Zurich
Switzerland
Backpacking Zurich
Information on Zurich, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Switzerland’s largest city can be described as efficient, beautiful, and cool. Zurich is well-located in the heart of Switzerland’s German-speaking region. The nearby international airport and well-connected train network make Zurich a popular stopover to explore for a night or two. The Bahnhofstrasse offers world-class shopping with some of the most prestigious and exclusive brands in existence. Hordes of shoppers descend on the street to wander by the shops, which are often as beautiful and elegant as their contents. Lindenhof Hill is the perfect platform to appreciate Zurich from above. Gazing out, you’ll see the famous Grossmünster towers, a Romanesque church that offers its own impressive views. Like so many other Swiss towns, Zurich boasts its own picturesque lake named after the city, which provides ample opportunity for boat trips. There are restaurants by the lake where visitors can sit and enjoy local delicacies or simply drink in the sublime scenery. After a day of exploring, Zurich presents endless opportunities for relaxation and fun. Cafes, restaurants, and bars coat the streets of this city, filled with that special air of cool sophistication. Zurich is a place where all of Switzerland’s finest qualities meet. It’s a place for sophistication, elegance, and finery. As a backpacker Zurich is one of, if not the most expensive cities to visit but if it’s in the budget it’s a city we can highly recommend.
Must See
Old Town - Straddling the River Limmat, the East Bank and West Bank composing Zurich’s Old Town district are a dichotomy of modern and medieval. The storybook buildings and cobblestoned streets are a homage to the old, while the craft chocolate shops and designer stores showcase the city’s penchant for wealth and luxury. Head to the West Bank for a glimpse at the iconic Fraumunster church. Stroll through Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most affluent shopping streets. If history is what you seek, visit the East Bank, which contains the stunning neo-Baroque Zurich Opera House and the city’s other well-known church, Grossmunster. Don’t forget to end the day with a traditional hearty cheese fondue somewhere along the pedestrianized Niederdorfstrasse.
Fifa World Football Museum - If you are a Football lover, you will enjoy the FIFA World Football Museum, which is devoted to the history and heritage of the beloved international sport. The museum features informative exhibits with photographs, videos, and memorabilia that look back on the major international tournaments and their impact on the lives of people throughout the world.
Must Do
Lake Zurich - With clean blue waters surrounded by colorful hills and snow-capped mountains, Lake Zurich offers an idyllic setting for all types of visitors. Steamboats, sailboats, and ferries make stops along the bank of the glacier lake, so you can wander through the storybook towns, offering gorgeous views, hiking routes, swimming areas, and relaxing dining options. From swimming to lakeside picnics, there are many things to do on and around Lake Zurich. There is also a promenade around the entire lake. From Bellevueplatz in the city center, you can walk the boardwalk for about two miles along the lake towards Tiefenbrunnen, and it’s always busy with walkers and cyclists.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Zurich can get expensive due to high cost of living in the country. However, at night Zurich comes alive with over 500 nightlife venues including pubs, restaurants, and clubs. With no open-container laws in Zurich, start your night with cheap drinks on the Limmat riverfront before moving to the bars and clubs. When you are ready to check some places out, head to Neiderdorf in the Old Town or Langstrasse just nearby for some of the best clubs and bars in Zurich. Almost half the people in Switzerland that want to party will head here on the weekend, so nights out in the countries biggest city are always entertaining.
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