What to see in Zurich in one day: Our itinerary
Today we’re taking you to one of our favorite cities. We know not everyone feels the same way, but Zurich is a very special place for us. Keep reading to discover what to see in Zurich in one day. We’ve also included a map and a few tips from our many visits, which have made us feel almost like locals.
We lived near this area for more than four years, and we think Zurich is a great city to explore both on foot and by public transport. Just bear in mind that it isn’t cheap. It makes a lovely day trip if you’re traveling around Switzerland, perhaps visiting Interlaken or Lucerne. It’s also worth considering if you have a long layover or are flying into Zurich before continuing your vacation.
If you’ve already visited, we’d love to hear what you thought. And if you have any questions after reading, leave us a comment below.
We’ve included quite a few places in this guide. If you have more than one day, you can take things at a slower pace. If you’re short on time, simply choose the stops that appeal to you most.
Another option to get a feel for the city is to join a free walking tour, where a guide will show you around and share some interesting facts about Zurich.
Zurich must-see attractions map
One-day Zurich itinerary
Morning: city center and Old Town
We recommend starting your day on the famous Bahnhofstrasse, the street leading from the main train station. It’s one of the world’s best-known shopping streets. Beyond the incredible concentration of luxury shops, there’s something particularly charming about it. Trams run along the street, and the sidewalks are always lively with both locals and visitors.
From there, make your way down toward the lake, stopping along the way. Your first stop is Paradeplatz, a central square in the heart of Zurich’s financial district. Depending on your budget, we’d suggest admiring it rather than spending money here. 😉
Next, wander down Augustinergasse, a lovely little street that feels like something out of a fairy tale, with colorful buildings on either side.
Don’t miss Fraumünster Church, which costs CHF 5 per person to visit, or St. Peter’s Church, home to Europe’s largest church clock face and free to enter. Cross Münsterbrücke bridge to reach Zurich’s most famous church, Grossmünster. Admission is free, but climbing the tower for panoramic views costs CHF 5. In the square opposite the church, there’s a fountain that is sometimes filled with roses, depending on the season. You’ll find similar displays in other fountains around the city, and they’re beautiful.
And that brings us to the end of the morning section of our one-day Zurich itinerary.
Midday: Limmat River, viewpoint and Old Town
From Grossmünster, you can cross Rathausbrücke (Town Hall Bridge). Take a moment to look in both directions and enjoy the wonderful views of the Limmat River. This is one of the prettiest parts of Zurich. If you have time, stay a while and watch the trams, the boats on the river and, of course, the swans that are almost always swimming nearby.
Next on our one-day Zurich itinerary is Lindenhof. It’s one of the city’s loveliest viewpoints, right in the center, and it’s completely free. It’s a peaceful spot with benches where you can sit and enjoy the views. We’ve had lunch up here more than once, looking out over the rooftops, church towers and the Old Town on the opposite side of the river.
After heading down from the viewpoint, we’d simply spend some time getting lost in the Old Town, or Altstadt in German.
Afternoon: Lake Zurich, Chinese Garden and Zurich Opera House
Our one-day route continues downhill from the Old Town toward Lake Zurich. This is an absolute must for us. We love this part of the city.
Depending on how much time you have and what you want to prioritize, you can enjoy one of our favorite walks. Starting at Bürkliplatz, at the northern end of the lake, follow the waterfront toward the park, where you’ll see people of all ages relaxing and enjoying the lake views. It’s a very pleasant walk of around 20–25 minutes.
You’ll also find the beautiful Chinese Garden in this area, and admission is free.
After a relaxing break in Zürichhorn Park, you can head back toward the Zurich Opera House and explore Sechseläutenplatz.
If you have more time
Beyond our suggested itinerary for seeing Zurich in one day, we wanted to share a few more recommendations in case you fall in love with the area, as we did, and decide to stay a little longer.
Zurich Botanical Garden
This botanical garden belongs to the university and is home to more than 7,000 plant species, including collections housed in distinctive dome-shaped greenhouses. Admission is free. We probably wouldn’t prioritize it on a short visit, but if you love botanical gardens or have several days in Zurich, it’s a lovely place to escape the busy streets and learn about different plants.
Old Botanical Garden
This small historic park in the Old Town has centuries-old trees and the remains of an old city wall.
Kunsthaus Zurich art museum
This is one of Switzerland’s most important art museums, with works by artists such as Giacometti, Munch, Van Gogh and Hodler. Its bright, modern new building adds more space for temporary contemporary art exhibitions.
Zurich university district
This area has plenty of charm too. It’s home to ETH Zurich (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) and the University of Zurich (UZH). Both have beautiful buildings and a lively university atmosphere. We recommend heading up to Polyterrasse, in front of the ETH main building, for one of the best panoramic views of Zurich. On clear days, you can even see the Alps.
Uetliberg hill
You can reach Uetliberg by public transport from Zurich’s main station. The journey described in our original itinerary involved train connections and took around an hour and a half. The views from the hill are lovely, especially at sunset, but we wouldn’t consider it essential if you’re short on time.
Lindt Home of Chocolate
If you love chocolate, this is a fantastic place to visit. We definitely recommend it!
From Zurich’s main station, take the S8 train to Kilchberg, a journey of around 20 minutes, then walk another 10–15 minutes to the entrance.
There are several experiences available, including workshops and guided group visits. For the standard chocolate museum experience, individual adult tickets cost CHF 17 and tickets for children aged 8–15 cost CHF 10 (prices as of 2025).
We recommend booking online to avoid the queues, which can be very long. Tickets often sell out in advance, especially during busy periods, so we wouldn’t leave it until the day before. You can book through the official website.
It’s a really enjoyable visit. There are unlimited chocolate tastings and chocolates offered at the end of the tour. You’ll also learn plenty about the history of chocolate, how it’s made and how different flavors are developed. Although the written displays are in English and German, the included audio guide offers several languages, including Spanish.
Day trips from Zurich
While you’re in Zurich, we’d recommend taking the opportunity to discover more of Switzerland. Have a look at the Switzerland section of our blog to see what else this country has to offer. Alternatively, you can join a guided day trip to some of Switzerland’s best-known sights. It’s an easy way to leave the planning to someone else and focus on enjoying the day. We suggest checking out Civitatis, which offers a range of trips that are easy to book online. The tours listed here advertised free cancellation up to 24 hours beforehand, but do check the conditions when booking.
- Day trip from Zurich to Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.
- Day trip to Mount Titlis and Lucerne.
- Day trip to Jungfraujoch. If you’re interested in visiting Jungfraujoch, take a look at our blog guide too.
- Day trip to the Rhine Falls.
And that’s the end of our guide to what to see in Zurich in one day. We hope you enjoy exploring the city! If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and we’ll be happy to help.
See you on the road!
