One Day in Zurich: Best Things to Do in 24 Hours

Although Zurich is one of the most intriguing cities in Switzerland, it is often overlooked. Surprisingly, one day in Zurich is a short time for a city with so many attractions. So, how should you spend a day in Zurich? What are Zurich must-sees? Read on and find out the best things to do in Zurich in a day.

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Zurich Airport is one of the busiest in Europe, and if you’re flying from overseas, it will most likely be your entry and exit point.

In a way, Zurich is similar to Milan. Many travelers drive and depart from there, but most directly continue their journey to other spots. Venice, Florence, and Rome, in Italy. In Switzerland, it’s usually the mountains, Lucerne, and Interlaken.

However, in Zurich, like in Milan, you would miss out on not visiting the city before heading further. Both have much to offer, and you won’t regret spending one day in Zurich. You’ll soon find out that Zurich is a beautiful city.

A little background on Zurich

Switzerland is a small country, and since the Alps dominate the southern part of the country, the cities are overall tiny compared to other European countries. Even Geneva, the second-largest, has a population of little more than 200,000, while Bern, Switzerland’s capital, has about 140,00 inhabitants. Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and has close to 410,000 inhabitants. As you see, compared to London, Paris, and Rome, Zurich is relatively small.

Zurich is at the end of Lake Zurich and stretches along the Limmat River, which flows out from the lake. The city is surrounded by hills and boasts its own mountain: the Uetliberg; a favorite spot by locals at 869 m (2,851 ft). As a matter of fact, Zurich is a great place to live and is consistently considered one of the cities in the world with the best quality of life.

Zurich 1-Day Itinerary Map

One Day in Zurich: Best Things to Do

Even though the city is small, there’s a lot to do, and you can easily spend a couple of days in Zurich, if not more. However, the fact is that most people traveling to Switzerland have limited time and want to visit Switzerland unmissable attractions. Thus, here are a few ideas on how to spend 24 hours in Zurich.

Visit the old town

If you only spend one day in Zurich, you can’t miss visiting the old town. It’s charming. The Altstadt develops on both sides of the river Limmat, and at a slow pace, you can discover it in 3 to 4 hours. Everything is within walking distance, but you can rely on Zurich’s extensive public transportation network if you don’t feel like walking too much.

Read also: Where to Stay in Zurich, Switzerland. A Guide to the Best Districts and Hotels (2024)

I suggest you start at the Central station (Hauptbahnhof) since it’s between the two sides of the Limmat. If you like art, look at the ceiling in the station, where you’ll spot Guardian Angel, a beautiful sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle. It reminded me of other works of art by de Saint Phalle in Naoshima, the unique art island in Japan, although the one in Zurich is outstanding.

Start exploring the city on the right side of the river (keeping the station at your back), cross the Quaibruecke (Quai bridge), and walk on the opposite side back to the station. Zurich old town is nothing short of picturesque. I love the narrow streets lined with pastel-colored houses, the lovely tiny squares, the countless fountains, and the elegant houses overlooking the river.

While the best way to discover Zurich is to get lost in the charming alleys, there are a few spots in Zurich old town you shouldn’t miss.

Let’s start from the right side of the Limmat River, assuming you’re leaving the Main Train Station behind you.

Lindenhof

Lindenhof is a charming small hill offering beautiful panoramic views of the city and one of the locals’ preferred spots in Zurich. You’ll see people sitting and chatting on the benches and others playing on the large chessboards.

Schipfe

The minuscule Schipfe, running along the Limmat below Lindenhof, is one of Zurich’s oldest quarters. Once an area where fishermen laid their boats, the Schipfe today houses artisans and their cute tiny shops.

Augustinergasse

One of the oldest and loveliest streets in Zurich, Augustinergasse sparkles with colors and flapping flags. Look at the beautiful bay windows, which are often well-preserved and tastefully decorated. In the past, bay windows held a double purpose: allowing more light and being able to see who was at the door. A brilliant way to avoid unwelcome visits!

St. Peter Church

You’ll likely stumble into Zurich’s oldest church while strolling in the old town, and St Peter Church is only minutes from the Lindenhof. The bell tower, visible from many city areas, has Europe’s most giant clock face. In a country famous for its watchmaking, that makes sense, right?

Bürkliplatz and Quaibrücke

The lakeside area, promenade, and bridge crossing to the opposite bank of the Limmat date back to the end of the 19th century. This zone is a popular gathering place and hosts many events. If you plan to take a boat tour of Lake Zurich, which I recommend, you’ll see the docks where the boats depart and arrive.

Once you cross Quaibrücke, you’ll walk on the right bank of the river.

Oberdorf and Niederdorf

This area is as charming as the one on the opposite side of the Limmat, if not even more. Possibly my favorite quarters in Zurich, Niederdorf, and Oberdorf, are a maze of lovely narrow streets dotted with quaint shops and cafes. To fully appreciate this area, you must walk through twists and turns. Do not miss enchanting alleys like Obere Zaüne, Brunn Gasse, and Froschau Gasse as you stroll.

In Oberdorf, don’t miss visiting Grossmünster

With its twin towers, the church of Grossmünster is one of Zurich prominent landmarks. The church was built in 1100, where a Carolingian church previously stood. According to a legend, Charlemagne would have commissioned the older religious building after discovering the tombs of Felix and Regula, the patron saints of Zurich.

Grossmünster played a significant role in the diffusion of the Reformation in Swiss-German Switzerland. It was Ulrich Zwingli, after becoming pastor of Grossmuenster in 1519, who started preaching and spreading his religious ideas to reform the Catholic Church. To date, about 27% of the Swiss population are Protestants.

The most interesting architectural feature of the Grossmünster is the Romanesque portal, which has columns and carvings. And you’ll see more Romanesque style in the crypt. If you’re passionate about modern art, you certainly don’t want to miss the stained-glass windows realized in 1932 by world-famous Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti.

For superb panoramic views of Zurich, you can climb the Karlsturm Tower. Be ready to ascend 187 steps, though. Unlike Milan Cathedral, where there’s an elevator to the stunning rooftop, here you have no choice but to use your legs and exercise.

A river cruise on the Limmat

Discover Zurich old town from the river, looking at the city from a different point of view. There are rides every hour, and the tour lasts about 1 hour.

Go up the Uetliberg

Of course, it’s not the Alps, but the Uetliberg is a small mountain a stone’s throw from Zurich with beautiful panoramic views of the Lake. It takes less than 1 hour to get there, and it’s worth the journey on a sunny day. From the railway station, a 10-minute walk will lead you to the Uto Kulm restaurant. Climb the tower (access costs 2 CHF) for a bird-eye view of Lake Zurich.

Many locals get up to the Uetliberg mountain to hike, mountain bike, or have a drink and a bite at one of the panoramic restaurants. If you like nature and hiking, you can walk from the Uetliberg train station to Felsenegg and then ride the cable car down to Adliswil. The 6km walk is easy and will take you about 2 hours. From there, it will take roughly 45 minutes to return to Zurich HB (Central Station).

Discover Lake Zurich on a boat ride

If you’re lucky enough to have good weather, a boat ride on the lake is an excellent option to visit Zurich and its surroundings in a relaxed way. There are several options, from boat tours covering only a portion of Lake Zurich to journeys going as far as Rapperswil, and even Schemrikon, on the far opposite side.

Whether you take a short or extended tour, you’ll see that the locals are surprisingly fond of water activities. On a good day, you’re likely to spot sailing boats, not to speak about the areas where people swim, plunge, and even surf in Summer.

Local Tip: Alternative Zurich at the Rote Fabrik

That’s an area I would never have visited if it weren’t for Franziska, a kind girl who invited me to meet for a drink at the Rote Fabrik (Red Factory) in the Wollishofen district. A center for alternative culture on the lakeshore, with plenty of graffiti covering the walls, the Rote Fabrik is a lovely place to have a drink while mingling with locals. Furthermore, it gives an idea of Zurich’s unique vibe compared to other cities in Switzerland.

I recommend you go there at sunset and also have a walk along the nearby Cassiopeia boardwalk. Built on water and leading to Wollishofen harbor, it’s a charming and relaxing way to end the day.

There are so many things to do and see that one day in Zurich is not nearly enough. But at least you’ll get a taste of one of the most charming cities in Switzerland.

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More articles on Switzerland:

• 1 Day in Geneva: The Ultimate Travel Itinerary
• How to Plan Beautiful Day Trips from Geneva
• Ski Holidays in Switzerland: How to Pick the Ideal Mountain Resort
• How to Visit Jungfraujoch Top of Europe
• Breathtaking Lakes in Switzerland