town, and the long wooden footbridge to Hurden, which is part of the pilgrimage route towards Einsiedeln, it’s a town with plenty of stories to tell.
Nature, Far and Wide Whether it’s hiking on the Bachtel or Etzel mountains, walking through the region’s vineyards, or strolling along the shores of the lake, the Lake Zurich region is known for its pristine natural surroundings, and its impressive landscapes are truly captivating.
➡ rapperswil-zuerichsee.ch
S-Bahnen, Busse und Schiffe
S-Bahn trains, buses and boats
Zug Region
Zug at a Glance
Picturesque Zug links urban Zurich with rural Central Switzerland and blends the energy of both regions: cosmopolitan and natural, innovative and traditional, elegant and welcoming.
Bike Trips
An e-bike trip across Zugerberg takes you into the surrounding hills, where you’ll find stunning lake and mountain views, the memorial to the Battle of Morgarten, the “Rothenthurmer Moor” conservation area, and the “Höllgrotten” cave system.
Cherries from Zug
Zug’s cherries (known as “chriesi” in the local parlance) enjoy an outstanding global reputation. Visitors can take a pleasant stroll while discovering blooming cherry trees and fascinating customs involving the fruit. Why not stop off at one of Zug’s stylish cafés to sample some delicious cherrybased specialties?
➡ zug-tourismus.ch
Region Map, Zürich, Switzerland.
Schwyz Region
Natural Landscapes Majestic mountains and breathtaking views are just a stone’s throw from Zurich. Nature enthusiasts can reach the summits of the Stoos, Rigi, Hoch-Ybrig, and Mythen mountains via a variety of mountain railways, including the steepest funicular railway in the world and a historic steam train.
Rustic Switzerland
According to legend, this region is the birthplace of the Swiss Confederation. Whether in the Museum of the Swiss Charters of Confederation, on the Swiss Path or in the Einsiedeln Abbey, history comes to life here.
Authentic Swiss Feel
From open-air yodeling worship to musicians playing alphorn in Brunnen by Lake Lucerne, this region cherishes its traditions and handicrafts. It is also proud to be the home of the world-famous Victorinox Swiss Army knife.
➡ schwyz-tourismus.ch
Zurich Oberland Region
Discover Nature
The Zurich Oberland is a popular area for recreation, with mountains dense with woodland and lovely lakeside landscapes. Visitors can take picturesque hikes on Hörnli mountain, or hike several different peaks on the two-day “Gipfelstürmer-Tour” experience.
An Industrial Past
AltendorfLachenSiebnen-WangenSchübelbach-Buttikon
Visitors can dine in former factory buildings or find out all about the history of the textile industry exploring the Museum Neuthal Textil- & Industriekultur. Visitors can discover the hissing steam train and other industrial treasures from the past in the “Zeitreise durch das Zurioberland” (Travel through Time in Zurich Oberland) hiking experience.
Local Cuisine Delicious local fare includes lovingly prepared specialties. Local producers supply premium quality cheeses, fish, wines and other delicacies.
➡ zuerioberland.ch
Winterthur Region
Art Masterpieces With the Oskar Reinhart Collection and various art museums, the city of Winterthur is home to an amazing collection of outstanding art from Van Gogh to Monet and Caspar David Friedrich.
Center for Photography
Visitors are captivated by images that lie halfway between art and the documentation of everyday life. Situated on a former industrial site, housing both the Fotostiftung
Schweiz and the Fotomuseum Winterthur, the Center for Photography also has a cozy bistro and library.
Experience Natural Phenomena
At the Swiss Science Center Technorama, touching and trying is a must. Visitors of all ages can discover natural phenomena first hand and with all their senses at countless experiment stations.
➡ winterthur.com
The City of Zurich
Zurich is the small, beautiful metropolis on the shores of the cerulean Lake Zurich. Situated in the center of Switzerland, it offers big city comforts without compromising its rich natural landscape. The city is a stone’s throw away from the Swiss Alps, which promise spectacular views, while those looking for a little relaxation can also enjoy the forests and mountains located around the city.
With over 100 galleries, more than 50 museums and other prestigious institutions, Zurich offers art and culture enthusiasts an enormous range of exhibitions. Curious explorers can discover the contrast between the picturesque old town and the more modern parts of the city, while fashionistas should head to Zurich-West or Bahnhofstrasse to discover fashion trends from all over the world. Meanwhile, foodies can feast on the city’s gastronomic highlights, as Zurich is the food mecca of Switzerland.
➡ zuerich.com
2 Uetliberg / Felsenegg
Uetliberg is Zurich’s local car-free mountain. From its summit at 871 m (2,858 ft) above sea level, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the city, Lake Zurich, and the Alps in both summer and winter.
The S10 goes from Zurich Main Station to Uetliberg. For those of a more sporty disposition, the summit can be reached in one hour via numerous hiking trails during summer time. You’ll never be bored in nature here, thanks to a number of signposted hikes in the region, a mountainbiking trail, and the “Path of the Planets,” a 1.5-hour hike to the Felsenegg cable car that offers a fascinating insight into the solar system.
When the snow cover is thick enough in the winter, Uetliberg is transformed into a sledding slope.
➡ zuerich.com/uetliberg
3 Laufen Castle at the Rhine Falls
Laufen Castle, which is about 1,000 years old, sits on top of a cliff overlooking the largest waterfall in Europe, the Rhine Falls. Visitors can walk to the “Känzeli,” one of the viewing platforms directly above the raging waterfall. Here and in the glass panoramic elevator, you’ll get the best views of the impressive natural spectacle. As night falls, the cliff is illuminated and the Rhine Falls turn into a magical scene. A visit to the castle restaurant completes the experience.
A direct train runs hourly from Zurich to “Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall” and takes 50 minutes. You can reach the natural wonder in 45 minutes by car.
➡ zuerich.com/rhinefalls
Lake Zurich by Boat
Titlis
Rigi
11 Fotomuseum Winterthur
Contemporary works and masters of photography. ➡ zuerich.com/fotomuseum
12 Freiruum
Large market hall with food stalls and a sports area. ➡ zuerich.com/freiruum
13 FORTYSEVEN Thermal Wellness Spa
Relax in Switzerland’s most mineral-rich water. ➡ zuerich.com/fortyseven
14 History Museum Baden Fascinating exhibits on social and cultural history. ➡ zuerich.com/history-museum-baden
15 Knie’s Children’s Zoo Visitors can pet and feed animals. ➡ zuerich.com/kinderzoo
16 Kunst Museum Winterthur Masterpieces from the 17th century to the present day. ➡ zuerich.com/kunst-museum-winterthur
17 Oskar Reinhart Collection “Am Römerholz” Works of art at the collector’s former villa. ➡ zuerich.com/museum-am-roemerholz
18 Swiss Science Center Technorama
Understanding natural phenomena and technology. ➡ zuerich.com/technorama
19 Zoo Zurich
A zoological garden with almost 6,000 animals from all around the world. ➡ zuerich.com/zoo
20 Zug Old Town
The charming Old Town on Lake Zug. ➡ zuerich.com/zug
21 Alpamare
Adventure pool and Switzerland’s largest water park. ➡ zuerich.com/alpamare
22 Dinosaur Museum
Paleontological museum with original skeletons. ➡ zuerich.com/dinosaur-museum
23 Einsiedeln Abbey
Ancient Benedictine abbey and place of pilgrimage. ➡ zuerich.com/einsiedeln
24 Höllgrotten
A mystical subterranean world of dripstone caves. ➡ zuerich.com/hoellgrotten
25 Jucker Farm Seegräben & Bächlihof Jona
Adventure farms with gastronomy and seasonal events. ➡ zuerich.com/jucker-farm ➡ zuerich.com/baechlihof
26 Lindt Home of Chocolate
Experience a world for chocolate fans on Lake Zurich. ➡ zuerich.com/lindt-home-of-chocolate
27 Chocolarium
The happiness factory of “Munz” and “Minor”. ➡ zuerich.com/chocolarium
28 Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln
Cheese dairy and fresh mountain dairy produce. ➡ zuerich.com/milchmanufaktur
29 Museum Neuthal Textil- & Industriekultur
Two centuries of industrialization and the textile industry. ➡ zuerich.com/neuthal
30 Museum Schloss Kyburg
Discover how people lived in the Middle Ages. ➡ zuerich.com/kyburg
31 Nature Reserve and Wildlife Park Goldau
100 domestic and European species of wild animals. ➡ zuerich.com/tierparkgoldau
32 Sculpture Park Bruno Weber Sculpture park surrounded by nature. ➡ zuerich.com/brunoweber
33 Swiss Holiday Park
Large vacation and leisure resort under one roof. ➡ zuerich.com/swiss-holiday-park
34 The “Wiege der Schweiz” (Switzerland’s birthplace)
The place where modern-day Switzerland was founded. ➡ zuerich.com/schwyz
35 Ufnau Island
The largest Swiss island and a popular destination.
➡ zuerich.com/ufnau
36 Wildnispark Zürich Forest, nature, and wildlife very close to Zurich.
➡ zuerich.com/wildnispark
37 Atzmännig Mountain with rope park, toboggan run and more.
➡ zuerich.com/atzmaennig
38 Chäserrugg Authentic alpine world and unique architecture.
➡ zuerich.com/chaeserrugg
39 Flumserberg Summer tobogganing, hiking, and skiing near Zurich.
➡ zuerich.com/flumserberg
40 Hoch-Ybrig
A family mountain experience with Europe’s longest zipline.
➡ zuerich.com/hochybrig
41 Hörnli mountain experience
A wide variety of fun options for the whole family.
➡ zuerich.com/zuercher-oberland
42 Mythen Region / Rotenflue
Unique landscapes around the majestic Mythen.
➡ zuerich.com/mythen
43 Sattel-Hochstuckli
Mountain region with the Skywalk suspension bridge.
➡ zuerich.com/sattel-hochstuckli
44 Stoos
The world s steepest funicular with a fantastic view.
➡ zuerich.com/stoos
Picturesque Rapperswil is characterized by its medieval castle overlooking Lake Zurich. Rapperswil is known as the Town of Roses thanks to the 20,000 roses that bloom in the various rose gardens between May and October.
Even in medieval times, Rapperswil was known to many travelers from the north because a branch of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela led along Lake Zurich. Centuries ago, pilgrims walked through the small town before continuing on their way across the longest wooden footbridge in Switzerland towards Einsiedeln.
Rapperswil is also home to the Knie’s Children’s Zoo, where animal lovers can experience friendly elephants, inquisitive giraffes, and elegant cheetahs up close. A wide range of museums also invites visitors to discover an entire world of science and art in Rapperswil.
➡ rapperswil-zuerichsee.ch
A cruise on Lake Zurich is an absolute must. A round trip shows both the city and the region of Zurich at their very best.
Round trips are available daily on Lake Zurich. The “Mini Lake Cruise” around the lake basin is ideal for discovering Zurich’s highlights from the water. Visitors wishing to explore the whole lake from Zurich to Rapperswil and back should allow for around four hours.
“Unique Cruises” are a very special experience, where guests can enjoy a fondue or other culinary specialties during the boat trip. The Lake Zurich Navigation Company provides further information about the numerous culinary and themed cruises on offer.
➡ zuerich.com/boat
Titlis is one of the most popular winter sports and excursion destinations in Central Switzerland. Thanks to the glacier surrounding the summit (3,239 m 10,627 ft), there’s snow here all year round.
Cableways carry visitors from Engelberg to the top of Titlis. The world’s first revolving cable car, Titlis Rotair, transports high-flyers from the Stand middle station up to 3,020 m (9,908 ft) above sea level, just below the summit.
During the five-minute trip, the gondola revolves 360 degrees, providing unrestricted panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Thrill-seekers can also test their nerves on the Titlis Cliff Walk: the highest suspension bridge in Europe is 100 m (328 ft) long and 500 m (1,640 ft) above the ground. A visit to the glacier cave and a trip on the chairlift over the glacier’s crevasses offer breathtaking views in winter and summer alike.
➡ zuerich.com/titlis
Pilatus
Jungfrau
10 Heidiland
Mt. Rigi lies in a spectacular location between three lakes: the imposing Lake Lucerne, the beautiful Lake Zug, and the smaller Lake Lauerz. At an altitude of 1,797 m (5,896 ft) above sea level, the Rigi is one of the most popular excursion destinations in Central Switzerland.
This mountain is a paradise for hikers as well as mountain cableway and railway enthusiasts. Kilometer-long hiking trails, breathtaking vantage points, unspoilt nature, a varied range of cuisine, and diverse spa services provide visitors with everything they need for an active yet relaxing break.
Mt. Rigi offers breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes and mountains as well as a sea of clouds, particularly in winter. The journey on Europe’s first mountain railway up to Vitznau is an incredible experience.
➡ zuerich.com/rigi
The impressive Pilatus mountain massif is an offshoot of the Swiss Alps. It’s located south of Lucerne and Lake Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland. Pilatus is easily accessible, and its two valley stations in Kriens (near Lucerne) and Alpnachstad can be comfortably reached by car thanks to their direct access from the highway. Adventure-seekers can also travel to the foot of the mountain quickly and easily by train, boat, or bus.
In the summer season, the world’s steepest cog railway carries visitors up to an altitude of 2,132 m (7,000 ft) above sea level, where they can enjoy an unrestricted panoramic view of the magnificent mountain scenery. On the summit of Lucerne’s mountain there are various restaurants, the splendid historical Hotel Pilatus-Kulm with its panoramic terrace, Hotel Bellevue, and a panoramic gallery with a superb 360-degree view.
➡ zuerich.com/pilatus
Standing at an impressive 4,158 m (13,642 ft) above sea level, the Jungfrau is one of Switzerland’s 48 fourthousanders and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Together with the Eiger (3,970 m / 13,025 ft) and Mönch (4,107 m / 13,474 ft) mountains, it forms a world-famous mountain group.
A visit to the Jungfraujoch is a must for all mountain enthusiasts. Situated between the Mönch and the Eiger, the saddle offers breathtaking view of the mountain range with the longest glacier in Europe, the Aletsch Glacier.
The approach is nothing short of spectacular: from Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, a cog railway carries passengers via the Kleine Scheidegg up to the Jungfraujoch. It is even quicker with the “Eiger Express,” whose gondolas glide along the Eiger’s north face to the Eiger Glacier station.
➡ zuerich.com/jungfrau
The Heidiland vacation region is a wonderful excursion destination just outside Zurich. The region around the village of Maienfeld inspired Swiss author Johanna Spyri to write her bestselling children’s book “Heidi”. Visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in the world of the novel’s heroine, complete with majestic mountains, deep-blue lakes and, of course, plenty of goats.
Besides the “Heididorf” (Heidi’s Village), with its petting zoo, and an original Heidi House furnished just like in Heidi’s day, there is also a village store selling attractive souvenirs.
The region enchants with its wonderful alpine scenery and spectacular vistas: perfect for hiking, summer tobogganing or skiing in winter.
➡ zuerich.com/heidiland
