Lake Zurich Canton — Geography, Towns & Travel Guide

Lake Zurich geography

• Location: northeastern Switzerland. South of Zurich city extending into mountains.
• Dimensions: 40 km long, 3 km wide, 88 km² area.
• Cantons: Zurich (NW shore + city), St. Gallen (SE shore around Rapperswil), Schwyz (small SE tip).
• Two parts: Upper Lake (Obersee) + Lower Lake (Untersee), divided by Seedamm at Rapperswil.
• Maximum depth: 136 meters near Tiefenbrunnen.
• Sources: Linth river (south) + numerous Alpine streams.
• Outflow: Limmat river (through Zurich, joins Aare → Rhine).
• Water quality: Swiss-tested daily. Drinkable + swimmable.
• Temperature: 18-23°C summer (June-August). 4-8°C winter.
• Surrounded by hills: Pfannenstiel + Etzel + Bachtel mountains.
• Alps visible: on clear days Glarus + Schwyz Alps to south.
• “Goldküste” (Gold Coast): north shore — wealthy commuter suburbs.
• Pfäffikersee + Greifensee: nearby smaller lakes.

Top lakeside towns

• Zurich city: at north tip of lake. Population 440,000. Banking + culture hub.
• Zollikon: immediate suburb southeast. Wealthy residential.
• Küsnacht (Zurich shore): Carl Jung\’s home. Lake walks. ZSG boat stop.
• Meilen: wine-growing village. UNESCO Pile dwellings nearby.
• Stäfa: charming villages + vineyards.
• Rapperswil (St. Gallen canton): medieval old town + castle. “Rose Town” — 16,000+ roses.
• Pfäffikon (Schwyz canton): south of Rapperswil. Alpamare water park nearby.
• Wädenswil (south shore): wine + technical university (ZHAW).
• Horgen: south shore middle. Industrial + residential.
• Thalwil: south shore. Commuter to Zurich.
• Adliswil: just south of Zurich at Felsenegg cable car base.
• Wollishofen: Zurich district 2. Lakeside swim areas.
• Lachen (SZ): SE tip of Obersee. Quiet alternative.

Activities + recreation

• ZSG boat tours: 19 stops along entire lake. Bürkliplatz pier (Zurich) departures.
• Short Tour Zurich: 90 min city loop. CHF 9.
• Long Tour to Rapperswil: 4h each way. CHF 26 day pass.
• Free with Zurich Card: 24h CHF 27 or 72h CHF 53.
• Strandbad Mythenquai: Zurich\’s premier lakeside swim. CHF 8 entry. May-September.
• Letten river beach: free urban swim spot summer.
• Wollishofen, Tiefenbrunnen, Au swim spots: free public access.
• Au “Halbinsel Au”: peninsula nature reserve + free swim.
• Stand-up paddle: rental CHF 30/h Bürkliplatz.
• Kayaking + sailing: Hafen Enge yacht club + Lake Zurich Sailing School.
• Hiking trails: Pfannenstiel hill, Etzel hike, Rapperswil-Hurden bridge walk.
• Cycling Lake Zurich Loop: 100 km full circumference. Or partial paths.
• Fishing: licensed only. Trout + perch (Egli).

Rapperswil — gem of the upper lake

• Rapperswil: medieval old town at southeast end of Lake Zurich.
• Population: 27,000 — feels like small town.
• Schloss Rapperswil: 13th-century castle + Polish Museum.
• Rose Town: 16,000+ roses bloom June-September.
• Hirschgarten zoo: Knies Kinderzoo — petting zoo for kids. CHF 22.
• Holzbrücke (wooden bridge): 841m wooden bridge to Hurden across lake.
• Stadtmuseum: regional history.
• Old town walking: cobblestone alleys + churches + medieval feel.
• How to reach: ZSG boat 4h from Zurich, SBB train 35 min, S-Bahn 50 min.
• Best time: June-September rose blooming season.
• Combined boat-train ticket: Round Trip option CHF 50.

Best lakeside experiences

• Sunset cruise: ZSG evening tours June-September. €25-50.
• Fondue boat tour: winter cheese fondue cruise. CHF 95-130.
• Wine tasting in Küsnacht or Meilen: Zurich wine country.
• Tea at Hotel Storchen: riverside Old Town.
• Hammam at Dolder Grand: luxury spa.
• Strandbad Mythenquai sunset: free entry after 6pm.
• Quaibrücke walk: across Zurich shore promenade.
• Hurden-Rapperswil bridge: walk across longest wooden bridge.
• Etzel mountain hike: 1,098m peak from Pfäffikon. Panoramic Alps + Lake.
• Pfannenstiel ridge: 30 km Lake Zurich panorama trail.
• Free wifi: SBB-FREE network on boats + stations.
• ZVV transit: includes boats with day passes.

Practical lake visit info

• Currency: CHF (Swiss Franc).
• Best season: May-September for swimming + boats. September best for tourism balance.
• Zurich Card: covers ZSG boats + transit. 24h CHF 27 / 72h CHF 53.
• Swiss Travel Pass: covers ZSG boats. CHF 244 (3-day).
• Day trip lake circuit: easy — Zurich + Rapperswil + back by boat or train.
• Photography: golden hour sunset shots from Rapperswil + Lindenhof.
• Family-friendly: Rapperswil zoo + Lakeside playgrounds.
• Romantic: sunset cruise + lakeside dinner Küsnacht.
• Hiking: Pfannenstiel + Etzel for half-day hikes.
• Skiing nearby: Hoch-Ybrig + Atzmannig (Wädenswil canton). Day skiing.
• Lake water apps: SBB Mobile + ZVV + ZSG.
• Free Wi-Fi: Zurich + most boats.

Frequently Asked Questions

What canton is Lake Zurich in?

Lake Zurich crosses 3 Swiss cantons: Zurich (NW + city), St. Gallen (around Rapperswil SE), Schwyz (small SE tip). 40 km long Alpine lake.

Best Lake Zurich activities?

ZSG boat tours from Bürkliplatz, Strandbad Mythenquai swimming, Rapperswil rose town visit, Felsenegg cable car, Hurden bridge walk.

How to visit Lake Zurich?

ZSG boats from Zurich Bürkliplatz pier. Short Tour 90 min CHF 9. Long Tour 4h CHF 26. Or SBB train along shore. Zurich Card includes boats.

Where to swim Lake Zurich?

Strandbad Mythenquai (CHF 8, full facilities), Letten river free, Au peninsula free, Wollishofen free public beach. May-Sept 18-23°C.

Rapperswil from Zurich?

ZSG boat 4h or SBB train 35 min. Rose Town + 13th-century castle + Knies Kinderzoo + wooden bridge.

Lake Zurich vs Lake Geneva?

Lake Zurich = 88 km², north-east Swiss. Lake Geneva = 580 km², French border, larger + more touristy. Both lovely; Zurich more compact.

See also

• Zurich what to do
• Zurich airport guide
• Where is Zurich
• Zurich parks + nature