Zürich City Break

Zürich Surprised Me

When people think of Zürich, they often think of banks, finance and business. Before my recent visit, I have to admit that was one of the first things that came to mind too.

However, after being invited to experience the city for myself, I quickly discovered that Zürich is so much more than its banking reputation. It’s a beautiful, vibrant city full of culture, history, fantastic food and stunning scenery.

Where We Stayed

During our visit, we stayed at the Central Plaza Hotel, which boasts a fantastic location right on the edge of the city centre. Positioned near the river and within easy reach of Zürich’s main attractions, it was an ideal base for exploring.

The hotel is rated four stars and, whilst comfortable and well-located, I found it fairly basic compared to other four-star properties I’ve stayed in. The breakfast was enjoyable but offered a limited selection.

That said, the bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in. I genuinely slept like a baby every night, which certainly counts for a lot when travelling!

Exploring the City

One of the best ways to get a feel for Zürich is simply by walking around. We spent time wandering along the riverside, crossing beautiful bridges and admiring the historic architecture.

There were some restoration projects taking place on a number of the older buildings, with cleaning work underway, but this didn’t detract from the experience at all. In fact, it was lovely to see such care being taken to preserve the city’s heritage.

My First E-Bike Tour

One of the highlights of the trip was undoubtedly the e-bike tour.

Now, I should point out that I’m not a cyclist by any stretch of the imagination. I honestly can’t remember the last time I rode a bike, let alone an electric one! However, I found it incredibly easy and enjoyable.

The tour took us beyond the city centre and into some of Zürich’s more affluent residential areas, many of which offered breathtaking views over the lake.

If you’re visiting Zürich, I would highly recommend an e-bike tour, even if you’re a complete beginner. It was comfortable, fun and one of the best ways to discover areas you might otherwise miss.

Luxury at the Ameron Zürich

We were also fortunate enough to visit the Ameron Zürich, which felt more like a five-star hotel than the four-star rating it officially had.

From the moment we arrived, everything felt luxurious yet welcoming. The rooms were spacious, immaculate and many offered beautiful lake views. I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever seen a hotel so spotless.

The hotel also features several elegant function rooms that would make a wonderful setting for weddings and special occasions. The building itself has plenty of character, combining traditional charm with modern luxury.

A Meal to Remember

Whilst staying at the hotel, we were treated to an exceptional meal.

I started with scallops, followed by salmon for my main course. Both dishes were beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious.

Dessert was something truly special. It was described as a cheesecake, based on the chef’s mother’s own recipe, but it was unlike any cheesecake I’ve ever tasted. It was simply incredible and one of the best desserts I’ve ever had.

Discovering Zürich’s Creative Side

Another fascinating part of our trip was exploring one of Zürich’s redeveloped industrial districts.

These former factory buildings have been transformed into creative spaces filled with independent businesses, cafés, shops and attractions. We even took part in a granola-making workshop, which was both interesting and surprisingly enjoyable.

The area also featured a pop-up brewery, chocolate tasting experiences, cafés and boutique shops, making it a fantastic place to spend a few hours.

Getting Around Zürich

Like much of Switzerland, Zürich’s transport system is exceptional.

I would strongly recommend purchasing a Zürich Travel Pass. Not only does it provide unlimited access to trams, trains and buses, but it also offers discounts and free entry to a variety of attractions and museums.

It’s excellent value for money and makes exploring the city incredibly easy.

The Incredible Art Museum

We also visited Zürich’s impressive art museum, and honestly, it’s enormous.

We only managed to see a small fraction of the collection during our visit. Art lovers could easily spend an entire day there and still not see everything. The variety and quality of the exhibitions were truly impressive.

Swimming in the Lake

With some free time in our itinerary, we decided to experience one of Zürich’s most popular summer activities: swimming in the lake.

I love wild swimming, and Zürich certainly didn’t disappoint. The water temperature was around 17°C, which felt positively warm compared to some lakes I’ve swum in back home in the UK!

It was refreshing, relaxing and one of my favourite experiences of the trip.

Let’s Talk About the Food

The food throughout our stay was exceptional.

I may have returned home carrying a few extra pounds, but it was absolutely worth it!

Whilst I’m not a huge meat eater, I enjoyed plenty of seafood during the trip, including oysters, scallops, salmon and several other fish dishes. The quality of the ingredients and attention to detail in the cooking were outstanding.

Every meal felt like a treat.

Flying with Swiss

Getting to Zürich couldn’t be easier from the UK.

The flight takes less than two hours, making it ideal for a city break. We flew with Swiss, who consistently provide an excellent service.

The seats always seem to offer a little more room than many other airlines, and of course, receiving a piece of Swiss chocolate during the flight is always a lovely touch!

The airport experience was smooth and straightforward, making the journey stress-free from start to finish.