Are you planning a new European city trip soon? Not sure where to go yet? We have a tip for you. Europe has many great spots perfect for a city trip. One of these top city trip destinations is Zurich.
Zurich is a destination you might not immediately think of because you don’t know enough about it yet. That’s why we’re going to tell you what makes Zurich so fun and special and why it’s really worth a visit. Zurich is truly a beautiful city with stunning architecture, great walking and cycling routes and it’s not very far from our country. Convenient, of course, if you’re taking a city trip and don’t want to travel long. The less travel time to reach the destination, the more time you can spend there.
Do you want to admire historical buildings in the Altstadt, take a bike ride along the river, or climb the Uetliberg for a breathtaking view over the city? Then read on quickly.
City trip Zurich: A city that is easily accessible
Zurich is very easy to reach from the Netherlands. You take a direct flight from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and you’re in Switzerland in just under an hour and a half.
Several airlines fly to Zurich weekly, if not daily. KLM and SWISS Airlines fly directly to Zurich daily. A good average price for a return flight to Zurich is between €145 and €200. A great price for a flight ticket during your Zurich city trip.
If you have a bit more time and want to travel by car, that’s also possible. The drive to Zurich will take about a little 9 hours, depending on where you start. A car is convenient but not necessary in the city of Zurich. Everything is within walking and cycling distance. Additionally, public transport is well organized.
What is there to do in Zurich?
Zurich is the perfect city to wander around endlessly. One alley is cozier than the next. The colorful buildings and artistic facades give the old town a magical touch.
There is always something to see, do, and discover. Just like Porto and Barcelona, Zurich is also a city where you can enjoy a lot of old architecture. Especially in the Altstadt of Zurich, you can enjoy beautiful architecture.
The old town is full of special buildings. You can also find the most charming terraces, cafes, and restaurants here. A big favorite among both locals and international travelers is the Raclette Factory. This trendy restaurant specializes in Raclette. Raclette is actually comparable to a cheese fondue, but a bit more chic. At the Raclette Factory, you first choose your cheeses, then your snacks. Think of bread, vegetables, and meat. And then the fun begins. Super fun to do if you’re on a date or just going out with friends.
It’s also fun to undertake a hiking trip on the Uetliberg. This is the highest mountain in Zurich that you can easily climb.
The climb takes about an hour up and an hour back. Once at the top, you have a great view over this dynamic city. The route up is also special to experience. You pass beautiful flora and fauna while walking.
Another fun idea is to do a bike tour through Zurich. Discovering the city by bike is the way to go.
Discover Zurich by bike
Zurich is a pleasant city to explore by bike. There are good bike paths and it’s safe for cyclists. If you’re not yet familiar with the city, it’s definitely advisable to first book a guided bike tour.
With Baja Bikes, you book the most fun highlights tour. During this tour, you cycle past various cool Zurich attractions with a guide.
The bike tour lasts about 3 hours. You make several stops along the way and will visit more than 10 top attractions. A fun activity during your city trip in Zurich. Stay active while discovering new sights. You get a good first impression of the city and can determine where you want to go again on your own.
Sights in Zurich
There are a lot of sights you shouldn’t miss. The following attractions you will visit during your bike tour with Baja Bikes:
– The old center / Altstadt
– Limmatquai
– Geroldstrtasse
– Sechseläutenplatz/Opera
– Grossmünster
– The river
– Zurich West
– Viadukt
– Bahnhofstrasse
Fun facts about Zurich for your city trip
Are you already more tempted to book a city trip to Zurich? Want to gain some extra knowledge about this dynamic city? Then we have a few facts lined up for you.
1. Zurich is a true inventor’s city. Did you know these products were invented in Zurich: Absinthe, Chocolate Milk, Muesli, and the potato peeler?
2. Switzerland has a passion for animals. For example, it is forbidden throughout the country, including the city of Zurich, to have one parrot or one guinea pig. Now you might think, is this a joke? No. It is prohibited by law. This is because studies have shown that they are animals with a need for contact with their kind. It is considered animal abuse when you leave a guinea pig or parrot alone.
3. Zurich is a city with many expats. There are many international companies based in Zurich. For example, the largest Google office worldwide is located in the Swiss city.
The diversity of the residents in the city creates an extra cozy atmosphere and extra fun restaurants. As a result, there are restaurants with all kinds of cuisines you can imagine. One day you eat a traditional Swiss raclette and the next day you enjoy a Lebanese tasting.
4. The largest church clock in Europe is in Zurich and belongs to the St. Peter’s Church. The clock has a circumference of 8.7 meters.