What to do in Zurich on a Sunday

While the glamorous stores of Bahnhof and Viaduktstrasse may be closed, there are still plenty of amazing things to do in Zurich on Sunday. Need some inspiration for an end-of-week adventure in the Swiss metropolis? Here are nine ideas to get you started.

Things to do in Zurich on Sunday

One of the main things expats and internationals will notice as they settle into their new life in Switzerland is just how quiet Sundays can be, and Zurich is no exception. The vast majority of shops and supermarkets are shut, and sometimes the centre of Swiss cities and villages can feel like ghost towns on the seventh day of the week.

However, this hides what Sundays in the alpine nation are really for: spending time with family and friends and exploring the great outdoors. With this in mind, here are some ideal ways to while away a Sunday in the Swiss metropolis.

Visit the museums of Zurich

Whether it be the seventh day of the week or a rainy day in Zurich, the city’s fascinating museums are always worth a visit. Though typically shut on Mondays, the majority of the major ones fling their doors open to visitors on Sundays.

Why not gain a new insight into Swiss history and culture at the Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum), get your artistic juices flowing by exploring the Kunsthaus or Museum Rietberg, mindboggle yourself with optical illusions at the WOW Museum or relive your childhood dream of starting in the Champions League Final at the FIFA museum?

Want to save your francs? The Natural History Museum and the Ethnographic Museum run by the University of Zurich are open on Sundays and entirely free to enter.

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Explore the wildlife parks and Zurich Zoo

If you want to use your day off to explore the wildlife of Switzerland and beyond, then a trip to the Zurich Zoo should be on your Sunday bucket list. Opened in 1929, the zoo boasts 2.200 animals from over 300 species, ranging from giant Asian elephants to giraffes and emus. Another highlight is the Masoala Rainforest, sporting lemurs and the nature of Madagascar - perfect for any kid who’s recently seen the films.

Another great and free activity to do in Zurich is to visit the nearby wildlife park in Langenberg. Along with providing a great opportunity for a hike and picnic, the park is home to many species that are (or were) native to Switzerland, including European bison, bears, wolves, wild boars, elk and deer.

Enjoy Sunday brunch in the heart of Zurich

Though admittedly late to the party by European standards, Zurich now has a wealth of cafes and restaurants that serve a stunning brunch menu on Sundays. Alongside a warming coffee and refreshing orange juice, diners are treated to a buffet full of delights or an Etagère filled with sandwiches, meats, cheese and sweet treats.

Some of the top spots for a Sunday brunch in Zurich include Babus on Löwenstrasse, Roots (which doubles as a fabulous vegan restaurant), Felix Café at Bellevue and Café Elena opposite the station. If you really want to push the boat out, the Dolder Grand also puts on their own Sunday brunch, featuring oysters, champagne and caviar.

Hike and explore the Uetliberg or Zürichberg

Another top activity for the Swiss on Sundays is a hike in nature, and one of the best and closest places to do it in Zurich is to take to the hills around the city. A great hike for all the family is to take the train from Zurich HB to the top of Uetliberg and either walk down back to the city or follow the ridgeline to the cable car above Adliswil.

This walk marries excellent views of Zurich itself, charming forests, rolling hills and the mountains in the far distance. If bubbling brooks and vast forests are more your thing, then the walk down the Pfadiweg from Zollikerberg to Burgwies or from Rigiblick to Fällanden on Zürichberg are great alternatives.

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Visit the churches of Zurich

Some of the most iconic historical sites in Switzerland are the various churches that are dotted around the old town of Zurich. The largest church in town is the Grossmünster, which was completed in the 13th century and was allegedly commissioned by none other than Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor.

Visitors to the Grossmünster on Sundays need to bear in mind that a service is held in the church at 10am, so it is only open to tourists from 12.30pm. While you are in the centre of town, it is also well worth seeing the crypt and stunning windows of the Fraumünster on the opposite side of the River Limmat and St. Peter’s Church, which sports the largest clock face in Europe.

Stroll the banks of Lake Zurich

Another common activity for locals is to converge on the banks of Lake Zurich for a pleasant stroll. Luckily, a path and lakeside boulevard have been constructed along the lake, allowing people to walk from Wollishofen, past the ship station at Bürkliplatz, all the way to Zurichhorn and Tiefenbrunnen on the opposite side.

If you are in need of a deep chat with a friend or a walk to clear your head of Sunday scaries, then this activity is for you.

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Sneeze your way through the botanical gardens

Another great and free thing to do is to explore the botanical gardens run by the University of Zurich. Discover a plethora of various plants from across the world at their greenhouse domes, explore the outdoor rock garden or lounge on the rolling lawns that seem so at odds with the bustling urban landscape around you.

While not as extensive, a walk around the gravel paths, flower plots and manicured hedges of the old botanical gardens will make you feel like you’ve come straight out of a taping of Downton Abbey.

Take a dip in Lake Zurich or Limmat

Arguably the best part of summer Sundays in the Swiss metropolis is the fact that you can swim almost everywhere. Once the water gets warm enough, locals can be seen converging on swimming pools and even just the banks of the lake at places like China Garden and Rentenwiese, dumping their stuff and jumping in.

If you like your water with more current, swimming pools at Obere and Untere Letten on the Limmat are a must-do, the latter more so for the thrill as the hydroelectric plant that proceeds the Badi makes the current extremely strong.

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Have a barbecue in a park in the city

Finally, with most shops and businesses shut, you need a pretty good excuse to say no if someone invites you to a barbecue. Parks, forests and fields across Zurich are dotted with grilling places, perfect for a summer or springtime cookout.

Grab some friends, food, drink and firewood, and have yourselves a whale of a time!

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What to do on a Sunday in Zurich: Sorted! 

Just because the stores are closed doesn’t mean that Zurich is a dull time on a Sunday! Have something you love doing on Sunday in the Swiss metropolis? Let us know in the comments below!

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