Have you ever been to Zurich, Switzerland? Or dreamed of going there? Zurich is not
the only biggest city in Switzerland, it’s also the wealthiest. And it’s an incredible place to
visit. It’s packed with culture, incredible food, amazing shopping, and historical buildings and
architecture that will blow your mind. If you’re considering hitting up this gorgeous Swiss city,
and wondering about the best things to do, then you’re in the right place. In this video,
we’ll take you through our list of the best that Zurich has to offer. So join Viewcation,
as we guide you through the Best Things to Do in Zurich, Switzerland!
Kunsthaus Zurich Why not start off your visit to this
high class and luxurious city with a visit to an art gallery that’s full of culture and incredible
pieces? The collection at Kunsthaus Zurich is second to none in the country. It boasts
world-renowned pieces dating back as far as the 1200s, all the way up to modern pieces. First,
there are the permanent exhibitions. They include masterpieces by Picasso, Monet,
and other big names in art. This also includes Edvard Munch, the Norwegian master. Their
collection of Munch pieces is the second biggest in the world, outside of his home country. They
also have an impressive collection of Classical Modernist pieces. All in all, there are more than
4000 paintings and sculptures to gaze at, and 95,000 drawings and prints as well. And for the
casual visitor who might not be quite as into art, the Kunsthaus Zurich’s temporary exhibits
are a perfect match. They focus on entertaining people who aren’t as into art, by wowing them with
bizarre and mind-bending pieces, or with works that make commentaries on political and current
events. All in all, the museum as a little bit for everyone, making it a must-see location in Zurich.
Lake Zurich After you’ve been inside, taking in the incredible
art at Kunsthaus Zurich, why not explore some of the incredible nature the city has to offer.
A journey over to Lake Zurich is a great way to spend an afternoon. It’s a favorite for locals
and tourists alike, as you can sit on the banks of the lake, set up a picnic, and watch the boats
go by. (In warm weather, there are a multitude of them out on the lake.) It’s a great place to catch
some rays as well. Even if you’re not sitting on the banks, there are a ton of scenic places
to wander or settle in. An area known as the lake promenade consists of a slew of gardens and parks.
You can often people on walks or jogging around the lake promenade. Or if you’re looking to get
out onto the water, there are great boat tours on offer. They usually range in the hour to an hour
and a half long, and are an incredible way to get a better view of the lake and the Alps above it.
And for the shoppers in the group, there are plenty of stores and places to eat nearby the
lake. So you can really spend an entire day there. It’s made all the more easy by the fact that it’s
open 24 hours, and completely free!
Before we tell you more about the best things to do in Zurich, be sure to give
this video a like. And subscribe to Viewcation if you haven’t already!
Old Town If you’re looking to
get a glimpse of what Zurich looked like hundreds of years ago, you need to head to Old Town. It’s
one of the most popular areas in all of the city, and for good reason. All of the buildings there
are left over from medieval times, so you are immediately taken back in time as you look around.
The tiny alleys made of cobblestones qind you around some of Old Town’s coolest buildings
such as the Great Minster. There are also amazing museums and hotels in Old Town, so you can easily
spend a couple of days simply taking all of it in. One popular spot is the Muhlesteg
Footbridge. It’s covered in locks, put there by couples in love, and it's quite the sight.
But Old Town isn’t just a daytime attraction. It actually has more nightclubs and bars than any
other place in Zurich. So if you’re looking for a great night out, Old Town is the place to be.
Bahnhofstrasse For the shopaholics in your group or even
the lovers of browsing, the Bahnhofstrasse is the place to be. It’s a lengthy street that runs from
Lake Zurich to the Hauptbahnhof train station, running across all of Old Town. And it’s a
shopper paradise, especially for those looking for high-end shopping. It has some of the most famous
high-end brands in the world along it, including Chanel, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton.
And of course, there are fancy Swiss-centric shops as well, like Confiserie Sprungli. For those not
looking to empty their bank accounts out for the high-end shops, there are some great areas of the
Bahnhofstrasse that are more affordable. These include the Niederdorf and Langstrasse areas.
At the very least, these two areas are great for window shopping. If you dig the area a lot, you
can stay to eat and drink there, as there are numerous restaurants and bars along the way.
And there are also plenty of hotels along it, so you can make your shopping last even longer!
Zoo Zurich When you’re had your fill of high-end shopping,
you might want to see some cuddly (and some not so cuddly) animals. If so, we’d recommend
heading to Zoo Zurich. They host almost 400 species of animals from around the globe
and have a miniature rainforest, a petting zoo, and more. In typical Swiss fashion, the zoo looks
gorgeous and is kept neat and clean. It’s also super easy to get around. It’s slightly more pricy
than the zoos you might be used to, at about $28 for adults and $23 for kids, but it’s worth it.
Plus, some of the money from the entrance fee goes towards their global efforts to protect
endangered species. It’s open every day from 9 to 5, and there are plenty of restaurants
and gift shops inside it. And be sure to check out their incredible elephant park while you’re there!
Swiss National Museum When you walk up to the
castle that is the Swiss National Museum, you’ll probably think you just stepped into a Disney
movie or an old fairytale. It’s a marvel to look at, and you’ll probably want to take a
little bit to soak the exterior in before you walk inside. But after you’re inside, it’s even
more impressive. It’s a giant museum dedicated to everything Swiss and Swiss cultural history.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn about Switzerland and its incredible history, this is the best
place to start. It contains thousands of artifacts, everyday objects, paintings,
and more, that give you a great insight into the history of this gorgeous country.
On the first floor is a permanent collection that is called “Simply Zurich” and not only is
it cool and informative, but it's also free! It also has plenty of interactive components,
making it a great option for kids of all ages. And if you time your visit right, you might be there
for one of the many concerts and assorted events that the museum puts on in their inner courtyard.
Go on a food tour Anyone who has been to Switzerland
will vouch for the amazing foods, especially their desserts. And there’s no better way to experience
some of the culinary delights that Zurich has to offer than by going on a food tour. There
are many to choose from, all over the city. And with Zurich’s abundance of restaurants, bars,
cafes, and street vendors, you can try a few food tours without hitting up any of the same spots!
We recommend the experts over at Swiss Food Tours, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with so many of
these great tours. Plus, there are themed tours like chocolate tours, brunch tours, and more.
Another easy option if you’re not looking to pay for a tour guide is to design your own food tour
and hop all around to some of the top eateries in the city. Make sure you try raclette cheese,
Bündnerfleisch, which is cured beef, and rosti, which are like hashbrowns.
Zurich is such a culturally rich city, it would be impossible to list off all the amazing things
you should visit and try while you’re there. But this list is certainly a great way to
start. From incredible architecture to the classiest shopping, to chocolate food tours,
there is a huge variety of things to do and see in Zurich. You’ll love the museums,
the shops, the food, and the people. We’d recommend going for a minimum of a few days,
because there are just too many things to do to jam it all into one or two.
So there you have it – the best things to do in Zurich. Now it’s time to hear from you.
Did we miss any of your favorite things to do in Zurich? Or, if you haven’t been ye,
are you interested in adding Zurich to your next European vacation? Let us know in the comments
section below. And before you go, make sure to give this video a like, and subscribe to
Viewcation if you haven’t already. Click the bell icon to stay updated on all our latest content.