Things to do in Zurich

Try stand-up paddleboarding under a full moon

Try one of Switzerland’s fastest growing sports on Lake Zurich. SupSwiss (tel: +41 444 519 090; www.supswiss.ch) as well as equipment hire, teach the basics of stand-up paddleboarding and offer a variety of unusual outings, including a full moon paddle, SUP yoga and a dance paddle during Zurich’s Street Parade. 

Rollerblade through the streets at night

Zurich’s streets make for excellent rollerblading and every other Monday, Night Skate (tel: +41 79 353 47 93; www.nightskate.ch) sees hundreds of people blade through the city, starting at Bürkliplatz. Nearby, Greifensee lake is another popular route for in-line skaters. Try Speed Blade Experience (www.sbx.ch) for skate hire.

Float across Zurich in a hot-air balloon

There’s no better way to get to grips with Zurich’s impressive setting than taking to the air. Rappiballon (tel: +41 552 103 975; www.rappiballon.ch), based lakeside in Rapperswil, offers scenic hot air balloon flights in all shapes and sizes including (rather appropriately for Switzerland) one fashioned like a cow.

Have a swim in a landlocked city

Zurich may be landlocked but it boasts some great swimming spots. The ultra-clean River Limmat is popular, whilst the stylish Frauenbadi Stadthausquai (tel: +41 442 119 592; www.barfussbar.ch) in the Old Town is for women only. For a beach vibe Mythenquai Lido (tel: +41 442 010 000) even has a sandy stretch.

Cruise around Lake Zurich

Set on the edge of Lake Zurich, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the city from the water. Zurich Navigation Company (tel: +41 044 487 13 33; www.zsg.ch) operates cruises on a variety of themes including a fondue cruise. Passengers who disembark at Rapperswil can explore its medieval castle.

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