Männerbad Schanzengraben

Männerbad Schanzengraben is a historic wooden bath on the Schanzengraben, the old city fortification canal, at Brandschenkestrasse 1 in the Selnau area of Zürich. It is a timber structure with decks and changing cabins set directly over the canal, so it is a bath rather than a sand or pebble beach, and swimmers enter the water from the platforms. The canal water is fed from the Sihl and is generally calm, flowing gently, with a tree-lined, sheltered setting that feels removed from the nearby traffic. During the day the bath is for men only, and it becomes mixed in the evening, giving it a quiet daytime feel and a more social evening one. The setting is shaded by old trees and walls from the former fortifications, which adds to the atmosphere of one of the city's most unusual swimming places. Amenities include wooden decks, changing cabins, showers and an evening bar. The bath is part of the city's Sportamt network, with a season typically from mid-May to mid-September; visitors should confirm current hours and the men-only schedule before going. Access is simple: it is roughly a 10-minute walk from Zürich HB, or visitors can take a tram to Sihlstrasse. Parking is not practical in the area, so walking and public transport are the normal approach. It combines easily with a stroll along the Schanzengraben path, the nearby Bahnhofstrasse and the lake promenade. The scale is small and intimate, so it suits visitors who want a distinctive, low-key swim in the centre rather than a large lido with lawns and play areas. Families with small children will find the larger lidos on the lake more suitable.