Zurich, Switzerland: Amazing Things to Do
Zurich is a magical and charming city on the banks of the Limmat River and Lake Zurich. The town has a backdrop of snow-covered mountains from the Swiss Alps filled with culture and history. Zurich is one of the most livable cities in Europe and is known as the financial capital of Switzerland.
While the city can be pricey, it's one of Europe's most amazing places to visit. It is famous for its luxurious lifestyle, delicious chocolates, and ideal city for exploring on foot. However, the views you can find in Zurich alone are worth the visit. From old colorful architecture all around to the gorgeous snow-capped mountains, it is no surprise that Zurich is a hotspot destination for all types of travelers.
We have created this guide to give you a little history along with ways to make the most of your visit, what to do and see, and the foods you should try.
History of Zurich
Due to the historical past of Zurich, it's no wonder that the city has a high reputation worldwide. The town dated back to 15 BC and was a place for overseeing the trading route through the Swiss Alps. Zurich had acquired status by the start of the 10th century and, in 1215, became a part of the Holy Roman Empire.
When the Swiss Protestant Reformation came to arise in the 16th century, the focus of worship shifted from not just religion but trade. Zurich became deeply involved and devoted to the trading world, enough to influence the power to levy taxes and land ownership. Switzerland managed to stay out of both World Wars and expanded rapidly during this time. With further expansion of city buildings, surrounding villages, and economic banking popularity, the city remains one of the wealthiest and happiest in the world.
What to do in Zurich
As a financial powerhouse and one of the most liveable cities in the world, Zurich has something for every type of traveler. Switzerland's largest city has many historical landmarks, breathtaking natural scenery, and beautiful sightseeing options.
Whether you want a peaceful and relaxing day of exploring or an exhilarating day of shopping, there is plenty to see and do. Since Zurich is a very walkable city with excellent public transportation, adventuring around is easy and stress-free.
While there is never enough time to see it all in one go around, there are some sights in Zurich that shouldn't be skipped over, such as:
Altstadt: Old Town
Zurich's Old Town of Altstadt is one of the most popular places to explore. The medieval streets represent the city's culture and are now known for shopping and nightlife. Altstadt has four medieval churches, a Townhall, and dozens of cafes, boutiques, union squares, and bars.
Paradeplatz
Once a livestock market, Paradelatz is now the banking headquarters of Zurich. Here you can find some of the most expensive properties and real estate in Switzerland, as well as the famous X-crossing for local trams.
Lake Zurich
The city of Zurich sits on the banks of Lake Zurich, making it one of the city's most famous natural sights. The best way to adore the lake and spend a peaceful afternoon is to stroll along the scenic promenade in the Seefeld quarter. The 3km promenade dates back to the 1800s, allowing pedestrians to watch yachts on the lake and adore the sight of Uetliberg.
Swiss National Museum
The Swiss National Museum of Zurich holds Switzerland's most extensive collection of historical artifacts. The museum is situated inside a palace dating back to 1898 and has many prehistoric weapons to items from the 20th century.
Uetliberg
Uetliberg is the perfect location for a birds-eye view of the city of Zurich. Catch the train to the summit of the southwest mountain and get lost in the city's snow-covered backdrop and beautiful layout.
Bahnhofstrasse
Bahnhofstrasse is a world-famous shopping street in Zurich. For 1.4 km, the road hosts many designer outlets and upscale boutiques. Perfect for an afternoon of shopping or window-shopping as well.
FIFA World Football Museum
FIFA is one of Europe's most beloved sports. The museum had over 1000 exhibits for sport-lovers to explore and items from the first FIFA World Cup in Uraguay back in 1930.
Money Museum
Zurich is well known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world and the financial hub of Europe. Therefore, the Money Museum is the perfect place to learn about the history of world currency. The museum is part of a private collection with multiple antique coins that are one of a kind.
Grossmunster
The two towers of Grossmunster are one of the city's most famous and prominent landmarks. The towers of the Romanesque church date back to the 12th century. The location was ground zero for the Swiss Reformation. Visitors can admire the buildings with stained glass windows, medieval architecture, and a museum about reformation events.
Travelers tip
Lindenhof Hill is the best location in the city for picturesque views of the Grossmunster towers. Prime photo opportunities are available on Lindenhof Hill. It is an ideal place to spend relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Neiderdorf
Located under the towers of Grossmunster is the neighborhood of Neiderdorf. The car-free region of the city is on the banks of the Limmat River. The area is a great place to wander through cobblestoned streets to dash in and out of shops and boutiques. At nighttime, the city comes alive and is the perfect spot to indulge in food and wine.
Matterhorn
Last but not least, Matterhorn Mountain is one of the main attractions in all of Switzerland. A trip to Zurich is never complete without visiting the famous Matterhorn Mountain. The Matterhorn is the most famous mountain in the Swiss Alps and is known for living up to its reputation well. Enjoy a train ride to Gornergrat for magnificent views of the Swiss Alps.
Foods to Try in Zurich
Switzerland has always been well known for producing mouth-watering chocolates and cheeses. And while these cuisine options definitely shouldn't be missed, there are various other foods you should try in Zurich. While Zurich is Swiss, its location gives it small friendly touches to other countries, like France, Germany, and Austria, especially regarding food. Here are some of the foods all travelers should try at least once while visiting Zurich:
Fondue
A trip to Zurich isn't complete without tasting the country's cheese selection, most importantly, fondue. The fondue selections in Zurich are noteworthy for a visit to the city. However, remember that the choice is much more extensive in the colder months.
Wine
Often overshadowed by its Western neighbor France, the local wine in Switzerland is famous throughout the country, especially in Zurich. Roses and White wines such as Chasselas are the perfect matches to pair with any dish at any time of the day.
Chocolate Truffles
Teuscher is a famous upscale chocolate brand originating from the city of Zurich. While there are other Teuscher stores worldwide, the home store is well known for going above and beyond decorating its chocolates. So be sure to try the Chocolate Champagne Truffles in the freshest form possible.
Geschnetzeltes
This dish has become part of the city's identity over the last few decades. You can easily find it in most local and upscale restaurants. Geschnetzeltes is a mixture of stroganoff and veal marsala, consisting of pieces of sweetbreads and kidney veal smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce.
Bircher muesli
Muesli is a popular breakfast food throughout Europe, but its origin comes directly from Zurich. Developed for medicinal purposes, the mixture of oats, fruit, and nuts has become a well-known sterile dish you can eat throughout the day.
As you can see, Zurich is a unique European place and a dream destination for adventure lovers. We hope this guide inspires you to take a trip to enjoy the city just like many others have and will for years to come.