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

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Rapperswil

5/5(1 area review)

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

Rapperswil
Crowne Plaza Zürich by IHG
Crowne Plaza Zürich by IHG
4 out of 5
420 Badenerstrasse, Zürich, ZH
The price is S$215 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$215
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (999 reviews)
"The hotel is about 25 minutes from the airport and strategically located in the middle of the city of Zurich. Staff is courteous. We arrived an hour early for check-in. However, check in fee still charged and not waived. Rooms are clean. There is air conditioning. There are 2 onsite restaurants that ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jun, 2025

Crowne Plaza Zürich by IHG
Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport
Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport
4.5 out of 5
Zurich Airport, Kloten, ZH
The price is S$311 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$311
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kloten. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (456 reviews)
"Not enough light in the room. Room was very dark."

Reviewed on 1 Jul, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport
citizenM Zürich
citizenM Zürich
4 out of 5
Talacker 42, Zürich
The price is S$310 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$310
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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 helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Cool place"

Reviewed on 1 Jul, 2025

citizenM Zürich
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 Zürich City - Self check-in
City Pop 2Night Zürich City - Self check-in
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (84 reviews)
"Hotel was clean and relatively easy to check in. However I had read that this location had luggage storage/room that locked with your room code durin your stay and that was not the case. I tried to communicate this with them but they didn’t seem to get it."

Reviewed on 30 Jun, 2025

City Pop 2Night Zürich City - Self check-in
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! (272 reviews)
"Great location within 10 min walk of the main train station. Lots of places to eat in the neighborhood. Rooms were clean and the beds were comfortable. AC in the room does not cool below 20 C so it gets a little hot."

Reviewed on 30 Jun, 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! (406 reviews)
"Modern apartment in a prime central location with easy access to trains and buses. The one-bedroom layout was spacious enough for our family of four. The kitchen was well stocked, and having a laundry room in the basement was a big plus. The only downside was that the bedroom didn’t have good air ..."

Reviewed on 19 Jun, 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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