Lake Zurich

Lake · Canton of Zurich, 🇨🇭 Switzerland

Lake Zurich is a long, curved lake in northern Switzerland. The city of Zurich sits at its northern end. Towns, vineyards and small harbours line both shores, and the Alps appear in the distance on clear days.

The lake is a place for swimming, boat trips and slow walks. Trains and boats link the towns, so you can easily see many in a day.

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When to visit

June to September is the best time for swimming, boats and lakeside cafés. Spring and autumn are mild and good for walks and wine. Winter is cold and often grey, but the old towns and Christmas markets are pleasant.

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

4° (feels like 0°) · extremes -9°–10°
-2° at night
14 rainy days
2 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor

6° (feels like 1°) · extremes -11°–13°
-2° at night
12 rainy days
5 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in March

Poor

10° (feels like 7°) · extremes -4°–18°
2° at night
14 rainy days
10 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Fair

15° (feels like 12°) · extremes -1°–22°
5° at night
13 rainy days
10 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Good

19° (feels like 17°) · extremes 4°–26°
9° at night
18 rainy days
8 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in June

Good

23° (feels like 22°) · extremes 8°–29°
14° at night
18 rainy days
10 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Good

24° · extremes 10°–30°
15° at night
18 rainy days
11 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in August

Good

24° · extremes 10°–30°
15° at night
16 rainy days
12 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in September

Good

20° (feels like 19°) · extremes 5°–26°
11° at night
13 rainy days
10 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Fair

16° (feels like 14°) · extremes 1°–22°
7° at night
13 rainy days
6 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in November

Poor

9° (feels like 6°) · extremes -4°–16°
2° at night
14 rainy days
2 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in December

Poor

5° (feels like 0°) · extremes -9°–11°
-1° at night
15 rainy days
1 sunny day
2 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Top sights

Lake ZurichThis picturesque lake in Zurich is all one could wish for after a long and tiring day.

Old Town ZurichHistoric district featuring medieval architecture, cultural landmarks, and pedestrian-friendly shopping streets.

Einsiedeln AbbeyEinsiedeln Abbey is a Catholic monastery administered by the Benedictine Order in the village of Einsiedeln, Switzerland.

Grossmünster ChurchRomanesque Protestant church notable for its twin towers and role in the Swiss Reformation.

Fraumünster ChurchHistoric Protestant church known for its Gothic architecture and stained glass windows by Marc Chagall.

Kunsthaus ZürichThe Kunsthaus Zürich is in terms of area the biggest art museum of Switzerland and houses one of the most important art collections in…

Aviary ZurichVisit the bird sanctuary to have look more than 40 exotic species. Kids will love especially toucans or parrots.

Swiss National MuseumThe Swiss National Museum, part of the Musée Suisse Group, itself affiliated with the Federal Office of Culture, is located in the city of…

Succulent CollectionSukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich, literally succulent plant collection of the city of Zürich, is a botanical garden in the Swiss municipality of…

Zürihorn ParkZürichhorn is a river delta on Zürichsee's eastern shore in the lower basin of the lake.

Zürichsee is the lake itself, with beaches, harbours and promenades.
Old Town Zurich is the historic centre of Zurich, on both sides of the river.
Grossmünster Church is the twin-towered church in the old town.
Fraumünster Church is a church known for its stained glass.
Kunsthaus is one of Switzerland's main art museums.
Landesmuseum shows Swiss history in a castle-like building.
Lindenhof is a quiet terrace above the river with city views.
Seepromenade (Quaianlagen) is a lakeside path with parks and swimming spots.
Parkanlage Zürihorn is a park on a point in the lake.
Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich holds a large collection of cacti and succulents.
Volière is an aviary with many birds.
Kloster Einsiedeln is a large baroque abbey and pilgrimage site south of the lake.
Kloster Fahr is a convent on the river west of Zurich.
Burgruine Wulp is a castle ruin above the lake.

Featured Lists

Andreasdz / CC BY-SA 2.0 de

Lake Zurich's Absolute Essentials

This selection captures the architectural and cultural heritage of the Lake Zurich region. It spans from the medieval Altstadt and the Romanesque Grossmünster—a focal point of the Swiss Reformation—to the luxury boutiques of Bahnhofstrasse. Significant landmarks include St. Peter's Church with its record-breaking clock face, the 17th-century Rathaus, and the birthplace of Dadaism at Cabaret Voltaire. Natural features like the Lindenhof moraine hill and the Uetliberg summit offer panoramic views across the water to the Glarus Alps.

15 places

Ferdinand Keller (antiquity scholar) / Public domain

Castles and Ruins

This collection features architectural landmarks around Lake Zurich, ranging from the 13th-century Rapperswil Castle to the medieval commandery of Ritterhaus Bubikon. It includes well-preserved estates like Schloss Au and Schloss Grüningen alongside strategic ruins such as Friedberg and Alt-Wädenswil. These sites represent the region's feudal history, featuring defensive towers, knightly residences, and hilltop fortifications that once guarded trade routes and local territories.

20 places

Andrew Bossi / CC BY-SA 2.5

Switzerland's Sacred Heritage

This collection spans centuries of Swiss religious history, featuring Romanesque and Gothic architecture alongside Baroque masterpieces. Key sites include Zurich’s Grossmünster, a center of the Reformation, and St. Peter’s Church, home to Europe’s largest clock face. Beyond the city, the list explores the Benedictine tradition at Einsiedeln Abbey and unique island chapels like those on Ufnau. These sites showcase significant artworks, from Marc Chagall’s stained glass to medieval murals, reflecting the region's spiritual and cultural evolution.

20 places

Roland zh / CC BY-SA 3.0

Viewpoints and Nature

This collection features prominent natural landmarks and observation points surrounding Lake Zurich. It includes the Albis mountain range with peaks like Uetliberg and the 33-meter Hochwacht tower, alongside the 1,115-meter Bachtel mountain. In the historic centers of Zurich and Rapperswil, moraine hills like Lindenhof provide elevated views of the Limmat and lake. The list also highlights the region's hydrological features, ranging from the expansive lake itself to secluded woodland waterfalls like Grosser Giessen and Tannertobel.

14 places

Natalia Sverdlova / CC BY-SA 3.0

Zurich Museums & Galleries

This collection spans the shores of Lake Zurich, featuring specialized institutions from the historic Fraumünster Church with its Marc Chagall stained glass to the birthplace of Dadaism at Cabaret Voltaire. The list highlights unique technical museums, including the private Beyer clock collection and a sewing machine museum in Dürnten. Visitors can explore regional heritage in Stäfa and Hinwil, descend into Horgen’s former coal mines, or discover the chocolate-making traditions at the House of Läderach in Bilten.

20 places

What to experience

Swim in the lake at a public beach or lido in summer.
Take a boat trip from Zurich to Rapperswil.
Walk or cycle the shore path.
Visit the museums and churches of the old town.
Taste wine in the vineyards on the hills.
See the abbey at Einsiedeln.

Tours & Activities

Lake Zurich — Map

Day trips

Rapperswil-Jona is a medieval town with a castle at the south-east end of the lake.
Winterthur has good museums and is about 20 minutes from Zurich by train.
Einsiedeln is a pilgrimage town with a large abbey.
Lake boats stop at many small towns, such as Meilen, Stäfa and Männedorf.

Where to explore

Rapperswil-Jona is the main town at the upper end of the lake.
Winterthur is the nearest city in the same canton.

Getting there

By air: Zurich Airport is about 15 minutes from the city by train.
By train: Zurich Hauptbahnhof is the main hub for all of Switzerland. Check times on SBB.
Lake towns are on commuter lines on both shores.

Getting around

Trains run along both shores. They are frequent and fast.
Lake boats connect the towns, from Zurich to Rapperswil, in summer.
In Zurich, trams, buses and boats share one ticket system.
Cycling paths follow the shore.

Driving

A car is not needed for Zurich, which has good public transport.
Roads along the lake are busy at rush hour.
Parking in Zurich is limited and costly. Use car parks at the edge.

Food & drink

Try lake fish, such as perch, and Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, which is sliced veal in a cream sauce. Vineyards on the shore produce white and red wine. Many lakeside restaurants have terraces.

People speak Swiss German. English is widely understood.

Breakfast

BirchermüesliA raw-oat, fruit, and yogurt breakfast invented by a Zurich doctor around 1900, now standard on breakfast buffets.

Lunch

RöstiA fried, shredded-potato cake, originally a Bernese farmer's breakfast, now a national side dish.

Dinner

Cheese Fondue FondueMelted Gruyère and Vacherin cheese in a shared pot, eaten by dipping bread cubes on long forks.

RacletteCheese melted tableside or under a grill and scraped over boiled potatoes, pickles, and onions.

Zürcher GeschnetzeltesSliced veal and mushrooms in a creamy white-wine sauce, traditionally served with rösti.

ÄlplermagronenAlpine herder's macaroni gratin with potatoes, cheese, and cream, often topped with fried onions and served with apple sauce.

Snacks & street food

CervelatSwitzerland's best-known sausage, usually grilled and often called the country's unofficial national dish.

Sweets & desserts

Swiss Chocolate Schweizer SchokoladeSwitzerland pioneered milk chocolate in the 19th century; look for small-batch chocolatiers alongside the big national brands.

Basler LäckerliA dense, spiced honey-and-candied-fruit biscuit from Basel, traditional around Christmas.

Drinks

Swiss Wine Vin SuisseMostly consumed domestically rather than exported; Valais and Vaud, along Lake Geneva, produce the best-known Chasselas whites.

Safety & health

The area is very safe.
Lake water is cold in spring. Swim only in marked areas.
Tap water is safe to drink.
Zurich is expensive, so plan your budget.

History

People have lived on the lake since prehistoric times. Stilt houses stood on its shore, and some are now part of a World Heritage site. Zurich became a free imperial city in the Middle Ages and a centre of the Reformation in the 16th century.

Today the lake region is a mix of a major banking city and quiet lakeside towns.