Zürich is a small, cosy town.  We have only about 400,000 people and although we obviously don’t know everyone by their first names we find it is small enough to walk almost everywhere and for sure recognise someone we know most days whilst out and about in the centre.

There is nowhere unsafe in Zürich, even the “Red Light” district (The Langstrasse in Kreis 4) is perfectly safe to walk around late at night.  In fact there are great bars and restaurants in this area.

The river through the town is called the Limmat and has walking & cycle paths from Zürich to Baden 30 kms away.  From the city centre there are many bars and restaurants along these paths (especially on the right hand side leaving the city for the first 5 kms).

When the weather is good maybe consider a lunch in the sun on the Saturday?  

Schipfe 16 One of the best views in Zürich with really reasonable prices.  All the staff are people who have formerly fallen on hard times and are being reskilled in hospitality to give them a better chance in life.  The food is super, it’s a real hidden gem – bookings mandatory.
Frascati One of Geoff’s favourites.  This restaurant has a beautiful relaxed feel in the sun opposite the lake.  Don’t get too comfortable, you will not want to get up to go to the wedding.

Zürich is not a shopping city, there are no bargains to be had here. It is very expensive and let’s just say, style wise, Antoinette leaves all her clothes shopping to when we cross the borders into France, Italy or the UK.

We are also not a big museum town, the permanent exhibit at the Kunsthaus (Art Gallery) is small but fine in case of bad weather.  There is also the Landesmuseum which is a history of Swiss culture, architecture and lifestyle through the ages but if the sun is shining you would be better off outside.

There are walking paths all along the lake, walk as long as you like, the paths will circumnavigate the lake (& the end is 30 kms from Zürich).  

In June the Badis (Lido style swimming areas in the lake) will be open.  They provide somewhere safe to store your clothes while you swim in the lake and have shower facilities for after your swim as well as great bars and restaurants: 

Utoquai (our favourite)
Seebad Enge

There are bikes and scooters to rent if you want to see a bit of Zürich by wheels.  Helmets are not mandatory here however we hope you’d use one to stay as safe as possible.

Much good advice for things to do can be found here or this site for ideas.