Zurich has quietly become one of my favorite cities I’ve traveled to. It’s clean, calm, and genuinely felt like one of the safest places I’ve visited — I don’t think I saw a single homeless person the entire trip, which stood out compared to most major European cities. People were also happy to switch to English without hesitation, which made getting around effortless. Between lakeside walks, a surprisingly fun little cable car ride, and some excellent coffee and pastries, Zurich turned out to be far more than just a stopover on the way to the Alps.
Getting Oriented: Walk Around the Lake
If you do nothing else in Zurich, walk around the lake. It’s one of those simple, low-effort activities that ends up being a highlight of the trip. The path around Lake Zurich is easy, scenic, and a great way to get a feel for the city’s pace, whether you’re doing a short stroll or turning it into a longer afternoon walk.
Ride the Polybahn (Even Though It’s Short)
The Polybahn is a small funicular railway connecting the lower city to the ETH Zurich university area, and while the ride itself only lasts about a minute, it’s genuinely worth doing. It felt a bit like riding a small attraction rather than practical public transportation, and the bright red cabin is so charming that taking a photo of it feels mandatory. Yes, the fare is a little steep for such a short ride, but the novelty makes up for it.
Churches and Viewpoints
Kirche Fraumünster is an essential stop, mainly for its stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. They’re genuinely striking in person, and even if you’re not usually drawn to churches while traveling, this one is worth the detour for the windows alone.
Lindenhof is a quiet hilltop park offering a great overview of the city, and it doubles as a spot where both locals and tourists tend to gather. I visited on a Sunday, when most shops were closed, and ended up watching a scene that captured the city’s relaxed pace perfectly: a family playing on an oversized outdoor chess set while an elderly man sat nearby reading his newspaper. It was a small moment, but one of those unplanned scenes that ends up sticking with you more than a formal landmark would.
Pastries at Collective Bakery
Collective Bakery is worth visiting almost as much for how the pastries look as for how they taste. Everything is displayed like a small art exhibit, and it’s easy to see why the shop is so popular. I went with a pain au chocolat, and the pastry was delicate and refined, with chocolate that wasn’t overly sweet, exactly the kind of quality that makes a simple pastry memorable.
Coffee at MAME
MAME is a coffee shop with a philosophy I really appreciated: “the best coffee is the coffee you like.” I ended up ordering my usual cappuccino out of habit, though in hindsight, I wish I’d tried their pour-over tasting flight instead to compare different beans properly. Either way, it’s a good stop if you want coffee with a bit more intention behind it than a quick to-go cup.
Shopping and Snacking at IM VIADUKT
IM VIADUKT is a shopping arcade built into old railway arches, home to a mix of independent shops that make for enjoyable window shopping even if you’re not planning to buy anything. Make sure to walk through Markthalle IM VIADUKT as well, the food hall section, which is filled with tempting food stalls and worth setting aside some appetite for.
A Last-Minute Beer Run: Mikkeller Zurich
This stop wasn’t originally planned, but it ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Mikkeller Zurich was actually where I first fell in love with the Mikkeller brand as a whole. Beyond the colorful, playful branding, the sheer variety of beers on offer makes it genuinely difficult to choose just one. When I couldn’t decide, the staff were happy to explain the different options and even let me sample a few before committing, which made the whole experience feel a lot more approachable than a typical beer bar.
Places I Missed (But Want to Go Back For)
FIFA Museum — I didn’t make it here, but it looked like it has some interactive exhibits, which could make it a fun stop if you’re traveling with friends or family rather than solo.
Lindt Home of Chocolate — I tried booking a visit last minute, and it was already fully reserved. If this one is on your list, book well in advance, since it seems to fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
Final Thoughts
Zurich ended up being a city that rewarded slowing down rather than rushing between checklist landmarks. Between the lake walks, the short but delightful Polybahn ride, and a lineup of genuinely excellent coffee, pastries, and beer, it’s a city I’d happily return to, ideally with a proper cheese fondue on the agenda next time, and a reservation at Lindt Home of Chocolate booked well ahead of time.
Have you been to Zurich, or is it on your travel list? Let me know in the comments, and check out our other European destination guides for more ideas.