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Zurich New Year: 2-Day Itinerary

31 December + 1 January: New Year’s Eve, then a late-starting farewell day. Pick one of two paces: relaxed or balanced–packed.

Plan with your own dates

Enter your arrival and departure; the route adapts to your flights and that day’s markets and opening hours.

Relaxed pace — Christmas markets, chocolate and the lakefront

Markets, chocolate and the lakefront: 1–2 main stops a day is plenty; the rest is for long meals, café breaks and an afternoon rest.

Day 1 · Thursday 31 December10:30–01:10

New Year’s Eve: Silvesterzauber and Midnight on the Lake

One main stop: the Silvesterzauber festival, which opens on the lakefront at 2 pm. A late breakfast, Lindenhof (optional) and a long lunch first, then a long rest. Somewhere warm after dinner, then the countdown on the lakefront and fireworks over the lake at 12:20 am.

Optional stops: Lindenhof. Add them if you have the energy, skip them if you’re tired; the day still works.

  1. 10:30

    Late Breakfast 60 min

    No rush: a long breakfast in a café, with Bircher muesli or a croissant and coffee.

  2. 11:30

    Walk · 10 min

  3. 11:40

    Lindenhof 20 min Optional

    The lime-tree hill on top of a Roman fort: the Limmat, the Niederdorf, the Grossmünster and the university in one view. Chess players and the calmest view in the city.

  4. 12:00

    Walk · 10 min

  5. 12:10

    Lunch, the old town 90 min

    Zürich-style veal (Zürcher Geschnetzeltes) with rösti; book ahead in the holiday weeks.

  6. 13:40

    Walk · 20 min

    Over the Münsterbrücke and along the Limmatquai to the lake.

  7. 14:00

    Silvesterzauber: An Afternoon on the Lakefront 60 min

    The New Year festival opens on the lakefront at 2 pm: street food, bars and a children’s area, with music and dancing from 8 pm. Free entry.

  8. 15:00

    Walk · 15 min

    Back to the hotel.

  9. 15:15

    Rest at the Hotel 190 min

    Rest at the hotel and recharge for the evening.

  10. 18:25

    Walk · 10 min

  11. 18:35

    Aperitif 45 min

    A glass of Swiss wine or Glühwein before dinner. Options: the wine bars of the Niederdorf.

  12. 19:20

    Walk · 10 min

  13. 19:30

    New Year’s Eve Dinner 150 min

    Within walking distance of the lake: around the Niederdorf or Bellevue. Most restaurants serve a set menu and fill up early, so book in October or November.

  14. 22:00

    Somewhere Warm Until Midnight 85 min

    Stay on at the restaurant after dinner or move to a nearby café or bar. Rather than waiting long in the cold, head to the lakefront in the last hour.

  15. 23:25

    Walk · 10 min

    Walk to the lakefront; the centre is closed to traffic.

  16. 23:35

    Midnight: the Lakefront (Utoquai) 70 min Our pick

    Count down on the lakefront from Bellevue to the Utoquai, with the church bells. The real show comes after midnight: the city lights go out at 12:19 am and a 15–20-minute fireworks display over the lake starts at 12:20. Private fireworks are banned on the festival grounds. It’s very crowded, so arrive around 11:30 pm and keep your bag in front of you.

    Other options

    The Quaibrücke and Bürkliplatz: The lake right in front and the fireworks overhead, but it’s the most crowded spot. Come early.

    Lindenhof: The church bells over the old town and the fireworks in the distance; calmer, but the lake is out of sight and some fireworks may be hidden behind buildings.

    New Year’s Eve boat on the lake: Midnight and the fireworks on the water; some boats include dinner. Find tickets

    Some places close on holidays; check your ticket date against the opening days.

  17. 00:45

    Tram · 25 min

    Back to your hotel: on New Year’s Eve trams and buses run at least every 15 minutes until about 4 am, and the S-Bahn every 30 minutes. Buy a day ticket so you don’t queue for one on the way back.

Open the route on the map

Day 2 · Friday 1 January11:00–15:10

New Year’s Day: the National Museum

A late breakfast; the National Museum at midday, open on the holiday (10 am–5 pm), and a coffee.

  1. 11:00

    Late Breakfast 75 min

    No rush: the first breakfast of the year. Shops are closed today and most cafés open towards midday.

  2. 12:15

    Walk · 15 min

  3. 12:30

    The Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum) 90 min

    The fairy-tale castle behind the station: Swiss history, medieval chapels, guild rooms and the permanent “History of Switzerland” exhibition.

    Ticket needed: book at least 1 day ahead

    Some places close on holidays; check your ticket date against the opening days.

  4. 14:00

    Walk · 10 min

  5. 14:10

    Café Break 60 min

    Hot chocolate and a slice of cake; warm up and rest.

Open the route on the map

Balanced–packed pace — Both banks of Zurich, the markets and a panoramic train to the Rigi

Explore the city and see the markets: nearby stops come in one flow (the National Museum, Lindenhof and the Fraumünster; the Kunsthaus, the Grossmünster and the Polyterrasse; Lindt and the Uetliberg; the Rigi and Lucerne by panoramic train). You can skip anything marked “Optional” and the day still works.

Day 1 · Thursday 31 December10:00–01:10

New Year’s Eve: the Kunsthaus, the Grossmünster and Midnight on the Lake

The Kunsthaus in the morning (until 4 pm today), the Grossmünster and the old town from the Karlsturm; lunch in the Niederdorf; the Silvesterzauber festival, which opens on the lakefront at 2 pm, and the Polybahn up to the Polyterrasse. Somewhere warm after dinner, then the countdown on the lakefront and fireworks over the lake at 12:20 am. The Karlsturm is optional.

Running late? The first stop to drop is The Karlsturm. The rest of the day still works.

  1. 10:00

    Kunsthaus Zürich 120 min

    One of Switzerland’s largest art museums: Monet, Van Gogh, Munch, Chagall and the world’s largest Giacometti collection, plus the new Chipperfield building.

    Ticket needed: book at least 1 day ahead

    Some places close on holidays; check your ticket date against the opening days.

  2. 12:00

    Walk · 10 min

    Down from Heimplatz to the Grossmünster.

  3. 12:10

    The Grossmünster 30 min

    Zürich’s twin-towered landmark: Zwingli’s Reformation began here; Giacometti’s windows and a Romanesque crypt. The outside is under scaffolding for renovation in 2026–27, but the inside is open.

    Estimated hours · Winter hours are official; holiday hours aren’t published, and there are no visits during services.

  4. 12:40

    The Karlsturm 30 min Optional

    Up 187 steps to the Grossmünster tower: the old-town roofs, the lake and, on a clear day, the Alps. Entry CHF 5.

    Estimated hours · Winter hours are official; holiday hours aren’t published, and there are no visits during services.

  5. 13:10

    Walk · 5 min

  6. 13:15

    Lunch, the Niederdorf 60 min

    Zürich-style veal (Zürcher Geschnetzeltes) with rösti; book ahead in the holiday weeks.

  7. 14:15

    Walk · 15 min

    Along the Limmatquai to the lake.

  8. 14:30

    Silvesterzauber: An Afternoon on the Lakefront 60 min

    The New Year festival opens on the lakefront at 2 pm: street food, bars and a children’s area, with music and dancing from 8 pm. Free entry.

  9. 15:30

    Walk · 15 min

    Along the Limmatquai to Central.

  10. 15:45

    Polybahn · 5 min

    The red Polybahn from Central up to the Polyterrasse: a funicular from 1889, at the top in two minutes. ZVV tickets are valid.

  11. 15:50

    The Polyterrasse 20 min

    The terrace in front of the ETH: the old-town towers, the Limmat and the lake below. Free, and the city’s best free view.

  12. 16:10

    Walk · 10 min

    Down the steps to the Niederdorf.

  13. 16:20

    Free Time: Rest or Stroll 125 min Optional

    Drop by the hotel to rest, or take a stroll nearby: shop windows and Christmas lights.

  14. 18:25

    Walk · 10 min

  15. 18:35

    Aperitif 45 min

    A glass of Swiss wine or Glühwein before dinner. Options: the wine bars of the Niederdorf.

  16. 19:20

    Walk · 10 min

  17. 19:30

    New Year’s Eve Dinner 150 min

    Within walking distance of the lake: around the Niederdorf or Bellevue. Most restaurants serve a set menu and fill up early, so book in October or November.

  18. 22:00

    Somewhere Warm Until Midnight 85 min

    Stay on at the restaurant after dinner or move to a nearby café or bar. Rather than waiting long in the cold, head to the lakefront in the last hour.

  19. 23:25

    Walk · 10 min

    Walk to the lakefront; the centre is closed to traffic.

  20. 23:35

    Midnight: the Lakefront (Utoquai) 70 min Our pick

    Count down on the lakefront from Bellevue to the Utoquai, with the church bells. The real show comes after midnight: the city lights go out at 12:19 am and a 15–20-minute fireworks display over the lake starts at 12:20. Private fireworks are banned on the festival grounds. It’s very crowded, so arrive around 11:30 pm and keep your bag in front of you.

    Other options

    The Quaibrücke and Bürkliplatz: The lake right in front and the fireworks overhead, but it’s the most crowded spot. Come early.

    Lindenhof: The church bells over the old town and the fireworks in the distance; calmer, but the lake is out of sight and some fireworks may be hidden behind buildings.

    New Year’s Eve boat on the lake: Midnight and the fireworks on the water; some boats include dinner. Find tickets

    Some places close on holidays; check your ticket date against the opening days.

  21. 00:45

    Tram · 25 min

    Back to your hotel: on New Year’s Eve trams and buses run at least every 15 minutes until about 4 am, and the S-Bahn every 30 minutes. Buy a day ticket so you don’t queue for one on the way back.

Open the route on the map

Day 2 · Friday 1 January10:30–15:40

New Year’s Day: the National Museum and the Lakefront

A late breakfast; the National Museum at midday, open on the holiday (10 am–5 pm); then the lakefront from Bürkliplatz to the Quaibrücke and a coffee.

  1. 10:30

    Late Breakfast 75 min

    No rush: the first breakfast of the year. Shops are closed today and most cafés open towards midday.

  2. 11:45

    Walk · 15 min

  3. 12:00

    The Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum) 90 min

    The fairy-tale castle behind the station: Swiss history, medieval chapels, guild rooms and the permanent “History of Switzerland” exhibition.

    Ticket needed: book at least 1 day ahead

    Some places close on holidays; check your ticket date against the opening days.

  4. 13:30

    Walk · 15 min

    Down the Bahnhofstrasse to the lake.

  5. 13:45

    Bürkliplatz and the Lakefront 20 min

    Where the Bahnhofstrasse meets the lake: swans, piers and, on a clear day, the Alps beyond the water.

  6. 14:05

    Walk · 5 min

  7. 14:10

    The Quaibrücke and the Lake Basin 20 min

    The bridge where the Limmat leaves the lake: the lake and the Alps on one side, the old-town towers on the other.

  8. 14:30

    Walk · 10 min

  9. 14:40

    Café Break 60 min

    Hot chocolate and a slice of cake; warm up and rest.

Open the route on the map

Tips

  • The markets open on 19 November. Bellevue Noël, the Dörfli and the Weihnachtsallee end on 23 December, and Polarzauber (in the station) and Münsterhof on 24 December. On 24 December Polarzauber closes at 4 pm.

  • On 24 and 31 December most shops close between 4 and 6 pm; they’re closed on 25–26 December and 1 January. Shops are closed on Sundays too.

  • On New Year’s Eve the Silvesterzauber festival opens on the lakefront at 2 pm; the city lights go out at 12:19 am and the fireworks over the lake start at 12:20. Trams, buses and the S-Bahn run until about 4 am.

  • For the Rigi day, buy a “Rigi Kulm” ticket from SBB; the Rigi is free with the Swiss Travel Pass. The annual timetable changes on 13 December, so check the times in the SBB app. Rigi tours

  • Entry to the Lindt Home of Chocolate is timed: buy online, as December days sell out ahead. It’s closed on 25–26 December and 1 January. Lindt tickets

  • Inside the city a ZVV day ticket is enough, and it covers the Polybahn and the Uetliberg train (S10). The Zürich Card combines transport with museum discounts.

  • On the evening of 24 December some restaurants are closed; book Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinner in October or November. Prices are high, so budget CHF 50–70 a head for dinner.

  • The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). Cards are accepted everywhere; some places take euros, but change comes in francs at a poor rate.

Times are for Thursday 31 December – Friday 1 January. Some are official for 2026, some are last year’s; check before you go. The guide’s table shows which is which: New Year’s Eve in Zurich

Frequently asked questions

Is 2 days enough for Zurich New Year?

Two days add a late-starting farewell day to New Year’s Eve.

Which museums and landmarks can you visit inside on a 2-day New Year trip to Zurich?

Relaxed: Swiss National Museum. Balanced–packed: Kunsthaus Zürich, Swiss National Museum.

How far ahead should I book tickets?

Swiss National Museum at least 1 day ahead; Kunsthaus Zürich at least 1 day ahead. Queues are long in the holiday week.

I’m going on different dates; how does the route change?

Enter Zurich and your arrival and departure in the planner on the home page. For any date from 19 November – 1 January it builds the route around that day’s markets and opening hours: New Year’s Eve on 31 December, Christmas Eve on 24 December, and closed markets are dropped.