Besides being an important economic center of Switzerland, Zürich is a vibrant city with an intense and engaging cultural spirit that is also a starting point for several mysterious and beautiful places in the region. From the beautiful lakes, snowy mountain ranges, and quaint countryside, there are numerous tourist places around Zurich to visit. Here are some of the top questions we sought to answer in creating this guide to some of the most beautiful places to visit in Switzerland.
Here is the list of tourist places around Zurich that you should visit over a day trip on the weekend.
Rhine Falls: This is Europe’s largest waterfall and is located just an hour’s drive from Zurich. The sound of rocks and incredible viewpoints are unforgettable trips by boat.
Lucerne and Mount Pilatus: It just takes approximately 35 minutes by train to get you to Lucerne, which lies nestled amidst beautiful lakes and mountains. Someone should not miss out on the cable car to Mount Pilatus.
Lake Zurich: Whereas within the city, it is cool to relax at Lake Zurich. Try a boat ride to see some of the breathtaking racks of the hills.
Rapperswil: The Rosenburg in this village is famed for its medieval Castle and rose gardens making this a tourist attraction recognized as the ‘Town of Roses’.
Uetliberg Mountain: To be sure, the city on the water offers an excellent view: climb or ride a train to Uetliberg, which can be regarded as the mountain of Zurich.
Most of the tourist places around Zurich are within 1–2 hours of Zurich so can easily make day trips:
Rhine Falls: ~1 hour by train or car.
Lucerne: ~50 minutes by train.
Mount Titlis: ~1.5 hours by train and gondola.
Interlaken: ~2 hours by train.
Appenzell: ~1.5 hours by train.
Absolutely! Zurich is a perfect starting point for a trip through the Swiss mountains. Some of the best alpine tourist places around Zurich include:
Mount Titlis: From Engelberg, this glacier mountain has snow activities and the popular Titlis Cliff Walk.
Jungfraujoch: Often called the “Top of Europe” here tourists can enjoy the stunning views, a palace of ice, and even snow in summer.
Grindelwald: A picturesque place of natural beauty and beauty perfect for trekking, skiing, and overdosing on nature views.
Yes, history buffs will love exploring these tourist places around Zurich:
Rapperswil Castle: A medieval castle that also provides a panoramic view of the lake.
Baden: Spa town with Roman bath remains and medieval center with plenty of character, one hour’s drive from Zurich.
Stein am Rhein: Renowned for its house façade painted looks and its well-preserved medieval structures and architecture.
Einsiedeln Abbey: An ancient monastery where the most outstanding architectural and religious performances are observed, a sort of half an hour's drive from Zurich.
Nature enthusiasts will love the abundance of tourist places around Zurich that showcase some great Swiss landscapes:
Rhine Falls: Famous for its stunning natural wonders, attractions, hiking trails, and boat cruises.
Lake Zug: One is a calm body of water for taking a peaceful boat tour or enjoying the sunset by walking around.
Lindt Home of Chocolate: As much as it is a man-made sightseeing, it is located near the scenic views of Kilchberg. Best to do this in combination with a leisurely walk along the shores of Lake Zurich.
Appenzell Region: Crowned by rolling hills it offers good opportunities for hiking along with a chance to get in touch with nature.
Here are some lesser-known tourist places around Zurich, in case you feel the need to wander off the beaten path:
Greifensee: If you get off at the Uetliberg, the laid-back lake good for cycling and bird watching is about twenty minutes from Zurich.
Kyburg Castle: A small but very interesting medieval castle situated near Winterthur.
Regensburg: An attractive medieval village nestled on the highland which features cobbled roads and a tower.
Atzmännig: It is a fun place for the lovers of adrenalin and it offers a summer toboggan run and trails for trekking.
Switzerland's public transport system means getting to and around tourist places around Zurich is also extremely easy.
Train: The SBB, the Swiss Federal Railways offers rail links to most attractions within and around the city of Zurich. Trains are on time, and many of them are comfortable as well as they can be aesthetically pleasing.
Car: Self-driving comes with the additional advantage of covering more ground, especially in new areas that are not easily accessible in public means of transport. Smooth roads and well-developed highways are seen on the outside.
Private Transfers: On the move, use a private car service which comes with a door-to-door pick-up and dropping.
Absolutely; plenty of tourist places around Zurich cater to families with children:
Zurich Zoo: One of the best zoos in Europe which comprises more than 380 species of animals.
Technorama: This science museum is in Winterthur and is child-friendly.
Atzmännig: Family fun destinations such as rope parks and playgrounds can be found at this location.
Alpamare: The largest water park in Switzerland situated in Pfäffikon, near Zurich – only a half an hour drive away.
The best time to visit tourist places around Zurich depends on your preference:
Summer (June–August): Perfect for the sun, walking, and boating in the lakes.
Autumn (September–November): Get to enjoy the beautiful colors of nature and reasonable temperatures.
Winter (December–February): Ideal for skiing, snowboarding and visiting Christmas fairs.
Spring (March-May): Good for watching flowers while in bloom and there are fewer visitors to the park.
Indeed, most of the attractive places of interest around Zurich are rather accessible for a one-day tour. For example:
Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein should be visited together because both places are interesting for lovers of natural landscapes and historical sights.
Spend the morning taking a tour around the city of Lucerne and spend the afternoon on Mount Pilatus with a cable car ride.
Go to Rapperswil and then to Uetliberg for a great view of the lake and to watch the sunset too.
The drive around the tourist destinations in and around Zurich is to experience a part of Switzerland’s beauty in natural and man-made, historical, and contemporary forms. If you’re looking for an opportunity to have a one-day trip or two days tour or a week’s tour, Zurich will always try to provide you with the best of Switzerland.
Let’s go, get a suitcase and a camera and be prepared to discover the tourist destination in and around Zurich!
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