The more I visit, the more I love the Swiss city of Zürich. I enjoyed a lovely Sunday in Zürich that nicely captures the allure of the largest city in Switzerland.
A Lovely Sunday Of Church, Coffee, Art, And Fondue In Zürich
The first time I spent a night in Switzerland was when I was enroute to New Delhi, India on a SWISS mistake fare way back in 2009 (yes, I won that battle too). I found the city so expensive and did not venture far from the Renaissance Hotel.
I spent a weekend in Zürich at the Park Hyatt in 2011 and for the first time really appreciated Swiss cuisine, including Swiss wine. Even then, I thought the city was outlandishly expensive.
In 2017-2020 I did a lot of business in Zurich and continued to grow in my admiration for the city.
But it wasn’t until my last visit that I fully fell in love with the city, despite its high costs.
It’s clean. It’s beautiful. The quality of life is excellent. In short, I’d love to spend a lot more time here.
But a weekend here and there will have to do. On Sunday, I began my day with a sumptuous breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Zurich, one of my favorite Hyatt Regency hotels in the world (updated review coming).
Then I used the efficient public transport system to take me into the heart of the city, where I attended church at St Andrew’s Anglican Church.
From there I walked over the Park Hyatt Zurich and met up with a friend who happened to be in town. We enjoyed coffee nearby the Park Hyatt at a place called Boreal.
Then we walked through the city. It was a crisp day and the weather was cold but perfect for walking. The architecture in Zürich is a sight to behold.
The streets were quiet. Switzerland maintains Sunday closing laws.
The highlight of the day was an afternoon in the Kunsthaus Zürich, the biggest art museum in Switzerland and home to an impression collection of artwork including works of Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh. My next installment of this trip report will be a photo essay from my visit. The museum offers a fascinating contemporary art exhibit combing lights and art that was simply mesmerizing.
Somewhat tired after spending three hours in the art museum, we stopped again for coffee at a place called MAME before walking back to the Park Hyatt.
It was nippy out, but the sunset was beautiful:
The day wasn’t over. I said goodbye to one friend, met up with another, and we headed over to Fribourger Fonduestübli for a delectable dinner. This was so good (and the service so great) I will offer more details in a separate installment.
CONCLUSION
Zürich has gone from the city I simply connected in when I flew SWISS to a city I look forward to visiting and have come to love. I enjoyed a lovely Sunday in Zürich and hope to do so again sooner rather than later.
Has any city grown on you over the years as Zurich has for me?
Nice Review. Was St. Andrew’s “High Church” Anglican? Interesting that there is an Anglican Church in Zurich as Switzerland is often considered the birthplace of Calvinism (although he was in Geneva).
Was a bit more informal (I prefer “high church” style). The parish is (was?) without a rector so there was a priest filling in. I found it interesting that the church is fully self-supporting and receives no funds from the Anglican Communion.
I fell in love with Zurich immediately on my first and only trip to Switzerland. I’d be so excited if I had an opportunity to spend a lot more time there. The old town is stunning, food amazing, history and architecture so incredibly fascinating.
Great review and photos; no litter anywhere! no sidewalk people lying around.
As a native of Zurich, I appreciate the review!
Have only been to ZRH once, on business; loved it. Late dinner at the Zunfthaus zur Waag (in one of your photos) was very good, the ambiance was even better. Views of the Kirche Fraumünster, whose bells were ringing as we left. Another, simpler memory, was a brat and beer sitting along the retaining wall along the lake at Zürichhorn park, watching all the sailboats.
Wonder if you would enjoy Munich more as well if you stayed a bit longer. Besides Zurich, it is one of the greatest cities in the World.
Loved the Zurich write-up. It has become one of our favorite cities. A restaurant in Zurich named Kronenhalle, ranks as one of the three best restaurants where we had the pleasure of dining. We live in Tampa, so Bern’s in Tampa is at the top as well as Kronenhalle in Zurich and The Vox (at the Grand Hyatt) in Berlin. All other restaurants start one notch down or lower.
Wonderful for one day. Or one week. Then, unfortunately, it just becomes boring, a “flowery heaven” (as another American guy said once). Life is well beyond orderly-run trams and great services for the community (although these are truly impressive). Only those who live in Switzerland long enough can tell the whole thing. Cheers