7 Days in Switzerland and Germany: Zurich to Munich by Alps, Chocolate, and Beer Halls
Switzerland and Germany reward slow travelers: smooth trains, mountain panoramas, half-timbered towns, and kitchens that actually care. In one week, this itinerary spotlights Zurich’s lake-brushed sophistication and Munich’s Bavarian heart—linked by a scenic rail line that makes the journey part of the joy.
Zurich began as Roman Turicum and evolved into a banking capital with serious creative energy: river-swimming in summer, art collections year-round, and pastries perfected over generations. From here, day trips launch you into the Alps, the roaring Rhine Falls, and chocolate temples that smell like childhood.
Munich, named for monks (“München”), pours beer under chestnut trees, guards masterpieces in world-class museums, and celebrates Baroque excess in its churches and palaces. Practicalities: you’ll use CHF in Switzerland, EUR in Germany; both are in the Schengen Area; bring a universal adapter (Type J in CH, Type C/F in DE). Local food is a highlight—come hungry.
Zurich
Zurich pairs medieval lanes with a crisp, contemporary edge. Spend mornings among spires and river views, afternoons cruising Lake Zurich or tasting bean-to-bar chocolate, and evenings in buzzy brasseries and timeless dining rooms hung with museum-grade art.
- Top sights: Grossmünster towers, Lindenhof outlook, Fraumünster’s Chagall windows, Kunsthaus art museum, Lake Zurich promenades.
- Food to try: Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (veal in mushroom cream), crisp rösti, and artisanal chocolate at century-old confiseries.
- Travel in: Fly into Zurich and transfer by rail or tram; consider a Zurich Card for transport plus museum perks.
How to get to Zurich: For flights from within Europe, compare fares on Omio (Flights). Flying from North America or Asia? Search global options on Trip.com (Flights) or Kiwi.com. Trains in Europe arrive directly to Zürich HB—plan and book with Omio (Trains).
Where to stay in Zurich:
- Baur au Lac — lakeside icon with manicured gardens and discreet service.
- Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich — across from Zürich HB; quiet rooms, flawless breakfast, easy for day trips.
- Hotel Marta — wallet-friendly in Niederdorf, steps from the Limmat.
- Novotel Zurich City West — bright, modern rooms in creative Zürich-West.
- Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Zurich or apartments on VRBO: Zurich.
Day 1 — Arrive in Zurich, Old Town and Lake
Afternoon: Land and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop through the Altstadt—start at Lindenhof for hilltop views, then wander Augustinergasse’s pastel facades. Espresso at MAME Coffee Roasters (multiple-time World Brewers Cup winners) or hot chocolate at Confiserie Sprüngli on Bahnhofstrasse.
Evening: Classic Swiss at Zeughauskeller (hearty sausages, rösti, vaulted former armory) or go refined at Kronenhalle, where original Chagall and Miró hang over the dining room; order the Zürcher Geschnetzeltes. Cap with a lakeside stroll from Bürkliplatz as boats glitter on the water.
Day 2 — Icons of Zurich, Lake Cruise and Chocolate
Morning: Climb the Grossmünster tower for a postcard city panorama, then cross to Fraumünster to admire Chagall and Giacometti windows glowing in morning light. Breakfast ideas: Babu’s Bakery & Coffeehouse (legendary French toast), or Sprüngli’s Luxemburgerli macarons with a cappuccino.
Afternoon: Join this half-day experience to see the city by land and water, plus chocolate bliss:
Zurich Sights: Cruise, Lindt Chocolate and optional FIFA Ticket — Coach through Zurich’s highlights, a serene Lake Zurich cruise, and time at the Lindt Home of Chocolate for tastings and the gleaming chocolate fountain.
Evening: Go plant-forward at Haus Hiltl (world’s oldest continuously operating vegetarian restaurant since 1898; vast buffet and a la carte classics), or cozy up at Raclette Stube for bubbling raclette scraped tableside. Nightcap: Dante (gin-focused) or Widder Bar for a deep whisky list.
Day 3 — Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein, Zurich Food Tour
Morning–Early Afternoon: Take a guided half-day to Europe’s largest waterfall and a storybook town of frescoed facades:
Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein Half-Day Tour from Zurich — Expect scenic countryside, thundering viewpoints near the falls, and a stroll through cobbled Stein am Rhein.
Late Afternoon–Evening: Return to central Zurich and dive into the city’s flavors with a local-led tasting walk:
Zurich Food Tour with 10 Local Delicacies, Cheeses & Chocolates — Sample artisan cheeses, breads, chocolates, and seasonal specialties while hearing the stories behind them.
After the tastings, keep dinner light. If you still want a sit-down bite, share small plates at Frau Gerolds Garten (summer) or head to Restaurant Markthalle at Im Viadukt for casual Swiss-Mediterranean dishes among boutiques built into old railway arches.
Day 4 — Full-Day Alpine Adventure to Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland — A bucket-list ride via coach and the Eiger Express gondola to the “Top of Europe.” Walk the Ice Palace, step onto the glacier plateau, and gaze from the Sphinx Observatory across an ocean of peaks.
Tip: Weather in the high Alps is changeable—bring layers and sunglasses. If forecasts turn, consider swapping for a Mt. Titlis & Lucerne day trip (ice cave, suspension bridge, and gorgeous lake views).
Munich
Munich blends royal grandeur with gemütlich energy—biergartens under chestnuts, palaces with swan-dotted canals, and modern design tucked into traditional streets. It’s a city that hosts world-class art before dinner and a brass band after.
- Top sights: Marienplatz Glockenspiel, Residenz museum, Nymphenburg Palace, English Garden, Viktualienmarkt food market, BMW Welt.
- What to eat & drink: Weisswurst with sweet mustard (before noon, Bavarian style), pretzels as big as plates, roast pork with crackling, and crisp Helles or Weissbier.
- Fun fact: Bavaria’s 1516 Reinheitsgebot (Beer Purity Law) shaped brewing rules for centuries—taste the legacy in every liter.
Where to stay in Munich: Aim for Altstadt-Lehel (walk to everything), Glockenbach (trendy and lively), or Maxvorstadt (museums). Browse options on Hotels.com: Munich and apartment-style stays on VRBO: Munich.
Day 5 — Train to Munich, Old Town and Beer Halls
Morning: Depart Zurich early for Munich. The direct train takes about 3.5–4 hours to München Hbf; advance fares often run ~€35–70. Search and book on Omio (Trains). Grab a station pastry and coffee from MAME or John Baker before boarding.
Afternoon: Check in, then orient at Marienplatz for the hourly Glockenspiel. Duck into Frauenkirche’s twin-tower nave and the jewel-box Asamkirche. Coffee at Man Versus Machine (award-winning roaster) or a quick snack at Dallmayr delicatessen.
Evening: Feast at Augustiner-Keller (shady beer garden in warm months; inside wood-paneled halls in winter) with roasted pork and potato salad, or Schneider Bräuhaus for classic weisswurst and tangy Obatzda cheese spread. If energy holds, stroll to the Hofbräuhaus to hear oompah in the historic hall.
Day 6 — Palaces, Parks, and Neighborhood Flavor
Morning: Tram to Nymphenburg Palace. Tour baroque rooms and the Amalienburg hunting lodge with its glittering Hall of Mirrors; in summer, gondoliers pole the canal. Espresso and a slice of Prinzregententorte at Café Palmenhaus.
Afternoon: Lunch at Wirtshaus in der Au—famous for bread dumplings and seasonal roasts. Walk them off in the English Garden: watch river surfers at the Eisbach wave and wander to the Chinese Tower beer garden for a Radler under the trees.
Evening: Contemporary Bavarian at Spatenhaus an der Oper (order the crispy duck) or neighborhood warmth at Zum Dürnbräu (old recipes, friendly service). Cocktail lovers: Zephyr crafts inventive sours; for piano-bar charm and serious pours, try Bar Gabányi near the Deutsches Museum.
Day 7 — Morning Reflection or BMW, Depart Afternoon
Morning: Choose based on mood. For history, take the S-Bahn to Dachau Memorial Site for a sobering, well-interpreted visit; go early for quiet. Prefer design and engineering? Head to BMW Welt and the BMW Museum to trace a century of innovation and see concept cars up close.
Afternoon: Last tastes at Viktualienmarkt—try schmalznudel (fried dough) at Café Frischhut or a fresh pretzel with mountain cheese. Ride S-Bahn to the airport (about 40 minutes from the center). If flying within Europe, check Omio (Flights); long-haul options via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
Practical Notes & Getting Between Cities
- Zurich → Munich train: 3.5–4h direct, roughly €35–70 in advance. Reserve seats if traveling at peak times; book on Omio (Trains).
- Local transport: Zurich’s ZVV network is seamless—trams, boats, and trains. Consider the Zurich Card (24/48h). Munich’s MVV day tickets cover U/S-Bahn, trams, and buses; zones depend on your hotel/airport needs.
- Seasonality: Alpine weather changes quickly—bring layers even in summer. In winter, check mountain operations for day trips.
Optional Zurich Hotel Shortlist (if you want to upgrade or save)
- Baur au Lac — iconic, lake-facing tranquility.
- Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich — steps from Zurich HB for effortless day trips.
- Hotel Marta — excellent value in the Old Town.
- Novotel Zurich City West — smart base in Zürich-West.
Restaurant Cheat Sheet (keep these in your pocket):
- Zurich breakfast/coffee: Babu’s Bakery (hearty brunch), Sprüngli (pastries, truffles), MAME (specialty coffee).
- Zurich lunch: Sternen Grill (bratwurst with gold-standard mustard), Haus Hiltl (buffet by weight), Rathaus Café terrace when sunny.
- Zurich dinner: Zeughauskeller (traditional), Kronenhalle (historic fine dining), Raclette Stube (melted-cheese heaven).
- Munich breakfast: Café Frischhut (schmalznudel), Schneider Bräuhaus (morning weisswurst until noon), Standl 20 at Elisabethmarkt (seasonal plates, coffee).
- Munich lunch: Viktualienmarkt stalls (grilled fish, cheese, seasonal salads), Augustiner-Keller (classics under chestnuts).
- Munich dinner: Wirtshaus in der Au (knödel), Spatenhaus an der Oper (duck), Zum Dürnbräu (old-school gemütlichkeit).
Why this route works: You’ll savor Zurich’s culture and cuisine with two varied day trips (waterfall + Alps), then glide to Munich for history, parks, and beer gardens. The balance of nature, city, and food keeps each day distinct without rushing.
Included Viator experiences summarized (pre-book to secure spots):
- Zurich sights + Lake cruise + Lindt visit — see Day 2.
- Rhine Falls & Stein am Rhein half-day — see Day 3.
- Zurich walking food tour — see Day 3.
- Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe” day trip — see Day 4.
In one week you’ll collect lake breezes, mountain air, and the clink of steins beneath chestnut leaves. This Zurich-to-Munich itinerary layers headline sights with local flavors so your memories taste as vivid as your photos look. Viel Spaß and gute Reise!