Zurich Surrounds
5
Day Itinerary •
Switzerland
Five days in Zurich and its surrounds give you the full range of the most dynamic city region in Switzerland, from the extraordinary medieval old town and the world-class Kunsthaus to the Uetliberg panorama above the city, the boat the full length of Lake Zurich to Rapperswil, the Rhine Falls and the extraordinary painted town of Stein am Rhein, and the extraordinary wine country of Zurich canton on the Goldküste. This route covers the complete Zurich region. The Grossmunster and the Fraumunster Chagall windows, the Kunsthaus Giacometti collection, the Uetliberg, the Gold Coast villages, Rapperswil's rose castle, the Rhine Falls and Schaffhausen, Winterthur with the finest collection of impressionist art in Switzerland, and the extraordinary hidden vineyards of the Zurich Weinland north of the city.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Direct flights to Zurich from most European cities
Getting Around
ZVV day pass for city. Swiss Travel Pass for day trips to Rhine Falls and Stein
Budget Per Day
Approx 140 to 230 CHF per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking, boats and trains
DAY 1
ZURICH OLD TOWN
MORNING
ZURICH OLD TOWN AND THE GROSSMUNSTER
Zurich's old town is the finest medieval city centre in German-speaking Switzerland, its extraordinary guild houses, Romanesque churches and narrow lanes on both banks of the Limmat. The Grossmunster, founded by Charlemagne according to legend, dominates the right bank with its twin towers. The south tower gives extraordinary views over the old town roofline. The Fraumunster opposite has the finest Chagall stained glass windows in Switzerland, installed in 1970. Tower entry approx 5 CHF. Travel: 15 min tram
MIDDAY
THE KUNSTHAUS ZURICH
The Kunsthaus Zurich is the finest art museum in Switzerland, the 2021 Chipperfield extension containing the world's largest public Giacometti collection. The original building holds an extraordinary Monet collection and the finest Munch works outside Norway. The collection of Swiss art from the 18th century onwards is extraordinary and largely unknown outside Switzerland. The two buildings are connected by an underground passage. Entry to both buildings approx 26 CHF. Travel: 25 min S-Bahn to Uetliberg
AFTERNOON
THE UETLIBERG, ZURICH'S LOCAL MOUNTAIN
The Uetliberg at 871 metres gives Zurich's finest panorama, the city spread below with Lake Zurich stretching south and the Alps rising behind on a clear day. The S-Bahn takes 25 minutes from the main station. The Planet Trail descent through beech forest with scale models of the solar system is extraordinary. The alternative ridge walk from Uetliberg to Felsenegg, then cable car down to the lake at Adliswil, is the finest half-day walk in the Zurich area. Covered by ZVV pass.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Lindenhügel viewpoint above the old town is Zurich's finest free panorama, entirely unknown to visitors. Reached by steps from the Lindenhügel lane in 5 minutes from the old town. The view at dusk with Lake Zurich golden and the Alps catching the last light is extraordinary. The Lindenhügel is also the site of the original Roman settlement of Turicum, the ancestor of modern Zurich.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Schober, Zurich The most extraordinary cafe in Zurich in a 15th-century house. Coffee and Zurich cake. | Lunch: Restaurant Kronenhalle, Zurich The finest traditional Zurich restaurant since 1924. Geschnetzeltes with Rosti. Walls hung with Picasso and Miro. | Dinner: Restaurant Neumarkt, Zurich Outstanding modern Swiss cuisine in the Niederdorf. Local lake fish and Swiss Pinot Noir.
DAY 2
LAKE ZURICH AND RAPPERSWIL
MORNING
THE GOLD COAST VILLAGES AND LAKE SWIMMING
The Goldküste, the right bank of Lake Zurich, has the finest sunshine hours in Switzerland and the most exclusive lakeside villas in the country. The S-Bahn stops at Küsnacht, Erlenbach, Herrliberg and Meilen, each with extraordinary Belle Epoque villas and public lake bathing beaches. The Seebad Tiefenbrunnen in Zurich is the finest urban lakeside lido in Switzerland. Lake swimming in Switzerland is free at all public beaches along the Goldküste. Travel: 30 min boat from Rapperswil
MIDDAY
RAPPERSWIL, THE ROSE CITY CASTLE
Rapperswil is the most charming small town on Lake Zurich, its medieval castle on a hill above the lake surrounded by rose gardens with over 600 varieties. The keep gives the finest panorama over the lake to the Glarus Alps. The extraordinary Hurden causeway, a reconstruction of the 3,500-year-old crossing, stretches 1.5km across the lake to the Hurden peninsula. The Capuchin monastery church contains an extraordinary collection of Polish historical relics. Castle approx 8 CHF. Travel: 1.5 hour boat back to Zurich
AFTERNOON
ZURICH LAKEFRONT AND THE BAHNHOFSTRASSE
The Bahnhofstrasse from the main station to the lake is one of the great shopping streets of the world, but the extraordinary lakefront promenade at the bottom, the Burkliplatz and the Quaianlagen, is where Zurich reveals its finest character. The view from the Quaianlagen south across the lake to the Alps is extraordinary. The public art installations along the lakefront change seasonally. The boat departs from Burkliplatz for evening lake cruises.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hurden causeway at Rapperswil is the most extraordinary historic crossing in Switzerland, a reconstruction of the wooden bridge that has connected the two sides of Lake Zurich for 3,500 years. The 1.5km walk across the water gives simultaneous views of Rapperswil castle and the full length of the lake. Entirely free. The finest short walk in the Zurich region and almost completely unknown to international visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Sprüngli, Zurich The most famous Swiss confectioner on the Paradeplatz. Coffee and Luxemburgerli macarons since 1836. | Lunch: Restaurant Hirschen, Rapperswil Outstanding traditional restaurant below the rose castle. Local lake fish and regional wine. | Dinner: Restaurant Zeughauskeller, Zurich Extraordinary medieval armoury restaurant. Local sausages and Zurich beer since 1487.
DAY 3
RHINE FALLS AND STEIN AM RHEIN
MORNING
THE RHINE FALLS
The Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen are the largest waterfall in Europe by volume, 150 metres wide and 23 metres high, the Rhine thundering over a rock barrier in extraordinary force. The boat to the central rock in the middle of the falls gives the finest close-up perspective of any waterfall in Europe. The falls are most dramatic in June and July at peak snowmelt. The Schloss Laufen on the cliff above the falls gives the finest panoramic view. Boat approx 9 CHF. Travel: 20 min train to Stein am Rhein
MIDDAY
STEIN AM RHEIN, THE PAINTED TOWN
Stein am Rhein is the most extraordinarily preserved medieval town in Switzerland, its Rathausplatz surrounded by guild houses painted floor to ceiling with extraordinary trompe-l'oeil facades from the 16th century, the finest examples of facade painting in Europe. The Kloster St Georgen monastery museum contains extraordinary 15th-century frescoes in the original monks' refectory. The Rhine promenade is entirely unvisited in the early morning. Monastery entry approx 5 CHF. Travel: 45 min train to Zurich
AFTERNOON
SCHAFFHAUSEN AND THE MUNOT FORTRESS
Schaffhausen's extraordinary old town contains the finest concentration of oriel windows in the German-speaking world, the medieval guild houses each competing to have the most elaborate bay window on the Vordergasse. The Munot circular Renaissance fortress, built between 1564 and 1589, gives extraordinary views over the Rhine and the old town. A resident watchman still rings the bell nightly at 9pm, a tradition unbroken since the 16th century. Entry to Munot entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hegau volcanic landscape between Schaffhausen and Lake Constance contains seven isolated volcanic plugs rising from the flat plain, each topped with a medieval castle. The Hohentwiel near Singen is the finest, its extraordinary ruins covering the entire summit of a volcanic cone at 686 metres. Free to walk from Singen, 30 minutes from Schaffhausen. The largest castle ruin in Germany and almost entirely unvisited.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Zurich Coffee before the 50-minute train to Schaffhausen. Travel early for the Rhine Falls before the crowds. | Lunch: Restaurant Fischerzunft, Schaffhausen One Michelin star beside the Rhine. Extraordinary local river fish and regional wine. | Dinner: Restaurant Adler, Stein am Rhein Outstanding traditional restaurant on the painted square. Local Pinot Noir and rosti.
DAY 4
WINTERTHUR
MORNING
WINTERTHUR, THE CITY OF ART
Winterthur is the most extraordinary art city in Switzerland, its collection of private foundations and museums containing more impressionist and post-impressionist works per capita than almost any city in Europe. The Kunstmuseum Winterthur has an extraordinary collection of Van Gogh, Monet and Hodler works. The Fotomuseum Winterthur is the finest photography museum in Switzerland. The old town has a charming pedestrian zone with the finest concentration of small galleries outside Zurich. Travel: 20 min train to Kyburg
MIDDAY
KYBURG CASTLE, THE HABSBURG STRONGHOLD
Kyburg Castle above Winterthur is the finest medieval castle in the Zurich region, the ancestral seat of the Counts of Kyburg who ruled much of Switzerland before the Habsburgs. The castle dates from the 11th century and contains an extraordinary collection of medieval weapons, furniture and torture instruments in their original rooms. The views from the keep over the Zurich lowlands are extraordinary. Entry approx 10 CHF. Travel: 20 min train back to Winterthur
AFTERNOON
THE OSKAR REINHART COLLECTION
The Oskar Reinhart Collection Am Römerholz above Winterthur is one of the finest private art collections in the world, assembled by the merchant Oskar Reinhart and left to the Swiss Confederation. The collection includes extraordinary works by Cranach, Rubens, El Greco, Goya, Cezanne, Renoir and Van Gogh in an extraordinary Belle Epoque villa surrounded by an outstanding terraced garden. Entry approx 18 CHF. One of the most extraordinary hidden art experiences in Switzerland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Technorama in Winterthur is the finest science museum in Switzerland, an extraordinary hands-on collection of experiments and demonstrations spread across 6,800 square metres that is entirely unknown outside Switzerland. The demonstrations of physical and natural phenomena are extraordinary and entirely interactive. Entry approx 28 CHF. The finest indoor experience in the Zurich region for any curious visitor.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Canache, Winterthur Outstanding breakfast on the Marktgasse. Coffee and local bread before the Kunstmuseum opens. | Lunch: Restaurant Wirtschaft zum Weissen Wind Classic Winterthur restaurant. Local rosti and the finest Zurich Pinot Noir. | Dinner: Restaurant Neumarkt, Zurich Return to Zurich for the finest modern Swiss cuisine in the Niederdorf.
DAY 5
WEINLAND AND UETLIBERG
MORNING
ZURICH WEINLAND, THE HIDDEN WINE COUNTRY
The Zurich Weinland north of the city is the most extraordinary undiscovered wine region in Switzerland, its rolling hills covered with Pinot Noir and Müller-Thurgau vineyards above the Rhine. The village of Stammheim is the finest, its extraordinary main street lined with wine estates producing some of the finest Pinot Noir in Switzerland. Several producers offer extraordinary cellar tastings for a few francs. The Weinland is reached by train from Zurich in 40 minutes. Travel: 40 min train back to Zurich
MIDDAY
THE UETLIBERG RIDGE WALK TO FELSENEGG
The Uetliberg to Felsenegg ridge walk above Zurich is the finest half-day walk in the region, a 2-hour traverse along the forested ridge with extraordinary views over the city and lake below. The walk ends at Felsenegg, from where a cable car descends to Adliswil on the lake shore. The return by S-Bahn through the Sihltal valley passes through extraordinary gorge scenery. The entire walk and return is covered by the ZVV day pass. Travel: 30 min S-Bahn back to Zurich
AFTERNOON
ZURICH DEPARTURE AND THE BAHNHOFSTRASSE
The Bahnhofstrasse is one of the great shopping streets of the world, but the extraordinary side streets of the Niederdorf and the Augustinergasse beside the Fraumunster are the finest hidden corners of Zurich. The Augustinergasse gives the extraordinary view of the Fraumunster spire framed by old guild houses that is the finest single image of Zurich. The train to Zurich Airport takes 10 minutes from the main station on the direct Airportshuttle.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Greifensee nature reserve east of Zurich is the most extraordinary undiscovered lake in the Zurich region, a perfectly preserved medieval lakeside village at Greifensee with its intact 13th-century town wall, tower and gate. The lake shore is a nature reserve with extraordinary bird life. Reached by S-Bahn from Zurich in 20 minutes. Entry to the medieval village free. One of the finest hidden half-days in the Zurich region.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Wine estate cafe, Stammheim Coffee and local bread at a Weinland wine estate before the morning tasting opens. | Lunch: Restaurant on the Uetliberg Outstanding mountain restaurant at the top of the ridge. Local food and the finest Zurich Pinot Noir. | Dinner: Restaurant Kronenhalle, Zurich The finest traditional farewell dinner in Zurich. Geschnetzeltes, Rosti and local wine since 1924.
Where To Stay
Zurich City, All 4 Nights Hotel Schweizerhof or 25hours. Walking distance to old town and main station. Approx 160 to 380 CHF. Budget Option Hotel Ibis Zurich City West. Excellent transport connections. Approx 100 to 160 CHF per night. Winterthur Option Hotel Banana City. Stay in Winterthur for Day 4 evening. Approx 90 to 140 CHF.
Top Tips
1. Climb the Grossmunster south tower at 8am before tour groups arrive. The roofline view is the finest in Zurich.
2. The Rhine Falls are most dramatic in June and July at peak snowmelt. Take the boat to the central rock.
3. Winterthur's Oskar Reinhart collection at Am Römerholz is one of the finest private art collections in the world. Book ahead.
4. Stein am Rhein's painted facades are the finest in Switzerland. Walk the Rathausplatz before 8am for extraordinary quiet.
5. The Kunsthaus Chipperfield extension opened in
2021. The Giacometti collection inside is the largest in the world.
6. Zurich's Niederdorf quarter has the finest small restaurants in the city. Eat where you see no English menus outside.
Total Budget
140 to 230 CHF/day