Zurich's most impressive sights are undoubtedly not man-made. The city’s scenic setting beside Lake Zurich, the River Limmat and Uetliberg, Zurich's own little mountain, is outstanding and all of these natural wonders are worth a visit on a sightseeing tour. That said, the old town with its medieval ambience and sights such as the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches certainly isn’t lacking in charm. A stroll through its picturesque streets is a must for every visitor. Go on your own (check out our old town stroll complete with map in our guidebook) or book a guided tour.

A 2-hour walking tour with an experienced guide from Zurich Tourism will fill you in on everything you need to know about the old town and its history and includes anecdotes about famous literati, scientists and visionaries such as Albert Einstein, Lenin and the Dadaists who all lived in Zurich. We recommend you book in advance to guarantee a place. On the other hand, 2-hour bus tours by two companies are also available if you’d rather not walk so much. The tours include live or recorded commentary in many different languages. The bus tours visit the lakeside and the Financial District as well as residential areas on Zürichberg. They usually also stop at Fraumünster Church for photos, but bear in mind that most of the old town is a pedestrian zone that is off limits to buses. Check them out here or book your seat directly here.

There are also some more unusual ways to get to know Zurich. The more adventurous can explore the city with a Segway, a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle. A guide will not only explain how to ride the Segway, but also show you the best of the city. Reserve a Segway in advance here. And last but not least, we recommend the Ghost Walk of Zurich, which definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. Entertainer Dan Dent will take you through the old town and introduce you to the Schipfe Poltergeist or the ghost of Zurich’s first mayor, Rudolf Brun.