From the lake to the Limmat
A day in Zürich — 6 stops, about 2.37 km on foot, 34 minutes walking.
A short, flat day that starts at the water, moves through the National Museum and a quieter corner north of the station, then settles into the old town and the riverbank. About 1.5 km of walking in total, so it suits an unhurried pace with long stops.
The route, in order
Lake Zurich boardwalk
Start at the water while the light is still low and the promenade is quiet, before the day fills up.
6 min walk — Head west on Bahnhofpassage/Bahnhofplatz toward Bahnhofquai
Landesmuseum
Follow the lake to where the river leaves it and the museum sits by the main station — indoor time after the open waterfront.
11 min walk — Head south
Liebfrauenkirche
A few streets on from the museum, this church makes a quiet stop away from the station crowds.
7 min walk — Head northwest toward Weinbergfussweg
Rheinfelder Bierhalle
Opens 09:00
Doors are open from 09:00, so it works as a late-morning or lunch break: plain food, cheap beer, mostly locals.
4 min walk — Head west on Friedrich-Glauser-Gasse toward Niederdorfstrasse
Old Town
Walk on into the old town with something in you — the lanes, the Grossmünster and Fraumünster towers, no fixed route needed.
6 min walk — Head west on Köngengasse toward Limmatquai
Limmatufer
End on the riverbank, a short step from the old town streets, for the slow part of the afternoon along the Limmat.