Parcours audioguidé pour visiter Zurich

The best time to visit Zurich generally runs from mid-April to mid-October, when temperatures are mild and the city reveals all its charm. The summer months, particularly July and August, are ideal for making the most of the city, with temperatures that can reach 30°C. This is also the perfect time to swim in the lake and enjoy the terraces. Spring and autumn offer milder temperatures, perfect for exploring the city on foot. Winter has its charm too, with its Christmas markets and the proximity of the ski resorts, even if temperatures drop below zero. Note that rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

To discover the essentials of Zurich, you should generally allow two to three days. This gives you time to leisurely explore the historic centre with its cobbled streets, stroll along the lake and the Limmat, and discover the main districts. In two days, you can visit the old town, enjoy the Bahnhofstrasse and its shops, and relax by the lakeside. With an extra day, you'll have time to delve deeper into the museums, venture into the more alternative neighbourhoods, or take a trip to the surrounding area. If you'd like to combine your stay with winter activities or hikes nearby, plan for four to five days instead.

Zurich has an exceptionally efficient public transport network that makes getting around very easy. Trams, buses and urban trains take you everywhere in the city with remarkable punctuality. The city centre, however, remains perfectly accessible on foot, and this is actually the best way to discover the charm of the old town. Bike-sharing services are also very popular, especially in fine weather, with numerous safe cycle paths. For trips from the airport, the train takes you directly to the city centre in about ten minutes. Consider getting a daily transport pass or the Zürich Card, which includes unlimited transport and discounts at several attractions.

Zurich is a real paradise for those who love swimming in an urban setting. Lake Zurich offers many free, accessible swimming spots, with developed areas such as the Strandbad Mythenquai or the Seebad Enge. Locals also love swimming in the Limmat, particularly popular in summer when you'll see them let the current carry them from the Oberer Letten. Historic public baths like the Frauenbadi and the Männerbadi offer a unique experience of swimming in the heart of the city. Most swimming areas have changing rooms and lawns to relax on. Don't forget your swimsuit on your summer visit, because swimming is truly part of the Zurich way of life.

Winter transforms Zurich into a magical destination despite the sub-zero temperatures. The city lights up from November with its traditional Christmas markets, notably the one at the central station with its huge decorated tree. Museums such as the Kunsthaus or the Swiss National Museum offer a warm cultural refuge. The nearby ski resorts are easily accessible for a day on the slopes. In the city, skate on the rinks set up for the season or warm up with a fondue in one of the many traditional restaurants. Urban thermal baths and spas are also perfect for relaxing after a day out in the cold. The historic cafés of the old town become cosy havens where you can enjoy hot chocolate and pastries.

The old town (Altstadt) remains the essential historic heart, with its medieval streets, iconic churches and guild houses. The Niederdorf district, nicknamed the Dörfli, will charm you with its bohemian cafés and independent shops. For a more modern feel, head to Zurich-West, a former industrial district reinvented as a creative hub with art galleries and trendy restaurants. The Seefeld district, along the lake, offers a chic residential atmosphere with lovely promenades. The Ryo audioguide takes you through these different neighbourhoods, revealing their hidden histories and architectural treasures along a narrated route that captures the essence of each atmosphere.

Zurich is full of places to savour the classics of Swiss cuisine. The traditional restaurants of the old town serve excellent fondues and raclettes in an authentic setting. For the famous Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, the emblematic dish of veal in cream sauce, head to the historic brasseries that carry on the age-old recipes. Artisan confectioners offer the finest Swiss chocolates and the famous Luxemburgerli, the local macaron. Don't miss the covered markets, where you'll find local cheeses and mountain charcuterie. The bistros along the Limmat serve local cuisine in a picturesque setting. For a more modern experience, some chefs reinterpret these classics with creativity while respecting the traditional flavours.

The Kunsthaus holds a collection running from early masters to the great names of the twentieth century, including an important group of works by Giacometti, in a historic building paired with a contemporary extension. The Swiss National Museum, recognisable by its neo-Gothic castle silhouette facing the main station, retraces the country's history from prehistory to the present day.

For more unexpected worlds, the Rietberg Museum presents art from Asia, Africa and the Americas in a gently sloping park, while Cabaret Voltaire, the birthplace of the Dada movement, feels more like a living venue than a collection. Most of these addresses can be reached on foot or by tram from the centre, so you can easily fit two into the same day.

The Swiss rail network makes Zurich an ideal base for exploring. The Rhine Falls, near Schaffhausen, are striking for their sheer width and can be reached in under an hour by train; you can approach them by boat or from the platforms built on both banks.

Rapperswil, at the far end of the lake, is worth visiting for its castle and old town, and the boat trip there gives a lovely perspective on the wooded shores. Lucerne, with its covered bridge and its lake ringed by mountains, also deserves a day, as does a cogwheel train ride up to a summit in the pre-Alps. The train remains the simplest way to make all these escapes, with frequent and regular connections.

The Lindenhof terrace, a former Roman stronghold perched above the Limmat, gives one of the most pleasant views over the roofs of the old town and the towers of the Grossmünster. Facing it, the Polyterrasse in front of the technical university takes in the city and the lake, with the Alps on the horizon when the sky is clear.

To go higher, the Uetliberg is about twenty minutes away by suburban train; from the top, a ridge path follows the line of the hills and an observation tower overlooks the whole region. The lakeside quays, finally, open up a fine view towards the mountains at sunset. The Ryo audio guide offers a dedicated Zurich route that links these viewpoints and the old town on foot.