By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 12 June 2025 | Updated: 12th June 2025
Zurich is one of, if not the most well known city in Switzerland, (thanks to its reputation for banking none the less!), but there is so much more to the city than meets the eye. With a wonderful Altstadt full of quaint alleyways and hidden churches, the nearby Lindt factory and a fast growing food scene too, but is Zurich worth visiting? We think so, and here is why;
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Travel Insurance: World Nomads
Is Zurich Worth visiting?
Zurich is a great place to visit at any time of the year. Yes, it is one of the more well known cities in Switzerland, and can become a bit of a tourist hot spot in the peak seasons due to having an international airport, but there is always a reason for a place being popular!
Due to it’s location and having an international airport, Zurich also has a wide range of accommodation options for every budget and numerous dining options, from high end restaurants with panoramic city views, to local haunts in the Altstadt. It is also a great location to base yourself as it has easy public transport connections to Basel and Lucerne, as well as elsewhere in central and eastern Switzerland.
The city is beautiful in the spring months with blossoming trees lining the lake edge, (the Chinese Garden a hot spot for this), and the famous Sechseläuten taking place. The summer is one of the peak seasons, along with the winter, for Zurich however there are numerous music events held across the city, and of course you can soak in the sun and go for a swim along the lake edge too.
In autumn the city settles down for a few months, with the local mountains beginning to get a dusting of snow and the cows coming home in the surrounding towns and villages, and then as of November it is time for the Christmas Markets that are held in squares across the city bringing food stands and carol singing to a wintery yet wonderful Zurich.
Is Zurich Worth Visiting Map
Best things to do in Zurich
There are of course many other things to do in Zurich and to see in the surrounding area, but these are our top five things that you simply can’t miss:
📍 Wander through the Altstadt – the old city parts of cities across Switzerland are always stunning, and Zurich is no different, with beautiful historic buildings, quaint squares and little alleyways all perfect for spending a few hours getting lost in.
📍 Take a lake cruise – It is worth taking a trip on all of Switzerland’s lakes, (we pretty much have since we moved here and each one is so different), and Zurichsee is no different, with views to the snow capped mountain tops as well as along the local area. You can even take a sunset dinner cruise if the weather is nice.
📍 Stop by the Lindt factory – you can’t visit Zurich and not stop by the home of Lindt, if only to see the giant chocolate fountain and stop by the cafe for chocolate anything. The tour of the factory is well worth doing if you are interested in the history of chocolate in Switzerland and you do get quite a few free chocolate samples too!
📍 Walk along Uetliberg – Zurich’s local mountain is a little off the radar for most tourists but it is a wonderful few hours walk through woodland and overlooking Zurich and the Zurichsee. (Plus you can make a day of it and stop by the Lindt factory on the way back to Zurich!).
📍 Visit one of the gardens – Zurich has around 70 stunning parks and gardens dotted about across the city, so why not visit a couple, be it the Chinagarten Zurich near the lake edge, the Botanical Garden with its tropical greenhouses or even an Arboretum or Succulent Collection in Enge.
If you are looking to spend a few days in Zurich then be sure to check out our Zurich itinerary post. We have put together itineraries for 1 day up to 5 days in the city, and go into the above things and more.
Where To Stay In Zurich
There are numerous options for accommodation in Zurich, most of which are within walking distance of all the main sights and the main train station or a tram stop, but these are our top picks for each budget:
Budget: CitizenM Zurich
Mid Range: B2 Hotel Zurich
Luxury: The Dolder Grand
Is Zurich Worth Visiting FAQs
How to get to Zurich
Zurich is very easy to get to due to it’s international airport, which is just a short 10-15 minute train ride into the city centre. You can also easily get to the city from Basel if you fly into there, which takes only 1 hour. If you are visiting from elsewhere in Switzerland, or even from nearby countries nearby in Europe, then Zurich is really well connected via train across the country.
Which month is best to visit Zurich?
There honestly isn’t a bad month to visit Zurich, the best time will just depend on what you want from your trip. If you are after warmer balmy weather then we recommend visiting in August or September, as earlier in the summer you are more likely to get storms. If you want possible snow and Christmas markets, then visit in November or December or if you want a good mix of warm days, fewer tourists and cooler nights then visit in May or October.
What is Zurich most famous for? What is so special about Zurich?
Zurich is undoubtedly most famous for its financial district but that isn’t why the tourists visit! Zurich also has a wonderful Altstadt and a few beautiful churches that you can visit as well as the well known Lindt factory. Plus if you visit in April you may even catch sight of the Swiss famous, (it hasn’t quite made it outside of the country), Böögg!
How touristy is Zurich?
Zurich is quite touristy we won’t lie, but there is a reason a place is touristy! Although it can get busy during the peak seasons, you can always find a quieter spot somewhere in the city.
How many days should I spend in Zurich?
To see just the city of Zurich itself you can easily do in a day or two, but to really experience the city day and night, early and late, and to do a few trips in the local area you want at least 3 days.
Is Zurich or Geneva better to visit?
Both Zurich and Geneva are very different cities and both worth visiting.
Is Zurich expensive to visit?
As with most, if not all of Switzerland Zurich is expensive to visit, but no more expensive than a different city in the country. If you plan in advance and travel in the shoulder seasons then you can easily make your trip a little cheaper.
Is Zurich safe?
Zurich is safe, we have never felt unsafe whilst visiting. As with cities anywhere in the world though you just need to be aware of your surroundings, not flaunt any wealth and just be sensible!
Conclusion: Is Zurich Worth Visiting?
So is Zurich is worth visiting? 100% yes, with numerous things to see and do in the city as well as in the local area, and because it is a great place to base yourself for day trips in the surrounding area too. (If we didn’t live in Basel, Zurich is a close second as to where we would be!).
All Our Switzerland Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget
📍 Is Interlaken Worth Visiting?
📍 Is Switzerland Worth Visiting?
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.