Things to do in Switzerland
-
A
Boat Hire
There's a rental site at Bürkliplatz plus one near every official swimming area.
reviewed
-
B
Jelmoli
The basement food hall is the highlight of this legendary department store, Zürich’s first, biggest and best.
reviewed
-
C
Rosengarten
Up the hill from the tourist office and bear pits is the fragrant Rosengarten, where the view over the town is stupendous.
reviewed
-
D
Weihnachtshaus Johann Wanner
Weihnachtshaus Johann Wanner is a well-known Christmas store – pick up festive decorations year-round.
reviewed
-
E
Pizza Roma
For crisp wood-oven pizza, hearty pasta dishes and the silkiest tiramisu this side of Bellinzona, head to this low-slung haunt.
reviewed
-
F
Stauffacher
A labyrinth of a bookshop, with a brilliant range of English-language fiction, nonfiction, travel literature and books about Switzerland on the 3rd floor.
reviewed
-
Pardo Bar
With its background music, scattered timber tables (a couple of computers on one) and wine and cocktails on offer, Pardo Bar attracts a relaxed and mixed crowd.
reviewed
-
G
Le Dezaley
Tucked away in an alley below the Grossmünster, this is a little part of French Switzerland in Zürich and regarded as one of the places to try fondue.
reviewed
-
H
Marzili Pools
In summer, this open-air swimming pool, beside the Aare River, is the perfect place to get a tan and kick back with the locals. The pool is a simple 25m affair, but the expansive lawns, foosball tables and sunbathing racks are often where the action is. Only strong swimmers should dip in the river itself.
reviewed
-
I
Globus
Designer shopping is wedged between Rue du Rhône and Rue de Rive. Globus is one of the main department stores. For designer secondhand, try Rue des Étuves.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Steinbock
While there are dozens of phoney and/or overpriced Swiss restaurants lining Höheweg, this humble tavern is one in which locals also eat. Another good option for Swiss food is the Hirschen.
reviewed
-
K
Café du Vieil Ouchy
A simple but charming location for fondue (Sfr23.50), rösti and other classics. Follow up with a meringue smothered in crème double de la Gruyère (double thick Gruyère cream).
reviewed
-
L
Tinguely Fountain
Just south of Barfüsserplatz is the zany Tinguely Fountain, with all sorts of wacky machines spewing and shooting forth water. It is a foretaste of the madcap moving sculptures in the Museum Jean Tinguely.
reviewed
-
M
Bear Pits
Just across the Aare River are the Bear Pits. Though bears have been the entertainment at this site since 1857, it's really depressing to see such majestic beasts doing tricks for treats in such a cramped, concrete environment.
reviewed
-
N
Puppenhausmuseum
Basel’s Puppenhausmuseum attracts teddy-bear fans from all over the place. Indeed, the museum claims to have the world’s biggest collection of teddy bears. There are doll’s houses galore too.
reviewed
-
O
Le Vaudois
Classic local Swiss cuisine, concentrating on fondues and meat dishes like the nationwide fave, Zürich’s émincé de veau à la zurichoise (thin slices of veal prepared in a creamy mushroom sauce, Sfr32.50).
reviewed
-
P
Il Grissino
With 'bump knees with your neighbour'-style seating (claustrophobics beware), this oft-packed pizza and pasta joint emits a boisterous vibe. Choose from more than 30 different pizzas; the large is big enough for two (unless you're super hungry).
reviewed
-
Outdoor Swimming Areas
Between May and the middle of September, Outdoor Swimming Areas are open around the lake and up the Limmat River. These are usually rectangular wooden piers with a pavilion covering part of the; most offer massages, yoga and saunas, as well as snacks.
reviewed
-
Q
Jet d'Eau
Calling the Jet d'Eau a fountain is an understatement. The water shoots up with incredible force (200km/h, 1360HP), to create a 140m-high plume. At any one time there are seven tonnes of water in the air, and much of it falls on spectators who venture out on the pier.
reviewed
-
R
Terrasse & Casa
Dubbed ‘Bern’s Riviera’, this twinset of classy hang-outs on the Aare is an experience. Terrasse is a glass shoebox with wooden decking over the water, sun loungers overlooking a weir (illuminated at night) and comfy sofa seating – perfect for Sunday brunch or a drink. Casa, by contrast, cooks up Italian food in a cosy, country-style timber-framed house.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Tour de l'Ale
The cylindrical Tour de l'Ale, tucked away at the end of Rue de la Tour, is the only surviving vestige of medieval Lausanne's defensive walls. It was built in 1340 at the extreme western point of the medieval suburb of Ale. That we can admire the tower at all is due to those townspeople who opposed demolition plans in 1903.
reviewed
-
T
La Terraza
Set in a 12th-century building that has housed fishmongers, dukes and scribes over the years, La Terraza oozes atmosphere. High-back chairs and monochrome shots of bella Italia give the vaulted interior urban edge. When the sun’s out, sit on the riverfront terrace for favourites like clam and rocket spaghetti.
reviewed
-
U
Augusta Raurica
By the Rhine, these Roman ruins are Switzerland's largest. They're the last remnants of a colony founded in 44 BC that had grown to 20,000 citizens by the 2nd century. Today, restored features include an open-air theatre and several temples. There's also a Roman Museum which features an authentic Roman house among its exhibits.
reviewed
-
V
Markthalle
Buzzing with quick-snack action, this covered market arcade is packed with global cheap eats: curries, vegetarian, wok stir-fries, noodles, pizza, southern Indian, Middle Eastern. To be eaten standing at bars or around plastic tables, till around midnight.
reviewed
-
W
After the Rain Spa
Soothe urban body and soul at After the Rain Spa, a haven of peace and tranquillity in downtown Geneva, where the icing on the cake for chocolate fiends has to be a body wrap in creamy milk chocolate (Sfr140, 45 minutes) or – even better – a good old soak in a milk or white chocolate bath (Sfr180, 30 minutes).
reviewed