Things to do in Zurich in one day
Thanks to this article, you’ll discover the best of Zurich in just one day. Your tour will take you to iconic spots like the Niederdorf district, the Grossmünster Church, and Bahnhofstrasse. Let’s get started!
🛏️ If you don’t have a place to stay in the city yet, I recommend the 25hours Hotel Langstrasse, located a 10-minute walk from the historic center. I stayed here on my last trip to the city and liked it very much. It is also very close to the train station.
1. Stroll through Niederdorf, part of Zurich’s old town
The first thing you should do on your visit to Zurich is to get lost in the streets of the historic center, known as Altstadt.
I recommend starting with the Niederdorf district, located east of the Limago River, which divides the city into two parts. In this area full of pedestrian streets, you will find numerous bars, restaurants, and stores, as well as a lot of corners full of history and charm.
Among the most attractive places in the neighborhood is the Cabaret Voltaire, a century-old tavern where painters, musicians, dancers, and authors used to meet. This is where Dadaism was born. There is a bar-cafeteria inside, so it can be a great place to have the first coffee of the day.
Then you can go to the other side of the Limago River and continue your walk through the Lindenhof district.
2. Grossmünster Church, a must if you spend one day in Zurich
Very close to the Niederdorf district, we find the main church of Zurich: Grossmünster.
The origins of this building date back to 1100. Since then, it has been renovated and refurbished several times. The church is in Romanesque style with Gothic elements and is especially notable for its twin bell towers, which were built between 1487 and 1492.
It is possible to visit the very top of the church for 5 CHF ($5.68).
🚆 If you’re traveling around Switzerland by public transport, getting the Swiss Travel Pass will likely be a cost-effective option. With this pass, you can enjoy unlimited use of trains, buses, and other transportation. You can get your STP here. Additionally, you’ll have free access to a wide range of museums and discounts on mountain day tours, such as Top of Europe.
3. Kunsthaus Zürich, one of the best museums in all of Switzerland
If you want to add a visit to a museum during your time in Zurich, Kunsthaus should be the one. It is one of the best art museums in Europe. It has a large collection of works by various artists, including Charles Munch, van Gogh, Beckmann, Alberto Giacometti, Chagall, Picasso and Monet. Likewise, numerous temporary exhibitions are held.
If you are interested in visiting the museum, I recommend that you see more information about it on the Kunsthaus Zürich website.
4. Walk along the lake until you get to the Zurich Opera
After visiting the Grossmünster Church ands the Kunsthaus museum, continue along the river and lake until you reach the Sechseläuten Square. It is one of the most beautiful and popular squares in the city. It occupies a total of 16,000 m² and has numerous benches and trees. During Christmas, a Christmas market is held here.
Zurich Opera is located in the square, which occupies a neoclassical building. Despite being one of the smallest opera houses in Europe, it has one of the largest cultural programmes.
🚗 Need a car for your trip to Switzerland? I recommend comparing prices on Auto Europe and Discover Cars, two great websites to help you find the best deal.
5. Fraumünster Church
It is time to cross the river to start the visit to the Lindenhof district, also belonging to the old town of Zurich, Switzerland.
We begin the tour of this part of the city with the Fraumünster Church, another of the main churches of Zurich. Its location on the banks of the Limago River and next to the Munster Bridge gives a special beauty to the place. The church has its origins in the 9th century, when it opened its doors as an abbey for women of the European aristocracy.
The building stands out especially for the set of five stained glass windows of intense colors created by Marc Chagall. Also noteworthy are the frescoes by Paul Bodmer that decorate the cloister and the 5,793-pipe organ, the largest in the canton of Zurich.
6. Church of St. Peter
Another very interesting place to see in Zurich in one day is St. Peter’s Church. Along with Grossmünster and Fraumünster, it is one of the most important churches in the city. It is also the oldest parish church in Zurich.
A curiosity of this place is that its bell tower has the largest clock faces in Europe, which it acquired in 1538.
🏥 It is recommended to purchase travel insurance for Switzerland, since it is a very expensive destination and you never know what can happen. I always use and recommend Heymondo travel insurance, in which I can offer you a 5% discount on your next travel insurance policy.
7. Lindenhof Hill, places to visit if you’re spending one day in Zurich
From St. Peter’s Church, it will only take you three minutes on foot to reach the next stop, which will become one of your favorite places in Zurich. I’m talking about Lindenhof Hill, a small esplanade located on top of a hill. This place has very good views of the old town and other parts of the city, such as the University of Zurich.
This small but cozy space has several benches and trees that provide some shade, which you will appreciate if you visit the city during the summer. It is the perfect place to take a break or to have a small picnic. Switzerland is a very expensive country and sometimes eating fast food on the street is very convenient. Specially with these views!
8. Stroll through Bahnhofstrasse street
Shopping in Zurich? Even if it isn’t part of your plans, a walk along Bahnhofstrasse, the main shopping street in Zurich, cannot be missing in your itinerary. This street runs from Zurich Central Station to Bürkliplatz Square, next to Zurich Lake.
In it you will find a large number of boutiques and luxury brand stores, as well as cafes, restaurants and art galleries. Even if you don’t intend to buy anything, I’m sure you’ll still enjoy strolling through this street.
A street called Augustinergasse branches out from this avenue. Do not miss it!
9. Zurich National Museum
If you like to visit museums, you can take a look at the Zurich National Museum, which explains the history of Switzerland, from the origin of the country to the present. It does so through the exhibitions “Swiss Archaeology”, “Swiss History” and “Gallery Collections”.
There are also temporary exhibitions on various current issues. The museum is located in a historic building from 1898.
General admission costs €10.
10. Visit the Langstrasse nieghborhood
To conclude your visit to Zurich in the best possible way, I recommend taking a walk through Langstrasse, the fashionable neighborhood. It has a very youthful vibe and in it you will find one of the best nightlife in the city. Bars, clubs, restaurants… Langstrasse has everything to have a good time.
Other places to visit in Zurich
If you have more time in the city, there are other interesting places to see in Zurich. Here are some of the places you can add to your Zurich itinerary:
- Lindt Home of Chocolate. Located on the outskirts of the city, this is Switzerland’s largest museum dedicated to chocolate. You’ll be amazed by its massive chocolate fountain. The museum is part of the renowned Lindt & Sprüngli company.
- Frau Gerolds Garten. Once an industrial space, this outdoor area has been transformed into a vibrant garden with terraces, food stalls, and small shops.
- Polyterrasse. A terrace just outside Zurich’s historic center, offering stunning views of the city.
- Rietberg Museum. This art museum features an impressive collection of works from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. It is set in Rieter Park, a beautiful place for a stroll.
- Zurich Chinese Garden. Situated on the shores of the lake, this tranquil Chinese garden is perfect for a peaceful walk.
- Adliswil-Felsenegg Cable Car. In just five minutes, ascend about 800 meters to take in breathtaking views. At the top, you’ll find a restaurant and several scenic hiking trails.
Another enjoyable activity to do in Zurich is to take a ride on the lake. The public company that carries out these cruises is Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft. You can find cruises of a minimum duration of one hour.
🎟️ If you want to explore Zurich with a tour that includes the historic center, a boat ride on Lake Zurich, and a trip up to Felsenegg, check out this guided city tour, which covers all these attractions.
Where to stay in Zurich
Now that you have decided to visit this city, you may be wondering which is the best area to stay in Zurich. The best place to stay is the historic center, since almost all the tourist attractions of the city are located here. If you want to find cheaper options without going too far from the center, another good alternative is to sleep in Langstrasse.
I stayed at the 25hours Hotel Zürich Langstrasse, located in the last neighborhood that I mentioned. The hotel is great, both the rooms and the common spaces are amazing. I also liked the breakfast. I highly recommend it!
If you prefer to stay in the historic center, check out the following hotels:
- StattHotel. Hotel located in the historic center with single rooms, double rooms, suites, and apartments. It has a bar.
- Hotel St. Josef. A 2-star hotel located in the center, near the station, with single, double, and triple rooms. Breakfast is served.
- Hotel Adler Zürich. A nicely decorated and located 2-star hotel. There are single, double, triple, and family rooms. Breakfast is served.
They are some of the best I have found in this area of town in terms of value for money.
Map of places to visit in Zurich in one day
In the following map of Zurich, you can see all the places mentioned in this article marked. Additionally, I have highlighted my recommended hotels in Zurich (Switzerland), each with a link to Booking for more details.
💳 If you need Swiss francs or want to pay by card, I recommend getting the N26 card. This free card allows you to withdraw cash from ATMs with very low fees.
I hope this article about what to see in Zurich in one day has been very useful for you to organize your trip to this beautiful Swiss city.
If you want to tell me about your experience or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or write me by email. Until next time travelers!
