[Trip] Switzerland – One day walking tour in Zurich city

Zurich is the city centre of Switzerland and one of the most important financial centres in the world. We planned a day free and easy at Zurich before we head off to Austria and started our walking trip from our hotel which is about less than 10 mins walk from the Zurich Main Station to explore the city centre.

The city has a magnificent view of the Swiss Alps and a unique mix of well-preserved Old Town and exciting modern life.

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Walking guide in Zurich

ETH Zürich and Polybahn

The Polybahn started operating in 1889,  Zürichbergbahn was what it was first called. In January 1976 the then Swiss bank company, now UBS AG, saved the Polybahn as the Polybahn’s management announced that it didn’t have enough cash to operate further. Until today, UBS AG ensures that the Polybähnli stays in motion.

The victorian-era funicular railway is the only inclined railway connecting the Central Square to ETH Zürich polytechnic university.

Timetable

Monday – Friday

06:45~19:15 every 2-5 minutes

Saturdays and December 24th

07:30 ~14:00 every 2-5 minutes

Sundays and public holidays On Sundays, public holidays and on May 1

Not Operating

Cost?

Adult

1.20CHF (One way)

Hop onto the inclined railway from Central Polybahn to Polyterrasse ETH

Our ride up to the school packed with students.

We reached the final stop

View from ETH Zürich

Operating hours:

24/7

Cost?

Free

Duration:

1-2 hours

We were able to enter the school and have a glimpse of the beautiful architecture inside the campus.

The school actually conduct guided tour for visitors. If you are interested, you can visit their website.

Beautiful campus

We walked around the campus and was fascinated by the architectural around it.

Rudolf-Brun-Brücke

After visiting the ETH Zurich campus, we walked down to the Rudolf Brun Bridge to have the panoramic view of the Limmat river

Operating hours:

24/7

Cost?

Free

Duration:

15 Mins

Grossmünster

The Grossmünster is an Evangelical Protestant church in the Old Town of Zurich and is one of Zurich’s most famous landmarks. Construction of this Romanesque church was begun in 1100 and it has since been rebuilt and renovated several times.

Particularly worth seeing are the glass windows by Sigmar Polke, the Romanesque crypt, the Romanesque capitals in the church and cloister, the stained glass windows by Augusto Giacometti (1932), the bronze doors by Otto Münch (1935 and 1950), and the Reformation museum in the cloister. Guided tours are available.

Operating Hour:

Summer:
March 1 – October 31:
Church: 10:00 ~ 18:00
Tower: 10:00 ~ 17:30

Winter:
November 1st – February 28th:
Church: 10:00~17:00, Tower: 10:00 ~ 16:30

Cost?

Free (outside)

5CHF to climb the tower *Due to construction work, the Karlsturm is closed from August 1 to the end of October.*

To note:

• On Tuesday the church and the tower are not accessible to groups and school classes due to organ lessons.
• The ascent to the tower is chargeable (CHF 5 .– / person). Further information about the Karlsturm and the prices can be found here: Karlsturm
• The exhibition Getruck zů Zurich, Bibles and Writings of the Great Minster, has special opening times.

For more information, visit Grossmuenster Official Website.

We did not go into the church as we have other get to the next attraction.

Fraumünster Church

Located on the west bank of the Limmat, the green steeple Fraumünster Church is one of Zurich’s most prominent landmarks. The glass windows are particularly designed by renowned Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti.

Operating Hours:

Monday – Friday: 13.00 – 18.00
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 10.00 – 18.00

Cost?

An entry fee of 5 CHF to be paid for sightseeing and information. Included in the price is an audio guide or an illustrated leaflet (both available in 8 languages).

Admission is free for young people up to 16 years, as well as students and trainees.

Duration:

15-30mins

Rules to Observe in the Church Interior

• Using of Cameras, mobile phones, iPads and other devices to take pictures are not allowed. No food and drinks are permitted. Dogs and other animals have to wait outside. The clothing should be adequate to the sacral building. Political rallies, collections of signatures and begging are forbidden.
• Entrance is denied to persons who violate the Law against Racism.
• Before entering the church interior all travel bags, suitcases and back bags have to be left at the reception/entrance.

Münsterhofplatz

While walking to our next stop, we passed through the Münsterhofplatzi the town square situated in the Lindenhof quarter in the historical centre of Zürich.

Lots of shops, restaurants and bar around here. Great place for shopping and having a nice meal.

St. Peter Church

The St. Peter Church is the oldest parish church in Zurich, the city’s first mayor, Rudolf Brun, acquired St. Peter’s in 1345 with all the associated privileges and obligations. His grave and monument can be found by the outer tower wall. The church clock face measures 8.7m in diameter. There are five bells dating from 1880 in the tower and the largest of which weighs over six tons without its clapper. St. Peter Church has the largest church clock face in Europe and the church tower was used as a fire watch post until 1911.

Operating Hours:

Monday to Friday

8:00 ~ 18:00

Saturday

10:00 ~ 16:00

Sunday

After the service at around 11:00 to 17:00

Cost?

Free

Duration:

15-30 mins

For more information, visit here.

This the only church we went in out of the 3 others, we hesitated to enter as we are not sure if we were allowed to. However, we followed the other travellers who went in and was awed by the architectural design. There were not alot people inside, hence, we sat there to have a short rest and to enjoy the architecture.

Zurich lake

After visiting the old town, we took a stroll along the Zurich lake.

If you are interested you can check out the Herzbaracke, which is a floating music theatre, anchoring all winter at Bellevue.

Operating hour:

24/7

Cost?

Free

Duration?

5-10minutes

After walking towards the Herzbaracke we head back to Quaibrücke, as we do not wish to walk too far away from the city centre.

The bridge to have a panoramic view of the Lake Zurich.

Zürich Bürkliplatz, the boat dock where you can hop onto a cruise to explore Zurich from a different perspective. If you have enough time, do plan your trip with Lake cruise as this is a different way to view Zurich. This place occasionally will have a pop-up marketplace, art and events set up here.

The Ganymed sculpture has beautified the Bürkliterrasse, Zurich’s Front Row Seat by the Lake, since 1952.

Lindenhof hill

The Lindenhof hill is a moraine hill and a public square in the historic centre of Zürich. It is the site of the Roman and Carolingian era Kaiserpfalz around which the city has historically grown. The hilltop area includes prehistoric, Roman and medieval remains. Today, Lindenhof is a haven of peace and tranquillity in the heart of the city and a meeting point for passionate chess players.

Source: spottinghistory

Operating hour:

24/7

Cost?

Free

Duration?

30mins – 1 hr

Our final stop of the day, one of the must-visit site when you are in Zurich.

Beautiful and relaxing view.

We were there for quite some time to have a better view of the city. I believe if the weather was good, the view would be much more stunning.

Overall:

That ends our one day trip in Zurich before we head back to our hotel and collect our luggage. We have to be at the train station for our 12 hours train ride to Austria. Zurich is a beautiful and interesting city, a pity we do not have enough time to explore more. However, we enjoyed the tour inside the school as it makes me feel like a student again. Not forgetting, the Lindenhof hill which is a great place for couples, friends and even family to be there enjoying a relaxing afternoon.