How many days · Zurich · Switzerland
How many days do you need in Zurich?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: roland zh, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Zurich, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the Old Town, the churches, Bahnhofstrasse, a lake cruise and the Kunsthaus or Swiss National Museum. A third day adds Uetliberg, Zurich West or the zoo; with four or five you can visit Lucerne, the Rhine Falls or a mountain such as the Rigi.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 7
- Daylight
- 8.5 h (Dec) to 15.9 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Niederdorf and the right-bank Old Town, Grossmünster, Fraumünster and Bahnhofstrasse |
| 2 days | Good | Bahnhofstrasse, Lake Zurich cruise and Kunsthaus Zürich |
| 3 days | Ideal | Lindenhof hill, Swiss National Museum and Uetliberg |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Lucerne |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Lucerne and Rhine Falls |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Zurich add up to roughly 20–27 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Lake Zurich cruise (1.5–4 hours), Uetliberg (Half a day) and Zurich Zoo (Half a day).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Niederdorf and the right-bank Old Town | 2 hours | Niederdorf |
| Grossmünster | 45 minutes | Niederdorf |
| Fraumünster | 30 minutes | City and Lindenhof |
| Bahnhofstrasse | 1 hour | City and Lindenhof |
| Lake Zurich cruise | 1.5–4 hours | Bürkliplatz |
| Kunsthaus Zürich | 2–3 hours | Heimplatz |
| Lindenhof hill | 30 minutes | City and Lindenhof |
| Swiss National Museum | 2 hours | Main station |
| Uetliberg | Half a day | Uetliberg |
| Zurich Zoo | Half a day | Fluntern |
| Lake and river baths (Badis) | 2–3 hours | Lake Zurich and Limmat |
| Im Viadukt and Zurich West | 2 hours | Zurich West |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Niederdorf and the right-bank Old Town and Grossmünster |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Zurich Zoo |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Lucerne and Rhine Falls |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 8.5 hours of daylight) than in June (about 15.9 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Zurich with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Lucerne | About 40 km | 3 days |
| Interlaken | About 92 km | 4 days |
| Milan | About 218 km | 3 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Zurich?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the Old Town, the churches, Bahnhofstrasse, a lake cruise and the Kunsthaus or Swiss National Museum. A third day adds Uetliberg, Zurich West or the zoo; with four or five you can visit Lucerne, the Rhine Falls or a mountain such as the Rigi.
+Is a week too long in Zurich?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Lucerne and Rhine Falls.