Lake Zurich Travel Guide | Cruises, Swimming & Scenic Towns Around Zürichsee

Zurich Lake (Lake Zurich), Switzerland

🌊 Lake Zurich: Serenity at the Heart of Switzerland’s Financial Capital

Lake Zurich is where urban sophistication meets natural elegance. Stretching from Zurich city to the charming towns of Rapperswil and Küsnacht, the lake offers a perfect blend of relaxing waterside retreats, water sports, panoramic walks, and cultural gems—all with the Alps in the distance.

🚤 Top Things to Do Around Lake Zurich

1. 🚢 Take a Lake Cruise

Board a scenic boat ride from Zürich Bürkliplatz to explore the entire lake.
Choose between short round-trips (1–2 hours) or the long cruise to Rapperswil (around 4 hours).
Enjoy an onboard meal or drinks with views of verdant hills, vineyards, and charming villages.

📍 Top Tip: Sunset cruises offer incredible light over the lake and the city skyline.

2. 🌳 Stroll Along the Lake Promenade

The Seepromenade stretches from Zürichhorn to Mythenquai and is a favorite for walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
Stop by the Chinese Garden, Botanical Garden, or Seebad Utoquai—a stylish historical bathhouse on stilts.

🧘‍♀️ Relaxation Tip: Bring a picnic and enjoy it under the chestnut trees with a view of the sailboats.

3. 🏰 Visit Rapperswil – The “Rose Town”

At the lake’s far end lies Rapperswil, a medieval town with a hilltop castle, over 15,000 rose bushes, and cobbled streets.
The Wooden Footbridge (Holzbrücke Rapperswil-Hurden)—Europe’s longest wooden pedestrian bridge—offers a unique lakeside walk.

🚶 Walk Tip: Walk the bridge at dusk for quiet lake views and mountain silhouettes.

4. 🏄‍♂️ Get Active on the Water

Rent paddleboards, pedal boats, or go stand-up paddling near Mythenquai or Tiefenbrunnen.
Join locals for early morning swims—Lake Zurich’s water is clean, refreshing, and safe.

🏊‍♂️ Swimming Spots:

Strandbad Mythenquai – grassy beaches and warm shallows.
Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen – diving boards and a view of the Alps.
Küsnacht or Erlenbach – quieter lakeside retreats ideal for couples or families.

🏙️ Cultural Highlights Nearby

Kunsthaus Zurich and Swiss National Museum for fine art and local history.
Opera House by the lake for world-class performances.
Felsenegg Cable Car: Cross the lake and ride up to Felsenegg for a panoramic view of Zurich and the lake below.

🎭 Evening Tip: Grab a cocktail at Frau Gerolds Garten before walking down to the lakeshore for city lights reflecting on the water.

🧀 Where to Eat by the Lake

Pumpstation (Zürich) – A relaxed lakeside beer garden.
Fischer’s Fritz – Eat fresh-caught fish right on the waterfront.
Restaurant Rose (Rapperswil) – Elegant dining with a lake view and historic charm.

🏨 Where to Stay

🏨 Baur au Lac – Zurich’s premier lakeside luxury hotel.
🛏️ Hotel Seehof Zurich – Boutique hotel steps from the Opera House and lake promenade.
🏠 Airbnbs and lakeside B&Bs in Küsnacht or Meilen offer peaceful, less touristy alternatives.

🚆 Getting There

From Zurich HB (main station), trams 2 or 4 and boats from Bürkliplatz take you straight to the lake.
Trains to Rapperswil from Zurich take only 35 minutes and offer views along the eastern lake shore.
🚴‍♂️ Cycle the entire lake with bike rentals from Zurich—many paths are car-free and stunning.

📅 Best Time to Visit

May to September for lake swimming, boat cruises, and sunny promenades.
October for colorful autumn walks along the linden-tree-lined banks.
December for romantic walks near the Christmas-lit streets of Zurich by the water.