Zurich Things to Do

Zurich might not be the cheapest city to indulge in gourmet cuisine, but the city’s vast range of restaurants make it a great place to tuck into some Swiss specialties. Here’s a few ideas for what to try.

1. Zurich Geschnetzeltes
Zurich’s most famous traditional dish, Zurich Geschnetzeltes is made from thin strips of veal, cooked up in a creamy mushroom and white wine sauce. Couple it with another Swiss special, Rosti – pan-fried grated potato cakes.

As with many European cities (but much better than most, as a rule), the café scene in Zurich is a tourist destination in and of itself. There are so many things to do and see in the city, but few are better or more rewarding than an afternoon spent hanging out in a variety of cafes, sipping coffee, reading a book and engaging in scintillating conversation with locals.

Zurich is Switzerland‘s largest city and is home to the largest number of dance clubs per capita in Europe. Many visitors migrate to the city expressly to dance and imbibe. Whether you’re dedicated to nightlife, or are traveling to the area for other reasons, it’s worth picking up a copy of 20 Minuten (this local publication contains the most authoritative and up-to-date arts and culture listings available) and investigating what’s happening on any given evening.

Located on the opposite end of the lake from Zurich (and accessible via S-Bahn rail link), Rapperswil, the famed City of Roses, makes an excellent spring or summer day trip from Switzerland’s largest city. The town owes its nickname to its famous rose gardens, but also on hand are the Rapperswil Castle, the deer park on the Lindenhof and the picturesque Old Town perched atop a rocky hill at the bay of Kempraten.

This hill in the heart of Zurich’s old town, Lindenhof Hill is the city’s crowning jewel. The view from the top (once the site of Roman fortifications) is impossible to beat. A geological formation carved out during the last glacial period, the now largely flat summit of the hill is home to a beautiful public square situated roughly 100 feet above the Limmat River.

The dense vegetation and stone tables are among the features that make this a popular destination for residents and tourists seeking some urbane recreation. Historically, bowling and chess were favored recreations (and they’re still played enthusiastically by the Swiss). Today, these pursuits compete with some of the best shopping and restaurants in the city.