Switzerland is a kind of locations individuals know from pictures or postcards, however have hardly ever had the prospect to go to.
With the attract of the Swiss Alps, cities like Lucerne and Zermatt, in addition to the chocolate and the cheese, there’s a lot to go to on this nation, it’s usually laborious to decide on!
Regardless of the place you resolve to spend your time in Switzerland, one place you’ll usually find yourself is Zurich. And though most individuals are in a rush to go away this bustling monetary metropolis, there’s really loads to see and do. And infrequently you are able to do all of it in sooner or later. Town is so compact and straightforward to navigate on foot.
So, in case you resolve to spend a day or two in Zurich…
Listed here are a few of the highlights you completely mustn’t miss in Zurich:
ETH & The Polybahn
The ETH shouldn’t be solely the most effective universities in Switzerland however additionally it is a tremendous place to get a fantastic view over the town of Zurich. So, I like to recommend you come right here right away to get a incredible overview of the town earlier than you begin exploring issues additional.
The ETH is reached both by foot about 10-15 minutes uphill from the Central tram station, or by way of the well-known Polybahn cog railway from subsequent door to Starbucks. Meaning it’s also possible to cease off for a espresso earlier than you head up on the prepare.
The cog railway is a part of the Zurich prepare community, so in case you purchase a day card for public transport, this can even be included.
When you arrive on the high, it’s only a quick stroll to the ETH Polyterrasse the place you possibly can see the entire of Zurich unfold out earlier than you. This implies additionally it is a fantastic spot for sundown, and the good information is you possibly can seize a drink from the coed bar slightly below the terrace to make that susnet all the higher!
Niederdorfstrasse
Niederdorfstrasse is the primary avenue operating by the previous city of Zurich and as luck would have it, it begins proper subsequent to the Polybahn prepare station. As such, it’s a nice observe on out of your journey as much as the ETH.
The road winds its means by the East facet of the previous city, connecting to a different avenue additional personal after the Grossmunster church. This really takes you all the best way to Bellevue and the Lake of Zurich, so it would take you just a few hours to discover.
There are cozy facet streets, small retailers, cafes and bars, in addition to an enormous vary of eating places alongside right here. One among which is in style with vacationers because it permits you to have a Swiss cheese fondue whereas absorbing the environment of the road. Nice on a balmy summer season’s evening, and even on a cool winter night when cheese fondue is de facto at its greatest!
Grossmunster
No go to to the previous city of Zurich is full with out popping in to the Grossmunster. Not solely is it the most iconic, and standout constructing alongside the river operating by Zurich. However the stain glass home windows inside are stated to be a few of the greatest in Switzerland, if not Europe.
There may be additionally the chance to climb one of many towers and get yet one more beautiful view of Zurich, solely this time from a unique perspective. In case you missed the ETH and Polyterrace, then that is an absolute should! And at solely 5 Swiss francs, it is among the least expensive sights one can find in Switzerland!
Lake Zurich
When you attain the tip of the previous city of Zurich, you arrive on the grandiose and scenic shores of Lake Zurich. Right here you’ve gotten just a few choices, relying on the climate and period of time you’ve gotten obtainable.
You may take a stroll alongside the shores in both path. Zurich has stored numerous the cityside lakeshore obtainable to the general public. This consists of walkways, public parks and benches the place you possibly can take 15 minutes to absorb the lake views, which stretch all the best way to the Alps within the distance.
There may be additionally the chance to go for a swim within the lake in summer season. You may soar in from the park itself round Bade Enge, or you possibly can pay to enter the swimming baths themselves. Additionally they grow to be a bar at evening, and generally have leisure.
On each side there are additionally paddle boats obtainable for lease, so if swimming shouldn’t be your factor, or it’s not heat sufficient, you possibly can nonetheless benefit from the water immediately! And for the extra adventurous, there are additionally rise up paddle board leases at varied factors alongside the lake which is a as soon as in a lifetime expertise.
Bahnhofstrasse
Zurich is known for the boatloads of cash which might be stashed within the vaults of the numerous banks that decision this metropolis dwelling. And Bahnhofstrasse is the place all of the bankers who work there come to buy and hang around.
So, if you wish to get a sense of how it’s to be wealthy, and even slightly well-known, that is the road to walk alongside. Beginning on the lake finish of the road, you’ll move the likes of Bulgari, Dolce & Gabbana, Jimmy Choo, Cartier, Omega watches, and an entire lot extra.
As you attain the halfway level alongside the road, the worth of the products within the retailers begins to enter the “regular” realm. It’s right here that you could be need to pop into a few of the extra run of the mill shops like H&M, Zara, WE and different manufacturers you may already be aware of.
One other beauty of Bahnhofstrasse is that one facet of additionally it is the second half of the previous city of Zurich. So, in case you head off the primary avenue slightly additionally, you will discover much more alleyways and hidden treasures to discover.
A few of my favourite spots embrace:
Lindenplatz which is a spot excessive above the Limmat River the place you possibly can come to calm down, or take the most effective pictures in Zurich. It features a view over the town and of the enduring Grossmunster you hopefully visited earlier!
St Peter’s Church is tucked away on this space, proper alongside the river, and has the biggest clockface in Europe. In case you are fortunate sufficient to listen to the bells ring, you will notice how spectacular they’re too.
Chocolate Exploration
In fact you got here to Switzerland to pattern the chocolate, so let me offer you just a few suggestions and tips on how to discover the “great things” whereas exploring Zurich.
My absolute favourite is Laderach, and they’re very straightforward to seek out as of late. They appear to have extra and extra retailers round Zurich, so that you definitely can’t miss them. From their principal store on the Bahnhofstrasse, to their smaller store underneath the prepare station.
Sprungli is one other absolute treasure and additionally scattered in varied corners of Zurich. One of many greatest retailers is on Paradeplatz, midway alongside Bahnhofstrasse, the place additionally they have a restaurant. They’re well-known for their candies and truffles, however their most famous merchandise is the Luxemburgerli, which is definitely a macaroon. Seize a small field of blended Luxemburgerli, you gained’t remorse it.
If you wish to pattern some extra area of interest chocolatiers as an alternative, then you definately even have just a few choices. There may be the Max Chocolatier close to the Frauenmuster church, the Confiserie Teuscher additionally close to the St Peter’s church and final however not least – Say Chocolate within the Europaallee, not removed from the Sihlpost close to the primary prepare station.
Out of doors Actions
It might seem to be Zurich is all about buying, consuming and stress-free, however there are literally an enormous vary of out of doors actions to do right here. The forest is just a stone’s throw away from the town, on virtually all sides, and there’s a lake proper in the midst of the town. And on high of that, Switzerland is certainly not flat!
The house mountain of Zurich is the Uetliberg, which is a 15 minute prepare journey from downtown. You may journey the prepare to the highest and go for a stroll alongside the ridge path, in addition to take within the beautiful lake views when you are there. Or, you possibly can hike all the best way to the highest from Triemli tram cease, which is once more round 15-20 minutes from downtown.
The identical goes on the opposite facet of the lake the place you’ve gotten each the Zuriberg and Pfannensteil, nice locations to lose your self within the forest for hours. In fact, you possibly can by no means actually get misplaced in Switzerland as a result of the following city, street, prepare or bus is often simply across the nook.
And for these eager to get in slightly snowboarding whereas on the town, that can be very straightforward to do. The closest resorts are both Flumserberg and Hoch-Ybrig, each round 45 minutes prepare journey from downtown. So, if you’re right here within the winter months of January or February, there’s certain to be some nice snowboarding available, even in case you solely have just a few days in Zurich!
In fact, there are way more outside actions to take pleasure in in case you enterprise even additional afield, however that’s for one other time.