3 days in beautiful Zurich: cool spots and local secrets
Nicole Kratzmann
4 min read | April 2024
Zurich can simply be both: an international business metropolis and at the same time relaxed serenity with lots of nature in and outside the city. The beautiful Lake Zurich and the mountains in the background create a Mediterranean vacation feeling. So don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy the Swiss ‘Gemütlichkeit’ (coziness) and relax at the beautiful Lake Zurich! Here are some tips for exploring the city like a local.
At ‘Mühle Tiefenbrunnen‘, a cultural area on the outskirts of Zurich, you can have a delicious and leisurely breakfast and also get in touch with the locals very easily. In addition to the bar, cafe, and restaurant, there are also many exciting cultural offerings available at the Mühle!
If the weather is good, you simply must have lunch at ‘Fischers Fritz‘ on the other side of the lake! The restaurant provides absolutely stunning views of the water and the surrounding Alps, including breathtaking snow-covered peaks! And don’t forget to try the fried ‘Eglis’ (fish) fresh from Lake Zurich, served with the most delicious truffle french fries you’ll ever taste!
And after such an exciting and impressive day, what better way to end it than with a sundowner on the Zürichberg?! ‘Bar 21′s terraces offer a stunning view of the city, the lake, and the Alps in the background!
The mountain is callin'
The next day, get ready to ride a gondola to Rigi-Alm, a small mountain near Lake Zug. You won’t believe the stunning views you’ll get from the top! The ride alone is amazing. It is definitely worth the price and an incredible experience! Take a moment to hike around the mountain and then indulge in some delicious coffee and cake with a breathtaking 360° view of various mountain peaks in the distance, Lake Zug, and the Vierwaldstättersee, also known as the Lake of Lucerne.
Water sports fun on the lake
You should definitely save some energy for the next day and, if the weather is good, plan to spend some time on Lake Zurich.
Although you are in the middle of the Alps, you will suddenly feel like you are on a boat in turquoise tropical waters – apart from the water temperature! Water sports are very popular with the locals and you can see lots of people enjoying activities such as sport boating, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding and sailing along the shores!
If you get hungry after all this activity, why not have lunch at the harbour in the little lakeside town of Rapperswill! It has a variety of restaurants, cafes and snack bars as well as ice cream parlours right on the harbour! After three days?! You might question the need for a holiday with such beauty on your doorstep!
Local Tip: Meet up for sports
Everyone that likes to be active, but not alone, try out the platform and app “spontacts” and meet people alike for all sorts of activities. Spontacts is widely used in Switzerland.
Check out the following blogs for more local tips about Zurich:
Do you want to get more local tips and travel recommendations by real locals? Download the 2B LOCAL app for FREE and experience the city like a local!
