Things to do in Zurich
Zürich HB is Switzerland’s largest railway station, and this guide starts right there: what you can reach on foot, what is a short tram or train ride away, and which day trips to take.
Every fact was checked on 2 October 2026 against official websites, Zürich Tourism and Wikipedia. Opening hours and prices change, so each page links to the official website.
Everything starts at the main station
Distances in metres are the straight-line figures listed by Zürich Tourism – the walk is a little longer. Travel times come from timetable checks for October 2026; use the SBB app for your own date.
Zürich HB
On foot from the main station
Leave your luggage in a locker and walk.
- Swiss National Museum Right next to the station
A castle-like museum of Swiss cultural history, right next to the main station.
- Zurich Old Town Lindenhof 533 m (straight line)
Medieval lanes, the Lindenhof viewpoint and the Niederdorf on both banks of the Limmat.
- Bahnhofstrasse & Paradeplatz Starts at the station
Zurich’s main downtown street and shopping boulevard, from the station square down to the lake.
- Grossmünster 882 m (straight line)
Zurich’s twin-towered landmark, where Zwingli led the Reformation – and you can climb a tower.
- Fraumünster 900 m (straight line)
The former abbey church with Chagall’s five choir windows and rose window, and a crypt museum.
- Lake Zurich 1.4 km along Bahnhofstrasse
Round trips by boat, lakeside promenades and city lidos for a swim in summer.
A short tram or train ride
All within Zurich or just outside, by tram, S-Bahn, bus or boat.
- Kunsthaus Zürich Tram 3 or bus 31
Giacometti, Munch, Monet’s water lilies and Dada – the art museum on Heimplatz.
- Zurich Opera House S-Bahn to Stadelhofen
An opera house from 1891 with a neo-rococo auditorium, home of the Zurich Ballet.
- FIFA Museum S-Bahn to Bahnhof Enge
The original World Cup trophy, 211 national shirts and a giant pinball machine.
- Zurich Zoo Tram 6 to the terminus
An indoor rainforest hall linked to a conservation project in Madagascar, swimming elephants and a new big-cat habitat.
- Lindt Home of Chocolate About 20 min
A 9.3 m chocolate fountain, a chocolate museum and Lindt’s biggest shop, in Kilchberg on the lake.
- Uetliberg S10 (2026: from Selnau)
Zurich’s own mountain: views of the city, the lake and the Alps, the Planet Trail and a winter sledge run.
Day trips from Zurich
Castles, waterfalls and dirt bikes within about an hour.
- Kyburg Castle About 40 min by S-Bahn and bus
A medieval castle complex near Winterthur with almost 1,000 years of history.
- Motocross at MX-Academy About 40 min by car
Ride a real motocross bike on a track in Schlatt TG – a taster course needs no experience.
- Rhine Falls About 50 min by direct train
Promoted as Europe’s largest waterfall: 150 m wide, with a boat to the rock in the middle.
Once a year
Plan your trip around it – or avoid the crowds.
- Street Parade Zurich Every August by the lake
A free techno parade around the lake basin, usually on the second Saturday in August.
Zurich in a few facts
Zurich is the most populous city in Switzerland: the city’s statistics office counted 452,421 residents at the end of 2025. It lies at the north-western tip of Lake Zurich, and its Old Town spreads along both banks of the river Limmat, which flows out of the lake. Most of the sights are on both sides of the Limmat, between the main station and the lake – so a good part of this guide works on foot.
Trains from Zurich Airport to the main station run every 10 minutes and take about 15 minutes, according to the airport. German is the official language; the spoken language is Zurich German.
Motocross near Zurich: an adventure for your trip
About 40 minutes by car from Zürich HB, MX-Academy runs motocross courses on a track in Schlatt TG. The taster course with one hour of riding time (breaks included) costs CHF 165 including a Honda bike, protective gear and a coach and is offered every second Wednesday – no experience needed. Courses are in German, with someone on site to translate into English. Children can start from the age of 4.
Quick answers
What can I do in Zurich for free?
Walking through the Old Town, up to the Lindenhof and along Bahnhofstrasse costs nothing. At the Rhine Falls, entry on the Neuhausen side is free, and at the Lindt Home of Chocolate you can see the chocolate fountain without a museum ticket. More answers in the Zurich travel FAQ.
What is there to do in Zurich when it rains?
Museums: the Swiss National Museum next to the station, the Kunsthaus, the FIFA Museum and the Lindt Home of Chocolate. At Zurich Zoo, the Masoala Rainforest is an indoor rainforest of 11,000 m².
How long do I need for the Rhine Falls?
Direct trains from Zürich HB take about 50 minutes, and the small circular trail around the falls takes about one hour.