5-Day Zurich Itinerary: Explore the Best of Switzerland

Total price From 1.949 €

Created: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 - Departure: Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Themes

Your Family Adventure in Zurich, Switzerland!

Enjoy an unforgettable getaway for 2 adults and 4 children in vibrant Zurich! Your journey includes a comfortable 2-night stay at the Holiday Inn Zurich - Messe by IHG, ideally located to explore the city’s best family-friendly attractions. Experience the perfect blend of romance and adventure, with activities for both couples and kids.

Destination: Zurich, Switzerland
Hotel: 2 nights at Holiday Inn Zurich - Messe by IHG
Travel Themes: Romantic, Family, Round the World, Switzerland, Weekend, Hotel Only, Active Holidays, Better Holidays
Group: 2 adults, 4 children

To make the most of your trip, I recommend exploring these guidebooks and resources:

Lonely Planet Switzerland – A comprehensive guide to the country’s highlights, perfect for families and first-timers.
Rick Steves Switzerland – Great insights for American travelers, with tips on culture, food, and getting around.
DK Eyewitness Switzerland – Beautifully illustrated, excellent for planning family-friendly excursions.
For the kids: Kids' Travel Guide – Switzerland by FlyingKids, filled with fun facts and activities.
For a romantic touch, try reading Swiss Watching by Diccon Bewes, a witty look at Swiss culture.
For hiking and active holidays, check out the Swiss Mobility website for trail maps and family routes.

If you need help booking tours or have more questions, I’m here to help you plan the perfect family and romantic escape!

About the destination

Zurich is often misunderstood as just a sterile banking city, but don't buy into that. Yes, Zurich is home to one of the world's largest stock exchanges and is the financial heart of Switzerland, but there's so much more to it. Beyond the markets and stock prices, you'll discover a city that's artistic, trendy, and full of life. Spend some time in Zurich West. Its old warehouses, viaducts, and shipbuilding caverns have been transformed into art centers, cool bars, and unique boutiques. Along Langstrasse, the city's infamous red light district, you're now more likely to find a stylish handbag from an up-and-coming designer than anything else. Zurich's personality is on full display during the annual Street Parade, a massive techno festival that winds through the city with DJs and scantily-clad dancers on floats. You won't see a single banker's tie. If you do in the charming east bank quarter of Niederdorf, it's probably undone. These medieval streets are alive with corner cafes, trendy bars, and top-notch restaurants. It's easy to spend an afternoon just soaking up its relaxed vibe, especially in the summer when the riverside feels like a beach. Winter is special too. Under a blanket of snow, the cobblestone streets, fountains, lakeside walks, and stunning architecture of the Old Town seem like they were made for a painting. This is when one of Europe's best Christmas markets comes to town and the air is filled with the comforting scents of glühwein (mulled wine) stalls. Shoppers will love it here any time of year. Zurich's flashy side is on display in the high-end designer boutiques of Bahnhofstrasse, the city's main shopping street. But this city isn't just for the well-to-do; there are plenty of unique shops tucked away on hidden streets. Located on the River Limmat and the northern end of Lake Zurich, Zurich is blessed with natural beauty. The city's architects have also made respectful additions - just look at the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches, which face each other across the river. And when you've had your fill of the city's diverse restaurants, top-tier museums, and vibrant nightlife, you can always escape to the nearby Uetliberg mountain or take a boat trip on Lake Zurich – if only to catch your breath before diving back into the city's delights again.

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Included services

21 Oct

Transfer

Transfer from Zurich (ZRH) to Mercure Zürich City

Pick-up time: 12:00 Maximum wait time: 60 minutes Journey time: 19 minutes Private - Premium (Sedan Toyota Camry 2020) Sedan

Private

Premium (Sedan Toyota Camry 2020) Sedan

Maximum wait time: 60 minutes
Journey time: 19 minutes

21 Oct

Hotel

4 Nights

16 more pictures

Mercure Zürich City 8.1 Very good

Zürich - to 3.1 miles from the centerROOM ONLYVulkanstrasse 108b, Zürich 8048 Comfort rooms with 2 single beds

Located in Zürich (Zürich Center), Mercure Zürich City is within a 10-minute drive of Swiss National Museum and Bahnhofstrasse. This spa hotel is 3.7 mi (6 km) from University of Zurich and 4.2 mi (6.8 km) from Fraumuenster.

Take time to pamper yourself with a visit to the full-service spa. You can take advantage of recreational amenities such as a health club, a hot tub, and a sauna. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and tour/ticket assistance.

Stay in one of 319 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms feature showers, hair dryers, and bathrobes. Conveniences include desks and blackout drapes/curtains, and housekeeping is provided daily.

At Mercure Zürich City , enjoy a satisfying meal at the restaurant. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are served on weekdays from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM and on weekends from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee.

Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and multilingual staff. This hotel has 4 meeting rooms available for events. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.

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22 Oct

Tickets