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.

Every three years, the city of Zurich becomes inundated with revelers from all over Switzerland for what is billed as “Switzerland’s biggest party,” Züri Fäscht. Celebrated as far back as 1932, the festival has been administered by an official organization since 1991, and since that time the festivities have been held at regularly scheduled intervals during the first week of July. The largest turnouts thus far were in 1986 (when the city celebrated “2000 years of Zurich”), and 1991 (when celebrations coincided with the 700th anniversary of the formation of the Swiss Confederation).

If you find yourself in Switzerland, or more specifically, Zurich, on the third Monday in April, take care not to miss the annual celebration of the traditional spring holiday known as Sächsilüüte. With roots dating back to medieval times, the modern traditions surrounding Sächsilüüte have remained largely unchanged since the early 20th century.