Zurich 3 Day Itinerary: Old Town, Art, Lake and Uetliberg

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This Zurich 3-day itinerary pairs an Old Town walk on day one with Kunsthaus art and Lake Zurich on day two. Day three covers Uetliberg mountain and the Im Viadukt market arches in Zurich-West. All route facts and 2026 notices come from Zurich Tourism and ZSG lake timetables.

For 2026 travel, note one major rail change on Uetliberg. Because the underground SZU station at Zurich Main Station is closed from April 29 to December 12, 2026, the S10 mountain train starts and ends at Selnau station instead. [Source: Zurich Tourism]

Three-Day Zurich Plan at a Glance.

Keep two weekly closures in mind when you set your order of days. Kunsthaus Zurich is closed on Mondays, and the Im Viadukt shops and market hall are closed on Sundays.

Flights, Trains, and Where to Stay in Zurich.

Zurich Airport (ZRH) sits 10 kilometers north of the city center. You can compare flight fares on Aviasales before booking your trip. Frequent SBB trains link the airport to Zurich Main Station (Zurich HB) in 10 to 12 minutes.

To compare lodging near the Old Town, the main station, or Zurich-West, check current rates on Trip.com Hotels. You do not need a car inside Zurich, as trams, buses, and boats cover every neighborhood. If you plan to drive into the Alps after your city stay, compare rental cars on GetRentacar.

Day 1: Official Old Town Walk and Stained Glass.

Main Station, Bahnhofstrasse, Lindenhof, and Grossmunster.

Start at Zurich Main Station and follow the sequence of the Zurich Tourism Old Town walking tour. The two-hour public guided walk meets at Visitor Information in the main station, crosses Bahnhofstrasse, climbs to Lindenhof, and continues to Grossmunster. Parts of the route have cobblestones and a 12-percent slope, so wheelchair users may need assistance.

At Lindenhof, a tree-lined square sits on the site of a 4th-century Roman fort and a 9th-century royal palace. The hilltop terrace looks straight across the Limmat river to Grossmunster, City Hall, and the university buildings.

Cross the river to Grossmunster, where interior highlights include stained glass by Sigmar Polke, choir windows by Augusto Giacometti, a Romanesque crypt, and bronze doors by Otto Munch. You can climb 187 steps from the nave to the Karlsturm viewing area, though the outer tower terraces remain closed for safety and renovation work runs from 2025 to 2029.

Fraumunster: Giacometti and Chagall Windows.

Walk back across the river to Fraumunster in the Old Town. Inside, Augusto Giacometti created the north transept window. Meanwhile, Marc Chagall designed the five-part window cycle in the choir and the southern rose window. Also check the cloister to see wall paintings by Paul Bodmer.

Niederdorf Pedestrian Lanes and Polybahn Funicular.

Have lunch or dinner in Niederdorf, the car-free Old Town district running parallel to Limmatquai. Known locally as the Dorfli, it offers cafes, restaurants, and evening bars. From nearby Central square, ride the historic Polybahn funicular up to the Polyterrasse in 100 seconds for wide city views.

Day 2: Kunsthaus Zurich and Lake Outing.

Kunsthaus Zurich: Buildings, Artists, and Tickets.

Spend the morning at Kunsthaus Zurich, which links the historic Moser building with David Chipperfield’s 2021 extension via an underground passage. The museum holds the largest Munch collection outside Norway, plus works by Picasso, van Gogh, Chagall, Warhol, Rothko, and Pipilotti Rist’s video installation “Turicum Pixelwald”.

Regular admission including the permanent collection costs CHF 31 for adults and CHF 24 for concessions. Holders of the Zurich Card enter the permanent collection for free. Meanwhile, special temporary exhibitions require a separate fee.

ZSG Short Lake Cruise from Burkliplatz.

In the afternoon, walk down to Burkliplatz pier for the ZSG Short Lake Cruise toward Thalwil and Erlenbach. According to the ZSG timetable, this round trip lasts 1.5 hours and uses a second-class ZVV ticket for zones 110, 140, and 150 (CHF 9.40 for adults, or CHF 4.70 with a Half-Fare Card). Boats have onboard catering, though sailings run less often in spring, autumn, and winter.

Shore Alternative: Burkliplatz Promenade and China Garden.

If you prefer a lakeside walk instead of a boat ride, follow the Burkliplatz lake promenade along Utoquai and Seefeldquai. The path passes lakeside parks, street performers, and the China Garden, a gift from Zurich’s partner city Kunming.

Day 3: Uetliberg Mountain and Zurich-West.

Uetliberg via Selnau During the 2026 Station Closure.

Rise above the city on Uetliberg, which reaches 871 meters above sea level. From April 29 to December 12, 2026, tracks 21 and 22 at Zurich Main Station are closed, so take a city tram or bus to Selnau station and board the S10 train there. The summit ridge overlooks the city, Lake Zurich, and the Alps, and often sits above the valley fog in November.

Im Viadukt Market Hall and Arches in Zurich-West.

After riding the S10 train back to Selnau, take public transit to Im Viadukt in Zurich-West. Built into 36 railway viaduct arches, this street holds boutiques, art studios, cafes, and a Market Hall with 20 local food vendors and farmers. The viaduct shops open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and close on Sundays.

Zurich Card and Transport Links.

• Transit coverage: The Zurich Card (valid for 24 or 72 hours) covers second-class trams, buses, trains, boats, the Polybahn funicular, the airport train, and the S10 trip to Uetliberg.
• Museum and church perks: The card includes free admission to the Kunsthaus permanent collection, Fraumunster, and the Karlsturm tower at Grossmunster.
• More Swiss guides: Combine Zurich with our Lucerne day trip from Zurich, our Swiss Travel Pass review, or our Switzerland travel guide.

FAQ: Zurich 3-Day Itinerary.

Is 3 days enough for Zurich?

Yes, three days lets you walk the Old Town, visit both major churches and the Kunsthaus art museum, cruise Lake Zurich, and ride up Uetliberg without rushing.

How do I take the train to Uetliberg in 2026?

Between April 29 and December 12, 2026, the SZU platforms at Zurich Main Station are closed. Take a tram or bus to Selnau station and board the S10 mountain train to Uetliberg from there.

Is the Zurich Card worth buying for a 3-day trip?

Yes, if you use the airport train, ride up Uetliberg, take a ZSG short lake cruise, and visit the Kunsthaus collection and Fraumunster within 72 hours.