Holidays
Things To Do In Zurich & Lucerne
Things to do in Zurich
• Uto Kulm
• Lake Zurich
• Old Town/Altstad
• St Peter’s, Grossmunster and Fraumunster
• Bahnofstarasse
• Paradeplatz
• Lindenhof
• Luzern
• Fifa Football Museum
Things to do in Lucerne
• Stanserhorn
• Lake Lucerne
• Chapel Bridge
• Lion Monument
• Weinmarket
• Mt. Pilatus
Detailed itinerary & Things to do in Zurich for 3 days (Our Story)
After having our breakfast at Bnb in Interlaken and bidding adieu to our lovely hosts we started the last leg of our vacation to Zurich which is a 2hour journey. But the transport is so nice with lovely views and comfortable trains that these journeys never tire you. We reached Zurich by after noon and checked into our hotel, which was opposite 1 of their major stations. This was back to being in a big city, among hustle & bustle which was in sharp contrast to the village towns. Zurich is center for finance with 2 of the biggest Swizz Banks HQ here, which was 5min walk from our Hotel. The weather was pleasant and Sunny. On checking at the reception, we were advised to visit Uto Kulm, Uetilberg. It is Zurich’s own mountain which gives brilliant views of the city and Lake Zurich and is a 27min train ride from central station. It indeed provides lovely views of the city. Then there is a big tower which gives an adventurous experience due to sound and pressure of high wind speed, which you should definitely climb on your visit here. There is also a restaurant where you sit and relax.
Zurich’s View from Uto Kulm
Zurich’s View from Uto Kulm
Train Arriving at Uetliberg
After spending some time there, we headed back to central station and from there walked around the city’s old town (Altstad) along Lake Zurich. Along the old town is the famous Adler’s Swiss Chuchi, which is known for its fondue and is the 1st fondue parlour in the old town. If you want to try an authentic swiss fondue, you should visit this place. 
On our stroll to the city there is Mühlesteg bridge which we crossed to reach the other side, this is also famously known as Wooden Love Lock Bridge. The side rails of the bridge is full of locks, which lovers lock together & throw the keys in the river. This is very similar to the love lock bridge which we have seen in Salzburg & Paris.
Mühlesteg bridge
But as I said earlier, to explore any city in Europe best way is to start from the main station, and here its Zurich Hauptbahnhof. But we decided to explore this part of the city on the last day.
Lucerne
Next day we had planned to visit another beautiful city of Switzerland, Lucerne. We took at the train from the central station at 1030am and reached Lucerne in 45min. on reaching Lucerne you will be welcomed by a grand façade and moving further ahead in a really pretty view of Lake Lucerne on 1 side and across is the famous Chapel Bridge.
Facade outside the Station
The city rests beside Lake Lucerne, couched in a heart-lifting mountainous landscape. 
2min walk from the station you reach the Chapel Bridge which is a covered wooden footbridge over the river Reuss from the 14th century. In the ceiling pediments are triangular 17th-century paintings depicting events from Lucerne’s history. 
On reaching across you will be awes trucked by the sequence of squares hemmed by tall painted houses and linked by cobblestone shopping streets. These are traffic free lanes where there are cafes and shops all along. Weinmarkt is the starting point for the same. 
As you walk along, you’ll come across Bachmann, which is the best bakery in Lucerne and you should definitely try a pastry, puff or anything from there. Just 5 min walk from here is the Lion Monument, where in a dying lion is carved into sandstone and it represents Swiss Guard. Just outside this are souvenir shops.
Along the walk back from here to the river you will see a lovely local liquor shop on the right, Fine and More, which have really pretty and artistic bottles in which you can take the locally brewed liquor.
View of Lucerne from Castle Chateau
From Lucerne we had planned to go to Engelberg for which the train is from the central station. But mid way towards Engelberg our fellow passengers spoke about a small town/hill excursion, Stans and we randomly decided to get down at this town. And to our greatest surprise it turned out to be a much more prettier and quaint town than we had seen. 
Pathways
Lush green fields
Cute Church in middle of the town
There is a small station which welcomes you and as you walk towards the station for hill excursion you fall in love with this small town and now more so by this beautiful cog wheel train station which leads to Stanserhorn mountain. The journey starts by a vintage wooden funicular built in 1893, one of the oldest in the world and from there you reach the most thrilling part, the cabrio station.
Stanserhornbahn
Stans Funicular
Funicular
Enroute Stans in funicular
Cabrio is the world’s 1st open rooftop cable car with a 360degree view. This is indeed a unique experience to have, with breathtaking views of the town, lake and mountains from the open roof. This is not known to many tourists and hence not very crowded, but the experiences are unique from any other excursion. 
View of Lucerne from Cabrio
View of Lucerne from Cabrio
On the top are snow covered mountains with chill in the air and atop 10 min trek is the house of Heidi. This excursion should surely be part of any traveller looking for truly unique experience with hardly any fuss and rush. After spending some time there playing with snow, we came back to the station and went to a small café which served a brilliant latte and cookies. Post relaxing we headed back to Zurich and retired for the day.
The last day of the trip was primarily for exploring the city and its old town. We started the day by visiting the Fifa Football Museum which was next to our hotel and offers some unique insights about Football history along with the display of the original World Cup trophy. 
Original World Cup Trophy
Post this we took the tram and headed to the main shopping street, Bahnofstarasse, which is world’s most expensive shopping street and boasts of biggest and the most luxury brands. Take a stroll along this street, shopping or window shopping. From the end of this street you can walk upto Lindenhof which is approx. 3-5min hike. It looks like the roof of Old town, where again you’ll come across 2 big chess boards where locals can be seen playing it during there breaks. Overlooking the ledge is the view of entire old town, the limmat and mountains in the background. 
Zurich Old Town from Lindenhof
After relaxing there a bit and soaking in the views, we left for the old town. Its almost a 45 min stroll across the old town which will take you through the churches, St Peter’s, Grossmunster and Fraumunster. You can end the walk of old town at the Opera house and next to it is Migros, which is one of the bigger malls and serve you variety of cuisines and drinks.
Opera House
Common sight in Lake Zurich
Street Performers by Lake Zurich
Chocolate Stores
We relaxed here and had a meal. Post that we walked again by the Lake Zurich and sat by it having coffee. From here we moved towards Paradeplatz and went to Sprungli House which is the most famous confectioner’s café among locals. Post this we headed back to our hotel and later in the night we stepped out for dinner at old town.
Zurch Hbf By The Night
