Welcome to a compact European escape where culture and countryside meet. Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, balances medieval lanes and avant‑garde art with a glittering lake and snow-tipped horizons. A short hop away, the Principality of Liechtenstein offers postcard castles, modern museums, and vineyard-fringed slopes above the Rhine.

Zurich’s Old Town (Altstadt) threads between the twin-towered Grossmünster and stained-glass masterworks of Fraumünster, while powerhouse collections at the Kunsthaus and the Swiss National Museum deepen the story. Liechtenstein’s capital, Vaduz, feels almost storybook—cobbled Städtle, the Red House, St. Florin’s Cathedral, and the clifftop castle of the princely family presiding above it all.

Practical notes: Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF), cards are widely accepted, and tap water is exceptional. Trains are punctual; consider the Zürich Card (24/72 hours) for local transit and museum perks, or the Swiss Travel Pass if you’ll roam more widely. Sundays are quiet with limited shopping; plan meals and activities accordingly.

Zurich

Set at the Limmat’s outflow into Lake Zurich, the city mixes medieval guild houses with sleek galleries and a famously livable café culture. Views from Lindenhof reveal red roofs and river bends; sunsets from the Quaibrücke light up the Alps on clear days.

• Top sights: Grossmünster towers, Fraumünster’s Chagall windows, Kunsthaus Zürich, Swiss National Museum, Bahnhofstrasse, Lindenhof hill, and a Lake Zurich cruise.
• Food & drink: Breakfast at Café Henrici (Altstadt) or ViCafe (standing espresso bar). Lunch on bratwurst and Bürli at Sternen Grill, or go classic Swiss at Zeughauskeller. For dinner, the art-lined Kronenhalle, plant-forward icon Haus Hiltl (since 1898), inventive small plates at Restaurant Josef, or gooey goodness at Raclette Factory.
• Insider tip: The lake promenades (Seefeld and Enge) are perfect for a golden-hour stroll; pack a swimsuit in summer for a dip at Seebad Enge.

Where to stay (Zurich): For grand tradition by the lake, Baur au Lac offers heritage and gardens (book on Hotels.com). Steps from the station, Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich delivers superb service and soundproofed rooms (book on Hotels.com). Value-minded travelers love the tidy, central Hotel Marta (book on Hotels.com), while Novotel Zurich City West suits families and business stays in trendy Zürich-West (book on Hotels.com). Browse more stays: Hotels.com Zurich or apartments on VRBO Zurich.

Getting in: Fly into Zurich (ZRH). Compare flights within Europe on Omio and long-haul options on Kiwi.com. From the airport, S-Bahn to Zurich HB takes ~12 minutes (about CHF 6–7)—search regional trains on Omio Trains.

Vaduz (Liechtenstein)

One of Europe’s smallest capitals, Vaduz charms with contemporary art museums, a tidy pedestrian core, and the silhouette of Vaduz Castle above terraced vines. It’s an easy day trip from Zurich—scenic and relaxed.

• Top sights: Vaduz Castle viewpoint (no interior visits), Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein and Hilti Art Foundation, Städtle (old town), the Red House, and St. Florin’s Cathedral.
• Food & drink: Reserve Restaurant Torkel (seasonal, wine-focused cuisine in historic vaulted cellars), sip local pinot at Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein (winery & bistro), or try gemütlich classics at Gasthof Löwen. For coffee and cake, the museum café and cozy spots along Städtle do it right.
• Fun fact: German is official; the local Alemannic dialect has a musical lilt all its own.

Staying over? Most visitors day-trip, but if you linger, compare options on Hotels.com Vaduz or find apartments on VRBO Vaduz.

Zurich–Vaduz transport: Train Zurich HB→Sargans (~55 min), then bus 11 to Vaduz Post (~25 min). Total 1h20–1h30; expect ~CHF 25–35 each way depending on time and fare—plan and book via Omio Trains and Omio Buses. Driving is ~1 hour each way in light traffic.

Day 1: Arrive in Zurich, Old Town Icons, Lake Breeze, and Chocolate

Afternoon: Touch down at ZRH and ride the S-Bahn into the city. Drop your bags, then take a gentle Old Town loop: Lindenhof view deck to the Limmat, slip inside Fraumünster for Chagall’s ethereal windows, and cross to Grossmünster’s twin towers. Coffee break at Café Henrici for smooth flat whites or gelato at Gelateria di Berna (in season).

Late Afternoon Activity (guided): Consider the half-day Zurich overview with a lake segment and sweet finale:

Zurich Highlights Tour With Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate — coach sightseeing, a short Lake Zurich cruise, and time at Lindt Home of Chocolate.

If you prefer to go independently or just want museum entry, snag:

Last minute flexible entry for Lindt Home of Chocolate — explore cocoa history, techy production exhibits, and the 9-meter chocolate fountain.

Evening: Aperitif on Bellevue’s lakeside benches, then dinner. Choose Kronenhalle (beef filet Café de Paris under museum-grade art), Zeughauskeller (hearty Swiss in a 15th‑century armory—veal Zürcher Geschnetzeltes is the move), or Restaurant Josef (creative small plates; share 2–3 per person). Nightcap at Widder Bar for serious cocktails or a riverside stroll along the Limmat.

Day 2: Day Trip to Liechtenstein (Vaduz) — Two Countries in One Day

Option A: Fully guided all-day tour from Zurich (great if you want scenery plus history without logistics):

Heidiland and Liechtenstein Tour from Zurich — coach through the Walensee and Rhine Valley with Heidi-country stops and time in Vaduz’s Städtle. Expect mountain views, cultural context, and smooth transport.

Option B: DIY by train + bus (flexible timing, easy connections): Depart Zurich HB around 8:00 a.m., change at Sargans, arrive Vaduz Post about 1h25 later (~CHF 25–35 each way; check Omio Trains and Omio Buses). Walk Städtle to see the Red House, St. Florin’s Cathedral, and the castle viewpoint. The art duo—Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein + Hilti Art Foundation—packs a punch for modern and contemporary lovers.

Lunch in Vaduz: For an elegant splurge, book Restaurant Torkel (seasonal tasting menus, local wines); for something casual, Hofkellerei Bistro does regional plates and flights of princely estate wines. Coffee and sweets at the museum café before a final stroll.

Optional local tour: If you’d like a concise orientation, join:

Explore Vaduz in 60 minutes with a Local — a swift walkthrough of the highlights with context.

Return: Aim for a mid/late‑afternoon bus back to Sargans for the Zurich train, getting you to the city by early evening.

Dinner back in Zurich: Go casual at Frau Gerolds Garten (shipping-container beer garden; seasonal) or tuck into Swiss classics at Swiss Chuchi (fondue and rösti). For dessert, head to Confiserie Sprüngli on Paradeplatz for Luxemburgerli macarons and hot chocolate.

Day 3: Zurich Culture, Tastes, and Departure

Morning: Choose art or eats. Art lovers can hit Kunsthaus Zürich for everything from Giacometti to contemporary installations; design fans may prefer the Swiss National Museum’s sweeping exhibits. If you want a guided culinary dive, join:

Zurich Food Tour of 10 Local Delicacies with Cheeses & Chocolates — tastes might include Zopf, Bündnerfleisch, local cheeses, and artisan chocolates.

Afternoon (departure): Pick up last-minute gifts on Bahnhofstrasse (Sprüngli truffles, Victorinox Swiss Army), then ride the S-Bahn back to the airport (~12 minutes). For European flights, compare fares and schedules on Omio Flights; for intercontinental routes, check Kiwi.com. If you’re extending your stay, consider an afternoon city tour up to Felsenegg for lake panoramas:

Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride — a compact hit list with stellar views.

Logistics at a glance

• Airport–city: ~12 min by S-Bahn; frequent departures.
• Zurich–Vaduz: 1h20–1h30 each way via Sargans + bus; from ~CHF 25–35 each way. Plan on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.
• Staying in Zurich: See Baur au Lac, Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich, Hotel Marta, Novotel Zurich City West or browse Hotels.com Zurich / VRBO Zurich.
• Tickets & passes: Zürich Card (24/72 hours) is handy for local transit and museum discounts; Swiss Travel Pass is best if adding more Swiss rail days. If you want a pass with built-in guiding, see the Viator “Swiss Travel Pass: Guided Edition.”

Swiss Travel Pass Guided Edition | Unlimited Switzerland

In just three days, you’ll savor Zurich’s lake, lanes, and legendary chocolate, then add a rare microstate to your passport with Vaduz’s art and castle views. This itinerary keeps travel times short and experiences rich—perfect for a stylish European long weekend.

Return home with alpine photos, new favorite Swiss dishes, and perhaps a bottle of princely pinot from the Rhine valley.