Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Zurich?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Zurich?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Zurich, Switzerland? Most people spend two to five days in Zurich during their visit. After all, the historic city will let you learn about the history of the town, go shopping, tour the famous sights and museums, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant.
Zurich is a banking and finance hub in Europe. It's located on Lake Zurich and it has a charming old town that spreads across the Limmat River. The city has many nice waterfront promenades and cafes where you can enjoy the setting.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Zurich? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Zurich?
Three days is usually not enough time to experience the historic city of Zurich, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to learn about the history of the town, go shopping, tour the famous sights and museums, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant. You'll likely want more than three days, as many tourists set aside around two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
How to spend 3 days in Zurich
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Zurich Small-Group Guided Walking Tour Including Lake Cruise ($78)
- Zurich Walking Tour With Cruise and Aerial Cable Car ($100)
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg ($100)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Informative wine tasting with Italian appetizers in the secure wine cellar ($155)
Zurich is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.
Shopping in Zurich is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.
The public transit in Zurich is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Zurich, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- FIFA Museum Tickets ($29)
- FIFA Museum Entry Tickets in Zurich with Pick up ($167)
Zurich is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With Lake Zurich and the mountains as a backdrop, this is a truly beautiful city.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Zurich Small-Group Guided Walking Tour Including Lake Cruise ($78)
- Zurich Walking Tour With Cruise and Aerial Cable Car ($100)
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg ($100)
Is 4 days enough time in Zurich?
Many visitors choose to spend around four days in Zurich. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities and learn about the history of the town, go shopping, tour the famous sights and museums, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to five days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the historic city.
Zurich, Switzerland
How to spend 4 days in Zurich
Having 4 days in Zurich will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Zurich is the Grossmünster, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Live music is very popular in Zurich, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.
Is 5 days enough time in Zurich?
Five days is more than enough time to see everything that Zurich has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend two to five days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the historic old town, shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the cuisine at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend 5 days in Zurich
With 5 days in Zurich, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Zurich, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise ($196)
- Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich ($196)
- Mt Rigi and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Boat Ride ($166)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Zurich, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.