Zurich Things to Do

Set on the glittering Lake Zurich against a dramatic mountain backdrop, few places are picturesque as Zurich and as the weather heats up, there’s plenty to keep you busy in Switzerland’s largest city . Here are some ideas for things to do in Zurich in summer.

Bringing the best of national and international Blues acts to Switzerland since 2003, the legendary Blues Festival Baden is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2013. A week of music concerts, all-ages workshops, pub performances and jam sessions, the Blues Festival has become one of the most anticipated music events of the year, with festival organizers also dishing out the prestigious Swiss Blues Award to the most notable homegrown act and crowds of music lovers pouring in from nearby Zurich.

As the ski season slows down and the Swiss countryside returns to green, Zurich is an atmospheric place to visit. The warmer weather makes the perfect time for city sightseeing, with boat trips running along Lake Zurich, buskers lining the cobbled streets of the Niederdorf district and café seating spilling out onto the streets. Exploring the city’s natural attractions is a popular pastime in Spring – go bird watching in the Voliere park, home to over 150 species; cycle to the Wildnis Park Langenberg, home to an array of wildlife; or take a picnic to the blooming Botanical Gardens. As the temperature heats up, open-air swimming is also possible at a number of spots along the lake, as well as on the picturesque Werdinsel Island.

Whether you prefer quaffing champagne over the glittering Lake Zurich or dancing in to the early hours at the city’s mammoth street party, the ‘Silvester Zauber’, or ‘New Year’s Magic’, is the biggest event on the Zurich calendar.

With the streets aglow with fairy lights and the scent of cinnamon wafting through the air, festive cheer is in abundance in Zurich. Winter in Switzerland’s largest city also offers an array of Christmas shopping options, hosting some of the most renowned Christmas markets in Europe.

From singing Christmas trees and swimming Santas to world-class shopping, Zurich might be one of Europe’s most unique places to celebrate the festive season, and there’s a host of fun events to keep visitors busy over yuletide.