12 Must-Do Experiences in Zurich

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 on 2022.02.03
10 Places
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Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and there are plenty of must-do experiences that will make a trip here unforgettable. Ride the Polybahn funicular, one of two left in Zurich, for panoramic views of the city. Explore Zurich's streets on foot or on a rented bike. And if shopping on Bahnhofstrasse hasn't left your wallet too weary, head to Einzelstück for vintage objects and upcycled items from around the world. Credit: Collected by Ratha Tep, AFAR Local Expert

Ganymede Sculpture

Sculpture · Enge

"Zurich's Iconic Spot for Lake-Gazing The tree-lined Utoquai and Arboretum at Enge offer excellent views of Lake Zurich and the snow-capped Alps, but the iconic spot for lake-gazing is at the Bürkliterrasse, with its statue of Zeus and Ganymede and straight-shot view of the Alps. Photo © Bruno Macor /FB/Zürich Tourismus."

Grossmünster

Protestant church · Fluntern

"Grossmünster: Zurich's Twin Towers According to legend, Zurich’s most iconic landmark was commissioned by Charlemagne. While Fraumünster, across the Limmat, draws onlookers with its stained-glass windows by Chagall, Grossmünster recently acquired destination-worthy art of its own: German artist Sigmar Polke’s beautiful, kaleidoscopic motifs featuring Old Testament figures, installed in 2009. Photo © Christian Beutler/Zürich Tourismus."

ShopVille - Zurich Main Station

Shopping mall · Oberstrass

"Iconic Swiss Railways Clock at Zürich Hauptbahnhof Look familiar? If the Swiss Federal Railways clock looks instantly recognizable, that’s because Apple used an eerily familiar design for its iOS 6 operating system used by its iPhone and iPad mobile devices. (It turned out to be an expensive gamble: the tech giant had to pay a reported $21.5 million in a patent dispute to the Swiss national rail operator SBB in 2012.) While the iconic clock can be spotted all over town—as well as in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City—the best place to ogle the famed design is at Zurich Hauptbahnhof, the city’s main train station and Switzerland’s largest."

Polybahn

Mountain cable car · Oberstrass

"Ride up the Polybahn for Stellar Views The terrace at ETH Zurich—where Einstein was an alum—lords high above the city for catch-your-breath views beyond to the lake and the Alps. A number of trams will take you to the terrace, but the most fun way to get there is on the fire-engine red Polybahn, one of only two funiculars left in the city, and the most conveniently located. It runs every 2.5 minutes from the Central stop."

Photo by rosmary/Flickr

Münster Bridge

Bridge · Enge

"Bike Zurich I love the bicycle, and cycling is an activity I try to do in every single place that I visit. There is nothing like exploring a city on a bike, although in some places this can be a challenge. Zurich , Switzerland , has made it incredibly easy to explore this great city on bike. The most amazing thing to me about bicycling in Zurich is that the bike is absolutely free! I couldn't believe it! You simply show your passport and make a small deposit and off you go with a sweet bicycle and a lock. The city's bike rental facilities are conveniently located throughout the city, and there is one close to the train station. Furthermore, the city is insanely bike friendly with paths throughout the city, around the lake, and along major streets."

"Zurich Flea Market in Bürkliplatz One of the biggest Flea markets in Zurich is the one located in Bürkliplatz square. The market is opened on Saturdays from 6am to 4pm. May-October, so if you visit Zurich on Winter time, you will not find the outdoors traders. The market is well known for its fine China dishes."

Einzelstück

Convenience store · Hottingen

"A Design and Curio Shop Near the Sihl River This treasure trove of curiosities by Susanne Schmid and Simon Wirth in Kreis 4 sells all sorts of vintage objects and upcycled items, including Indian Mrinmaya statues, a mango- and teakwood art deco locker from a colonial hotel in Sri Lanka, and stuffed animals made in Chile from classic men’s handkerchiefs. You’ll also find Fiona Caulfield’s exquisite fabric-covered Love Travel Guides."

Photo courtesy of Einzelstück

Stadion Letzigrund

Stadium · Industriequartier

"Home of FC Zurich In the Swiss city of Zurich there are two soccer teams—Grasshopper and FC Zurich. I was lucky that FC Zurich was playing at home at Letzigrund. The stadium holds 25,000 and is actually in a hole in the ground!"

Fraumünster Church

Church · Enge

"Fraumünster: Chagall, Giacometti and Zurich's Largest Organ This small, elegant church near Paradeplatz has been around since 853, but it wasn’t until 1970 when it received its crowning touch: five glorious stained glass windows created by Marc Chagall when he was in his 80s. Also not to be missed: Augusto Giacometti’s magnificent mosaic. The massive 5,793-pipe organ, the largest in Zurich , plays every Wednesday at 7:45 am."

Photo by Alfie Ianni/Flickr

Mühlebach

Diesbach

"Lake Zurich Love Locals are fanatic about the lake. They boast the water is clean enough to drink; boating is a favorite pastime, whether it’s on a sailboat, paddleboat, yacht or public boat from the ZSG network (included in the cost of a daily tram card); and come summer, swimming in it, for many, is a daily activity in one of the city’s excellent badis. The tree-lined Utoquai and Arboretum at Enge offer excellent views, but the iconic spot for lake-gazing is at the Burkliterrasse, with its statue of Zeus and Ganymede and straight-shot view of the Alps. Photo © Elisabeth Real/Zürich Tourismus."