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36 Hours in Zurich

I had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful city of Zurich.
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich

This post was created in collaboration with ME+EM and the Marktgasse Hotel in Zurich.

Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
ME+EM Oversized Silk Blouse in Soft White* | ME+EM Girl Meets Boy Jean in Vintage Wash* | Adidas Originals Gazelle Trainers in Pink | Danielle Foster Charlie Box Bag in Khaki | Ace & Tate x It’s Nice That Sunglasses* | Susan Caplan Asymmetrical Ori Earrings in 18ct Gold Vermeil* | Felice Dahl Första Ring in Gold* | CF Concept Tusk Necklace in Gold
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
ME+EM Breton Top in White/Black* | ME+EM Pleated Skirt in Black* | Danielle Foster Charlie Box Bag in Khaki | Ace & Tate x It’s Nice That Sunglasses* | Missoma Engravable Initial Necklace in Gold* | Larsson & Jennings Liten Watch c/o Farfetch*
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
EOS Maddy Sandal in Dalmatian Pony
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
ME+EM Stripe Raglan Crew Sweater in Navy/White* | ME+EM Leather & Suede Wrap Skirt in Black* | Converse Chuck ii Low Top in Black* | Cambridge Satchel Company Saddle Bag in Black* | Super by Retrosuperfuture Paloma Black Matte Sunglasses* | Missoma x Lucy Williams Gold Graduated Fang Necklace* | Larsson & Jennings Liten Watch c/o Farfetch* | Felice Dahl Första Ring in Gold* | Dinny Hall Signature Large Hoops in Gold
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
ME+EM Breton Top in White/Black* | ME+EM Pleated Skirt in Black* | Danielle Foster Charlie Box Bag in Khaki | Ace & Tate x It’s Nice That Sunglasses* | Missoma Engravable Initial Necklace in Gold* | Larsson & Jennings Liten Watch c/o Farfetch | Alda C Casting Earring in Onyx & Gold c/o Joumanna | Kristen Elspeth Petite Thread Ring, Axe Ring & Blade Ring in Gold
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
ME+EM Knotted Wrap Dress in Black* | FRANK/E Sassy Ankle Strap Heels in Black | CF Concept Tusk Necklace in Gold | Larsson & Jennings Liten Watch c/o Farfetch*
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
Travel Guide | 36 Hours In Zurich
ME+EM Cashmere Travel Throw & Eye Mask in Soft Grey/Soft White

Just before London Fashion Week I flew out to Zurich, a breathtakingly beautiful city that’s just an hour and a half away from London by plane. It’s not a big city so it’s a great destination for a long weekend as it’s easy to walk around and there’s a great tram system if you want to explore further afield. We mostly walked everywhere getting the odd tram here and there to make the most of our time but it wasn’t essential.

As summer returned to London it also returned to Zurich, we were so lucky with the weather, it was the second weekend of September but it could have been mid-summer for all we knew. After dropping off our bags at the hotel we headed to the Polybahn Funicular, which we took up to the university, to get a good look at the city from above, the view from there is pretty incredible. A little hot, we headed to Grande Café for the most wonderful iced latte, it’s a café and bar with a lot of personality and some very friendly staff. We then spent the afternoon wandering around town, getting our bearings.

On Saturday we explored the Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich, it has three domes of exotic plants (one tropical, one dry and one somewhere in-between), as well as more traditional gardens around the domes. We also headed to The China Garden, after a coffee break. Both are in a really nice residential part of Zurich and a great area for vintage car spotting, of which there are quite a few. The city is quite well-known for its many resident bankers and Switzerland isn’t short of a penny or two but there weren’t as many flash cars as I had expected. The Swiss seem to be a little more understated, opting for some rather special vintage cars instead.

The lake is quite a central feature in the lives of Zurich’s inhabitants. On Sunday there were so many people walking around it, relaxing on in the parks, as well as using the swimming baths (sections of the lake where you can swim, use a sauna, sunbathe, and even get a massage) which were all very busy. I had not expected this and so had not come prepared. Boats cruised around, mooring up for lunch stops or late afternoon drinks. We wandered around the lake and grabbed a bite to eat at Quai 61 (now Samigo), where we sat watching the boats coming and going before heading back to the hotel to get a cab to the airport.


36 Hours In Zurich – What To Do

Places & Spaces

Viadukt
A busy street with lots of boutiques, cafés and a huge indoor food market.

Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich
In the middle of the gardens are three domes filled with exotic plants, a little like Kew Gardens in London.

The China Garden
A short walk from the Botanical Gardens is a serene Chinese garden with a pond full on koi carp, a very calming place to take a break.

Pavillon Le Corbusier
In the same park as The China Garden is Le Corbusier’s last building which is now an art gallery.

Polybahn Funicular
A short ride up the hill on the funicular takes you to the university and an amazing view of the city.

Seebad Enge
If you fancy a dip in the lake this is a great spot to head to but be aware that it’s not open all year round.

Kunsthaus Zürich
Zurich’s museum of modern art.

Thermalbad & Spa Zurich
Once an old brewery it’s been converted into a top spa. There aren’t many spas with a view like this one.

Food & Drink

Sprüngli
If you like chocolates this is a must, their salted caramel truffles are divine.

Milchbar
A great little coffee shop just around the corner from Sprüngli (thanks Tales of Jude for this one).

Samigo
A great spot to try a Swiss sausage, they serve three types with a large crusty roll and mustard; perfect enjoyed with a glass of local beer.

Delish
Attached to the Marktgasse Hotel is a little café serving delicious fresh food, try their Portuguese custard tarts (maybe not a local delicacy but worth trying anyway).

Grande Café
A cute bar/café that serves a great iced latte and is very close to the lower station of the Polybahn Funicular.

August
A beautiful restaurant and butcher that specialise in meat dishes, with great decor.

Fondue Tram
Eat Switzerland’s most famous dish whilst riding the tram.

Maison Manesse
You get simple styling and great food in this modern restaurant.

Accommodation

Marktgasse Hotel
The perfect hotel for minimalist lovers like myself, it’s beautifully decorated and the service is top notch, ask for the room with the roof terrace for a really special stay.

Shopping

Eclectic
A luxury multi-brand concept store for women.

enSoie
A womenswear brand that specialises in contemporary silk garments but they don’t just sell silk.

VMC
Classic, good quality clothes for men and women.

Edition Populaire
Stop off here for a souvenir or two for the home.