Zürich is Switzerland's largest city and the capital of the canton of Zürich, set on the northern tip of Lake Zürich where the Limmat river leaves the lake, with the Alps visible on clear days. It combines a medieval old town, world-class museums, lakeside swimming, and the luxury shopping of Bahnhofstrasse with famously punctual public transport and very high prices.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Zürich.
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- family-friendly, busy lawn and lake swimming
- Changing rooms and lockers
- Showers and toilets
- Restaurant and kiosk
- Playground and lawn
- Diving platform
Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen
One of Zürich's largest lakeside lidos on the east shore, with a long lawn, diving platforms and a restaurant. Popular with families and weekend crowds in summer.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before late morning on hot weekends, as the lawn fills quickly
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- young, social, wooden decks with an evening bar
- Wooden sun decks
- Changing cabins and lockers
- Bar and snacks
- Showers
Seebad Utoquai
A historic wooden lake bath near Bellevue, with sun decks, swimming platforms and an evening bar. Popular with young Zürchers.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on sunny weekends, as the decks are limited in size
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- spacious, family-friendly lawns with sunset views
- Changing rooms and lockers
- Showers
- Restaurant
- Playground
Strandbad Mythenquai
A large lido on the sunny west shore with wide lawns and a long jetty, offering sunset views across the lake, a restaurant and a playground.
Editor’s tip. Visit in the late afternoon for the best light and sunset views
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- relaxed historic wooden bath with an evening bar
- Wooden deck
- Showers
- Restaurant and bar
- Lockers
- Sunbathing lawn
Seebad Enge (Badi Enge)
A traditional wooden Seebad on the west lake shore with a sun deck, cafe and evening bar, calmer than the larger Mythenquai lido.
Editor’s tip. Walk from Bürkliplatz along the lake for a pleasant 10 to 15 minute approach
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- quiet heritage bath, women-only by day
- Wooden changing cabins
- Showers
- Cafe and bar terrace
- Sunbathing deck
Frauenbad Stadthausquai
A heritage wooden bath at the foot of the Fraumünster, women and girls only during the day and mixed in the evening, with a cafe-bar terrace.
Editor’s tip. Check the women-only daytime schedule before visiting
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- quiet historic canal bath, men-only by day
- Wooden decks
- Changing cabins
- Showers
- Bar in the evening
Männerbad Schanzengraben
A historic wooden bath on the Schanzengraben moat, men only during the day and mixed in the evening, set on the old city fortification canal.
Editor’s tip. Check the men-only daytime schedule before visiting
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- urban, youthful river scene with bars and volleyball
- Free entry
- Sunbathing steps and lawn
- Bar with food stalls
- Beach volleyball
Flussbad Unterer Letten
A free river bath on the Limmat popular for swimming downstream, sunbathing on concrete steps and evening beach bars. Strong current; swimmers must be confident.
Editor’s tip. Swim only if confident in currents, and exit at the marked steps
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- casual, local river scene with a beach bar
- Free entry
- Sun decks
- Bar and food
- Toilets
Flussbad Oberer Letten
A free-entry Limmat river bath just upstream of Unterer Letten with sun decks and a beach bar. Swim only if confident in currents, and enter at the marked steps.
Editor’s tip. Swim only if confident in currents, and enter at the marked steps
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- quiet, green, informal island with picnics and fire pits
- Free entry
- Lawn and fire pits
- Children's paddling pools
- Toilets
Flussbad Au-Höngg (Werdinsel)
A free, low-infrastructure bath on the Werdinsel with a swimming channel and children's pools, west of the centre. The Limmat swimming channel is for experienced swimmers only.
Editor’s tip. Use the Limmat swimming channel only if an experienced swimmer
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- quiet, forested lake away from the city crowds
- Lawn and trees
- Changing rooms
- Toilets
Seebad Katzensee
A small lake bath at the Katzensee in northern Zürich surrounded by forest, a quiet alternative to Lake Zürich. Run by the city's Sportamt.
Editor’s tip. Bring food, water and sun protection, as facilities are basic
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- quiet, relaxed lakeside lawn outside the city
- Lawn and trees
- Changing rooms
- Toilets
Strandbad Maur (Greifensee)
A municipal lake beach on the Greifensee in Maur, about 10 km east of Zürich, with a lawn and entry to the water. Adult entry CHF 5 (about $6.25) in the 2026 season; open daily 09:00-20:00 from May to the end of September, closed in rain.
Editor’s tip. Check the weather, as the beach is closed in rain
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Zürich’s coast.
How do visitors reach Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen?
The lido is beside Tiefenbrunnen S-Bahn station and is served by trams 2 and 4. The journey from Bellevue takes about 20 minutes by tram.
From the Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen editorial.
Is there food available on site?
Yes, the lido has a restaurant and a kiosk. Visitors may also bring their own picnic to the lawn.
From the Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen editorial.
Where is Seebad Utoquai?
It is at Utoquai 50 in the Seefeld district, about five minutes' walk from the Bellevue tram stop.
From the Seebad Utoquai editorial.
Can visitors eat or drink there?
Yes, the bath has a bar and snacks. Opening times follow the season and weather.
From the Seebad Utoquai editorial.
How do visitors get to Strandbad Mythenquai?
Take the S-Bahn to Zürich Enge and continue by bus or on foot, about 15 minutes. A lake boat also stops at Mythenquai.
From the Strandbad Mythenquai editorial.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, the lido has a playground and large lawns, and it is popular with families.
From the Strandbad Mythenquai editorial.
How far is Badi Enge from the city centre?
It is about a 10 to 15 minute walk from Bürkliplatz. Trams 5 and 6 and the S-Bahn also serve Enge.
From the Seebad Enge (Badi Enge) editorial.
Is food available?
Yes, the bath has a restaurant and bar. Service varies with the season and weather.
From the Seebad Enge (Badi Enge) editorial.