Image by Christine Syrad

Despite not being a girly girl and despite never being able to maintain manicured hands due to my climbing, I found this place really enchanting and am contemplating using the cold weather as a hiatus from climbing just so I can pull beautifully manicured hands out of my ski gloves this year. Just for a change.

Schminkbar is tucked away behind Bahnhofstrasse and is the perfect little oasis in the middle of all the shopping chaos that surrounds it. Upon entering you’re faced with a bar where you can order a hot tea or perhaps a prosecco, whichever you find relaxes you more. If you come just in time for your appointment, don’t fret, you will get some tea and a fruit kebab during your treatment anyway.

What I find so appealing about this place is that you won’t find an air of pretentiousness that can sometimes waft around such salons. Since my nails never resemble anything other than tools that help me grip walls, I usually feel embarrassed about presenting them to a manicurist. Here I felt like it’s ok to walk in with claws and expect to leave with hands fit for a magazine spread.

The quick manicures and pedicures are perfect for those of us in a perpetual hurry who still want to look polished – they only take 30 mins or so max!

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Schminkbar | Relaxing | Manicure CHF 30
Beatengasse 9 | Kreis 1 City | +41433330808
Mon 11:00 – 20:00, Tue – Fri 09:00 – 20:00, Sat 09:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

Sunday Brunching is one thing I’ve tried and tested many times here in Zurich and I’ve seen that some places do food better than others while others offer better atmospheres. Piazza is one of the places you go to for the atmosphere, although the food’s not half bad either. Just make sure you book yourself a spot since, as is often the case here in Zurich, brunch tends to be a busy ordeal and there’s nothing more heartbreaking on a Sunday than turning up to your favourite place only to find it’s booked out…again. If you do miss the boat, you can always come back for an afternoon snack or beers in the evening!

What I love about this place is its location – I think it’s safe to say that Idaplatz is still a little bit of a hidden gem buried in a residential part of town. In the summer it boasts a crowd of fun-loving people who happily rest their tight-jean-wearing bums on the benches while sipping on beers bought at the kiosk. When it’s still too early for beers you can sit in one of the charming bars lining the square, Piazza being one of them.

Some people describe the piazza as making you feel like you’re elsewhere in Europe and while I agreed at first, I now think it’s actually very typical of the relaxed side of Zurich visitors to the city tend to oversee because they expect it to be nothing more than a finance hub.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Piazza | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing | Large brunch CHF 24
Idaplatz 2 | Kreis 3 Wiedikon | +41445589529
Tue – Sat 09:00 – 00:00, Sun 10:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Minimum bouldering

I started bouldering back in England at university and although I wouldn’t call myself a supreme hardcore climber I do thoroughly enjoy it. Not only the activity itself but the laid back attitude that seems to be a mandatory character trait for those who indulge in the sport.

When I moved here I was delighted to find that my flatmate was a climber too. We set out to find ourselves a nearby bouldering spot and came across Minimum…after about 45 minutes of searching for it! It’s not the easiest place to find so I’d suggest you write down the exact address if you decide to go and check it out. It’s right by tram stop Post Wollishofen.

The bouldering facilities are simple but more than adequate. The one limiting factor would be the size and only because the place seems to have become increasingly popular! I don’t blame people from wanting to become regulars after visiting this place though – it has a built in bar, a common use barbecue (bring your own meat), they sell cheap and tasty food in the evenings and once a month they host a music event.

I’m a bit out of practice at the moment so if you see a small black haired girl cursing in the corner somewhere because she’s dropped a few levels, come over and say hi!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Minimum | Relaxing | Own shoes CHF 14
Bachstrasse 15 | Kreis 2 Enge
Mon – Tue 17:30 – 23:00, Wed 12:00 – 23:00, Thu – Fri 17:00 – 23:00, Sat-Sun 13:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

Zürich is surrounded by several hills. On the northwestern side we have the Hönggerberg, offering great panoramic views of the city and hosting several buildings of the famous Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH).

The forest at the northwestern side of the Hönggerberg is my family’s favorite hiking tour. It is our destination during those exceptional occasions that I accept to skip the lake and seek different colors. It offers the feeling of being deep in nature despite being officially within city limits.

Our most unforgettable visits took place during the exceptional autumn of 2006 when the weather remained persistently sunny, mild and dry until December. The leaves suffered a slow death on the trees for the pleasure of our eyes. In Hönggerberg this resulted in a prolonged lavish orgy of colors (see photos).

So autumn is the best time to go. You will be rewarded with a pleasant spectacle of green, yellow, orange and red.

Beautiful mushrooms complement the scenery. If you collect any, make sure you bring them to the appropriate authority for control before eating them.

For the lazy ones (like me): take public transportation to Grünwald and head into the forest through Grünwaldstrasse. Sometime later you will end up descending into inhabited areas.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Hönngerberg | Relaxing
Grünwald | Kreis 10 Wipkingen
Autumn is the best

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

Even today I still come across people who think of Zurich as a sterile city of bankers and merchants selling expensive watches (to the bankers). But we, who are neither bankers nor merchants, have made Zurich one of the best addresses on earth. We have created our little special scenes all over the city.

So we took the beautiful pedestrian walk along the eastern side of the lake and made a scene out of it.

Of course, from all seasons, the summer wins. Not so much because we can have a meal or drink watching the lake or visit a Badi for a swim. But rather because we can express our “life is good” attitude. We are street performers, jugglers, youngsters listening to rap on a battery powered stereo, petites bourgoises eating take-away sushi or just a family with a kid hanging around. We love and photograph again and again the deep red sky of the dusk. And we don’t mind the occasional smell of cannabis.

We like the melancholy of the autumn for the colors of the trees. And in the spring (maybe as early as February), we’d lie next to the water to absorb solar radiation in anticipation of the summer.

However, I, personally, love that Saturday afternoon in the winter; when the sky is grey and there’s plenty of snow on the ground. I’d be alone and feel like I own the place. Moments later, I’d be jumping into the ice cold water of the lake (check the Sauna Utoguai article).

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Utoquai Promenade | Art & culture, Music, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants
Utoquai | Kreis 8 Seefeld
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

An island in the city: beyond the lake and the river, Zurich offers this attraction too. It just feels different to be surrounded by water from every side (trust me, I am Greek). Ok, the island in question is reachable through pedestrian bridges.

The Werdinsel is located in the river Limmat in the city quarter called Höngg and appeals to different people and tastes. The island is, naturally, most popular in the summer.

The upper (eastern) side offers supervised river bathing for the mainstream. Families would appreciate the natural shade of the trees (if desired) and the little pool and playground for the offspring.

The lower side is a popular nudist area (officially illegal since 1983) that is divided into two parts: the major part is primarily gay. The smallest part, separated from the rest by a shallow water canal, attracts a more mixed public. On both parts you may run across some quite creative body art. The gay part attracts also a lot of (dressed) barbecue visitors of all ages.

There is a summer festival (Inselfäscht) in July.

But the island is also ideal for walking, jogging and cycling during other seasons, especially during the autumn. The crowds are away and visitors can enjoy the exhilarating melancholy of the fallen leaves: ideal for a conversation or just self-reflection.

I have also heard of senior citizens bathing in the ice-cold river water during the winter (brrrr).

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Werdinsel | Relaxing, Snacks | Free
Badeplatz Au-Höngg | Kreis 9 Altstetten | +41443417193
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

The Langstrasse neighborhood is gradually getting rid of its red-light character and is becoming the new trendy quarter in Zurich. Upon moving to Zurich 9 years ago, I was told to avoid the area by night. Nowdays a seat at a restaurant or an apartment for rent are objects of desire.

After a dinner in the area, the Mata Hari bar is a good final destination. The bar is conveniently located near Limmatplatz.

“It is sooo red” will be your first and most dominant impression. I don’t know if this intense redness is a tribute to the district’s reputation but I find it very tasteful.

Rock music plays in the background. Having grown up in the 70s with Deep Purple and Pink Floyd, the sound matches my taste but, 30 years later, I appreciate its moderate volume: conversation in Mata Hari is possible without screaming at each other’s ear.

The (red) sofa area feels very relaxing. It is also possible to sit at the bar or at elevated tables nearby (see photos).

The area behind the bar is another highlight; I find it quite elegantly designed.

The public is young, casual and unpretentious. Prices are reasonable. Drinks are served only at the bar.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mata Hari | Bars, Music, Relaxing | Juice CHF 8.00
Langstrasse 237 | Kreis 4 Aussersihl | +41432052250
Mon – Thu 17:00 – 03:00, Fri 17:00 – 04:00, Sat 19:00 – 04:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

Wellness is quite popular in central Europe. A two-hour sauna visit is considered equivalent to a day of vacation. Switzerland, with most of its big cities located by lakes or rivers (or both) offers several possibilities.

Sauna Utoquai is housed at the southern end of the public baths called Bad Utoquai (known as the “Badi” among its regulars). Sauna Utoquai is a members-only club but membership is open to all. The minimum membership period is 3 months and includes unlimited entrance to the facilities: the sauna, the steam bath and the hot tub at the edge of the lake.

The privileged members can enter the lake and relax in the open air throughout the year regardless of weather. From late September to May, members have the entire ground of the “Badi” at their disposal. During the summer they have exclusive use of a separate terrace but can also mingle with the crowds in the Badi.

Outdoor relaxation can take several forms: sunbathing during a nice sunny afternoon or gazing at the sunset or the moonlight from the comfort of the 37 degrees of the hot tub.

Moving to Zurich permanently or for a period of at least three months? The option to take vacation during lunch break, after work or during the weekend exists. In the beginning it is just relaxation; then it gradually becomes lifestyle.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Sauna Utoquai | Relaxing | Annual subscription fee CHF 1350.00
Utoquai 49 | Kreis 8 Seefeld | +41442528085
09:00 – 22:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

I introduced the sauna experience in my article about Sauna Utoquai (see the Sauna Utoquai article). Here is some more philosophy mixed with facts: apparently, sauna strengthens the immune system. According to one theory, it is the high temperature in the cabin which simulates fever in the body thus killing harmful germs. According to another theory (mine), it is the thin layer of subcutaneous fat (nothing to do with getting fat) that develops after a few months of regular visits: it acts as a heat shield for the body. If you ask me: it is the euphoric kick (lots of endorphins) after coming out of the cold lake.

So if you are visiting Zurich or live here and became curious, go to Sauna Enge: housed at a public baths wooden platform sitting ON the lake, it offers a great view of Zürisee and the Glarner Alps. There are three cabins one of which (the best one) is reserved for women Tuesday to Saturday. The whole establishment is reserved for women on Mondays.

There is a lot of space for sunbathing and, should it get cold, you can cover up with blankets and/or move inside behind the glass door and still gaze at the lake and the snowy mountain peaks.

A two-hour stay is recommended but nobody controls. Go early on a sunny day, have breakfast (basic snacks are available) and leave after dark so as to experience all luminosity phases of the lake. A book belongs to the must-have accessories.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Sauna Enge | Relaxing | Single entrance CHF 25.00
Mythenquai 9 | Kreis 2 Enge | +41442013889
Oct – Apr 09:00 – 23:00 | Special times in the summer

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Martin Gerber

The Uetliberg is pretty well known and very touristy. So what is it doing here, you ask? Well, I don’t want to tell you about the famous Zurich lookout per se, I want to recommend you a way to get there: I want you to walk up there. Don’t take the train, as they say, it’s boring, and you miss the beautiful path through the beautiful wood and that would be a pity.

So if it’s not raining take the the Bus Number 72 or the Tram 14 to their terminal station “Triemli” and from there head to the hill. Or take the Tram number 13 to “Albisgüetli”, also an terminal station for an alternative way up. Getting up takes about an hour, a bit less if you’re an athlete, a bit more if you’re a slacker like me. Halfway up there’s a booth where you can buy little snacks and a warm drink to refresh yourself. Then on the top you can enjoy the view over Zurich, take a picture, maybe have a hot dog, feeling that you really deserved it after a healthy dose of exercise.

To get back into the city, I allow you to take the train.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Uetliberg by Foot | Coffee & tea, Relaxing
Triemli | Kreis 9 Altstetten
Daily (but I recommend you to go when it’s good weather)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich