Long weekend in Zürich: 3 days of culture, adventure and relaxation

Day 1: Explore art, cuisine and the charming old town

Home to just over 400,000 inhabitants, Zürich is a city you can explore in just a few days. Purchase a day pass for public transportation to get around by bus and tram, or—if you’re eager to get your steps in even on holiday—discover the city on foot. Most of the main attractions are only a 15–30-minute walk away from the city centre.

Visiting one of Zürich’s many art museums is a fantastic way to start your first day in the city. The Kunsthaus Zürich is an excellent choice for any art lover: comprising four buildings, it’s the largest art museum in Switzerland. The museum’s collection includes Swiss art from 1500 to the present, as well as works by artists like Claude Monet, Edvard Munch and Alberto Giacometti to name just a few. Alternatively, if you prefer more intimate museums, consider visiting the Museum Haus Konstruktiv. This museum focuses on more  conceptual art and design, beautifully displayed in the tall rooms of a former power station.

If your stomach is growling after your artistic adventure, head to one of the Haus Hiltl restaurants in downtown Zürich. Hiltl has been serving vegetarian food since 1898, making it the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant—at least according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Back in the 1800s, some mockingly referred to it as the ‘Wurzelbunker’ (root bunker) and its guests as ‘grass-eaters’ who would enter through the back door to avoid attention. Today, Hiltl is a beloved spot for both locals and tourists. To get the full Hiltl experience, opt for the generous buffet and pile your plate high with delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes inspired by global cuisines.

Exploring Zürich’s Old Town is a great way to spend the rest of your day. The meandering streets and alleys reveal a variety of charming shops, boutiques and cafés. Hidden gems include Never Stop Reading, a haven for book lovers, and H. Schwarzenbach, a historic delicatessen, along with its sister spot Schokolade & Espresso Bar, a hot spot for premium chocolate and coffee.

Day 2: Discover Zürich’s heights: Uetliberg mountain and the iconic Freitag flagship store

Zürich is an outdoorsy city, where On running shoes (originally from Zürich), a light down jacket and a backpack are considered everyday city wear. Around noon, you’ll often see individuals and groups jogging along the Limmat river, squeezing in a workout during their lunch break. On the weekends, many locals head to Uetliberg for their weekly hike.

Rising to an impressive 870 metres, Uetliberg is Zürich’s own ‘mountain’. And this mountain really is in the city: The tram from the central railway station takes you to a trailhead in under 20 minutes. There are multiple routes to the top, with the shortest trail heading almost straight up and taking around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your fitness level and pace. Feeling ambitious? Many locals run up the mountain—so pack a good pair of running shoes and see if you can keep up!

From the top, you’re rewarded with a panoramic view of the city—and on a clear day, even the Alps. If that’s not high enough for you, climb up to the observation deck for an even better vantage point. There’s also a restaurant at the top of Uetliberg, where you can sip on a beer, sparkling wine, or an Apfelschorle (apple juice mixed with carbonated water—an alcohol-free local classic) while soaking in the scenery.

When it’s time to head back down, you can either hike or opt for a comfortable train ride. In a train-loving country, it’s no surprise that Zürich has a railway stop even on Uetliberg. So, if you’re looking to catch your breath or give your knees a break, just hop on the train and enjoy a relaxing ride back into the city.

In less than 50 minutes, you can be at Frau Gerolds Garten, a restaurant and bar set in a lively urban garden. Imagine something between Oktoberfest and an open-air club in Berlin, and you’ll get the idea. After a hearty lunch—if you haven’t yet had your fill of heights—you can embark on another ‘hike’. Right next door to Frau Gerolds Garten is the flagship store of Freitag, a local bag and accessory brand. This store is an architectural curiosity, built from 19 stacked freight containers.

Day 3: Relax and rejuvenate with a spa day in Baden

By the third day, you might be ready for a break from the buzz and bustle. Luckily, Switzerland is a spa lover’s paradise. And what better place for a spa day than a town called Baden—which literally means ‘to bathe’ or ‘bathing’?

In under 30 minutes, you can be at FORTYSEVEN°, a wellness thermal spa in Baden. The train ride from Zürich Central Station to Baden takes only 15 minutes, followed by a 10-minute walk or bus ride. To avoid long queues and crowded baths and saunas, be sure to arrive early—ideally before noon.

If you’re unfamiliar with Central European spa culture, you might experience a bit of a culture shock. In the pool area, swimsuits are required, but most of the sauna area is ‘textile-free’, as the local expression goes—meaning people of all genders enjoy the saunas in the nude. Women who prefer a more private experience also have the option to visit the ladies’ sauna world.

For Finns, it’s good to know that you won’t be able to throw any water on the sauna stove yourself. This is reserved exclusively for the sauna ritual hosts. Fortunately, sauna rituals—an absolute must-try—take place throughout the day. These rituals often combine soothing or energizing music with fragrant oils or a nub of shea butter or honey, which you can rub into your skin.

Finnair offers direct flights from Helsinki to Zürich twice a day year-round.