Zürich
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The first time I visited Zürich I didn’t like the city. Now you’re of course waiting for me to say that that really turned around the second time… but no, I still didn’t.
In both cases I kind of had to use it as a necessary pitstop passing through, visiting friends and acquaintances (who I fortunately did like), but no matter how hard I tried to appreciate this city, I kept finding my gaze steering off towards the distant Alps clearly visible on bright days, hoping I was there instead. However almost incomprehensibly beautiful Switzerland is as a country (reality sometimes looks over-the-top photo-shopped, it’s insane)... that mainly applies to it's nature, mountains and the picturesque little villages tucked in between and around them. The cities are just cities, with the same noises, exhaust fumes and traffic jams as anywhere else in the world, but (in my humble opinion) without the overwhelming charm or outstanding personality of, let’s say, a Budapest, a Lisbon or an Edinburgh. And then four times more expensive.
Nevertheless, you’re reading a travel blog about Zürich, so let me give you your money’s worth (even though I’m not charging). Haters gonna hate, but let’s try to find some things even I enjoyed:
In both cases I kind of had to use it as a necessary pitstop passing through, visiting friends and acquaintances (who I fortunately did like), but no matter how hard I tried to appreciate this city, I kept finding my gaze steering off towards the distant Alps clearly visible on bright days, hoping I was there instead. However almost incomprehensibly beautiful Switzerland is as a country (reality sometimes looks over-the-top photo-shopped, it’s insane)... that mainly applies to it's nature, mountains and the picturesque little villages tucked in between and around them. The cities are just cities, with the same noises, exhaust fumes and traffic jams as anywhere else in the world, but (in my humble opinion) without the overwhelming charm or outstanding personality of, let’s say, a Budapest, a Lisbon or an Edinburgh. And then four times more expensive.
Nevertheless, you’re reading a travel blog about Zürich, so let me give you your money’s worth (even though I’m not charging). Haters gonna hate, but let’s try to find some things even I enjoyed:
Uetliberg
Right, you’re probably on your way to the Alps (and if you’re not you should change your plans), so why bother with this hill? Well, because you’re here anyway and the views are pretty damn sweet. You can take a train or overpriced gondola up, but when physically capable, I thoroughly recommend the several trails circling up and down. Or, like me, deny you’re in a city altogether and add a tad of wilderness to the experience by clattering up off-trail.
Right, you’re probably on your way to the Alps (and if you’re not you should change your plans), so why bother with this hill? Well, because you’re here anyway and the views are pretty damn sweet. You can take a train or overpriced gondola up, but when physically capable, I thoroughly recommend the several trails circling up and down. Or, like me, deny you’re in a city altogether and add a tad of wilderness to the experience by clattering up off-trail.
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Lake Zurich
I’m noticing I’m mainly mentioning the natural treasures as the city’s highlights, as my percentage of nature-girl is significantly higher than the city-girl in me. It seems that Trip Advisor agrees with me though, even though nature here clearly can’t compete with what can be found down south. But a lake is a lake: Sail on it, swim in at, jog along it, do with it whatever you seem fit.
Museums
Okay, there’s one thing cities do better than the Alps: Museums. Because they’re actually there. Only a breath post-corona it might still seem slightly science-fiction, but they’re steadily opening up… and honestly, the Swiss never really cared about corona in the first place (hence one of the world’s highest infection rates per capita). As can be expected from Switzerland, entrance prices are steep, so buying one of the many available museum passes (see budget fact sheet) is recommendable if you plan on visiting more than one. The Zoological Museum, Helmhaus and Paläontologisches Museum are always free, and if you have a Raifeissen bank pass (not the free package though!) almost all museums are:
I’m noticing I’m mainly mentioning the natural treasures as the city’s highlights, as my percentage of nature-girl is significantly higher than the city-girl in me. It seems that Trip Advisor agrees with me though, even though nature here clearly can’t compete with what can be found down south. But a lake is a lake: Sail on it, swim in at, jog along it, do with it whatever you seem fit.
Museums
Okay, there’s one thing cities do better than the Alps: Museums. Because they’re actually there. Only a breath post-corona it might still seem slightly science-fiction, but they’re steadily opening up… and honestly, the Swiss never really cared about corona in the first place (hence one of the world’s highest infection rates per capita). As can be expected from Switzerland, entrance prices are steep, so buying one of the many available museum passes (see budget fact sheet) is recommendable if you plan on visiting more than one. The Zoological Museum, Helmhaus and Paläontologisches Museum are always free, and if you have a Raifeissen bank pass (not the free package though!) almost all museums are:
| Raiffeisen Museum List |
Geocaching
I always enjoy this, wherever I roam the world. Exploring a city by tracing down hidden boxes invisible tot he untrained (and unknowing) eye, hidden at places where there is either something to see/do or where there’s a story… way more fun than simply following a boring guidebook. Luckily, in Zürich the community is very much alive, and excitingly active. In my opinion the best way to explore the Old Town. Gonna ‘cache’ ‘em all!
I always enjoy this, wherever I roam the world. Exploring a city by tracing down hidden boxes invisible tot he untrained (and unknowing) eye, hidden at places where there is either something to see/do or where there’s a story… way more fun than simply following a boring guidebook. Luckily, in Zürich the community is very much alive, and excitingly active. In my opinion the best way to explore the Old Town. Gonna ‘cache’ ‘em all!
Public Swimming
One thing I noticed when researching Zürich, is that there seem to be public swimming pools literally everywhere. That didn’t help me, as both times I visited I was freezing my ass off in winter, but it’s nice to know that there are options in other seasons too. Some are free, most ask a moderate admission price, but all come with basic facilities.
I came back a third time for summer though... indeed worth it!
One thing I noticed when researching Zürich, is that there seem to be public swimming pools literally everywhere. That didn’t help me, as both times I visited I was freezing my ass off in winter, but it’s nice to know that there are options in other seasons too. Some are free, most ask a moderate admission price, but all come with basic facilities.
I came back a third time for summer though... indeed worth it!
Nightlife
You must be rich for this one considering Swiss prices, but with so many people living and working in, and transiting through Zürich, there’s always something going on. Be it a concert, a night out dancing or simply grabbing a gold one on a terrace, you’ll never run out of choices. The prime nightlife areas are: Langstrasse, Pelikan Strasse, Parade Platz, Hardbrücke and Kaufleuten.
That’s it. That’s all I liked in Zürich. But hey, what the hell I know? I’m only a stupid tourist ;)
You must be rich for this one considering Swiss prices, but with so many people living and working in, and transiting through Zürich, there’s always something going on. Be it a concert, a night out dancing or simply grabbing a gold one on a terrace, you’ll never run out of choices. The prime nightlife areas are: Langstrasse, Pelikan Strasse, Parade Platz, Hardbrücke and Kaufleuten.
That’s it. That’s all I liked in Zürich. But hey, what the hell I know? I’m only a stupid tourist ;)
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