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4 hours
Zürich Zoo
Zoo Zürich
Zoo Zurich is a 27-hectare zoological and conservation institution on the Zurichberg above the city.
- Must see
- Family attraction
- Zurich
Country guide
Switzerland
The Alps cover most of Switzerland's 41,291 km², which is why almost all of its 9,154,242 people live on the plateau — a band of low ground carrying Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lausanne, Geneva, Lucerne and Winterthur within a few hours of one another. Cross a ridge and it is the language that changes: German is spoken by 62 per cent of the country, French by 23, Italian by 8, Romansh by half a per cent. Twenty-six cantons write their own rules on top of that. A trip here is usually a choice between the flat line of cities and the valleys branching off it.
Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor
Cities
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
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Zurich
Photograph · Ikiwaner · CC BY-SA 3.0
Zurich 1,565 places
Practical information
Practical information
- Language spoken
- German, French, Italian and Romansh
- National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
- Dialling code
- +41
- International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
- Currency
- Swiss franc (CHF)
- Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
- Emergency number
- 112 · 117 police · 144 ambulance
- Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
- Plug type
- Type C and J · 230 V
- Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
- Tap water
- Safe from the mains
- Public drinking water is controlled under Swiss food-safety rules
Planning a visit
- Seasonal closure recorded
- The current month
- January: seasonal closure recorded
- February: seasonal closure recorded
- March: seasonal closure recorded
- April: seasonal closure recorded
- May: seasonal closure recorded
- June: seasonal closure recorded
- July: seasonal closure recorded
- August: seasonal closure recorded
- September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
- October: seasonal closure recorded
- November: seasonal closure recorded
- December: seasonal closure recorded
Top things to see
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
Filter the list
7 places match
7 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
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02 1 hr 30 minSeebad Enge
Seebad Enge is a public bathing lido on the western shore of Lake Zurich in the Enge district. As a historic lakeside facility, it represents traditional Swiss outdoor bathing culture.
- Must see
- Family attraction
- Zurich
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03 1 hr 30 minThermalbad & Spa Zürich
Thermalbad & Spa Zürich is an urban bathing and wellness venue set inside a former brewery building. Its character comes from combining thermal bathing and spa relaxation with an industrial heritage setting.
- Must see
- Family attraction
- Zurich
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04 1 hr 30 minStrandbad Wollishofen
Strandbad Wollishofen is a public bathing beach and lido on the western shore of Lake Zurich, in the Wollishofen district.
- Must see
- Family attraction
- Zurich
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05 1 hr 30 minSeebad Utoquai
Seebad Utoquai is a lakeside bathing facility on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich. It offers direct access to the lake and represents the city's long tradition of outdoor bathing.
- High
- Family attraction
- Zurich
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06 1 hr 30 minFlussbad Oberer Letten
Flussbad Oberer Letten is a river swimming area on the Limmat in Zurich. It belongs to the city’s tradition of Flussbäder, where open-air bathing takes place in flowing river water rather than a conventional pool.
- High
- Family attraction
- Zurich
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07 1 hr 30 minUnterer Letten River pool
Flussbad Unterer Letten
Unterer Letten River pool is a riverside bathing facility on the Limmat in Zurich. Instead of a conventional still-water pool, it places swimming within a developed section of the flowing river.
- High
- Family attraction
- Zurich
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·
Common questions
How long should a first trip to Switzerland be?
Seven to ten days can combine two city or lake bases with one mountain region. Switzerland’s dense transport network reduces transfer friction, but weather-dependent alpine excursions still need flexible time.
What entry documents are needed for Switzerland?
Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Migration publishes entry requirements. Passport nationality, visit purpose and the wider Schengen route determine whether a visa is required and where to apply.
What is the best way to travel around Switzerland?
Zurich and Geneva airports connect directly to national rail. SBB trains, regional railways, PostBus routes and lake boats form the core network, while many mountain railways and cable cars use separate products.
When is a practical time to visit Switzerland?
June to September serves hiking and high-pass travel; December to March is the broad snow season. Mountain operating dates and weather vary by altitude, so verify the specific lift or route rather than relying on a national season.
What money and payment basics apply in Switzerland?
Switzerland prices in Swiss francs (CHF). The current treatment of euros, card fees and exchange rates is Not recorded here; verify the charged currency and amount before accepting conversion.
What practical safety details should I save for Switzerland?
Switzerland uses 112 as a general emergency number, 117 for police and 144 for ambulance. Type C and J sockets supply 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe.