How to slow down and see it all in Switzerland’s largest city

Zürich: 24 Hours

Cradled by mountains and rivers, ranking among the most livable cities in the world, Zürich is Switzerland's economic and cultural hub. Swiss and international residents call this handsome district home, savoring the pleasures of urban life peppered with jaunts to the great outdoors-in this case, lofty alpine ascents.

Take this little-big city’s timely electric trams (pick up a Zürich Card for 24-hour public transit access, plus entry to numerous cultural landmarks) or take to the streets guided by these tips on what to do in the morning, afternoon, and evening from a Swiss-born traveler.

Switzerland boasts four national languages—German, French, Italian, and Romansh. The local Züridüütsch dialect of Swiss German is the spoken tongue of choice in this city, though most also converse in English. Get started with three must-know phrases:

Early-rising locals descend on Bürkliplatz, home to one of Zürich’s open-air food market at the end of Bahnhofstrasse, to fill their totes with fresh herbs and cut flowers on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Coined Bürklimäärt by locals, this lively gathering of regional farmers is ripe with fresh fruits and alpine cheeses for the gastronome of any persuasion, | Take tram to Bürkliplatz, 8001 Zürich

Top off your market finds with a cüpli—this early 20th-century coffeehouse was the first in Zürich to serve Champagne by the glass—at Café Odeon, the historic stomping ground of intellectuals and artists including Irish author James Joyce, scientist Albert Einstein, and Swiss painter Augusto Giacometti. Crystal chandeliers, mirrored walls, and red banquettes set the scene for a rustic breakfast of Swiss rösti mit ei. | Take tram to Bellevue, Limmatquai 2, 8001 Zürich

Bask in post-bath bliss with a saunter through one of the many green oases in Zürich's urban cen-ter-Alter Botanischer Garten. This 19th-century botanical garden and arboretum houses an octagonal palm house situated along the banks of the Schanzengraben moat. The park's medieval herb collection memorializes Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner with more than 50 medicinal specimens used by healers of his era. | Take tram to Sihlstrasse, Talstrasse 71, 8001 Zürich

Savor the art of alpine butchery at Bar Boucherie Hatecke—a chic, marble-clad ode to cured meats from Switzerland's easternmost corner. establishing a following in St. Moritz and Schuol, owner Ludwig Hatecke arrived in Zürich to share his passion for farmers and hunters of the Engadin valley. Linger for a sit-down tasting of aged delicacies paired with local red wine and stay to procure your own haul of finely sliced Tschiervi Alpin dried venison or Engadiner Panzetta bacon at the counter. | Take tram to Löwenplatz, Limmatquai 2, 8001 Zürich

Industrial design meets a refurbished power station at Museum Haus Kon-struktiv-Zürich's temple of concrete and constructivist art. Five floors showcase minimalism at its finest with musings on space and shape lending inspiration to a robust permanent collection. Skip to Fritz Glarner's Rockefeller Dining Room and proceed through a diverse set of works from the 20th and 21st centuries. | Take tram to Stauffacher, Selnaustrasse 25, 8001 Zürich

Nestled underneath the archways of an 1894 railway overpass, take to the buzzing post-industrial blocks of Zürich-West at IM VIADUKT for its thriving market hall neighbored by boutiques and galleries. Dine at casual Vom Fischer & Syner Fru to sample sustainable seafood and wild-caught oysters or try Restaurant Markthalle for produce-driven eats. | Take tram to Dammweg, 8005 Zürich

Make your way to Dante in the unpolished Langstrasse nightlife district for gin cocktails and low-key jazz. With an elegant brass bar top and monochrome checkerboard floors, tables for two next to the window allow for easy conversa-tion. Come for the Negroni variations and stay for the handsome mixologists at this off-the-beaten-path hideaway. After a drink or two, pop into Gelati Tellhof down the block for a scoop of black sesame gelato. | Take tram to Helvetiaplatz, Dante - Zwinglistrasse 22, 8004 / Gelati Tellhof - Tellstrasse 20, 8004

Dash to the cobbled backstreets of Zürich's old town for a dose of avant-garde expression at Cabaret Voltaire, the revolutionary nightclub that acquainted an unsuspecting Swiss public with Dadaism in 1916. Still up and running, this altar to absurdist art forms is open for museum visits by day and sips of absinthe at the upstairs bar after dark. | Take tram to Rathaus, Spiegelgasse 1, 8001 Zürich

Trek to the mountains or neighboring regions of Central Switzerland for rest and cultural pur-suits. Note that alpine bluffs and natural wonders are readily accessible from the center of town.

Perched at a lofty 1,600 feet above Lake Lu-zern, Bürgenstock Alpine Spa offers days passes to its saunas and baths including unparalleled views from the infinity-edge pool. Catch another perspective of the sweeping alpine landscape at the nearby Hammetchwand Lift, Europe's highest exterior elevator. To get there, take the train to Luzern where a shuttle boat whisks guests across the lake to catch the vertical Bürgenstock Funicular into the mountains.

Rent a car and drive 30 minutes to the nearby region of Zug for a taste of Swiss eau de vie spirits at Etter Distillery. The family-operated business has specialized in fruit brandies since 1870 and is most renowned for its Zuger Kirsch—a fruity, elegant sip distilled from regional cherries. Stop off in Luzern on the way back for a quattro formaggi pizza at Ristorante Pizzeria Weisses Kreuz followed by an evening stroll along the historic Kapellbrücke Footbridge before heading back to Zürich.

This guide was last updated in March 5, 2024. Please keep in mind that establishments may close their business or maintain seasonal hours before finalizing your itinerary.

Pause for an Irish-Roman bathing ritual within the refurbished walls of Zürich's historic Hürlimann Brewery-now Thermalbad & Spa Zürich. Century-old vaulted ceilings house wooden soaking vats filled with mineral-rich water from thermal springs deep beneath the city. After a two-hour circuit through ten rejuvenating stations followed by a bite from the on-site bistro, take in panoramic city views and the mountains beyond from the rooftop pool. | Take tram to Bahnhof Enge-Bederstrasse, Brandschenkestrasse 150, 8002 Zürich

Zürich: 24 Hours

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