It always takes some time until you’ll feel at home in a new city. The easiest way to get the local vibe is to do as the locals. myfriendfromzurich has listed five things that guarantee a smooth start in Zurich.

Eat chocolate Just enter any grocery store and eat yourself through the range. If you’re looking for something special, visit one of the many confectioneries Sprüngli in town. The traditional confectionery is known for their pastry and has excellent truffles too.

Buy something at Freitag The Freitag brothers make bags, wallets, laptop cases and much more out of used truck canvas – almost everybody in Zurich possesses an item by them. Visit the shop at Freitag tower, where you shouldn’t miss the view from the sunny rooftop platform.

Jump into lake Zurich Seriously, who needs to go on a holiday when you can jump into the lake in the middle of the city?! Summer or winter, Seebad Enge is the best place to so so: In winter, the popular summer bath turns into a sauna. Be brave and jump right into lake Zurich after a having a long and hot sauna.

End a party night at Happy Beck With its many bars and clubs, the Langstrasse is definitely the place to be for night owls. After a long night, directly go to 24 hours bakery Happy Beck. A double cheese sandwich or a hot dog might not be the healtiest choice, but it´s possibly the best strategy to prevent a massive headache.

Bargain at a flea market A Saturday in Zurich isn’t perfect without a stroll through one of Zurichs flea markets. The the two largest ones are held every Saturday at 7 o´clock at Kanzlei and Bürkliplatz. In summer, there is also a flea market at Frau Gerolds Garten. It starts at 9 o’clock.

Also read our post from February 9th.

Besides all the “normal” shoe stores in the city centre, Zurich offers a rather small but nice choice on stylish shoes:

Peter&Vreni at Langstrasse doesn’t seem to be a great shop at first glance, but it definitely is: there is something for every taste and the staff is happy to help finding the right style, size or colour.

A bit down the street is Movida Shoe Lounge, their manly spanish collection ranges from casual to elegant.

At Dings and Monsieur Dubois you’ll find the shoe with the little something you’ve always looked for.

Glam and Maison Julie offer the most extravagant high heels, peeptoes or sandals.

If you are looking for Scandinavian shoe brands, Nord will make you more than happy: Shoe Biz Copenhagen or Vagabond can be purchased.

And guys, Zurich offers shoes for stylish men as well… Try your luck at Street Files or ON Y VA. One of our favourite brands at ON Y VA is Velt.

The micro delivery network pleasebringme.com connects travelers with locals. On their website, choose “I am at home. Please bring me something.” and post your request there. Good luck!

If you don’t have any special souvenir on your mind, read our suggestions:

I’m bored of the typical cheesy souvenirs. What can I buy that I’ll still like at home?
Where to get the best chocolate in town.
Some of the nicest shops – by hopehope. 

Winter in Zurich is definitely not as cold as the one in Finland, but still cold. To keep yourself warm or beat the homesickness or wanderlust, do what Finns do (you know it if you’re one of them): Sauna, Sauna, Sauna. Drink. Dance. Buy warm and colourful clothes. Watch Aki Kaurismäki films!
But, where to do all that?

For a nice Sauna experience, we send you to Seebad Enge. See post from November 26.

Buy Lapin Kulta beer at Coop and many other brands like Karhu or Koff at the Drinks of the world shop at Zurich mainstation.

The best place to dance is the Helsinki Klub, where great Zurich bands perform, friendly barkeepers serve finnish & local drinks and DJs play the best indie, swing or electronic music. Its wonderfully laid-back atmosphere will surley also ravish the “Non-Finns” among you!

Shop yourself happy: the colourful patterns of Marimekko make you happy at first sight! You will find clothes and more at Schatulle at Rindermarkt 6.
Not less colourful and stylish is the tableware by Iittala, sold at Globus and the crazy avantgarde clothes by Ivana Helsinki at Dings. More about finnish (street)style on Hel Looks.

Get your Aki Kaurismäki films at Filmriss and dip into his melancholic world.

Now, there is only one thing left: finnish coffee and food! As Café Sisu doesn’t exist any longer, we honestly don’t know where to send you.

But for more tips around finnish things in Zurich, check out the Facebook page of the Schweizerische Vereinigung der Freunde Finnlands.

Try Bogen 33 for furniture and bits and bobs, Blenda and Lux Plus for clothes. 16 Tons also has clothes and furniture, but is mostly known for its large record collection.

At Time Tunnel the name speaks for itself: Enter it, and you’ll feel like an extra at the “That ’70s Show”. The Time Tunnel sells furniture and art, but there is also a hair dresser, just in case you might get in the mood for a quiff or a beehive…