In Zurich, smart technologies, efficient urban planning and a cultural appreciation for the outdoors unite to create a well-rounded approach to sustainability that includes the environment, economy and society. Among the most sustainable destinations in the world, Zurich has its eye on becoming climate neutral by 2040.
The city also leads the way in sustainable tourism initiatives, so it’s not surprising that Zurich makes it easy for eco-conscious travelers. The Zurich City Guide App helps plan your itinerary and find restaurants, events, drinking water fountains, parks and more when exploring the city.
Thanks to a climate-friendly public transportation network, pedestrian streets and abundant parks and hiking trails, Zurich is ideal for slow, mindful and independent travel.
If you’re spending a few days in the city, consider getting a Zurich Card that includes unlimited second-class travel on trams, buses, trains, boats and cableways in and around the city; cruises on Lake Zurich and the Limmat River; free entry to many museums; and discounts on other experiences.
As part of the Cause We Care initiative, visitors can identify climate-neutral activities by a green leaf symbol and easily book them. Tourists can also contribute toward offsets for other activities by using myclimate to calculate emissions, and the city will reciprocate by doubling the contribution.
What to See and Do in Zurich
Explore the Old Town
In the Old Town area, wandering through the neighborhoods around the Limmat River takes you to iconic landmarks such as the churches of Grossmünster and Fraumünster, famous for their unique stained-glass windows, and sights such as Kunsthaus Zürich, the country’s largest art museum.
It’s easy to spend a day or two strolling the pedestrian streets Bahnhofstrasse, Niederdorf, Rennweg and Augustinergasse for a bit of shopping or people-watching from one of many café tables that spill onto the roads.
Relax in the Green Spaces
With green spaces making up nearly 40 percent of Zurich’s urban area, there are plenty of parks to while away a leisurely hour or two under a canopy of trees.
Popular for watching the sunset, Lindenhof offers benches with views over the Old Town and Limmat River.
The perfectly manicured Baroque Garden at Rechberg Park, with its terraces, sculptures, fountains and orangery, is an excellent spot for a sunny afternoon.
Take the Polybahn, a cute red funicular train, up to Polyterrasse, a panoramic terrace in front of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Zurich University for fantastic vistas over Zurich.
Head Up the Mountain
For even better views over the city, Lake Zurich and the Alps, head to Uetliberg on the S10 train, where Zurich’s mountain-loving residents go to stretch their legs.
Located at 2,850 feet, the mountain provides marked hiking and biking trails, including an easy two-hour hike on the Planet Trail from Uetliberg to Felsenegg.
Take a Dip in a Badi
Visiting Zurich’s open-air baths, or badis, is a cultural experience rooted in Roman times that will leave you refreshed. These days the city’s modern public baths come with sunbathing areas, showers and changing rooms.
The lakeside Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen has a park, a children’s pool, diving zones and stand-up paddleboard rentals. At Oberer Letten, you can bathe in the Limmat River right in the heart of the city. The art-nouveau-style Frauenbad at Stadthausquai, open only to women, overlooks the Old Town and a library.
Shop at Sustainable Stores
Climate-conscious shoppers will discover plenty of sustainable options in Zurich. Shop for edible Swiss souvenirs such as chocolates and tea at Berg und Tal. For Swiss-made handicrafts, glass objects and jewelry, go to Schweizer Heimatwerk and Marktlücke.
The Zurich-born Round Rivers sells upcycled swimwear and jackets made locally from plastic waste found in the Limmat River. Other stores that focus on ethical and sustainable goods include Collab Zurich (homeware, design and fashion), Zämä (clothing) and Kari Kari (clothing and accessories).
At thrift stores such as Arche Brockenhaus, Zürcher Brockenhaus and Heilsarmee Brocki, you’ll find everything from antique furniture and art to costume jewelry and books.
Where to Eat in Zurich
From fine cuisines and seasonal menus prepared from organic produce to vegan and vegetarian food, Zurich’s focus on mindful dining means you’ll have an abundance of options, whatever your dietary preference.
Zurich is home to Haus Hiltl, the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant, which has been serving meat-free meals since 1898 and is today run by the fourth generation of the Hiltl family. Choose from the à la carte menu or the well-known Hiltl buffet, which features an array of dishes inspired by the Levant to Southeast Asia. Its vegetarian butcher shop next door sells deli-style meals to take away.
Restaurant Kle’s plant-based menu features seasonal ingredients such as lion’s mane mushroom and Jerusalem artichoke. Its set menus are a good choice for dinner.
Fine-dining restaurant Marktküche, whose name translates to “Market Kitchen,” curates an exciting surprise menu of plant-based dishes where the only decision you need to make is the number of courses. It’s incredibly popular, so make reservations well in advance.
Satisfy your fast-food craving at Unmeat with loaded vegan burgers, hotdogs and shakes.
Where To Stay in Zurich
Having opened its doors in 1899, The Dolder Grand is more than a luxury hotel; it’s a historic institution whose past is deeply intertwined with Zurich’s. Located on the Zürichberg, a hill to the east of the city, this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel affords breathtaking views over Lake Zurich and the Alps. Previous guests at the stately hotel include personalities such as Nelson Mandela, Prince Charles, Winston Churchill, Sophia Loren and Luciano Pavarotti.
While much of its identity is rooted in tradition, modern influences are apparent at The Dolder Grand. The hotel’s extensive art collection features works from Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Zaha Hadid and Takashi Murakami, and you are encouraged to go on an iPad-led art tour. Tastefully designed rooms and suites boast modern amenities (such as Nespresso machines) and stunning city or lake vistas.
Three highly acclaimed restaurants, a bar and seasonal culinary pop-ups offer promising dining experiences. Luxurious spa suites, saunas, steam baths, indoor pools, a solarium and a meditation room invite you to unwind.
Thanks to sustainability measures such as a geothermal system that lowers energy consumption, the use of hydropower, incorporating seasonal and regional produce in restaurants and reduced food wastage, The Dolder Grand is EarthCheck certified and recognized as a responsible hotel by the Responsible Hotels of Switzerland association.
How to Get Around Zurich
Zurich’s beautiful architecture, leafy parks, marked bike paths and many charming car-free streets mean the city is a pleasure to walk and bike around.
Rent a bike for free from Züri Rollt for a small refundable deposit of CHF 20 (about US$22) from one of two locations on Bahnhofstrasse and the Zurich Main Station at Europaplatz.
The bike-sharing company Züri Velo stocks bicycles and e-bikes at several docking stations around the city. You’ll need the app to check availability and unlock and return bikes. Electric scooters from Bolt and Lime are also available around Zurich.
The city’s reliable network of trains, electric trams, buses, funicular railways, cable cars and ferries is comprehensive, accessible and easy to use. Plan your route within and out of the city, see barrier-free accessibility features and buy tickets on the Zurich Transport Association website. The site also sells multiple-journey tickets and other passes that result in savings.
Swiss Federal Railways SBB trains (primarily running on hydropower) are the best and most sustainable way to get from Zurich to other cities like Geneva or Interlaken. The SBB Mobile app is also useful for planning routes and buying tickets within and outside Zurich.
If you intend to do a fair bit of train travel around Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass provides unlimited rides on trains, buses and boats around the country (and other discounts) for a set number of consecutive days.
