We’ll be in Zurich on Friday and have the whole afternoon free to do whatever we like.
What cool things can you recommend to fill a few hours?
I would suggest a walk through the old town and to the lake at Chinagarten.
If you have more time and fancy a bit of exercise you can take the tram line 13 to the last stop at Albisgüetli and walk up the hill and across the ridge get a view over the city.
More details here: Hiking | UTO KULM – Top of Zurich
5 Likes
Go to Bürkliplatz and take the regular ZVV boat. I think you can still use a regular ZVV ticket for that.
On the way back get off at Zürichhorn:
and go to the Chinagarten and then walk back on the promenade to Bellevue/Bürkliplatz.
There is also a nice restaurant in that area, can´t remember the name though.
2 Likes
Lindt chocolate museum in Kilchberg is always a hit with my visitors… or in just 25 short minutes you can be in Zug 
2 Likes
Yeah but with all respect for Kilchberg ( Thomas Mann was buried at the cemetery in Kilchberg to name just one of the notable facts about this little town) and Lindt… there’s not much to do there. And it can eat up your whole time. Phil and Oakbrook have really nice suggestions imo.
1 Like
I don’t like chocolate so it would be wasted on me in any case.
I’m liking the other suggestions though.
This is the type of info that can get you in trouble with the authorities! 
Two suggestions from me:
-
Probably the only half-decent American style good bbq I’ve had here was in Brisket. Absolutely excellent meats and environment. It’s really the opposite direction of the lake, but worth a visit.
-
Stroll around Bahnhoff strasse and grab an espresso from vicafe. It’s really fine just grab one and go, but it has a particularly nice vibe, great place
2 Likes
Especially if I tell them I don’t really like cheese either.
1 Like
I don’t know if you’re really Belgian, but if indeed yes, then this should put you in trouble in both places. Now please at least tell me you enjoy a good Trappist brew or at least a Saison Dupont?
For one afternoon, if you like the city and the shops walk around Banhofstrasse, go up to the old town, Lindenhof, end up to the river and the lake.
Otherwise stroll around the lake from Belevue to Chinagarden.
ETH and UZH are also nice to see, you can take the furnicular from Central and visit both, ETH Polyterasse has a nice view as well.
1 Like
I’m not Belgian so no worries there but I do like moules frites , carbonnades à la flamande and the Belgian trapiste beers. I’m not a total heathen.
3 Likes
Whaaa…tt? It’s sufficient to say that here!
I’m not familiar with restaurants in Zh, I hope you’ll get good suggestions here. Well or at least a place you can get a decent meal.If you care about your finances, avoid Bahnhofstrasse though.
Actually, wait. You can eat well at a decent price at Vapiano’s and it has multiple (or at least a couple of) locations in Zh, one of which is close to Bürkliplatz. They prepare the food in front of you so you can tell them what you don’t like on your plate and what to add more. (OK; maybe I’m not telling you anything new here but I thought it’s worth mentioning)
Depending on how long your afternoon is, for just a couple hours I’d support the Polyterrasse plus a walk around the area or in the uni hospital park. Take the Polybahn up from the Central station and walk back down, either to Bellevue or back to Altstadt/Central.
1 Like
Don’t mention that in your naturalization interview. 
If you’re going to go Zürich which is probaby the only Swiss city with a halfway decent gastronomy scene, please don’t go to Vapiano’s.
We already have dinner planned so don’t need restaurant recommendations.
We were just looking for things to do to fill five or six hours in the afternoon and we’ve got some nice suggestions so thank you all for your help.
2 Likes
If it’s raining, Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum) is right there at the train station. Visit and find about the origin quirky customs of contemporary people.
If it’s sunny, I’d just find a terrace around Rathaus/Limmatquai/Utoquai and soak up all the sunlight possible while sipping my favorite(s) drink(s).
1 Like
What would you recommend then, at least in that area? Not for BM, in general. “Half-decent gastronomy” is just vague. I am genuinely interested in your answer as you were very categorical about Vapiano’s, which is half-decent too. IMHO, obvs.
If you want to go for quick easy Italian food than surely Luigias over Vapiano.
Vapianos tastes like “Italian” food cooked by Germans.
Thanks, will try it sometime. I remember I once suggested Hiltl for a quick bite and people were horrified. (I am not at all a vegetarian btw, just thought it is convenient, it serves the purpose if you’re there just to fill up and have quite decent choices)