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When you think of Zurich, you might instinctively think of chocolate, clocks and pristine lakes.

And while these things do play a big part in the culture of Switzerland's largest city, this July, it's all about football.

Specifically, the UEFA Women's EURO 2025, which runs from the 2nd to the 27th July across eight Swiss cities.

And, of course, Zurich is one of them.

Playing host to the matches, the Letzigrund Stadium will take centre stage during this time. 

But between goals, chants and celebratory pints, there's a whole city waiting to be explored.

Before I dig into the best things to do in Zurich, here are some tournament must-knows. 

Adobe Free Stock / Colin

UEFA Women's EURO 2025 in Zurich: What You Need to Know

Letzigrund Stadium

Address: Badenerstrasse 500, 8048 Zürich.

All matches in Zurich will be held at the Letzigrund Stadium in the west of Zurich. It's approximately a 20-minute tram ride from the city centre.

Fan Zone

The ZüriFanZone sits just outside Zurich main station in the heart of the city.

Primed to bring fans together, here you'll be able to take advantage of live screenings of all 31 matches on a huge 45m² screen.

Expect live music, sports and plenty of other activities with free entry from 11:30 AM to 11 PM throughout the tournament.

Getting Around During Tournament Time

Image by janmaybach from Pixabay

The Swiss transport system is legendary for its efficiency.

SBB trains connect Zurich to every major city in Switzerland, while the city's trams and buses run like clockwork.

Grab a Zurich Card for unlimited public transport - you may use it more than you think.

Match days mean large crowds, so plan 30 to 45 minutes extra for your journey to and from the stadium.

For more information on how to get around Zurich during the tournament, the travel page on the official UEFA Women's EURO website has loads of handy tips and useful information.

Top Tips For Match Days

Pre-Match: Fuel Up Properly

Start your day on Bahnhofstrasse, one of Europe's most exclusive shopping streets.

Adobe Free Stock / maxbelchenko

The cafés here serve breakfast that'll set you back a few quid, but the people-watching is priceless.

Match Time: Big Screen Selection

Can't get tickets? No worries. The fan zones are where the real action happens.

The Europaallee fan zone, ZüriFanZone, is your best bet.

It's central, buzzing and has screens large enough to spot a questionable penalty call from the back row.

Adobe Free Stock / fotosr52

For something a little cosier, head to one of Zurich's sports bars.

Paddy Reilly's is a great place to start. Here, you'll be able to watch every EUROs game, plus pretty much any other sporting event happening at the time.

Another well-rated Irish pub where you're likely to find every game live is Kennedy's.

It boasts two giant projection screens, loads of HD TVs dotted around and split sound zones. 

That means you can watch every game without distracting noise - it's well kitted out for watching the Women's EUROs. 

Post-Match: Celebrations - or Commiserations

Win or lose, the traditional Swiss pubs in the Niederdorf neighbourhood are perfect for drowning your sorrows or celebrating wildly.

The area's winding medieval streets are packed with cosy spots serving local beers and schnapps that'll either enhance your joy or numb your pain.

Image by Rebecca Holm from Pixabay

Regenbogen will be live-streaming every match.

But it's also a great place for a post-match chill, with plenty of comfy sofas to slump back in.

Hailed as "one of the most legendary bars in the city", Olé Olé Bar has been part of Zurich's nightlife for over 50 years.

Situated in Langstrasse, this quirky bar is an excellent shout for sinking a few post-match beers.

If the weather's decent, and in July, it usually is, grab a drink at one of the lakeside terrace bars.

Adobe Free Stock / AlexAnton

Watching the sunset over Lake Zurich while rehashing the match highlights is about as Swiss as it gets.

Samigo Amusement's pizzas, served in a garden environment, are legendary.

Nearby Lake Side's terrace offers some of the best lake views of any bar in the city.

Need to Decompress?

Tournament football can be intense.

When you need to escape the madness, head to the Hürlimannbad & Spa.

Housed in a former brewery, these thermal baths offer the kind of relaxation that'll prepare you for the next match.

Adobe Free Stock / siraphol

If your idea of chilling involves cold treats instead of ice baths, the locals are with you.

Hitting the ice cream, specifically gelato and artisan flavours, is a popular way to manage the summer heat in Zurich.

Here are a few parlours to check out.

• Gelati am See - A charming mobile ice cream stand at Riesbach harbour, directly on Lake Zurich.
• Eisladen - Homemade ice cream with no artificial additives, as it was 100 years ago.
• Caredda - "The store with the wedding cakes in the window" - in Zurich, this sentence is enough for everyone to know what you're talking about.
• Hasta Ice Cream - This parlour in Niederdorf offers delectable icy joys that are well worth a try.

Adobe Free Stock / HalynaRom

Things To Do in Zurich: UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Edition

Whether you're here for the football or just fancy exploring while everyone else is glued to their screens, here are some of the best things to do in Zurich.

City Sightseeing Done Right

Satisfy your camera, eyeballs and your need for relaxation with a wander through Old Town Zurich.

The area is home to some impressive structures, such as Grossmünster and the oldest parish church in the city, St Peter's. 

If you were hoping to see evidence of Switzerland's passion for timepiece mechanisms, you'll also be pleased to know that the church is home to Europe's largest clock face. 

Wikimedia Commons / BrianMeyer09

Lake Zurich boat trips are touristy but worth it.

The one-hour round trip offers up a slice of Zurich from a different angle.

And in July, the water's warm enough for swimming if you're brave enough to join the locals.

For proper views over the city and beyond, take the train or hike up to Uetliberg, Zurich's local mountain.

Yep, a city with its own accessible mountains, you're definitely in Switzerland now.

It's just 20 minutes from the centre by S-Bahn.

Once you're up there, you'll be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views across the rooftops, Lake Zurich and, on clear days, even the snow-capped Swiss Alps.

There's a viewing tower, a café at the top, and plenty of scenic walking trails if you fancy stretching your legs between matches.

Adobe Free Stock / Marcel Bisig

Cultural Hits

Kunsthaus Zurich houses one of Europe's finest art collections and there are plenty of exhibitions on in July.

The FIFA Museum is an obvious choice for football fans visiting Zurich for the Women's EUROs.

It has interactive exhibits, a well-stocked museum shop and enough football memorabilia to keep you busy for hours.

Wikimedia Commons / Daniel

To dig into Zurich's alternative culture, take a street art walking tour through Zürich West.

The area's been transformed from industrial wasteland to hipster paradise, complete with murals and sculptures.

Shopping and Swiss Souvenirs

Viadukt is where Zurich's creative types tend to gather.

This former railway viaduct now houses local designers, vintage shops, and cafés that serve coffee in jam jars.

It's where you'll find that perfect Swiss-made something that's actually worth taking home.

For traditional Swiss purchases, forget the tourist shops. Head to a proper Swiss watch dealer or a chocolatier.

The price difference between tourist chocolate and the real deal is minimal, but the quality gap is significant.

Food and Drink Highlights

Swiss Specialities

Fondue in July might sound a bit crazy.

But Zurich's restaurants serve it year-round because, well, people love it.

And quite frankly, who wouldn't want goodies dipped in cheese 24/7/365?

Adobe Free Stock / M.studio

Find a proper Swiss restaurant - the kind where the locals eat - and order the Zurich-style veal, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes.

That's thin strips of veal in cream sauce, white wine, meat broth and mushrooms.

Rösti could be described as Switzerland's answer to hash browns, but arguably even tastier.

Essentially, rösti is grated potatoes formed into a cake and fried until crispy. Order it as a side dish with everything and thank me later.

Zürcher Geschnetzeltes and Rösti, a dream team / Wikimedia Commons / Katrin Gilger

Coffee Culture

Adobe Free Stock /  Aldeca Productions

Nurturing barista champions and numerous innovative cafes with on-premises roasteries, Zurich's coffee scene is thriving and well-regarded.

Head to some of the following cafes for a taste of Zurich's coffee scene.

• Hype Specialty Coffee - Its iconic orange and black branding is worth the stop-off alone.
• MAME Josef - Co-founded by two world-renowned coffee champions, this is the place to come if you know your beans.
• Ombak Coffee - This family-run spot nods to Indonesia, sourcing its beans from the country before roasting them in Zurich. 
• Amiamo Cafe - Known for its winning combo of great java, tasty baked goods, a chilled atmosphere and late opening hours.

Post-Match Nightlife

After evening matches are done, Zurich comes alive. The Langstrasse area is where the crowds go to drink and dance.

It's gritty, fun and refreshingly unpretentious. 

The aforementioned Olé Olé Bar deserves another shoutout here. As do Hive and Kanzlei as top clubs to check out.

For something quieter, find a brewery bar. Swiss beer is underrated and the brewery bars serve it fresh alongside proper pub food.

You might meet locals and make a few new friends without shouting over thumping dance music.

Adobe Free Stock / Prostock-studio

Insider Tips and Local Know-How

Transport Etiquette

Swiss people queue. And they queue properly, quietly and efficiently.

You can never go wrong following the example set by locals. In this case, that means pushing, rushing and putting feet on seats are all definite no-nos.

Image by janmaybach from Pixabay

Give yourself an extra 30 to 45 minutes to get to wherever you're going while the tournament is on.

Large crowds mean you might have to wait to get the next train, bus or tram. So planning ahead is a sound strategy for stress-free journeys.

Money Matters

Let's be real, Switzerland is known for being expensive.

But, as with every pricey destination, you can do your homework and take suggestions on keeping costs down.

When it comes to hidden costs, tipping isn't mandatory, although it's usually appreciated. 

Staying Safe In Zurich

Zurich is generally considered to be a friendly, safe place.

But, as with many cities, big events, busy places and tournament crowds can attract pickpockets.

It's best to follow your instincts and keep valuables out of plain sight and in zipped pockets while you're out and about.

Especially in crowded fan zones and on packed trams after matches.

Language Basics

German is Austria's first language and luckily for us, most people speak English.

Still, learning a few words goes a long way. "Danke" - thank you, "Bitte" - please and "Prost!" - cheers, will earn you a smile.

Swiss people will undoubtedly appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation provokes a giggle or two. 

Stay Connected in Zurich

Heading to Zurich for UEFA Women's EURO 2025?

Stay connected with an eSIM for Switzerland from Airalo.

Using technology already embedded in your phone, eSIMs remove the need to hunt down local SIM cards and can get you online instantly. 

Perfect for finding fan zones, navigating public transport and checking match updates.