A little art, a little chocolate, a little lakeside loafing – make Zürich your pre-trip warmup or your après-ski pause.
Aah, the Alps. The powder, the fondue, the cultural frisson – as dependable as a Swiss train. So why not pause the mad dash to the mountains for just a moment? Whether you’re headed to St. Moritz or Arosa, Bad Ragaz or beyond, let’s linger in Zürich for a few nights. A restorative three days – rich with art, chocolate, lake-gazing leisure – is the perfect opportunity to stretch those ski legs and make the most of the journey. Think of it as the aperitif to the ski feast or, on the way home, a delectable digestif you’ll cherish forever.
Zürich is full of surprises. Switzerland’s cosmopolitan hub is where bohemians share café tables, and Old World grandeur morphs into contemporary cool. Speckled with chic boutiques and avant-garde galleries, it’s a civilized place to rest and revive, to sip, stroll, and even shop – all the better to enjoy the slopes to come or the voyage home. A great place to start is trendy Zürich West, a former industrial district where art, design, and food thrive. Before you know it, you’ll feel richer, sweeter, and just a bit more Swiss.
A Morning of Masterpieces
Start your day with a cultural slalom through the Kunsthaus Zürich, Switzerland’s largest and most ambitious art museum. From the medieval to the contemporary, the original Moser building whispers of old-world gravitas, while David Chipperfield’s sleek new extension is pure modern elegance. Together, there’s an embarrassment of riches: swirls of van Gogh, portraits by Picasso, the dreamscapes of Chagall, some of Monet’s famous waterlilies, and the largest Edvard Munch collection outside Norway.
Walking Tour Round The Old Town
Spanning a small and charming footprint on either side of the Limmat River, Zürich’s historic Old Town houses a pretty puzzle of picturesque alleyways, narrow lanes, and historic buildings. The “roots” of the old town go back over 2000 years, and a guided tour offers fascinating insights into the architecture, history, and what makes the city tick. (Indeed, watch shops are in temptingly good supply here, too.) Starting at Zürich Main Station (always a good spot for the classic Zürcher street-food snack of Bratwurst, bread roll, and spicy mustard), stroll the glittering Bahnhofstrasse, ascend to the historic Lindenhof viewpoint, and sweep down to the Grossmünster Church, a pivotal player in the Swiss Reformation.
An Afternoon of Aquatherapy
The afternoon light is softening now, and it’s time to trade the cobblestones of the romantic Old Town for the calm of a Lake Zürich cruise. In just 90 minutes, you’ll glide past splendid waterfront villas, snowy panoramic peaks, and city spires – the towers of the Romanesque Grossmünster and Predigerkirche’s Gothic spire feature prominently, perhaps with a glass of something bubbly in hand. A scenic reset button, no lift ticket required.
Land of Cream and Glory
Dinner in Zürich demands a proper Zürcher Geschnetzeltes: mouthful in more ways than one, it’s a glorious dish of thinly sliced veal bathed in a creamy white wine sauce, accompanied by rösti so crisp it practically snaps. For the definitive dining experience, try Kronenhalle, where Miró and Chagall hang as casually as family portraits; Zunfthaus zur Waag, storied site of the 14th-century guild house; or Zeughauskeller, where centuries of beer hall history have quite literally soaked into both the woodwork and the wine list. And while we’re on the topic, a little note on Swiss wine: Only a scant one percent of Switzerland’s superb vintages ever reaches the export market. Why? Locals prefer to drink it themselves, and we don’t blame them – Swiss wines are superb.)
Essential Indulgences
No visit to Zürich is complete without taking time for a proper chocolate moment. The supreme cocoa pilgrimage is to the Lindt Home of Chocolate in nearby Kilchberg. (It’s also reachable by boat, just board from Zürich Bürkliplatz and exit at Kilchberg.) Seven interactive “chocolate worlds” lead from humble bean to decadent truffle, culminating with tastings to test even the most disciplined skier’s resolve.
