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Per person in euros: cheapest direct return flight for 2 to 4 nights. Select a month for flight times, hotels and things to do.

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Discover Zurich

Fraumünster, Zurich
Fraumünster
Lake Zurich, Zurich
Lake Zurich

City guide

About Zurich

Zürich is Switzerland's vibrant cultural and economic powerhouse, idyllically set at the northern tip of Lake Zurich where the crystalline Limmat River begins its northward journey. The city effortlessly marries Swiss efficiency and a meticulously preserved medieval Altstadt with avant-garde art, indie boutiques, and exceptional quality of life.

On clear days, the snow-dusted summits of the Glarus Alps reflect across the blue waters of the lake. Zürich delights visitors with its unique river and lake bathing culture (Badis), world-class art collections at the Kunsthaus, and the creative transformation of Zürich-West, where former industrial machinery plants now thrive as stylish hubs of design, food, and nightlife.

Best time to go
May through September is the most delightful period to visit: warm sunshine, temperatures between 20 and 26 degrees Celsius, buzzing lakeside promenades, and unmatched outdoor swimming in the river and lake. December is equally enchanting, when Zürich transforms with holiday markets and festive lights.
From the airport
Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Kloten is located just ten kilometers north of the city center. Direct S-Bahn trains (S2, S16, S24) and intercity services run every few minutes from the underground terminal station, reaching Zürich Hauptbahnhof (HB) in just 9 to 12 minutes. Taxis cost approximately 60 to 70 Swiss francs.
Getting around
Zürich boasts one of the world's most punctual, pristine, and integrated transit networks, operated by the ZVV and VBZ. Clean blue-and-white trams cross every district, complemented by Limmat riverboats and lake steamers. The Zürich Card offers unlimited transit across the city and free entry to major museums. Central quarters are also effortlessly walkable.

What to see in Zurich

  • Altstadt and Lindenhof ViewpointThe pedestrianized historic core along the Limmat River, featuring the leafy hilltop park of Lindenhof built atop Roman fortress ruins, offering glorious views over city spires.
  • Grossmünster and FraumünsterTwo iconic medieval churches facing each other across the river: the Romanesque twin-towered Grossmünster and the Fraumünster, celebrated for its stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.
  • Kunsthaus ZürichSwitzerland's largest art museum, showcasing an extraordinary collection spanning Old Masters to Giacometti, the French Impressionists, and contemporary art in David Chipperfield's pavilion.
  • Lake Zurich and the UetlibergStroll along the lakeside gardens, embark on a steamboat cruise, or ride the S10 train to the summit of the Uetliberg mountain for panoramic alpine vistas.

Neighbourhoods

  • Niederdorf and OberdorfThe cobblestone pedestrian quarter on the Limmat's right bank, packed with bookshops, artisan chocolatiers, cozy fondue parlors, and lively evening taverns.
  • Lindenhof and BahnhofstrasseThe left-bank historic quarter featuring peaceful alleys, the historic Augustinergasse, and the world-famous luxury avenue Bahnhofstrasse connecting the station to the lake.
  • Zürich-WestThe former industrial quarter turned trendy epicenter, featuring indie boutiques beneath the railway arches of Im Viadukt, the Freitag tower, and Frau Gerolds Garten.

Food and drink

Zürich's cuisine marries hearty Swiss classics with cosmopolitan finesse. Order the signature Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (tender sliced veal simmered in white wine and mushroom cream sauce, served alongside a crisp golden potato Rösti). Savor bubbling cheese fondue in an authentic wood-paneled stübli, and enjoy fresh Bircher müesli (invented here by Dr. Bircher-Benner). Pick up delicate Luxemburgerli macarons from Confiserie Sprüngli or explore the Lindt Home of Chocolate.

Questions about Zurich

Can you swim in the river and lake in Zürich?

Yes, Zürich's historic 'Badi' bathing culture is legendary; riverside and lake lidos like Flussbad Oberer Letten and Seebad Enge are beloved summer hangouts for swimming and sunbathing.

Is Zürich expensive to visit?

While hotels and dining are high-end, many signature experiences are completely free: lake strolls, Lindenhof vistas, river swimming, and drinking pure alpine water from 1,200 public fountains.

Month by month breakdown

Fotocredits (3)
  • Grossmünster door Roland zh, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Fraumünster door CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Lake Zurich door Roland zh, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons