The Best Things to do in Zurich, Switzerland - Zurich Travel Guide by The Planet D

Summary

Explore the best of Zurich, Switzerland's largest city, with this vibrant travel guide. Discover the city's charm through its old town and hip Zurich West neighborhoods. Indulge in a chocolate lover's dream at the Lint Chocolate Factory, where you can taste a variety of chocolates and learn about their history. Enjoy the pristine waters of Lake Zurich by paddle boarding or swimming in its public pools. Take advantage of Zurich's efficient public transportation to reach Uetliberg Mountain for stunning panoramic views. Stroll along the city's graffiti-art filled walkways and waterfront, and savor traditional Swiss fondue. Visit iconic churches like Grossmünster and Fraumünster, and don't miss the artistic community of Wölfli. For a unique experience, check out the Federal Institute of Technology and admire the city's numerous fountains. End your day with upscale shopping on Bahnhofstrasse and a relaxing dinner at Paradiesplatz.

Takeaways

• 🍫 Visit the Lint Chocolate Factory for a multimedia experience on the history and making of chocolate, including a tasting experience at the end.
• 🏞️ Enjoy a paddle boarding session on Lake Zurich, which offers a beautiful view of the city and the Swiss Alps.
• 🏊‍♂️ Zurich has several public pools where you can swim in the clean and clear waters of Lake Zurich, and even get a massage.
• 🚌 Utilize Zurich's efficient public transportation system, including trams, buses, boats, and trains, to easily navigate the city.
• 🏔️ Take a trip to Uetliberg Mountain for stunning panoramic views of Zurich, Lake Zurich, and the Alps.
• 🛳️ Embark on a boat cruise on Lake Zurich to get a different perspective of the city's skyline and harbors.
• 🎨 Explore the artistic communities around Zurich, such as the one at Wölflihofen, known for its graffiti art.
• 🧀 Indulge in traditional Swiss fondue at a local restaurant, which is a must-try when in Zurich.
• 🏭 Discover the transformed industrial area of West Zurich, now filled with chic cafes, art displays, and the impressive Ann Sophie art installation.
• 🌉 Walk along the Zurich Viaduct, a 550-yard long walkway with shops and restaurants, and appreciate its historical significance.
• 🍽️ Don't miss dining at Parad Platz for a final cocktail on the patio, a great spot to end your day in Zurich.

Q & A

What is the largest city in Switzerland and what are some of its attractions?

The largest city in Switzerland is Zurich. Some of its attractions include the old town, Zurich West neighborhood, the Lindt chocolate factory, paddle boarding on Lake Zurich, public pools, outdoor activities near the lake, and the Uetliberg mountain for a panoramic view of the city.

What kind of experience can one expect at the Lindt chocolate factory?

At the Lindt chocolate factory, visitors can expect a multimedia experience that includes a history of chocolate, how it's made today, and a complimentary audio guide in various languages. The highlight is the chocolate tasting experience, including tasting chocolate from giant chocolate fountains and guessing the type of chocolate bars.

What outdoor activities are available at Lake Zurich?

At Lake Zurich, one can enjoy public pools, sunbathing on swimming platforms, getting a massage, stand-up paddle boarding, and swimming in the clean and clear water. There are also opportunities for paddle boarding and exploring the river, with views of the Swiss Alps and the city.

How does the public transportation system in Zurich facilitate travel around the city?

Zurich's public transportation system is fast and efficient, offering unlimited travel for 72 hours with a Zurich Card, which covers trams, buses, boats, and trains. This makes it easy to get around the city and to various attractions.

What is the significance of the Grossmünstster church in Zurich?

The Grossmünstster church is significant as it was the site of the Reformation and is the largest church in Zurich. It also offers a great view of the city from its cathedral.

What is special about the Zurich Viaduct?

The Zurich Viaduct is a 550-yard long walkway filled with shops and restaurants, made up of 36 arches. It used to divide the old city and the industrial city and now serves as an amazing raised walkway through the city.

What is the significance of the Fraumünstster church in Zurich?

The Fraumünstster church is significant as it is one of the two not-to-miss churches in Zurich, along with the Grossmünstster. It is located across the Limmat River and its steeple dominates the skyline.

What is the best time to visit Lindenhof for a view of Zurich?

The best time to visit Lindenhof for a view of Zurich is at sunrise when there are fewer people and the panoramic view of the river, old city, churches, steeples, and the historic town is spectacular.

What is unique about the fountains in Zurich?

Zurich has over a thousand fountains, and they provide clean, crisp, and clear water that people can fill up their water bottles from anywhere in the city.

What is a recommended place for shopping and dining in Zurich?

Bahnhofstrasse is recommended for shopping, as it is home to high-end stores and famous Swiss banks. After shopping, one can head to Paradeplatz for dinner and enjoy a final cocktail on the patio.

What is a popular Swiss dish that visitors should try in Zurich?

Fondue is a popular Swiss dish that visitors should try in Zurich. It is typically enjoyed with potatoes and bread for dipping, and there are various types of cheese fondue to choose from.

What is the significance of the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich?

The Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is one of the best institutes in the world and is a place of interest for visitors who want to explore the city's academic and technological advancements.

Outlines

00:00

🍫 Exploring Zurich's Delights: Chocolate and More

The first paragraph takes us on a tour of Zurich's highlights, starting with a visit to the Lint chocolate factory. It's an interactive multimedia experience that delves into the history and making of chocolate, culminating in a chocolate tasting experience. The narrator's excitement builds as they describe the chocolate fountains and the opportunity to taste various bars of chocolate. The segment also covers recreational activities such as paddle boarding on Lake Zurich and enjoying the city's public pools. The pristine waters of the lake are emphasized, noting that they are so clean one could drink from them. The narrator also talks about the ease of getting around Zurich using the city's efficient public transportation system, including trams, buses, boats, and trains.

05:02

🏞️ Zurich's Scenic Vistas and Artistic Encounters

The second paragraph focuses on Zurich's scenic beauty and artistic side. It describes a trip to Uetliberg, a mountain overlooking Zurich, which offers stunning views of the city, Lake Zurich, and the Alps. The narrator recommends a boat cruise on the lake and highlights the artistic community at Wollishofen, where graffiti artists have transformed the area. A new law ensuring public access to the waterfront is mentioned, along with the Zurich Viaduct, a pedestrian walkway lined with shops and restaurants. The paragraph also touches on dining in Zurich, particularly the experience of having fondue at a local restaurant, and the transformation of the once industrial West Zurich into a vibrant area with cafes and art displays.

10:03

🏙️ Zurich's Cultural and Historical Landmarks

The third paragraph delves into Zurich's cultural and historical landmarks. It talks about the city's famous churches, Grossmünster and Fraumünster, and their significance to the Swiss Reformation. The narrator recommends visiting Lindenhof, a spot that offers a panoramic view of the city's churches and historic town, especially at sunrise. The paragraph also mentions the unique street art in Zurich, created from discarded chewing gum by artist Ben Wilson. The importance of the Cabaret Voltaire, the birthplace of Dadaism, is highlighted, although it is currently under renovation. The Federal Institute of Technology is noted as a world-renowned institute and a great place to enjoy views of the city. The paragraph concludes with practical tips for visitors, such as filling up water bottles from the city's many fountains and enjoying a final cocktail at Paradplatz.

Keywords

💡Zurich

Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and the primary focus of the video. It is characterized by a blend of historical and modern elements, offering a variety of attractions and activities. The city serves as the backdrop for the exploration of Swiss culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, as depicted through various activities such as visiting the Lint chocolate factory, paddle boarding on Lake Zurich, and enjoying the city's public pools and outdoor spaces.

💡Lint Chocolate Factory

The Lint Chocolate Factory is a significant location in Zurich known for its multimedia experience that educates visitors on the history and production of chocolate. It is a key attraction in the video, highlighting the Swiss tradition of chocolate making. The factory offers interactive exhibits and a chocolate tasting experience, which is a major highlight for the presenter and contributes to the video's theme of exploring the best of Zurich.

💡Lake Zurich

Lake Zurich is a prominent natural feature in the city, offering recreational activities such as paddle boarding and swimming. The lake is depicted as a clean and clear body of water, so pristine that it is drinkable. It serves as a central location for outdoor activities and is a significant part of Zurich's appeal, showcasing the city's commitment to public access to natural spaces.

💡Public Transportation

Zurich's public transportation system is highlighted for its efficiency and convenience. The video mentions the use of a Zurich Card, which provides unlimited access to trams, buses, boats, and trains for a set period. This system is crucial for navigating the city and accessing various attractions, emphasizing the ease of getting around Zurich and contributing to the city's allure as a tourist destination.

💡Uetliberg

Uetliberg is a mountain overlooking Zurich that provides stunning panoramic views of the city, Lake Zurich, and the Alps. It is accessible via the city's public transportation and is a recommended destination for visitors. The video emphasizes the importance of Uetliberg as a viewpoint, suggesting that the experience of ascending the tower for a view is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Zurich.

💡Fondue

Fondue is a traditional Swiss dish made with melted cheese, bread, and potatoes. In the video, it is presented as a culinary experience that visitors to Zurich should not miss. The act of enjoying fondue is tied to the cultural experience of the city, showcasing the local cuisine and the importance of food in Swiss culture.

💡West Zurich

West Zurich, once an industrial area, has been transformed into a hip neighborhood with chic cafes, art displays, and a vibrant atmosphere. It represents the city's evolution and the blend of old and new that characterizes Zurich. The video highlights this area as a must-visit for its artistic community and unique attractions, such as the Zurich Viaduct and the art installations throughout the district.

💡Zurich Viaduct

The Zurich Viaduct is a 550-yard long walkway filled with shops and restaurants, featuring 36 arches. It is a significant architectural and commercial feature of the city, illustrating Zurich's urban development and the repurposing of industrial spaces into public areas for leisure and commerce. The viaduct is part of the city's transformation and is a point of interest for tourists and locals alike.

💡Old Town Walking Tours

Old Town Walking Tours are offered in Zurich to explore the city's historic areas, hidden alleyways, and popular attractions. These tours provide an insider's guide to the city, allowing visitors to learn about its history and famous residents. The tours are an integral part of the video's theme of discovering the best of Zurich, emphasizing the importance of understanding the city's past to appreciate its present.

💡Grossmünstster

Grossmünstster is Zurich's most important church and a symbol of the Reformation. It is a significant historical and religious landmark in the city, offering a great view of Zurich from its heights. Although the video mentions that the church was closed during their visit, its importance as a cultural and religious site is emphasized, highlighting the city's rich history and the role of religion in its heritage.

💡Lindenhof

Lindenhof is a viewpoint in Zurich that overlooks the river and the old city, offering a panoramic view of the city's churches, steeples, and historic town. It is suggested as a great place to visit, especially at sunrise for its tranquility and spectacular views. Lindenhof represents the city's scenic beauty and the value of natural vantage points in appreciating Zurich's urban landscape.

Highlights

Exploring Zurich's largest city, from the charm of Old Town to the hip Zurich West neighborhood.

Visiting the Lint Chocolate Factory for a multimedia experience and chocolate tasting.

Tasting chocolate from giant chocolate fountains at the Lint chocolate tour.

Sampling Lindor chocolates at the end of the interactive chocolate tour.

Enjoying paddle boarding on Lake Zurich and visiting public pools with clean, drinkable water.

Experiencing the Swiss Alps and the cityscape while paddle boarding on Lake Zurich.

Using Zurich's efficient public transportation system with a Zurich Card for unlimited travel.

Visiting the Uetliberg Mountain for stunning panoramic views of Zurich.

Taking a boat cruise on Lake Zurich to see the city skyline and harbors.

Exploring the artistic community of Wölflihofen with its graffiti and tree-shaded pathways.

Walking along the lake Zurich waterfront, which is now publicly accessible due to new laws.

Having traditional Swiss fondue at a patio restaurant in Zurich.

Discovering the transformed industrial area of West Zurich with its chic cafes and art displays.

Strolling along the Zurich Viaduct, a 550-yard long walkway filled with shops and restaurants.

Relaxing at Brauerei Gschwand's outdoor garden with bars, gelato, and food stalls.

Enjoying a cocktail at the funky Urban Surf spot next to Brauerei Gschwand.

Taking a city tour for an insider's guide to Zurich's Old Town and its hidden alleyways.

Visiting the Grossmünstster, Zurich's most important church with a great view of the city.

Exploring the Fraumünstster church on the other side of the Limmat River for its skyline views.

Enjoying the panoramic views from Lindenhof, overlooking the river and the old city.

Discovering art on the ground in Zurich, created from chewing gum by artist Ben Wilson.

Visiting the Federal Institute of Technology, one of the world's best institutes.

Filling up water bottles from over a thousand fountains in Zurich for clean and clear water.

Window shopping on Bahnhofstrasse, where high-end stores and famous Swiss banks are located.

Having dinner and a final cocktail on the patio at Paradplatz.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

we spent three days exploring

switzerland's largest city from the

charm of old town to the hip zurich west

neighborhood these are the best things

to do in zurich that cannot be missed

[Music]

we've arrived in zurich

[Music]

while we're heading on a tour of the

lint chocolate factory here in zurich

it's going to be delicious i think we

get to taste a lot of chocolate so i'm

looking forward to that

if you like chocolate you are going to

love lint home of chocolate this

multimedia experience takes you through

the history of chocolate to how it's

made today

pick up a complimentary audio guide in

the language of your choice and walk

through incredible exhibits until you

reach the piesta resistance the ultimate

chocolate tasting experience

we're on the chocolate tour and the best

part of it is getting to taste the

chocolate in these giant chocolate

fountains is this heaven or what

oh i had to get a real big spoonful are

you ready

oh that's heavenly

[Music]

so we've had the liquid chocolate now

it's time to taste the bar so they have

these tasters set up where you taste it

and then you get to guess what type it

is and they'll tell you under there

what the taste of the flavor is it's

time to taste we have to guess which one

this is

that's sweet and salty

see if i'm right

i win i'm right

i approve

the tour continues through more

interactive displays and then ends at

vats of lindor chocolates that you can

sample until your heart's content

well this is a candy lover's dream you

can just pop in and get the lindor

chocolates

i could stay here all day

if you find yourself in zurich i highly

recommend coming and doing the tour of

the lint chocolate factory it's fun

interactive and oh so delicious

there's one thing you got to do in

zurich it's get on a paddle board on

lake zurich it's awesome

[Music]

zurich has several public pools that you

can go in and pay a fee to spend the

afternoon enjoying the sun their

swimming platforms you can get a massage

you can do some stand-up paddle boarding

and they have snacks and drinks and you

can swim in the water it's so clean and

clear that you can drink out of it if

you want they even have swimming lanes

it's like this giant swimming pool in

the middle of lake zurich

we're here at bade nk and we're heading

out to do some paddle boarding this is

gonna be awesome man

so close to the city i love it

the people of zurich love to get

outdoors and in this summer there's no

better place than enjoying one of the

bathing areas on lake zurich

body anke is walking distance from

downtown and you can spend a few hours

enjoying the sunshine on the swim

platforms or going for a swim in the

lake while taking in the views of the

city and the swiss alps

[Music]

how cool is this i'm on lake zurich i

can see the elf today everybody this is

so cool

this is awesome how beautiful is this

we're just paddle boarding on lake

zurich

i have the swiss alps in the back i have

the beautiful city of zurich in front of

me this is spectacular

[Music]

all right we're gonna go in the river

very exciting

oh and there's a swan

now this is an adventure we're going in

the river

the water isn't usually this high so you

can usually just paddle right onto it

but i find this more fun i'm on my knees

it's a beautiful day in zurich

[Music]

all aboard let's go

[Music]

one thing you cannot miss is going to

the mountain overlooking zurich it's

easy to get there using xeric's fast and

efficient public transportation system

[Music]

well the tram is a fantastic way to get

around we have the zurich card and that

gives us unlimited transportation for 72

hours that includes trams buses boats

and trains it's fast and efficient it's

a great way to get around the city

all right we made it up here to utelberg

let's go check out the view i heard it's

amazing

[Music]

so when you get off the tram at the top

of ujjellberg you have about a five to

ten minute walk up to the tower now you

can walk two hours to the other tram and

take it back down and it would make for

a great day hike to just enjoy all the

views because they're very stunning

there's a four-star hotel up here that

you can stay at as well

and we are heading to the tower where we

get the perfect lookout view

ready to go for the best view of zurich

let's go

[Music]

so it costs 2 euro to go up the tower

and get the best view you just tap your

card that's all it is

[Music]

there we go i'm in

well this is absolutely stunning we are

at the top of zurich and i don't think

there is a more beautiful view look at

behind me you have lake zurich

you have the alps you have the city

make your way up here for sure

make sure you spend the two swiss francs

to go up the tower for the best

panoramic views

we're taking a beautiful boat cruise

here on lake zurich what a gorgeous way

to spend the morning i highly recommend

it it gives you a view of the whole city

skyline and the harbors it's just such a

picturesque place to be check it out

[Music]

if you take the boat to the first stop

what is wooles hoffen this is a really

great walk along the lake there's a lot

of graffiti artists it's an artist

community so it's really cool it's all

shaded with trees and fantastic pathways

so i'm a big fan of touring around

zurich and getting out of the old town

because once you do you find all of

these little pockets of really artistic

communities like this one here on the

river there's a lot of graffiti i know

that it's but actually

it's a planned place for people to be

able to

do their art and all of their crafts and

everything here

in an affordable space

this walkway out on lake zurich was

built to allow access to the waterfront

for the general public there's been a

new law passed that you're not allowed

to build new homes on waterfront

property because they want the public to

have access to it but of course the

existing homes behind here they already

had access so to give people waterfront

access they built this amazing walkway

[Music]

[Laughter]

when you come to zurich you have to have

fondue it doesn't matter if it's summer

winter who doesn't love cheese this is

swiss chew cheese where we're at on the

patio

and it is one of the best places in

zurich to have a fondue and i love it we

got our potatoes in a sack

we have our four cheese fondue the only

one i remember is from grier and we have

our breads for dipping i'm so excited to

eat this

fondue in switzerland

oh my goodness

this is not like fondue at home it's so

much better

when you come to zurich you have to make

your way to west zurich now this used to

be an industrial area in the 1800s and

it has been transformed in the past 20

years all of the factories have been

transformed to some really cool and chic

cafes and interesting art displays and

uh there are these

art displays that are all throughout

right behind me is ann sophie

she's pretty impressive i'm looking

forward to seeing what else we find

the zurich viaduct is a 550 yard long

walkway that is filled with shops and

restaurants it is made up of 36 arches

and you can take a stroll along the top

on the pedestrian path

this used to divide the old city and the

news and the industrial city so everyone

would live over here

and then they'd work over there now

just an amazing raised walkway through

the city of zurich

[Music]

we are at brow garrod's garden here and

this is the coolest place it's this

whole outdoor atmosphere of bars and

gelato and food and food stalls and i'm

actually having my first beer in

switzerland

i think it's called bugle

now this is a cool place to hang out at

[Music]

another funky spot to go for a cocktail

is right next door at urban surf if you

feel like hitting the waves you can do

that too

[Music]

one of my favorite things to do when i

get to a new city is to just get out and

walk

we highly recommend taking a city tour

for an insider's guide to zurich visit

zurich offers old town walking tours to

explore hidden alleyways and popular

attractions as you learn about the

history and famous residents of zurich

[Music]

no visit to zurich would be complete

without visiting its most important

church gross monster this was where the

reformation took place it's the largest

church and if you go up into the

cathedral it has a great view of zurich

unfortunately it was closed when we were

here so we didn't get to see it but

there are several other great views here

of zurich that we've been able to see so

this is just one of them

zurich has two not to miss churches

gross monster and twin towers on one

side of the lamat river and fraumunster

is located across the bridge on the

other side of the river

their steeples dominate the skyline and

they are not to be missed

one of the best viewpoints in all of

zurich is up here at lindenhof it

overlooks the river and the old city and

you get to see a panoramic view of all

of the churches and steeples and the

historic town

a great time to come up is at sunrise

first of all nobody's here and look at

the view behind me it's going to be

spectacular

[Music]

so when you're walking around the old

city keep an eye out for some art on the

ground there are 20 pieces of art all

around the city

and one is right in front of here by an

artist ben wilson he turned chewing gum

that people spit on the ground and made

a mess into works of art it is a very

very cool little piece of trivia

sadly cabaret voter is under renovation

right now but you must go in here when

you visit zurich and this is where the

art movement of datawism was

founded

and it was founded when the cabaret

opened up

when you come to zurich make your way up

to the federal institute of technology

it's one of the best institutes in the

world and if you come on up here to see

this you also have a great view of the

city

[Music]

so an amazing thing about zurich is that

there are over a thousand fountains in

the city and you can fill up your water

bottles

anywhere you want and have clean

crisp and clear water

and finally don't forget to go window

shopping on bonoff stras this is where

all the high-end stores are located and

where you'll find some of those famous

swiss banks when you're finished make

your way to parad platz for dinner

it's a place to enjoy a final cocktail

on the patio

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