Zurich: Art, Old Town and Nature by the Water

As a city on the water, Zurich combines creative urban life with lush nature. Attractions in the city include museums, culture, the Old Town and guided tours. As you explore the city, you’ll encounter many different sides of it: historic lanes and art collections, as well as viewpoints, green spaces and experiences by the water.

Old Town, churches and Zurich’s history

On both sides of the Limmat, the Old Town brings together guild houses, churches, historic squares and hidden corners. Niederdorf is also part of the Old Town. You can explore the Old Town on your own from the main railway station and plan your walk around the places that interest you most. With its striking twin towers, the Grossmünster is a defining feature of the cityscape. A tour in the “Altstadtkirchen Zürich” app leads up 187 steps from the nave to the viewing platform in the Karl Tower. From there, the view stretches across Zurich and the lake to the nearby Glarus Alps. Temporary closures are possible, so it’s a good idea to check the latest access information before climbing.

Set on a glacial moraine hill, Lindenhof offers views of the right bank of the Limmat, the university buildings and the Old Town. It also provides a tangible way to explore Zurich’s history: a Roman fort stood on Lindenhof in the 4th century. In the 9th century, Charlemagne’s grandson built a royal residence on this site. Here, views and traces of history come together in a small area.

Art collections and cultural themes

The Kunsthaus Zürich’s collection spans more than eight centuries of art history. Together with the existing buildings, the expanded complex forms Switzerland’s largest art museum. Dada art is a particular focus: with 740 historical documents and works of art, the Kunsthaus has the world’s largest Dada collection. Cabaret Voltaire is considered the birthplace of the Dada movement, which began in Zurich in 1916. If you’re interested in the cultural background of this art movement, you can explore both perspectives as part of your visit to Zurich.

The Swiss National Museum also explores history and design: its unique collection of Swiss cultural history and applied arts spans the period from the earliest times to the present day. It comprises more than 870,000 objects and is divided into 14 collections. The National Museum’s Zurich building, the Landesmuseum Zürich, is an extraordinary 19th-century building and a monument of national significance. The FIFA Museum tells a different story: its chronicle traces the history of football from its origins in the British Isles in the 19th century to its prominent place in today’s sporting world.

Green spaces and views

At the Masoala Rainforest, visitors can see animals in the middle of their natural habitat. This functioning miniature rainforest ecosystem is home to around 40 vertebrate species. Since 2013, the Masoala treetop walkway has offered views from the rainforest canopy. The experience combines encounters with animals and a view of their habitat from above.

The city gardens offer another botanical perspective. Their Palm House is home to more than 50 tropical and subtropical plant species, as well as various animals. In the 7,000-square-metre park, you’ll find a botanical selection of European and overseas plants; since 2013, the grounds have been listed in the municipal inventory of gardens and landscapes worthy of protection. Uetliberg is known as Zurich’s local mountain; from there, panoramic views stretch across the city, lake and Alps. It is also a local recreation area, hiking destination and place for excursions.

Getting out and about on Lake Zurich and in the region

For an active day outdoors, the Planet Trail runs from Uetliberg to Felsenegg and represents the distances in the solar system. This easy hike takes about two hours and is also a way for families to combine exercise with an engaging subject. On Lake Zurich, you can go swimming, picnic along the shores or cycle around the lake. These activities are available around the lake and its shores as a whole. In the city, the lakeside promenade is also a pleasant place for a walk: it runs from Tiefenbrunnen to the opposite edge of the city and offers a route around the lake basin. The Lake Zurich Navigation Company offers daily cruises and special trips; check the current timetable when planning your visit.

Recurring traditions also shape the year. The centuries-old Sechseläuten festival takes place at the beginning of spring. Guild members in historic costumes, brass bands, horses, flowers, flags and the “Böögg” are among the event’s features. If you’d like to experience the festival, check the event dates before your trip, as dates and routes change. Typical dishes are also part of everyday Zurich culture: Zürcher Geschnetzeltes is a veal ragout quickly sautéed and served in a cream sauce, typically with rösti. Tirggel, a hard biscuit made with honey, flour and spices, is often handed out on public holidays.

Choose where to stay in Zurich based on the activities you have planned.

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