15th century Zeugskeller. Built as an arsenal, this is now a vibrant and casual restaurant. It’s one of our favourite places to eat in Zurich.

Also on Paradeplatz, there’s Confiserie Sprüngli, which dates from 1836. This is one of the top chocolatiers in the world, and is also renowned for its Luxemburgerli macarons.

A few minutes walk from here on Schlüsselgasse, you’ll discover Max Chocolatier,  one of the best chocolate shops in Zurich. Their hand-made chocolates use natural ingredients and the flavours vary depending on the seasons.

The cobbled street on which its located reminds us of Montparnasse in Paris.

Lindenhof Hill

Head up past St Peter church and you’ll come to Lindenhof, one of the most famous Zurich attractions. This historical hilltop square was a Celtic and Gallo-Roman settlement and is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

The Hedwig fountain dates from 1688 and commemorates the actions of the women of Zurich who defended their town in 1292. From Lindenhof there’s a panoramic view over Zurich.

A few minutes from Lindenhof, there’s a great place to eat on Rennweg, Boucherie AuGust. They specialize in meat dishes but have a good selection for non-meat eaters too.

Head back down via Schlüsselgasse and you’ll come to a narrow stairway, Thermengasse. It takes its name from the Roman baths discovered in 1983, the remains of which can be seen through a metal grating under your feet.

You’ll arrive on Storchengasse, an attractive pedestrianized street with cobbled stones and colourful flags decorating the luxurious shop facades dating from the Middle Ages. There’s a branch of another well-known Swiss chocolate shop here, Teuscher.

The five star Hotel Storchen is at the end of the street. It’s a lovely place to stay, with great views over the river and 66 stylish rooms and suites as well as a newly redecorated bar where you can get a coffee with a photo of your face on it!

Cross over the river at Weinplatz via Gmüesbrugg bridge to explore the rest of Zurich old town. Most of this historic area is pedestrianized and it’s a pleasure to wander around.

You’ll spot decorative enclosed balconies, wall frescoes and buildings adorned with flowers. Grossmünster is a Protestant church with twin towers that’s one of the most famous Zurich landmarks.

The Romanesque style building has beautiful stained glass windows by Augusto Giacometti and Sigmar Polke. 

Another must-see if you’re visiting Zurich in a day is Cabaret Voltaire on Spiegelgasse. This colorful building was the birthplace of the Dadaism anarchic art movement in 1916. It is still open to the public, as an exhibition space and bar.

Nearby on Napfgasse, Cafe Schober is a historic coffee shop which has some delicious cakes and sweet treats. There’s a lovely terrace and the interior is decorated in Baroque style.

Also on Napfgasse, the My Muesli store is actually part of a Swedish chain but they have muesli boxes decorated with a Zurich photo that would make a great souvenir or gift.

If you’re looking for somewhere stylish to eat on this side of the river, Kronenhalle on Rämistrasse is an excellent choice. It’s famous for its art collection, with paintings by Picasso, Chagall, Matisse as well as its delicious Swiss cuisine. 

2. Lake Zurich

While you’re walking around Zurich city center, you’re likely to come to Lake Zurich. Also known as Zurichsee, this is a popular destination for picnicking and watersports. It’s within easy walking distance of Zurich Old Town. 

You have a nice view of the lake from Bürkliplatz, which is also a departure point for Zurich river cruises. There’s a flea market on the square every Saturday and a lovely river view from Bürkliterrasse. 

Be sure to try fischknusperli, fried fish in batter from Lake Zurich at one of the local restaurants.

3. Bahnhofstrasse

The main shopping street in Zurich is Bahnhofstrasse. The word bahnhof means railway station and this street starts at Zurich train station.

Zurich Main Station is impressive in its own right. Built in 1871, the vast building contains a 36 feet suspended guardian angel sculpture by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle.

Shopping in Zurich is a luxurious affair, and there are many upmarket boutiques on Bahnhofstrasse. MANOR is a popular department store on Bahnhofstrasse, and Jelmoli department store is a few minutes away at Seidengasse 1. 

Grieder is a luxury Zurich department store, in a six storey Gothic Revival building dating from 1913. Designed by Otto Münch, the building is also known as Peterhof.

4. Swiss National Museum

Five minutes walk from Zurich railway station, you’ll find Museumstrasse. The National Museum Zurich, also known as Landesmuseum is located here. 

This extraordinary museum looks like a castle and was built in 1898. There’s a fascinating History of Switzerland exhibition, as well as a permanent display, Simply Zurich.

The museum is a popular thing to do with kids in Zurich as well as on rainy days.

5. Zurich-West

If visiting Zurich in one day, you also want to get a taste of the city’s contemporary side. After lunch, head to Zurich-West. One of the best places in Zurich for nightlife, this is a trendy area with lots of cool bars and shops.

Frau Gerolds Garten is an oasis of greenery on Geroldstrasse. This casual eatery also holds events and is open until midnight in Summer. However, this hipster paradise is also popular in Winter for its delicious cheese fondue.

Don’t miss the colorful Gerold Cuchi umbrellas, in the alleyway just off Geroldstrasse. This colorful place is a very popular Zurich Instagram spot!

One of the most fun things to do in Zurich is to try out Citywave^®, an urban surf experience tucked away on Geroldstrasse and open in Summertime. Whether you’re a surfer or not, it’s a fun place to grab a drink and watch the action.

At the end of Geroldstrasse you’ll find Im Viadukt on Viaduktstrasse. These former railway arches were built in 1894 and have been given a new lease of life with fashionable boutiques, delicatessens and a Market Hall gathering 20 local food vendors.

10 minutes walk from here, you’ll come to Schiffbau on Schiffbaustrasse. This former ship-building factory has been converted into a cultural centre where the Zurich Schauspielhaus theatre company holds performances on three stages.

There’s also an upmarket restaurant, LaSalle, Moods Jazz Club, and NietturmBar.

6. Adliswil-Felsenegg Cable Car

Another fun thing to do in Zurich is to head up to the mountains via the cable car. It will take you up to the Felsenegg vantage point where there are panoramic views of Lake Zurich and the Swiss Alps.

For this day trip from Zurich, simply take the S4 train from Zurich’s main train station and get off at Adliswil. From here, it’s a 10 minute walk uphill before you reach Talstation (LAF) Adliswil Felsenegg.

7. Zurich Opera House

Located on Sechseläutenplatz, this Neo-Rococo style building was the first permanent theatre in Zurich. Opened in 1891 on the site of the previous building that burnt down, the auditorium seats 1,200 people.

The first opera house in Europe to benefit from electrical lighting, it also houses the Zurich Ballet and the Bernhard-Theater Zürich.

8. Rhine Falls

Around 45 minutes from the centre of Zurich, Rhine Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. At 150 meters wide and 23 meters tall, this is the biggest waterfall in Europe and the most powerful.

At night time, Rhine Falls is illuminated so it’s worth hanging around to see that and extending your trip from one day in Zurich to several nights if you can. This is definitely one of the best day trips from Zurich.

How to Get to Zurich

There are regular flights from most international airports to Zurich airport. We travelled with Swiss from London City airport and the journey took only 1 hour and 45 minutes.

From the airport it’s only 10 minutes from the main train station or 15 minutes by taxi. The best way to get around Zurich is on foot or by public transportation.

The Zurich Card is available for periods of 24 or 72 hours and gives you unlimited second class travel by bus, tram, boat, train and cable car in the city of Zurich and the surrounding area. You also get free or reduced admission to 43 museums, short boat trips and a Limmat river cruise.

If you want to combine a trip to Zurich with a visit to the Bernese Oberland, it’s around 1 hour and 45 minutes drive via the A8. There aren’t direct trains.

As you can see, there’s a lot to fit in with just one day in Zurich, so why not spend longer there? Another great place to visit is Thermalbad, a luxurious spa in a former brewery with a rooftop pool and fantastic views over the city.

Best Eats in Zurich

Here are some recommendations for the best places to eat in Zurich:

• Zeughauskeller – This historic beer hall near the main train station has been around since the 1400s. They serve traditional Swiss food like cheese fondue, raclette, rosti (hashbrowns), and sausages. It has a very authentic, old-world atmosphere.
• Kronenhalle – Considered one of the best restaurants in Zurich, Kronenhalle has elegant fine dining in an iconic setting with original Picasso paintings on the wall. The Swiss cuisine incorporates French influences. Great for a special night out.
• Hiltl – This all-vegetarian buffet is a Zurich institution. With a huge selection of meatless dishes from around the world, it’s very popular. Excellent for vegetarians or anyone looking for a healthy, low-cost meal.
• Sprüngli – This upscale cafe is famous for its decadent hot chocolate and macaroons. Luxury pastries, chocolates, cakes and more. A sweet treat!

We’d recommend making reservations for some of the finer dining restaurants.

And if you happen to visit the city in September, then the Zurich Street Food Festival is a must. During this week-long celebration of all things foodie, there are events throughout the city and a huge selection of different cuisines of the world. Check out our Zurich food guide for more information.

Where to Stay in Zurich

• A great mid-range option is 25 Hours Langstrasse. Popular with locals for its lively bar, this 4 star Zurich hotel has lots of modern art and design touches. Nearby you’ll find MAME, one of the best coffee shops in Zurich.
• Near Zurich airport, Kameha Grand Zurich is a fun option. This quirky Zurich hotel is just 5 minutes drive or 11 minutes by tram from the airport.
• In Zurich city centre, we recommend Hotel Storchen. This luxurious 5 star hotel has a great location on Weinplatz overlooking the Limmat river.

In Conclusion: One Day in Zurich Itinerary

If you’re looking for a European city break that offers something a little different, Zurich should be at the top of your list. With its charming old-world feel and abundance of top attractions, there’s plenty to see and do in this Swiss city.

We hope our Zurich in 1 day itinerary has given you some ideas on the best spots and how to make the most of your time here. Check out our travel guide to 24 hours in Zurich for more suggestions.

Have you ever been to Zurich and if so what were your highlights?

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