Zurich itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: The old town on both banks
The Lindenhof and St. Peter, Münsterhof and the Fraumünster, the Grossmünster and the Niederdorf, and an evening view from the ETH terrace.
- 1
Morning
The Lindenhof & St. Peter
From the main station, climb into the old town to the Lindenhof, a shady square on the site of a Roman fort, with one of the best views over the Limmat, the old town and the Grossmünster. Just below it, St. Peter's church has one of the largest church clock faces in Europe.
- Main station
- Lindenhof viewpoint
- St. Peter's clock tower
- Old town lanes
The Lindenhof is at its calmest early in the morning, before the tour groups arrive.
Walk down past St. Peter to Münsterhof, about 5 min.
- 2
Late morning
Münsterhof & the Fraumünster
The elegant square of Münsterhof, lined with old guild houses, and the Fraumünster beside it, a church famous for its stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.
- Münsterhof
- Fraumünster
- Chagall windows
- Guild houses
Cross the Münsterbrücke to the Grossmünster, about 5 min.
- 3
Afternoon
The Grossmünster & the Niederdorf
Across the river rise the twin towers of the Grossmünster, the church at the centre of the Swiss Reformation. Behind it, the car-free lanes of the Niederdorf wind north past guild houses, small squares such as Hirschenplatz, shops and bars.
- Grossmünster
- Limmatquai
- Niederdorf lanes
- Hirschenplatz
Walk north through the Niederdorf to Central, about 10 min, then ride the Polybahn up, about 2 min.
- 4
Evening
The Polybahn & the ETH terrace
The little red Polybahn funicular climbs from the river to the university quarter. The terrace in front of the main ETH building looks out over the old town towers, the river and the lake.
- Polybahn funicular
- ETH Polyterrasse
- View over the old town
Come up in the late afternoon or at dusk, when the light falls on the old town roofs.
Day 2: Bahnhofstrasse & the lake
Bahnhofstrasse and Paradeplatz, the lakefront at Bürkliplatz, Sechseläutenplatz and Utoquai, then Seefeld and the Chinese Garden.
- 1
Morning
Bahnhofstrasse & Paradeplatz
One of the most exclusive shopping streets in the world runs from the main station to the lake, lined with Swiss watchmakers, jewellers and department stores under its linden trees. Halfway down, Paradeplatz is the heart of Swiss banking.
- Bahnhofstrasse
- Paradeplatz
- Swiss chocolate shops
Walk to the lake end of Bahnhofstrasse, about 5 min.
- 2
Late morning
Bürkliplatz & the lakefront
At the end of Bahnhofstrasse the city opens onto Lake Zurich. Bürkliplatz is the square at the water's edge, with boat piers, a market on some mornings and, on clear days, the Alps on the horizon.
- Lake Zurich
- Boat piers
- Bürkliplatz market
- Limmat outflow
The lake boats leave from the piers here; a short round trip on the lake is an easy way to see the city from the water.
Cross the Quaibrücke to Sechseläutenplatz, about 10 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Sechseläutenplatz, the Opera & Utoquai
Across the Quaibrücke, the wide open square of Sechseläutenplatz sits in front of the Opera House, and the Utoquai promenade follows the eastern shore under tall trees, with swans on the water and historic bathhouses along the edge.
- Quaibrücke
- Sechseläutenplatz
- Opera House
- Utoquai promenade
Walk south along Utoquai and the Seefeld shore, about 25 min.
- 4
Late afternoon
Seefeld, Zürichhorn & the Chinese Garden
South of the centre, the lakeside promenade continues through Seefeld to the green park of Zürichhorn. At its edge, the Chinagarten is a Chinese garden with temple buildings and quiet ponds, a gift from Zurich's twin city of Kunming.
- Seefeld promenade
- Zürichhorn park
- Chinese Garden
In summer, locals swim in the lake from the bathing spots along this shore; bring a towel and join them.
Lake Zurich Promenade and the Chinese Garden
Video by City Walker Journal on YouTube
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 2-day Zurich plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Zurich
How many days?
Two or three days is a good first visit: the old town on both banks of the river, then Bahnhofstrasse and the lakefront, then Zurich West and an evening on the Uetliberg. One day covers the old town.
Where to stay
The old town (Altstadt) and the Niederdorf put the first day on your doorstep; the streets around the main station are well connected for trains around Switzerland; Seefeld is quieter and close to the lake; Zurich West is livelier at night.
Getting around
Walk the old town, Bahnhofstrasse and the lakefront. Trams and the S-Bahn reach Zurich West and the Uetliberg quickly, and the same tickets cover the Polybahn funicular and the lake boats.
Zurich is small enough to walk and big enough to fill a long weekend. The medieval old town lines both banks of the Limmat, from the Lindenhof and the Fraumünster on one side to the Grossmünster and the lanes of the Niederdorf on the other, and the river flows out of a clear lake with the Alps on the horizon. Beyond the centre, the old industrial district of Zurich West and the Uetliberg, the city's own mountain, show two very different sides of the city.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the city before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to a landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Zurich itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Zurich?
Two days is enough for a first visit: one for the old town on both banks of the Limmat, one for Bahnhofstrasse and the lakefront. A third day adds Zurich West and the view from the Uetliberg.
Is Zurich walkable?
Yes. The old town, Bahnhofstrasse and the lakefront are all within a short walk of each other. Trams and the S-Bahn cover Zurich West and the Uetliberg, and the Polybahn funicular saves the climb to the university terrace.
When is the best time to visit Zurich?
May to September is best for the lake, swimming spots and outdoor terraces. Autumn brings golden trees along the lakefront, and December fills the old town and the main station with Christmas markets.
Can you swim in Lake Zurich?
Yes. In summer, locals swim in the lake and the Limmat from historic bathhouses and bathing spots right in the city centre, and along the shore in Seefeld and around Zürichhorn.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Keep exploring Zurich
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Zurich city guide →