Start in Grossmünster, the landmark Romanesque church on the Limmat. Allow about 45 minutes, including the tower climb: the narrow 187-step stairway is worth it for the rooftops, river, and lake views. The church is generally open daily, though tower access can have shorter hours and may cost around CHF 5; check the posted hours when you arrive. From here, walk across Münsterbrücke to Fraumünster in roughly five minutes. Set aside another 45 minutes for the interior and Marc Chagall’s luminous stained-glass windows. Keep your ticket handy if one is issued, and take a little time afterward to wander the quiet lanes around Münsterhof rather than rushing straight on.
For a relaxed pause, settle at Rathaus Café, close to the Limmat and Rathaus. Budget CHF 10–20 per person for coffee and cake, and allow about an hour; Sunday service can be slower, which suits the unhurried atmosphere. Continue afterward along Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s polished shopping boulevard, walking south toward the lake for about an hour. The shops are mostly closed on Sunday, but the architecture, tram traffic, and people-watching still make the walk worthwhile—especially around Paradeplatz and Bürkliplatz.
At the end of Bahnhofstrasse, continue to the Lake Zurich promenade around Bürkliplatz and Sechseläutenplatz. Spend an hour strolling beside the water, watching boats and swans, and looking back toward the city as the light softens. In August, sunset is late—around 9 p.m.—so this is an excellent place to linger; bring a light layer, as the lakeside breeze can turn cool. For dinner, walk back toward the city centre to Zeughauskeller, a historic former arsenal near Paradeplatz. Reserve if possible, as Sunday evenings are popular, and expect CHF 30–50 per person for traditional dishes such as rösti, sausages, or Zürcher-style specialties. The restaurant is lively rather than intimate, so it makes a fitting finish to a first day in Zurich.