Choose from 99 Fun Things to Do in Switzerland
Stein am Rhein
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Schaffhausen
- Most of Schaffhausen’s historic center is pedestrianized and it’s easy to walk to all the main attractions.
- It’s possible to walk or cycle the 2 miles (3 kilometers) to Rhine Falls from Schaffhausen.
- Wear comfortable shoes; many of the streets are cobbled and uneven.
Church of Our Lady (Fraumünster)
The 13th-century Church of our Lady, or Fraumunster, has an elegant blue spire which soars above the Zurich skyline. Situated right next to the lake, it is one of Zurich's key sights. Founded in 853 as a Benedictine convent, around the 11th century it was responsible for minting coins and collecting tolls making the then Abbess a powerful women indeed.
Inside the church are the famous stained-glass windows of 1967 by the famous artist Marc Chagall. The three main windows are: the blue Jacob window, with a ladder to heaven, the green Christ window, featuring Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, and the yellow Zion window depicting King David and Bathsheba being trumpeted into New Jerusalem. To the sides there are windows depicting the Prophets and Moses. Near the main exit is a window by another famous artist, Giacometti.
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It is not hard to find the church as its narrow blue spire rises into the skyline of Zurich. Walk along the Limmat river and you will come across the church. Or take tram 4 to City Hall.
Gurten
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Grossmünster
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Titlis Cliff Walk
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Swiss Transport Museum
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Mönch
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Lake Zurich (Zürichsee)
- Bring a swimsuit to try out the lake's swimming spots (May through October).
- Water-based excursions range in duration, from short round-trip outings to leisurely half-day cruises.
- The Felsenegg cable car is wheelchair accessible. Private sightseeing tours can be customized to meet the needs of wheelchair users.
Swiss National Museum
Almost 1 million artifacts make up the permanent collection, which takes the visitor on a journey from ancient Switzerland, through the Middle Ages and into the 20th century. Personal items, handicrafts, artworks, furnishings and household items are among the many relics, bringing the past back to life through a series of evocative displays. Highlights include artifacts from as far back as the 4th millennium B.C; a significant collection of 9th century Carolingian art; a Swiss warfare exhibit of weaponry and armor; and an exhibit devoted to the traditional art of Swiss clock making. A regular series of temporary exhibitions supplement the permanent galleries, with recent showcases including themes like Swiss fashion and design and Roman history.
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Zurich Old Town (Altstadt)
- Zurich’s main visitor information center is located opposite Church of Our Lady in Old Town.
- Large parts of Old Town are pedestrianized, and the best way to get around is on foot or by tram.
- Old Town is also the center of Zurich’s nightlife, with dozens of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs around Niederdorfstrasse and Limmatquai.
Uetliberg Mountain
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St Beatus Caves (St Beatus Hohlen)
Zurich Opera House
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Weggis
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Schynige Platte
A popular starting point for long distance hiking routes, as well as harboring a number of popular short circuit walks and a 500-plant strong alpine garden, there’s plenty to keep nature enthusiasts amused. Alternatively, pull up a chair and relax at the Berg hotel and restaurant, where the panoramic terrace seating adds a touch of luxury to the already-impressive vistas.
Schilthorn
- Cable cars run every half hour to and from the summit of Schilthorn.
- Wrap up warm—the high altitude means it will be chilly on the mountaintop even in summer.
- The cable car and summit restaurant are wheelchair accessible.
- A mountaintop gift shop is open to the public.
Water Fountains (Jet d'Eau)
If you’ve seen a panoramic view of Geneva you’ve most likely seen the huge lake Water Fountains, or Jet d’Eau, with its commanding position at the point where the River Rhône empties into Lake Geneva. It started life in the 19th century as a humble safety valve for a hydraulic installation, but is now the city’s foremost symbol.
With every second, some 130 gallons of water are propelled at 125 miles an hour to a maximum height of 150 yards (that's 500 liters at 200 km/h reaching 140 meters). The water shoots into the air before descending in a graceful fan shape back down to the lake, but its exact destination is determined by the strength and direction of the wind. In the warmer months, the fountain is lit during the evening until 11 o’clock.
Practical Info
You can get up close and personal with the Jet d’Eau on to the Jetée des Eaux Vives (off Quai Gustave Ador), though a drenching is a distinct possibility. Alternatively, the Jardin Anglais is a short stroll along the shore and offers a safer vantage point.
Thunersee (Lake of Thun)
Active types will be in their element here, with the St. Jacob’s hiking trail running from the northern side towards the St. Beatus Caves, and walking tracks to Hünibach and Spiez passing by the lake. Speed-boat trips, wakeboarding, water skiing and windsurfing are all on offer for thrill-seekers, while the less adventurous will be content hiring a pedalo or rowing boat and taking a gentle cruise along the lake.
Visit in July and you’ll get a chance to witness the unique Lake Thun Festival, where popular musicals are performed on a dazzling floating stage, constructed specially for the event and anchored on the lake itself.