Lake Zurich

Travel Guide

Photo provided by ©Zurich Tourism
Photo provided by © Zürich Tourismus
Photo provided by ©Zurich Tourism
Photo provided by ©Zurich Tourism
Photo provided by ©Zurich Tourism
The area of Lake Zurich visible from Zurich itself is just the tip of the iceberg. You can spend days exploring it.

The moment you clap eyes on Lake Zurich, you're bound to be impressed. This great expanse of water can be seen from points all over Zurich. From any angle, Lake Zurich is intensely picturesque. Yet you won't be able to see all of Lake Zurich in one go it's far too big for that. From the north end of the lake (on which Zurich city is located), it extends 29 kilometres to the southeast, bordering townships including Wädenswil and Lachen on the left shore, and Rapperswil and Meilen on the right.

For one of the finest views of the lake from Zurich, go to Bürkliplatz, located at the southern end of Bahnhofstrasse. Climbing up Mt. Uetliberg will also afford you excellent views of the water.

Perhaps the ultimate Lake Zurich experience, however, is taking a boat trip on it. There are over 15 packages to choose from. You can enjoy a music-accompanied dinner for a few hours, or spend an entire day journeying to Rapperswil and back. The waters of Lake Zurich are usually very peaceful and framed by snow-capped mountains. This is some of the most beautiful natural scenery in Europe. At night, Lake Zurich takes on a completely different, yet equally mesmerising appearance. Illuminated boats, and glowing mountain peaks make sure of this. Take a quality camera to capture it all.

Though it's undoubtedly pretty in the winter, Lake Zurich is at its liveliest during the summer months. Pop-up beaches appear on the shore locals and tourists alike come to sunbathe, swim, and play beach games. The lake does not have a strong current and the water is also said to be potable (it forms much of the city's drinking water supply), so risk is at a minimum here. On rare occasions in its past, Lake Zurich has frozen over. The last of these happenings was in 1963, so it’s unlikely you’ll get to witness this on your trip. The International Self-Transcendence Marathon Swim is a highlight of Lake Zurich's calendar, and must be seen to be believed.

Where to stay in Lake Zurich

Rapperswil Castle is a castle, built in the early 13th century AD by the House of Rapperswil in the former independent city of Rapperswil.

It is located on the eastern Zürichsee respectively western Obersee lakeshore in Rapperswil, a locality of the municipality Rapperswil-Jona in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. Since 1870, the castle has been home to the Polish National Museum established by Polish émigrés, including the castle's lessee and restorer, Count Wladyslaw Broel-Plater.

Rapperswil

You'll enjoy the bars and museums in Rapperswil. You might want to make time for a stop at Rapperswil-Jona Municipal Museum or Rapperswil Castle.

Rapperswil
Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport
Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport
4 out of 5
Zurich Airport, Kloten, ZH
The price is P11,607 per night from 18 Apr to 19 Apr
P11,607
P12,501 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 18 - Apr 19
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kloten. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (235 reviews)
"Beautiful atrium, excellent service at desk and bar. The mural in the shower was very interesting."

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport
Radisson Hotel Zurich Airport
Radisson Hotel Zurich Airport
4 out of 5
Flughofstrasse 75, Ruemlang, ZH
The price is P6,552 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
P6,552
P7,255 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Ruemlang. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,014 reviews)
"Great stop over night here, clean and safe!"

Reviewed on Mar 28, 2025

Radisson Hotel Zurich Airport
Ruby Mimi Zurich
Ruby Mimi Zurich
4 out of 5
4 Beatenpl., Zürich, ZH
The price is P12,979 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
P12,979
P13,926 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,189 reviews)
"it was a great stay. the staff were very helpful and friendly."

Reviewed on Mar 30, 2025

Ruby Mimi Zurich
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
City Pop 2Night Zurich
City Pop 2Night Zurich
4 out of 5
Militarstrasse 106, Zürich
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and an in-room espresso maker. Popular attractions Swiss National Museum ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4 reviews)
"Great, clean place. Grocery store on bottom level. 5-10 min walk to HB train station."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025

City Pop 2Night Zurich
Aparthotel Adagio Zurich Center
Aparthotel Adagio Zurich Center
4 out of 5
Stampfenbachstrasse 60, Zürich
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (251 reviews)
"Friendly staff. Close to the centre. Good to be able to make a meal in our room and nice to have access to the sauna."

Reviewed on Feb 4, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Zurich Center
INSIDE FIVE City Apartments
INSIDE FIVE City Apartments
3.5 out of 5
Motorenstrasse 11, Zürich
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, an area shuttle (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Swiss National Museum and ETH Zurich ...
7.4/10 Good! (382 reviews)
"Generally clean but the bedside tables were dusty. Bathroom very good. Duvet on bed is too small for 2 people."

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2025

INSIDE FIVE City Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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