Delicious breakfast, a lake reflecting the Alps, and a restaurant you can enjoy both food and paintings… Discover what Zürich has to offer for you!
Temmy Latner, School of Political Science and Economics, 2nd year
Switzerland is typically associated with its snow-capped mountains, precise clocks, creamy chocolate, and decadent cheese. However, most people have never explored its hidden gem: Zürich. At first glance, Zürich seems deceivingly straightforward; it’s a quiet city home to one of the most prominent financial hubs in the world. This is just the facade protecting the wonderful places and experiences Zürich has to offer.
I was raised in Zürich, Mykonos, and Tokyo. Unlike other places I have lived, Zürich is underrated. Here is my ideal day in Zürich. My first stop is Sprüngli – one of Switzerland’s oldest and most well-known confectionary shops. I typically go to the Sprüngli in Paradeplatz, and I always order a berry bircher muesli.
Bircher muesli is a popular Swiss breakfast dish comprised of rolled oats, grated apples, and berries
The next stop is the Kunsthaus Art Museum. Situated in the heart of Zürich, the Kunsthaus museum houses one of Switzerland’s most prominent art collections, with around 4,000 paintings and sculptures from the 13th century to the present day.
After a busy morning, the best place to visit is the Baur au Lac Hotel for its refreshing signature iced tea. Then it’s time for bratwurst at the Sternen Grill. The St. Galler Bratwurst is a must-try dish: a grilled veal sausage served with a bürli brot (bread roll) & mustard. I recommend enjoying this Swiss delicacy while sitting by the Lake of Zürich. You can watch the water sparkle as the Swiss central Alps appear to hover in the distance (if it’s clear enough to see them that day.)
Left: Bratwurst sold in the Sternen Grill, “St. Galler Bratwurst”
Right: You can see the Lake of Zürich from the Baur au Lac Hotel
Beautiful stained-glass windows in the Fraumünster Church
The next area to explore is the Old Town (Altstadt). It’s filled with various important historical structures, such as the Fraumünster Church. I love to take a quick peek inside the church as it has stunning Chagall stained-glass windows. The streets are lined with Swiss flags, and there are many quaint shops and traditional restaurants. You could spend hours exploring the nooks and crannies of this charming part of Zürich.
To finish this perfect day, I recommend dinner at the Kronenhalle (my favorite restaurant in Zürich). It is one of the few restaurants in the world where you can enjoy your food while being surrounded by original paintings by Miró, Rodin, Braque, and more. The best area to sit is in the Brasserie, and the best dishes to order are the Schnitzel, Mistkratzerli (roast young chicken), and the quintessential chocolate mousse with double cream.
Schnitzel (left) and chocolate mousse (right) in Kronenhalle
This plan just scrapes the tip of the iceberg regarding the opportunities Zürich has to offer. I genuinely cherish Zürich, and I encourage you to explore Zürich and find hidden gems you can share with others.
The Fraumünster with its blue-green roof is on the other side of the Limmat. There are many other churches in Zürich
◎ What Zürich, Switzerland is like ◎
Zürich, which is located in central Switzerland, is the largest city in the country. The population is approximately 420,000 as of 2023. The city not only plays the central part in the economy and culture, but also has many traditional buildings, including churches and museums that visitors can enjoy. Zoo Zürich, which recreates ecosystems around the world, is one of the most popular spots. Various transportation networks are well developed, including rail, road, and air, which makes it easy to reach other cities, as well as tourist attractions such as castles and mountains. The official language is German. The time difference from Japan is minus 8 hours.
