Zurich Deserted

Schools out! Friday sees the start of Zurich’s school holidays and whilst weary teachers lunge for the vodka bottle and thousands of filthy urchins flood from the classrooms and into the streets, a strange change takes over the city.

If you haven’t booked a holiday away it is a golden time to remain in the city. Many of the adult education institutions are closed and as parents sweat for hours in their cars at the entrance to the Gotthard tunnel, the city becomes peaceful and serene but above all, empty. 

Alaka Patel from Pexels

If you are not tied to the school calendar i recommend a “stay-cation,” during holidays and enjoy the space, empty trams, and tumbleweeds rolling gently through the deserted streets. Enjoy not waiting for a table at restaurants and shorter queues for your favourite tipple.  

It is also worth knowing that each canton sets its own holiday dates which are coordinated to reduce traffic and reduce overcrowding on the slopes during the ski season. The following website, (schulferien.org) is a pretty good resource, especially if your life is spread across more than one canton.  Enjoy the peace and enjoy the city.