Zürich ist zu reich...

August 7, 2008 12:24 PM

What do I do in Zürich for five months, and which websites can eliminate the need for this question? (Especially if I'm on a relative budget)

I'm moving to Zürich for a study-abroad program for a few months, starting in two weeks. I'm very excited, but realize that I will have a bunch of free time with little idea of what to do. All websites I've found have focused on tourist locations and things, but I assume there have to be some websites focused on locals. Right? (Think Not For Tourists in New York.) Auch spreche ich Deutsch (so German websites are OK). Considering the USD/CHF exchange rate and the fact that I'm fairly poor to begin with, things that take into account money would be great.


If there isn't, I'd love some suggestions of fun places to go, things to see, bars, restaurants, museums, whatever.

If it matters, I'm a college junior, enjoys your typical cultural phenomena, etc etc blah blah blah.

(previously but the internet has changed in 2 years)

posted by stvspl to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Bring a lot of books. Sleep a lot. Work out.
posted by matteo at 12:39 PM on August 7, 2008

While its warm you have to go swimming in one of the little clubs on the lake. You are lucky, Zurich is an awesome little town. The magazine Monocle is a huge fan.
posted by shothotbot at 12:56 PM on August 7, 2008

I've haven't been to Zurich (yet!) so can't provide specific details on the city itself, but here is my suggestion.

Walk the streets as much you can, all the litte alleys and out of the way streets, get to know the city for yourself and discover the hidden gems of cafe's and shops and whatnot for yourself. I know this sounds a little pretentious, but I think if you're there for 5 months you'll have plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of the city simply by walking through the various districts and areas. This style of enjoying a city isn't for everyone, you have to enjoy walking and be patient so as to not expect a new and exciting revelation round every corner, but it's certainly what I'd do.

That is, of course, if you are limited to Zurich (which by the sound of your study and money situations you might be). There are plenty of awesome places round Switzerland you can day/weekend trip to, though I'm not sure what the budget transport options are like.

I'm pretty envious of you, Zurich does look like an awesome city. Don't waste it by reading and sleeping and working out the way you could at home.
posted by atmosphere at 2:57 PM on August 7, 2008

Lived in Zurich a while back.

Expats in Zurich

Travel site.

This is an amazing time of year to be in that part of Europe. The wonderful grape/wine harvest festivals all over the place, the vendanges. like this one near Geneva. Neuchâtel's Fête des Vendanges in September.

A day trip to Liechtenstein.

Cafe Odeon , map, a little background. Take a walk on the trails in the forest of Üetliberg, info. Day trip to Schloss Kyburg, getting there.

You can find complete what’s-on listings for the week ahead in ZüriTipp, the Friday supplement to the Tages Anzeiger newspaper (English Web version at www.zueritipp.ch/essentials). The tourist booklet Zürich News covers major events, but nothing out of the mainstream. The clubbers’ bible, with full listings, is Forecast (Fr.3 monthly). Tickets for almost any event can be had from Billetzentrale Zürich (BiZZ), a city-run organization housed in a hut on Werdmühleplatz (Mon–Fri 10am–6.30pm, Sat 10am–2pm; 01/221 22 83), which mirrors the larger, mainstream venues by closing down for July and August. Prices are high: Fr.10–15 for ordinary live bands and clubs, Fr.20–25 for big-name shows, Fr.15–60 for classical concerts, and Fr.16–270 for the opera.

Bon voyage. :)
posted by nickyskye at 6:42 PM on August 7, 2008

I just came back from Switzerland; the CH franc is worth only a few cents less than the US $, but everything costs 75%-300% more. I bought a Schweitzerdeutsch/English phrasebook, but most of what I saw in it seemed similar to my High German one (I studied Spanish in high school) and I managed to get by with that. When I was asked what language I spoke--catching the Sprache--I said English.

I see you're a guy, so most likely you didn't read Heidi, but there's a tiny free Johanna Spyri museum in Hirzel open on Sunday afternoons. She, James Joyce and his wife are buried in Zurich (but not at the same cemetery; James and Nora are at the one by the zoo).
posted by brujita at 11:01 PM on August 7, 2008

Vielen dank nickyskye! That site is just what I was looking for.


Thanks for the links and advice to everyone else as well.
posted by stvspl at 9:27 AM on August 8, 2008

My recommendations are to splurge once and eat at Tibets. It's in the main shopping area in Zurich and has excellent food. And to take a daytrip to Gruyères to see the H.R. Giger museum.
posted by i_love_squirrels at 6:15 PM on August 8, 2008