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Things to do in Zurich

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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