There is a strange quiet that happens at the end of a long trip. Not the quiet of a peaceful place. Not the quiet of mountains or empty streets. But the quiet that settles in when you realize the journey is almost over.

If you only have a couple of days in Zurich but want to experience the Swiss Alps, a day trip into the mountains is absolutely worth it. One of the best surprises about Zurich is how easy it is to reach some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking landscapes. Within a few hours you can go from historic city streets to waterfalls, glacial rivers, alpine villages, and towering mountain peaks.

After saying goodbye to the Matterhorn in Zermatt, we boarded the train for the final stop of our Swiss adventure. Zurich. Compared to the quiet alpine villages we had been visiting, Zurich immediately felt more energetic. Busy streets, historic architecture, craft beer, incredible cocktails, and a full day exploring some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking landscapes made it the perfect place to end the trip.