Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland (and not its capital as most people think), is a destination that combines Swiss sophistication with a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere. With a backdrop of the picturesque lake, the cobblestone streets of the old town and the Alps in the distance, it can promise experiences for everyone — from art lovers to foodies and fashionistas. Get a taste of Zurich’s beauty in the video below and keep reading as we reveal it all!
How to reach Zurich
The easiest option is to fly, with Zurich Airport just ten-minutes by train from the city center. We flew from Athens to Zurich in March 2025 with Aegean, for just 220 euros round trip. Generally, Aegean and Swiss have the most frequent routes to Zurich. If you are already in Switzerland or neighboring countries such as Germany, Austria or Italy, the excellent SBB rail network offers easy and comfortable connections. If you are traveling by car, keep in mind that parking in the center is limited and expensive. A public transport card is sufficient and convenient. Zurich’s public transport is frequent and very convenient.
Where to stay in Zurich
The old town (Altstadt) is ideal if you want to be in the heart of Zurich, close to attractions, restaurants and cafes. Zurich West is the modern, up-and-coming area of the city, full of trendy hotels, bars and restaurants. Near the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) you will find many convenient accommodation options, while in the Seefeld area, near the lake, you will find some of the most luxurious hotels. We chose the Oerlikon district for our stay, which is located between the airport and the city’s center. In 20 minutes by tram we were downtown and in 15 minutes at the airport. We rented an entire apartment for 98 euros per night. See below a short tour of the apartment we rented!
How many days are needed in Zurich?
To explore the city comfortably, 2-3 days are ideal. If you plan to take excursions, e.g. to Bern, Lucerne or the Swiss Alps, it is best to give yourself more days. 4-5 days would be ok.
We went on a wonderful and relatively economical 2-day Road Trip by renting a hybrid car from Zurich airport for 130 euros per day. Read detailed information about the road trip that offered us wonderful images, here.
A great day trip from Zurich is to the Rhine Falls (Rheinfall), the largest waterfalls in Europe by far. They are located near the city of Schaffhausen and are easily accessible from Zurich by train, with the journey lasting about an hour. You can take the train from Zurich Main Station (Zürich HB) to the station Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall, which is very close to the falls. There is an observatory, trails and boating opportunities at the site, which brings you impressively close to the falls. Alternatively, you can purchase an organized bus tour for the Rhine Falls.
How to get around the city
Zurich is generally bike-friendly, and the old town is ideal for walking. It also has a network of trams, buses, and trains, which are well-organized and very affordable. You can get a 6-day unlimited travel card from an SBB Information Center, covering travel in zone 110 (i.e. the center of Zurich), for 49.50 Swiss francs.
The city of Zurich is divided into travel zones. If you need to travel to other zones outside the center, you will need a supplementary ticket, which usually costs 7 Swiss francs (CHF) each way. For travel to and from the airport, a separate ticket is required, which also costs 7 CHF (provided that they are not already covered by your ticket or card). For example, Manos had purchased a monthly unlimited travel card for all travel zones and all means of transport at a cost of 102 Swiss francs (CHF), since he stayed in Zurich for almost a whole month.
However, if you stay in Zurich for 24 or 72 hours, you might want to buy the Zurich card and enjoy Zurich to the fullest, saving money as you get free public transport, free entrance to museums and additional discounts.
A special experience is the red tram (Polybahn), the small funicular that connects the center with the ETH Zürich campus and offers great views of the city. You can use it for free with an unlimited travel ticket/card for zone 110 of the center. The entrance to the red Polybahn funicular is located in the city center, right next to Starbucks Central.
What to see in Zurich
The walk begins on Bahnhofstrasse, the famous main street filled with high-end brands, department stores, and jewelry stores. Then, head to the old town (Altstadt) to wander the narrow streets with historic buildings and picturesque squares.
Lake Zurich is the ideal place for relaxation, a walk or boating, while the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches (with Marc Chagall’s famous stained glass windows) offer a glimpse into the city’s past. For art lovers, the Kunsthaus Zürich has rich collections of European art, while Lindenhof hill (an easy walk) is one of the best spots for panoramic views.
If the weather permits, it is worth taking a stroll through the 52-arched shopping mall, the so-called Markthalle IM VIADUKT. You can enjoy your coffee in one of the few cafes around and visit the lush Josefswiese park.
However, don’t forget to visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate, the impressive chocolate museum just outside the center of Zurich. There you can learn all about Swiss chocolate, see the largest chocolate fountain in the world and, of course, taste the famous delicacies.
Suggestions for coffee, food, drinks in the city center
Here we will leave you with our own suggestions, the most economical ones, for coffee, food and drinks in the city center.
- At the Coop restaurant on the most central street in Zurich (Bahnhofstrasse), on the top floor, you will find yourself in a large space with table seating, a salad buffet, a dessert buffet and fresh meals that are cooked for you at that moment. At the Coop restaurant, you will taste beef steak and chicken fillet with as many side dishes as you want and fit on your plate, for just 21 CHF and 18 CHF, respectively.
- At the Raclette Factory in the old town, you will taste the traditional dish Raclette. It takes its name from the semi-hard cow’s cheese of the same name, which has the property of melting evenly and richly. It is usually prepared using a special electric device, where the cheese is placed in small pans and melted, then served over boiled potatoes, accompanied by pickles (such as cornichons and onion pearls), cold cuts and fresh bread.
- Swiss Chuchi Restaurant is one of the most traditional restaurants in the old town. You will taste delicious local dishes, such as the famous fondue, but you will need to book a table or you will not be able to find a seat. The classic Swiss fondue is made from a mixture of cheeses, which are slowly melted in a special pot (caquelon), placed on a stove. Fondue, like Raclette, is considered a dish ideal for the winter months and is often accompanied by white wine or a hot drink.
- At Ass-Bar in the old town you will find sandwiches and croissants for your stroll with prices starting at 2.80 CHF.
- Our favorite spot for coffee on the main street is the Grande Cafe Bar. A coffee here will cost you around 5 and CHF, while our favorite spot for cocktails on the same street is the Marea Cocktailbar.
- A more special cafe for sweets and coffee is Cafe & Conditorei 1842 in the old town. Downstairs it operates as a pastry shop with a wonderful selection of sweets, while upstairs you will find a beautiful space to enjoy your coffee and dessert. Here, 2 coffees and a tart will cost you around 20 CHF.
Zurich combines the elegance of a modern European metropolis with the charm of old Europe and the tranquility of Swiss nature. Whether you’re exploring the cobblestone streets of the old town, relaxing by the lake, or enjoying a trip to the Rhine Falls, Zurich offers many enjoyable experiences. It is a destination worth discovering either on foot, by bike or with its excellent means of transport and you will definitely want to go back again!
See more about Zurich, Switzerland in the highlight stories #ZURICH on Ιnstagram
Read also about 2-day Road Trip to Switzerland.
