How to Spend 3 Days in Zurich, Switzerland | The Perfect Travel Itinerary

Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, that can be characterised as stylish and up-to-date on the one hand, and rigorously ordered and accurate on the other. One can associate it with the financial district, art, and the fact that the city stands right before stunning alps. However, even if you have not come on a business trip, Zurich is filled with things that you can entertain yourself with for days on end. Let’s first look at how to get around in the city.

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Getting Around: 

The arrangements of transport in Zurich are excellent and effectively designed. The city is easy to navigate no matter whether one is using public means of transportation or going for the private transfer options.

Public Transport

Public transportation in Zurich consists of trams, buses and rail, and are acknowledged to be some of the best in Europe. A Zurich card gives people free and or discounted access to museums and free transport on Zürich’s public transportation system.

  • Trams: These run frequently throughout the city. The tram network is easy to navigate, with well-marked stops and maps.

  • Trains: If you plan on venturing outside of Zurich, the city’s Hauptbahnhof (main train station) is well-connected to destinations across Switzerland.

Zurich Airport Taxi and Transfers

If you’re arriving by plane, consider pre-booking a Zurich airport taxi. It ensures a smooth transition from the airport to your hotel, especially if you’re travelling with luggage or need child seats. Taxis can be found outside the arrivals terminal, but pre-booking is always a good idea during peak travel seasons.

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Day 1

Your first experience of Zurich should be the Central part of the city – the Old Town. That is where one can find the mediaeval atmosphere of Zurich itself, being enclosed with the contemporary stores and cafes.

Altstadt

For a casual stroll, the Old Town or Altstadt is ideal because every area has something that is interesting to watch. Take a scenic tour beside the Limmat River with a possibility of passing important streets including Augustinergasse and Bahnhofstrasse. Bahnhofstrasse for example is one of the city’s most prominent commercial streets together with Europaallee. Do not be fooled by all the modernity that is around it for as much as it looks modern it certainly has a rich history within its precincts.

Grossmünster und Fraumünster

Grossmünster is the largest religious edifice of the Protestantism type that belongs to the Romanesque architecture. Both the twin towers are a landmark of Zurich city skyline. If you want to get off for a bit without losing time, cross the river and go to Fraumünster. It also has marvellous stained glass windows that were made by the artist Marc Chagall.

Lindenhof

For a bird’s eye view of Zurich here are the instructions. Head uphill to Lindenhof. Lovely and quiet, the square affords views of other buildings in the city as well as the river. It also carries a rich history as it used to host a Roman castle.


Day 2

Kunsthaus Zurich

Kunsthaus hosts a large number of European pieces of art today where one can see paintings of Swiss artists as well as Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and others. If art does not impress you then just take a glance at the architecture of the building at least.

Lake Zürich (Zürichsee)

Once you are done with a dose of culture, you can proceed to Lake Zurich. It’s possible to go for a walk along its coast, take a sailing boat and spend some time at one of the cafés near the water with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Either way, you’ll find the lake relaxing after a day of touring, helping you regain your strength in a short while.

Day 3:

Zurich West

Originally it was an industrial zone, but today, Zurich West is the hippest neighbourhood in the city of Zurich. The Prime Tower is the second tallest building in Switzerland and provides a bird’s eye view of Zurich. There is also the Viadukt, the covered shopping passage located at the foot of the old railway viaduct. Simply walk around to shop at its unique stores, or dine in one of the exquisite eateries.

Swiss Chocolate

These delicious treats are tasty and should be enjoyed while being in Switzerland, as they are the national delights. For pralines and truffles visit Confiserie Sprüngli where you will find all kinds of sweets. If you prefer a hands-on experience, book a chocolate-making workshop.

Final Thoughts

Three days in Zurich offers the perfect balance of history, culture, and modern-day excitement. From the historic lanes of the Old Town to the contemporary flair of Zurich West, the city has something for everyone. Whether you’re sipping coffee by Lake Zurich, riding in a taxi, or indulging in Swiss chocolate, Zurich delivers




Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.