Travel to Zurich Switzerland | Keytours Vacations

Discover Zurich's Wonders

Zurich might be the financial center of Switzerland but it's not all work and no play. Time and time again, Zurich is voted the city with the best quality of life, and for good reason. Known for their diverse and artistic shopping and museums, Zurich offers a never-ending array of activities such as: the zoo (complete with a tropical rainforest hall), many gorgeous churches, chocolate factory tours, and excellent shopping.

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Description

Zurich began as a Roman settlement on the Limmat, later growing into a medieval trading hub with guilds shaping much of the city’s character and architecture. Over the centuries, it became a centre of learning and religion, playing a major role in the Reformation under Ulrich Zwingli. As Switzerland stayed neutral through modern conflicts, Zurich developed into a global financial centre. Banking and finance still have a strong presence, but the city today feels more well-rounded than that suggests. Tech firms, universities and research institutions sit alongside historic churches, small cafés, and riverside walkways. The Limmat splits the city into two. On the east bank, Niederdorf has narrow lanes, student hangouts, and the twin towers of Grossmünster watching over it. The west side includes Lindenhof, once a Roman fort and now a quiet lookout above the Old Town. Busy Bahnhofstrasse runs nearby, following the line of the old city walls and filled with everything from luxury brands to Swiss department stores. Modern Zurich is clean, relaxed and easy to explore on foot, with the lake on one side and hills just beyond. It’s a mix of historic streets, design-focused neighbourhoods, lakefront promenades and cafés where office workers and students sit side by side, a city that balances old-world calm with a forward-looking edge.

Useful information

Population:

434,335 (2025)

Currency:

Swiss Franc (CHF, Fr., SFr.)

Emergency Info:

European SOS: 112
Ambulance: 144
Police: 117
Fire & Rescue: 118

Opening Hours:

Do & See

Bahnhofstrasse

A visit to Zurich is not complete without a walk along the Bahnhofstrasse. It’s often listed among the priciest shopping streets in the world, something you’ll realise as soon as you see the window displays. Bahnhofstrasse runs from the main station down to the lake and is home to big international brands and Swiss department stores. Even though it is known for luxury labels, there are a few everyday shops mixed in as well. If you prefer smaller, independent places, the side streets and nearby Old Town have more variety.

Chinese Garden

The Chinese Garden sits at Zürichhorn by the lake, a gift from Zurich’s sister city, Kunming. Inside are pavilions, small bridges, and a pond with koi, all arranged in a traditional style. It’s not big, so expect a short wander rather than a full outing, but it’s a calm spot to step away from the lake path for a few minutes.

Church of St Peter

St Peter’s Church is one of four main churches in the Old Town, alongside Grossmünster, Fraumünster, and Predigerkirche. Inside, traces of earlier foundations can still be seen under the choir. The tower holds the largest clock face in Europe, measuring 8.7 metres across — it’s hard to miss when walking through the Old Town.

FIFA Museum

Football fans will appreciate this modern museum dedicated to the history of the world’s game. Spread across several floors, it features memorabilia from World Cups, interactive exhibits, and plenty of chances to test your skills in the 'Lab'. The museum shop is full of fun trinkets, and the Sportsbar 1904 has live games on big screens and refreshing drinks.

Fraumünster Church

Fraumünster stands by the Limmat, marked by its tall green steeple that you can easily spot from across the river. The church has roots back to the 9th century, first built as part of a women’s abbey founded by Louis the German for his daughter. People mainly come to see the stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti, which bring colour and light into its fairly simple interior. It’s an easy stop while wandering Zurich's Old Town, especially if you’re crossing the bridges or exploring the nearby squares.

Freitag Tower

The Freitag Tower is a stack of shipping containers turned into a shop and lookout point in Zurich’s former industrial quarter. Climb the narrow stairs through each level, check out the recycled-material bags along the way, and head up to the small platform at the top for a view over the area.

Grossmünster

Grossmünster is a Romanesque church with twin towers that stand out across Zurich’s skyline. It’s historically important as the place where Ulrich Zwingli started the Reformation. Visitors can climb one of the towers for a view over the Old Town and the Limmat River, and notice details, such as the modern stained-glass windows by Augusto Giacometti.

Kaltbach Cheese Cave

About an hour’s drive from Zurich, the Kaltbach Cave is a natural sandstone tunnel system formed millions of years ago. Here, cheese wheels mature in cool, humid air deep underground. Rows of Gruyère, Emmentaler, and other wheels age slowly in the dark, picking up a strong flavour and that thick, dark rind the cave is known for. Guides explain the process, and there’s usually a tasting at the end. Tours need to be booked in advance and are mainly for groups, so planning ahead is essential.

Dining

Blinde Kuh

Blinde Kuh offers one of Zürich’s most unforgettable dining experiences: a meal enjoyed in near-total darkness, served by blind and partially sighted staff. With sight taken out of the equation, every sound, scent, and flavour comes into sharp focus, turning even a simple dish into something surprising and immersive. The menu changes weekly and is kept largely a mystery. It’s a popular spot and books up quickly, so plan ahead.

Didi's Frieden

Just off Bahnhofstrasse, Didi’s Frieden delivers elegant dining with a distinctly Swiss flavour. The menu highlights include creative cordon bleu and veal dishes, crafted from high‑quality local ingredients. The interior is stylish without being showy, and the wine list is carefully selected to match the cuisine.

Kronenhalle

Kronenhalle has been a Zürich institution since 1924, known for classic Swiss and French dishes and a dining room adorned with original works by Chagall, Miró, Picasso and Klee. The restaurant has a sense of history and elegance, and it’s easy to imagine artists and writers lingering over a meal here. Prices are on the higher side, but the combination of food, atmosphere and the chance to dine among iconic artworks makes it a memorable experience.

Saigon

Just a short stroll from the city centre, Saigon is a casual restaurant serving comforting dishes from southern Vietnam. Indulge in fragrant pho, fresh noodle bowls, colourful salads and flavourful soups bursting with herbs and spice.

Spaghetti Factory

Just off Rosenhof square in the heart of the Niederdorf quarter, Spaghetti Factory Rosenhof offers a casual setting with big bowls of pasta, fresh salads and plenty of choice. The menu ranges from classic spaghetti done simply to more inventive variations.

Swiss Chuchi Restaurant

Right in the heart of Zürich's Old Town inside Hotel Adler, Swiss Chuchi is a cosy spot dedicated to classic Swiss comfort food. It’s best known for its rich cheese fondues as well as raclette and dishes like Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (Zürich-style sliced veal). Warm and rustic inside, it’s a favourite for visitors looking to dive into traditional flavours, so booking ahead for dinner is wise, especially in winter.

Volkshaus

Volkshaus has been around since 1910 and still feels like stepping into another era. The dining room is spacious, with high-arched windows, dark wood, and soft jazz in the background. The menu focuses on Swiss classics with a modern twist, and the seasonal meat‑carving cart is a highlight. It’s a place that combines history and the city’s contemporary energy, making it a comfortable spot for a proper Zürich dinner.

Weisses Rössli

Just off the lakeside in the Enge district, Weisses Rössli is a quiet, elegant spot where French and Mediterranean influences meet seasonal Swiss ingredients. The kitchen is led by a chef recognised by Gault & Millau, and when the weather allows, the garden terrace makes for a pleasant meal outdoors. Dishes pair easily with wines from Switzerland, Italy and Spain, all carefully selected to complement the menu.

Cafés

Babu's

This urban, relaxed café in the city centre is very popular, and you might have to queue for a coffee, but it’s well worth the wait. It’s known for its trendy vibe, artisanal pastries, and a full breakfast menu that keeps locals coming back.

Café & Conditorei 1842

Café & Conditorei 1842 is an old-school bakery in Zürich’s Old Town, with high ceilings, Baroque décor, and a small terrace. The café is known for its house-made chocolates and pastries, but the hot chocolate with whipped cream is the star of the house — generous, well-balanced, and perfect on a chilly day. You can really feel the history here, from the décor to the timeless menu, making it a favourite for both locals and visitors alike.

Confiserie Sprüngli

On Bahnhofstrasse, Confiserie Sprüngli is the flagship store of the famous Swiss chocolatier, founded in 1836. Inside, you’ll find an extensive selection of mouth-watering chocolates, pralines, truffles, and cakes, including the signature Luxemburgerli macarons. There’s a café on the first floor if you want to sit down and enjoy a coffee with a sweet treat.

H. Schwarzenbach

H. Schwarzenbach is a family-run café in the heart of Zürich’s Old Town, now in its fifth generation. Hosued in a period building, it’s a calm spot to enjoy high-quality coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and amaretti. The café’s own bakery produces daily cakes and pastries, and the cheesecake is a must-try. Attached to the café is the famous Schwarzenbach delicatessen, where you can pick up chocolates and other treats to take home with you.

Henrici

Henrici is all about coffee. From classics to creative brews, they know how to make a good cup, and the baristas are happy to help you pick the right one. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the baked goods are worth a try; the cheesecake, in particular, gets a lot of praise.

ViCAFE Bellevue

ViCAFE Bellevue is a tiny coffee spot that often has a queue, and for good reason. The coffee is the star here, made with care by friendly, knowledgeable baristas using beans from around the world. Don’t miss the croi-muffin with sweet rosemary, a local favourite. With several locations around Zürich, it’s an easy stop for a quality coffee while exploring the city.

Bars & Nightlife

Kaufleuten

Kaufleuten is one of Zürich’s most iconic nightlife venues, combining a restaurant, bar, and club under one roof. By day, it serves seasonal, upscale dishes in a sleek dining room, while evenings see the space transform into a lively club hosting DJs, themed parties, and live music events. Here, you should definitely dress to impress.

Moods

Moods is Zürich’s premier jazz club, located on top of the Schiffbau building near Hardstrasse. The venue hosts live concerts almost every day from mid-September to mid-June, featuring a mix of jazz, funk, soul, and blues from both local and international artists. Be sure to check out their calendar when you're in town.

Nelson Pub

A favourite among Zürich’s international crowd, Nelson Pub has a casual, British-style atmosphere with dark wood interiors, large screens, and a lively bar. It’s a reliable spot to catch live football and other sports, especially on weekends when students and young expats gather. In the evenings, DJs spin tunes to keep the energy up. The menu offers classic pub grub as well as Swiss dishes, alongside a solid selection of beers, wine and spirits.

Oepfelchammer

Tucked into a centuries-old building in Zürich’s Old Town, Oepfelchammer is a cosy tavern with plenty of character and deep roots in local tradition. Known locally as the 'Oeli', it serves regional Swiss cuisine paired with good wine in its dark-wood interior filled with names carved into benches and walls by past patrons. Oeli also has a famously quirky tradition: the Balkenprobe, where brave guests attempt to drink a glass of wine while hanging upside-down from a ceiling beam. Whether you give it a go or simply watch others try, it’s a memorable stop for a drink in a place where Zürich’s past is very much still alive.

Old Crow

Old Crow is a hidden gem for spirits enthusiasts in Zürich's Old Town. The bar’s intimate, antiquated interior sets the stage for exploring a collection of over 1,600 bottles, with whiskies taking centre stage. Skilled bartenders craft both classic cocktails and rare, long-forgotten recipes, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed evening savouring top-notch drinks.

Rheinfelder Bierhalle

One of Zürich’s oldest beer halls, Rheinfelder Bierhalle is as straightforward as they come: long wooden benches, bright lights, and no-nonsense charm. It draws a lively mix of locals, from office workers to students, all here for classic Swiss comfort dishes served in generous portions and cold beer that flows steadily from morning until late.

Tales Bar

Tales is a cosy, intimate cocktail bar where every drink is prepared with much know-how. The bartenders are genuinely creative and happy to craft something off‑menu based on your taste. Cocktails are served with flair, from tiki goblets to unusual glassware, blending classic techniques with inventive twists. Space is limited, so arriving early is wise.

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