10 Things to Do in Zurich (Even If You Only Have One Day)
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, but it’s surprisingly walkable, making it perfect for a short visit. Whether you’re stopping over on your way to the Alps or squeezing in a city day before heading home, there’s plenty you can experience in just a few hours. From historic neighborhoods to lakeside views and a taste of Swiss chocolate, this list covers 10 things to do in Zurich — even if you’ve only got one day.
You don’t need a rigid schedule to enjoy the city — think of this as a menu of ideas you can mix and match depending on your interests and the weather (which may not be ideal!).
1. Stroll through the Old Town (Altstadt)
Zurich’s Altstadt is a maze of cobblestone alleys, medieval buildings, and quiet corners. Highlights include Grossmünster, Fraumünster, and St. Peter’s Church, which has the second largest church clock face in Europe.
2. Climb to Lindenhof Hill
This peaceful spot offers panoramic views of the city’s rooftops and the Limmat River. It’s a great place to start or end your walk through the Old Town.
3. Walk along Bahnhofstrasse
One of the world’s most famous shopping streets — even if you’re not buying anything, it’s fun to window shop in the very expensive stores. The shops get progressively more expensive the closer you get to the lake.
4. Visit Kunsthaus Zurich
If the weather turns bad, Kunsthaus is a world-class art museum with a strong focus on Swiss artists like Giacometti and Hodler, alongside international names.
5. Try Swiss chocolate at Confiserie Sprüngli
This iconic confectioner is famous for its Luxemburgerli macarons and chocolate truffles. The café on Paradeplatz is a nice stop for a break if you want to tae in the luxury the city has to offer.
6. Walk or take a boat along Lake Zurich
If the sun is out, this is the place to be. The promenade along Bürkliplatz is great for a scenic walk, or you can take a short lake cruise for a different perspective.
7. Explore Zürich West
A former industrial zone turned creative hub, Zürich West is full of trendy restaurants, design shops, and urban art. The Viadukt -an arch with shops and restaurants below- is especially worth a visit.
8. Visit the Swiss National Museum
Located in a fairy-tale building next to the main station, this museum gives a compact but rich overview of Swiss history and culture.
9. Ride the Polybahn funicular
This short red funicular takes you up to the ETH Zurich terrace for one of the best free views of the city.
10. Enjoy the views from Uetliberg
If you still haven’t had enough of views, you can take the train (or hike) up Uetliberg. On the top, you can enjoy a warm meal in the restaurant, look at Zürich from the very top, or even hike the Planetenweg, a path with the Solar system planets represented at scale.
Do you have some extra days?
Those were 10 things you can do in one day in Zurich. However, if you have more time, check out this hike to Chäserrugg in Switzerland to enjoy the mountains less than 2 h away from Zürich!