Updated for 2023
What To Do on a Rainy Day in Zurich
Ideas For Things To Do On A Rainy Day in Zurich For Children and Adults
When its raining hard in Zurich you may be desperate for good ideas on what to do and where to go. If you’ve got visitors it can be even worse. Here are some great ideas for both adults and children to (hopefully!) keep you occupied. Some of the suggestions are for Zurich and some are for trips outside the city.
Here are 20+ ideas for children:
1. Why not take a trip to Zurich Zoo!
There are hundreds of animals to see and of course there is the elephant park and now the gorgeous koalas too. There’s also a rainforest hall and various other covered areas – so even on a rainy day it’s a great day out. TIP: Check out the daily Family Pass to save a few pennies! Read all about Zurich Zoo here.
2. Trampolino or Kindercity
Indoor play areas which are fun places for the kids to burn off some energy – for example Trampolino in Dietikon, Kindercity in Volketsvil for children aged 3 to 12. Click on the hyperlinks for information.
3. Alpamare Watersports Park
Just a train ride or car journey away located in Pfäffikon. Unlike many Swiss attractions it’s open 365 days a year. There are great slides and lots of water fun to be had. See here for more information on Alpamare (please note it has some closures in Jan 2023) . There’s also a great swimming pool in Zollikon, the Forbach.
4. Wildnis Park Zurich in Langenberg, Sihlwald – FREE
Again this attraction is open 365 days a year, in fact 24 hours a day (!). Put your waterproofs on and go an explore the forest and see the animals. Admittance to the park itself is FREE and the Visitor Centre has a small entrance charge. For more information see here.
5. Zurich Tram Museum
Zurich’s Tram Museum is located in Open Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 6pm. Featuring original trams and machinery dating from 1897 to 1960 with lots of vehicles which you can see and touch, it tells the story of Zurich’s trams and transport facilities over the years. There is also a special events program. See here for details.
6. Mühlerama Tiefenbrunnen
A former mill, Mühlerama is a museum and baking school and is fun for long children to explore and learn about the history of bread making and the mill itself. For more information see here.
7. The Saurier Museum (Dinosaur Museum) Aathal
Located on the road between Uster and Wetzikon, around 30 to 40 minutes from Zurich, this privately owned Dinosaur Museum is Open Tuesday to Sunday. Sauriermuseum Aathal
Zürichstrasse 69, 8607 Aathal. For more information visit their website here.
8. Swiss Museum of Transport Lucerne
There’s always plenty to see at the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne and as well as trains, cars, airplanes and a 3D movie theatre, they have just recently opened a new attraction called “Swiss Chocolate Adventure” – so there is even more of a reason to visit now- see here. Lucerne is not far from Zurich by car or train and whilst you’re there why not visit the famous wooden bridge – after all it’s covered, so you should’t get too wet! For more information see here.
For more ideas on things to do in Lucerne read our article here.
9. Technorama Winterthur
This is more than a science museum, with so many interactive activities to touch, feel and have a go at – it’s a fun place for both children and adults – but plan lots of time for your visit as there is so much to see and do. For more information see here.
10. Visit Kambly Biscuit factory
As well as tasting and seeing lots of biscuits Kambly also do some special “Make A Biscuit” programs for children (which need to be booked in advance). It’s an excursion out of town again – but one that your children will not forget in a hurry! For more information see here.
11. The Zoological Museum University of Zurich – FREE
The Zoological Museum is located between the University of Zurich and the ETH and has FREE admission. It has information on over 1500 animals with a permanent exhibition as well as a special exhibition area. Open Tuesday to Sunday it is fascinating as well as educational. Find out more by visiting the website here.
12. The FIFA Football Museum
You don’t have to be football mad to enjoy this interesting museum which has already established itself as one of the most popular museums in the city. Read all about it here.
13. Cailler Chocolate Factory in Broc (excursion)
This is a full day’s excursion as it takes approximately 3 hours by train and 2 and a quarter hours by car. It’s a very well organised tour, very informative and a generous testing section and you could also combine it with a visit to the Gruyere Cheese factory too. Read about our visit to the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory in Broc here.
14. Visit Läderach Chocolate Factory Bilten (excursion)
About 45 mins away from Zurich by car you get a short tour explaining the origins of chocolate and how chocolate is produced as well as tastings of melted white, milk and dark chocolate. It costs CHF 10 and the entrance ticket can then be used to as a CHF 5 voucher towards any chocolate purchases in the factory shop! See our post about our trip to Läderach Chocolate Factory in Bilten here.
15. Skills Park Winterthur
The Skills Park Winterthur offers an exciting array of activities for children young and old – trampolining, indoor skate park, tracks and lots more. You can rent skateboards, BMX, moutain bikes and scooters etc. Open 7 days a week. Located at Lagerplatz 17, 8400 Winterthur. Please see the website here (in German).
16. The WOW Museum in Zurich
With plenty of interesting things to see and do, this museum is very centrally located just off Bahnhofstrasse at Werdmühlestrasse 10, 8001 Zurich. There are optical illusions as well as lots of Instagram inspiration and the appeal of the WOW Museum extends to adults as well as children! Find out more here.
17. Tierpark Goldau Animal Park
It doesn’t really matter what the weather is like (as long as it’s not totally pouring) when you’re visiting the Tierpark Goldau. It’s a nice journey from Zurich and there are lots of animals to see. Read all about it here.
18. The Tropical Greenhouses at The Botanical Gardens
Explore the flora and fauna of faraway countries and feel like you’re inside a Jungle or in a desert at inside the warm interior or the Tropical domes at the Botanical Gardens in Zurich. Located in the Botanical Gardens park at Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008 Zürich they are as intriguing for adults as they are for children. Find out more about the Botanical Gardens here.
Inside one of the Tropical Domes at the Botanical Gardens
19. URBAN SURF (Spring Summer)
SURF AT URBAN SURF IN ZURICH (not open Autumn/ Winter): Located right next to Frau Gerolds Garten, Urban Surf is a great place to surf (or to learn to surf). Since you’re going to get wet anyway, a few splashes of rain shouldn’t stop you enjoying this fun activity. Find out more about Urban Surf here.
20. Umwelt Arena Zurich
The Umwelt Arena is all about sustainability and the environment and is not just educational but extremely interesting too! There are lots of interactive activities and you can learn about saving energy and resources too, It’s located in Spreitenbach Zurich and is a great day out for adults as well as children! We wrote all about it a while ago – take a look here.
21. Laser Arena Enge Zurich
The Laser Arena in Enge is a great place for using up a lot of energy and great fun for kids (and many adult we know too!). The Laser arena in Zurich is the largest laser tag system in Zurich and has 750 sq m of play space over one floor. It offer lots of special effects like fog, a laser show and lots of sound effects too. It’s also a perfect idea for a group for a birthday party. Open Wednesday to Sunday at Brandschenkstrasse 178, 8002 Zurich. Visit the Laser Arena website here.
22. Zurich Museums
We have listed Museums under the Adults section below but so many of the museums in Zurich are really interesting for children too. The Museum Rietberg has lots of great things to see, the Beyer Watch Museum is amazing (but do check opening hours) and there is so much to see at the Swiss National Museum including the history of Switzerland and a special long term exhibition all about Zurich called Simply Zurich. And there is always something interesting on at the Museum für Gestaltung too. Do take a look at this “museum finder link” to find out about other museums in Zurich. If you and your children enjoy visiting museums a lot it may be worth investing in a “Museum Pass” for the whole of Switzerland. For more information see here.
Some SUMMER OFFERS for Children:
GREAT VALUE FOR SUMMER: During the Summer holidays children under 16 may want to check out the Sommerferienpass which has lots of ideas and excursions.
More WINTER Ideas for Children:
Here are 12 Ideas for Adults:
1. The Kunsthaus
There really is so much art to see at the Kunsthaus in Zurich, but to make it even better they always run the best “special exhibitions’. Plan your day carefully so that you have enough time to visit and don’t have to rush. If you happen to be visiting on a Wednesday entrance to the general exhibition area is FREE of charge! Please note you may have to pay more for special exhibitions).Address: Heimplatz 1-5, 8001 Zürich. Closed Mondays. See here for more information. Check out the new Chipperfield Wing of the Kunsthaus and in particular the Pipilotti Rist exhibition which is mesmerising
2. Hot chocolate or “Kaffee und Kuchen”
Meet friends or go with your family to some of these lovely locations in Zurich for a cosy afternoon: Café Schober – if it’s raining hard Café Schober is a welcoming refuge and what better than to stop by and try out some of their amzazing cakes and patisserie with a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream? Each of the rooms of the café has it’s own personality but our favourite is the “Salon rouge”, the red velvet and gilt room – so warm and welcoming! See here for more information. Other cafés you may want to visit include Les Gourmandises de Miyuko , Honold Tea Rooms for their amazing hot chocolate and wonderful chocolates, Babus Bakery and Coffeehouse, for a great selection of savoury and sweet fare or Cupcake Affair for their wonderful cupcakes. Take a look at our Guide to Cafés in Zurich here.
3. Zurich Museums
There are so many museums in Zurich it’s hard to choose one to recommend. The Museum Bellerive usually has a great selection of arty and fashion inspired themes, the Museum Rietberg has lots of cool things to see, the Beyer Watch Museum is amazing and the Museum für Gestaltung always catches our eye. There is also so much to see at the Swiss National Museum too – but take a look at this “museum finder link” to find out about other museums in Zurich. If you and your children enjoy visiting museums a lot it may be worth investing in a “Museum Pass” for the whole of Switzerland. For more information see here.
4. Go for a Spa or a Sauna
There are a number of locations in Zurich to go for a swim and a spa or a hammam. From the Hürlimann Thermalbad to the Hammam in the Niederdorf and lots besides. See our list of spas, saunas and hammams here.
5. Indoor Bars with a View
Jules Verne Bar or Prime Tower– If you’re right in the centre of town but want a drink with a view then why not go for a beer or a cocktail at the Jules Verne Bar just off Urania. Or take a trip to the Prime Tower, the tallest building in Switzerland and go for lunch in the bistro or for afternoon tea. The views are great whatever the weather. Also check out the nearby Maag Halle for any events that may be taking place.
6. Cinema
A trip to the cinema is always a great idea on a rainy day. You can see all the cinemas listed here. In Summer there is the Zurich Openair Cinema (with free waterproofs to protect you!).
7. Sightseeing
Take a covered boat trip up the Limmat (Summer season). In Winter take a boat cruise on the lake) and get off and go and visit the Frauenmunster church and see the Chagall windows and then cross the bridge to go to the Grossmünster church and climb the 187 steps to the top of the tower for just a few francs to enjoy the panoramic views. Zurich even looks good in the rain 🙂
8. Hit the Shops!
During the week you could go shopping in Bahnhofstrasse, or if you fancy being in a covered environment how about Glattzentrum, where you even get free parking. Sihlicity is another suggestion. Alternatively why not head out to the The Mall of Switzerland (with 86 shops and 17 restaurants) which is located Ebikon, just beyond Lucerne. On Sundays you can head to Zurich Airport and there are a range of shops (including supermarkets) where you can shop for everything from a carton of milk to a designer suit to sports equipment. You can also visit the shops and amenities at the Circle Shopping Mall at Zurich Airport.
9. Explore The City by Tram
If you’re new in Zurich and don’t know the city too well, why not go for a random selection of tram rides all over the city to get to know it better. Make it into a game and get the kids to join in too. Use the ZVV App to get around and buy a day tickets if you don’t have a pass already.
10. Go To A Sports Bars in Zurich To Watch the Football
One for once the Covid restrictions have been lifted! Bars you might like to consider include the Lion Pub, Paddy O’Reilly’s, The Oliver Twist to mention just a few. If you fancy a quiet pint in a sports-free environment with a great choice of beer why not head to the International Beer Bar.
11. The Tropical Greenhouses at The Botanical Gardens
The Tropical Green houses at the Botanical gardens aren’t just for children – there is so much to learn about for everyone. It’s also beautifully warm inside the Tropical domes – a great antidote to a rainy day. Located at Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008 Zürich. Find out the opening hours and more information here.
12. URBAN SURF
SURF IN THE SUMMER AT URBAN SURF IN ZURICH: Urban Surf is just as much fun for adults as it is for children and is a great place to surf (or to learn to surf). Since you’re going to get wet anyway, a few splashes of rain shouldn’t stop you enjoying this fun activity. It’s Located right next to Frau Gerolds Garten. Find out more about Urban Surf here.
13. ICE SKATING
From early November until February or March there are usually plenty of places to go Ice Skating in Zurich. You can see some ice skating venues here.
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For more ideas on what’s on in Zurich at the moment please check this weeks What’s On in Zurich here.
Keep up to date with what’s currently on in and around Zurich come rain and shine by subscribing to our blog at the top right hand side of www.NewInZurich.com
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Other Articles that may be of interest:
The Kunsthaus Zurich & Its New Wing by David Chipperfield Architects
2 comments
As far as I’m aware, visiting the Fraumunster it’s not free anymore, not at least to see the Chagall Windows.. (https://www.fraumuenster.ch/besucher/besucherlenkung/) I think it’s a 5 CHF fee.
Unless you go for meditation, prayer, etc (then it’s free).
Maybe should be a good idea to update information?
Thank you so much! Yes I have updated the information! It used to be free but now they charge a few francs.