Flussbad Unterer Letten

Flussbad Unterer Letten is a free river bath on the Limmat at the Lettensteg in Wipkingen, in the north-west of central Zürich. It is a concrete and stone riverside, not a sand beach: broad steps and lawns lead down to the water, and swimmers enter from the steps. The Limmat here is clear and cool, with a noticeable current, and the usual practice is to swim downstream and climb out at the steps. The current is strong enough that only confident swimmers should enter, and non-swimmers and small children should stay on the bank. The riverside is open and exposed to the sun, with space for large groups, and the atmosphere is informal, youthful and urban, with beach volleyball, music and evening bars. Entry is free. Amenities include sunbathing steps and lawn, a bar with food stalls and beach volleyball courts. As a free municipal site, it has fewer facilities than the lake lidos, and the season and any supervised hours follow the summer period, typically May to September. Access is easy from the centre: it is about a 15-minute walk along the Limmat from Zürich HB, and visitors can take tram 13 to Wipkingerplatz or the S-Bahn to Hardbrücke. Parking is limited, so cycling and public transport are the usual options. The site is next to Oberer Letten, so visitors can compare the two on the same walk, and the riverside path offers views of the Limmat and the Wipkingen neighbourhood. It is particularly popular with local residents on warm evenings, when the food stalls and bar make it a lively place to spend time even for those who do not swim.