Things To Do in Zürich & Zürich Airport Layover Ideas
Things to do in Zürich if you have a Zürich Airport Layover or Extended Zürich Airport Stopover
Wander the old town
The main train station, old town and the lake promenade and all nearby tourist attractions are easily walkable. It's easy to wander the old town at your leisure. Keep an eye open for the Fraumünster, an old Gothic church and former convent with window paintings made by Marc Chagall. No photos or videos allowed inside. If you have time, take a stroll on the Lake Promenade on the shores of Lake Zurich; the boardwalk goes for about three kilometers. Don't miss a chance for real Swiss fondue in one of the restaurants you are sure to find as you explore. (Kämbelgasse 2).
Take in a museum
Take in a Zurich museum. Here are some fine choices:
- Kunsthaus: One of the major Swiss art museums. Its specialities are modern sculpturer Giacometti and the surrealist 18th Century painter Fuseli, both Swiss. Entry is free to the main collection Wednesdays.
- Landesmuseum: The biggest Swiss history museum. You can also learn about the various traditions of the cantons comprising Switzerland. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM and most public holidays. (Museumstrasse 2)
- Museum Buehrle: A rich private art collection worth visiting - although a little less rich after a recent brazen robbery in broad daylight. Call ahead, as it's currently not open during regular hours. (Zollikerstrasse 172)
Zurich Zoo
The Zürich Zoologischer Garten (Zurich Zoological Garden) is fun to visit - and ideal to visit on a cold day. One of its popular events is the penguin parade, which is performed daily after noon if the outside temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius. The Zurich Zoo was opened in 1929 and, as of 2004, has 2200 specimens of 300 species. With the new Masoala Rainforest Hall, the Zoo is really worth a visit! It is located on Zurichbergstrasse, on the lower reaches of the Zürichberg in the Fluntern quarter (Zürichbergstrasse 221).
Rhine Falls
Take to opportunity to see the largest waterfall in Europe, the Rhine Falls. The falls are 150 m (450 ft) wide and 23 m (75 ft) high. In the winter months, the average water flow is 250 m³/s, while in the summer, the average water flow is 700 m³/s. The nearest community is Neuhausen am Rheinfall, where tourists can also view the Schloss Wörth castle. Boat trips can be taken up the Rhine to the falls and the Rheinfallfelsen. There are also viewing platforms with a spectacular view of the falls built on both sides of the Rhine. These are reached via steep and narrow stairs (access by fee on the Schloss Laufen side). Take the train from the Zurich Airport or Zurich HB (central station) to either Winterthur then transfer trains to Schloss Laufen (from April-Oct) or Schaffhausen then take the city bus #1 or #6 to Neuhausen Zentrum (the train ride portion of the trip is about 45 minutes). The Rhine Falls are also easily reachable by car - or take a tour.
Take a Planetary Walk
Go up Uetliberg, a hill overlooking Zurich. You can hike up, or take a train from the main station. Enjoy the 360 degree view from a tall viewing tower (not for vertigo sufferers!). This is also the start of the planetenweg (planetary walk), an 8 mile walk along the ridge with models of the planets along the way. These are scaled down in true proportion to the solar system. To look at Zürich from the other hills, go to the Irchel (Tram station Milchbuck) or Käferberg (Bucheggplatz, walk up the hill and keep right of the forest).
Take a funicular or cable car
One of the most thrilling things to do in Switzerland is to take a funicular or cable car up a mountain, for a spectacular view. In Zurich, take the Polybahn, a 19th century funicular, up the steep hill for a fine view. Starts at tram station Central and goes up to the ETH (ETH Zürich, or Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, is an engineering, science, technology, mathematics and management university). A Zone 10 ZVV ticket is valid. You'll find a nice terrace up the top. During the week, the student cafeteria below the terrace is also open to the public.
Ski the Alps!
Go skiing by train — Buy a snow'n'rail ticket (train & skipass) at the Hauptbahnhof during winter months, train out in morning, back in evening. Flumserberg is the closest large ski-resort, popular with people from Zurich, with a good range of runs for beginners and experts. Retreat to the right side of the resort if the rest gets busy.
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