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Best Things to do in Zurich (2026)

Some of the best experiences in Zurich are about the city's setting rather than its museums. The Uetliberg, the city's own hill at 870 metres, is reached by the S10 from the main station in about 20 minutes, and from the summit the Planet Trail leads along the ridge to Felsenegg, where a cable car takes you down to Adliswil. In the city itself, walking the car-free lanes of the Niederdorf and strolling the 1.4 kilometres of Bahnhofstrasse from the station to the lake are the easiest ways to understand how Zurich fits together.

Zurich West offers a different side of the city. Im Viadukt has turned the arches of an 1894 railway viaduct into independent shops and a covered market hall, which is a good place to buy cheese and bread for a picnic. In the evening, a performance at the Opernhaus Zürich, home to the opera company and Ballett Zürich, is a classic night out; look out for half-price Opernhaus Days and youth tickets. Many of these activities are free or inexpensive, and most can be combined with sights in the same area, so a day on the Uetliberg and a night at the opera fit easily into a short stay.

5 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 things to do in Zurich

  1. Uetliberg Hill, viewpoint and hiking trails, Uetliberg (Albis ridge)Zurich's own 870-metre hill, reached by S10 train from the main station, with an observation tower, views over city, lake and Alps and the Planet Trail to Felsenegg.
  2. Niederdorf (Old Town) Historic pedestrian quarter, Altstadt (Old Town)The car-free lanes of Zurich's Old Town on the right bank of the Limmat, between Central and the Grossmünster, full of small shops, restaurants and bars.
  3. Bahnhofstrasse Shopping street, City (Kreis 1)Zurich's 1.4-kilometre main shopping street, running from the main station past Paradeplatz to Lake Zurich, with department stores, luxury boutiques and the Sprüngli confectioner at Paradeplatz.

Thing to do

1. Uetliberg

Hill, viewpoint and hiking trailsUetliberg (Albis ridge)

Zurich's own 870-metre hill, reached by S10 train from the main station, with an observation tower, views over city, lake and Alps and the Planet Trail to Felsenegg.

View details — Uetliberg

Thing to do

3. Bahnhofstrasse

Shopping streetCity (Kreis 1)

Zurich's 1.4-kilometre main shopping street, running from the main station past Paradeplatz to Lake Zurich, with department stores, luxury boutiques and the Sprüngli confectioner at Paradeplatz.

View details — Bahnhofstrasse

Thing to do

4. Opernhaus Zürich

Opera and ballet performancesSeefeld / Sechseläutenplatz

Zurich's 1891 opera house on Sechseläutenplatz, home to the opera company, Ballett Zürich and the Philharmonia orchestra, with around 1,100 seats.

View details — Opernhaus Zürich

Thing to do

5. Im Viadukt

Shops and market hall under railway archesKreis 5 (Zurich West)

Shops, a covered market hall and restaurants set under the 1894 stone railway arches of Zurich West, between Löwenbräu and Hardbrücke.

View details — Im Viadukt