Best Free Things to Do as a Tourist in Zurich, Switzerland

Zürich, Switzerland
Zürich, Switzerland. Photo by Henrique Ferreira on Unsplash

Zurich, Switzerland, has a reputation for being notoriously expensive for tourists. Of course, this isn’t such a surprise considering that the city is considered one of the world’s financial centers and provides a home for numerous financial institutions and banks. But this all doesn’t mean that you’ll have to blow your entire budget when visiting.

There are plenty of free things to do and see as a tourist in Zurich. You only have to know where to find them. Check out some recommendations below.

Enjoy Lake Zurich

Lake Zurich itself will provide you with enough free activities to keep you entertained the entire day. In addition, the area surrounding the lake offers swimming areas, playgrounds, opportunities for various outdoor activities, gardens, parks, and much more.

Explore Altstadt

Zurich’s historic center, known as Altstadt, is a place to marvel at the city’s charming architecture. Many important landmarks and monuments like Grossmünster and Peterskirche are located here as well.

Hike Uetliberg

Uetliberg is a small mountain overseeing Zurich. It’s great for hiking and trekking while also providing stunning views of the Zurich skyline and the Alps mountain range.

Visit Zoological Museum

Zoological Museum is one of several museums in Zurich that has a free entry policy. It is home to more than 1,500 models, including dinosaurs, gorillas, birds, and insects. You can also enjoy multimedia presentations, and there are a few interactive games to be played as well.