Zurich Things to Do

With an incredible variety of museums and galleries to choose from, making a list of Zurich’s best museums is no easy task, but whether you’re into art, history or something a little different, here’s our pick of the best.

1. Museum Reitberg
Specializing in world art and history, the Reitberg Museum offers an eclectic mix of works amassed by collector Baron von der Heydt who donated his personal collection to the city of Zurich back in 1952. The varied pieces make for a fascinating permanent exhibition, showcasing a vast assembly of Islamic art and crafts, Chinese ceramics, Buddhist art, Armenian carpets and elaborately patterned African masks.

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.

Set around the crisp Lake Zurich and encircled by snow-caked peaks, Zurich makes an atmospheric, if chilly, place to spend the winter months. Whether you’re looking to hit the world famous Christmas markets, tackle the ski slopes or enjoy the seasonal events, here are a few ideas for things to do in Zurich in winter.

Switzerland’s largest city might have a reputation as being a center of international banking, but this is a town that knows how to mix business with pleasure. Whether you prefer lounging by the lake, sipping coffee in a riverside café or hitting the ski slopes of the nearby Alps, there are plenty of options to keep you busy during a day in Zurich.

As parks, gardens and green-spaces go, Zurich’s iconic lake is easily one of the city’s most pleasant and easily accessible incarnations. Best explored during the warmer summer months, however casual or carefully organized, a tour of the lake is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, interact with locals or treat your special someone to a romantic excursion, picnic or tour.

Passing the day in the air of a good museum is a joy known to travelers everywhere. In Zurich, the experience can be particularly pleasant. The following institutions are sure to improve any visit to Switzerland’s largest city, and best of all, admission is free.