Frauenbadi (Stadthausquai Women's Bath)

The Frauenbadi at Stadthausquai is a historic wooden river bath set directly in the Limmat beside the Stadthaus and the Fraumünster in central Zürich, Switzerland. The timber structure dates to the 19th century and is built as a pavilion on the water, with changing cabins around an open-air pool basin fed by the river. By day it operates as a women-only bath, one of the few such facilities in Europe, and the quiet, sheltered atmosphere is a major part of its appeal. In the evening and on selected sessions it opens to all genders, and the city's official pages on stadt-zuerich.ch list current hours, session rules and seasonal dates. Inside, visitors find wooden decks for sunbathing, a lawn terrace, a small café and the river itself, which runs clear and cool through the pool. The setting is striking: the Fraumünster spire and the old town rise just across the water, and the architecture of the bath is a favourite subject for photographers, though photography is generally restricted inside women-only sessions to protect privacy. A typical visit lasts two to three hours. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are calm, while warm weekend afternoons and after-work hours draw the biggest crowds. The bath is open during the summer season only, normally from late spring to early September, and weather can close it at short notice. Entry requires a modest admission fee paid at the entrance, and a deposit-based locker system is usually available. Visitors should bring a towel, swimwear and sun protection, and respect the rule of the session in force. The surrounding area includes the Münsterhof and Bahnhofstrasse, so the bath fits easily into a day of old town sightseeing.