Discover the magic of Zurich and beyond this fall with a 3-day itinerary that seamlessly blends city exploration with captivating day trips. From the cozy streets of Zurich to the breathtaking beauty of the Swiss mountains, this itinerary offers a taste of everything the region has to offer.
Day 1: Lake Zurich Area
Welcome to Zurich! Drop off your luggage at the hotel and head out to beat the jet lag!
Zurich exploration: Take a stroll through Zurich’s Aldstadt (Old Town) with its charming cobbled streets, medieval architecture, and cultural heritage stops. You can visit on your own, with a walking tour, or accompanied by a small group/private guide (or feel free to reach out to us for recommendations). Interested in food or architecture? There are ways to experience Zurich through specific lenses.
Take a stroll along Bahnhofstrasse from Zurich HB (the main train station) and end at Burkliplatz. Tip: the holiday season kicks off in late November with the lighting of the “Lucy” lights on Bahnhofstrasse and the opening of many Christmas markets, which generally run through Dec 23-24th.
From there, walk around Lake Zurich in the direction of Bellevue/Chinagarten (east side of lake; though both sides are nice!).
🚴♀️ If you want to explore Zurich by bike, free bike rentals are available at Europaallee by HB. Helmets are included too. There are limited kid-size bikes available so go early if you need one. I suggest this for middle school-aged kids and older.
Lindt Chocolate Museum: for those who are chocolate-inclined, head to Lindt. It starts with a feast for the eyes with its 9-meter-tall structure consisting of 1400kg of chocolate. Enter the museum to learn about the origins of chocolate, the pioneers who shaped the history of chocolate production, and why Swiss chocolate is so yummy. And of course, there are samples to be had. Tickets can sell out so consider buying them online a few days earlier (especially for weekend visits).
Note that the Lindt Museum closes for maintenance twice a year. In Fall 2024, this will occur November 5 all day and November 6 until 12pm.
Getting there: use Google Maps or the SBB app* to determine your route and you can come by bus, train, or even the Lake Zurich boat. Tip: for the boat times and tickets, use the SBB app and enter Burkliplatz (See) to Kilchberg (See) or check the boat site. Or if you are really short on time, take an Uber or pre-arrange a ride with Welcome Pickups.
Art and History: Kunsthaus and Landesmuseum
If art or history is more to your liking, then head over to the National Museum (Landesmuseum) or Art Museum (Kunsthaus).
Learn about Swiss history and culture at the Landesmuseum Zurich. The museum features diverse exhibits on archaeology, everyday life, and important events that shaped the nation. Its comprehensive collection and engaging displays make it a popular destination for understanding Switzerland’s past and present. Housed in a magnificent 19th-century castle-like building, the Landesmuseum itself is an impressive sight.
The Kunsthaus Zurich houses a significant collection of art, from classic to contemporary. See works by renowned artists like Picasso and Monet, and explore exhibits showcasing Swiss art. It’s a must-visit for art lovers, boasting masterpieces from various periods and movements. The museum’s striking architecture, including a modern extension by David Chipperfield, adds to its appeal.
Day 2: Lake Lucerne region
Lucerne Old Town: 45 minutes from Zurich, Lucerne is an easy day trip. Stroll by Lake Lucerne, walk across Chapel Bridge, and stop by Lion Monument. You can visit on your own, with a walking tour, or accompanied by a small group/private guide.
Lake Lucerne is a beautiful lake and time permitting, you can take a boat ride to see everything from a different perspective.
If you’d prefer to head up to the mountains, there are 2 that can make for great day trips from Zurich: Pilatus and Rigi. Tip for Mt. Pilatus: keep in mind that there is some maintenance that occurs in the fall for some of the mountains trains to Pilatus (e.g. the cogwheel train from Alpnachstad and the cable car from Kriens (maintenace is over different time periods). The boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad no longer runs as well (the train still runs). For a general list of mountain train closures in the fall, view our list of closures here.
If you go up to Mt. Pilatus for a day trip, first check that the weather is not too cloudy; the webcam and facilities schedule is here. Learn more about what to expect here.
Or if you want to visit the Queen of the Mountains, Mt. Rigi, it is also an easy day trip from Zurich. Here is an overview of what to expect. Check its webcam and facilities schedule here.
🪂 For an active experience, try paragliding!
Day 3: Rhine Falls or Zurich
Just over an hour train ride away from Zurich HB is Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfalls. Take a break from the city and experience Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall. A quick train ride from Zurich (just over an hour) will get you there. The falls are an impressive sight, with water cascading over a wide rock ledge. You can get closer to the action with a boat trip (only until end of October/beginning of November) to the falls’ basin and even climb the Middle Rock.
Or if you’d rather stay closer to town, head up to Zurich’s own mountain, Uetliberg. Hike up the mountain from the base or take the train – at the end of the train ride, there is a 10-15 minute uphill walk to the summit. Enjoy a meal at the summit food stand or restaurant, relax on the viewing platform, or simply soak in the beauty of the natural landscape.
Souvenir tips
On your last day, grab some last remaining gifts and souvenirs such as chocolate, Swiss Army knives (Victorinox shops like the one off Bahnhofstrasse offer engraving), and wooden handicrafts. Pro tip: for special gifts, Laderach and Sprungli are worth the splurge. But if you need to bring back a lot of chocolate, the Migros and Coop brands – Frey and Halba respectively – are pretty yummy!
Don’t leave without trying these munchies
Finally, let’s talk about some food! There are munchies that are part of Swiss food culture, and some of them are only available beginning in the fall. Try some of these out while you’re in Switzerland!
Raclette – While fondue is the more famous export, raclette is the lesser-known dish that, in our opinion, is completely underrated. 😉 The fondue in Zurich is delicious, but there is more wine added to it than we are used to, so we find the kids don’t like the taste as much. If your kids (or you yourself) like melted cheese, then don’t miss trying raclette.
Grillables – For a quick bite to eat, stop by Sternen Grill for some Swiss classics like grilled bratwurst with their famous mustard and plenty of other options.
Roasted chestnuts – Roasted chestnut stands start popping up in the fall and it’s hard to just eat one! In Zurich, they have the name “marroni” on them.
Sweet chestnut vermicelli – Chestnut lovers will enjoy a sweet version of chestnut! These treats can be found in bakeries and restaurants during winter.
Movenpick ice cream – There’s just something about Swiss milk! It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t stop us from getting some ice cream from Movenpick by the opera house.
Luxembergli – Head to Cafe Sprungli in Paradelpatz (or any Sprungli shop) for some mini macarons, which they call Luxembergli. We think their fruit-flavored ones in particular have bursts of flavor.
Flammkuchen – A savory tart with a thin, crispy crust topped with crème fraîche, thinly sliced onions, and bacon. Depending on the restaurant/stand, there may be other varieties available.
Hope this inspires you for your 3-day trip in Zurich in the fall!
Need tips on how to buy tickets to get around on public transportation? Here is my guide for how to look up and buy tickets on the app, online, and at the kiosks.
If you would like assistance in tailoring this itinerary to your needs, just contact us. We can personalize the activities so they are appropriate for you and your fellow traveler’s needs. We don’t just book travel; at Your Travel Story, we curate experiences!
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