One week between Zurich and Milan is the sweet spot: enough time to savor lakefront walks and Old Town lanes, then sweep south by train to Gothic spires, design-forward neighborhoods, and the dolce vita. This itinerary pairs Swiss precision with Italian flair, built around scenic rail, leisurely meals, and one or two bucket-list day trips.

Zurich began as a Roman customs post and grew into a Reformation stronghold; today it’s a cultural capital where church steeples meet contemporary art and a pristine lake steals the show. Milan, once the heart of a vast duchy, now sets the pace for fashion and design while housing some of Europe’s finest art—from Leonardo to cutting-edge galleries.

Expect efficient trains, walkable historic centers, and menus that move from rösti and raclette to risotto alla Milanese and Negroni Sbagliato. Reserve high-demand experiences like The Last Supper weeks ahead, pack layers for the mountains even in summer, and bring comfortable shoes for cobbles and cathedral rooftops.

Zurich

Zurich’s Altstadt (Old Town) curls along both banks of the Limmat, stitched together by stone bridges and crowned by the twin towers of Grossmünster. The lakeside promenades are the city’s living room—mornings joggers, afternoons sailboats, evenings golden light.

Top sights include Fraumünster’s Chagall windows, the Swiss National Museum, Kunsthaus Zürich’s enlarged modern wing, and the hillside lookout at Lindenhof. When the sun shines, locals ride the little Limmat boats or picnic at the Seebad enclosures.

• Where to stay (curated): Classic grandeur at Baur au Lac; railway-adjacent ease at Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich; boutique-value in the center at Hotel Marta; family-friendly and modern at Novotel Zurich City West. Or browse apartments and stays: VRBO Zurich and Hotels.com Zurich.
• What to eat: Warm up with Bürli bread and a Luxemburgerli macaron; try rösti at Zeughauskeller, vegetable-driven classics at Haus Hiltl (founded 1898), and Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (veal in creamy mushroom sauce) with rösti at Kronenhalle.
• Coffee & drinks: MAME for competition-grade pour-overs; ViCafe for a quick, perfect flat white; sunset spritz at Frau Gerold’s Garten or refined cocktails at Widder Bar.

Milan

Milan does contrasts beautifully—Gothic pinnacles beside glass arcades, Roman ruins near bold modernist facades. It’s a city of courtyards: push past a heavy doorway and a quiet garden or gallery often appears.

Don’t miss the Duomo and its marble rooftop, Leonardo’s The Last Supper in Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Sforza Castle, and a slow ramble through artsy Brera. Evenings flow best along the Navigli canals with an aperitivo spread and animated conversation.

• Where to stay (curated): Old-world glamour at Hotel Principe di Savoia; chic and central by the Duomo at Room Mate Giulia; refined value between Castello and Brera at UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano; social and budget-friendly at Ostello Bello. Also see VRBO Milan and Hotels.com Milan.
• What to eat: Morning pastries at Pavé or Marchesi 1824; lunch on a paper-warm panzerotto from Luini; at dinner, risotto alla Milanese and ossobuco at Trattoria Milanese or contemporary Lombard flavors at Ratanà.
• Aperitivo & gelato: Canal-side drinks in Navigli, a classic Sbagliato at Bar Basso, creative cocktails at Nottingham Forest, and gelato at Cioccolati Italiani.

Day 1 — Arrive in Zurich (Altstadt, lake light, and Swiss comfort food)

Afternoon: Land in Zurich and check in. Stretch your legs with a gentle loop: Bahnhofstrasse to Paradeplatz, along the Limmat to the arcaded Niederdorf, and up to Lindenhof for river views. Pop into Fraumünster to admire Marc Chagall’s stained-glass windows.

Evening: Classic Swiss dinner at Zeughauskeller (hearty rösti, sausages) or Kronenhalle (veal Zurich-style; walls hung with original Miró and Chagall). Nightcap at Old Crow, a tiny bar with a rare-spirits list, or a lakeside stroll from Bürkliplatz.

Arriving flights: Compare into Zurich (ZRH) on Omio Flights. If you’re flying from outside Europe, also check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 2 — Zurich Icons, Lake Cruise, and Chocolate

Morning: Espresso at MAME or ViCafe, then the Swiss National Museum’s story-rich galleries in the riverside castle by the main station. Stroll to Grossmünster and climb its Karlsturm for rooftops and lake panoramas.

Afternoon (tour): See the city by bus and boat, plus satisfy your sweet tooth with a Lindt fix on the Zurich Highlights Tour With Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate.

Expect a guided overview of key landmarks, a relaxing lake segment, and guaranteed entry at Lindt’s interactive museum in Kilchberg.

Evening: Vegetarian feast at Haus Hiltl (buffet or à la carte—don’t miss the Zürich-style rösti with mushrooms), or alpine-modern plates at Restaurant Alpenrose. Finish with sunset drinks at Frau Gerold’s Garten.

Day 3 — Full-Day Swiss Alps Adventure (Jungfraujoch)

Trade city cobbles for snow and ice on the Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland.

Ride through the Brünig Pass, see Interlaken, and ascend by cogwheel train to the “Top of Europe” for the Ice Palace and Aletsch Glacier views. Pack a warm layer, sunglasses, and appetite for mountain snacks. Return to Zurich in the evening; if you have energy, grab a late bite at Sternen Grill (famed bratwurst and Bürli) or tapas at Bodega Española.

Day 4 — Train to Milan, Duomo at Dusk, and Navigli Aperitivo

Morning: Coffee and a flaky croissant at Sprüngli on Paradeplatz, then roll your bag to Zurich HB for the EuroCity train to Milano Centrale. The ride is scenic and swift (about 3h15–3h30 through the Gotthard Base Tunnel); advance fares often run €29–€90. Seat reservations are recommended on popular departures. Book on Omio Trains; bus alternatives (4.5–6h) are on Omio Buses.

Afternoon: Check in, then meet Milan’s heart: the Duomo square. Step into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to admire glass vaults and visit the central mosaic for a good-luck spin. Espresso pick-me-up at Marchesi 1824 beneath beaux-arts chandeliers.

Evening: Aperitivo along the Navigli canals: try Mag Café for craft cocktails or Backdoor 43 for a quirky speakeasy vibe. Dinner nearby at Osteria del Binari (veal cutlet, saffron risotto) or expansive Milanese favorites at Trattoria Milanese Dal 1933.

Day 5 — Duomo Rooftops, The Last Supper, and Brera

Morning–Afternoon (tour): Secure the city’s hottest tickets with the Milan Duomo & The Last Supper Skip-the-Line Small Group Tour.

You’ll explore the cathedral’s forest of spires (rooftop access is a highlight) and see Leonardo’s mural in Santa Maria delle Grazie—book weeks ahead if possible.

Afternoon: Wander Brera’s cobbles and courtyards; pop into the Pinacoteca if you love Renaissance art, or browse design boutiques and profumieri. Lunch at Pavé (buttery brioche, seasonal salads) or De Santis for stuffed panini.

Evening: Contemporary Milanese at Ratanà (set in a Liberty-era building by the modern Porta Nuova skyline) or inventive pizza and cocktails at Dry Milano. Nightcap at Bar Basso—the birthplace of the Negroni Sbagliato.

Day 6 — Lake Como and Bellagio (Full Day) — or swap for the Bernina Red Train

Classic lakeside glamour beckons on the Lake Como & Bellagio Day Trip with Private Boat Cruise.

Stroll Como’s cathedral square, sail past grand villas, and wander Bellagio’s stepped lanes for gelato and silk shops; return to Milan by evening.

Alternative for mountain lovers: Ride into high-alpine scenery aboard the UNESCO-listed railway on the Bernina Red Train, Swiss Alps & St Moritz From Milan.

It’s an unforgettable day of glaciers, spirals, and dramatic passes—choose this if peaks beat piazzas for you.

Day 7 — Castello, Design Corners, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Cova (a Milanese institution since 1817), then walk through the brick ramparts of Sforza Castle into leafy Parco Sempione. If time allows, peek into the Triennale for Italian design or visit the serene Monumental Cemetery’s sculptural avenues.

Afternoon (departure): Quick lunch near the center—Luini’s panzerotti to-go, or a sit-down risotto at Trattoria Torre di Pisa in Brera—then head to Milano Centrale or the airport. Compare onward trains and flights on Omio Trains and Omio Flights (for non-Europe routes, also see Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com).

Practical tips: Zurich and Milan are card-friendly; carry a little cash for small cafés. In summer, book restaurant terraces; in winter, the Alps may require weather-flexible plans. Trains between the cities are frequent—aim for morning departures to maximize your arrival day’s sightseeing.

In a single week, you’ll trace a graceful arc from Zurich’s lake and mountains to Milan’s marble and modernism, tasting Swiss precision and Italian warmth along the way. With scenic rail, curated tours, and well-placed hotels, it’s a Europe itinerary you’ll want to repeat—and refine—season after season.