1History museum
Swiss National Museum
Start with a selected route through Swiss history in the museum beside the main station. Leave room for the architecture and a few substantial exhibitions.
3-day itinerary · Switzerland
3 Days in Zurich
Three Zurich days through Swiss history, old-town lanes and major art, followed by Uetliberg and the lake. The plan leaves museums proper time and treats the hill as a rail outing, not a long walk across the city.
- 3days
- 14sights
- 3.9 kmon foot between sights
Updated 11 September 2026 · 4 official sources checked · report an error
The plan at a glance
Swiss history, old-town art, Uetliberg and the lake
Give the city three full days, using the clearest suitable day for Uetliberg. Both the Swiss National Museum and Kunsthaus normally close Mondays. The third day pairs a separate hill outing with unhurried waterfront walks. Hotel and airport connections are extra; the outbound hill train needs its own allowance before the first stop.
Day 1Swiss history and the west-bank old townSwiss National Museum · Platzspitz Park · Lindenhof · Augustinergasse · St. Peter Church · Bahnhofstrasse6 sights · 1.5 km on foot
Day 2Kunsthaus and the east-bank lanesKunsthaus Zürich · Niederdorf lanes · Grossmünster · Fraumünster4 sights · 1.0 km on foot
Day 3Uetliberg and the lakesideUetliberg summit walk · Bürkliplatz · Arboretum and lakeside paths · Bellevue waterfront4 sights · 1.4 km on foot
At a glance
Ways to use these days
Day 1
Swiss history and the west-bank old town
Begin at the Swiss National Museum for a focused visit, then stretch your legs in Platzspitz. After lunch, head through Lindenhof and the smaller old-town lanes, finishing with a selected stretch of Bahnhofstrasse.
- 6 sights
- 1.5 km on foot
- Longest walk 810 m
Morning
130 m · about 2 min on foot
2Riverside park
Platzspitz Park
Take a short walk behind the museum through the park toward the meeting of the rivers. The park provides a break between indoor galleries and the old town.
Midday
LunchEat near the station or along the approach to the old town. Leave shopping until the later street walk if it matters to you.
Afternoon
810 m · about 13 min on foot
3Old-town viewpoint
Lindenhof
Climb to the tree-lined terrace for views across the Limmat and the old town. Allow time to sit rather than treating the hill as a quick photo stop.
160 m · about 3 min on foot
4Historic lane
Augustinergasse
Walk the short lane slowly, looking up at the bay windows and façades. Shops are optional and have their own hours.
Right next door
5Old-town church
St. Peter Church
Continue to the church and its clock-tower setting at St. Peterhofstatt. Visit the interior if it is available, otherwise enjoy the square and exterior.
330 m · about 5 min on foot
6City street walk
Bahnhofstrasse
Follow a selected section of the avenue toward the lake side of the centre. The visit is a street walk, with substantial shopping time left out.
Evening
DinnerChoose dinner in the centre. An extended shopping visit would shorten the afternoon walking circuit.
Day 2
Kunsthaus and the east-bank lanes
Give Kunsthaus a full morning before lunch. Walk a selected Niederdorf circuit, then continue to Grossmünster and cross the river to Fraumünster. Check both churches’ visitor windows; an optional tower climb replaces part of the lane walk.
- 4 sights
- 1.0 km on foot
- Longest walk 410 m
Morning
1Art museum
Kunsthaus Zürich
Give the art collection a full morning, choosing works and rooms across the museum buildings that matter to you. Three hours still means selecting rather than seeing everything.
Midday
LunchTake a proper lunch near the museum or the east-bank old town before the church visits.
Afternoon
410 m · about 6 min on foot
2Old-town neighbourhood
Niederdorf lanes
Follow a selected circuit through the lanes on the east bank, pausing at small squares and shopfronts. This is the Niederdorf area, not a visit to every part of central Zürich.
370 m · about 6 min on foot
3Church and old-town landmark
Grossmünster
Explore the church when open and its immediate square above the river. A tower climb is optional and may need extra time, a separate fee and a shorter later walk.
230 m · about 4 min on foot
4Church and stained glass
Fraumünster
Cross the Limmat to visit the church and its stained-glass windows when visitor access is available. Leave time to appreciate the interior quietly.
Evening
DinnerStay in the old town for dinner or return toward the lake. Concerts and additional tours need their own timing.
Day 3
Uetliberg and the lakeside
Allow about 45 minutes before the first stop for the S10 connection from central Zürich, including waiting; check the actual departure point and timetable. From Uetliberg station, use a selected summit walk and return to the same station. After lunch and the journey down, spend the afternoon at the lake. This does not include the ridge hike to Felsenegg.
- 4 sights
- 1.4 km on foot
- Longest walk 790 m
Morning
1Hill and city viewpoint
Uetliberg summit walk
From Uetliberg station, walk to the summit area and return on a suitable marked route. The two-hour allowance covers the station-to-summit outing, not the train or the long ridge hike to Felsenegg.
Midday
LunchHave lunch near the hill outing when open or after returning to town. Keep the train connection flexible rather than tying the day to a tight restaurant reservation.
Afternoon
Allow about 60 minutes for the walk back to the station if needed, waiting, the S10 descent and the connection to Bürkliplatz.
2Lakeside square
Bürkliplatz
After returning to central Zürich, take in the lake from the quayside. Boat departures are part of the setting, while any cruise needs its own booking and time.
570 m · about 9 min on foot
3Lakeside park
Arboretum and lakeside paths
Walk a selected loop through the lakeside trees and lawns, with time for a seated break. Return toward the central quays rather than continuing indefinitely along the shore.
790 m · about 12 min on foot
4Lake and river junction
Bellevue waterfront
Cross back toward Bellevue for a final look over the water and the city’s tram crossroads.
Evening
DinnerFinish with dinner near Bellevue or in the centre. A lake cruise is a separate activity and should replace some waterfront time.
Before you go
Good to know in Zurich
Museum days and tickets
- The Swiss National Museum normally closes Mondays. Check its current hours and which exhibitions your ticket includes before setting the first day.Source: National Museum Zurich · checked Sep 2026
- Kunsthaus normally closes Mondays. Collection and special-exhibition ticket coverage can differ, and galleries close shortly before the building.Source: Kunsthaus Zürich · checked Sep 2026
Churches and the hill
- Fraumünster has separate information for sightseeing and worship. Check its visitor arrangements before planning the stained-glass visit.Source: Fraumünster · checked Sep 2026
- Uetliberg is a hill outing reached by rail and a walk. Choose suitable weather and check the current rail connection and ticket coverage; a tower visit or the longer ridge route is optional.Source: Zürich Tourism · checked Sep 2026
Questions
3 days in Zurich: quick answers
Is 3 days too much for Zurich?
Three days allow substantial museum visits and a hill-and-lake day without compressing everything into the old-town streets.
Do I need to walk from Zurich to Uetliberg?
No. Use the S10 connection, then the station-to-summit walk. Check the current timetable and include rail travel in your day.
Does day 3 include Felsenegg or a lake cruise?
Neither is included. A longer ridge hike or cruise needs extra time and should replace part of the planned afternoon.
What should I do on a Monday?
Use the outdoor day if conditions suit, because the two main museums normally close Mondays. Check church access separately.
What if the hill is foggy or icy?
Keep the lake and city time flexible and replace the hill with an indoor activity you have checked and booked. Do not force the summit outing in unsuitable conditions.
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