Switzerland · 2026 itinerary
Zuerich 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Zuerich: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
A quiet elevated square with Roman ruins underneath, offering one of the best free views over the Old Town, the Limmat river, and the Grossmünster. Locals play chess on the stone tables.
🕐 Open 24 hours
Free entry💡 Come at sunset for the least crowds and the best light for photography. Bring a coffee from a nearby kiosk.
Hotels near Lindenhof →The historic cobblestone quarter of the Old Town, lined with craft shops, chocolate stores, and street musicians. It's free to wander and soak in the Renaissance architecture and hidden courtyards.
🕐 Open 24 hours (shops vary)
Free entry💡 Head to the side alley Münstergasse for the best chocolate deals (try Läderach or Sprüngli) and fewer tourists than the main strip.
Hotels near Niederdorf →moana · ££
O'Callaghans Shamrock Pub · ££
Deeper Into Zuerich
One of Europe's most important art museums, with works from the Middle Ages to contemporary. The free collection is impressive, especially the Swiss art and the extensive Edvard Munch holdings.
🕐 Tue–Wed, Fri–Sun: 10:00–18:00; Thu: 10:00–20:00
💡 The permanent collection is free for all visitors on Wednesdays. Otherwise it's CHF 23 – but Wednesday is your day.
A calm, well-kept garden with a dozen greenhouses featuring plants from different climate zones. The alpine garden and the tropical house are the highlights. Good for a quiet picnic.
🕐 Outdoor: daily 08:00–19:00; Greenhouses: daily 10:00–17:00
💡 Greenhouses close at 17:00 in winter; the outdoor gardens stay open later. Avoid Sunday afternoons when families fill the lawns.
Mellow Bar
Il Grappolo
Final Favourites & Departure
Switzerland's largest history museum, housed in a fairy-tale castle-like building. The permanent exhibition on Swiss history is compelling, and the archaeologic
💡 Free entry every first Sunday of the month. Otherwise standard ticket is CHF 13. The museum's rooftop café has a good view of the Hauptbahnhof and the Alps.
Yan-Ruyi
Boom
Getting Around Zuerich
Tram 4 to 'Schiffbau' stop is closest (2-min walk). Tram 13 to 'Hardbrücke' stop works too but is a 6-min walk. Buy a 24-hour zone 110 ticket (8.80 CHF) if you're using public transport all day.
Fixed price to city centre is usually 40–50 CHF. Avoid airport rank touts; pre-book via 7x7.ch. Ask driver to drop you on Schiffbaustrasse side – hotel entrance is easy to miss.
Get the SBB app for real-time departures. Platform 3/4 from the station below Arrivals 1. Direct to HB; no changes.
Slower than the train, but you get a view of the city. Exit at 'Bahnhofquai/HB' stop. The tram stop is outside Arrivals 1, right of the train station entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Zuerich?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Lindenhof and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Zuerich?
See our full best time to visit Zuerich guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hotel Hechtplatz Bar, Cosmopolitan Apartments, NiMo. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.