Zürich, Switzerland 5 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival & Exploring Old Town (Altstadt)

  • Accommodation: Stay in the heart of Old Town at Hotel Richemond or Park Hyatt Zürich.
  • Breakfast: Start your day with a Swiss breakfast at Confiserie Sprüngli in Paradeplatz.
  • Morning: Visit the Fraumünster Church known for its famous Chagall windows, then walk along the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most expensive shopping streets.
  • Lunch: Enjoy Swiss cuisine at Zunfthaus zur Waag in the old town.
  • Afternoon: Take a stroll along the Limmat River to the Zürich Kunsthaus (Art Museum) or hop on a boat tour to see Zürich from the water.
  • Dinner: Dine at Restaurant Sternen Grüzei, offering traditional Swiss dishes with a modern twist.
  • Evening: Relax at Rooftop Bar Zunfthaus Zur Waag or Bar Rouge for stunning city views and cocktails.

Day 2 - Museums & Lake Zürich

  • Breakfast: Grab a quick breakfast at a local bakery like Back Werk.
  • Morning: Visit the Swiss National Museum or the Rietberg Museum, showcasing art and culture from Asia, Oceania, and Africa.
  • Lunch: Stop by Hiltl, the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant.
  • Afternoon: Head to Lake Zürich and take a boat trip to Meilen or Rapperswil. Explore their charming towns, stroll along the lake, and visit their castles.
  • Dinner: Dine at Seerestaurant Bellevue for a romantic waterfront dinner.
  • Evening: Return to Zürich and unwind in one of the city’s many beer gardens, such as Biergarten Sternen.

Day 3 - Day trip to Lucerne

  • Breakfast: Have a quick breakfast at your hotel or grab something on the go in Zürich.
  • Morning: Take a train to Lucerne (approx. 30 min), and visit the famous Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument.
  • Lunch: Dine at Restaurant Schwan, offering traditional Swiss cuisine with a view of the Chapel Bridge.
  • Afternoon: Explore the Jesuit Church, Spillhaus Museum, or take a boat trip to Mt. Rigi.
  • Dinner: Return to Zürich and dine at Restaurant Schönbucherhof for Swiss specialties in a charming setting.

Day 4 - Island Ausstellung & Modern Art

  • Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at your hotel or try Café Odeon, located on Bellevue Strasse.
  • Morning: Take a boat to Island Ausstellung, home to the Swiss Museum of Architecture and various pavilions showcasing contemporary architecture.
  • Lunch: Grab lunch at Eiskeller on Bellevue Strasse.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Blaues Haus, Zürich’s Museum of Modern Art, and explore the surrounding contemporary art scene in the Westend neighborhood.
  • Dinner: Dine at Restaurant Langstrasse, known for its innovative Swiss cuisine.
  • Evening: Explore the vibrant nightlife of Zürich, with options like Motto Bar and Barfuss im Gelände.

Day 5 - Departure & Last Minutes

  • Breakfast: Enjoy your final Swiss breakfast at a local café before checking out of your hotel.
  • Morning: Spend some time browsing the shops along Bahnhofstrasse or take a stroll through the parks, enjoying the beautiful city one last time.
  • Lunch: Have lunch at Restaurant Sternen Grüzei for a special farewell meal.
  • Departure: Head to the airport and say “auf Wiedersehen” to Zürich until your next visit!