Zurich Activities for Any Weather
Zurich is easiest to enjoy when you choose by weather and season rather than by a fixed list. Prices here are in Swiss francs (CHF), cards and TWINT work nearly everywhere, and city transport fares go up slightly on 13 December 2026.
When it rains
Thermal bath. The Hürlimannbad & Spa (Brandschenkestrasse 150) occupies the former Hürlimann brewery. Entry is listed at about CHF 42 for adults and includes the rooftop pool, with children aged 7 to 14 at about CHF 22. The Roman-Irish ritual is about CHF 68. Capacity is capped, so reserve a time slot on the bath’s own website before you go. Monday to Thursday it is open until 22:00, and Friday to Sunday hours are worth checking first.
Chocolate. The Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg charges CHF 17 for adults and CHF 10 for ages 8 to 15, and under-8s go in free. It opens daily from 10:00 to 19:00 with the last audio-guided slot at 17:30. Timed tickets are sold online and sell out on weekends, so book ahead. It is closed on 3 November 2026 and opens at 12:00 on 4 November. Zürich Card holders get 20% off.
Dada. Cabaret Voltaire at Spiegelgasse 1 is where Dada was founded in 1916. It closes on Mondays, opens in the afternoon on most other days and charges about CHF 7 for exhibitions, though that detail varies by source. Check the hours before a special trip.
When it is dry but cold
Walk the Old Town lanes, climb the Karlsturm of the Grossmünster (CHF 5, an enclosed platform), or ride the Polybahn funicular up to the ETH terrace for a view over the roofs. The Uetliberg is a good clear-day option, but until 13 December 2026 the S10 does not leave Zürich HB because of works. Walk about 12 minutes to Selnau or take tram 3 or 14 to Stauffacher and join the train from there.
Summer only
The river and lake badis are seasonal and are closed now. Letten and Frauenbad typically open from about May to September, and Seebad Utoquai from about April to October. Mythenquai and Utoquai charge about CHF 8 for adults, and the two Letten river baths are free. The Limmat current is strong, and swimming is banned from the Quaibrücke to the Dynamo cultural house, around the main station, at boat landings and under bridges. Use the official badis only, and leave alcohol for afterwards. Rafting, canyoning and bungee are not available in or near the city.
Planning the cost
A single city ticket (zones 1 and 2, which cover the whole of Zurich) is about CHF 4.70 and a 24-hour ticket about CHF 9.40, rising to roughly CHF 4.80 and CHF 9.60 in December. The Zürich Card costs CHF 29 for 24 hours or CHF 56 for 72 hours. It is worth buying only on a day with several paid sights. For a day in the Old Town on foot, a day ticket is cheaper.
Read more: day trips from Zurich and the Zurich 2 day itinerary .
Official information: zuerich.com for the city card, zvv.ch for fares and works, and the Lindt Home of Chocolate booking page . To compare guided experiences, try Zurich activities on GetYourGuide .