48 hours in Zurich – Weekend Edition
Zurich In Less Than 48 Words
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, with the reputation of being a boring banking center. However, it is also called the “Cultural Capital of Switzerland.” It is bordered by the Alps and Lake Zurich on a central plain, giving it a picture-perfect setting.
Zurich by night with the view of Fraumünster’s blue clock tower peaking (Photo by HappyBubbles)
First 24 Hours
You can reach the famed city of Zurich via the Zürich Airport, which is located some 10 kilometers northeast of the city center. From there, you can take a train at the airport’s railway station, which will take you to the Hauptbahnhof main station. The trains arrive every 10 minutes, and tickets will cost around Sfr5.80. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi at the terminal’s taxi booth, although this will cost you much more.
Zurich lies by the northern tip of Lake Zurich, and its old town section is pretty much compact. You may first head to the city’s main tourist office (Hauptbahnhof, 00 41 44 215 40 00, website). It is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 8:30 am to 7 pm (9 am to 6:30 pm on Sundays), and you can get there valuable tourist information. You can purchase a ZurichCARD at the airport train station for Sfr30, which will allow you unlimited travel on the city’s public transport, and provide free access to its museums.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Zurich’s hotels
Alden Hotel Splugenschloss suite (Photo by Preferred Hotel Group)
You can arrange your stay for two days at one of Zurich’s excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Alden Hotel Splugenschloss (Splugenstrasse 2, Zurich 8002, +41 442899999, website). Though it is expensive, this is the place to be, with its excellent location, five-star amenities, and stylish designs.
A nice alternative is the Radisson Blu Hotel, near Zurich Airport (PO Box 295, Zurich Airport | (formerly Radisson SAS), Zurich 8058), which offers comfortable rooms, plus modern amenities and an impressive hotel lobby. You can also try out the Park Hyatt Zurich (Beethovenstrasse 21, Zurich 8002, +41 43 883 1234, website). It has an excellent location near tourist attractions, great views, and helpful staff.
GROSSMUNSTER: Let’s take a view
Grossmünster (Photo by zoonabar)
A popular landmark in the city of Zurich is the Grossmünster (Grossmünsterplatz, CH-8001 Zürich, +41 (0)44 252 59 49, website). Literally translated as the “Great Minster,” it is a Romanesque church believed to have been commissioned by the legendary Charlemagne. Inside, you will be welcomed by its Swiss interior, decorated with dark wood and white plasterwork. However, the highlight there is its twin towers, which are regarded as perhaps the most recognizable landmarks in the city. For just Sfr2, you can clamber up the South Tower’s 187 steps to the summit, where you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the cityscape. It is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
UETLIBERG: Go for a hike
Üetliberg is also a nice destination for tourists to the city. It is a forested mountain in the Albis Range of the Swiss plateau, and bounds the city of Zurich. You can reach it via a train ride for Sfr10 from the Zürich Hauptbahnhof station. The journey lasts for about 20 minutes, and you must stop at the Üetliberg station. The peak is particularly suited for cycling trips, as well as for hiking. You can follow a 90-minute trail there that will take you through the mountain ridge, past meadows and woodlands. The views from the summit are also striking. You’ll also see there the Uetliberg TV-tower, a freestanding structure rising 186.7 meters into the air. However, it is generally not open to the public.
SWISS NATIONAL MUSEUM: Have a taste of cultural history
Another nice attraction in Zurich is the Swiss National Museum (Museumstrasse 2, 8001 Zürich, 044 218 65 11, website). It is considered to be one of the most important museums of cultural history not only in Europe, but in the world. The building itself was constructed in the form of a French Renaissance chateau. Inside, you will find exhibits chronicling prehistory, ancient times, and the Middle Ages, all the way to the 20th century. The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm (up to 7 pm on Thursdays, and closed on Mondays).
Swiss National Museum (Photo by Jaime Pérez)
BACKER PARK: Please rewind, unwind
Relax after sightseeing tours at the Bäcker Park (Hohlstrasse 67, Zurich, CH-8004, +41 043 243 8570). It is one of the most beautiful parks in Zurich, and is a very tranquil location even though it is located near the city center. It is a favorite among locals and tourists for leisurely strolls across its grassy pathways, as well as picnics under its trees. If you’re lucky, you’ll arrive there in time for the concerts and other similar events usually held at the site. The park is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm, and admission there is free.
DINNER TIME: Discover Zurich’s restaurants
A perfect way to relax after sightseeing is by having a fine dinner at one of the superb restaurants of the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at Hiltl (Sihlstr. 28, Zurich 8001, 044-227-7000, website). It serves an authentic Swiss cuisine, vegetarian dishes, plus a great atmosphere and excellent service. The place is often packed, so you should get a reservation if you plan to eat there. Have a taste of Thailand in Zurich at Ah Hua (Ankerstrasse 110, 8004 Zürich, 044 240 38 88, website), which offers great Thai food at reasonable prices.
Buffet at Hiltl (Photo by amigarad)
Have your pick of unique Cambodian dishes at Angkor (Giessereistrasse 18, 8005 Zürich, 043 205 28 88, website), which serves up quality food at admittedly extravagant prices. You can also try out Kronenhalle (Rämi-Strasse 48001 Zürich, 044 262 99 11, website). It specializes in traditional Swiss food and great wine selection, served in creative ways.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in Zurich can be used to discover the city’s other attractions. The first among those can be the Fraumünster abbey (Stadthausquai 19, 8001 Zürich, website). It is a marvelous church with its distinct clock tower topped by a blue spire. Inside, you’ll find impressive frescoes about the church’s history by Paul Bodmer. However, the highlight there is its five stained-glass windows designed by the famous Marc Chagall. The site is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm (Sundays from 2 pm to 5 pm).
KUNSTHAUS: Admire art
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Kunsthaus Zürich (Heimplatz 1CH–8001 Zurich, +41 (0)44 253 84 84, website). It is regarded as one of the most important art museums in the country and in Europe, and boasts of a rich collection of a wide variety of art forms from the Middle Ages artworks to contemporary art. Some of the most famous are the immortal works of Edvard Munch and Alberto Giacometti. The museum is open from Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 8 pm, and from 10 am to 6 pm on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays (closed on Mondays). Admission there will cost Sfr18.
Kunsthaus Zürich (Photo by victorf)
ZURICH ZOO: See the wildlife
Another nice attraction in Zurich is the Zürich Zoologischer Garten (Zurichbergstrasse 221 Zurich 8044, 44 254 25 05, website). Fondly called the Zurich Zoo, it is a wildlife reserve that was opened in 1929. It is home to about 2,200 animals of more than 300 species, and is most known for its unique penguin parade held there every day. The site is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you around Sfr16.
ZURICHHORN: A walk in the park
You can relax at the Zürichhorn Park (Zurich, CH-8008), which is one of the most popular recreational areas in the city. It is located right next to the banks of Lake Zurich, and is known for its outdoor swimming pool that is almost always swamped during the summer months. You can also take a lovely stroll through its Chinese Garden, fish ponds, bridges, cherry tree-lined pathways, and art pieces, or just have a picnic at its wide stretches of grass. The site is open daily from 11 am to 7 pm, and admission there is free.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Zurich’s vibrant nightlife scene
The night may be spent in Zurich’s splendid bars and clubs. One of the most popular is the Café Odeon (Limmatquai 2, Zurich, 0041 44 251 16 50, website). It is a Bohemian bar that appeals to the eccentric artists and the intellectuals, and offers an intimate atmosphere, Swiss beauties, and fine cocktails.
Café Odeon (Photo by poljacek)
A nice alternative is the Club Indochine (Limmatstrasse 275, 8005 Zürich, 044 448 11 11, website), which has a unique Oriental feel, plus comfortable lounges and Vietnamese nibbles. You can also try out the Kaufleuten Lounge (Pelikanstrasse 18, 8001 Zürich, 044 225 33 00, website), a stylish bar with lavish décor that has been visited by popular persons like Madonna.
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