One Week in Zurich

@afar
 on 2022.02.03
Multiple locations
9 Places
@afar
Zurich doesn’t just offer affluent living; it’s also sporty and historically fascinating. One week is enough time to start soaking up the city's lifestyle. Stroll down Zurich's glittering Bahnhofstrasse—one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world—for a taste of true extravagance. Or head to the Letzigrund soccer stadium to cheer on Grasshopper or F.C. Zurich. Bürkliplatz’s flea market is ideal for bargain hunters and the Swiss National Museum explores the history of Switzerland. Credit: Collected by Simon Willis, AFAR Local Expert

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."

Puregold Bar & Lounge

Bar · Oerlikon

"Sip cocktails on an urban beach One of the most memorable Zurich experiences is enjoying an alfresco beer or coffee alongside the lake, near green parks and, as of 2016, on an urban beach. The Kameha Grand Zurich, located between the airport and the city center, opened the Puregold Beach Bar with deckchairs and golden sand. The spot is ideal for daytime business meetings while cocktail drinkers head there on Saturday night to listen to the resident DJ until 1am. The adjoining shisha bar and cigar lounge offers a different vibe while finger food is available as well as a selection of homemade cupcakes."

Zürich

Oberstrass

"Romantic Old Town Even in the rain, Zurich 's Old Town is romantic. The cobblestone walkways twist their way throughout the area, making for some particularly beautiful walking tours."

"A Modern Sanctuary High Above the City What this 66-room property lacks in proximity to the Old Town (it’s a 25-minute tram ride to Bahnhofstrasse), it more than makes up for with its prime hillside perch on the Zürichberg overlooking the city below, and just beyond, Lake Zürich and the majestic snow-capped Alps. Spread across a restored Art Nouveau building and a modern annex with a Guggenheim-like corkscrew ramp, the minimalist, stylish rooms come with shocks of color—for instance, purple Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs. Guests can borrow bikes to make their way to the nearby Fluntern Cemetery, where James Joyce is buried, or meander the wooded paths of the Zürichberg forest."

Photo courtesy of Sorell Hotel Zürichberg

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!"

Grande Café & Bar

Cafe · Oberstrass

"Zurich's Best Coffee Plus a River View This trendy apero spot with outdoor tables overlooking the Limmat River also doubles as a serious coffeehouse (inside, the gleaming La Marzocco provides a hint). Friendly baristas in bowties and newsboy caps pull what many consider to be Zurich’s best espresso from seasonally changing single origin beans. On a recent visit, a Sumatran variety yielded a rich, full-bodied brew with a fine layer of golden crema. A charmingly scuffed wooden bar, schoolhouse chairs, flowers in green beer bottles, and distressed walls add to the appeal."

25hours Hotel Zürich West

Hotel · Industriequartier

"The 25hours brand is known for its playful take on the hotel experience, and this Zurich establishment follows suit. With an interior concocted by local designer Alfredo Häberli, the space features the usual mix of colorful, offbeat furnishings, slick design, and casual friendliness, as well as the cute touch of Häberli’s personal city tips scrawled on various surfaces. The rooms and suites are separated into categories of silver, gold, and platinum to reflect the city’s banking-capital status. That’s as corporate as it gets, however, since the interiors are decidedly funky, with bold colors, quirky carpets and artwork, and angular work desks. The hotel also offers a restaurant, living room and business lounge (with iMac workstation and free Wi-Fi), plus an in-house kiosk that stocks everything from necessities (shampoo and toothpaste) to accessories (Freitag bags)."

Photo courtesy of 25 Hours Hotel Zurich West

"Revel in One of Europe's Largest Techno Festivals As one-day party blowouts go, Zurich’s Street Parade takes some beating. Since its inception in 1992, the event has grown exponentially. Every August, over 1,000,000 party-fanatics transform the city into a cacophony of color, music and raucous dancing. Expect hordes of scantly-dressed ravers bursting from the passing floats known as “lovemobiles.” Prepare to dance all day and night in front of a smattering of podiums where local and international DJs blast out heavy techno beats. The electro parade flows 1.4 miles throughout the city and after parties throb into the early hours. The 2016 event will take place August 13 with revelries kicking off just before midday."

Photo by Byte Rider / Wikipedia