What to see in Zurich in One Day with Family
Zurich is world famous for its quality of life. It consistently ranks as one of the most livable cities in the world, thanks to its excellent public transportation and abundant green spaces. Zurich is also known to rank well for its banking standards, as one of the world’s most important financial centres. If you are planning to visit Zurich like me, you will hit the wall – What to See in Zurich in One day? Worry not, here are reasons to spend at least one day in Zurich with family.
Reasons for Visiting Zurich Switzerland
As a tourist, I liked Zurich for the unique combination of natural beauty with history and architecture. Zurich is located in a picturesque setting surrounded by mountains and Lake Zurich. Locals and tourists love it for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and boating.
Limmat River Zurich
Though modernism has crept in, Zurich’s art and culture is vibrant and well preserved in its museums and galleries. Zürich is well known for its shopping scene too, but one has to have deep pockets for that.
Zurich is worth visiting for its diverse food and drink scene. There are many traditional Swiss restaurants and cafes as well as international cuisine options. I particularly liked the local specialties of Zürich such as cheese fondue, raclette, and Swiss chocolate.
But the one factor that tops all the above reasons to visit Zürich Switzerland is the safety and convenience of travel. The city’s infrastructure and amenities, its clean and well-maintained streets and public spaces make it easy for Zurich tourists to navigate and enjoy their stay.
Art and architecture in Zurich
How many days to spend in Zürich
Once you know the amazing wonders a place holds it becomes difficult to decide how many days would do justice to it. We had the same dilemma while planning Zurich itinerary during our Europe road trip of six countries, a road trip through Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic.
Finally we planned a 4D/5N stay in Zürich; the ulterior motive was to tour different tourist attractions of Switzerland with Zürich as base.
Can you believe we could keep aside only 1 day in Zurich itinerary, total injustice isn’t it?! Other days were planned for one day trips from Zurich to other tourist destinations of Switzerland. More about that in another blog post.
If you too are in a tight situation like me, pondering over what to do in Zurich in one day, worry not! Read on to know what to see in Zurich in one day.
Swiss cow in Zürich old town
Places to Visit in Zurich in 1 Day
On the first day of our Europe tour we drove into Switzerland from Frankfurt, Germany. Before we reached Zürich, on the way, we halted in Basel for a half day tour of Basel old town.
The next day we chalked out the plan for the best places to visit in Zürich in one day. I realised 2 days would be perfect to explore all the interesting activities and beautiful sights Zürich as a tourist. But I was short of time – it would require leisure travel.
GUARDIAN ANGEL IN HAUPTBAHNBOF
We started off from Zurich’s main rail station, where we were greeted with the sight of French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculpture. A gigantic “Nana” in the shape of a guardian angel watches over travelers as they pass through the main concourse at Zürich Main Station.
French American artist Niki-de-Saint Phalle sculpture in Zurich
WANDER THE OLD TOWN (ALTSTADT)
Keeping the glitz and glamour of Zürich aside we decided to head to Zürich old town, Altstadt, first. It is the historic city center of Zürich. Be warned that this covers a huge area and it can take hours to wander through the lovely old lanes especially with kids who want to stop at every ice cream shop.
But this tour helps cover the interesting sights of Zürich. We came across many quirky statues and at one point a Swiss Cow, this one is of plastic, seemed to jump over us from a balcony. This really thrilled my daughters (and me too 😉 )
Münsterhof in Altstadt is the largest square in the old town and has an attractive fountain, medieval buildings, boutiques and restaurants.
Zurich old town Altstadt
LIMMAT RIVER
The Limmat River flowing through the heart of the city is a sight to behold! We got some great views from the bridges. This river divides the old town into two sections. We ended up walking through a series of bridges that crisscross back and forth as we explored Zürich in one day. One of them is the Muhlesteg Bridge. Like in Venice, this is Zurich’s Love Lock Bridge.
LAKE ZURICH
Zurichsee, local name of Lake Zürich, is a popular destination for picnicking and water sports. It’s within easy walking distance of Zürich Old Town. We spent time on the shores of Zurich Lake. If you have time enough, take a boat ride to the picturesque town of Rapperswil. Treat yourself to a fantastic view of the mountains as you head down the lake.
Boating in Zurich
GROSSMUNSTER
Many religious structures outline Zürich City which is predominantly Protestant, German speaking canton. Among them the most recognized landmark of Zürich is the twin towers of Grossmunster. Situated on the banks of River Limmat, the church is believed to have been built over the graves of Felix and Regula.
Felix and Regula were siblings who belonged to Theban legion. They were chased from their home grounds. The fleeing siblings reached Zürich where they were overpowered, tried and finally executed. The legend is that the siblings stood up on their feet, carried their heads, walked up the hill, prayed and finally dropped down, dead. The foundations of this church are at the spot where the twins have been buried.
The exteriors are quite plain with white and grey stone. After I became aware of this legend, it seemed to me as if the whole church is enveloped in a Godly aura. If you have time enough climb the 187 stairs to
the top of the tower for gorgeous views of the Alps at a distance and the Lake Zurich, sadly I missed this.
Grossmunster Zurich
FRAUMUNSTER CHURCH ZURICH
The slender blue spire of the Fraumunster Church is sure to catch your attention, as it dominates the Zurich skyline. Fraumnster is also an important Zürich church. You can visit the crypt museum inside. Take time to admire the stained glass windows that were designed by Marc Chagall in 1970. This is located at a three minute walk from Grossmunster. (No photography allowed inside.)
Animal Themed Sculptures in Zurich
I spy a deer… I spy a stork… Our game of hunting down animal sculptures continued in Zurich too like in Basel.
I spy animals Zurich
A deer sitting proudly on the facade of Zunfthaus zur Haue tại Limmatquai.
I was equally impressed with the huge clocks that adorned several facades there.
Clocks Spotted during self guided walking tour of Zurich
Museums of Zurich
Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich)
The Kunsthaus Zürich has beautiful varied collection of paintings by artists like Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, La Trec etc. The museum is housed in two buildings, Moser Bau and Chipperfield Bau, which are connected by an underground tunnel
Tour time: 1 to 2 hours
Tickets and timings: Open 10 AM to 6 PM. It is free on Wednesday (except exhibitions).
Adults – 23 CHF, Reduced price – 18 CHF.
Zoological Museum
An interesting museum that has exhibits number of stuffed animals and birds and skeletons of different animals and fossils. Visit suits for all ages. A stuffed dinosaur and unicorn there is amazing. Kids enjoy viewing through the microscope.
Not very large and the entrance is free. There is a gift shop you may find it hard not to shop. The zoological museum is easily accessible by tram.
Tour time: 1 hour
FIFA Museum
This info is for football fans. FIFA Museum opened on 28 February 2016. You get all information related to – how world football’s governing body has developed association football globally – the untiring efforts that went into making football the undisputed number one sport in the world – and in the process uniting nations and bringing continents together. FIFA World Cup Gallery in the FIFA Museum is hardly crowd free.
Modern museum featuring 1,000+ exhibits on football, with a sports bar, eateries & a library. – Google
Tickets and Timings: Tickets can be bought at the museum and online. Adults – 24 CHF, Children 7 to 15 – CHF 14 and free for children between 0 to 6 years.
Open from 10 AM to 6 PM. Closed on Mondays.
Lindt Home of Chocolate
This is located 7 km from Grossmunster Zurich. Highlights are biggest Lindt Chocolate Shop (500 sqm) and the spectacular Lindt chocolate fountain. There are Chocolate courses in which you can try out your own chocolate creations with a Lindt Master Chocolatier.
Tickets and Timings: Tickets start at 15 CHF for adults, 10 CHF for children (8 – 15 years) 0 CHF for children (0 to 7 years)
Open on all days from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Have a Fondue Dinner
One of the most interesting things to do in Zurich is having a fondue dinner. Traditional dish, Swiss cheese fondue, is served in several restaurants in Zürich.
Fondue Dinner
2 Day Zurich Itinerary
There are more places to see in Zurich if you plan to stay for 2 days. Include the following places in addition to the one day itinerary in Zurich that I shared
UETLIBERG MOUNTAIN
BAHNHOFSTRASSE – most expensive shopping streets in the world
LINDENHOF HILL – good spot for picnic, in your second day of 2 days itinerary in Zurich Switzerland.
Mid Budget Travel Options in Zurich
Like I mentioned before, Zürich is an expensive city. Here are some mid-budget options that can be helpful for a Zurich tourist who is a budget traveler.
Stay in a budget-friendly hotels in Zurich – Some affordable accommodation options in the city are hostels, guesthouses or budget hotels. Try these: Hotel St. Georges, EasyHotel Zurich, and Langstars Backpackers.
Free attractions in Zurich – Plan your itinerary around the free sights of Zürich like museums, parks, and historical sites. Some free tourist attractions for one day in Zurich itinerary are Lindenhof Hill, the Grossmünster Church, and the Swiss National Museum.
Places to eat in Zurich – Eating at local food markets; this can be a great alternate option to expensive restaurants. You get to taste local flavors of Zurich and not dent your pocket at the same time. Some local food markets of Zurich where you can find affordable and delicious meals are the Viadukt Market and the Helvetia Platz Market. These are perfect for budget travelers to Zürich.
Explore the city on foot or bike or public transport – Zurich is a walkable city so consider exploring it on foot. If you are a solo traveler to Zürich and walking doesn’t suit you, rent a bike. If you are travelling with your family like me, public transport would be the best option. Purchase a Zurich day pass / Zurich Card and avail the unlimited 2nd class travel by tram, bus, train, boat and cable car throughout the city of Zurich and its surrounding areas. You get free or reduced admission to the majority of Zurich’s museums, and discounts in various local stores.
Plan your trip during the off-season – Zürich can be expensive during peak tourist season. Spring and autumn are great times to visit as the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. We visited late April.
Flowers in Zürich Switzerland
History of Zurich
The area around Zurich has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic era. In the Roman era, Zurich was known as Turicum. In the Middle Ages, Zürich developed as a center of trade. During the 18th and 19th centuries too, Zurich continued to grow as a center of trade, finance, and industry.
With such a rich history of trade and commerce it is no surprise that Zürich continues to be an important center of finance, technology, and industry in the world.
During our self guided walking tour of Zürich we came across the statue of Hans Waldmann that stands on the Münsterbrücke Bridge between the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches. Hans Waldmann, a military leader who achieved great fame when he and the Swiss Confederates defeated Charles the Bold in the Burgundian Wars in 1476.
Statue of Hans Waldmann in Zurich made by Hermann Haller
About Zürich
Largest city of Switzerland, yet not the capital of Switzerland
Zürich is a very expensive city. Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 37% more expensive than in Paris (France).
Zürich is a walkable city with its broad strolling lanes and pedestrian-only bridges. Self-guided Zurich walking tour is possible. We did it.
Currency – Euro is also accepted in many of Zurich’s stores and restaurants but better to deal in CHF. CHF to INR Convert
How to reach Zurich
Zurich, a well-connected city, is located in the north-central part of the country and can be reached by various means of transportation. Choose one of these ways to reach Zürich:
By Plane: fly in to the Zürich international airport (ZRH), the largest airport in Switzerland. It is well-connected with major cities around the world and other parts of Switzerland. Take the train, tram, or bus from airport to reach the city center.
By Train: Zurich is well connected to several major cities in Europe through its railway network. The city has a number of railway stations, the main one being the Zürich Hauptbahnhof, which is located in the city center. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) operates trains to Zürich from other parts of Switzerland, as well as from neighboring countries.
By Car: Zurich is well-connected to other parts of Switzerland and Europe through its road network. We self drove to Zurich from Frankfurt Germany. The city is ideally located at the intersection of several major highways, that connect it to other major cities in Switzerland and Europe.
By Bus: There are several bus operators that offer services to Zürich from other parts of Switzerland and Europe. The main bus station in Zürich is located at the Zurich Hauptbahnhof.
Statue in Old Town
Possible Day Trips from Zürich
- Rhine Falls 46.9 km – Day Trip to Rhine Falls
- Lucerne 52.5 km – Walking Tour of Lucerne
- Basel 84.6 km – Basel Walking Tour
- St. Gallen 86.2 km – Walking Tour of St Gallen
- Mt Titlis 91.7 km – Cable car ride to Mount Titlis
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Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.
