Zurich, Switzerland Things to Do and Attractions
A beloved Zurich landmark, Grossmunster is an Evangelical Protestant church in Zurich's Old Town. Legend has it that the church was built on the graves of the city's patron saints, Felix and Regula. Construction on this Romanesque church began in
...A beloved Zurich landmark, Grossmunster is an Evangelical Protestant church in Zurich's Old Town. Legend has it that the church was built on the graves of the city's patron saints, Felix and Regula. Construction on this Romanesque church began in 1100, and the church has been rebuilt and renovated many times over. Grossmunster served as the starting point of the Swiss-German Reformation in the first half of the 16th century, and its theological college spawned what is now the University of Zurich. Must-see features at Grossmunster include the stained glass windows by Sigmar Polke, choir windows by Augusto Giacometti, bronze doors by Otto Munch, and the Romanesque crypt. Visitors can also walk up 187 steps to Karlsturm, one of the church's two towers, to take in a fantastic view of Zurich and beyond. Guided tours are available.
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Housing the largest collection of cultural-historical objects in Switzerland, the National Museum Zurich (also Switzerland's most visited museum of cultural history) resembles a fairytale castle. Inside, history comes alive and the life of the Swiss
...Housing the largest collection of cultural-historical objects in Switzerland, the National Museum Zurich (also Switzerland's most visited museum of cultural history) resembles a fairytale castle. Inside, history comes alive and the life of the Swiss from prehistory through the present is examined via its collection of 840,000 objects and object groups, divided into 14 sections, which include Painting & Sculpture, Arms & Uniforms, and Technology & Traditions, among others. The museum also explores socially relevant topics via special exhibits. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with extended Thursday hours until 7 PM. Admission is charged. Private guided tours are available.
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Known for housing Zurich's largest and most important modern art collection, the renowned Kunsthaus Zurich features works by such masters as Giacometti, Picasso, Monet, and Chagall. Visitors can view medieval sculptures and panels, contemporary Swiss
...Known for housing Zurich's largest and most important modern art collection, the renowned Kunsthaus Zurich features works by such masters as Giacometti, Picasso, Monet, and Chagall. Visitors can view medieval sculptures and panels, contemporary Swiss painting, pop art, and expressionist pieces and the largest Edvard Munch collection outside of Norway. Kunsthaus Zurich is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with extended Wednesday and Thursday hours until 8:00 pm. Admission is charged; group rates are available. Groups can hold private events in the lecture hall, which accommodates 400 people sitting and 1,000 standing, as well as the Villa Tobler, a secluded Art Nouveau villa that accommodates 130-person events throughout four rooms.
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Home to about 4,000 animals from around the world, the Zurich Zoo is a popular family spot, thanks to its natural habitats and petting zoo. The zoo's habitats have been built to replicate mountainous cloud forest, wetlands, coastal areas, and many
...Home to about 4,000 animals from around the world, the Zurich Zoo is a popular family spot, thanks to its natural habitats and petting zoo. The zoo's habitats have been built to replicate mountainous cloud forest, wetlands, coastal areas, and many other conditions. The zoo's Masoala Rainforest welcomes visitors to walk through a rainforest ecosystem and take in the view from a treetop walkway. The zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm from March through October, and daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm November through February. Admission is charged.
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Located west of Lake Zurich, the Langenberg Wildlife Park is home to wolves, elk, wild boar, brown bears, and more. The animals can be observed in their natural environment (not in small enclosures) on a number of routes throughout the park's forest.
...Located west of Lake Zurich, the Langenberg Wildlife Park is home to wolves, elk, wild boar, brown bears, and more. The animals can be observed in their natural environment (not in small enclosures) on a number of routes throughout the park's forest. The park is open daily with seasonal hours. Admission is free.
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The only science center in Switzerland, Technorama welcomes visitors – especially children – to engage in over 500 experiment stations ranging from climate to the human mind. Technorama is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is
...The only science center in Switzerland, Technorama welcomes visitors – especially children – to engage in over 500 experiment stations ranging from climate to the human mind. Technorama is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is charged.
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Known for its colorful scene, especially during the summer months, and its lakeside views, Lake Promenade is a popular walking path along the lower basin of Lake Zurich. Created when strolling became fashionable in Zurich around 1800, the promenade
...Known for its colorful scene, especially during the summer months, and its lakeside views, Lake Promenade is a popular walking path along the lower basin of Lake Zurich. Created when strolling became fashionable in Zurich around 1800, the promenade served as the largest continuous public park grounds at that time. Today, inline skaters, beach lovers, jewelry sellers, and street artists line the promenade, and locals and visitors alike gaze at other lakeside park areas from the promenade's outlook terrace.
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Zurich's very own mountain, Uetliberg features summertime hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as wintertime sledding runs. Visitors can take in views of the city and lake, as well as a glimpse of the Alps, while on Uetliberg, which spans 2,850
...Zurich's very own mountain, Uetliberg features summertime hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as wintertime sledding runs. Visitors can take in views of the city and lake, as well as a glimpse of the Alps, while on Uetliberg, which spans 2,850 feet above sea level, towering over Zurich's rooftops. Uetliberg is particularly popular in November, when its summit is often over the seasonal fog that covers Zurich. Uetliberg also features the Planet Trail, a two-hour walk that takes visitors on a tour of the solar system.
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One of the highest-ranking gardens of its kind outside of China, Zurich's Chinese Garden is a tranquil castle garden with a pond and small island, pavilions, bamboo, plum trees, and much more. The garden is open daily from March through October, from
...One of the highest-ranking gardens of its kind outside of China, Zurich's Chinese Garden is a tranquil castle garden with a pond and small island, pavilions, bamboo, plum trees, and much more. The garden is open daily from March through October, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Admission is charged.
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The smallest of the world's large opera houses, the Zurich Opera House enables visitors an intimate experience with top performances. Housing approximately 1,100 seats, the Zurich Opera House puts on popular plays, ballets, children's shows, and
...The smallest of the world's large opera houses, the Zurich Opera House enables visitors an intimate experience with top performances. Housing approximately 1,100 seats, the Zurich Opera House puts on popular plays, ballets, children's shows, and premieres in its highly varied program, offering approximately 250 performances each year.
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Renowned around the world for its excellent acoustics, Zurich Tonhalle is a beloved concert hall that has become central to Zurich's cultural life. Located adjacent to Kongresshaus, the grand Zurich Tonhalle was built in 1895. The 1,455-seat hall is
...Renowned around the world for its excellent acoustics, Zurich Tonhalle is a beloved concert hall that has become central to Zurich's cultural life. Located adjacent to Kongresshaus, the grand Zurich Tonhalle was built in 1895. The 1,455-seat hall is home to the Tonhalle Orchestra, which has developed into one of Europe's leading ensembles, performing about 100 concerts every season and 50 different programs.
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Beloved amongst locals and visitors alike, Bahnhofstrasse is Zurich's mile-long shopping boulevard connecting Lake Zurich with the Main Railway Station. Bahnhofstrasse is lined with boutiques, department stores, and pastry shops, and serves as the
...Beloved amongst locals and visitors alike, Bahnhofstrasse is Zurich's mile-long shopping boulevard connecting Lake Zurich with the Main Railway Station. Bahnhofstrasse is lined with boutiques, department stores, and pastry shops, and serves as the place to go for shoes, furs, jewelry, watches, and much more, including Zurich specialties. As it's concentrated in the city center, its ideal for pedestrians, and it's considered one of Zurich's must-see destinations.
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Supported by 64 pillars and located directly on Lake Zurich, Quai 61 extends right over the water, affording beautiful views of the lake and distant mountains. Quai serves light, market-fresh Mediterranean fare and directly connects to the city's
...Supported by 64 pillars and located directly on Lake Zurich, Quai 61 extends right over the water, affording beautiful views of the lake and distant mountains. Quai serves light, market-fresh Mediterranean fare and directly connects to the city's passenger boat network. Quai 61's interior restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and 6 pm to 11:30 pm, Saturday from 6 am to 11:30 pm, and Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, while its garden and sundeck dining spaces are open April through September. Private group events are welcome.
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Zeughauskeller is housed in a historical building built in 1487 that serves as a mending and storage place for weapons. Today, using such weapons as decorations, the beloved restaurant features a rustic ambience that pairs perfectly with its hearty,
...Zeughauskeller is housed in a historical building built in 1487 that serves as a mending and storage place for weapons. Today, using such weapons as decorations, the beloved restaurant features a rustic ambience that pairs perfectly with its hearty, traditional cuisine. Zeughauskeller is open daily from 11:30 am to 11:00 pm.
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Perched 120 meters above the city on the 35th floor of the Prime Tower, Clouds serves Mediterranean-inspired fare rivaled only by the view. Visitors can dine in the sleek bistro or sip a cocktail in the lively bar while taking in city views from the
...Perched 120 meters above the city on the 35th floor of the Prime Tower, Clouds serves Mediterranean-inspired fare rivaled only by the view. Visitors can dine in the sleek bistro or sip a cocktail in the lively bar while taking in city views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Clouds is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Friday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm; Saturday from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm; and Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Private group events are welcome.
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