The beautiful city of Zürich, set on the banks of Lake Zürich, has an enormous landmass, and it’s the economic powerhouse of the country. This place is one of the most essential financial centers in Europe and its livability is among the highest in the world. From alpine mountains, historic homes, open-air pools, lovely nightlife scenes, bars, pubs, eateries, and much more, this place has all it takes to give you long-lasting memories. A walking tour is an essential way to explore much of what the city has to offer since you will find many landmarks and attractions tightly packed together. Interestingly, there are non-profit organizations that provide free guides or maps to help you explore the best of the city. Uncover the country’s best-kept secrets with these free walking tours in Zürich, Switzerland.
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1. Stroll around the downtown area with Swiss Family Fun
Learn fascinating facts about downtown Zurich with your family in this 1.5-hour free guided tour. The walk is about 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) long, and it starts from Paradeplatz and ends at Grossmünster. It’s kid-friendly and you don’t need a book ahead; neither do you need to stay back in case your child becomes weary. However, they will also find the tour engaging, since there is a unique quiz for them (you can download it from the website) and they can safely play in the pedestrian-only areas and open squares. You will discover why this scientific and economic hub of the country has the highest standards of living. Uncover hidden places and famous attractions, including Lindenhof Historical Site, Fraumünster Church, Paradeplatz Square, and have fun doing so.
Swiss Family Fun
Website: Swiss Family Fun
2. Learn about Zurich life with Free Walk Zurich
If this is your first time on the soils of this glamorous city, then this guided tour should be at the top of your itinerary. This free tour will be focused on getting you informed about the life and culture of the Zurich people. Learn about their cultural specialties, recycling, the political system, taxes, and also get to meet and commune with other visitors. This tour is held every Sunday at Credit Suisse in Paradeplatz, and it’s an excellent way to introduce yourself to the city and also blend well. You will even be taught some basics of communicating in Swiss German and practical tips to becoming a Zürcher.
Free Walk Zurich
Website: Free Walk Zurich
Opening hours: Sunday: 11am - 1pm (closed from Mon - Sat)
3. Discover the art of milk chocolate with Guru Walk
This walking tour will take you through some essential parts of Zurich as you learn about the critical history and taste some mouthwatering milk chocolate. Milk chocolate was invented in 1897 in this country, and today, the average citizen eats about 10 kilos of this delicacy every year. During this two-hour trip, you will explore chocolate houses, restaurants, and bars offering this treat in Niederdorf - Lake Zurich, Fraumünster, and Grossmünster, and the Bahnhofstrasse shopping street. There is no better way to put smiles on the faces of your kids than on this tour. You can also purchase some varieties for a souvenir.
Guru Walk
Website: Guru Walk
Opening hours: 7am - 1am (daily)
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4. Check out Zurich's nightlife with Strawberry Tours
Langstrasse, also popularly called Zurich’s red-light district, is a multi-cultural part of the city, known for its global dining venues, sports bars, live music spots, and of course, DJ-fueled dance clubs. In this free walking trip, the guides will take you through significant places in this place, including the Bermuda Triangle of Zurich, Swiss Hell Angels, and much more. You can sip trendy beers in the famous bars in this place and even get busy on the dance floor. If you plan to enjoy the bustling and lively nightlife of this location, stop by your must-visit spots with this engaging tour.
Strawberry Tours
Address: Helvetiaplatz, Zurich
Website: Strawberry Tours
Opening hours: Varying dates; check website
Zurich Tour Guide
Iuliia Solodenko
Learned to read at the age of five. Loved fairy tales. For 11 years I studied the cello at the school that Oistrakh graduated from ( I am from Ukraine). My favorite lesson at school is history, it is my only passion. I dreamed to became an archaeologist, but I graduated from the acting faculty and worked as an actress in the theater. In 2008 I moved to Venice. Experience since 2011 in travel... Read more
5. Explore Zurich’s Old Town with Trail Stained Fingers
Walk down history by exploring famous old landmarks with this self-guided tour. Unlike earlier free tours that come with a guide, in this trip, you will be handed an 1860s map of the area, pointing out 10 landmarks with a total distance of 1.2 miles (2 kilometers), and will take you about 30 minutes to conquer. Don’t forget to arm yourself with a camera and take some of the world’s best history adventures with you. See the fascinating statue of Bahnhofstrasse and Burkliplatz, depicting Prince Ganymed imploring Zeus to take him to Mount Olympus. Other top attractions include the beautiful Frauenbad Stadthausquai structure and the serene Munsterhof and Lindenhof park.
Trail Stained Fingers
Address: Zurich
Website: Trail Stained Fingers
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
6. Wander around Zurich at your own pace with Jetsetting Fools
This tour is also self-guided with a map from Jetsetting Fools, leading you to the most iconic structures and places of the historical, social, and cultural Old Town. It features 12 attractions, covering a total of 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) and will take you about an hour to finish. It starts from the heart of the city - Paradeplatz tram station - and guides you to Augustinergasse and Rennweg Street, the incredible Grossmunster, and much more, ending the day at Zeughauskeller, where you can sip local beers. Don’t be surprised if you take the whole day sightseeing the most significant sites in this city. And don’t forget to bring your camera!
Jetsetting Fools
Website: Jetsetting Fools
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
7. Enjoy the best of the city's nightlife on a Free Tour
If you love to have a good time, then learn how the Zürcher goes about it on this walking tour to the trendy bars, clubs, and pubs in the city. This trip is a great way to meet open-minded individuals, engage in lively conversations, taste lots of drinks, and dance yourself out through the night. Taste Gran Finale Cocktail Bars curated cocktails, dine at Mc Gee’s Irish Pub, change into your dancing shoes at Lady Hamilton’s, and even more. Although joining this walking tour is free, you will be charged for other benefits, including club entrance and shots at the meeting point and every pub.
Free Tour
Website: Free Tour
Opening hours: 7am - 1am (daily)
8. Customize your tour with GPS My City
GPS My City is an app available on the Google Play and iTunes App Store, which allows you to explore more than a thousand cities around the world. It will enable you to focus on gaining the best experiences from your adventure. For Zurich, you can choose from different tours, including Zurich Introduction Walk, Architecture Walking Tour, Museums Walking Tour, and much more. The program gives you all the information about the trip, an updated map, informative audios, and it even works offline.
GPS My City
Website: GPS My City
Savor a memorable adventure
These organizations are dedicated to helping you discover the social, cultural, and historical richness of Zurich. Although some find it fit to tip the guides, it is not expected of you. Only focus on having a memorable adventure with these free walking tours in Zürich, Switzerland.
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