The Best of Spring in Zurich

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 on 2022.02.03
7 Places
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From lounging in the inner-city parks to enjoying circus acts along the edge of Lake Zurich, Switzerland’s biggest city is stunning in spring. The China Garden is descended upon by the hordes to witness the delicate pink-and-white plum blossoms in full spring bloom. The Swiss National Circus wows crowds with spectacular performances at this time every year and Zurich’s marathon engulfs the city each April. Credit: Collected by Ratha Tep, AFAR Local Expert

China Garden

Park · Diesbach

"A Serene Chinese Garden on the Shores of Lake Zurich A gift from Zurich’s sister city Kunming and located on the lake near the Zurichhorn, the China Garden stands out with its emperor-red façade and gold ornamental roof. Inside, the serene oasis includes a pond lined with willows, a small island, multiple pavilions and a beautiful pagoda. The best time to visit is in the spring, when the delicate pink-and-white plum blossoms are in full bloom. Photo © Caroline Minjolle/Zürich Tourism."

Landiwiese

Park · Zürichhorn

"The Swiss National Circus on the Shores of Lake Zurich The Circus Knie, Switzerland’s national circus, comes to town annually in the spring, setting up on the Landiwiese along the left bank of the shores of Lake Zurich . Always a big hit: the nimble artists of the Hebei Wuqiao acrobatics troupe. Photo © Katja Stuppia/Circus Knie."

Bahnhofstrasse

Notable street · Aussersihl

"Each April, the Zurich Marathon hits town with a route plan that winds through the city's best sights, including the tony shopping street Bahnhofstrasse, the mouth of Lake Zurich at Bürkliplatz, over the Quaibrücke bridge, and with a finish line at the Mythenquai on the shores of the lake. Photo © Caroline Minjolle/Zürich Tourism"

Park-Villa Rieter

Art museum · Albisgutli

"A Gorgeous Park with Villas and a View Rietberg offers two experiences: an excellent art museum dedicated to showcasing work from outside of Europe and a gorgeous park with a beautiful fountain, winding gravel paths, expansive green lawns, and a collection of beautiful villas. Photo © Museum Rietberg."

Wallisellenstrasse 49

Building · Oerlikon

"Zurich's Annual Chocolate Extravaganza What better way to experience chocolate in Zurich than this annual chocolate extravaganza which takes place in the Messe each spring with tastings, workshops, demonstrations, even fashion shows with models strutting down the runway with creative chocolate-based designs."

Photo courtesy of Salon du Chocolat Zürich

Sechseläutenplatz

Tourist attraction · Enge

"An "Explosive" Way to Usher in Spring Zurich’s most colorful and unusual festival—Sechseläuten or the “Burning of the Böögg”—takes place on the third Monday of each April at Sechseläutenplatz in front of the Zurich Opera House. After a parade through the city by members of the traditional guilds in historical costume, the guildsmen gather in the square as the Böögg—a giant wadded snowman meant to represent winter—is lit on fire until he finally explodes, a symbolic ushering in of spring. Photo © Bruno Macor/Zürich Tourismus."

Old Botanical Garden

Botanical garden · Aussersihl

"A Historic Botanical Garden in the Center of the City Zurich’s original botanical garden, dating back to 1837, has been replaced by the larger Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich with its sheer size and breadth of plants on the edges of the city, but locals still love the former for its intrinsic charm. The quiet, leafy park houses a glass pavilion dating back to 1851 and a medieval herb garden, all idyllically located next to the Schanzengraben canal. Photo © Roland Fischer, Zürich ( Switzerland )/Wikimedia Commons."