Zurich City Trip: 16 fun things to do and see in this hip city

Looking for city break inspiration? Then put Zurich on your bucket list! And don't just think of Zurich as cheese fondue, the beautiful Altstadt, and bankers. During my recent city break, I discovered a completely different side of the city. Zurich is hip, you can enjoy fantastic food, and you can cycle for hours from one trendy neighborhood to the next. The icing on the cake, what makes this destination truly special? The bathis and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Zurich, where you can cool off wonderfully in summer temperatures. Whether you're booking a weekend getaway to Zurich by (night) train or stopping over on your way through this summer, feel free to spend two nights exploring this fantastic city!

 | TIP: Check out the comprehensive guide with the 24 best food hotspots in Zurich here >>

Zurich Bucket List: 16 Things to Do in This Hip City

In this new Zurich Travel Guide, I've listed the best things to do in Zurich in the summer!

This is where you'll stay: 25 Hours Hotel Zurich West

Zurich's West district is hot! And with many fantastic terraces, such as Frau Gerolds Garden and Nüni just around the corner, as well as Badi's Unterer Letten just a short bike ride away, it's the perfect neighborhood to choose as a base. Stay at the 25hours Hotel Zürich West, which recently underwent a minor renovation to its lobby and design. A tram stops right outside, and you can reach the city center from the hotel in ten minutes. Located in a former industrial neighborhood, the hotel is packed with charming galleries and hotspots. The hotel's design has been carefully considered. It's colorful, has a modern feel, is filled with beautiful designer furniture, and boasts many hidden gems. The renovated 25hours Hotel Zürich West is the perfect place for sports enthusiasts. Start a summer day with a run; you can even borrow an outfit from reception. Prefer something different? They offer various exercise classes daily. They also have several bikes available for rent! Looking for a bit of relaxation after a day in the city? Unwind in the sauna with city views or grab a bite to eat at Ribelli Italian restaurant. And don't forget: the hotel is also adding a swimming pool.

© Your Little Black Book – 25 Hours Hotel Zurich West

Rent a bike in Zurich

I mentioned it briefly, but whichever neighborhood you choose for your hotel, exploring Zurich by bike is a must! You can hop from hotspot to hotspot, from an ice cream stop to a charming wine bar for an aperitif. Cycle past Zurich's various sights along the way and take a well-deserved swim at one of the lakeside bars. By bike, you can reach most places in about ten to twenty minutes. Most places now have separate bike lanes, but sometimes cyclists and pedestrians share a lane. You can rent a bike at several locations. Or, like me, you can specifically choose your hotel for this. Very convenient!

© Your Little Black Book – Cycling in Zurich

Festival fever in Zurich in the summer

Whenever possible, I always try to combine my city trips with a fun event in the city. In Zurich, I was in luck, because I was there during Zurich Food, an annual food festival held in June at various locations throughout the city. We ate the most delicious street food during the Streetfood Festival! This summer, there's still plenty to do in Zurich in terms of events and festivals. But perhaps the most famous is the Street Parade, held on the second Saturday in August. This dance festival with techno music is comparable to the Love Parade in Berlin! Are you a fan of Latin American food and music? Every year, Caliente!, a large festival featuring Latin American music and delicious street food, lands in Zurich. Film buffs will have a blast at the Allianz Cinema open-air cinema, where films are shown in various locations under the stars. Curious about what's on? Take a look at the calendar here >>

© Your Little Black Book – Street Food Festival

Celebrate summer in Zurich at one of the beautiful Badis

A "badi" is an open-air swimming pool in a lake or river, and Zurich has plenty of them. You can bring your own food and drinks, so I recommend stopping at a delicatessen or Markthalle IM VIADUKT and packing a tasty picnic. Here are my favorite "badis" in Zurich:

Sunbathe at Frauenbad Stadthausquai

On the banks of the Limmat River, which flows through the heart of Zurich, there's an outdoor pool especially for women. At first, I thought it was a bit much, but believe me, this is a place you'll want to go if you're a woman. It has a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a weekend getaway with friends. It's a wonderful place in the heart of the city to unwind and unwind. The water is incredibly clean and clear, flowing directly from Lake Zurich. During the day, you can relax on your towel, and you can even order an Aperol Spritz or another refreshing drink at the kiosk. What makes this pool extra special? Three evenings a week, the pool is transformed into a barefoot bar, and men are also welcome for a drink.

© Your Little Black Book

Relax by the lake at Seebad Enge

Seebad Enge is a favorite spot in Zurich among locals. Enjoy a refreshing dip on a summer day, but if you have more time, you can also visit the sauna, get a massage, or enjoy an hour of yoga. Enjoy snacks and drinks in the bar and restaurant. The two floating pontoons serve as a women-only pool and a public pool. At the end of the day, it's pleasantly bustling with locals, who bring something to eat and drink to enjoy the sunset in the adjacent park.

Go swimming at Unterer Letten Swimming & Recreational Area

A perfect morning or afternoon in Zurich? First, a coffee or a delicious lunch at Nude, then a dip. A cool swimming tip, especially suitable for adults, is the Unterer Letten Swimming & Recreational Area, right next to Nude. You can certainly enjoy the sun, but for those who want to take a dip, it's good to know that this pool has a considerable current. Do as the locals do and jump in at one end and let yourself be carried along to the end. The vibe at this swimming spot is a bit younger, and that's certainly reflected in its location in Zurich West. You'll mainly find locals here who like to relax. Would you dare to jump off the three-meter-high diving board? Tip: If you're in Zurich with your family, there's also a special area for families with a regular pool, including a children's pool, playground, and a kiosk where you can buy food and drinks.

Cool off at Seebad Utoquai

Between Bellevue and Zürichhorn on Lake Zurich lies Seebad Utoquai. Its various terraces offer the ultimate relaxation on a summer day. Dive off the diving board and swim to one of the pontoons in the water. This pool also has two separate sunbathing terraces for men and women. Enjoy the beautiful weather upstairs or downstairs. The restaurant serves Mediterranean specialties, but you can also bring your own treats. And you know what's so special about this place? This historic pool has been in operation since 1890! Tip: A great place to enjoy a drink after an afternoon at Seebad Utoquai is the chic rooftop terrace of La Muña.

© Your Little Black Book – Seebad Utoquai

Enjoy a delicious meal on the terrace in Zurich

We were incredibly lucky with the weather during our city break in Zurich. We were able to eat on the terrace almost every day, from breakfast to lunch and from aperitif to dinner. Some great terraces you'll want to check out if you're visiting Zurich in the summer include: Café du Bonheur, Pizza Derby, Heisswein, Nüni, Frau Gerolds Garden, Miki, Bar Sacchi, Cor Wine & Pintxos, Slurp, and Silex. Want to discover more hotspots in Zurich? Then also view the extensive article with all the restaurant tips here >>

© Your Little Black Book – Slurp's hidden terrace

Take the train to Üetliberg

Want to explore the Zurich area for a day? Take the train to Üetliberg. I've done this before during a city break, and I can easily imagine how much fun it is in the summer, too. The train ride through a green landscape is beautiful in itself. From the mountain, you have a stunning view of Lake Zurich, and on a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. You can do several great hikes from the station. For example, choose a 5,5-kilometer walk to the Felsenegg, after which you take the cable car back down. It's also lovely to go to Üetliberg around golden hour and have something to eat and drink with the panoramic view. Good to know: you can also use the train with your Zurich Card!

Üetliberg – Zurich

Visit the Wochenmarkt Bürkliplatz

I think you only truly get to know a city if you visit its weekly or daily fresh food markets. The place to be in Zurich is Bürkliplatz. Stroll past the stalls with fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers that you'll want to smell. At this market, you can also find delicious products for a picnic in the park, such as cured sausage and delicious cheeses. There are many stalls with local and regional specialties, many of which are organic. The market is idyllically situated under the chestnut trees on Lake Zurich. We visited the market on Friday morning and then went for a stroll along the lake. You can also take a boat trip on the lake after the market; the boats depart nearby! Good to know: the market is open on Tuesday and Friday mornings until 11:00 am.

© Your Little Black Book – Wochenmarkt Bürkliplatz

Enjoy the beautiful Lake Zurich

If you ask me, Zurich's lakeside location is truly unique. Especially in summer! It allows you to combine your city break with the feeling of being in nature. Lake Zurich attracts many water sports enthusiasts, and you can even rent boats there. The lake is surrounded by several mountains, and a boat trip offers fantastic views from the water. You can also rent pedal boats. We took a lovely walk from Bürkliplatz towards the Zürichhorn. After our early visit to the market, we first had breakfast at Babu's Bakery & Coffeehouse along the way. Then we sunbathed at Seebad Utoquai. At the end of the afternoon, we strolled through the beautiful Zürichhorn Park to the ferry, which, after a short boat ride, took us back to Bürkliplatz. A wonderful day on and around the lake!

© Your Little Black Book – Lake Zurich

Stroll through the flea market at Helvetiaplatz

Vintage and flea market enthusiasts can indulge themselves on Saturday mornings. More than four hundred market stalls with secondhand bargains fill the Kanzlei at Helvetiaplatz every Saturday. Shop for leather goods, jewelry, records, and more. The market is located in the heart of the entertainment district, so after a night out, you can continue shopping at the flea market, which opens early. Who knows, you might find that one treasure you never knew you were looking for among the odds and ends! I always hunt for vintage brooches I collect at these flea markets. I've built quite a collection!

© Your Little Black Book – Helvetiaplatz

Heatwave in Zurich? These museums offer wonderful summer refreshment!

What do I do when I'm in a city in the summer and it's really, really hot? I try to cool off in the various museums during the hottest part of the day. Here are a few tips for Zurich where that's a great option.

Discover modern art at Kunsthalle Zurich

Interested in modern art? Then one of Zurich's must-see attractions is the Kunsthalle Zurich. This art gallery exhibits works by both young and established artists. It focuses on modern art with regularly changing exhibitions. The gallery is located in a former brewery near the viaduct that runs through the city. It's a fun neighborhood to explore! Check the gallery's schedule during your stay. Fun fact: admission is free on Thursdays after 5 PM!

Visit the Kunsthaus Zurich

Don't confuse the Kunsthalle and Kunsthaus Zurich. The Kunsthaus boasts a diverse collection of works by artists from the Middle Ages to the present day. I'm particularly interested in the modern wing. Besides the permanent collection, there are also regularly changing exhibitions. Admission to this museum is free on Wednesdays, so it's definitely worth popping in then. After visiting the museum, you could, for example, stroll back through the old town. You'll have seen it all!

© Your Little Black Book – coffee to go and off to the museum

Last but not least: eat a delicious ice cream here

Where can you find the best ice cream in Zurich? Ask a local, and they'll undoubtedly say Eisladen or Gelateria di Berna. At Eisladen, in Zurich's up-and-coming 3rd district, they've been making artisanal ice cream for 100 years. If you're near Hardbrücke, be sure to stop by Gelateria di Berna in Frau Gerolds Garden. In good weather, trendy locals line up here for one of the unique ice cream flavors. Curious which one you'll try!

© Your Little Black Book – Gelateria di Berna

Get on the road with the Zurich Card

If you're visiting Zurich, you can't do without the Zurich Card, in my opinion. We used it extensively. For public transport, boat trips, and museum visits. With this card, you get unlimited travel on public transport and free or discounted admission to various museums. Definitely use it for a boat trip on the lake or to ride the funicular in Zurich and the surrounding area. Good to know: you can choose between a card valid for 24 or 72 hours.

more Zurich tips

More tips for Switzerland?

Also take a look at the Switzerland Travel Guide on Your Little Black Book.

more Switzerland tips

Have fun planning your next trip!

WITH LOVE,

ANNE

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