Switzerland | Zurich on foot, by bike, by tram and by boat

Zurich is much more than a hub for global finance and international flights! The city is certainly worth a visit for a few hours or a few days. On the menu: historic district, lake, chic boutiques, typical restaurants, museums and nature walks… All on foot or by public transport.

Historic heart on foot and by tram

Formerly surrounded by fortifications, “Old Zurich” is best explored on foot. We have a good guide: the Zurich Tourist Office. From lakeside to riverside, from alleys to ancient squares, from artisan shops to traditional taverns, from fountain to fountain (Zurich has 1,200), we appreciate all its charm.

On the south side, the all-white opera house is to be seen day and night. Dating from 1891, it overlooks a huge esplanade, Sechseläutenplatz, opening onto the lake. The mouth of the Limmat River is nearby, as is Bürkliplatz, where cruise ships depart from. Imposing old buildings, including that of the Swiss National Bank, line the route leading to Bahnhofstrasse, lined with chic stores. Stop required at Sprüngli, a Zurich confectioner renowned for its truffles and macaroons. On the river side, there are the magnificent Fraumünster churches (with stained glass windows by Chagall) and St. Peter, whose tower has long served as a guarded fire tower.

Through winding streets, we climb to Lindenhof Square. In the shade of century-old lime trees, Zurich residents play chess or pétanque while others enjoy the bird’s eye view of the river and the other bank where the lively Niederhof district unfolds. On the Limmatquai, the GrossMünster church with its twin towers dominates.

The walk from bridge to bridge is as pleasant during the day as in the evening, as is that of the Utoquai by the lake. We swim there in the summer or stroll around while waiting for the sunset.

With a fantastic tram network, Zurich can also be visited by getting on and off the lines at random. Great opportunity to explore the district of the University of Zurich (the largest in Switzerland) with its impressive old buildings, but also some modern architectural feats such as the law faculty library, creation of the Spaniard Santiago Calatrava. The terrace of the Institute of Technology (ETH) offers a breathtaking view of Old Zurich. From there, you can easily go back down to the riverside with the Polybahn funicular.

Sailing on the water

The majestic Lake Zurich stretches south of the historic district for more than 88 km^⁠2. A pretty pedestrian promenade runs along it on either side of the very lively Bürkliplatz. Boats leave from the quays and crisscross the lake, connecting up to twenty villages. Three tours of one hour to four and a half hours are offered, but you can extend the day with stopovers to visit a vineyard or a castle, a park or a beach; climb a hill in the funicular or immerse yourself in the world of chocolate at the Lindt Museum…

From the start on the water, we appreciate the perspective on the large historic hotels of Zurich, then on the wealthy riverside residences, green spaces and swimming places. On the longest journey, a stop is essential at Rapperswil, with its medieval castle, and on the island of Ufenau where there is a Benedictine monastery.

In summer, a cruise on the Limmat River gives pride of place to the attractions of the historic district by changing your perspective to see, for example, St. Peter’s Church, the opera or the hilltop district of the university.

Zurich by bike

Among its guided tours, the Zurich Tourist Office offers some by electric bike. From the railway station, head towards Zurich-West, where the old industrial warehouses have become cultural venues, restaurants, art galleries… Shops of all kinds find their home under the arches of a long railway viaduct.

The unusual Freitag tower (a well-known brand of recycled bags) surprises with its stack of recycled containers, while its neighbor Frau Gerolds opens the doors to its eccentric garden. Another old warehouse, the Schiffbau has a theater, a jazz club and a bar. The Löwenbräu is a former brewery whose brick chimney fits in well with a modern ensemble of residences, offices and museum.

Past the Limmat river, a short climb leads to the Rigiblick funicular station, to enjoy another panorama of the city. We go downhill through residential and university districts to the lake, along the shore of which we go before returning to the Europaallee underground bike station, near the train station.

Assaulting the mountain

Zurich has its mountain, the Uetliberg, an oasis of greenery peaking at 871 meters which can be explored on foot or by bike, but which is also connected to the city center (in 20 minutes) by a special train line and a cable car . At the top station, a 10-minute walk separates you from the summit where the Uto Kulm, a superb hotel-restaurant, sits. Outside, you can enjoy a splendid panorama of Zurich, the lake, hills and very green valleys.

Part of the costs of this report was paid by the tourist offices of Zurich and Switzerland in Canada, which had no right to review its content.