This self-guided walking tour visits the best chocolate shops in Zürich while seeing some of the best parts of the city. The chocolate ranges from fun sweet treats to fine artisan works of art.

It's fun to eat the chocolate along the way or pack up for treats later. The route also includes a few cafes with great hot chocolate if you have time for a break.

I’ve done this walk several times with friends and family. Now it’s my go-to activity if I’m showing a visitor around the city. I hope you like it!

Chocolate walking route

Plan about 90 mins, depending on how many stops you make at various landmarks and shops. You can shorten the route as you like, visiting just the shops that match your preferences. 

I've started the route right in front of the Zürich HB main station. It ends at Paradeplatz (or Opernhaus Bellevue if you visit the last optional shop), where you can ride a tram back to next destination.

• See walking route on OutdoorActive

Full details of this tour on SwissFamilyFun.com

Guided tours

If you prefer a guided tour, here are a couple options:

• Ethical Chocolate Tour - tour of a small specialty chocolate manufactory and chocolate tasting

• Zurich Chocolate Tasting and Traditions Tour with a Local

• Zurich Chocolate E-TukTuk Tour

Chocolate shops

This route visits the following chocolate shops.

1. Confiserie Bachmann (& Lindt)

2. Globus Gourmet Grocery (basement)

3. Confiserie Honold

4. Max Chocolatier

5. Confiserie Madeline

6. Conditorei Schober Chocolaterie

7. Vittorio Vanini - Swiss Chocolate since 1871

8. Berg und Tal

9. Schwarzenbach Chocolate & Espresso Bar

10. Optional break: Cafe 1842 for hot chocolate

11. Jacot Haute Chocolaterie Zürich

12. Sprüngli at Paradeplatz

13. Chocolatier Vollenweider

Note that opening times may change and shops may close or change location without notice. I try to update this list yearly, but things can change anytime.

Grossmünster, a Romanesque-style Protestant church located along the banks of the Limmat in Zürich. The two iconic towers give the church its uniquely recognizable silhouette, often likened to two pepper dispensers.

Location: Zwingliplatz 7, 8001 Zürich

Open: daily 10:00 – 18:00

Website: grossmuenster.ch

According to legend, it was founded by Charlemagne after his horse fell to its knees over the tombs of the city’s patron saints during one such excursion.

Unlike the Fraumünster cathedral, it's free to enter this church. For a small fee, you can climb the tower for fantastic views across the city and Lake Zurich (187 steps!).

Don't miss the doors of the main entrance, which are elaborate carvings. In the Zwingliplatz square outside, there is a small model of the cathedral built so visually impaired people can also enjoy this important landmark.

Photos

Tip: The best pictures of the Grossmunster are taken from:

• the Münsterbrücke bridge

• the west side of the Limmat river, so the river is part of the picture

• the walkway near the Frauenbadi

Bauschänzli is fun beer garden on a tiny island on the Limmat river in Zurich. At the self-service counter, you can order all the classics: bratwurst, roast chicken, fried fish, ribs, fries as well as pasta, Flammkuchen, and apero platters.

It's a popular place to meet friends after work and on weekends, with a good selection of local beers on tap, refreshing cocktails, and wine by the glass to quench your thirst.

The outdoor terrace has fantastic views of the city, with famous landmarks like the Grossmunster in view. You can't reserve a table on the terrace, first come first served. But you can reserve the lounge area for groups, minimum order CHF 55/per person.

Location: Stadthausquai 2, 8001 Zürich

Open: daily from 11:30

Website: bauschaenzli.com

Sternen Grill is a Zürich institution, known for serving the best bratwurst in town, with their signature hot mustard and "Bürli" rolls. They have a few other sausages like the Swiss "cervelat" and spicy links, as well as delicious roasted chicken. Our kids also like their German-style potato salad as a side.

This sausage stand is next to the Bellevue tram, with mostly takeaway business. But they have outdoor tables in the alley and an indoor dining area upstairs. We usually get our sausages to go and eat them by the lake.

Location: Theaterstrasse 22, 8001 Zürich

Open: daily 10:30 to midnight, until 11pm on Sun & Mon

Website: www.sternengrill.ch

Tip: it's much cheaper to get your drinks at the Coop grocery next door (in the basement), also more selection

Zurich lies on the north end of Lake Zurich, with the Limmatt river cutting directly through the old town. So doing a boat cruise is a great way to see some of the city and environs. It's also a fun way to visit nearby attractions like the Lindt Chocolate Factory.

The main ferry dock in Zürich is at Bürkliplatz, across the street from the tram stop.

Suggested cruises

• Limmat River Cruise - from Landesmuseum stop near Zurich main train station, it's a 55 min loop along Limmat river in the city and a bit in the lake.

• Short Lake Cruise (Kleine Seerundfahrt) - From Bürkliplatz ferry dock, it's a 90 min loop around the north end of Lake Zurich. In just 20 mins, you reach the Kilchberg ZH stop, which is a short walk from the Lindt Chocolate Factory. This boat runs daily year round, leaves about every 30 mins.

• Long Lake Cruise (Grosse Seerundfahrt) - 2h10 one way to Rapperswil, a medieval village with a castle at the south end of the lake.

Learn more in our Lake Zurich Boat Cruise article

Boat Tickets

Boats on Lake Zurich are part of the public transport system. If you have a valid public transport ticket for the corresponding zone, the ticket is valid for the boat, as well as trains, buses and trams in that zone.

Lake Zurich boats are free with the Swiss Travel Pass. Discount for Swiss Half Fare Card, Eurail Global Pass, and children age 6-15. Under 6 ride free.

If you buy the Zürich Card, it includes the Limmat river cruise and all short lake cruises as far south as the Thalwil and Erlenbach stops.

You can buy tickets:

• ticket office at the Bürkliplatz ferry dock

• SBB mobile app or SBB.ch

• on the boat if there is no ticket machine or office at the dock

Everyone was so happy Lindt finally opened a chocolate museum at its Kilchberg factory near Zürich. Their interactive museum is beautiful and very educational, with an immense amount of information both on displays and through the audio guide.

Location: Seestrasse 204, 8802 Kilchberg

Tickets: You should book tickets in advance as they sell out, especially on weekends. Book here.

What to expect

We liked the multiple chocolate tasting stations through the museum, including chocolate fountains and a dispenser where you have to guess the chocolate flavor. They also offer chocolate making workshops, which are particularly popular for holidays like Christmas and Easter where you make the signature bear and bunny shaped chocolates.

Although there are a few games for kids (and an audio guide specifically kids), it’s not the most entertaining chocolate experience for kids. We might suggest Chocolarium instead.

How to get there

The Lindt chocolate factory is located at Seestrasse 204, 8802 Kilchberg. The best way to get there from Zurich is by bus or boat. The closest train station is a 10 min walk.

By bus: From the Zurich Bürkliplatz bus stop, take bus 165 to Kilchberg ZH, Lindt & Sprüngli. The factory is across the street. It's a 15 min ride and buses pick up about every 15 mins.

By boat: From the Zürich Bürkliplatz dock, ride the boat to Kilchberg ZH boat dock. It takes about 27 mins, then a 10 min walk to Lindt. The boat is free with the Zürich Card. In summer, boats go about every 30 mins. See current timetable.

ℹ️ Learn more about the boat.

By train: From Zürich HB, ride the S8 or S24 train to Kilchberg ZH. Then a 10 min walk to the factory.

See our full review.

This easy walk strolls along the eastern banks of Lake Zurich, a popular promenade for both city dwellers and out-of-towners.

Along the way, you'll find cafes, food stands, benches, a playground, and grassy lawns for lounging. Our favorite is the Gelati an See gelato truck that usually appears in good weather from March to October.

We like this walk for the lovely views and people watching on weekend afternoons or any nice evening when all of Zurich comes out to stroll and enjoy city life. It's also a wonderful place to watch the sunset, with the beautiful colors reflected on the water.

How to get there

We typically start our walk at Zurich Bellevue, near the Opera house, and end at Zurihorn, about 30 mins (1.8 km). You can walk back the way you came or catch a boat, bus or tram back to the city.

• Learn more about the Zurich Gold Coast Walk

For families

The walk is stroller-friendly and car-free, so kids can run around freely (but watch out for bikes). The kids love the big playground near China Garden and the fun stepping stones hidden behind the trees. At about halfway, there is a big playground and park with large grassy areas for lounging and sports.

See my walking map to see all the stuff I’ve marked for kids on the map, like the playground, stepping stones, ice cream stand, etc.

Uetliberg is the small mountain overlooking Zürich city, a popular place for locals and tourists to enjoy views over Lake Zürich and beautiful countryside. On a clear day, you can even see snowcapped mountain peaks in the distance.

You can easily reach Uetliberg from the Zürich main station, by riding the S10 train to Uetliberg, the end of the line. Then a short walk to the viewpoint over the city.

In 2024, a round trip ticket to Uetliberg costs CHF 18.40/adult. Free with Swiss Travel Pass and Zürich Card. Discount with Swiss Half Fare Card.

What to do

At the top, you'll find a 72-meter tall lookout tower. It costs a few francs to climb the tower, which we always do when we bring visitors here.

There's a restaurant and usually self-service stand selling sausages, snacks and drinks to enjoy on the terrace.

For families: there's a playground with a picnic area in the forest, a short walk from the viewpoint (see on map). There's also a small playground near the Uetliberg train station.

More info: https://www.utokulm.ch/uetliberg

Hiking

If you want to hike, you can do the easy Panorama trail along the ridge. After about 2 hours of fairly easy walking, it ends at Felsenegg, where you can ride a cable car down the mountain and train back to the city. We often do this in spring and fall, when other mountain trails are closed.

If you want some fitness, you can hike up Uetliberg, a steep climb gaining 280m over a short distance. I often do this hike with friends as part of our running routine. See trail map.

Strandbad Mythenquai is a family-friendly swimming area along Lake Zürich. It's our favorite place to spend hot summer afternoons and evenings as a family, eating a picnic while we watch the sun fade over the mountain in the distance.

Although you can swim for free in many places along the lake, pay a small fee to visit a "badi" means you get a cafe, lifeguard, lounge chairs, changing rooms, lockers, toilets, and other services to make your visit comfortable and fun.

This is the only lake swimming area in Zurich city with a sandy beach and safe shallow swimming area for children. They also have a splash pool for little kids and small playground. They have a diving platform with 1m, 3m, and 5m.

There is a large grassy area with lots of shade. You can borrow lounge chairs and umbrellas with a coin deposit. Plus changing rooms, showers, toilets and lockers.

They have a self-service cafe run by Hiltl, a well known vegetarian restaurant in Zurich. They have a nice salad bar, hot dishes like curry and rice, and kid friendly options like "chicken" nuggets (plant-based) and fries.

Location: Mythenquai 75, 8002 Zürich. Metered parking near the entrance. Bus stop: Sukkulentensammlung.

Open: mid May through early September. Daily 9:00 - 8:00, may close in poor weather

Cost 2024: CHF 8/adult, CHF 6/youth 16-24, CHF 4/child 6-15, under 6 free

Hasta Ice Cream is one of our favorite summer treat in Zürich, with lots of interesting flavors like ginger, kulfi, black sesame, bergamot, and even Swiss-inspired Basler Läckerli. It's conveniently located in the old town, right next to the Grossmünster cathedral.

Location: Zwinglipl. 3, 8001 Zürich

Website: https://www.hasta.ch/

Open: April to October, daily 12:30 - 18:30

Luigia is a casual Italian restaurant with a lively atmosphere and delicious food. We particularly love pizza, which has thick Napoli-style crust and fresh, tasty toppings. They also have a wide variety of pasta dishes and main dishes with both authentic flavors and contemporary combinations.

It's family-friendly and often filled with cheerful groups celebrating birthdays and friends meeting after work. It's a convenient location, just a couple blocks off Zürich Bahnhofstrasse, the main shopping street.

Location: Talstrasse 61, 8001 Zürich

Website: https://www.luigia.ch/

Reservations recommended.

The Zeughauskeller restaurant, located in the center of Zurich, is a popular spot for both locals and visitors. The traditional eatery offers hearty casual dishes such as Wiener Schniztel, Zürcher geschnetzeltes, Rösti, cordon bleu, and cheese and sausage salad, all served in a warm and friendly environment.

It's housed in a 15th century building that used to house an armory, keeping many of the original architectural features.

It's a popular spot, so best to make a reservation to avoid a long wait or if you have a large group.