By Viktoria Kiss
Switzerland is one of those places that almost doesn’t feel real. You’ve got mountains that look like wallpaper in the background everywhere you look, super clean cities, and everything works in unison. Right in the middle of all that is Zurich, a city that mixes nature, culture, and everyday life in a really effortless way.
Zurich is the biggest city in Switzerland, but it doesn’t feel stressful or crowded like other big cities, like Rome or Paris, for example. It’s very calm, organized, and honestly just easy to be in. It’s the kind of place where you can explore a lot without feeling overwhelmed.
One place that also adds to Zurich’s cultural side is the Kunsthaus Zürich, one of the most important art museums in Switzerland. It features a huge collection of artwork ranging from classic European paintings to modern and contemporary pieces. Even if you’re not into art, the museum itself is beautiful and worth visiting because of the atmosphere and architecture alone. It gives the city a more creative and artistic feel and shows that Zurich is not just about business, shopping, and nature, but also has a strong cultural identity.
One of the best things about Zurich is how balanced it feels. You can walk through the Old Town (Altstadt) with its small streets and old buildings, which still keep the city’s older characteristics, and then five minutes later be in a very modern area with shops and cafés and so much to see.
Bahnhofstrasse is the main shopping street, and it’s known for being one of the fanciest in all of Europe. Even if you’re not buying anything, it’s fun to walk around and see the vibe (I personally love window shopping there).
If you’re into culture, you can check out places like the Swiss National Museum, but honestly, just walking around the city is already an experience that allows you to learn a lot.
And then there’s the lake. Lake Zurich is where everyone hangs out, especially during the summer. People swim, sit by the water, talk with friends, or even boat around! It’s relaxing and probably one of the best parts of the city, not only because of the view that speaks for itself, but it also cools down the air when it’s hot.
At night, Zurich has a fun but not crazy nightlife. Areas like Zurich West have bars, music, and places to just hang out, but it’s never overly crowded or too overwhelming.
Transportation in Switzerland is honestly next level and very modern. Everything is on time, clean, extremely simple to use, and cool. Most of it is run by Swiss Federal Railways, which connects basically the whole country and even trains to neighboring countries in a very short amount of time.
In Zurich, trams are the main way to get around, and they come often, so it’s not too difficult to figure out that having a car is not necessary if you live next to any form of public transport. They do take checking tickets very seriously, though, so make sure to have one if you go on them!
The main station (Zurich HB) connects you to everywhere, like other cities, lakes, and even the mountains. You can wake up in Zurich and be in the Alps not long after. It is a huge benefit and keeps you refreshed with new views in a short amount of time.
Switzerland is pricey. But here’s a quick breakdown of the most common things bought. Public transport is about CHF 3–5 (€3.28-5.47) per ride or a day pass, which is around CHF 8–15. Meals at restaurants range from CHF 20–40+, but cheaper options are fast food spots ranging from CHF 10–15, and a coffee run can go from CHF 4–6.
It can add up fast, but there are ways to save, like if you travel around often, get a travel pass, buy food from supermarkets instead of eating out all the time, which is also healthier, and since Zurich is a walkable city, walk where and when you can.
Zurich isn’t loud or flashy, but that’s kind of the point. It’s clean, beautiful, easy to explore, and everything just runs smoothly. It’s a place where you can chill by the lake, explore cute streets, hop on a train, and see mountains all in the same day. Even though it’s expensive, the overall experience makes it worth it.
Photos by Viktoria Kiss
