Things to do in Zurich

Best Things to do in Zurich

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Zurich? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2025.

With over 80 activities in Zurich, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 1587, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Zurich in October and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Top Things to Do in Zurich for a Journey Through Culture and Charm

About Zurich

Zurich is a city that blends calm lakeside views with lively streets. You’ll find churches with tall towers, a river that cuts through the centre, and neighbourhoods that shift between historic and modern. Life here feels easy to slip into, whether you’re walking by the water or sitting in a café watching people pass. It’s one of those places where things to do in Zurich can be as simple as a stroll or as full as a packed day of sightseeing.

Some of the well-known Zurich tourist attractions include Lake Zurich, the busy Bahnhofstrasse, and the Grossmünster church. Each shows you a different side of the city, from shopping and culture to views that stretch out over the rooftops.

So if you’re planning a trip, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Zurich that fit your pace.

Unique Experiences

Chocolate Tasting and Walking Tour

You can wander through Zurich’s quieter streets, duck into four local chocolate shops, taste your way through hazelnut truffles, dark squares, and creamy pralines, then pause with a hot drink in a snug café. It’s one of those things to do in Zurich that hits comfort and curiosity at once, offering a sweet mix of flavour, city strolls, and warm moments.

• Where: Tour begins in central Zurich Old Town, walking between chocolatiers.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 16,900 per person
• Timing: Around 2 hours total. Exact start time varies, but typically begins at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM
• When to Visit: All year round, perfect on a grey winter day or a bright spring afternoon.

Swiss Chocolate and Cheese Cooking Class (Soufflé and Tastings)

You blend two of Switzerland’s best, cheese and chocolate, in a cooking workshop near Lake Zurich. You can learn a bit of history, then whisk up a chocolate soufflé and sample local cheeses before you savour your creations with a hot drink. It’s among the things to do in Zurich that sticks with you.

• Where: Sherly’s Kitchen, Kochschule und Kochevents, Seestrasse 297, 8038 Zurich.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 14,000 per person
• Timing: Around 2 hours, generally beginning at 3:00 PM and ending around 5:00 PM.
• When to Visit: All year; winter gives it a delicious warmth, spring brings fresh ingredients and light.

Top Attractions in Zurich

Old Town (Altstadt)

Zurich’s Old Town is where cobbled lanes, medieval buildings, and little squares give you a feel of the city’s history. You can wander through narrow alleys, stop at cafés, or shop in boutique stores. It’s the heart of the city and one of the must-see Zurich tourist attractions.

• Where: Both sides of the Limmat River, central Zurich
• Pricing: Free to explore
• Timing: Open all day, every day
• When to Visit: Anytime, but mornings are quieter for walks

Lake Zurich Promenade

This lakeside stretch is perfect for walking, cycling, or just sitting with a view of the Alps in the distance. Boats leave from here too, so it doubles as a relaxing spot and a starting point for trips. It’s one of the classic things to do in Zurich when you want fresh air without leaving the city.

• Where: Runs along the eastern shore of Lake Zurich
• Pricing: Free
• Timing: Open all hours
• When to Visit: Spring and summer for long days outdoors; autumn for colourful scenery

Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum)

Set in a castle-like building, this museum takes you through Swiss history, from medieval times to modern culture. Exhibits cover art, crafts, and everyday life, making it one of the most interesting Zurich tourist attractions if you want context to the city and country.

• Where: Near Zurich Hauptbahnhof (main train station)
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,200 per person
• Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; open until 7:00 PM on Thursdays; closed Mondays
• When to Visit: Year-round, especially on a rainy day when indoor spots make sense

Sightseeing Tours

Private 4-Hour Zurich Walking Tour (Behind-the-Scenes)

You can explore hidden alleys, delve into stories from the city's past, including Roman ruins and medieval secrets, and catch quiet moments in cafes. It’s one of those things to do in Zurich that lets you feel like you're discovering the city for yourself.

• Where: Starts in Zurich city centre (meeting point via public transport).
• Pricing: It starts from INR 7,900 per person
• Timing: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.), typically from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• When to Visit: March to November, when walking routes are comfortable and the city’s stories shine best.

Switzerland Countryside and Traditions Tour from Zurich

You can leave the city behind, taste cheese fresh from a factory, sample chocolate, walk through quiet villages, and soak up traditions that feel true to the region. This is one of those things to do in Zurich that lets you step into broader Swiss stories, if you’re ready for a longer day trip that rewards.

• Where: Pick up in Zurich; small group journey through Appenzell and countryside stops.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 10,500 per person
• Timing: About 9 hours total; typically 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• When to Visit: June to September, when the countryside colours are rich and outdoor tasting fits perfectly.

Day Trips

Mt Pilatus from Lucerne Including Boat Trip, Gondola, Cable Car

You’ll journey by coach to Lucerne, enjoy a guided stroll through its Old Town, then board a boat for a smooth cruise on Lake Lucerne, and finally ascend Mount Pilatus via cogwheel railway. It’s one of the best things to do in Zurich, blending culture, water, and mountain air.

• Where: Coach departs from central Zurich, travels to Lucerne, and includes boat and cogwheel railway.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 13,100 per person
• Timing: About 4 hours to 6 hours; 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
• When to Visit: May to October

Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip from Zurich

You can travel by train and gondolas into the heart of the Alps, reach Jungfraujoch at nearly 3,500 m, walk through the Ice Palace, catch views across glaciers, and stand where the air feels thinner. It’s among the standout things to do in Zurich.

• Where: Depart from Zurich by coach or train, then cable cars to Jungfraujoch.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 32,800 per person
• Timing: Around 11 to 12 hours; expect to leave around 8:30 AM
• When to Visit: May to September

Boat Tours

3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg

You can move through the city on foot, glide across the water, and then ascend to the hills on a cable car, all wrapped up in one day. It’s a smart way to tick off things to do in Zurich when you want a bit of everything, including history, views, and that feeling of altitude.

• Where: Departs from central Zurich (walking tour start point).
• Pricing: It starts from INR 10,100 per person
• Timing: About 6 hours total, typically starting at 9:45 AM
• When to Visit: April to October, when the weather is clear and the views stretch far.

Zurich Small-Group Walking Tour Including a Lake Cruise

You can stroll through Old Town, enjoy views at Lindenhof, take in the Chagall windows at Fraumünster, and then settle into a peaceful lake cruise. It’s one of those things to do in Zurich that balances city charm with quiet water time, and it works especially well if you’re visiting things to do in Zurich alone and want both reflection and discovery.

• Where: Starts in Zurich Old Town, ends at Bürkliplatz, then on to the lake.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 7,300 per person
• Timing: 4 hours approx, beginning at 12:00 PM, finishing around 4:00 PM.
• When to Visit: May to September

Zurich Highlights Tour with Lake Cruise and Felsenegg Cable Car

You can ride in comfort on a coach to see top sights, stroll through Old Town, cross the lake on a ferry, and end up on a mountaintop cable car. It’s a fast way to check off those 10 best things to do in Zurich, mixing culture with sweeping views, all in a single swing of a day.

• Where: Coach pickup in city centre, ends up at Felsenegg lookout
• Pricing: It starts from INR 7,400 per person
• Timing: About 4 hours and 30 minutes total, usually leaving by 1:00 PM and returning around 5:30 PM.
• When to Visit: April to October, when Alpine panoramas are at their clearest.

Getting Around

Moving through Zurich is easy once you know your options. Here’s how you can make the most of it:

• U-Bahn and S-Bahn: You can use the network of trains to cover long distances quickly. It’s the simplest way to reach neighbourhoods or plan things to do in Zurich just outside the centre.
• Trams: You can hop on one to cross Old Town, reach museums, or tick off nearby Zurich tourist attractions without much effort.
• Buses: You can rely on buses to connect places that trams don’t reach. If you’re short on time and want to explore things to do in Zurich in one day, buses fill the gaps.
• Regional Trains: If you’re planning a day trip to the lakes or mountains, you can catch regional trains. They’re quick, comfortable, and open doors to some of the best things to do in Zurich beyond the city itself.
• Taxis and Rides: You can take taxis for late nights or when you’re carrying luggage. It’s more expensive, but handy if you’ve packed in plenty of things to do in Zurich at night.
• Cycling: Zurich has bike lanes that make pedalling safe and enjoyable.
• Walking: The city is compact and scenic, so you can walk between many spots. It’s the easiest way to enjoy local cafés, shops, and small corners.

Traveller Tips

• Dress smart for the weather: Zurich might be sunny in the afternoon, but cool once the sun dips. Having a jacket or an extra layer in your bag means you can enjoy lakeside walks or evening strolls without cutting them short. It’s one of the simplest ways to keep your things to do in Zurich list stress-free.
• Keep some small change: While most places are fine with cards, smaller cafés and food stalls often ask for cash.
• Start early if you’re short on time: If you’re planning things to do in Zurich in one day, set out in the morning. Museums and churches usually close by evening, so ticking them off early gives you more time later to slow down by the lake or linger in Old Town.
• Respect the quiet pace: Zurich is lively but also values serenity. In churches, neighbourhood streets, or on trams, keeping your voice low helps you blend in—and lets you soak in the city without standing out.