When I decided to go to Liechtenstein in April 2025, I saw that my best option was to land in Zurich and then take a bus. Before that, I had never been to the German part of Switzerland, only the French one. So, I thought that I should at least spend a night in Zurich. My research depicted a very urban city and I didn’t expect much.
A Cute And Vibrant City Center
I was expecting a financial center with skyscrapers, some impersonal city with no charm. So, when I reached my destination and saw small colorful streets with beautiful architecture, I was surprised.
I arrived in Zurich at the end of the afternoon, left my bag at the hostel and went to explore the streets around the hostel. The Oldtown Hostel Otter is basic, but clean and right in the center. In a city like Zurich that is extremely expensive, finding a good accommodation for a cheap price located in the center is not easy.
I just had to get out the door to be immersed in Zurich’s history. I was tired, but so positively surprised by the details and the colors that I wanted to walk around and look at everything. There are small streets, but also big squares and churches. Sculptures here and there, wooden windows. Zurich is definitely worth staying a few days.
And even if it looks old, it’s buzzing with activities. I even saw the Zurich Marathon: lots of people running, cheering, to the sound of electro music.
And the cherry on top of all that? The rose festival!
The Rose Festival
Every year, for about 10 days, roses are placed in the main fountains of the city. And let me tell you that it’s beautiful, especially in the Münsterhof square!
If you’re in Zurich during the festival, wake up early to take pictures. Otherwise, you’ll have to share the beauty with a lot of other people. It’s good too, but less good for photos.
Fun fact: did you know that there are more than 1,200 fountains in Zurich?
Zurich’s Walking Tours
I have said it countless times because it’s true: walking tours are the best and cheapest way to discover a city, and Zurich is no exception. There are many walking tours in French, English, Spanish.
I did one in English to visit the old town, and fully enjoyed it. You will learn about the Salt & Pepper church, the quirky stories about prude religious women who had to go through an arch next to the church to prove that their dress was not too big and ostentatious for attending mass, and the women who dressed as soldiers to scare the enemy, among other stories.
There are other tours to specific areas of the city and even one to taste chocolates. The prices might vary depending on the tour you choose.
Zurich’s Lake And Parks
Since I was early for the walking tour, I wandered through the small and large streets and then down to Lake Zurich. The park and its surroundings are truly peaceful. It’s a beautiful place, and the walk felt like it cleared my mind, almost like a meditative stroll. Swiss lakes are amazing, and I feel like they have a calming effect on me.
I didn’t explore the whole park, I stopped at the cactus greenhouse, which is free to visit, but I really enjoyed the part I saw.
After the walking tour, I went off exploring again. I headed toward the train station area (which isn’t always the nicest), but it led me to the National Museum and its stunning park. There you’ll find some absolutely stunning magnolia trees!
Overall, the abundance of nature and rivers throughout Zurich makes walking around the city center really enjoyable!
A Funicular To See Zurich From Above
In Zurich, there’s the UBS Polybahn (yes, like the bank — we are in Switzerland, after all). This free funicular takes you to the top of the city.
There, on one side you’ll find the impressive ETH Zurich building, and on the other, a vast terrace offering a nice view over the city!
An Expensive City
Like Geneva, Zurich is extremely expensive. In fact, it is one of the most expensive cities in the world!
For example, I went to the restaurant next to the hostel. I thought “Oh, that’s kind of ok, 20 francs for a burger in Zurich”, but then, when I added a drink and fries, it came to a total of more than 40 francs!
That said, I found some cheaper places. Maybe do some research and spot some affordable restaurants before feeling hungry. It really depends on your budget.
To see more pictures of Switzerland, you can visit the gallery Switzerland.
