With two rivers snaking through the Old Town, alongside its majestic namesake lake, Zürich is a city that revolves around water. It’s no surprise that, during the summer, many activities are centered here. You’ll find local residents swimming at dawn or stand-up paddleboarding along the River Limmat.
On Lake Zürich itself, blue-and-white striped ferries drop off passengers at docks dotted along its fringes, while thrill seekers whizz along the shoreline on wakeboards, towed behind high-speed boats.
With its well-connected train, tram and bus services, it’s easy to hop between Lake Zürich, its two rivers and the rest of downtown. Ready to make a splash? Below, we’ve rounded up the best water activities in Zürich.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Kirill Rudenko. Image Location: Lake Zürich, Switzerland
What is Lake Zürich like?
At 34 square miles (88 square km), Lake Zürich is expansive; it’s divided into two parts by a pedestrian bridge. The larger portion of the lake, close to the city center, is known as Zürichsee. The smaller, eastern part of the lake is called Obersee. In the distance, you can see the snow-capped Alps that extend south. Of course, the best way to explore Lake Zürich is by boat.
Where can I board a Lake Zürich boat tour?
Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (otherwise known as the ZSG) is the main ferry-style boat service that circumnavigates the lake. Their boats depart from Zürich Bürkliplatz, perched on the edge of the Old Town.
Short on time? Book the mini tour, a 55-minute circular trip that scoots around the top section of the lake. Download the ZSG Tour app before you depart; it’s free and gives you an English audio guide about the lake and its history.
If you’re not in a hurry, book the short (2 hour) or long (3+ hour) tour that takes in the highlights of Zürichsee, including the Lindt chocolate factory at Kilchberg and the quaint old town of Rapperswil. Another option is to book one of their ‘adventure ships’. From puppet shows to fondue dinners, these unique cruises around the lake will give you a taste of Swiss cuisine and entertainment.
Alternatively, design your own itinerary—there are 31 ferry stations dotted around the lake for you to hop on/off at your own pace.
There’s also a river boat that cruises up and down the Limmat as it weaves through the Old Town from the Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum) to the Zürichhorn.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Kirill Rudenko. Image Location: Lake Zürich, Switzerland
Can you take a boat trip in Zürich during the winter?
Yes, boat tours on Lake Zürich run year-round. During the winter, however, there are less frequent departure times, so it’s worth checking before you travel. Unfortunately, boat trips up the River Limmat only run between April and October.
What other water activities are there in Zürich?
During the warmer months, swimming is a popular activity for locals with badis (open-air swimming areas) dotted along the river and lakeshore. One of our favorites is the historic Seebad Utoquai; swimmers have dived off the docks here for over 120 years. On the opposite side of the lake at Mythenquai, there’s a 250m sandy beach as well as a 10m-high diving board.
If you’d rather navigate the waterways under your own steam, why not try a stand-up paddleboard city tour? Supkultur offer a three-hour guided tour for confident paddlers along the River Limmat. There are also beginner lessons, as well as hourly rentals for exploring the lakeshore at your own speed.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Westend61
Did you know that you can also learn to surf in Zürich? Close to Hardbrücke railway station, you’ll find Urbansurf, an artificial surfing wave. Under the watchful eye of their helpful instructors, you’ll go from complete beginner to riding your first wave in less than 30 minutes.
Adrenaline enthusiasts can also try wakesurfing on Lake Zürich. Like wakeboarding, you’ll be towed behind a specially adapted boat. However, instead of clinging on to the rope, you let go and surf the peeling wave. Book a group session with Reboat who operate from Utoquai during the summer.
Sail and rail
Dry yourself off, because there's so much to see in and around Zürich, and the train is the quickest and easiest way to see it all. Download the Trainline App to have train timetables and ticket booking at your fingertips. Start with our Zürich city guide, our budget city guide, hotel guide and guide to Street Parade. Looking to get out of Zürich and see more? How about Zürich to Lucerne for a city break or Zürich to Zermatt for skiing?
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, GlobalVision Communication. Image Location: Lake Zürich, Switizerland