Zurich

Zurich

• Stroll along Lake Zurich. In summer the parks will be full of people enjoying the sun or paddling on the lake. The view of the mountains is amazing.

• Explore the historic Old Town - characterized by their cobblestone narrow streets

• Shop at the Bahnhofstrasse, one of Europe's most exclusive shopping streets

• Take a boat tour of Lake Zurich

• If you feel like walking/hiking, I totally recommend going up the Uetliberg, a mountain location on the outskirts of Zurich offering a stunning panoramic view of the city and surrounding Swiss Alps. 

• Enjoy Zurich's nightlife in trendy bars and clubs - Langstrasse is quite famous for this, I'm not such a fan but some bars are nice (e.g. ) and also restaurants here are VERY tasty

Museums & Landmarks

• Visit the Swiss National Museum

• Check out the Kunsthaus Zurich art museum

• Admire the Grossmünster Church. This Romanesque-style church dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of the city's most iconic landmarks.

• See the famous Chagall windows at Fraumünster Church, with a history dating back to the 9th century, originally a convent for aristocratic women.

• Lindt & Sprüngli is a Swiss chocolate company with a factory located in Kilchberg, a suburb of Zurich, where visitors can take a tour to learn about the history of chocolate making and see how the famous Lindt chocolate is produced.

• The FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich is a popular attraction that showcases the history of football, and the FIFA World Cup through interactive exhibits and displays, if you're a fan. 

Events

• Third Monday of April: Sechseläuten is a traditional spring festival that takes place in Zurich, Switzerland on the third Monday in April. The festival has been celebrated since the 16th century and is a significant event in the city's cultural calendar. The highlight of the festival is the burning of a large snowman figure known as the Böögg, made of straw and cloth, dressed in traditional guild attire and meant to represent winter. The Böögg, mounted on a large wooden pole, is placed on top of a large pyre and burnt from beneath. The quicker the Böögg's head explodes, the better weather will there be in summer. The festival also features a colorful procession from the Zurich Opera House to the Sechseläutenplatz (where the Böögg is burnt) of various guilds and societies, dressed in their traditional attire. The Guilds, or "Zünfte" in German were established in Zurich during the Middle Ages, and their members were made up of artisans and tradespeople. The guilds are still active today, and their members participate in the Sechseläuten procession, dressed in traditional costumes and carrying their respective guild banners. Overall, Sechseläuten is a lively and colorful festival that celebrates the arrival of spring and the end of winter. 

• August: The Street Parade in Zurich is an annual techno music festival that features a procession of elaborately decorated trucks, known as Love Mobiles, blasting music as they make their way through the city streets. The parade attracts a diverse crowd of party-goers, ranging from die-hard techno fans to families with children. In addition to the parade, there are numerous stages set up throughout the city where DJs and musicians perform. The Street Parade is not only a celebration of techno music and the city's vibrant nightlife, but it also promotes social and cultural unity, with participants from all walks of life coming together to dance and have a good time.

Restaurant recommendations

Langstrasse area

• Akaraka 🇰🇷:  Cozy Korean restaurant run by an elderly couple, food is delicious and the atmosphere is very relaxing. I highly recommend eating bulgogi, bibimbap, and kimchi fried rice. Probably my favourite place in Zurich, so I totally recommend it!

• La Taquería 🇲🇽🌮: Delicious Mexican restaurant with fresh ingredients and dishes endowed with quite authentic Mexican flavours. To fulfill your appetite, you should order 2-3 tacos per person. 

• Tenz:  Tibetan restaurant with delicious and authentic Tibetan cuisine, with standout dishes including momos, thukpa, and yak stew.

Old town

• Hiltl: first and oldest vegetarian restaurant in Europe, operating since 1898. Trendy restaurant (gets busy at mealtimes) with large facility and modern decor. Several locations in the city, Hiltl Dachterrasse (roof terrace) and Haus Hiltl are 5 mins from the train station. There's a buffet, self-service and takeaway, an a la carte menu, a bar lounge, a cooking studio, and a shop.

• Toscano 🇮🇹: Italian restaurant in a narrow cobblestone street in the city centre. Very very good italian food.

• Blue Monkey 🇹🇭: Thai restaurant with a very cozy and dreamy atmosphere at night. The food was OK, don't remember it being amazing but the atmosphere is worth it (the restaurant is placed in a square that sometimes has live music).

• Raclette factory 🇨🇭:  Airy, casual venue for Swiss cheese classics & raclettes. You can order all-you-can-eat raclette for the hungry ones. 

• Ginger 🇯🇵: Sushi & other Japanese fares in a modern space with an open kitchen. It's quite pricey but delicious, maybe for a special occasion. 

• Maison Manesse🇨🇭:  if you're in for an (expensive) treat, Maison Manesse won't disappoint you. This restaurant with one Michelin star has fresh and seasonal ingredients paired excellently with wine.