Frauenbad Stadthausquai

Frauenbad Stadthausquai is a heritage wooden bath at Stadthausquai 12 in Zürich's Altstadt, at the foot of the Fraumünster where the Limmat leaves Lake Zürich. It is built from timber with changing cabins arranged around an open section of water, so it is a bath rather than a sand or pebble beach, and swimmers enter the water from the platforms. The water is the clear, cool outflow of the lake, and conditions inside the enclosure are calm and sheltered. During the day the bath is for women and girls only, and it opens to mixed company in the evening, which gives it a quiet, private character by day and a social one at night. The setting is among the most atmospheric in the city, with views of the old town rooftops and church towers. Amenities include wooden changing cabins, showers, a sunbathing deck and a cafe and bar terrace. The bath is operated as part of the city's Sportamt network, with a season typically from mid-May to mid-September; visitors should confirm current hours and the women-only schedule before going. Access is very easy: it is a three-minute walk from Bürkliplatz, which is served by trams 2, 4, 8, 9, 11 and 13 and by lake boats. Because it sits in the historic centre, it combines well with a visit to the Fraumünster, the Bahnhofstrasse and the lakeside promenade. Parking is not practical in this part of the city, so walking or public transport is the usual approach. The atmosphere is relaxed and distinctive, and the women-only daytime policy makes it a popular choice for solo travellers and groups of women who want a calm place to swim in the middle of the city.