Free in One of the World’s Most Expensive Cities
We have lived in Zurich for a while now, and one of the first things that surprised us was how much of this city you can enjoy without spending a single franc. That sounds strange for a city that regularly shows up on lists of the most expensive places in the world, but it’s true. Lakes, mountains, museums, and even bikes: a lot of it is free if you know where to look.
We put this list together from what we actually do, most of it regularly, some of it almost daily, depending on the season. So think of this as the version we’d tell a friend who’s visiting: what’s worth your time, what locals actually do, and where “free” isn’t quite as free as it sounds, like the Polybahn, which we’ll explain below.
We organized everything by category so you can jump to what interests you, whether that’s nature, museums, or just wandering around. At the end, we also added a short “budget, not free” section, since a few things get called free when really they just cost very little.
This guide focuses entirely on places and activities that cost nothing, but our complete guide to the best things to do in Zurich also covers the paid attractions we think are worth adding to your trip.
Here’s what’s coming:
- Nature & Outdoors
- In and By the Water
- On Foot & Wheels
- Museums & Culture
- History & Quiet Corners
- Local Life & People-Watching
- Events, Seasonal
- Budget, Not Quite Free
Let’s get into it.
Our Top Picks for Affordable Hotels in Zurich
The area you stay in can make a big difference to how much you spend on transport, so our guide to where to stay in Zurich compares the most convenient neighborhoods and hotel options.
Nature & Outdoors
1. Lake Zurich
The lake is something we go back to in every season, not just summer. In the warmer months, we’re there almost daily to jump in, but in autumn and winter, we just love walking along it and watching the light change over the water. It never really gets old for us.
2. Uetliberg
The classic way to do Uetliberg for free is to hike up. Several marked trails lead to the top, and it’s a solid way to spend a few hours outdoors without spending anything at all.
The mountain sits at around 871 meters above sea level, and there’s a viewing tower at the top with panoramic views over the city and the lake. In autumn, it can be especially beautiful, since Zurich sometimes sits under a layer of fog while the summit stays clear above it.
If you’d rather save your energy, we sometimes take the regular train up instead, which does cost a few francs. That way, you have more energy left for the hiking trail from the top that leads to the Felsenegg cable car, which brings you down into Adliswil. It’s a nice way to combine a shorter hike with the views, just not the free version.
Please note: The train up and the cable car down both need a regular public transport ticket, so this isn’t a 100% free activity, but it’s close to it and one of our favorite half days out.
Check our guide to public transport in Switzerland if you’re still deciding between individual tickets, day passes, and the Swiss Travel Pass.
3. Picnicking by the lake
In summer, this is something we do at least once every two weeks. Bring your own food, find a spot on the grass, and you’re surrounded by locals doing exactly the same thing. Some spots even have free public barbecues you can use, so it’s a very normal, low-key way to spend an evening here.
4. Cycling along the lake
The lake promenade also has a dedicated cycling path that runs for long stretches along the water, making it a popular route for both locals and visitors who want to see more of the shoreline than a walk allows.
You can find out how to get a bike for free below.
5. New Botanical Garden
We actually found this one almost by accident. We wanted something close to home one weekend and ended up here, and we were genuinely surprised by how big and beautiful it turned out to be, especially considering it costs nothing to get in. The garden in Seefeld has several greenhouse domes with around 7,000 plant species, including tropical plants, ferns, and orchids, so it works well as a rainy-day option too.
6. Old Botanical Garden
We’ve been here multiple times, and while it’s much smaller than the new garden, we find it really charming. What surprised us most was the view across the garden toward the Alps. It’s a nice spot to take a short break whenever we’re passing through the city center. The garden itself dates back to 1837 and has a historic palm house on the grounds.
7. Platzspitz Park
Located right where the Limmat and Sihl rivers meet, this park is another easy green space to add to a walk through the city, especially if you’re already near the main train station.
8. Other city parks
Beyond these, Zurich has plenty of smaller public parks scattered around, and part of the fun of living here is that we still stumble onto new ones ourselves from time to time.
In and By the Water
9. Swimming in Lake Zurich
This is something we do every single day in summer, and honestly, it was one of the things we fell in love with almost immediately after moving here. Swimming with a view of the Alps in the background is hard to beat. For us, it’s almost better than swimming in the ocean.
10. River pools (Badis)
A lot of our friends have season passes for the official Badis and go regularly. We usually do something different. We spend most of our time on the “horns,” the free grassy areas right next to the paid pools where you can lie down and jump straight into the river without paying anything at all. The riverside bathing facilities at Oberer Letten, Unterer Letten, and Schanzengraben, along with the lido on Werd island, don’t charge admission. so depending on which spot you pick, you might not need to pay a thing anyway.
11. Watching swimmers in the Limmat
If jumping in yourself isn’t your thing, it’s still fun to just sit on the riverbank and watch locals “böötlen,” floating down the current with the flow of the river. It’s a very Zurich scene in summer and entertaining even if you just want to watch from the side.
Please note: The Limmat has a real current, and it’s not something to underestimate, especially for kids or weaker swimmers. Always stick to the areas that are set up and monitored for swimming rather than jumping in anywhere along the river.
On Foot & Wheels
12. Wandering through Old Town
We do this almost every month, and it’s something you kind of have to do when you’re in Zurich. Every time friends or family visit us, this is where we take them. Our usual route starts at Bürkliplatz and makes a full circle up through the old streets until we end up back near Bellevue. It’s free, it’s easy, and there’s always something new to notice even after doing it dozens of times.
Many travelers only spend one or two days in Zurich before continuing through Switzerland. If that’s your plan too, our Switzerland itinerary shows how to combine Zurich with the country’s most beautiful lakes and mountain destinations.
13. Exploring different neighborhoods
Even after living here for a while, we still discover new corners of the city. Walking through different neighborhoods gives you a completely different feel of Zurich than just sticking to the center, and we like how it keeps surprising us with new impressions and angles of a city we thought we already knew well.
14. Züri Rollt free bikes
We were really surprised the first time we found out you can get a good bike for free in one of the most expensive cities in the world. All you need is a valid ID and a 20 CHF cash deposit, which you get back when you return the bike the same day. The main station is close to Zurich’s main train station, and if you want an e-bike instead, that costs 30 CHF for the day. It’s one of those things that feels almost too good to be true until you actually do it.
Find out everything about the free bike rental on the official website.
Museums & Culture
15. National Museum, “Simply Zurich” exhibit
The Swiss National Museum normally charges an entrance fee, but the permanent exhibition called “Simply Zurich” on the upper floor is free of charge. It gives a playful overview of the history and diversity of the city and canton of Zurich, built around a display case of 60 objects that each tell part of the story.
16. Kunsthaus on Wednesdays
Zurich’s main art museum, the Kunsthaus, opens its permanent collection for free on Wednesdays. Special or temporary exhibitions usually still require a ticket, so it’s worth checking what’s on before you go if you specifically want to see a certain show.
17. Zoological Museum
Part of the University of Zurich, this museum is free to visit and shows more than 1,500 animal species from around the world, including taxidermy specimens and skeletons. It’s open every day except Monday.
18. Paleontological Museum
Also part of the University of Zurich and also free, this museum focuses on prehistoric life, with fossils and dinosaur skeleton reconstructions on display.
19. Ethnographic Museum
Located inside the Old Botanical Garden grounds, this free museum focuses on cultural history from around the world, with rotating exhibits that highlight different regions and themes.
20. focusTerra
Run by ETH Zurich, focusTerra is a free museum focused on earth sciences, including an earthquake simulator, mineral specimens, and displays on volcanoes and climate.
21. Archaeological Collection
Part of the University of Zurich as well, this collection covers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern history and is free to visit.
History & Quiet Corners
22. James Joyce’s grave, Fluntern Cemetery
James Joyce lived in Zurich for several years and wrote parts of Ulysses here before he died in the city in 1941. His grave at Fluntern Cemetery, close to the zoo, has become a small pilgrimage spot for literature fans passing through the city.
23. Zurich’s churches
We think all of Zurich’s churches are beautiful and worth a visit when you’re passing by. The Grossmünster and Fraumünster are the two most well-known, both sitting right along the river in the Old Town, and stepping inside costs nothing.
24. Public drinking fountains
Zurich has over 1,200 public fountains scattered across the city, and most of them run on drinkable water. It’s a small thing, but it’s a nice reminder of how the city is built around free, practical little details like this. Our guide to drinking tap water in Switzerland explains how to recognize the rare fountains you shouldn’t use.
Little savings like this can make a noticeable difference over a longer trip. If you’re planning your overall budget, our guide to how expensive Switzerland is to visit breaks down the typical daily costs and where it’s easiest to save money.
Local Life & People-Watching
25. Street performers
Especially in summer, we often stop to watch street performers along the lake promenade during our walks. It’s a nice little bonus on a normal evening out.
26. Window shopping on Bahnhofstrasse
The first time we walked down Bahnhofstrasse, we quickly realized this street is more about window shopping than actual shopping for most people, unless you have a very generous budget. Still, we love doing it.
27. Local markets
We try to visit one of Zurich’s local markets every once in a while. Even without buying anything, walking through the stalls and seeing what’s on offer is a nice way to spend an hour and get a feel for everyday life in the city.
Events, Seasonal
28. Free festivals
We try to go to free festivals whenever they fit our schedule. One we especially enjoyed was a street food festival, which is a nice way to combine people watching with actually trying something new to eat, even if you don’t spend money on the festival itself.
29. Free concerts
Sometimes you just walk into one by accident. That happened to us once at Opernplatz, where we stumbled onto a free concert without planning for it at all. If you want to plan ahead instead of relying on luck, it’s worth checking Zurich’s event calendar before your trip to see what’s happening while you’re here.
30. Free public events, general
Beyond festivals and concerts, Zurich has a steady stream of smaller free public events throughout the year, from markets to open air gatherings. Keeping an eye on local event listings before your visit is the easiest way to catch whatever happens to be on.
Budget, Not Quite Free
A few things get listed as “free” in other guides, but they’re really just cheap. We think it’s worth being honest about the difference.
31. Lake cruise
This one depends on what you count as free. The boats on Lake Zurich are part of the regular public transport network, so you’re not paying extra for the boat itself; you’re just using a normal transit ticket. We love doing this at least once a year, and it’s especially nice if you’re heading to Rapperswil. We often take the boat back instead of the train, just for the view.
32. Discounted museum admission
Some museums that aren’t free still offer discounted entry on certain days or through passes like the Swiss Travel Pass, which covers free or reduced admission to over 500 museums across the country if you already have it for traveling.
A Zurich Card might also be a good option for your visit if you want to explore Zurich a bit more. If you’re considering buying one, we worked out whether the Zurich Card is actually worth it using real transport and attraction costs.
33. The Polybahn
Technically, the Polybahn needs a regular public transport ticket, so it’s not 100% free, but a single ride only costs 1.20 CHF, and if you already have a transit ticket or the Zurich Card, it’s included anyway. For us, it’s less about the ride itself, which only takes a couple of minutes, and more about the view once you reach the top at ETH. It’s a fun little detour if you’re already walking around the city center.
Do you have more time? Our favorite day trips from Zurich include lakes, mountain trips, and nearby cities we regularly visit ourselves.
What We’d Do First
If we had to pick just a few things for a first weekend in Zurich, it would be walking through Old Town, swimming or sitting by the lake, and grabbing one of the free Züri Rollt bikes to explore a bit further. Those three alone can fill a couple of days without spending anything beyond a coffee or a snack.
The rest of the list is more for when you have extra time, or if you end up living here as we do and start looking for new ways to enjoy the city without it costing anything. Either way, Zurich has more free stuff going on than its reputation suggests.
If you’ve tried any of these yourself, or found a free spot we didn’t mention, let us know. We’re always happy to add to this list.
Free activities can reduce your daily costs considerably, but accommodation, food, and transport will still make up most of your spending. Our complete guide to visiting Zurich on a budget brings all of those costs together in one realistic daily estimate.
If you’re still planning the rest of your stay, our complete Zurich travel guide covers how many days you need, where to stay, how to get around, and what else is worth doing.
