Date Ideas in Zurich, Switzerland

Known as the City of Bankers, Zurich is undoubtedly the financial nerve center of Switzerland. At the same time though Zurich offers a rich and varied social life too with dining, shopping and recreational options galore. Besides, it has many cultural avenues including theaters, museums and art galleries. Thus if you are planning a date in Zurich, there is a whole range of ideas you can choose from.

Romantic waters of Lake Zurich

At the southeastern edge of the city lies the Lake Zurich which spans a length of forty kilometers and a width of three kilometers. Here you can stroll hand-in-hand with your partner along the lake’s shore and watch the swans basking in the sun. If you wish to venture into the water, you can you can rent a paddle boat for two and from the lake you can get an amazing view of the city. If you have ample time at your disposal, board a boat for a two-hour exploration deeper into the lake where you can also take in romantic vistas of surrounding villages. The water in Lake Zurich is very clean and during summer, temperatures reach well beyond 20 °C. Thus swimming in the public baths and beaches is another popular activity that you can indulge along the lake in times of good weather.

View the city from the top

If both of you are history buffs, you can have a delightful date visiting the Grossmunster, the towering church founded by Charlemagne. Hold your partner’s hand as you both climb the 184 stairs of the tower and then be prepared for the views of the city from the top are sure to take your breath away. Once you are back down, snack on soft and creamy macarons from Sprüngli, which claims to have invented them and calls them Luxemburgerli.

A walk through the Old Town

If you are looking for a date idea that is easy on the pocket and casual in nature, a great option would be to browse through the old part of the Zurich city. Across the Limmat, the river which bisects most of the city, is the old town area where churches, houses and old guild-halls lie clustered together. Here you can visit the Lindenhof which is the historical site of the Roman castle and the later Carolingian Imperial Palace. Climb the hill to arrive at historic Lindenhof plaza; its three distinguished churches include the Fraumünster, whose fanciful stained glass windows by Marc Chagall delight and inspire. Once you have taken in the sights and picked up a few souvenirs from the quaint curio ships, you and your partner can step into any of the lovely patisseries that dot cobblestone streets of the old part of city and gorge on some scrumptious goodies.

Live it up at the Dolder Grand

If resources are not a problem, you can plan for a luxurious date at the Dolder Grand in Zurich which is located on a hilltop just ten minutes outside of the city by car. This is a haven of placid indulgence for couples seeking privacy and calm away from bustling Zurich proper. The Japanese-influenced spa features two private suites and here you can choose from a menu of medical treatments including lasers, peels and injections as well as exotic pampering like sauna, massage sessions and indoor heated pools. If you and your partner are more of the outdoor sort, the resort allows you to hike the grounds, play nine holes of golf or perhaps hit balls on one of five tennis courts.

Watch a classical performance

With its traditional wealth, Zurich has been able to afford many splendid centers of culture and high art. Thus if you and date are keen lovers of culture, consider attending a performance of classical music or the ballet at the Zurich Opera House which is one of the grandest opera houses of Europe. Indeed, once a year, it hosts the Zürcher Opernball with the President of the Swiss Confederation and the economic and cultural élite of Switzerland in attendance. Alternatively you can even catch a play at the Schauspielhaus Zürich which is the main theatre complex of the City. It has two parts - one is the Pfauen located in the Central City District and the other is the Schiffbauhalle in Zurich West. Other than these, there is also the Theater am Neumarkt, one of the oldest theatres of the city. Established by the erstwhile guilds in the Old City District, it is located in a baroque palace near Niederdorf Street and has two stages which host mostly avantgarde works by European directors.

Taste the happening nightlife

If you have had enough of classical culture and would now like to put on your dancing shoes, Zurich has several options to help you plan a date. The Amber is a fashionable nightclub right in the vibrant heart of the city. Here the dominant impression is one of urbanity, glamour and spaciousness, which has as much to do with the club’s location, a stately 18th century building, as with the fact that Zurich’s famous Bahnhofstrasse – one of the most exclusive shopping destinations in the world – is also right around the corner. Jade restaurant & club, is another destination in Zurich that impresses with an overall air of understated luxury. Or you can go bar-hopping through Zurich West, the former industrial center that is being redeveloped as a nightlife and artistic center. Alternatively if you are looking for a fancy place to celebrate a special day, treat your date to a dinner at the posh and elegant restaurant Rive Gauche which is a part of the famous luxury hotel Baur au Lac in Zurich.

Propose with a diamond

Finally what is a date in Zurich without splurging on its famous luxury brands?. And if you are thinking of proposing to your partner, this city of uber indulgences might be the perfect place to do it. So take your partner and browse through the high end stores lined along the Bahnofstrasse, which is often dubbed the Fifth Avenue of Switzerland. Here luxury watch makers and jewelers, such as Gubelin and Bucherer, as well as brand-name department stores Globus and Jelmoni, tempt shoppers with glittering window displays and you are sure to find the something just right to impress your partner with.