I’ll be honest: this Southern girl has a love-hate relationship with winter in Zurich. Here in Switzerland’s largest city, it can be cold, grey, windy and rainy for weeks on end, causing my soul to die for a drop of sunshine! (Now I understand why people love to visit Florida…) But Zurich can also be a winter wonderland, blanketed by snow or dripping with holiday cheer, making it a lovely place to spend a long weekend.
So, if you find yourself in Zurich during the winter, here are a few ways you enjoy this sparkling Swiss city, no matter what kind of weather you encounter.
7 Things to Do in Zurich in the Winter
1. Visit a museum or two
Zurich has loads of museums that will entertain, educate, and offer you shelter when unsavory weather strikes. Here are just a few top choices to consider:
Kunsthaus Zürich
Zurich’s Fine Arts Museum is a modest but well assembled art program. The permanent collection provides visitors with a pleasant walk through art history, while the temporary exhibitions are usually bold and eye-catching. I recommend visiting on a Wednesday, when the permanent collection is free to the public – woot woot!
The Löwenbräu Areal
The renovated and reinvented brewery from 1897 is one of my favorite buildings in trendy ZuriWest. The stylish residence is home to contemporary art exhibits, such as the Kunsthalle and Migros Contemporary Art Museum, as well as other private galleries and businesses. [Tip: Free admission on Thursday evenings!]
The Swiss National Museum
You can learn all about Switzerland’s history at this newly renovated castle museum next to the train station. With dozens of exhibits to explore, the Landesmuseum Zürich is a good place to roam on rainy days. Make sure to download the museum app from the kiosk inside before you begin your visit!
The FIFA World Football Museum
Sports fans, this is the place for you guys! The brand new building and exhibition dedicated to all-things-football will surely pump you up.
The University of Zurich’s Zoological Museum
This free museum is a great place to take young kids, as its home to a large number of (taxidermied) animals! A giant sloth named Meggie will greet you at the entrance; she’s a furry friend to all children. To thrill the kids even more, take the UBS Polybahn funicular from the Central tram stop up the hill to reach the museum.
2. Splurge on yourself
What better way to improve your mood with a bit of spa therapy? For the high rollers, consider a day up at the The Dolder Grand for a luxurious session of relaxation. (I imagine it’s wonderful.) Others might want to consider a soak in the warm waters of the Thermalbad & Spa Zurich, a nice way to spend a winter day. The best part is the views from their rooftop pool!
3. Get Cheesey
If there is one advantage to visiting Switzerland in the winter, it’s a free pass to eat all the melted cheese your stomach can handle. And it comes in two ways! Fondue is the iconic Swiss dish; it’s the best Alpine dairy bubbling in a sturdy pot on the dinner table and comes with bread chunks for dipping. I personally enjoy adding pineapple and pear for a bit of sweetness!
And then there is Raclette, the lesser-known Swiss method of devoting an entire meal to melted cheese. The common raclette set-up looks like a tabletop grill where veggies or meat cook away, while individual pans sit under the broiler to melt your cheese slices. When the raclette starts bubbling, you slide it off the pan and onto your pile of potatoes. Simple and delicious.
I encourage you to enjoy these dining experiences to your heart’s content in the winter. While many restaurants feature fondue and raclette this time of year [click here for the best fondue restaurants in Zurich], the Swiss prefer to have it at home with family and friends.
4. Shop like a local
Leave crowded Banhofstrasse behind (unless it’s Christmas season!) and slip over to a secret shopping spot at the Zurcher Brockenhaus. This particular Brockenhaus is an upscale, vintage/antique secondhand store. You’re sure to find some fun things as you wander through this museum-for-sale. Even if you can’t bring home a wooden chair from the early 20th century, rambling through this Brocki makes for an enjoyable respite from winter weather.
For more shopping off-the-tourist-trek, stroll down Europaallee, on the Sihlpost side of the train tracks. You’ll find some specialty stores, like jewelry from Tara Style or Swiss clothing designs at Alprausch, as well as bigger brands like outdoor superstore Transa. And then there’s always shopping around ZuriWest…
5. Catch a show
Zurich has a wide variety of venues for live performances. Put on your formalwear for a night at the Zurich Opera House. See a show at the Theater 11. Raise your voice at a pop star concert or hockey game at the Hallenstadion. If you’re feeling bold and edgy, see what’s going on at the Maag Music Hall and Schiffbau’s Schauspielhaus in hip ZuriWest.
6. Be outside anyway
On those days of sparkling winter sunshine, head outside to enjoy those rays of glory!! Grab a chair at the Sechseläutenplatz (in front of the Opera House) to bask in the warm light or take a stroll among the wooded hills lining the city. Just promise me that, if and when you see the sun, you’ll revel in it!!
Walk in the woods
Framing the city of Zurich are three large hills (or small mountains depending on who you ask) that have great walking trails: Uetliberg, Zurichberg, and Kaferberg. They are fantastic places to breathe in the fresh winter air. Leave me a note in the comment section if you want to know where to get started!
Tour the City with Free Walk Zurich
According to Trip Advisor, the number one activity in Zurich – all year long – is take a walking tour with Free Walk Zurich. Every day, through rain or shine, hot or cold, FWZ guides will meet you at 11am and 3pm for a tour of historic Old Town or a tour of creative ZuriWest respectively. The tours are completely free; however, if you enjoy your tour, consider tipping your hard-working guide. I promise that your generous support will be much appreciated, as I speak from personal experience. I was a Free Walk Zurich guide, too!
Christmas Markets
If you are visiting Zurich from late November through December, then you just have to get out and enjoy the Christmas festivities! Check out my post Christmas in Zurich for what to expect from this city over the holidays.
7. Get out of town
One thing I love about Swiss culture is their collective desire to enjoy the Alps all year long. (In fact, I have an entire theory about the secret to why the Swiss are happy.) In winter, locals head to the mountains in search of big snow and sunshine! So, if you have time and have had enough of the city life, set your sites on some winter fun at higher altitudes. And remember: I can always offer you a few important lessons on skiing and sledding in Switzerland. :)
If Zurich is on your Winter Travels list and you’d like some assistance planning your time in this Switzerland, send me a direct message through the Contact Form and let’s create a customized itinerary just for you.
Cheers!
Hi there! How do you beat the winter blues while traveling? Does the weather affect you as much as it does me? Which Zurich museum looks most interesting to you? Have you ever visited this Swiss city over the Christmas season?
Rutuja says
request you guidance on start points for a trail to Uetliberg, Zurichberg, and Kaferberg – as mentioned in your blog. thanks
Rajib says
Hi Hailey
That’s a nice post I am visiting Zürich for 3-4 days along with my wife and 10 years old daughter; on the way to Paris. I would like to see some snowing and relax little bit Do I have to go to some alpine city or it snows in Zürich during first week of January ? Where should I be staying? in Zurich or in some alpine city?
Thanks
Rajib
Hailey says
Hi Rajib,
Thanks for reaching out. Zurich does get snow sometimes, but it’s not predictable. In my three winters living there, we had one January that was very cold and a TON of snow. I’m not sure what’s forecasted for 2020 though.
SO… for a snow guarantee, I would definitely plan to visit the mountains. You can easily take a day trip out of Zurich by train or you could go a little further and spend the night in a Swiss chalet :)
I’d be happy to help you plan your time in Switzerland (and even Paris). If you’d like to know more about my travel planning services, please contact me through my Travel Services page and we can be in direct communication.
Warmest wishes,
Hailey
Rachel says
Hey Hailey!
Really helpful post!! Thank you for writing this:) I was wondering if you have any suggestions on what my family should do this upcoming trip to Zurich? We are a family of four and will be in Zurich for four days in late December. We are hoping for somewhere that is quiet, has a nice view and have some sort of hiking trails nearby? It would be great if you can give us some recommendations on where to stay!
Thank you so much Hailey!
best,
-Rachel
Hailey says
Hi Rachel!
Thanks for leaving a comment and a compliment :) I have a similar response to you as I said to Richard down below:
First of all, I apologize for my delayed response. I was traveling all of November and today’s my first day back in my home office :)
Second, would you like to know more about my travel planning services? If so, shoot me an email through the contact form on my Travel Services page and we’ll talk directly.
Third, Zurich is a very quiet city (well, other than the old trams that screech by sometimes) and you don’t have to go far to find walking/hiking trails. Personally, I recommend staying in the city center somewhere around the main train station (Zurich HB), near Bellevue and the Alt Stadt/Niederdorf, or in trendy ZuriWest.
You’re traveling at a great time. You’ll be able to enjoy all the Christmas markets, too – which is just delightful. The city is magical this time of year.
Shoot me an email if you want more help!
Warmest wishes,
HD
Richard Walsh says
Hi Hailey,
I’ve just booked to stay in Zurich with my wife departing LHR from January 9 – 13, 2020. We’ve visited quite a few European cities and love to explore the streets, shops, bars, restaurants and like to see the sights / mountains etc. We don’t ski or do winter sports but like to watch if there’s anything oing on.
Wonder if you could help?
Cheers
Hailey says
Hi Richard,
Sorry for my delayed response. I was traveling all of November and today’s my first day back in my home office :)
Anyway, would you like to know more about my travel planning services? If so, shoot me an email through the contact form on my Travel Services page :)
If you don’t need a full itinerary, I give 100% recommendation to my pals at Free Walk Zurich. They have several different walking tours to choose from, and it’s a great way to get to know Zurich. Also, don’t be afraid to catch a train to the mountains. There are so many lovely Swiss villages to enjoy this time of year!
Happy Travels,
HD
Katherine says
Hey Hailey!
This is a wonderful website!
My husband and I have an 8 hour layover in Switzerland on December 24th, 2019. We have around 6 hours to explore the country! Do you have any suggestions? We would love to go to a nearby mountain if possible.
Let me know your thoughts!
Kat
Hailey says
Hi Kat – thanks for leaving a comment. Fortunately, it’s easy to get from the Zurich airport to the city center. (I recommend taking the train to “Zurich HB.”) From there, you can easily enjoy the highlights of the Old Town of Zurich and have a nice meal.
If the weather is nice, you could go from Zurich HB (that’s short for Hauptbahnhof, which means Main Station) up to Uetliberg. It’s the S10 train that departs a couple of times an hours from Platform 22. On clear days, you can see so much of the Alps from the top of the mountain! There’s a restaurant (and hotel) up there, so you could get a meal.
Since you are traveling on Christmas Eve, double check restaurant hours though. Christmas Eve is a special holiday in Switzerland!
Safe travels and warm wishes!
HD
Harry says
Hey Hailey,
I am coming to Switzerland on Tuesday morning on 25th dec. I ll be staying in Zurich for a week, I am a very outdoor person and want to explore all the good parts of Switzerland. Also, i am a student so kinda tight on budget. What are the best and free place do you suggest for me to visit? I want to take the maximum advantage of my trip,
Hailey says
Hi Harry!
I’m sorry that I missed your comment. I was taking time off from my computer over the Christmas holidays. I hope you had a nice time in Switzerland this past week.
Warm regards, H
Payton says
Hi! My friends and I are traveling to Zurich very shortly at the beginning of January. We were thinking we would want to do some hiking. How far would we have to travel to hike and where would you recommend? Thanks so much!
Hailey says
Hi Payton!
I love winter hiking, as it’s really “a thing” in Switzerland. Even in big ski areas, like Davos or Grindelwald, groomed hiking trails are open and available to adventurers! I suppose your question is a bit loaded, and I’d need a little more info about your trip to Zurich. There are tons of walking trails (the yellow “Wanderweg” signs) in Zuriberg, Uetliberg, and Kaferberg, the three hills the surround the city. But if you want big mountains, an hour train ride to Lucerne would take you to Mt Rigi or Pilatus and an hour+ train ride south would take you to Canton Glarus or Schwyz where you can find some good hikes.
Really, there are plenty of options. You just need to know what kind of experience you’re looking for!!
Enjoy!
Diana says
Please send me your contact info.
Dave Worthen says
Hi Hailey!
I just found out about your site!
I am looking at coming to Switzerland for the first time at Christmas. I will be coming from the USA. I would like to hike or take walks in nearby mountains. Also explore the backstreets. I will only be there about 4-5 days. I am more of an outdoors person, so I was wondering what you would suggest? Thank you, Dave
Hailey says
Hi Dave!
I am excited to hear that you’ll be visiting Switzerland over the Christmas season.
I’ll send you an email to continue this conversation!
HD
shan says
Hi
I am planning to visit Zurich and Lucerne end of January with my family ( 7 and 4 yrs kids) for 3-4 days. How will be weather end of January? what are the places that are top tourist attraction? how expensive hotels are? Please help me plan my vacation.
Hailey says
Hi Shan,
Thanks for your comment. The weather in January will be cold across the entire country, and you are most certain to see snow throughout much of the country! Switzerland is a very expensive country, but you may find accommodations to meet your budget regardless. I’ll send you an email so we can work more specifically with your trip to Switzerland.
Regards,
Hailey
tammy says
Hey!
Nice post, Thanks for sharing
Hailey says
Thank you very much, Tammy!
David Christiansen says
Came across your site while researching for a trip my wife and I planning for Dec 2019 – Rhine River cruise with extra time for sightseeing. Right now planning on a couple of days in Zurich and a couple of days in Basel. We are older and not as mobile as we once were, but not afraid to walk and see the sight (just takes a bit longer). Look forward to reading about your experiences and recommendations. If there is anything specific you might suggest for a couple in their early 60s, we would love to hear about it.
Hailey says
Hi David!
My parents just did a Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel earlier this year. They loved it! Since we were still in Zurich, they spent an extra week in Switzerland with us :)
Both Zurich and Basel are very manageable cities to walk around, as they aren’t too big and the public transportation is great. Would you like to chat more via email?
Warm regards, H
Jeremy says
Hi there,
My family of 5 (3 children aged 17, 13 & 11) are thinking of flying into Zurich and want to visit somewhere for 3 nights which is picturesque with snow.
We are there from first week in January 2019 and we are seeking some suggestions and was wondering if you could assist with some ideas of where to visit and stay in the mountains etc.
Hailey says
Switzerland is a winter wonderland come January, but Zurich has inconsistent amounts of snowfall. For big winter adventures, you and your family may be interested in exploring other Alpine towns. I’ll email you directly to help your family plan your Swiss trip! Bests, HD
Raghavan Vasudevan says
I will be visiting Zurich in mid July 2018 and will be there
for nearly 3 months. Although I had visited Zurich earlier
suggest a couple of places to see around Zurich city.
(the places should be such that I return back by night).
Also a few cities worth visiting besides Bern and Basel. I will
be grateful if you inform some Indian restaurants in cities away
from Zurich.
Hailey says
Hi Kiruthivasan,
Thanks for your comment. I know of several Indian restaurants in Zurich, but I haven’t eaten at any in Basel or Bern, so I can’t recommend any there personally. I hope you have a nice time in Zurich this summer. It’s such a fun city in the summertime!
Best wishes,
H
Victoria says
Dear Hailey,
First of all thank you so much for the great tips, it really helps and we taking a lot of your suggestions for our visit. We visiting Zurich for the first time from December, 28 to January, 1.
If you could answer a couple of questions, it will be great!
1) We are planning to take a couple of free guided tours as you suggested and we wondering how much tips is customary to give at the end of the tour? I understand, it’s a bit complicated and personal, but please tell us at least an average amount, is something around 5-10franks per person will be enough?
And in general, is it ok to tip in the restaurants etc.. around 10% of the check?
2) We looking at menu in Chaesalp Restaurant website and there is some strange currency, please take a look: http://chaesalp.ch/food_and_drink-2/?lang=en#Menu
For example:
FRIBURGER FONDUE MOITIÉ-MOITIÉ, the famous, creamy Vacherin-Fondue
Price 2990 Rp.
All the prices in “Rp” currency. Is this some local money name? :)
3) And the last question about restaurants. In Italy and Spain we experienced a kind of specific behaviour – you ordering something from menu, then the waitress brings you bread that you didn’t order, without asking if you want it or not (even if you ordered a pizza) and then at the end of the dinner they charge you for this bread. Is this the same thing in Zurich? If so, what is the right thing to do – we should tell the waitress we don’t want this bread? We always feeling lost in such situations… :) Interesting how locals reacting to such things.
Thank you again and have a great Holidays!
Victoria
Hailey says
Hi Victoria,
Happy to answer your questions!
1) In my experience as a walking guide, the average tip for a walking tour is about 5 Swiss fran per person. Some people pay less, some people pay more. I would recommend that you start the tour thinking of giving 5 CHF per person, and if you think your guide did an outstanding job, you could consider giving a little more. It’s totally up to you, but it meant a lot to me when guests would tip me above the average – because it illustrated their appreciation of the time and effort I would put into my tours. Again, completely up to you… but a very thoughtful question!
2) Great choice with the Chasalp! And good for you for noticing the currency on the menu! The Rp stands for “Rappen” which is the German term for the “cents” part of the Swiss franc. I have no idea why they have it like that on the menu (maybe for nostalgic reasons?). So, for example, the Chasalp Fondue of 2990 Rp. means 29.90 Swiss franc (and usually fondue is a per person charge).
3) I totally know what you mean about the “cubierto” charge in Spain and Italy! (I lived in Spain for two years after uni, and man, I ate a lot of bread as a result of that special service – ha!) They don’t really do that here in Switzerland, so you don’t need to worry about that experience happening on your Swiss travels. What you will have to convince your servers to do is bring you free tap water… it’s customary here to buy bottled water at restaurants, even though there are HUNDREDS of drinking fountains across the city.
Please let me know if you have any more questions. I hope you enjoy your time in Zurich!
Merry Christmas,
Hailey
Amber says
Hi Hayley,
My friend and I will be in Zurich for 3 days in January, we are Mum’s travelling without kids, I’m Aussie and she is Italian, I was thinking of doing a day tour to the alps or some other towns as I don’t really want to spend over $200pp could you recommend a place, town, tour company to use. We arrive on a Friday so I was thinking of touring the city and maybe going to the Lindt factory and that big beer hall/sausage place on the Friday. Then maybe a Racelette* restaurant on the Saturday night and on Sunday the thermal springs. Then on Sunday my friend leaves and I travel to Winterthur for 1 week for a course. Any tips recommendations would be welcome :)
Hailey says
Hi Amber! Thanks for sharing about your trip.
Spending Friday in Zurich is a good idea. You can walk around the Old Town and enjoy free time in the city. If this is your first trip to Zurich, I wouldn’t recommend the Lindt factory, as it’s just a giant superstore and you can’t tour the factory itself anymore. (But Maison Cailler near Gruyeres is a different story!) The beer hall Zueghaus Keller is a fun place to be if you want a Bavarian-inspired meal. I’ve got some other restaurant recs on the blog.
For an easy day trip from Zurich, I recommend going to Lucerne by train. It’s a really cute city and close to the mountains, and from there you could go up Mount Pilatus. I’ve written about both of those!
Sunday at the Thermal Bad is a good idea, as almost all shops are closed in Switzerland. Many restaurants are open though, so you don’t have to worry. But if you have a particular place in mind, call ahead and make a reservation.
I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Warm regards from SNOWY Switzerland :)
HD
Edward says
Hi Hailey!
My partner and I will be visiting Zurich (loved you post!) in December and we were wondering how we could get to one of the walking trails, either Uetliberg or Kaferberg. Kaferberg seems nearer to the Hauptbahnhof so it looks more accessible to us :) Do let us know what you think!
Edward
Hailey says
Hi Edward! I’m glad to hear that you and your partner are up for a good walk in the woods during your visit to Zurich.
Kaferberg is nice because it’s less touristy than Uetliberg. From Zurich HB, you can take Bus 46 (direction Rütihof) to the Kemphofsteig stop and then walk uphill through the Wipkingen neighborhood until you reach the Restaurant Die Waid, which has spectacular views of the city and is worth sitting out on their terrace to enjoy a drink or some nibbles in good weather. From the restaurant, I recommend to just start wandering! All of the trails are marked on Google Maps, and even if you don’t have cell service, your phone can track you offline.
Uetliberg can have some great views of Zurich, the lake, and on clear days, the Alpine range. You can walk up it, but most people catch the S10 train from Zurich HB to the top station, where you can start a walk of your choosing. The Planet Trail (also called the Panoramic Walk: https://www.myswitzerland.com/de-ch/panoramaweg-vom-ueetliberg-zur-felsenegg.html) is a 2 hour walk along the ridgeline that ends at the Felsenegg gondola, which you ride down to Adliswil and then catch a train back to ZHB. And there are a number of trails that do end up back in the city that you can just follow and see what happens. (For example, my parents and I turned downhill at the Jupiter marking on the Planet Trail to walk the Föhreneggwegg down to the Albisgütli tram stop when I was 40 weeks pregnant!)
I hope this helps and I hope you have a great time in Zurich!
Hailey says
Oh! Also, if you happen to be dog lovers and are here on a weekend, a great place for a FLAT walk with some entertaining company is along the Sihl River in “the Allmend Park”. From the Sihl City train stop, cross the street and follow the footpath on the other side of the sport fields. This is a gravel walkway in a large open space where dogs can roam off-leash. It’s great fun for them and for pet lovers! Plus, it will put you close to one of my favorite restaurants, Fork & Bottle, next to the river and across the highway from the Brunau train stop.
Mary Ryan says
Myself and my sister plan on visiting Zurich early December any ideas on tours, restaurants, accommodation or Christmas Events in the city, much appreciate any suggestions
Hailey says
Hi Mary,
Early December is a great time to visit Zurich, as the Christmas spirit is everywhere! The Christmas markets are in the Main Train Station, down Bahnhofstrasse, and (my favorite) in the plaza in front of the Opera House.
Free Walk Zurich gives walking tours at 11:00am of Old Town and 15:00 of ZuriWest. They are free, but be sure to tip your guide. And there are other tours now too… just check out the website to learn more.
I do have a list of my favorite restaurants in the city: https://globalheartbeattravel.com/zurich-eats/
But since I live here, I don’t have any experience with the hotels in the area. If you have a couple of specific ones you are considering, I might be able to help you compare them.
I hope you and your sister have a great time in Zurich! Let me know if you have any more questions.
Best wishes,
Hailey
riddhi says
hi Hailey
my husnaband and I plan to to come in mid january to exoerirnperience the winter. could you help us skiing options? your post mentioned that you are an instructor?also.. where to meet for the free walking tour?
appreciate your help.
thank you
Riddhi
Hailey says
Hi Riddhi,
There are many places to ski in Switzerland – from big resort areas list Zermatt or Davos-Klosters to small mountain villages with a few runs. What is your level of skiing?
If you’d like to take a walking tour in Zurich, visit the Free Walk Zurich website to learn about all our tours. We have two every day, one of the Old Town at 11am and one of the ZuriWest neighborhood at 3pm. They are great ways to enjoy the city… just don’t forget to tip your guide!
All the best, HD
Mauricio says
Hi Hailey!
Thanks for the post. Excelents tips. As Jan, i’m going to Zurich in February 2018, but i’m thinking to stay in Zurich for two days and go to Grindelwald for another two days. Well, what do you thing about that? Is it a good idea? is it difficult to go to Grindelwald from Zurich in winter?
Thanks for your help.
Hailey says
Hi Mauricio – good questions!
Visiting Zurich and Grindelwald over four days is certainly doable – even in the winter. All of Switzerland is well connected by train, and the journey from Grindelwald to Zurich takes a little over 2.5 hours.
If you are a skiier or a winter sports fan, you may want one less day in Zurich to have one more day in the mountains. But if you are traveling to Switzerland from overseas, having a day in Zurich to adjust to the time zone is helpful.
Personally, I love the Bernese Oberland, as I shared in my post “In the Heart of Jungfrau” (https://globalheartbeattravel.com/jungfrau/). However, I have not visited that region in the winter… but I can imagine its beauty!
Please let me know if you have any more questions about your trip.
Best wishes, HD
Jan says
Hey Hailey,
That’s a nice post, I definitely would love to be in Zurich. Is February a good time to visit Zurich or is it too cold to bear? I am planning for February 2018 but a bit reluctant as the temperature is in minus…
Hailey says
Hi Jan!
Thanks for dropping a line. From my expat experience, I’d say that Zurich is not at its best in February. Generally, it’s a cold month (not sure what your tolerance for “cold” is…) and the city isn’t nearly as lively as it is when the weather is warm. However, there are still things to do and fondue to be eaten in winter, so you wouldn’t be without activities. Plus, the mountains aren’t too far away, and you could easily escape to some winter wonderlands nearby :)
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Bests,
Hailey