After an amazing visit to Zürich for the Christmas markets, I returned to the city to see it in the summer-time. This time, my sister Zoe and her boyfriend Tom were on hand to show us the local side of life, including river swimming and all their favourite local foodie haunts. Read on for my tips on how to spend 36 hours in Zürich!
Walking into this Air BnB view was a pretty great start – definitely has to be one of the loveliest properties I’ve stayed at! A little bit up the hill back from town, but worth the stairs! I love staying in apartments when I visit places for the flexibility and sense of life as a local – if you’ve not tried it, check out my guide to choosing a great holiday apartment here.
Because it’s us, first order of the day was not a church or art gallery, but breakfast and coffee. Babu’s Bakery was perfect for brunch – super cute and a huge menu, I found it very tricky to choose but these eggs and rosti totally hit the spot. Like the connoisseurs they are, Zoe and Tom advised us to hold on for coffee, and Milchbar was worth the wait – especially if you’re a hipster, aeropress, cold-brew kinda person!
Refueled, we started exploring, making straight for the sparkling lake. It was such a beautiful day, we were very happy to simply stroll along the shore, drinking in the sunshine. The swans swarmed at the water’s edge, and loads of people had the exact same idea as us. There’s a lovely park and gardens along the shore of the lake, as well as an open-air cinema and bars. After a while of enjoying the heat, the last was just what we were after!
It was so hot, and we were so water-starved coming from London, that there was only one thing to do – jump in the river! This is where knowing someone who lives in a city is ideal (or reading really great travel blogs ;)) because I’m not sure I would have known that it was even possible to swim in Zurich’s main river without the tip-off from Zoe and Tom. But in summer, this is totally a thing – jump off a bridge, float down with the current, climb out and do it all again. OBVIOUSLY, if you can’t swim or aren’t confident in water, please please don’t attempt this – and worth checking where people are floating to in the current before you give it a try yourself!
A popular spot for cooling off!
Joe takes a leap… while I go for more of a controlled fall…
Refreshed, we headed out to Zoe and Tom’s apartment to see where they were living for the summer, before heading out for what, I continue to maintain, is one of the best burgers I’ve eaten – and it was vegan!
Elle’n’Belle is rock’n’roll, from the decor to the potent cocktails to the punchy food. Possibly the cocktails had a little to do with how excellent I found the burger, but I would happily always eat vegan if it tasted like that! The seitan patty was that perfect tender yet munchable texture, while the homemade sauce was tangy with a kick. Dairy-free perfection was achieved when we followed it with the beautifully creamy-not-cream raspberry cheesecake dessert… if anyone could ship me one now that would be much appreciated!
With a thunderstorm overnight, the next morning in Zurich did not exactly dawn clear and bright, but undettered, we took the cable car up the hill to attempt some view spotting anyway. Less Wellington Cable Car than functional commuter rail, it was still fun to see a little more of the city.
Spotting street art on the way to brunch
We had brunch in the bank… well, outside it! While I fall over laughing at my own joke, admire Bank’s brunch, which allowed you to choose your own adventure sides to make up the brunch of your dreams – something I was entirely on board with. Salmon, hummus, avocado, eggs, mushrooms… between us I think we had almost everything on the menu, and it was all delicious.
The prettiest little alley
To walk off brunch, we headed back down to the river and over to the centre of town to admire its many beautiful churches, including the imposing Grossmunster!
Then there was just time for one last bretzel (my number-one food to have in Germany, Austria or Switzerland!) and it was time for our plane. Thanks for being such great hosts Zoe and Tom – it was awesome to get a glimpse of life as an almost-local in Zurich!
Have you visited Zürich? What season did you experience? Would you jump in the river?
Linking up for #WanderfulWednesday with Marcella, Lauren, Van and Isabel – check out their travel link-up and their fantastic blogs using the links!
