Zollikon on Lake Zurich: Nature and History

Zollikon is a municipality in Switzerland, in the Canton of Zurich and the district of Meilen. It lies on the northeastern shore of Lake Zurich on the so-called Gold Coast; Zollikerberg is also part of the municipality. Several distinct themes therefore come into focus when choosing a destination: the lake, the Wehrenbachtobel ravine, walks, and local history dating back to the Middle Ages and the Reformation. If you are looking for a hotel, these highlights can help you choose a destination that suits your travel interests.

Natural surroundings and walks

The Wehrenbachtobel ravine extends across the city of Zurich and the municipalities of Zollikon and Zumikon. It is a nature and landscape conservation area of cantonal importance. Nature-friendly and sustainable recreational use is still possible; please observe the applicable local rules. Its protected status is as much a part of the ravine’s character as its role as a natural area. Several walks are suggested around Zollikon and Zollikerberg. They offer a way to spend time outdoors, while the ravine focuses on a protected landscape. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between walks around the two localities and the nature and landscape conservation area as different points of interest.

Church history and the Anabaptist movement

Church history offers a way to explore the municipality’s past: Zollikon’s church was first mentioned in historical records in 1223, and the present-day village church was built in 1498/99. These dates mark different milestones—the church’s first recorded mention and the construction period of the present-day building. This makes it possible to situate the church’s history at two clearly defined points in time.

Zollikon is also connected with the Anabaptist movement. In 1524, the town was a starting point for the movement; the first Anabaptist congregation was also established here. The exhibition “From Zollikon out into the World” tells the story of the beginnings of Anabaptism through five posters at historic sites. The posters are located at the exact places where the events of 1525 took place. Thus, 1524, when the movement began, and the events of 1525 to which the poster locations refer are connected in time, but they are not the same year. Guided tours of the exhibition for groups and school classes can be booked in German or English on request. The exhibition’s availability may change; check that it is accessible before planning a visit.

Swimming in Lake Zurich

Seebadi Zollikon offers the opportunity to jump into the water and swim in Lake Zurich. As a seasonal swimming facility, it is a point of interest for travel plans that include a dip in the lake. Operating conditions may change, so check the current conditions before your visit. This lets you include the swimming area as a seasonal option in your travel plans without assuming it will be open on a particular day.

The two offerings differ considerably for planning purposes: the lakeside swimming area is seasonal, while guided exhibition tours for groups and school classes can be booked on request. If either is important to your trip, take this condition into account when planning your schedule. When choosing a hotel, you can first consider whether nature, local history, or a stay connected with Lake Zurich best matches your travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Zumikon, Männedorf, Herrliberg, Meilen, Obermeilen, Stäfa, Küsnacht, Hombrechtikon.

Back to the parent travel overview: Meilen.