Surrounding the bottom of banana-shaped Lake Zurich is a tangle of parks and gardens, collectively known as the lake promenade, that make for a picturesque place to spend an afternoon. When the weather is warm, the lake is peppered with boats and its banks are filled with picnickers and bikini- and speedo clad-sunbathers. If you're a jogger, the area is also one of Zürchers' favorite places to pound the ground.

For some of the best views of Zurich and the nearby Alps, travelers suggest taking a boat ride on the lake. Boat tours are available throughout the year and are free for Zurich Card holders, while a daily tram card will get you on the water too.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Every day at 9 a.m., Zurich’s bauarbeiten (construction workers) pause for a z’Nüni, a midmorning snack. Bakeries and metzgerei (butchers/delis) stock an assortment of z’Nüni snacks, including landjaeger (smoked meat sticks), butterbretel, gipfeli (croissants) and mini cheese quiches. – Adam Graham

Zurich's Old Town is the historic part of town – and by historic, we mean medieval. Winding cobblestone alleys run alongside quintessential Zurich attractions like the Grossmunster. You'll also find several acclaimed museums – such as the Swiss National Museum and the Kunsthaus Zürich around the district.

With its assortment of works, some say the Kunsthaus Zurich (the city's art museum), is one of – if not the – best museums in the city. Among an interesting collection of Swiss artists, the museum also hangs works by Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Claude Monet and the largest collection of paintings by Edward Munch outside of Norway.

While the entire museum is worth perusing, previous travelers said a visit to the top floors are a must. On the upper floors you'll find the museum's most iconic works, including pieces by Vincent van Gogh, Monet and Andy Warhol. And before leaving, be sure to check out Auguste Rodin's The Gates of Hell bronze sculpture, which sits just outside the museum's entrance. A new free-standing structure designed by British architect David Chipperfield was added to the museum complex in 2021; it showcases contemporary art from the 1960s and later.

Standing an impressive 2,858 feet above sea level, Uetliberg offers some of the best views of Zurich and the surrounding alps. Once at the top, travelers will find multiple trails through the dense and ancient yew tree groves for hiking, extreme mountain biking and sledding. Paragliding at the mountain's peak is another popular pastime here.

Though traveling to and from this local attraction will set you back about an hour, visitors rave about Uetliberg's stunning views and superb hiking paths. For an educational twist on your average hike, take the mountain's Planet Trail, which is designed to mimic the sizes of and distances between the solar system's planets (each meter along the path represents one million kilometers). The nearly 4-mile trail stretches between Uetliberg and Felsenegg mountains and takes about two hours to complete.

U.S. News Insider Tip: The cheese and chocolate selection at Coop, a supermarket along Bahnhofstrasse, is consistently outstanding and half the price for the same quality you will find in smaller boutiques. After 4 p.m., grocery stores regularly reduce prices on cheese by 50%. – Adam Graham

One of Zurich's popular shopping spots is the sleek storefronts of Bahnhofstrasse. Stretching across Old Town from Hauptbahnhof station to Lake Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse features a variety of high-end shops, including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry, Chanel and Giorgio Armani, as well as H&M and Zara and other affordable brands. Swiss shops like the dessert-focused Confiserie Sprungli and the jewelry-centric Gubelin AG can also be found here.

Whether you want to play a game of chess, relax after exploring Bahnhofstrasse or take in some superb views of Old Town, the Grossmunster and the Limmat River, odds are you'll appreciate Lindenhof. What was once the location of a fourth-century Roman fort is now an elevated plaza with linden trees, benches and giant chess sets.

Many visitors opt for picnic lunches to enjoy the city’s shingled medieval rooftops and half-timber structures and distant alpine views from the shade of the linden trees. Keep in mind, though, that Lindenhof's elevated position means a short uphill climb via stairs or a ramp is required. Once you get there, you'll find a flat, graveled courtyard and wheelchair-friendly terrain.

Located in Kreis 1 in the Old Town, the Grossmunster church was the starting place of the Protestant Reformation in Zurich. Preacher Huldrych Zwingli initiated the movement from this austere church's pulpit. But the history of the Grossmunster goes back even further. According to local legend, Charlemagne is said to have founded this magnificent church, which is believed to sit atop the graves of the city's patron saints of Felix and Regula.

Some visitors say that a visit to the Grossmunster would not be complete without a trip to the top of the tower. You'll have to pay 5 Swiss francs (about $5.50) to climb the historic cathedral's 187 steps, but past travelers said the panoramic city views more than justify the fee. Others also recommended taking time to admire the church's ornate bronze doors and stained-glass windows, some of which are designed by artist Augusto Giacometti, while others were crafted by contemporary artist Sigmar Polke. Time your visit during an organ concert to really experience the church's chambered acoustics.

The Fraumunster is popular with visitors thanks to its distinctive spire (which grace's Zurich's skyline) and its Marc Chagall stained-glass windows. The church is built on the remains of a convent that was founded in the ninth century by Emperor Ludwig, Charlemagne's grandson. Along with its far-reaching history, the property's iconic green spire makes it one of Zurich's most recognizable landmarks.

Some previous visitors said the church's exterior isn't much to look at. However, most agree the interior's stained-glass windows are well worth a visit. In addition to the newer Chagall windows, some featuring designs by Augusto Giacometti, who is famously linked to the stained-glass windows at the Grossmunster, are also located inside.

The Swiss National Museum resides within a historic, castle-like building in the northern tip of Kreis 1. The museum surveys Swiss art, history and culture from as far back as 100,000 B.C. to approximately A.D. 800. Exhibits cover everything from archaeology in Switzerland to Swiss artistry and craftsmanship. There's even an exhibition designed specifically for children called "A Magic Carpet ride through history" that invites the museum's youngest visitors to travel back in time as they explore a replica of an Arabian palace, a vintage railway car and a large sailing ship.

According to many past visitors, the Swiss National Museum's architecture alone is worth seeing. However, should you decide to go inside, expect to find a comprehensive overview of Switzerland's history. To absorb all that this museum has to offer, previous travelers recommended downloading the free Landesmuseum smartphone app, which includes an English audio guide. This is especially helpful since most of the exhibits' displays are in German.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Zurich’s badi (outdoor pools) generally empty out around 6 p.m. when locals go home for dinner. But many badi (and their bars/cafes) stay open, making them a great place to watch the sunset with an Aperol spritz. – Adam Graham

Zürisee (Lake Zurich) is home to many badi (outdoor pools) located on both coasts of the lake – the sun-kissed Goldküste (Gold Coast) and the less sunny (and amusingly nicknamed) Pfnüselküste (Sniffle Coast). But this historic and inclusive white wooden bathhouse located on the city’s lakefront promenade is a traveler favorite and has been serving both visitors and locals since 1890.

Visitors who want to get closer to the alps don't have to venture far to do so. The cherry red Adliswil-Felsenegg cable car is located just outside the city and accessible via a 15-minute train ride. The cable car whisks visitors up more than 2,600 feet (in about five minutes) and offers sweeping views of Lake Zurich and scenic peaks like Säntis, Speer, Glärnisch, Rigi and Titlis. The entire area is partially linked by the planetary path from Uetliberg, about 5 miles away, so many hikers make the walk from Zurich. It's also home to the Albis Nordic Walking Park (six trails at three levels of difficulty) and the Gasthaus Felsenegg inn, where visitors rave about the fondue evenings by a 120-year-old tiled stove.

Previous visitors rave about the fantastic views from the cable car. They also suggest treating yourself to a cup of coffee and a pastry from the restaurant at the top.

Zurich’s legendary confectionery and patisserie has 15 locations across Switzerland, including many train stations and the Zurich airport. But the Paradeplatz location, which dates back to the mid-1800s, is a must-visit for many tourists – it features a ground-level cafe and bar and an upstairs restaurant, and is an ideal place to experience its variety of sweet offerings. 

The landmark chocolatier and cafe still appeals to moneyed Bahnhofstrasse habitués, but modern visitors also love its heavenly concoctions of rich chocolate truffles and Luxemburgerli, small cream-filled meringue cookies akin to French macarons. Visitors also stock up here on small snacks like butterbrezel (soft pretzel bread stuffed with a layer of butter) and high-quality pastries, bread and open-faced sandwiches.

Thousands of pieces of memorabilia are spread across three floors covering approximately 32,500 square feet of exhibition space at this ultimate fan’s museum, which explores all aspects of the world of soccer. Recent visitors call out interactive exhibits, like "Planet Football," an overview of all 212 FIFA teams – and "The Rainbow," a collection of national team shirts by color, as well as "The Timeline," a historic overview of the sport. There's also a museum shop, guided tours, events and activities for kids and families, and even an affiliated FIFA sports bar at the nearby Enge train station.

Previous visitors recommended the museum for soccer fans and cited seeing the World Cup trophies as highlights. Others were disappointed that some of the interactive gaming elements within the museum weren't working properly during their visits.