11 great day trips from Zurich

Though Zurich itself is filled to the brim with great things to do, sometimes the wanderlust takes over and we seek experiences further afield. From well-known excursions to lesser-known adventures, here are 11 awesome day trips you can do from the Swiss metropolis.

Discover the best places to visit near Zurich

As the largest city Switzerland has to offer, Zurich boasts plenty of fun activities and things to do. But if you've already had your fill of the sights and sounds of the Swiss metropolis, you’ll be glad to know that it’s surrounded by a myriad of enchanting places to explore.

From the strongest waterfall in Europe to skiing adventures and city escapes, here are some of the best day trips from Zurich.

1. Visit the end of Lake Zurich at Rapperswil

Starting with a day trip that every expat in Zurich needs to do at least once is a visit to the end of the lake and the city of Rapperswil. The town, dominated by its 13th-century castle, is a charming jaunt ripe for exploring. What’s more, the area is also home to Knie's Kinderzoo, a zoo set up by the famous Circus Knie. 

Though Rapperswil is easy to reach from Zurich via public transport, the best way to visit the town is to take the boat service from Zurich Bürkliplatz to the city. The two-hour 20-minute ride offers stunning views of both sides of Lake Zurich, and can be used with a standard transport ticket! 

2. Flumserberg: Zurich's most convenient ski resort

If you want the nearest ski resort to Zurich (by public transport at least), then Flumserberg is the place for you. After an hour-long ride from Zurich HB to the town of Unterterzen, visitors can take a series of cable cars up to the ski resort.

In summer, the area offers an excellent series of hikes, giving you fantastic views of the Alps of Glarus and St. Gallen. It also sees the opening of the famous Floomzer, a rodelbahn which sends thrill seekers hurtling down the mountain.

In winter, the resort transforms into a mecca for skiers and snowboarders. With journeys to resorts in Bern and Graubünden often taking hours from Zurich, thanks to Flumserberg, you can go from the bustle of the city to the manicured pistes of the Alps in less than two hours!

3. Enjoy Europe's strongest waterfall at Rheinfall

Just a 40-minute train ride away from Zurich lies the strongest waterfall in the whole of Europe, Rheinfall. 150 metres wide and 23 metres high, up to 1.250 cubic metres of water passes over the waterfall every second as the raging torrent makes its way down the River Rhine to Basel, Germany and finally into the North Sea at Rotterdam.

The waterfall can be viewed from either side of the river, either from Schloss Laufen or Neuhausen. During the summer, visitors can cross the water by ferry and enjoy special boat tours which take them right up to the waterfall and even to the observation platform in the centre of the falls. 

If you have time, it is also well worth visiting the Smilestones miniature model museum in Neuhausen or taking an extra train ride to Schaffhausen, famous for its stunning old town, Munot fortress and wine. 

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4. Visit one of the prettiest villages in Switzerland at Stein am Rhein

Another jewel of the river can be found further upstream from Schaffhausen at Stein am Rhein. Just an hour-long train ride from Zurich, the village is most famous for its painted houses, featuring stunning medieval frescos. The old monastery on the western side of the village is also well worth a visit.

If you want to extend your time in the region, be sure to take a boat or train service to the nearby town of Diessenhofen. This smaller village is less frequented by tourists than Stein am Rhein, but still offers medieval buildings, churches and a wooden bridge that takes you across the water to Germany! 

5. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at St. Gallen

Though there is a heated rivalry between Zurich and St. Gallen - Zurich and every other Swiss city if we are being honest - every expat needs to visit this captivating medieval city. Highlights include the imposing St. Gallen Cathedral - a reminder that the city was built around and got its name from a hermitage inhabited by the Irish monk Gall or Gallus.

Along with its stunning interior, the cathedral is situated next to the Abbey Library of St. Gallen, which has one of the largest collections of medieval texts in the world. No surprise that the Abbey of St. Gallen as a whole is one of Switzerland’s UNESCO heritage sites.

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6. Discover Lucerne, the jewel of central Switzerland

Along with St. Gallen, another must-visit city from Zurich is Lucerne. While the city is filled to the brim with history, it is most famous for its Chapel Bridge. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland, the wooden footbridge across the River Reuss features vibrant 17th-century paintings and murals, which were lovingly restored after the bridge caught fire in 1993.

Some other top attractions in and around the city include the Swiss Museum of Transport, ship services on Lake Lucerne, the Bourbaki panorama and the wounded Lion Monument, constructed to honour the Swiss Guard.

7. Warm yourselves in the hot springs of Baden

If relaxation and indulgence are more your thing, a great day out just 25 minutes from Zurich can be found in the city of Baden, Canton Aargau. As the name suggests, the city is famous for a series of hot springs, which have been delighting spa-goers since they were first utilised by the Romans. 

Visitors to the city can use the new hot spring baths, opened in 2021, for free, while those who want some more pampering can visit the sublime Novum Spa for a range of treatments using the spring water. Once you are fully refreshed, a walk around the small old town, castle and surrounding valley is well worth it.

8. Hike around Zurich's mini mountain Uetliberg

Another day-out classic from Zurich is to venture up to its local “mountain” Uetliberg. Though this mini peak is only 871 metres above sea level, the area offers spectacular views of the city of Zurich itself and surrounding hills. What’s more, the top can be reached via direct trains from Zurich HB!

Once you are there, venture atop the viewing platform for clear views across Canton Zurich. Afterwards, a great activity is to walk the length of the hill from Uto Kulm to Felsenegg, where a cable car can then take you back down the hill to the train station at Adliswil.

9. Spot animals at the Tierpark at Langnau Albis

Another lesser-known excursion from Zurich is just a stone’s throw away from Adliswil: the Tierpark at Langnau Albis. The park itself is home to a range of Swiss wildlife, from marmots and ibexes to otters. There are even some species that used to be common in Switzerland, such as European bison and even bears.

Though the park is not as extensive as Zurich Zoo, the Tierpark is entirely free!

10. See Switzerland in 360 degrees at Rigi

Though the views from atop Uetliberg and Flumserberg are spectacular, if you want a 360-degree panorama of Switzerland, Rigi is the place to go. At 1.797 metres above sea level, at the top of the mountain at Rigi Kulm, you can see the Swiss Alps, 13 lakes, Lucerne, Zug and even Germany and France on a clear day.

Getting to the top of Rigi is also an adventure in itself. From either Arth-Goldau station or Vitznau - the latter requires you to take a ship from Lucerne - an old cog mountain railway hauls you up to the summit of the mountain. 

11. Be the king of the castle at Lenzburg

Finally, if you want a dose of medieval castles, then take the 20-minute train ride to Lenzburg. Lenzburg Castle is one of the oldest in Switzerland, having been built around the 1030s. As the seat of the Kyburgs and Habsburgs before being transferred over to cantonal rule, the fortress has a rich and diverse history.

Legend has it that a dragon used to live on the Schlossberg, but was slain by two knights called Wolfram and Guntram. In gratitude for the knights' actions, the two were elected the first Counts of Lenzburg and given permission to build the castle atop the dragon’s old lair.

Organise a fun day trip from Zurich

Zurich may be awash with fun activities, but some of the best experiences Switzerland has to offer are just a stone's throw away. Whether you are a newcomer to the Swiss metropolis or have been living in the city for a while, we hope that this list helps inspire your next great day trip!

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