Things to do in Zurich?

Question

I'm going to be in Zurich for a few days next month. Mostly working, but I will have two full days to myself. Well, maybe one and a half as I fly there on the morning of the first day.

So what I'd love to know is where are the best places to visit during the day? I don't have any free time in the evenings, and I'm not interested in nightlife.

I like the countryside and walking, but I don't want to go too far out of town as I have to be back for 6pm each day. I'd like to see any interesting sights in Zurich or the area - old churches, castles, city walls, ruins, stuff like that. One of my evenings will be spent on a lake cruise, so I don't need to do that during the day.

I'm not bothered about art galleries, museums or shopping. I'd like to buy a Swiss Army watch, and some chocolate but I'm guessing that will be as easy as walking around the shopping area (or the airport!)

Any other advice much appreciated. What's cheap, what's expensive, anything I should avoid?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, you have not mentioned the country you come from, so it's not that easy to give recommendations specially on shopping.

Well, you could go up the city's hill "Uetliberg" (Southeast) to enjoy an excellent view over the city and the lake - seeing some snow mountains as well. On the hill Southwest you'll find the quite famous zoo with unique living rooms like the really tropical Masoala hall with the entire flora and fauna of Madacascar.

Zurich has got medieval alley ways like the "Niederdorf" - it's worth to walk along the whole way from the place "Central" next to the main train station (across the river Limmat) leading South. At the end you might want to look into the biggest church "Grossmünster".

From there you can head for the lake and walk along the East side of the lake as far as you'd like, very pleasant.

Actually the airport is a real shopping centre, you just would have to leave the main ways into the check-in and head for the area "airport shopping" containing about 30 different shops.

Answer 2

europe unlike america is mostly walking no cars needed and can be covered in almost a day or two, if you are not into detail veiwing of museums and architetures.

go there in hotels or tourist info dept. get a map, map shows the right route that covers all the land marks and interesting sights.

suggestions are take public transport or park ur car outside city centre, and then use public transport.

you can have variety of food choices available depending on how much you have to spend so it wont be a problem

regarding accomodation if u r on a budget, stay outside the city.

if you have some more time to spare visit lucerne,engleberg, mount titlis. they are within 2 hours radius.

in lucerne there is a rideof mountains which they cover, which includes scenic boat ride,,bus ride,chair lift and i am forgetting the name its like train finicular i think.

dont forget to pack little warm clothing

Answer 3

Regensberg is a beautiful little medieval village maybe an hour outside of Zurich, with a tower on a mountain. Take the S5 train to Dielsdorf, then the bus.

Lenzburg, just a little further out of town has a cool castle too. And I second Madonna's suggestion of the Kyburg castle.

There are some Roman ruins in the Altstadt (not the Niederdorf as far as I know), near St Peter's Church, the one with the huge clock (actually the largest clockface in Europe). The Niederdorf (on the Grossmunster side of the river) is much less well-kept, although Grossmunster itself is lovely. There are some others out in Pfaffikon ZH (canton Zurich NOT to be confused with Pfaffikon SZ, down on the lake of Zurich but in canton Schwytz).

Oh, and, try again, Zurich is NOT the capital!

Answer 4

In Zürich itself visit the churches Fraumünster and Grossmünster and stroll thru the Niederdorf (old part of the city). Loads of old houses with history. To know it get a booklet at the Tourist Information. For a lovely walk go to the charming village "Kyburg". It has an old castle and the countryside is perfect to relax.