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THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Zurich Airport

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THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Zurich Airport

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Free and up-to-date :), things to do around zurich airport, zürich card: save on attractions, transport, and dining.

Enjoy Zurich to the fullest and save at the same time with a Zürich Card that is valid for 24 or 72 hours. Get free travel on public transport, free admission to museums, and additional discounts.

Zürich: City Highlights Tour by Coach, Cable Car, and Ferry

Discover Zurich and its surroundings on an extended city tour. Visit the Old Town with its churches and ride on the aerial cable car for a breathtaking view over Lake Zurich and the Alps.

From Zurich: Mount Titlis Day Tour

Explore the charming Swiss city of Lucerne before enjoying a ride up Mount Titlis. Take in 360-degree views of the Swiss Alps from the Rotair revolving cable car and stop by an ice grotto.

Zurich: Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket

Experience the world of chocolate with all your senses — from its history to its production and cultural significance. Find out fascinating facts about chocolate through multimedia exhibits, and benefit from unlimited chocolate tasting.

Zürich: City Tour, Cruise, and Lindt Home of Chocolate Visit

Discover Zürich on a combined city tour and cruise and see why it has been consecutively named the "city with the world's best quality of life." Marvel at imposing churches, guild houses and more.

From Zurich: Bus Day Trip to Heidiland and Liechtenstein

Explore some of Switzerland’s most scenic Alpine areas and visit the tiny country of Liechtenstein on a day trip from Zurich. Visit Rapperswil and Vaduz, cross the Ricken Pass, and stop in Maienfeld.

Tours and transport

Zurich: city sightseeing tour with lake cruise.

Combine a sightseeing tour of Switzerland's largest city with a cruise on Lake Zurich. Get an overview of the city by bus, explore the Old Town on foot, and discover the city's highlights by boat.

Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours

The most popular 2-hour guided walking tour through Zurich´s historic old town offers fascinating insights into the city´s colorful history.

From Zürich: Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls

Spend the afternoon in northern Switzerland on a half-day trip from Zurich. Travel through charming villages, visit Europe's largest waterfall, and the medieval village of Stein am Rhein.

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12 Things to do on a layover at Zurich Airport

Luckily for you, if you have found yourself with a layover at Zurich Airport, you’ll be doing so at one of the top airports in the world. Travellers love this airport for its sleek design, ease of use, and cleanliness. It’s not too big, but it is well appointed with amenities, shops and restaurants (albeit pricey), and excellent connections to the city center and nearby towns. Whatever you’re in the mood for, here are 12 things to do on a layover at Zurich Airport.

1. Enjoy a meal

2. Relax in a lounge

3. Hit the shops

4. Freshen up

5. Treat yourself at the salon

Maybe you’re looking for a chance to treat yourself to a new look. There are a couple of salons inside the Airport Centre. Shanty Beauty Design is a full-service nail bar, and Airport Jet Coiffeur offers haircuts and styles so you can arrive at your destination in style.

6. Tour the airport

The airport runs 75-minute bus tours of the airport that offer an insider peek at airport aprons, the Airside Center, and a tunnel under a runway! Tours are offered on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Schedules and tickets are available at the observation deck; tickets are CHF 8 for adults and CHF 4 for children.

7. Squeeze in a workout

Work out and get your blood pumping between flights at the Airport Fitness and Wellness Center inside the Radisson Blu Hotel. Purchase a day pass to access fitness equipment, classes, a sauna, and shower facilities. If you only want to freshen up, a shower-only package is available, too.

8. Rent outdoor equipment

Switzerland is known for its majestic countryside. Lucky for you, the airport is near some hiking and skiing trails. The airport offers sports rentals ranging from bikes, inline skates, and Nordic walking poles so you can get some fresh air on your layover. Head to the Service Center in Car Park 2, Floor 1.

9. Hunt for treasures

Keep the kids entertained! German-speaking travellers can take advantage of an in-airport Treasure Hunt for hidden treasures. Free guides are available at the Service Center and Observation Deck B.

10. Go sightseeing in Zurich

First up – leaving the airport. You can store any bags or luggage in the Service Center before heading out. Getting into the airport is easy with the Route 10 tram line, which departs every 7-15 minutes and has you in the city center in under 15 minutes. The tram isn’t super cheap, but it’s still more affordable than other options like taxis, and buses will take a bit longer.

Once downtown, you’re within walking distance of plenty of world-class sights. Window shop along the Bahnhofstrasse , a mile-long street home to some of the world’s most expensive shops. Pop by the Fraumunster , a significant church, and check out its stained glass by famous artist Marc Chagall. Contrast newer Zurich with the Altstadt (Old Town), where you’ll find cobblestones and traditional architecture. Pop into the Kunsthalle or the Swiss National Museum for world-class art collections. If adventure is more your style, opt for a cable car ride or hike up one of the nearby mountains or, as long as you’ve got the whole day, join a tour to Rhine Falls , Switzerland’s largest waterfall.

However you pass your layover, don’t forget to leave enough time to return and pick up your luggage, process through security, and hop on your next flight.

11. Get Connected

You do need to register for access; you’ll receive a login code by text message. If you can’t receive an SMS to your phone, head to a boarding pass scanner to get your login code.

And if sleeping in the airport isn’t quite your style, some hotels are on-site and nearby. The aforementioned transit hotel is located in Terminal B/D. The hotel rents private rooms hourly or overnight, with shower facilities and toiletries included. Alpine Garden Capsule Hotel offers sleep capsules in the public area of the terminal.    Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport is connected to the airport terminal via a walkway. A few other hotels are located within a few minutes drive of the airport, and some provide free shuttle service and day rooms. See our Zurich Airport Guide for locations and details.

These are just a few things to do on a layover at Zurich Airport. Visit our Zurich Airport Guide for more information about the services and facilities available, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.

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July 12, 2017 By Hailey

6 Fun Things To Do At The Zurich Airport

After two years of living in Zurich, I’ve been to the Zurich Airport (ZRH) enough to have noted a few things that makes this flughafen a travel experience in its own right. If you ever find yourself flying in or out of Zurich, Switzerland, then keep your eyes peeled for these six things to add a little fun to your travels.

1. Visit The Observation Deck Parents of young children and Instagramming Millennials alike should not miss this special extension of the Zurich Airport. With its entrance located just behind the desks at Check-In 2, the Observation Deck is actually the rooftop patio of Gates B/D, and it allows for optimal viewing of the planes at their gates, as well as the aircraft taking off and landing. The Observation Deck is an excellent place for little ones to expel some energy on the playground, and it’s a great avenue for travelers to get a breath of fresh air before moving on to their next destination.

Although the Observation Deck is open to the public for a small fee , admittance to the Zuschauerterrasse is free with your boarding pass. Although you do have to go through a metal detector and your hand luggage will be scanned before you can go out onto the deck, you cannot access your gate from the Observation Deck (usually) and you will have to go through the main security check later. However, if you have some free time before take off, it’s definitely worth a detour!

2. Savor Some Swiss Sweets Before you jet off to your final destination, you may want one more bite of Zurich’s most famous sweet shop: Sprüngli. The Sprüngli Café is located in the Airside Center just beyond the security checkpoint and Duty Free Store. As I’ve mentioned in my post Where to Eat in Zurich , some would consider it a crime to visit Zurich without tasting one of Sprüngli’s sweet confections. My personal favorite is their Luxemburgerli macaroons, and I’m particularly fond of the ones involving champagne.

If you’d prefer to pick up some Swiss sweets of worldwide fame, you can find  Toblerone bars of gigantic proportions at the Duty Free Store just beyond Security. Or you can indulge in some incredible creations at the Lindt Boutique before making your way to your departure gate. If airport prices don’t fit your budget, then at least you can admire the Swiss’ dedication to sweet treats.

3. Cherish The Ride To/From The International Terminal For those of you who don’t know me, you may not realize just how much I love the mountains of Switzerland . Not only do I enjoy the magnificent vistas and mountaintop highs, but I also cherish the sounds of the Swiss Alps . And that’s why the ride to and from Gates E on the “Skymetro” can bring tears of joy to my eyes. This people-mover for the standalone terminal has a unique soundtrack: the merry tinkle of cowbells, the haunting blare of Alp horns, the classic Swiss yodel-shout, and even a startling moo . These are the sounds of the Swiss Alps – and it’s a real treat for your ears and your heart as you depart from or return to Switzerland from abroad.

5. Take A Selfie With Roger Federer Upon your reentry to Zurich, you may be greeted by none other than Switzerland’s most famous celebrity: Roger Federer. The tennis star welcomes you to Zurich with his darling English accent, sincere smile, and kind eyes. Sometimes, Federer stops and invites you to snap a photo with him! Thanks to this fun ad campaign by Credit Suisse , you may also run into Roger at the airports in Basel and Geneva. #RFandME

6. Go On  A Quest for H2O Surprisingly, the one thing that is hard to find in the Zurich Airport is an abundance of water fountains. For a city that has more than 1200 public drinking fountains , I find the lack of free hydration stations at the airport quite baffling. Because water fountains are tragically scarce at the Flughafen Zürich , the “fun” part is going on a quest to find one before your plane departs ( please note sarcasm ). If your search proves unsuccessful, you can fill  up your water bottle from the tap in the bathrooms… albeit somewhat reluctantly.

And there you have it – six fun things to do at the Zurich Airport! Happy Travels!

Have you ever flown in or out of the Zurich Airport? Did you know about the Observation Deck before reading this article? Has anyone ever been to Observation Deck E, which is only accessible by shuttle bus in summertime?!?! Are you an airport shopper? Do you think I’m crazy for crying over the sounds of the Swiss Alps in the Skymetro? Have you ever had FUN at an airport? Please share your stories in the Comment Section below!

Haris Moten says

September 8, 2023 at 10:33 am

Great tips!! I didn’t even know these things are there. Excited to go there

SANDIP says

July 15, 2019 at 2:49 pm

Will a previous day boarding pass qualify for the free entry?

Hailey says

July 16, 2019 at 6:52 pm

Hi Sandip – I don’t know the answer to that question. My guess would be “No,” but it’s worth a try!

Aaron Smith says

July 3, 2018 at 4:55 pm

Great tips to spend the time at the Zurich airport

July 10, 2018 at 1:49 pm

Thanks so much, Aaron!

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Zurich Airport

Flughafen Zürich AG Postfach 8058 Zürich-Flughafen Phone  +41 (0)43 816 22 11 flughafen-zuerich.ch

With Airport Shopping and the Circle, duty-free shopping, the viewing terrace, a park and walking routes, Zurich Airport is an exciting place for a day out.

For visitors

Over 100 shops and restaurants are open to the public at Zurich Airport every day from morning to night.

Shopping tips There is something for every taste at Airport Shopping and Circle thanks to the huge selection of brands. From fashion and accessories, books and electronics to gifts and souvenirs, you will find everything your heart desires. Anecdote, Bayard, Grieder, Orell Füssli, Victoria's Secret and Rituals are just some of the many shops. More information Food and drink The eateries at Zurich Airport also cater to every appetite, both large and small. Whether you choose an unforgettable dinner in the rooftop restaurant Sablier, a snack to take away with you from Sapori d’Italia, a sparkling cocktail in the upperdeck restaurant or a quick stop-off in Foodland – Zurich Airport offers an exciting gastronomic concept with its popular range of eateries. More information Services Anyone visiting Zurich Airport can look forward to a wide range of services. Cosmetic treatments, hairdressing, fitness & wellness and medical treatments are all available. The Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place hotels are ideal for longer stays. The hotels shine with their immediate proximity to the terminals and offer countless other advantages for business and leisure travellers. More information Nature & aviation Inmitten der urbanen Geschäftswelt im Circle lädt der Flughafenpark zum Verweilen ein. Schön gestaltete Sitzgelegenheiten stehen Gästen zur freien Nutzung zur Verfügung und eignen sich optimal für eine Pause in der Natur. Zudem geniesst man von der Himmelsplattform im Park eine atemberaubende Aussicht auf den Flughafen und die Umgebung. Wer den Flughafen hautnah erleben möchte, kann die Zuschauerterrasse besuchen. Aviatik-Begeisterte können während den verschiedenen Führungen und Rundfahrten Flugzeuge aller Art aus nächster Nähe betrachten. More information

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Zurich Airport offers you the chance to enjoy an unforgettable stay and a relaxing journey. Find out everything you need to know about your flight and keep track of any developments. It is particularly worth allowing enough time for the numerous shops and exciting gastronomic concepts to be discovered in the passenger area.

Arrivals and departures Many roads lead to and from the airport. Travelling has never been more convenient, and the choice of airlines has never been more diverse. You can find all the relevant information about your arrival and departure and your airline or destination in the website navigation under the heading "Fly". More information  

Services for travellers The services at Zurich Airport are available to you from early in the morning until late at night. Find out about the wide range of services offered by Zurich Airport and benefit from the countless advantages. When you book "ZRH Comfort", you benefit from access to the priority lane at the security checkpoint and enjoy comfort and culinary delights in the ZRH Club until your departure. More information

Food & drink Even if you find yourself travelling at unusual times, there is always food and drink available. The shops in the passenger area usually open one hour before the first flight and close when the last flight is called. More information

Shopping tips Do you want to shop at Zurich Duty Free or would you prefer to visit another shop? Once you have passed security at Zurich Airport, you will also find a wide variety of brands – from Swiss originals to world-famous labels. More information

Hotels at Zurich Airport Your feet will hardly have touched the ground before you reach your hotel. You will find a wide range of excellent overnight accommodation options in Zurich Airport itself or in the immediate vicinity. Many advantages and a stylish overnight stay are guaranteed. We recommend the Hyatt Regency and the Radisson Blu. More information

Flughafen Zürich AG Postfach 8058  Zürich-Flughafen Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)43 816 22 11 [email protected] flughafen-zuerich.ch Show Route

Flughafen Zürich AG Postfach 8058 Zürich-Flughafen Phone  +41 (0)43 816 22 11 flughafen-zuerich.ch Show Route

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12 Best Unique Experiences In Zurich

• December 1, 2020 March 4, 2024
• Bustling Cities , Museums

Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Darla Uhl

Zurich  in  Switzerland  is a lovely, bustling city with varied offerings – historical monuments, a waterfront, and a charming old town. It is located in the heart of Europe. The activities in this city are abundant. It might be hard to choose what the best things to do in Zurich are. In this article, we have compiled a list of 12 Unique Experiences In Zurich. Although these might seem like unusual things to do for you, these activities are fun.

You can find it a mixture of the well-preserved old city and a proper modern type of life. There are so many activities in Zurich! In fact, we have also compiled the 25 best things to do in Zurich, Switzerland. However, this article focuses on the unique and unusual experiences in Zurich that are not typically covered by other travel guides. There are various activities for different interests. We hope that you will find one that fits your preferences.

Zurich – The City on the Limmat

Zurich is located along the scenic northern shores of Lake Zurich, which are connected to the Limmat River . This river flows out of the lake and runs through the town and presents very beautiful scenery.  It is truly a perfect location for photogenic people to take beautiful photos.  You can find a lot of things there and many wonders during your visit.

Do not waste your time and just pack up and start your journey towards this beautiful city on the Limmat. Some interesting places to visit in Zurich are:

• Grossmünster Church
• Werdinsel Island
• Old Town ( Aldstadt )
• Polyterrasse

And many more! There is a more comprehensive list in this article – 25 Best Things To Do In Zurich, Switzerland .

12 Unique Experiences In Zurich

In this article, we are going to discuss 12 unique and unusual experiences in Zurich not covered by other travel guides. Now without wasting a moment, let us go through these unique experiences that not a lot of other tourists know about or even try:

1. Eat in the Dark at Blindekuh Restaurant

Blindekuh means “Blind Man’s Buff” in German. Founded in 1999, this restaurant is a place where those who are blind or partially-blind people work.

In this restaurant, you will experience a mixture of surreal, interesting, and strange altogether. Everything is completely dark inside the restaurant. It is both intense and interesting because you will be relying on your four senses. So you will depend on blind professionals to guide you securely through this culinary experience.

Mobile phones and smartwatches will be left in a locker outside the dining area of the restaurant. You cannot take anything that will give off some light inside where the guests are eating. Then, you will have to hold the shoulders of the server and the shoulders of your friends to walk through the dark restaurant to your assigned table. It is absolutely dark inside (100%) and you cannot see those who you dine with nor the food that you are eating.

The restaurant provides dining which you will have to enjoy with your four senses. The sense of sight is excluded. They have a very creative kitchen staff who mesmerize you with decorating plates which, unfortunately, you will not be able to see. The restaurant can also arrange special events and nights for their visitors. 

2. Relax in the Old Brewery Turned Spa

Thermalbad & Spa Zurich is the modern equivalent of the ancient Roman baths. Located in the old Hürlimann brewery, this place has vaulted stone walls and magnificent views of Zurich. It is a 5-minute walk from the Enge train station, Waffenplatz bus stop, or the Giesshübel bus stop.

Did you know that the water springs come from deep beneath the city of Zurich? Yes, this water is rich in minerals and helps you enter into a world of relaxation. You can visit it when you are tired and relax in this amazing bath sanctuary. Along with that, you can enjoy all the facilities of the Spa there. You can book packages such as the Roman-Irish spa ritual, body wraps, peeling massages, milk-herbal pouch massages, spa aperitif platter and Prosecco, and more.

GetYourGuide offers tickets for the Thermal Baths. Take a look at the panoramic views of Zurich as you bathe in the mystic cellar of the old Hürlimann brewery.

Address : Brandschenkestrasse 150, 8002 Zürich

3. Decode Messages in the Foxtrail Treasure Hunt

In the city of Zwingli the Foxes call the shots between the lake and the indoor swimming pool. You stay hot on the foxes’ heels on six different trails in the economic metropolis, starting out from the main train station. Cleverness, team work and urban speed are called for. Foxtrail.ch

If you didn’t know, Foxtail Zurich is an amusing treasure trail that you can experience which combines elements of the city trail with the help of an outdoor escape sport. You can solve exciting puzzles, decode secret messages, and explore Zurich in an interactive and fun manner. You have to follow the fox’s track whether by foot or by public transport. Then you can discover the hidden corners of the city and its surroundings, one clue at a time. It is an interesting way to see the city for friends, families, birthdays, and senior citizen outings.

4. Find Interesting Experiences in the Zoo

When we think about zoos, the only thing that comes to our mind is captivated animals in cages. But that is not the case here. You can literally enjoy a lot more by spending a night at the Zurich Zoo . During your night stay, you can dance and walk in the jungle and enjoy the wildlife.

Other unique experiences at the zoo are as follows:

• Stay overnight in the Zoo by sleeping near the African Savannah
• Do a night tour of the Zoo (without the Masoala and Elephant Park)
• Help the zookeepers do their jobs
• Choose from one of the tours: Biodiversity, Evolution, Masoala Tropical Forest, Lewa Savannah, Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park
• Learn about Smartphone Photography
• Have a Team Building Activity with Chickens
• Produce papers from Elephant Dung in the Openair Paper Mill
• Enjoy and learn all about Coffee in the Tropical Rainforest
• Interview zookeepers

The zoo offers so many interesting and varied activities for all ages. Be sure to check out their website at https://www.zoo.ch/ for more information.

If you would like to learn more about Zoo Zürich, check out our article: Zoo Zürich Review And 10 Tips For Your Visit .

5. Learn about Skin at the Moulagen Museum

Moulagen Museum from the University Hospital of Zurich ( UniversitätsSpitals Zürich in German ) and University of Zurich ( Universität Zürich in German) gives you information about skin diseases. It might sound gross, but it is definitely unique and interesting. You do not find museums about skin diseases often in this world.

In fact, the Moulagen Museum is even listed among the Cultural properties of national significance in Switzerland .

The Moulagen Museum gives you all the information about skin diseases. The surgical results and diseases are shown in the form of wax. This special technique of Moulagen helps present the body more realistically. They also include captions to make you understand the terms.

The museum tries to explain in a manner that a medical layperson can easily understand the surgical results and diseases. The permanent exhibition showcases significant skin diseases. In addition to that, you would also be getting knowledge about the rare skin diseases, the ones that used to exist in history, and those that exist today as well.

6. View Zurich from Above with the Helicopter

Would you like to visit Zurich from above? If so, then some exciting aviation adventures are waiting for you in Zurich. You can choose from one of the many aviation experiences available while you are there.

You can fly with a helicopter or an airplane and see the city from the sky. It is amazing to see the view of the Swiss Alps from far away and above. If you are ready then buckle up and just fly away.

It is your choice if you want to choose an aircraft helicopter or a plane. Alpliner AG offers sightseeing flights, taxi flights, and helicopter flights. Heli-Züri AG and Helveticopter AG offer helicopter flights.

BB Heli AG und Helialpin AG offers not only standard flights. They also offer photography, taxi flights, as well as pilot training.

GetYourGuide can also book you a private plane ride so you can discover Zurich from above. A pleasant 1-hour flight will allow you to see Zurich from the air.

With fantastic weather, a friendly pilot, and awesome views, one of the available aviation experiences will definitely be unforgettable for you. It is recommended for couples as well.

7. Be a Maître chocolatier for the Day at Lindt Chocolateria

This is one of the experiences which allows you to make your dreams come true. Lindt Home of Chocolate opened its doors in September 2020. It has a 9-meter high chocolate fountain, a 500-square-meter chocolate shop, and a Chocolateria.

At the Lindt Chocolateria , you can become a Maître chocolatier for the day. A  Maître Chocolatier  is a highly trained expert in all things chocolate. Here you can give yourself a treat of chocolate heaven while in Zurich!

As soon as you enter the premises of Lindt , you will not be able to resist. There are chocolates left and right. Not only that but you will also be given expert guidance regarding everything Lindt and Chocolate. This will allow you to learn and properly understand how you can work with it.

If you are a quick learner, you can make a personal chocolate masterpiece. There are many affordable and suitable offers available. You can make truffles and pralines. They also offer you special group events for up to 40 people. You can enjoy creating chocolates while learning about their history and how it is produced.

If you would like to learn more about Lindt Home of Chocolate , you can check out our article The Lindt Home of Chocolate in Zurich: What to Expect .

8. Satisfy Your Cravings with the Sweet Zürich Tour

Are you craving another sweet adventure? We know all of us deserve one. In Sweet Zürich Tour, you will learn not only about milk chocolates. Rather, you will get to know other desserts worth craving for.

If you are a true dessert lover then do not miss this one. You can enjoy confectionery, chocolates, cupcakes, and more. The team will be guiding you as well at a leisurely pace around the old town and narrow alleyways. So if you have a sweet tooth then definitely go there.

You will get to discover the 200-year-old chocolate empire. On the way, you will be sightseeing as well. There are so many sweet spots there that you might not even find in the guidebooks. You will get to taste the most authentic desserts over here in the form of truffles, chocolate bars, cupcakes, and hot chocolate. If you are keen to learn about the history of chocolate combined with a trip around Zurich, then this one is for you.

9. Ride a Tuktuk in Zurich

If you want to enjoy peaceful and effortless sightseeing, then we would suggest you book the Electric TukTuks right away. They offer you proper tours with a lot of fun. The three-wheel tuk-tuk is the most comfortable ride ever. The chauffeurs and professionals take you to the spots that are only known by the locals. You can explore the City of Limmat River individually or in groups. The best part is that you can book the tickets online.

10. Escape with Snary Mary Adventures

If you are in Zurich, you should be ready to test yourself in terms of creativity, team spirit, ambition, gaming, and problem-solving skills at Snary Mary Adventures . Imagine yourself finding clues and solving a difficult puzzle. Yes! You might be thinking that they offer Escape-Room Adventures. You can play in teams and tackle all the given challenges. You can play roles, become a magician or an art thief, and find wonders. This is an escape from the daily routine. You can use all your mind to solve puzzles when you feel like taking a break from the daily eating and sightseeing in Zurich.

11. Assemble and Disassemble a Watch at Maurice de Mauriac

At Maurice de Mauriac , you will learn in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere how to assemble and disassemble a watch together with a professional watchmaker. Here, you can create your unique timepiece by creating a mechanical watch under the eyes of the watchmaker. They go on to explain the beauty, quality, and love given to the watch created. The watchmaking workshop takes between 2 to 4 hours. It costs CHF 1,250 for a family of 6 or CHF 2,000 for a group of 10 to partake in this workshop.

12. Join a Segway Tour of Zurich

With the Segway Tour of Zurich , you can explore the city on the Limmat in a very interesting and unique way. A Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter first introduced back in 2001.

First, the Segway Guides start by explaining how to use the Segway properly. Later, they will begin by accompanying the tourists to a quiet area of Zurich. After the tour of the city begins, anecdotes are shared about the inhabitants of the city.

The official Segway Tour with a tour guide takes three hours. It includes the introduction and the tour itself. Participants should be at least two and a maximum of eight people for the entire tour.

GetYourGuide makes it easy to book a Segway tour. Admire the magnificent parks, ride along Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world, and visit the beautiful Tonhalle.  

* Disclosure: By clicking on our affiliate links, you may support TouringSwitzerland.com while incurring no additional costs. We appreciate your support!

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Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.

Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.

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14 Top-Rated Day Trips from Zürich

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Apr 13, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Zürich's location in north-central Switzerland, plus the country's excellent rail network, makes it a good base for day trips. In an easy day from Zürich , you can sample Switzerland's magnificent Alpine scenery, ride trains to mountaintops, visit postcard villages , travel to the tiny principality of Liechtenstein , delve into history, take lake cruises, and admire impressive waterfalls.

If you are traveling in the winter, along with sightseeing, you can even spend a day at one of Switzerland's best ski resorts , in the Bernese Oberland.

You can also explore the many things to do in lovely Lucerne and cruise its lake in an authentic paddlewheel steamboat, or stroll the streets of the Swiss capital of Bern. Travel by train is easy in Switzerland, or you can sign up for one of the many day tours that explore the tourist attractions around Zürich.

Whether you're taking a break from business in Zurich or visiting Switzerland with your family, you'll find plenty of places to visit with our list of the best day trips from Zurich.

1. Jungfraujoch and the Bernese Oberland

3. mount titlis, 4. rheinfall (rhine falls), 5. eastern swiss alps and liechtenstein, 7. stein am rhein, 8. schaffhausen, 9. winterthur, 10. mount pilatus, 11. st. gallen, 12. the spa town of baden, 14. regensberg, map of day trips from zürich.

The three famous peaks of the Jungfrau massif — the Jungfrau, the Mönch, and the Eiger — are in the heart of one of Switzerland's most beautiful regions, the Bernese Oberland . Along with the snowcapped mountains, long-time favorites of skiers and climbers, the region's steep green pastures and idyllic little Alpine villages like Wengen and beautiful Lauterbrunnen , set beneath long, ribbon-like waterfalls, have made it a popular place to visit for more than a century.

The largest town is Interlaken , named for its scenic setting between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. In Grindelwald, you can board a cog railway that climbs to the Jungfraujoch mountain pass, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable scenery.

At the highest railroad station in Europe, at 3,454 meters, the Jungfraujoch has a hotel, restaurants, research stations, and an Ice Palace carved into the glacier. Ride the elevator to a viewing platform at the summit of the Sphinx for views of the Aletsch glacier and Alps. The trip up the Jungfraujoch is one of the best things to do in Switzerland .

The 11-hour Top of Europe Day Trip from Zurich can take you through this spectacular region by coach and includes the cog railway to the Jungfraujoch and a trip through the Ice Palace inside the glacier and to the viewing platform at the summit of the Sphinx.

Spread along the banks of the River Reuss as it flows out of Lake Lucerne, Lucerne was an important medieval trading town and retains many of its old features in its compact center. Most tourists head first to Lucerne's most popular landmark, the Kapellbrücke , a covered wooden bridge built in 1333.

Inside are more than 100 pictures of saints and scenes from the town's history. The octagonal Wasserturm beside it is a 13th-century water tower from the town's fortifications. Paintings inside the second covered wooden bridge, the 1406 Spreuerbrücke , depict the Dance of Death.

Take time to explore the Altstadt, the old town on the right bank of the Reuss, to admire the brightly painted old burghers' houses, timber-framed buildings, and little squares with fountains. Look especially for the Kornmarkt with the Altes Rathaus , built in 1602-06, and the adjoining 14th-century tower.

The picturesque Weinmarkt has an elaborate Gothic fountain. The 9.5-hour Lucerne City Tour can take you from central Zurich over the scenic Albis Pass to the heart of Lucerne for a guided sightseeing tour. After visiting landmarks like the Kapellbrücke and the Lion Monument with your guide and learning about Lucerne's history, you'll have plenty of time to explore on your own, returning to museums, or even to take a cruise on one of the lake excursion boats.

It's not just spectacular 360-degree Alpine views that await you at the 3,238-meter summit of Mount Titlis . Atop this lofty crest are several ways to explore the glacier and the Alpine environment.

The trip from Zürich takes you past Lucerne and along its scenic lake shore to Engelberg in the Swiss Alps. There, you begin your ascent of Mount Titlis, arriving at the summit via a revolving cable car that reveals the changing scenery in all directions as you climb. At the top are the fascinating ice boulders and deep crevasses , which you can see up close from the Ice Flyer chairlift . A trip down the Glacier Park snow slide turns this frozen world into a giant natural playground.

For more thrills and views, walk across Europe's highest suspension bridge . Or just soak up the scenery from a café on the mountaintop sunny terrace. The Mount Titlis Day Tour from Zurich combines the scenic vistas of the mountaintop with a guided tour of the highlights of Lucerne. In the winter, the 9.5-hour excursion includes time to slide downhill on snow tubes or even ski on the beginner slopes, with equipment provided.

After emerging from the west end of Lake Constance, the Rhine River flows through a beautiful green valley, then plunges over the Rhine Falls before flowing on toward Basel. The mightiest falls in Central Europe surge over a ledge of Jurassic limestone 150 meters across and up to 21 meters high, with two higher rocks standing in the middle of the river. The flow of water is at its greatest in June and July, after the mountain snows melt.

The falls are easily visible from both sides, and you can see them from below on a 30-minute boat tour through the churning waters. Another fine vantage point, especially at night when the falls are floodlit, is from the Schlössli Wörth , set on a tiny island that from the 13th to the 19th centuries was an important shipping and reloading area for goods on the trading route from Lake Constance to Basel. Today, it is a fine-dining restaurant and café with a terrace overlooking the falls.

The half-day Rhine Falls Tour from Zurich takes you there, on a climate-controlled coach ride past castles and through the beautiful town of Schaffhausen. This is a good tour if your flight arrives in Zurich before your hotel is ready, or even if you are just passing through the city, as there is the option of an airport pickup and drop-off.

East of Zurich is a beautiful land of lakes and green valleys that quickly soar to Alpine peaks. Known to children everywhere as the homeland of Heidi, the region is dotted with charming mountain villages in magnificent Alpine settings. One of these, Maienfeld , is the setting for the children's classic Heidi , and one of its rustic homes has been furnished as described in the book. Heidi House is open to visitors in the summer and is a favorite photo-op all year.

Between this "Heidiland" and the Austrian Alps is the tiny principality of Liechtenstein , with its hilltop Royal Castle and famous postage stamps. Its capital, Vaduz, is the smallest in Europe, a picturesque town on the banks of the Rhine River. Liechtenstein has five castles, two of which - the royal residence of Schloss Vaduz and Burg Gutenberg in the village of Balzers - are intact, and the other three are romantic ruins.

You can tour this region with the Heidiland and Liechtenstein Tour from Zurich: Two Countries in One Day , with a guide who can point out landmarks and fill in the history and culture as you travel by coach through the stunning scenery. The trip begins with a city tour of Zurich before traveling along the shores of Lake Zurich to Rapperswil, with its medieval castle.

A stop in the village of Maienfeld allows plenty of time to visit the Heidi House if it's open, and there is time to explore Liechtenstein's capital of Vaduz.

The capital of Switzerland is only 125 kilometers southwest of Zurich and easy to reach by direct train. Bern's Old Town has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its streets of 17th- and 18th-century houses and shops, characterized by steep roofs and street-front arcades.

The Old Town of Bern is even more picturesque because of its dramatic setting atop a high ridge that is almost completely encircled by the River Aare. The Old Town is where you'll find many of the main attractions, which include its famous clock tower with moving figures and the splendid Munster. But Bern's main draw for tourists is the old city itself, with its charming, stone-paved streets and lanes, its beautiful fountains, steep roofs, and towers.

You can combine a tour of Bern with visits to sample two of Switzerland's most famous products, Emmental cheese and Kambly Swiss biscuits, on a 10.5-hour Bern Day Trip from Zurich . With a guide to point out landmarks as you drive through the Entlebuch Valley and Upper Emmental Valley and bring them to life with a little history, you'll tour Bern's old Town and stop between Bern and Zurich to watch demonstrations of biscuit and cheese-making, with samples of each to taste.

Arriving in Stein am Rhein, about an hour from Zürich by train, you feel as though you've been dropped abruptly into medieval Switzerland. Except that the timbered buildings that line its main street are in far better condition than they probably were in the Middle Ages. Colorful frescoes, also beautifully maintained, decorate the buildings around Rathausplatz , the cozy main square. Flowers hang from window boxes, making every angle photo-worthy.

One of the most charming towns in Europe , Stein am Rhein began as a Roman fortress beside the Rhine, built in the third century to secure the river. Learn more about the town's long history at the museum inside Hohenklingen Castle , built above the town in 1225.

Views from the castle encompass the compact town and the river valley. Visit the well-preserved Medieval Monastery of St. Georgen , browse among the works of local artisans in the excellent gallery, or just linger in a Rathausplatz café to savor Stein am Rhein's Medieval atmosphere .

The old town of Schaffhausen, about 50 kilometers from Zürich, is a postcard-perfect scene of colorfully painted timber-frame houses with oriel windows and coats of arms on the facades. On Fronwagplatz are the Fronwag tower and two fountains from the 1500s, while the single-towered Münster , built from 1087 to 1150, was originally the church of a Benedictine abbey. Be sure to see the delicate 12th-century arcades in the cloister.

The handsome convent buildings now house All Saints Museum , one of the richest local museums in Switzerland, with collections of prehistoric material, religious art, period rooms, traditional costumes, and works by modern Swiss artists. Its two chapels from the 11th century and a Romanesque loggia are good places to visit as well.

Overlooking the old town and river from a vine-clad hill is 16th-century Kastell Munot , a circular castle fortified with walls more than five meters thick. Not only is the well-preserved castle interesting, it provides fine views of the town and the Rhine valley.

Winterthur, about 26 kilometers from Zürich, can thank the thriving craft industry of its past for today's art and cultural largesse. The little triangular Old Town still preserves streets with rows of old burghers' houses - look especially for the Waaghaus in Moorish-Gothic style, Zur Geduld with an Early Baroque façade, the elegantly Rococo Hans zum Adler at the Obertor, and the graffiti on the Hans zum Hinteren Waldhorn.

For its size, Winterthur is well endowed with museums: applied and decorative art in the industrial museum, a natural history museum, a clock collection, and three separate art museums. One of these, the Oskar Reinhart Collection includes works by Rubens, Rembrandt, El Greco, Goya, Renoir, and Cézanne.

At the excellent Technorama of Switzerland , you can learn about science and technology in compelling exhibits filled with hands-on activities that make it a favorite place to go for families.

The trip up Mt. Pilatus gives you a taste of the various feats of Swiss engineering as well as a chance to sample both the cable cars and the mountain cog railways that make so many mountain towns and mountaintop views accessible.

The trip from Zürich passes through Lucerne before arriving at Kriens, where you board a panoramic gondola then an aerial cable car to just below the 2,132-meter summit of Mount Pilatus. From the terrace are panoramic views of central Switzerland and the Alps. Short trails lead to the various peaks of this rugged limestone massif, for even broader views.

For a full sampling of Swiss mountain transport, make your return trip down Mount Pilatus by cogwheel railway, traveling at a gradient of 48 percent, one of the world's steepest for a railway. The cog railway brings you to Alpnachstad, from where you can return to Lucerne by boat on a scenic cruise across Lake Lucerne before returning to Zürich.

You can book this entire trip in one package by taking the Mount Pilatus Summer Day Trip from Zurich . This 9.5-hour tour travels by air-conditioned coach to Lucerne, where there is time to explore the old town's attractions before beginning the circular route on Mt Pilatus by gondola, aerial cable car, and cogwheel railway. At the top of the mountain, the tour includes a moderate hike and ends with a cruise on the lake before returning to Zurich.

Just over an hour by train from Zurich, the lovely town of St. Gallen holds a treasury of Baroque buildings, making its streets a delight to stroll. Foremost of these is the magnificent Abbey of St. Gall , a former monastery founded in the early 700s, and for many centuries one of the most influential Benedictine abbeys in Europe and an important center of culture and learning.

The highlight of the abbey is the library, a magnificent hall under a Baroque ceiling with frescoed medallions framed in elaborate gold-washed scrolls and flourishes. The ranks of shelves and the exquisite curving gallery are finely detailed and embellished in inlaid woods. It is one of the world's oldest monastic libraries.

The former abbey church, itself a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and decoration, is now the Cathedral of St. Gallen. The abbey complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time to visit the Textile Museum , with beautifully presented exhibits of textile arts that range from ancient Egyptian lace to modern textiles. St. Gallen was a center for textiles, and the linen woven here was known as "white gold' for its finesse.

On the shores of the Limmat, the same river that flows through the center of Zurich, Baden was known for its thermal springs as far back as Roman times. The therapeutic waters of its hot springs have the highest mineral concentration of any of Switzerland's many spas.

While many of the spas and hotels offer luxury wellness programs, there are plenty of places for the public to bathe in the pools fed by the hot springs. Some of these are free, such as the Thermalbank, an eight-meter-long bench where you can soak your feet in the hot waters.

Opening in 2021, the city's stunning new bathing center was designed by Ticino Architect Mario Botta, and includes cafés and gathering spaces along with bathing pools.

More attractions bring tourists to Baden, including its charming medieval center of towers and half-timbered houses, and a world-class art museum. The Langmatt Foundation is one of Switzerland's finest collections of art from the Impressionist period. Baden is a 20-minute train ride from Zurich's central station.

South of the Walensee and an easy drive or train ride from Zürich, the little canton of Glarus occupies one of the most beautiful valleys in the Alps. Rising above it on the west is the 2,332-meter ridge of Glärisch, and the massive bulk of Tödi, at 3,614 meters, closes its southern end.

From Linthal, a cableway connects to the traffic-free resort of Braunwald , an ideal jumping-off point for walking and climbing. Although the Freulerpalast in Näfels has a magnificent Renaissance doorway and Early Baroque interior that houses the Cantonal Museum, the main attractions for tourists are not architecture or museums but the scenic splendor of Glarus and its opportunities for outdoor adventures.

You can drive, take a post bus, or walk from Netstal to cross the Schwammhöhe into the high Klöntal , one of the most beautiful and romantic of Alpine valleys, with the Klöntalersee and a series of tumbling mountain streams.

Above the south side of the Klöntalersee rear the rock walls of Glärnisch , and below them is the canton capital of Glarus. The drive over the Klausen Pass to Altdorf is breathtakingly beautiful, and continues down the Schächen valley, where you'll find the 93-meter-high Staubi waterfalls .

About 18 kilometers northwest of Zürich, Regensberg is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Switzerland. Among the carefully restored old burghers' houses is the half-timbered Rote Rose (Red Rose) house from 1540.

The five-story round tower (Rundturm), whose walls are three meters thick, is all that remains of the 12 th -century castle. The rest dates from the 16 th century, including the 57-meter-deep draw-well, the deepest in the country. Inside the tower is a small museum of the castle's and town's history.

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