Switzerland's largest art museum, covering medieval to contemporary art with strengths in Munch, Giacometti, Impressionism and Swiss modernists, in a historic building joined to a David Chipperfield extension.
The Kunsthaus Zürich is the country's most important fine-art museum, built around a collection that stretches from medieval altarpieces to contemporary installations. The original 1910 building on Heimplatz now connects to a stone-clad extension by David Chipperfield, opened in 2021, which roughly doubled the exhibition space. Permanent holdings are strong in Edvard Munch, Alberto Giacometti, Paul Klee, Ferdinand Hodler and the Dutch and Flemish painters, with Impressionist works from the Bührle foundation shown in a dedicated section. Temporary exhibitions often draw large crowds, so book timed tickets in advance. The best approach is to pick two or three wings and take time with them; a full sweep takes up to three hours. The museum has a café-restaurant and a shop, and it faces the Schauspielhaus theatre and the Rämistrasse tram stop.
| Admission | Adult Approx. CHF 25 (approx $31), varies by exhibition · Child Free for children and teens (to approx. 16) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Typically Tue-Sun 10AM-6PM, with extended evening hours on Thu (and some other evenings); closed Mon; confirm at kunsthaus.ch |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours |
| Best time | Weekday morning, or an extended-hours evening |
| Getting there | Tram 3, 5 or 8 to Kunsthaus; 10 minutes' walk from the Grossmünster; tram 3 or 5 from Zürich Hauptbahnhof |
| Address | Heimplatz 1, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland |
Good to know
- Best for
- art lovers, culture seekers, rainy-day activity
Location
Heimplatz 1, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
47.3703, 8.5481 View on map
Highlights
- David Chipperfield extension opened in 2021
- Large Giacometti and Edvard Munch holdings
- Impressionist works shown in the Bührle section
- Swiss modernists including Hodler and Klee
Tips for visiting
- Check the combined ticket for the collection plus any special exhibition on kunsthaus.ch
- The Chipperfield extension holds the Bührle collection of Impressionist masterpieces
- Look for Giacometti sculptures, which the museum holds in depth
When to visit
Weekday morning, or an extended-hours evening.
Accessibility
Fully step-free via lifts; wheelchairs available at the cloakroom and accessible toilets on every floor.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Do visitors need to book in advance?
Booking a timed ticket online is recommended for popular temporary exhibitions; the permanent collection can usually be entered on the day.
How long should I allow?
Two to three hours for the permanent collection, with more time if a large special exhibition is on.