What Is The Best Way to Spend a Day in Zurich?

Zurich is an incredible city with a lot of wonderful experiences to offer. If you’re planning a visit, you might be wondering what the best way to spend one day in Zurich is. From incredible culinary experiences to interesting cultural attractions, there’s no shortage of fun activities to fill your time in Zurich. Here’s your guide to having the perfect day in Zurich so you can make the most of your stay.

Start At the Top: Explore Uetliberg

The best way to start your day in Zurich is by exploring one of the most iconic landmarks in the region: Uetliberg. This mountain, located 8 kilometers from the city, can be scaled from the Uetliberg Bahnhof Station at the base and offers views that stretch for miles, especially when you reach the summit. A leisurely morning spent on Uetliberg allows for peaceful strolls through the forests, hills and meadows that characterize this stunning mountainous region and offers impressive views of the Zürichberg plateau and Lake Zürich below.

Next Stop: Contact Culture

Once you’ve made your way back down from Uetliberg, it’s time to delve into Zurich’s vibrant cultural center. One of the best places to begin is by visiting the Swiss National Museum, located at Museumstrasse near Zurich’s Old Town district. Here, you can explore kaleidoscopic displays that showcase Zurich’s history and cultural heritage, encompassing everything from ancient artifacts and records to works by seminal Swiss artists like Paul Klee and Alberto Giacometti.

The nearby Kunsthaus Zürich art museum is another must-see if you’re interested in experiencing Zurich’s creative side. Established in 1910, this impressive building is home to works by a variety of acclaimed international artists, including Rembrandt, Picasso and Monet. The Kunsthaus also offers an exciting range of contemporary art exhibitions that are sure to captivate even the most jaded wanderers.

Time For Lunch: Don’t Miss Cafe Schober

Cafe Schober is an iconic Zurich landmark that serves as a cozy but upscale cafe and restaurant on Limmatquai, located opposite the Limmat river. A favorite among locals, this charming eatery serves contemporary cuisine with classic touches and offers both indoor and outdoor seating options; the latter of which gives you the opportunity to admire breathtaking views of the Limmat river while dining on some of Zurich’s finest fare.

Whether you opt for breakfast, lunch or dinner on the terrace, Cafe Schober is sure to serve up a culinary experience you won’t soon forget. In addition to its classic European dishes like welsche rösti (potato pancakes) and käseschnitten (cheese slices), Cafe Schober also serves up an impressive wine list offering some of Switzerland’s finest labels.

A Classic Afternoon: Shop The Niederdorf District

Once you’ve satisfied your appetite, it’s off to finish up your afternoon by shopping in Zurich’s Niederdorf District, a popular area that dates back to the Middle Ages. From flea markets and bookstores to weird trinket shops and clothing stores, there’s no shortage of things to do and explore around this bustling neighborhood. Whether it’s aromatic chocolates and truffles or handcrafted jewelry and leather accessories, you’re sure to find something cool and unique to take back home with you.

Unwind With a Nighttime Pub Crawl

When night falls, it’s time for an ultimate Zurich experience: an evening pub crawl through one of Zurich’s exciting nightlife hotspots. Visiting Zurich bars and pubs offers an excellent opportunity to experience the city’s international culture, as many tend to be a mix of locals relaxing after work, international visitors winding down after sightseeing, and a group of people simply kicking off their evening in style. Themed events such as live music nights and comedy shows are also common on the pub crawl scene in Zurich.

If you want to explore all the exciting nightlife Zurich has to offer but don’t know where to start, consider booking a guided Zurich Pub Crawl. These guided pub crawls take you on a tour of some of the city’s key spots, giving you the chance to experience local culture while enjoying delicious drinks along the way, not to mention meeting some of Switzerland’s most interesting characters.

Finish Your Day At Lake Zurich

Once your pub crawl has come to an end, there’s nothing better than wrapping up your evening with a tranquil walk along Lake Zurich as the sun sets. This sparkling body of water is located just east of the city center at Mythenquai beach, where you can admire postcard-perfect views of the lake surrounded by a halo of shimmering city lights. It’s an appropriate conclusion to a day full of enjoyable experiences in Zurich and the perfect way to relax and ease into a good night’s sleep before catching your flight back home.

There’s no shortage of awesome things to do on a day-trip in Zurich and no two days are ever quite alike in this bustling Swiss city. Whether it’s absorbing Zurich’s vibrant culture or experiencing its culinary scene firsthand, there’s plenty to explore when it comes to having an unforgettable day in this fascinating city.