Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Zurich?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 one or two weeks 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 one week enough time in Zurich?
With one week at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Zurich has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Zurich as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the historic old town, shopping, and the museums and landmarks at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend a week 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)
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.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Zurich. Plenty of amazing options are available.
As the live music scene is so popular in Zurich, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
Even more time is needed here to explore the old town with its many shops, restaurants, landmarks, and charming atmosphere. Find those local spots that are perfect for the local charm and cuisine.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Zurich.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Zurich?
Two weeks is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Zurich, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy 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 on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Zurich as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
Zurich, Switzerland
How to spend 2 weeks in Zurich
With 2 weeks in Zurich, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time exploring the historic town and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- 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)
- Swiss Villages Grindelwald and Interlaken Day Trip from Zurich ($119)
- Day Trip to postcard town Lucerne and Legendary Bürgenstock Resort from Zurich ($82)
More Info
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