Curator’s statement
If you think a weekend to Zurich is too much travel for too little time, you’re wrong. My husband and I spent 48 hours in Zurich, and it was the most magical of vacations. We went for live music, which seems very definitely to be a thing in Zurich. It’s a bustling city with art and film festivals, live music, ladies-only baths, cold clear water running down from the Alps into fountains and beer and spritz a- plenty. We stayed at the incredible Dolder Grand overlooking the city, a resort and spa that is so top-notch that I almost felt like never even going into Zurich.
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Where to stay in Zurich, Switzerland
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Things to do in Zurich, Switzerland
Dolder Ice Skating Arena
An open-air ice skating rink that is festively lit for the holidays with fairy lights and a Christmas tree but turns into: Zoa City in the summer - an epic live music venue. We saw Jack Johnson one night and Rufus du Sol the other. The venue was an adorable, almost fairy-tale-like walk through the woods from the Dolder Grand and a ridiculous spot to listen to music while the sunsets around you. With an abundance of food trucks with both international cuisine and Swiss favorites, there’s no need to eat anywhere else.
Spa day at the Dolder Grand
Whether you stay there or not, the spa is absolutely gorgeous and truly a memorable experience. There’s an indoor pool and an outdoor pool and hot tub overlooking the city of Zurich. We got a couples treatment in one of the beautiful couples rooms and had drinks at the pool afterwards. I could’ve spent an entire day (or two) at the spa alone.
Frauenbad Stadthausquai
A public bath on the water, for women- only. Super adorable and Instagrammable.
Kunsthaus Zurich
Modern art museum with one of Switzerland's largest art collections.
Places to eat & drink in Zurich, Switzerland
Saltz - Breakfast with a view at Dolder grand.
Blooms - Also at the Dolder Grand is on the edge of a forest and amid vegetable beds, herbs and fruit bushes. It’s a really cool outdoor dining experience in a garden restaurant. Summer only.
Santa Lucia Niederdorf - `down a cute cobblestone street with outdoor seating, we had one of the best pizzas of our life. WIth a chef manning the brick oven inside. You can watch him meticulously make each pizza.
Bauschanzli - So good we went there twice. The food is nothing to write home about, but the ambiance and vibe on the water is worth a stop (twice). We had aperol spritz and beers and watched the boats.
Enge Swimming Area Bar - Simple outside bar with wood decking at lakeside resort, open in summer, serving BBQs and light bites.
Kuntshaus Bar - Right next to the Kunsthaus museum, great spot to grab a drink before or after hitting the museum.
Kle - A plant-based restaurant with an option for a coursed menu with 3-5 dishes. The food is delicious but also looks like art.
Cafe Restaurant Schmiede- Lebanese food is very popular in Zurich and there are a ton of falafel stands around town that look good, but we liked this place because you can sit down and get a meze platter and try a bit of everything.
Welschland - Adorable tiny Swiss meat and cheese shop. Grab some snacks and go sit by the water.
Rosso Arancio Suisse AG - The tastiest gelato.
Kronenhalle - A tip from our driver to pop into this restaurant that happens to also have some incredible art masterpieces.
Travel Advisor
Lauren Keeton
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Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, A Family Christmas in New York City.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Switzerland.