Switzerland is considered to be a dream destination for everyone. The natural beauty of this country is unlike any other. Zürich is the largest city in Switzerland and is an excellent hub to set a base for your Europe Trip. I will speak about this base suggestion more in upcoming posts. Here are the top 3 things I suggest to do in Zürich, this post is based on my personal experiences and research.
Decadent Diaries Travel Tips
If you intend on exploring Zürich fully, consider getting the Zürich card. This offers you unlimited 2nd class travel to all forms of public transportation, includes some lake/river cruises, free or reduced pricing for popular attractions and numerous other discounts. Check out their official website for more.
As I suggest in every post, comfortable clothing and walking shoes are a must.
Carry a jacket for windy days and a backpack for carrying your shopping.
Chose a hotel on Bahnhofstrasse or nearby to Zürich HB to be closeby to all the popular areas.
1. BAHNHOFSTRASSE
Bahnhofstrasse, as the name suggests, is the main street or "Strasse" that begins from the Bahnhof i.e. the main railway station in Zürich which is Zürich HB. It is a notable street lined with high-end stores, many cafes and dining options, chocolatiers and even supermarkets. It is a pedestrian boulevard with main tram lines passing through. It is stunningly decorated, especially during Christmas time with lights and other decorative features along the path. Start by browsing the Zürich HB station, there is much to see and do around this well-known station. The Swiss National Museum is located next to the station which displays Switzerland's rich history and artifacts. Nearing Christmas, Zürich HB has a wonderful Christmas market one can visit. There is no better place to feel all the magic of Zürich than Bahnhofstrasse. You can spend hours browsing the high-end boutiques, luxury watches and jewelry stores, you can grab a bite to eat, buy some delicious Swiss chocolate, you can even pick up food and drinks to go at the famous Coop Supermarket. Some of the most iconic restaurants are located on this street or just close by.
In Pics - Hot chocolate and Vegetarian puff pastry from Confiserie Sprüngli
In Pics - Haus Hiltl
Two of them I highly recommend trying are Confiserie Sprüngli and Haus Hiltl. Confiserie Sprüngli is so dreamy, having delectable confections both sweet and savory, plus Swiss hot chocolate, ice cream with Swiss hot chocolate sauce and more. The display of their stunning treats is drool-worthy and there is so much variety, you will be spoilt for choice. Haus Hiltl is a 120-year-old institution known as one of the oldest Vegetarian establishments in the world. This place is packed with people always who enjoy their extensive veggie buffets. You won't miss meat at this restaurant as there is so much variety it is mind-boggling. You load onto your plate whatever you like from the buffet and the plate is then weighed and you are charged by weight. Both the restaurants that I have mentioned are highly rated on google as well and they are always full of happy customers, they are truly worth trying out. There are many more options to eat, just check out google maps for cuisines of your choice. Do also check out Augustinrgasse, Münzplatz and Paradeplatz close by. Visit the remarkable Church of St. Peter to view its architectural beauty and its iconic church clock. Another beautiful church close by is the Fraumünster Church. Head to Lindenhof Zürich for some breathtaking views of the city. This used to be the site of a former Roman fort. A short 10-minute walk away is another iconic church, the St. Jakob City Church. There is so much to do and see on and around this street, it is truly enjoyable and memorable.
2. LAKE ZÜRICH
This picturesque lake is a hot spot for tourists during the summer, known for its boating, swimming and stunning mountain views. Head to the observation deck at the Ganymed Statue to gaze at the scenic view, also check out the Blumenuhr or Flower Clock. Enjoy a river cruise from one of the many cruise companies available here. Head across the Quaibrücke Bridge to view the Zürich Opera House and the town square which hosts Christmas markets, etc. Here close by you can visit another iconic supermarket chain in Switzerland called Migros. Head to Theaterstrasse and then onwards to Seefeldstrasse which has two more iconic restaurants, Mövenpick and Tibits. Mövenpick is a chain of fine swiss ice cream and also serves up sundaes etc. Tibits is another highly rated veggie restaurant chain where you can enjoy hot and cold vegetarian and vegan dishes. It also has delicious pay-by-weight vegetarian buffets. Walk along the lake to reach Seebad Utoquai to take a swim during summer. Walk further ahead to visit Zürichhorn Park for some beautiful scenery, waterfront views and more. On the other side of the lake is the Rieterpark which is an enormous park containing lawns, playgrounds, the Rietberg museum and more. Along the same Strasse is the FIFA museum for football lovers.
Tip: If you are a vegetarian, do not forget to try the local Mc Donalds and Burger King as well, they have a host of delicious veggie burgers and sides.
3. OLD TOWN
Zürich's historical area is filled with cobblestone streets, quaint shops and many eating options. Here one can get some stunning views of the Limmat river and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding architecture. Some of the famous streets here are Niederdorf, Zwingliplatz, Spiegelgasse Platz, Neumarkt and Münstergasse. Visit the Münsterbrücke or Münster Bridge for some incredible views of the city and the river. Here there is also the stunning twin-towered Romanesque cathedral, the Grossmünster. Close by is the Künsthaus, the art museum of Zürich which houses major European collections going back all the way to the 15th century. Another art museum in this area is Helmhaus which has more contemporary works. If libraries are your thing you can visit the massive Zentralbibliothek. There are many top-rated restaurants here including Raclette Factory, Oepfelchammer, Cafe & Conditorei 1842, Hasta Ice Cream and more. Another iconic church in this area is the Predigerkirche built in 1231. Head close by to the Polyterrasse for some panoramic views of the city. This area also has the Zoological Museum and the University of Zürich. Just walking in this historic area, there is so much to discover everywhere you look, it is just wonderful to take a stroll and enjoy the beauty all around you.
So these are my top 3 must-see places in Zürich, hope you enjoyed reading ❤️
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