Things to do in Zurich
The medieval Grossmünster soars dramatically above Zurich's Altstadt (Old Town). Explore arty fishing quarter Schipfe and tree-shaded Lindenhof square affording rooftop views. The world's largest Giacometti collection is housed at Kunsthaus Zurich. Riesbach district is home to the Botanical Gardens. Zuri-West showcases graphic art at the Museum of Design Zurich and contemporary masters at Kunsthalle Zurich. Escape the city with a walk to the top of local mountain Uetliberg. Most museums open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm.
Museums and Galleries
Expand all-
1. Museum of Design Zurich - Museums and Galleries
Show more
In the trendy Zuri-West district, Museum of Design Zurich houses one of Switzerland's finest collections. The cube-shaped 1930s edifice is an attraction in itself. Exhibits cover the entire design spectrum from graphics, posters and textiles to ceramics, glass and woodwork.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
SFr9; concessions SFr6
Opening hours
Tue-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri-Sun 10am-5pm
Address
60, Ausstellungsstrasse, Zurich 8005
Telephone
+41 (0) 43 446 67 67
-
2. Cabaret Voltaire - Museums and Galleries
Show more
In 1916, Hugo Ball and Emmy Hennings performed in protest against WWI at Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich's Altstadt. The birthplace of Dadaism was re-dedicated to the movement in 2004 and stages exhibitions, installations and events inspired by the Dada aesthetic.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Tue-Sun 1pm-7pm
Address
1, Spiegelgasse, Zurich 8001
Telephone
+41 (0) 43 268 57 20
-
3. Kunsthaus Zurich - Museums and Galleries
Show more
Kunsthaus Zurich in the Altstadt shelters Switzerland's most important art collection. The cavernous gallery presents a journey through the ages: from Ruisdael's brooding landscapes to Monet's Impressionist masterpieces and Munch's Expressionist works. Don't miss the world's largest Alberto Giacometti collection.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
SFr17; concessions SFr12; under-16s free
Opening hours
Wed-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat & Sun & Tue 10am-6pm
Address
1, Heimplatz, Zurich 8001
Telephone
+41 (0) 44 253 84 84; +41 (0) 44 253 84 97 (recording)
-
4. Kunsthalle Zurich - Museums and Galleries
Show more
Housed in the former Löwenbräu brewery in the Zuri-West district, Kunsthalle Zurich stages temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. Challenging convention and cultivating new talent, the gallery focuses predominantly on solo exhibitions, working in close cooperation with featured artists.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
SFr8; concessions SFr4; under-7s free
Opening hours
Tue, Wed & Fri 12pm-6pm, Thu 12pm-8pm, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm
Address
270, Limmatstrasse, Zurich 8005
Telephone
+41 (0) 1 272 15 15
-
5. Swiss National Museum - Museums and Galleries
Show more
With its fairy-tale turrets, the Swiss National Museum has become a recognised symbol of the Altstadt. The 1898 museum building houses Switzerland's largest collection of cultural and historical artefacts. Items date from early history right through to the 20th century.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
SFr10; concessions SFr8
Opening hours
Tue-Sun 10am-5pm
Address
2, Museumstrasse, Zurich 8023
Telephone
+41 (0) 1 218 65 11
-
6. Rietberg Museum - Museums and Galleries
Show more
Overlooking manicured gardens, the Rietberg Museum in Wollishofen occupies a neo-classical mansion inspired by Rome's Villa Albani. An emerald glass pavilion leads to 6,000 pieces of non-European art: from Mayan reliefs and African masks to Tibetan bronzes and Buddhist jade.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
SFr6; concessions SFr3
Opening hours
Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (Wed & Thu until 8pm)
Address
15, Gablerstrasse, Zurich 8002
Telephone
+41 (0) 44 206 31 31
Attractions
Expand all-
7. Lindenhof - Attractions
Show more
Raised above Zurich's Altstadt, lime tree-fringed Lindenhof square is where avid chess players meet and locals kick back in the sunshine. Former site of the Roman castle, it offers sweeping views over the city's spires, red rooftops and Limmat River.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily all day
Address
Lindenhofstrasse, Zurich 8001
Transport
Rudolf-Brun-Brücke tram
-
8. Grossmünster - Attractions
Show more
With its two famous towers exalted above Zurich's Altstadt, the medieval Grossmünster (Great Minster) is Zurich's most visible landmark. It was the epicentre of the Swiss-German Reformation in the 16th century. Glimpse the Romanesque crypt and Augusto Giacometti's choir window.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily mid-Mar-Oct 9am-6pm; daily Nov-Mid-Mar 10am-5pm
Address
Grossmünsterplatz, Zurich 8001
-
9. Fraumünster - Attractions
Show more
Rising above Zurich's Altstadt, the Fraumünster's slender turquoise spire forces an upward gaze. The former church of Zurich's noblewomen has 9th-11th-century foundation remains. It's highlight are Marc Chagall's stained-glass windows, best seen when illuminated by the first rays of sunlight.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Mon-Sat 9am-12pm & 2pm-6pm, Sun 2pm-6pm
Address
Münsterhof, Zurich 8001
Telephone
+41 (0) 1 211 4100
-
10. Zunfthaus zur Meisen - Attractions
Show more
Close to Limmat River in Zurich's Altstadt stands the Zunfthaus zur Meisen, a sublime baroque guildhall opening onto cobbled Münsterhof. Its stuccoed rooms on the first floor showcase the Swiss National Museum's rich collection of 18th-century porcelain, tableware and faience.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
SFr3, under-16s free
Opening hours
Tue-Sun 10.30am-5pm
Address
20, Münsterhof, Zurich 8001
Telephone
+41 (0) 44 211 21 44
Special things to do
Expand all-
11. Zurich Zoo - Special things to do
Show more
Located in the Tobelhof district, conservation-conscious Zurich Zoo is home to 250 different species including endangered snow leopards and red pandas. Spacious enclosures recreate ecosystems from exotic Madagascar, playground of red-ruffed lemurs, to Ethiopian Highlands where Gelada baboons roam.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
SFr22; concessions SFr11; under-6s free
Opening hours
Daily 9am-5pm (until 6pm Mar-Oct)
Address
221, Zürichbergstrasse, Zurich 8044
Telephone
+41 (0) 1 254 25 05
-
12. Botanical Gardens - Special things to do
Show more
The serenely beautiful Botanical Gardens in Zurich's Riesbach district nurture over one thousand plant species - many rare and endangered. Explore peaceful gardens and tropical glasshouses to glimpse unusual blooms including Madagascan Angraecum orchids, Chinese snowball flowers and Christmas cacti.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Mar-Sep Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat & Sun 8am-6pm; Oct-Feb Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat & Sun 8am-5pm
Address
107, Zollikerstrasse, Zurich 8008
Telephone
+41 (0) 44 634 84 61
-
13. Uetliberg - Special things to do
Show more
The 871m-high Uetliberg mountain, just outside Zurich, offers impressive views over the city, lake and surrounding Alps. Trains from the city centre drop you just 10 minutes' walk from the summit. The Uetliberg is also a popular startpoint for hikers.Show this on mapE-mail this item
-
14. Bürkliterrasse - Special things to do
Show more
When the sun's out, there's no place like Bürkliterrasse in the Altstadt for unbeatable views of Lake Zurich and the Alps. Rest under the terrace's maple trees to spy the Ganymede and Zeus sculpture in the form of an eagle.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily all day
Address
Bürkliplatz, Zurich 8001
Transport
Bürkliplatz tram
-
15. Schipfe - Special things to do
Show more
The Altstadt's medieval heart is Schipfe, a former fishing quarter on the banks of the Limmat River which takes its name from the nautical term schupfen (push). Roam its picturesque cobbled lanes to find art workshops, boutiques and bohemian-style cafes.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily all day
Address
Zurich 8001
