sightseeing tours in zurich switzerland

THE 10 BEST Zurich Sightseeing Tours

Sightseeing tours in zurich.

• Walking Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Sightseeing Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Zurich Highlights Tour With Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate

2. Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride

3. Heidiland and Liechtenstein Tour from Zurich

4. Zurich Tuk Tuk Private Tour with Cheese Fondue and Wine

5. Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise

6. Swiss Alps: Interlaken and Grindelwald Day Trip from Zurich

7. Private Daytrip by Car to Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria & Swiss

8. Zurich Old Town Walking Tour

9. Lucerne Day Tour from Zurich

10. eTukTuk Private Tour - Central Zurich and Surroundings

11. Daytrip to Jungfraujoch Top of Europe with EigerExpress Gondola Ride from Zürich

12. Mt Rigi and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Boat Ride

13. Zurich City Tour with Audio Commentary

14. City tour of Zurich with the city whisperer from CHF 21.00

15. 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg

16. Private Zurich Day Tour from St Gallen

17. Zurich Private Customizable Guided Walking Tour

18. Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen & Mürren Private Day Trip from Zurich

19. Glacier Express Panoramic Train Round Trip in one Day Private Tour from Luzern

20. LINDT Home of Chocolate, Cruise On Lake Zurich And Old Town Walking Tour

21. Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich

22. Mount Rigi Winter Day Trip from Zurich

23. Jungfraujoch (Private Tour)

24. Adventure to Mount Pilatus Gold and Silver tour

25. Private Tour to Lugano Old Town and Lake Cruise from Zurich

26. Private City Tour & Photoshoot with a Local in Zurich

27. Ultimate Private Guided Lucerne Experience with Pick-up at Hotel

28. Zurich Small-Group Guided Walking Tour Including Lake Cruise

29. Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise

30. eTukTuk Hot Stone BBQ and Wine Tour Zürich

What travelers are saying.

• WOW ZURICH TOURS
• #Letsmuseeum
• Erwin Tours of Switzerland
• Zurich Tour
• Yo Tours Zurich
• Swissdaytours Mark Huggenberger
• Best of Switzerland Tours
• DragonView.ch Paragliding Adventure

Top Tours in Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich tours.

• Walking Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland

2. Zurich Walking Tour With Cruise and Aerial Cable Car

3. Zurich Highlights Tour With Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate

4. Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich

5. Swiss Villages Grindelwald and Interlaken Day Trip from Zurich

6. Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride

7. Heidiland and Liechtenstein Tour from Zurich

8. Zurich Tuk Tuk Private Tour with Cheese Fondue and Wine

9. Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein Half-Day Tour from Zurich

10. Bean to Bar Chocolate Course

11. Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise

12. Swiss Alps: Interlaken and Grindelwald Day Trip from Zurich

13. Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip from Zurich

14. Zurich Old Town Walking Tour

15. Lucerne Day Tour from Zurich

16. eTukTuk Private Tour - Central Zurich and Surroundings

17. Daytrip to Jungfraujoch Top of Europe with EigerExpress Gondola Ride from Zürich

18. Black Forest and Rhine Falls Day Trip from Zurich

19. Mt Rigi and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Boat Ride

20. Private Day Trip from Zurich to Lucerne

21. Zurich City Tour with Audio Commentary

22. Mt Titlis Glacier Paradise Tour from Zurich With Lucerne

23. City tour of Zurich with the city whisperer from CHF 21.00

24. 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg

25. Zurich Private Customizable Guided Walking Tour

26. Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich

27. Zürich Historic District Tour

28. Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour

29. Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner

30. Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen & Mürren Private Day Trip from Zurich

What travellers are saying.

• Zurich Highlights Tour With Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate
• Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride
• Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich
• Zurich Tour: 6 hours on shore, on water, in the air!
• Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland
• der Stadtflüsterer
• Myswisspanorama
• WOW ZURICH TOURS
• Erwin Tours of Switzerland
• Rayrider Bike Tours Zurich
• Swiss Private Tour
• Swissdaytours Mark Huggenberger
• Toptrek Touren
• Swiss Epic Tours
• #Letsmuseeum
• Free Walk Zurich
• Zurich by Lydia
• Dragon View Tandem Paragliding Zurich
• Zürich Paragliding
• DragonView.ch Paragliding Adventure

Top Tours in Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich tours.

• Walking Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland

2. Zurich Walking Tour With Cruise and Aerial Cable Car

3. Zurich Highlights Tour With Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate

4. Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich

5. Swiss Villages Grindelwald and Interlaken Day Trip from Zurich

6. Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride

7. Heidiland and Liechtenstein Tour from Zurich

8. Zurich Tuk Tuk Private Tour with Cheese Fondue and Wine

9. Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein Half-Day Tour from Zurich

10. Private Wilhelm Tell Swiss History Tour with Hotel Pick-up

11. Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise

12. Swiss Alps: Interlaken and Grindelwald Day Trip from Zurich

13. Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip from Zurich

14. Zurich Old Town Walking Tour

15. Lucerne Day Tour from Zurich

16. eTukTuk Private Tour - Central Zurich and Surroundings

17. Private Zurich Day Tour from St Gallen

18. Daytrip to Jungfraujoch Top of Europe with EigerExpress Gondola Ride from Zürich

19. Black Forest and Rhine Falls Day Trip from Zurich

20. Mt Rigi and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Boat Ride

21. Zurich City Tour with Audio Commentary

22. Mt Titlis Glacier Paradise Tour from Zurich With Lucerne

23. City tour of Zurich with the city whisperer from CHF 21.00

24. 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg

25. Zurich Private Customizable Guided Walking Tour

26. Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich

27. Zürich Historic District Tour

28. Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour

29. Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner

30. Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen & Mürren Private Day Trip from Zurich

What travellers are saying.

• Zurich Highlights Tour With Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate
• Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride
• Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich
• Zurich Tour: 6 hours on shore, on water, in the air!
• Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland
• der Stadtflüsterer
• Myswisspanorama
• WOW ZURICH TOURS
• Erwin Tours of Switzerland
• Rayrider Bike Tours Zurich
• Swiss Private Tour
• Swissdaytours Mark Huggenberger
• Toptrek Touren
• Swiss Epic Tours
• #Letsmuseeum
• Free Walk Zurich
• Zurich by Lydia
• Dragon View Tandem Paragliding Zurich
• Zürich Paragliding
• DragonView.ch Paragliding Adventure

Grüezi! Bonjour! Ciao! Allegra!

Welcome to zurich.

Are you willing to avoid the "tourist bubbles" and to discover the charm of the tiny cobblestone streets in the Old Town, to walk through the parks and pedestrian zones, to feel the smells, to hear the bells, to fill your bottle with fresh water at one of the 1200' fountains that Zurich has to offer, to hike in the nearby nature oases?

Cultural or Natural? Medieval or Modern? Onshore or on Water? Express or Extended? We offer you the best tours in Zurich and the most photogenic locations on different private and small-group tours!

ON SHORE, ON WATER, IN THE AIR

Duration:5-6 hours, adult - 75 chf / child - 40 chf, the best sights of zurich, duration: 2-3 hours/small-group, adult - 45 chf / child - 25 chf, a mix of culture and nature, duration: 4 hours/small-group, adult - 60 chf / child - 35 chf, lindt home of chocolate, cruise on lake zurich and old town walking tour.

1-Hour Cruise on lake Zurich

Audio Tour and Unlimited Tasting at LINDT Home of Chocolate

Small-Group ZURICH Old Town Walking Tour

110 CHF per Adult and 50 CHF per Child (All Inclusive)

BE THE GUEST OF THE QUEEN - VISIT MT. RIGI

Mount Rigi's majestic peninsula on Lake Lucerne is the perfect setting for an authentic Swiss mountain experience with unforgettable views of over 13 lakes and the spectacular snow-capped Swiss Alps. Located in the heart of Switzerland, Mt. Rigi can be quickly and easily reached from Zurich. It is the Swiss people's favorite mountain destination and can be accessed via Europe's first-ever cogwheel train.

CUSTOMIZED PRIVATE TOURS IN SWITZERLAND

For a more personalized experience, we offer Private Tours and You are the Boss ! Whether you're an incentive travel company, a solo traveler, or a family looking for a more child-friendly experience, we are glad to be your choice.

 High above the clouds on Top of Europe ? Rotating or Cabrio gondola? A trip with the steepest or with the first Alpine cogwheel train? Hiking or swimming? A walk on Europe's highest-elevation suspended bridge or a stroll around the biggest waterfall?

You dream it, we'll bring it to life!

Badge of Excellence

The Badge of Excellence is awarded to experiences and tours that are meeting the highest quality standards on Viator and TripAdvisor and well-reviewed by travelers.

Local Experienced Guides

Our guides are young, dynamic but patient, punctual, and well organized. They are knowledgeable, multi-language speaking, and ready to answer any of your questions.

Environmentally Friendly

We take our responsibility to the environment very seriously. Most of the time we are getting around on our "own power" and by excellent electrified Swiss Public Transport.

WHAT MAKES ZURICH CHARMING AND SPECIAL

Because Zurich is well known as the country's economic and cultural hub and one of Europe's main financial and industrial capitals, it's easy to forget that it's also a delightful and fascinating place for tourists. Its many attractions include dozens of museums, a well-preserved old town filled with medieval and Renaissance buildings, nature at every corner, and enough art - both in and out of museums. Traveling to Switzerland? Planing an excursion to Zurich? Make sure you're not missing these sights and activities.

Swimming in the Lake and River

There are plenty of great places in Zurich where you can swim and cool down during the hot summer days. Many of these open-air baths are free of charge, some are perceiving a small fee of 8 CHF but you’ll benefit from a wardrobe, locker, etc. You can choose a […]

Lindenhof – an Oasis in the Heart of Zurich

Lindenhof is an oasis at the heart of the city that offers glorious views of the Old Town, Grossmünster, City Hall, the Limmat river, the University of Zurich, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Lindenhof was also the scene of numerous historical events. In the 4th century, a Roman […]

Hidden Gems of “Dörfli”

“Dörfli” is the local name for the eastern side of the Old Town and runs parallel to Limmatquai (the street along the river Limmat). On the Maps and Guide Books, you’ll find this area under the name “Niederdorf” and is a pedestrian zone. During the day, the many stores, which […]

Polyterasse – Top Views Overlooking the Old Town

The Polyterasse is located between ETH and University and offers top views over Zurich’s old town. To get there, you have to take a short ride with the nostalgic Polybahn funicular from Central. The pictures below, will help you to locate the funicular easier. Since opening in 1889, the Polybahn […]

Grill and Chill on the Lake Banks

The stunning Lake Zurich is perfect for a stroll year-round, thanks to its tranquil atmosphere. Backing lower Lake Zurich is a tangle of parks and gardens, collectively known as the lake promenade, that makes for a picturesque place to spend a couple of hours, especially during the sunny summer days. […]

Üetliberg – the Local Little Mountain

Uetliberg is Zurich’s very own “mountain”, from where you have beautiful views of the city and lake – and perhaps even a glimpse of the Alps. At 2,850 feet above sea level, Uetliberg towers over the rooftops of Zurich. The little mountain affords an impressive panoramic view of the city, […]

Waid – Breathtaking Views

The view from Waid is simply breathtaking. The best times to take the most beautiful souvenir photos are sunrise and sunset. Waid is a vantage point on Zurich’s Käferberg, which lies above the urban quarter of Höngg. Those who wish can walk in an hour or two from the city […]

WOW ZURICH TOURS MEETING POINT

Museumstrasse 2, 8001 Zurich (Frontside of LANDESMUSEUM/Swiss National Museum)

WOW Vibes and Gems of ZURICH

Top Tours in Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich tours.

• Walking Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland

2. Zurich Walking Tour With Cruise and Aerial Cable Car

3. Zurich Highlights Tour With Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate

4. Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich

5. Swiss Villages Grindelwald and Interlaken Day Trip from Zurich

6. Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride

7. Heidiland and Liechtenstein Tour from Zurich

8. Zurich Tuk Tuk Private Tour with Cheese Fondue and Wine

9. Private Half Day in Zurich With Cable Car

10. Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein Half-Day Tour from Zurich

11. Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise

12. Swiss Alps: Interlaken and Grindelwald Day Trip from Zurich

13. Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip from Zurich

14. Zurich Old Town Walking Tour

15. Lucerne Day Tour from Zurich

16. eTukTuk Private Tour - Central Zurich and Surroundings

17. Daytrip to Jungfraujoch Top of Europe with EigerExpress Gondola Ride from Zürich

18. Black Forest and Rhine Falls Day Trip from Zurich

19. Mt Rigi and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Boat Ride

20. Zurich City Tour with Audio Commentary

21. Mt Titlis Glacier Paradise Tour from Zurich With Lucerne

22. Private Daytrip by Car to Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria & Swiss

23. City tour of Zurich with the city whisperer from CHF 21.00

24. 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg

25. Zurich Private Customizable Guided Walking Tour

26. Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich

27. Zürich Historic District Tour

28. Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour

29. Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner

30. Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen & Mürren Private Day Trip from Zurich

What travellers are saying.

• Zurich Highlights Tour With Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate
• Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride
• Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich
• Zurich Tour: 6 hours on shore, on water, in the air!
• Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland
• der Stadtflüsterer
• Myswisspanorama
• WOW ZURICH TOURS
• Erwin Tours of Switzerland
• Rayrider Bike Tours Zurich
• Swiss Private Tour
• Swissdaytours Mark Huggenberger
• Toptrek Touren
• Swiss Epic Tours
• #Letsmuseeum
• Free Walk Zurich
• Zurich by Lydia
• Dragon View Tandem Paragliding Zurich
• Zürich Paragliding
• DragonView.ch Paragliding Adventure

18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Zürich

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 22, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Zürich, Switzerland's largest city, is a delightful and fascinating place for tourists. Its many attractions and things to do include dozens of museums, a well-preserved old town filled with medieval and Renaissance buildings, and enough art - both in and out of museums - to keep art-lovers happy for a week.

Zurich's tradition of liberal thinking and active intellectual life attracted leading figures that included Georg Büchner, Vladimir Lenin, James Joyce, C. G. Jung, and Thomas Mann, and this tradition continues into modern times. Although it buzzes with business activity, Zürich is one of the finest Swiss cities to visit and is perfectly arranged for sightseeing on foot.

The city is also a good base for visiting many other fascinating places in Switzerland and the nearby Black Forest region of Germany . In fact, a number of these make good day trips from Zürich. Find the best places to visit with our list of the top things to do in Zürich.

1. Niederdorf and the Old Town

2. ride the train up the uetliberg, 3. play on lake zürich, 4. kunsthaus zürich (museum of fine arts), 5. bahnhofstrasse and the bahnhof, 6. fraumünster, 7. lindenhof, 8. limmatquai and the rathaus (town hall), 9. schweizerisches landesmuseum (swiss national museum), 10. grossmünster (great minster), 11. fifa museum, 12. zurich zoo, 13. zurich-west, 14. rietberg museum, 15. st. peter's church, 16. bellerive museum, 17. confiserie sprüngli: a confectioner's café, 18. zurich christmas markets, where to stay in zurich for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to zurich, zurich, switzerland - climate chart.

In the midst of this modern financial powerhouse of a city is a neighborhood filled with historic charm, its narrow streets rising steeply on the east side of the river. The Niederdorf area is one of the medieval streets and squares, a lively place to visit, with boutiques, restaurants, and cafés.

Heading up Münstergasse, you'll come to the Napfgasse, with the Brunnenturm, which was headquarters of the Lombard money-changers in the 14th and 15th centuries. Haus zum Napt , at number 6, has a fine interior with rooms furnished in Renaissance style.

On Spiegelgasse, at number 17, is a house where Lenin lived in 1917. In this street, at Cabaret Voltaire, Hans Arp and Tristan Tzara launched the Dada art movement in 1916. Spiegelgasse runs east into the Neumarkt , where you'll find the Shoemakers' Guild House, now a theater, and the Hans zum Rech , dating from the Middle Ages and showing how decorative styles changed over the centuries.

Step inside at least to see its courtyard and the model of Zürich in 1800. The interior preserves painted walls and ceilings from the 17th century and fine ornamental ironwork. The 13th-century Grimmenturm, at number 27, was originally a residence. In these streets, you'll find antiques shops and boutiques, as well as cafés and restaurants.

You can get an overview of the Old Town's warren of charming streets, as well as an orientation of the layout of the city, on the two-hour Zurich Highlights Tour . After riding through the Old Town and hearing the historic commentary from your guide, you'll board the Dolderbahn railway to climb into the hills of the Zurichberg district for views of the Old Town and lake.

For the best views of the city and the lake, follow locals to their favorite weekend aerie, the 871-meter Uetliberg. Southwest of Zürich, the Uetliberg is the most northerly summit in the Albis ridge, easy to reach by the Uetlibergbahn, a mountain railroad that runs year-round from Selnau station to the upper station. From here it is a 10-minute walk to the summit.

The broad walkway is well lit at night and leads to the summit restaurant, a glass-enclosed space with beautiful views of the city lights below. Daytime views from the lookout tower stretch across the Valais, Bernese, and Glarus Alps, with the Black Forest to the north and the Säntis to the east. From here, an easy ridge walk to the Felsenegg takes a little more than an hour, where a cableway descends to Adliswil.

You can return to Zurich by the Sihltalbahn. Riding to the Uetliberg at night for a dinner of fondue and views of the city with its lights reflected in the snow is one of the locals' favorite things to do in Zürich in the winter.

The focal point of Zürich, and a favorite playground for tourists and locals is the long Lake Zürich. The entire shore is lined with promenades and parks, where local residents catch the sun, jog, picnic, and swim in the lake.

The favorite way for tourists to enjoy the lake is on one of the many cruises that reveal beautiful views to the Glarus Alps. Look for the steamer landing at Bürkliplatz, at the point where the Limmat flows from the lake. The Quaibrücke crosses the river to connect Bürkliplatz with Bellevueplatz.

About 1.5 kilometers from Bellevueplatz is the beautiful Zürichhorn Park , built for the National Exhibition in 1939. Here, you'll find a restaurant; a Chinese Garden ; and a boat landing for the Limmatschiff , a boat that runs from the National Museum along the river to the lake, ending at Zürihorn.

On the opposite shore, Strandbad Mythenquai is a public beach, part of the Seeuferanlage promenades that were built between 1881 and 1887. The 820 feet of sandy shore has diving boards, children's pools, lawns for sunbathing, barbecue sites, and a self-serve rental station for paddleboards.

A large flea-market is held every Saturday on Bürkliplatz from May until October with as many as 500 vendors, including antiques dealers and hobby traders.

One of Europe's top art museums, the Kunsthaus is run by the Zürich Society of Arts and traces its history back to a society of artists founded in 1787. While it has large collections of works by several artists - more paintings by Charles Munch than any other museum outside of Oslo and Europe's most important collection of Monet's works outside of Paris - the emphasis has always been on showing the highest quality works by an artist over the largest quantity.

The Kunsthaus is especially strong in Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, and Modern schools, beginning with the forerunners and early Impressionists Delacroix, Corot, Courbet, and Manet. Two of the most beautiful of the large water lily canvases are at the center of the Monet exhibit. Both Cézanne and van Gogh are represented by paintings from the end of their careers - van Gogh's painted in the final days of his life. An entire room is filled with characteristic dreamlike works of Marc Chagall.

Landmark works of Mirò, Max Ernst, Magritte, and Salvador Dali represent the Surrealist artists, and Matisse is featured both as a sculptor and painter. As you might expect, there are numerous works from the Dada school, begun right here in Zürich. Earlier periods are well represented, with important collections of exceptional paintings from the Dutch golden age, the Flemish ( Rubens and van Dyck ), Italian Baroque, and the Venetian Settecento periods.

Again, the emphasis is on landmark works, such as Domenichino's first great landscape painting of the Baptism of Christ, considered a milestone in landscape painting. Obtaining works of living artists is an important mission, and on the ground floor, you'll find changing exhibits of contemporary sculptures.

Address: Heimplatz 1, Zürich

Official site: http://www.kunsthaus.ch

Zürich's "Main Street" is the busy pedestrianized Bahnhofstrasse, stretching from the main train station (bahnhof) to the Bürkliplatz at the head of the lake. The 1,200-meter street is one of the most attractive shopping streets in Europe, enlivened by fountains, public art, trees, and distinguished buildings.

Although many of the shops that line it are filled with furs, fashions, jewelry, and other high-end goods, their smartly decked windows and the buildings themselves make it a popular place for everyone to stroll. The middle section of the street was built in 1867 after the filling in of an old moat, the Fröschengraben; the parts towards the lake and the station were built a few years later.

Among the interesting buildings are several dating from the turn of the 20th century: the Weber building (number 75), re-built in 1912 and 1928, and the Jelmoli department store complex at Seidengasse 1, originally designed with a skeleton in iron. Notice especially the 1913 facade of the Peterhof and Leuenhof building.

In the basement of Bahnhofstrasse 31, the Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich displays a large collection of watches and clocks, ranging from sun, oil, and water-clocks to Swiss clocks with wooden wheels and Nuremberg pendulum clocks. In the lower part of Bahnhofstrasse is the Paradeplatz , with the palatial 1876 headquarters of the Schweizerischen Kreditanstalt and the Hotel Savoy Baur en Ville, built in 1838 and reconstructed in 1978.

In the 18th century, there was a cattle market on the Paradeplatz, and later it was used as a parade ground. The imposing Bahnhof itself is an attraction, its soaring hall lined with shops and cafes, with more in the giant mall underneath. Zurich's largest Christmas market is held inside the Bahnhof.

Often mistranslated to Church of Our Lady, the name of the protestant Fraumünster actually means Women's Church, referring to the founding of an abbey here in 853 for aristocratic women of Europe by the Emperor Ludwig for his daughter, Hildegard. Until the high Middle Ages, the head of the convent was also governor of the city.

The church is a three-aisled, pillared basilica with a Gothic nave built from the 13th to the 15th centuries, a Romanesque chancel, and an Early Gothic transept with high vaulting. In the undercroft, you can see remains of the crypt of the 9th-century abbey church.

Although the church itself is worth seeing, what makes it one of Zürich's most popular tourist attractions is the beautiful set of five stained-glass windows in the chancel created by Marc Chagall in 1970. From left to right, the vividly colored windows show Elijah's ascent to heaven, Jacob, scenes of Christ's life, an angel trumpeting the end of the world, and Moses.

The rosette in the southern transept is also the work of Marc Chagall. In the north transept is another impressive stained glass window, The Heavenly Paradise, created by Augusto Giacometti in the 1940s. The abbey itself was demolished in 1898 to make way for the Stadthaus, but the Romanesque and Gothic cloister survives, with 1928 paintings by P. Bodmer illustrating the legend of the convent's founding and the city's patron saints, Felix and Regula.

Address: Münsterhof, Zürich

Between the Bahnhofstrasse and the left bank of the Limmat, the western half of Zürich's old town rises steeply to the quiet tree-shaded Lindenhof. This is where the Romans built their fortified settlement in the fourth century to defend against migrations from the North. Five centuries later, the grandson of Charlemagne built a palace here as a royal residence.

Long after remains of these structures had all but disappeared, some incorporated into buildings around the park, the site was still used for important ceremonies; in 1798 the oath confirming the Helvetic Constitution was taken here. Today, it's a tree-shaded park with benches, chess players, and tourists enjoying the sweeping views across the river and Old Town.

Along the Limmatquai, a popular riverside shopping street, are a number of elegant old guild-houses with sumptuous interiors reflecting the wealth of the guilds which governed the town until 1789. Many of them now house restaurants, so you can get a look inside at the 1719 Haus zur Saffran (number 54); the 1660 Haus zur Rüden (42); and the two-storied Haus zur Zimmerleuten (40) from 1709, with a beautiful oriel window.

Zürich's Town Hall, the Rathaus, is easy to spot, as it overhangs the river and is supported on wide arches at the east end of the Rathausbrücke. Constructed between 1694 and 1698, the massive Late Renaissance building has rich sculptured decoration and a Baroque ceremonial hall that is well worth seeing.

At the end of Münsterbrücke stands the Late-Gothic Wasserkirche , once entirely surrounded by the River Limmat. It was not connected to the land until 1839 when the Limmatquai was constructed. Built onto the north side of the church is the 1794 Helmhaus with an open fountain hall in which special exhibitions are held.

A castle-like building with neo-Gothic flourishes houses an excellent museum showcasing the cultural history of all Switzerland. It is by far the most important collection of Swiss historic and cultural artifacts - more than 820,000 of them, covering a wide range of subjects from prehistory through the 20th century.

The archaeological collections, with artifacts discovered in Switzerland that date from about 100,000 BC to about AD 800 are among the finest in Europe. Entire collections cover works of gold- and silversmiths, textiles, costumes, metalwork, jewelry, watches and clocks, scientific instruments, rural life, carriages and sleighs, musical instruments, crafts, and industrial antiquities.

The medieval wall paintings are particularly interesting, as is the collection of old stained glass. The Armory Tower exhibits an important collection of arms and armor.

Displays follow four themes: early migration and settlement, religious and intellectual history, political history, and the economic development of Switzerland. The Collections Gallery provides an overview in 20 displays showing Swiss handicrafts and products.

A series of reconstructed period rooms, for which the museum is best known, shows furnishings and decorative arts in room settings following the evolution of living spaces through the centuries as needs and tastes changed. Swiss furniture from the 20th century is displayed as well, highlighting the contrasts.

Address: Museumstrasse 2, Zürich

Official site: https://www.landesmuseum.ch/en

Standing in an open terrace above the river, Zürich's principal church dominates the city skyline with its twin towers. Built between the 11th and the 13th centuries, it is a Romanesque three-aisled galleried basilica with a chancel over a crypt that dates from about 1100. The upper levels of the towers date from 1487, but the domed tops were added in 1782.

High on the south tower on the river side is a seated figure of Charlemagne, who is believed to have founded the order to which the church originally belonged. You can see the badly weathered original of the statue in the crypt; the outside one is a copy.

Be sure to see the two modern bronze doors done in 1935-36, the sculptured Romanesque capitals, remains of Gothic wall-paintings, and the Late Romanesque cloister from about 1200. The three vividly colored stained-glass windows in the choir were designed by Augusto Giacometti in 1933.

Football (soccer to Americans and Canadians) is the world's most popular sport, played in every country, and the FIFA Museum tells the story of its world governing body, and of the World Cup. The emersive experience begins with giant video screens showing football played in countries throughout the world.

At the 13-meter-long Time Line exhibit, visitors can watch the sport grow as country after country joined.

The largest exhibition space is devoted to the FIFA World Cup Gallery, filled with mementoes and history of the two most important competitions: the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup. The highlights for fans are a close-up look at the glittering World Cup Trophy and a film with the most memorable moments from World Cup Finals.

Address: Seestrasse 27, Zürich, Switzerland

Official site: https://www.fifamuseum.com/en/

More than 360 different animal species live in the exotic world of the Zurich Zoo, one of the finest in Europe. Animals live as close to their own environments as possible: snow leopards amid the rocky Himalayan landscape, penguins swimming in chilly water, and you can spot flying foxes from a canopy walk amid 13,000 square meters of tropical rainforest.

In the Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park, you can watch the Asian elephant family play with their baby and swim in their multi-environment outdoor complex, which was designed to resemble their natural Thai habitat. Trams and trains run to the zoo from the main train station and the Paradeplatz.

Address: Zürichbergstrasse 221, Zürich

Official site: https://www.zoo.ch/en

Reinventing itself from a former industrial area, Zurich-West is now a trendy district for contemporary art, design, shopping, and dining with an informal vibe and cheeky charm.

The main gathering point is under the arches of the railway viaduct, built in 1894 and known as Im Viadukt. The arches are now filled with designer shops, boutiques, a food market, and restaurants, and the 500-meter-long urban space alongside it is the place to stroll.

Kunsthalle Zurich and Migros Museum both feature contemporary art, the latter of them with a focus on social issues. The former shipbuilding plant, the Schiffbau, is the major venue for performing arts and music.

A Neoclassical villa modeled on the Villa Albani in Rome (it's said to be an exact copy) houses the outstanding collection of Baron Eduard von der Heydt. The villa was built in 1857 for a German industrialist and was a meeting place for Zürich intellectuals.

It is Switzerland's only museum of non-European art, with collections that include Indian sculpture, Tibetan temple pictures and bronzes, Chinese grave decorations, Buddhist stele, and Asian ceramics and jade. There are also arts from the Pacific, the Near East, and North America, along with a collection of African carvings, masks, and bronzes.

The villa sits in beautiful Rieter Park , an English landscape garden with walking paths.

Address: Gablerstrasse 15, Zürich

Official site: www.rietberg.ch

South of the Lindenhof in the part of the Old Town that lies on the west bank of the Limmat, St. Peter's Church stands on a little hill. The oldest parish church in Zürich, it has an early 13th-century Romanesque choir under the tower and a Baroque nave with three-aisles and galleries.

You can see the original 9th-century foundation underneath the chancel. In 1538, the church acquired the largest clock dials in Europe, 8.7 meters in diameter, and still holds that record.

Address: St.-Peter-Hofstatt, Zürich

The astonishingly broad collections in the Bellerive make it Switzerland's most important museum of applied arts. The diverse exhibitions that display these explore various topics and themes, moving seamlessly between art and design and through various historical periods.

The Bellerive is especially strong in works across all media from the Art Nouveau era, with particularly valuable examples of ceramics. Other specialties include textiles, modern ceramics, and marionettes handmade by 20th-century artists. There are 200 historic musical instruments in the collections.

Address: Höschgasse 3, Zürich

Sprüngli House was opened in 1856, and today, the confectioner's café on Paradeplatz is a favorite stop for locals and tourists. One look at the stacks of temptations in the window, and you'll be drawn inside to at least feast your eyes on the beautifully displayed truffles (made fresh each day), bonbons, cakes, and their signature macarons, called Luxemburgerli.

The retail shop is on the street floor, while the upstairs café-salon serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon desserts in genteel surroundings.

Address: Bahnhofstrasse 21, Zürich

The month of December is an exciting time to visit Zurich, when streets and squares - even the train station - are filled with kiosks selling holiday foods, gifts, decorations, and works by local craftspeople. Amid the stalls in Werdmühleplatz is the Singing Christmas Tree , a pyramid-shaped platform of evergreen boughs where rows of red-clad children sing Christmas carols.

At Bürkliplatz, visitors can create their own Christmas candles, and throughout the markets are carousels and amusements for children.

One of Europe's largest Christmas markets fills huge Bahnhof, whose main hall becomes a glittering world of lights, highlighted by a 50-foot Christmas tree decorated entirely by Swarovski crystal ornaments. The tree showcases more than 6,000 ornaments from the year's latest and from past years.

A short boat ride on Lake Zurich to Medieval Rapperswil adds a Christmas market featuring a wide variety of local foods.

Most of Zurich's top-rated attractions lie close to the Limmat River, between the Bahnhof (main train station) and Bürkliplatz, where the river flows from the lake. Connecting these two points on the west side is the broad Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's most fashionable shopping street. Rising from the other side of the river is the Old Town of narrow streets and squares lined with Medieval and Renaissance buildings. These highly-rated hotels in Zurich are all in this central area:

Luxury Hotels :

• Often found on the "Best Hotels in Europe" lists, Baur au Lac is known for great service and its elegant, spacious rooms overlooking the lake, as well as for its Michelin-starred Pavillon restaurant.
• Not as close to the Old Town, but near the lake and the main shopping area, Park Hyatt Zurich is in the heart of the financial district.
• A grande dame with Old World style (and free high-speed internet), the uber-elegant Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich faces the Bahnhof but rooms are very quiet.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• In the center of the Old Town and close to shops and restaurants, Hotel Adler offers guests free breakfast and in-room soft drinks amid a contemporary décor.
• Higher in the Old Town and on a tram line, Hotel St. Josef also includes a free continental breakfast.
• Farther from the Old Town, Zurich Marriott Hotel is on the riverbank, about a 10-minute walk from the Bahnhof.

Budget Hotels:

• Just behind the station and on a tram line, Walhalla Hotel overlooks the river and includes a good breakfast buffet.
• Limmathof faces the main station from across the river, at the edge of the Old Town.
• In the atmospheric Old Town, citizenM Zurich rooms feature refrigerators and extra-long beds.

Sightseeing Tours :

• If you have limited time, a great way to see the city's top sights is on a Zurich City Highlights with Felsenegg Cable Car Ride tour. This half-day guided excursion takes you on a luxury coach to see top attractions, such as the old town, Swiss National Museum, Fraumunster Church, and Bahnhofstrasse, and includes a scenic ferry ride across Lake Zurich. After seeing all the city sights, ride a cable car up Felsenegg for a bird's-eye view of the Alps and the mountain towns below.
• Another option, the half-day Great Tour of Zurich , adds a trip along the lake to the lovely lakeside town of Rapperswil, with a return by boat (April to October) or train in the winter. After a bus ride past Zurich's top sights, the tour in Rapperswil includes its beautiful rose gardens and deer park, as well as free time to shop or explore on your own.

Day Trips :

• Zurich is surrounded by exciting day trip options, and the most convenient way to experience them is to join a guided tour. One of the most popular is the Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip . This full-day tour takes you through the beautiful countryside of the Bernese Oberland and on a cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch, where you can enter the heart of a glacier and admire the spectacular UNESCO-listed Alpine wilderness from the Top of Europe.
• If you want to expand your horizons and visit two countries in one day, the Heidiland and Liechtenstein Tour from Zurich is an excellent option. This full-day tour visits the top sights in Zurich; the medieval castles of Rapperswil; the verdant Swiss Alps setting of the classic Heidi stories; and Vaduz, capital of the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein.
• Lucerne is also within day-trip distance of Zurich, and the Mount Pilatus Summer Day Trip from Zurich takes you on a fascinating tour of this picturesque city as well as up the 2,132-meter summit of Mount Pilatus. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views over the snow-capped mountains before descending on the world's steepest railway. Top off your tour with a peaceful cruise across Lake Lucerne.

More on Switzerland

City Tour Through Zurich by Bus

• City tour taking in Zurich's highlights 
• Round trip in an air-conditioned coach
• Short stroll through Zurich's Old Town

10% discount with the Zürich Card

• 24 or 72 hours
• Public transportation included
• Free admission to museums
• Over 50 discounts

This classic city tour in a comfortable, air-conditioned tour bus takes in Zurich’s highlights: Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich Opera House, Lake Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, Zurich University, Kunsthaus, Old Town, and Zürichberg.

The photo stops along Lake Zurich and in the Old Town  –  at the historical guild houses, St. Peter’s Church, Grossmünster, and Fraumüster  –  provide stunning photo opportunities.

The tour also includes a short ride up to the Zürichberg quarter, where guests are treated to magnificent views of the city, the lake, and the snowcapped mountains in the distance. A short stroll leads through the history-steeped Old Town, before the tour bus returns along the picturesque Limmatquai to the Sihlquai bus parking area. 

Discount with Zürich Card = 10%

Time and Duration

Available on the following days, additional information.

Operator: Partner company

Contact & Starting Point

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Zurich & Felsenegg

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+41 (0)44 710 50 50 (7:00 - 21:00)

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