Things to Do in Zurich
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Zurich, Switzerland, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Zurich. Everything here runs on time, don't be the exception, Switzerland's largest city, sitting right on the edge of a properly swimmable Alpine lake, home to one of the world's most expensive streets, closely tied to the banking industry, and the birthplace of an art movement founded in a cafe in 1916 as a deliberate rejection of everything traditional. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Zurich: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the swim. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Lake Zurich
Zurich sits at the edge of Lake Zurich, popular for swimming in summer, clean enough to swim in, right in the middle of a major city, I've never quite trusted water that clear, worth trying anyway, several public bathing spots (badis) along the lakefront offer properly good swimming access right within the city, a proper local summer tradition rather than a tourist novelty.
It's worth a lake cruise too, if swimming isn't your preference, sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the city skyline from the water, a good, relaxed way to spend an afternoon.
Best time Summer for swimming; any time for a cruise
Address Lake Zurich
Bahnhofstrasse
Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world's most expensive streets, closely associated with the banking industry, more bank vaults under that street than anywhere else on Earth, reportedly, worth a walk regardless of your shopping budget, the street itself, lined with high-end boutiques and discreet private banks, offers a good sense of Zurich's real financial significance well beyond just window shopping.
It's worth appreciating this context as you walk, Zurich's status as a major global financial centre properly shapes much of the city's character, worth combining a Bahnhofstrasse walk with the wider old town for a fuller picture.
Address Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich
The Birthplace of Dada
An arts movement, rejecting traditional aesthetics amid the chaos of the First World War, was founded in a Zurich cafe in 1916, Dada, deliberately nonsensical, on purpose, frankly, some days, I relate to the whole philosophy, worth knowing this history, Cabaret Voltaire, the actual cafe where the movement began, still operates today as a cultural venue and small museum covering this significant piece of art history.
It's worth a visit for anyone with even a passing interest in modern art, worth appreciating just how directly this deliberately absurdist movement, born from wartime disillusionment, went on to influence surrealism and countless later art movements.
Hours Tue–Sun, roughly 1pm–7pm
Address Cabaret Voltaire, Zurich
Best time to visit Zurich
May through September gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking and lake time this list involves, warm enough for proper swimming.
Zurich's museums and Bahnhofstrasse work well year-round, worth visiting even outside the warmer months if the weather isn't your priority.
Getting around Zurich
Zurich's trams cover the city well, and central areas, including Bahnhofstrasse and the old town, are walkable.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Zurich worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, Lake Zurich's real swimming culture, Bahnhofstrasse's banking heritage, and the city's role as the birthplace of Dada together give it real, varied character beyond its reputation as purely a financial centre.
- How many days do you need in Zurich?
- Three days covers the lake, Bahnhofstrasse, and Cabaret Voltaire comfortably.
- Is Zurich expensive?
- Yes, one of the pricier cities in Europe, broadly in line with the rest of Switzerland, though the public lake badis remain properly affordable.
- What is Zurich famous for?
- Lake Zurich, popular for swimming right within the city, Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world's most expensive streets and closely tied to banking, and being the birthplace of the Dada art movement in 1916.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
