The Ultimate Zurich Bucket List (80 ideas!)

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Nestled against a lake in Northern Switzerland, Zurich is a beautiful, clean, and lively city that sees millions of tourists every year.

If you're heading to Zurich and looking for what this city has to offer you, we've compiled the ultimate list right here. Below, you'll find everything from which local foods to try, to stunning parks and must-visit museums, helping you make the most of your time abroad.

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💡Traveling to Zurich in 2025? Make sure you know about the most recent Swiss travel requirements.

Museums in Zurich

There are a ton of different museums in Zurich. Whether you're interested in art, history, science, or even something a bit more unusual, you'll be able to find it here.

💡Always check ahead of time to see if you'll need to reserve timed entries. Additionally, some museums may offer tours in English.

Art museums in Zurich

Kunsthaus Zürich: "Art House Zurich", the largest art museum in Switzerland boasting works by the likes of Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Andy Warhol, and a ton of other world-celebrated artists.

Museum für Gestaltung Zürich: Zurich's Museum of Design showcases artwork about, well, design! Alongside visual communication, this museum has both standing collections and temporary exhibitions.

Museum Rietberg: An art museum focusing on works made outside of Europe. You'll find ornate pieces created in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.

Museum Haus Konstruktiv: "Constructive House" is Switzerland's modern art museum that features concrete and constructive art, as well as conceptual artwork. It's inside of an old power station, making the entire trip visually fascinating.

Helmhaus: "Helm House", a small, but stunning art museum focuses on works by artists who were either from Switzerland or lived there as working artists.

Kunsthalle Zürich: This art museum, "Art Hall Zurich", features contemporary work in a variety of different mediums, with rotating exhibits.

Musée Visionnaire: This small, private art museum (Visionary Museum) showcases modern visual exhibitions.

Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst: With modern artwork (including performance art), this is a top attraction for art and art history lovers. It translates into "The Migros Museum of Contemporary Art".

Lichthalle MAAG: "Light Hall" MAAG is a museum that provides visitors an immersive experience with temporary themes. In the past, they've featured Leonardo Da Vinci, Frida Kahlo, Monet's Immersive Garden, and more.

History museums in Zurich

Landesmuseum Zürich: This is Switzerland's national museum which tells visitors about the history and culture of Switzerland throughout time.

Nordamerika Native Museum NONAM: This is the North American Native Museum. They preserve, document, and showcase artifacts and artwork created by Native Americans.

Heimatschutzzentrum in der Villa Patumbah: A must-see is "The Homeland Security Center" located at the Villa Patumbah, this museum takes a look into Swiss colonialism. The Villa Patumbah is a mansion that was created in a variety of different architectural styles inspired by the creator's travels to the South Pacific.

Zunftstadt: At this local history museum, "Guild Town", you'll learn everything you ever wanted to know about Zurich, from ancient times to the present.

Civil Defense Museum: History buffs will enjoy exploring this preserved 1941 bunker.

Science museums in Zurich

focusTERRA: Enjoy gorgeous stones, rocks, and minerals in this earth science museum. It even has an earthquake simulator for those looking for interactive and engaging experiences.

Völkerkundemuseum: This social anthropology science museum (Zurich's Ethnological Museum) is part of the University of Zurich. Here, you'll explore the age-old question: what does it mean to be human? Let us know if you find the answer 😉

Natural History Museum of the University of Zurich: For kids and grown-ups alike, Zurich's Natural History Museum has a fantastic collection of... dinosaurs! Explore natural history in this cherished museum.

Other museums in Zurich

FIFA Museum: Soccer enthusiasts have to check out Zurich's FIFA Museum which celebrates soccer, or "football". It even has the globally treasured FIFA World Cup Trophy on display.

Tram Museum Zürich: For transportation lovers, the tram museum is a must-see. With historical trams onsite and engaging storytelling, this is a fun excursion for travelers of all ages.

Museum Mühlerama: Foodies, it's your moment! Zurich has a "food culture" museum. The museum itself is a mill over 100 years old where visitors can bake their own bread.

WOW Museum - Room for Illusions: Make sure you're camera-ready because this museum is the perfect place for selfies. With highly decorated rooms and optical illusions, you're going to want to stock up on fun photos to share with friends and family. This is probably the most Instagrammable museum on the list!

Johann Jacobs Museum: You'll have loads of fun at this museum, also called the Museum of Learning. Located in a beautiful old house, the building is as impressive as the material inside.

Museum Strauhof: A truly unique experience, this museum is about the presentation of literature. If you love poetry, reading, and writing, exploring Museum Strauhof will be a lifelong memory.

Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich: Tick tock, tick tock... this is a museum of clocks. This private clock museum has timepieces that even the modern watch collector will find impressive.

Lindt Home of Chocolate: This chocolate museum is a must-stop during your time in Zurich. With an impressive chocolate fountain in a beautiful space, and even chocolate workshops, tickets sell out in advance, so make sure to book ahead of time.

Moulagenmuseum: For a particularly unique and educational experience, visit this wax museum: "Moulage Museum", which showcases what medical and skin conditions look like on the human body. Keep in mind that this excursion has sensitive material.

The No Show Museum: Literally a museum dedicated to nothing.

Local foods and drinks to try in Zurich

One of the most memorable parts of visiting a far-away place is exploring the local cuisine. Here are a few suggestions for what to try while you're exploring the city.

Zürcher Geschnetzeltes: Zurich's signature dish. This local classic features veal and a creamy mushroom sauce.

Absinthe: While it was created by a Frenchman, Absinthe was first made in Switzerland.

Älplermagronen: Macaroni and cheese lovers, this one is for you. It's a hearty dish with pasta, potatoes, onions, cream, and plenty of cheese.

Polenta ticinese: This Swiss specialty is from Southern Switzerland and is a soft and creamy polenta dish.

Cuchaule: A type of brioche with a pinch of saffron, making the shiny bread a vibrant yellow.

Swiss chocolate: If Switzerland is famous for anything, it's their chocolate! Whether you favor milk, dark, or another kind, you'll find it perfectly made in Zurich.

Papet Vaudois: Leeks and potatoes with cabbage sausage (it's sausage mixed with cabbage).

Festivals and annual events in Zurich

Travelers will be excited to learn that Zurich has a ton of local events and festivals. While the suggestions below aren't a comprehensive list, they are popular ones that draw in a lot of tourism!

ZüriCarnivale: Every March, the streets of Zurich get that much more exciting with this colorful event filled with costumes and brass bands! With parades, decorations, and tons of music, visitors of all ages will have a blast at Zurich's Carnivale.

The Zurich Marathon: In the spring, runners flock to Zurich to participate in one of the most beautiful races of their lives!

Sechseläuten: Also in April, this historical tradition is a unique one for tourists. A pyre is built with a wooden snowman atop. At 6 pm, when the church bells ring, it is set on fire. Inside the snowman's head is a collection of fireworks. Local lore says that the faster the fireworks go off, the better the summer will be!

Cycle Week: In May, celebrate cycling in Zurich with performances, test rides, and more.

Zurich Art Week: Every June, the city of Zurich carves a few days out of its calendar to celebrate fine art. From performances and art walks to screenings and parties, it's a fun time to be in the city.

FOOD ZURICH: In June, over 100 food events take place in Zurich during the annual event.

Caliente!: Every July, Zurich throws Europe's largest Latin festival celebrating Latin America's culture, food, and music.

Allianz Cinema Zürich: In July and August, Lake Zurich becomes the backdrop to an open-air cinema.

Zürcher Theater Spektakel: Every August there are incredible outdoor theatrical performances at the Landiwiese Park near Wollishofen off of Lake Zurich.

Knabenschiessen: Synonymous with a County Fair in the US, Knabenschiessen is one of Zurich's largest annual festivals with carnival rides and activities.

ZFF (Zurich Film Festival): In September and October, Zurich's annual film festival showcases emerging filmmakers and movies.

Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur: This festival for short films takes place in November.

Wienachtsdorf Christmas Market: Like many cities in Europe, Zurich has a delightful Christmas festival complete with mulled wine, delicious wintry foods, and tons of opportunities to shop for souvenirs and gifts.

Parks and gardens in Zurich

Zurich has over 1200 fountains in the city and a ton of natural spaces for everyone from locals to tourists to breathe in the outdoors.

Rechberg: A Baroque park that leaves guests feeling like they entered a period-accurate movie featuring landscaped gardens.

City Gardens: Thousands of flowers, including rare flora. City Gardens is unique for its tropical botanical house that is free to enter.

Old Botanical Garden: This garden was established in 1837 and still enchants visitors to this day. It's also home to Gessner Garden, a medieval herb garden with plants used in 16th-century medicine that history fans find particularly compelling.

Botanical Garden: Not to be confused with the Old Botanical Garden, this newer one has over 7000 plant species, including greenhouses with flora from around the world.

Rieterpark: The largest park in Zurich at over 17 acres!

Lake Promenade: The Promenade is a park area alongside Lake Zurich where locals love to pass the time with a good book or a picnic, especially on a sunny day.

Bäckeranlage Park: This park has a relaxed atmosphere where you'll often find children playing and families picnicking. There's also a restaurant onsite, which makes sense as the name of the park translates to "Bakery Facility".

Platzspitz: An incredibly green space with tidy paths fit for an outdoor stroll.

Belvoir Park: One of the oldest landscaped parks/gardens in the area. It has old trees, beautiful sculptures, and large meadows. There's also a daylily and iris garden with over 120 different species.

Josefwiese: Popular among locals, this park is perfect for all ages. There's plenty of space to play outdoor games and there's even playing equipment for children.

The Chinese Garden: This park was gifted to Zurich by a town in China. It actually has one of the highest-ranked Chinese gardens outside of China itself featuring ponds, landscaped shrubbery, and colorful pagodas.

Zurich's Succulent Collection: Free to visit, this collection has around 50% of all known succulent species in the world.

Historic churches and cathedrals in Zurich

Whether spiritually or architecturally motivated, Zurich has a number of beautiful churches open to the public.

Kirche Enge: A late 19th-century church with a tower and dome tours.

Neumünster: A neo-classical construction with a pretty garden.

Church of St. Anton: While it was built in the early 20th century, it was constructed to mimic Romanesque architecture, featuring an elaborately painted dome.

Grossmünster: Considered one of the four major churches of the city, it's in a Romanesque style. The name translates to "Large Cathedral".

Wasserkirche: Or, "The Water Church". This church was first mentioned in records in the year 1250.

Fraumünster Church: This church was built on the grounds of an abbey dating back to the year 853! Fraumünster translates to "Woman Cathedral." This name is do to the fact that the original abbey was specifically for females.

St. Peter: A famous church in Zurich with a serene stone and wood interior.

Christkatholische Augustinerkirche: A small church tucked into a quintessentially Swiss street.

Predigerkirche: Contains a stunning organ and lovely ceiling motifs.

Monuments to visit in Zurich

Arnold-Bürkli-Gedenkstein: A stone memorial to the celebrated Swiss engineer, Arnold Bürkli.

Blumenuhr: A stunning lakeside clock made out of flowers.

Ganymed-Skulptur: A sculpture of a man and an eagle against Lake Zurich, located in a beautiful square. This statue is inspired by a Greek myth.

Geiserbrunnen: A large early 20th-century fountain featuring a statue of a man taming a bull.

Brunnen: An old faucet with running water.

Paradeplatz: A famous square downtown, known as one of "the wealthiest pieces of real estate" in Switzerland.

Statue Hans Waldmann: A large equestrian statue on the River Limmat.

David Brunnen: An ornate statue with detailed metalwork.

Einsiedeln Abbey: A Baroque monastery popular for its beloved chapel with The Black Madonna. It also has stables where horses have been kept and bred since the Middle Ages.

Heureka: A huge, raised metal sculpture with wheels by the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely.

Bronze Dog Statue: This fountain shows a bronze dog with water pouring out of its mouth and into a large bowl.

The Fountain at Reformierte Kirche Zürich: It's particularly beautiful at Easter time when it is filled with roses, but can be found with other flowers throughout the year.

Unique and quirky things to do in Zurich

The Dolder Grand: This luxurious hotel is sometimes called "the castle of Zurich" (pictured above). On the property, there is a restaurant, spa, and hotel rooms and suites.

Oepfelchammer: In this 200+ year old tavern, it's tradition to drink a glass of wine while hanging upside down from a ceiling beam.

Erwin Schrödinger's house: There's even a painting of his cat (the famous "Schrödinger's cat") in the garden.

Bambibrunnen: A fountain featuring the famous storybook deer, Bambi. It is a memorial to Felix Salten, who wrote the cherished tale.

Ehgraben at Schifflände: Take a tour of the medieval sewers and learn how they've changed over the centuries.

Cabaret Voltaire: Step into the very place where Dadaism (the art movement) was created.

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Europe travel

Switzerland