The city and the lake
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The old town and the Limmat | Cobbled lanes and old towers on both banks of the river, and the Lindenhof square overlooking the city. | Central Zurich |
| Lake Zurich | A long lakeside promenade and boat trips between villages, with the Alps behind on clear days. | From the Bürkliplatz pier |
| Bahnhofstrasse | One of the world's most exclusive shopping streets, between the station and the lake. | Central Zurich |
| The Swiss National Museum | A palace-like building next to the station telling Switzerland's story from ancient times to today. | Next to the main station |
| The Lindt Home of Chocolate | A journey through Swiss chocolate making, the world's largest chocolate fountain, and tastings. | Kilchberg, south of Zurich |
| Zurich Zoo and the Masoala rainforest | A large zoo with a covered rainforest, elephants and animals from every continent. | East of the city |
A view nearby
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Uetliberg | Zurich's own mountain, with a lookout tower over the city, the lake and the Alps. | About 20 minutes by train from the main station |
Day trips from Zurich
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Rhine Falls by boat | One of Europe's largest waterfalls, which you approach by boat right up to the rock in the middle. | Schaffhausen, about 40 minutes; Laufen Castle CHF 5, a boat in the basin CHF 12 in summer |
| Seealpsee and the Ebenalp | A cable car to a mountain with ancient caves and an inn clinging to the cliff, then a walk down to a clear green lake. | Appenzell; the cable car runs early May to the end of November |
| The Säntis | A cable car to a 2,502-metre summit with views of the mountains of six countries on clear days. | Appenzell |
| Stein am Rhein | A small town on the Rhine with houses whose facades are painted in colour. | About an hour from Zurich |
Tips before you go
- Zurich airport is about 10 minutes by train from the city centre; Lucerne is an hour away and Interlaken about two.
- The Swiss Travel Pass covers trains and boats in the city and beyond.
- You need a Schengen visa, applied for through the visa centre at least 10 to 15 days before travel.
Hotels in Zurich
Flights to Geneva
More places nearby
- Things to do in Switzerland
- Things to do in Interlaken
- Things to do in Lucerne
- Things to do in Geneva
- Things to do in Zermatt
- Things to do in Lugano and Ticino
- Things to do in St. Moritz and the Engadin
Visa
- Switzerland visa for Saudis: Schengen step by step
- Schengen visa for Saudis: requirements, fees and steps
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Zurich?
The old town and the Limmat, Lake Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse, the Lindt Home of Chocolate, the Uetliberg, the Rhine Falls, and Seealpsee and the Ebenalp.
How far are the Rhine Falls from Zurich?
About 40 minutes by train.
When does the Ebenalp cable car run?
From early May to the end of November; it stops in strong winds.
Planning your trip to Switzerland? Read Travel to Switzerland from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.