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9 Days in Zürich: A Journey of Nature, Culture, and Adventure

Debra McCrory

3 Dec 2023

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Embark on a 9-day adventure in Zürich, Switzerland, exploring botanical gardens, swimming areas, museums, parks, and more. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, indulge in cultural experiences, and discover hidden gems. Get ready for an unforgettable journey filled with excitement and exploration.

Trip to Zürich

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Viator

Day 1Serene Gardens and Lakeside Delights

+

$365

·

$ 20

Botanical Garden

University-run city garden with 3 tropical glass domes & a pond, plus guided tours & botany courses.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$25

12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen

Opened in 1886, this lake bath features a paddling pool & playground, plus a BBQ area & snack kiosk.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Pavillon Le Corbusier

Famed architect Le Corbusier's final building, a steel-&-glass color-block box, open to the public.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

$40

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Rote Fabrik

A contemporary theater, arts & concert venue in a renovated red brick factory building.

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

•

Free

1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Restaurant Ziegel au Lac

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$300

Day 2Urban Oasis and Historical Wonders

+

$332

·

$ 20

Strandbad Mythenquai

Sandy swimming beach at Lake Zurich with diving boards, lawns, BBQs & a restaurant.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Enge Swimming Area Bar

Simple outside bar with wood decking at lakeside resort, open in summer, serving BBQs & light bites.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Old Botanical Garden

19th-century botanical garden with octagonal palm house & medicinal plant collection.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Urania Sternwarte

Historic observatory offering narrated tours with telescope viewing, plus scenic city views.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

$40

11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Platzspitz

Tree-lined regenerated park flanked by the city's two rivers, with an art deco gazebo for concerts.

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

•

Free

7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Wirtschaft zum Vorbahnhof

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$292

Day 3Museums, Bridges, and Musical Delights

+

$551

·

$ 20

Swiss National Museum

Displays on aspects of Switzerland's history, plus handicrafts, homewares & an armory tower.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$75

13 - 20 min

~

Directions

Zoological Museum of Zurich

Natural history museum with 2 floors of exhibits, including animal models & interactive displays.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$40

7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Quaibrücke

Dating from the late 1800s, this bridge over the Limmat has lanes for cars, pedestrians & trams.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$100

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Restaurant Pavillon

The Pavillon, Baur au Lac’s recently refurbished restaurant, features fresh and modern cuisine within an environment that effortlessly fuses contemporary and classic style. Chef Eperon and the Pavillon hold 17 GaultMillau points and one Michelin star.

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$336

Day 4Art, Parks, and Prehistoric Marvels

+

$389

·

$ 20

Museum Rietberg

Non-European artworks displayed within a 19th-century villa & landmark modern extension.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$60

3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Rieterpark

Landscaped 19th-century park featuring rare coniferous trees, lawns, villas & playgrounds.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich

Greenhouses & outdoor gardens containing a wide variety of colorful & unique succulent plants.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

$25

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Palaeontological Museum of the University of Zurich

This museum with interactive exhibits, dinosaurs, fossils & endangered species also offers tours.

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$40

5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Raclette-Stube

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$264

Day 5Panoramic Views and Natural Treasures

+

$346

·

$ 40

Uetliberg

Small mountain with hiking trails to panoramas over Zürich, its lake & the Alps on clear days.

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$50

16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Arboretum Zürich

Tranquil lakeside park & botanical garden with picnic & swimming areas amid diverse tree species.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Zürich Tram Museum

Exhibits about Zurich's city transport network & industrial history, with trams from 1897 to 1960.

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$40

2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Burgwies

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$256

Day 6Aviation History, Wildlife, and Architectural Gems

+

$485

·

$ 40

Flieger Flab Museum

Showcase of aviation history with more than 40 aircraft on display, plus interpretive information.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$40

15 - 18 min

~

Directions

Zoo Zürich

Opened in 1929, this popular attraction features more than 370 animal species in themed habitats.

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

•

$125

10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Grossmünster

Iconic twin-towered Romanesque cathedral, where 1500s religious reformer Huldrych Zwingli preached.

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Restaurant Karl der Grosse

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$320

Day 7Lakeside Charm and Artistic Inspirations

+

$368

·

$ 20

Lake Zurich

A hot spot in the summer, this picturesque, large lake features boating, swimming & mountain views.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

34 - 41 min

~

Directions

Kunsthaus Zürich

Art museum with major European collections from 15th century to the present, plus temporary shows.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

$75

5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Cabaret Voltaire

Avant-garde art exhibits, live jazz, plus a hip cafe/bar in the spiritual & quirky home of Dadaism.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$25

1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Rheinfelder Bierhaus

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$268

Day 8Churches, Parks, and Creative Spaces

+

$322

·

$ 59

Helmhaus

Gallery with contemporary works mainly by Swiss artists, or artists who have lived in Switzerland.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Fraumünster Church

Elegant church with a delicate, copper-topped spire, a crypt museum & stained glass by Marc Chagall.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

•

$25

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

St. Peter

Enduring parish featuring Romanesque & Gothic architecture & a large church clock.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

16 - 20 min

~

Directions

MFO Park

Modern, unique park enclosed by a 17-m-high steel-framed trellis covered with climbing plants.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

23 - 28 min

~

Directions

Bruno Weber Park

Established in 1962, this sprawling park features magical realist sculptures by Bruno Weber.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$25

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Restaurant Heimat

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$272

Day 9Tranquil Lakes, Parks, and Breathtaking Views

+

$285

·

$ 59

Katzensee

Serene lake with trails, birdwatching, swimming & a restaurant, plus winter ice staking.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Flussbad Oberer Letten

Riverfront swimming facility with a diving platform, volleyball & sun terraces near snacks & drinks.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Irchel Park

Landscaped nature area with a lake & meadows, plus sculptures by Swiss artists & outdoor grill pits.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

17 - 21 min

~

Directions

Observation Deck B

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$25

1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Marché

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$260

Budget breakdown: $3738 In total

Activities & Food:$3443

Transport:$295