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).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Werdinsel | Relaxing, Snacks | Free
Badeplatz Au-Höngg | Kreis 9 Altstetten | +41443417193
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

I was first acquainted with this more than charming place, called Trhiibhuus, two years ago at a work do (this is a great place for big events, incidentally) and I’ve been enchanted ever since. Charming often gives a sense of quaintness, but that’s not what I intend in this case, not at all. I mean it in the sense that it’s cosy and welcoming, however, small or quaint are not words I’d associate with this mini rainforest.

The place is essentially a huge greenhouse tucked away near Altstetten where you get to experience dining in a jungle without the bugs and exotic (and potentially scary) animals eyeballing your food.

It’s another one of those places you simply wouldn’t drop into out of curiosity because it’s not prominently on display on Bahnhofstrasse or tucked in a faux-hidden alley in the Niederdorf. You need to know about it to go there and that’s one reason I was compelled to introduce it on this blog.

If you’re bored with fondue and would like a bit of a jolt to the Swiss dining experience in the form of something other than Asian fusion, then I suggest you take dive into the mezze buffet here and see if you still have room for a main meal afterwards. If not, then you can move straight on to cocktails!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Triibhuus | Bars, Restaurants | Main meal CHF 35
Salzweg 50 | Kreis 9 Altstetten | +41444341030
Tue – Sun 11:30 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Ivo Vasella

You want to travel through time and meet eye-witnesses of the last half century? Search no further, the “Outlane” is your place: a mix between bar, museum and private collection of pinball machines and old video games that you can play.

The Outlane is run by two crazy collectors and contains 50 Flippers and about 10 old consoles with ever-changing old video games. The most ancient flippers are from the beginning days in the forties, very simple and sweet (and pretty boring to play), whereas the newest ones have a lot of kick-ass features. All these machines have a story to tell, they reveal things about the time they were made. If you’re interested, drop in and talk to the owners, they like to tell people about their collection.

Being no regular bar, the Outlane is only opened once per month – and it’s almost impossible to find. In the middle of a living quarter, you have to walk down a car garage and ring on an unimposing door. Well, that has it’s charm too, doesn’t it? Check out the comments of this article for a detailed description how to get there.

One last thing: Please consider this place a museum, not a bar to get shit-faced and out of control. You got plenty of opportunities to do that at the Langstrasse.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Outlane | Art & culture, Bars
Fuchsiastrasse 10 | Kreis 9 Altstetten
Every last Thursday of the month from 20:30

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