Andrew Nash
Vienna Transport Strategies

Walking tour around Zürich See by Andrew Nash

The Zürichsee, Zürich's lake, is one of the most popular places in the city. The entire lakeshore within Zürich is a public park with many different attractions. Start you tour by taking a Tram, S-Bahn or riverboat to the Tiefenbrunnen station. If you have come by tram or train, walk across Bellerive Strasse to the lakeshore path and turn right.

Walking back towards the city from Tiefenbrunnen, you will pass a public beach. (In winter you can simply walk through; in summer you need to pay to enter.) The public beach is a classic facility with lockers, showers, and different water-play areas for all ages. Note that you can swim anywhere on the lake, so you don't need to pay unless you want to use the facilities.

Continuing along the lakeshore, you will pass the Zürichhorn Casino, a restaurant and exhibition hall. Walk straight to the Zürichhorn point, where the Fischstube Restaurant is located in a building (rebuilt following a fire) from the Swiss National Exhibition held in Zürich several years ago. The views from the restaurant are incredible and you can eat outside just inches above the water. The café outside is also nice for less formal dining.

After the Fischstube, return to the path and continue walking towards the city. On your right will be the China Garten. Just past the China Garten is the Heidi Weber Pavilion a museum/exhibition center designed by Le Corbusier. (You will need to look hard to find it, it is in the trees; also, check the website for opening hours.) Continuing north you will pass the Museum Bellerive, a mansion formerly owned by the Jacobs (of coffee fame) family. The museum includes a collection of coffee items and also has exhibitions.

As you get closer to the city center, you will find more and more people. On a summer weekend, the park land will be filled with people sunbathing, playing ball, picnicking, and just hanging out.

Soon you reach the Utoquai Bad, a floating swimming area in the lake. This building is a classical floating building that surrounds an area for swimming. The building includes lockers, showers, massage and spa treatment rooms, and a restaurant. The building is owned by the city and rented to private operators. The graffiti-art makes an odd contrast with the classical building.

The next section of the lakeside walk is the most popular part. Most of the people seem to simply be out to see and be seen. There is a nice kiosk restaurant serving wurst and beer at outdoor tables. It's a great place to enjoy a beer and watch people on a sunny day.

Continue walking and you reach Bellvueplatz. You can end your tour here or continue to explore the other side of the lake. To continue, cross the Quaibrücke to Bürkliplatz. Bürkliplatz is where the Zürichsee steam ships leave (see Getting Around: Public Transit in Zürich, above).

The west side of the lake is a bit less developed with attractions than the east side, with more space for sports and recreation. There is a lakeside walking path and several beaches and small boat harbors on this side, as well as restaurants and bars.

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