Summer weekend in Zurich
How locals do summer in Zurich — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Zurich
Uetliberg
OutdoorsUetliberg
20-minute train to Zurich's mountain — easy summit walk and a panorama of the Alps.
Lake Zurich Promenade
OutdoorsSeefeld
9km of waterfront with lake baths, paddle-boats and Alps on a clear day.
Lindenhof
OutdoorsAltstadt
Tree-shaded hilltop terrace over the Limmat — chess boards and skyline.
Frau Gerolds Garten
NightlifeZurich West
Shipping-container beer garden under the rail viaduct — DJs, fire pits, fondue boxes.
Where to eat
Café Sprüngli
$$Patisserie · Paradeplatz
Luxemburgerli macarons, hot chocolate, Bahnhofstrasse people-watching.
Hiltl
$$Vegetarian · Sihlstrasse
World's oldest vegetarian restaurant (1898) — pay-by-weight global buffet.
Kronenhalle
$$$$Swiss / French · Altstadt
1924 dining room hung with Picassos and Chagalls — Zürcher Geschnetzeltes is the order.
Razzia
$$$Mediterranean · Seefeld
Old cinema turned grand bistro — pasta, lamb chops, theatrical room.
Zeughauskeller
$$Swiss · Paradeplatz
Cavernous old arsenal — sausage platters, beers in litre steins.
Live & on stage
Caliente! Festival
Bürkliplatz · Jul 3–5 · Latin / Free
Christmas Singing Tree
Hauptbahnhof · Nov 20 – Dec 24 · Choir / Free
Street Parade
Lake Zurich · Aug 8 · Electronic / Free
Zürich Openair
Glattpark · Aug 26–29 · Indie / Festival
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Lake Zurich Promenade, Uetliberg, Frau Gerolds Garten. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Zurich and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.