Zurich In Winter: Weather, Packing & Highlights

Thinking about spending a winter vacation in Zurich? Well, it’s a pretty good idea. Zurich is hailed as the banking capital of Switzerland, is a stunning city with incredible mountain views, picturesque lakes, and a ton of great restaurants plus even fancier hotels.

So what do Switzerland and Zurich in Winter look like? Well, catch it around Christmas time, and the place comes to life with Christmas markets, and the rest of the year, the city is still buzzing with life.

Join me as we take a look at everything you need to know about Zurich in winter from the weather to what to pack and the best places to visit too.

Weather

Yes, it is cold in Zurich in winter but it’s not actually that cold. The temperature in Zurich ranges from 6 degrees Celsius to minus one degrees Celsius, 43 to 31 Fahrenheit if you’re from the United States.

So it’s not subject to the freezing temperatures you might have been expecting but it does have some rain and wind that you’ll need to manage. It rains on average 10 days a month between December and March, Zurich’s winter months, so you should expect a bit of drizzle and the odd downpour while you’re there.

But, you can also have those cold, crispy, sunny winter days with clear skies that bring Zurich’s surrounding landscapes and city scope to life.

It does snow in Zurich too but only around 20 days a year on average, so don’t expect a white winter wonderland while you’re there, as you will need to be lucky to experience that.

What to Pack

Since it’s not actually that cold in Zurich, you don’t have to pack a thousand layers of differing materials, unless you’re going into the mountains afterward to do some skiing in the alps. You will need some warm base layers and then a warm jacket or two. Here is a solid packing list for Zurich in winter.

• Warm Boots in case it’s icy and for hikes
• Comfy shoes for exploring the city
• Warm socks, merino wool is best
• Warm parka, especially if there is a biting wind and rain
• Thermals and cardigans as inside layers
• Thermal long sleeves as base layers
• Jeans and warm pants
• Long johns or leggings
• Warm hat
• Scarf
• Gloves
• Sweater dress for the ladies going out
• General sleep and lounging clothes

As you can see, this isn’t such a big winter packing list, it could be a lot more bulky and hard to fit into a single suitcase if you were going somewhere colder.

Best Places to Visit

Lake Zurich

Lake Zurich, also known as Zürichsee, is one of the best places to enjoy the outdoors when experiencing Zurich in winter. It’s easily accessible from Zurich’s old town and it’s the perfect place for a long walk and the views across the water are beautiful too.

Around the shores of the lake, you will find plenty of public gardens to relax in, have a picnic, look at the views, and ponder life. The winter birdlife on the lake is also pretty spectacular so if you are into bird watching, Lake Zurich is a great place to do it.

One of the best ways to experience the lake and to see the city from it is on a lake cruise. You can bob along the water and see all the awesome landmarks Zurich has to offer, but from a beautiful viewpoint, from the lake.

You can hop on a boat in the docking area just next to the Old Town and you have many options when it comes to different cruise experiences. A standard cruise is one option but you can also book a luxurious cruise as you taste fondue, for example, as you cruise around the lake.

Make sure to book your cruise in advance as the cruises run less frequently in winter.

Christmas Markets

Winter in certain cities in Europe always brings to mind Christmas markets, and Zurich has some of the best of them.

If you are planning to spend time in Zurich before Christmas, do it as it’s one of the best places when it comes to the festive spirit with numerous Christmas markets to spend time in.

If the smell of cinnamon while staring at stunning Christmas lights and sipping on mulled wine sounds good to you, then Zurich’s Christmas markets will be heaven on earth for you.

The largest Christmas market in Zurich is found at the city’s main station. It’s fully covered, full of stalls, lights, and wonderful other things plus you’ll find a gigantic Christmas tree covered with hundreds of Swarovski crystals.

The old town markets are a bit smaller, more traditional, exceptionally cozy, and offer a different experience. See them all, if you can.

The Christmas markets in Zurich start popping up around the end of November and stay open until around the 23rd of December. So plan your travels accordingly if you want to enjoy them.

Swiss National Museum

When the weather isn’t playing ball, and since you are visiting Zurich in winter, so it is likely, it’s time to find something great to do indoors. Zurich, being a major European city, has a wonderland of museums to explore and one you have to see is the Swiss National Museum.

The first thing that will kind of blow your mind is the building the museum is housed in. It looks like a castle you would imagine in a fairytale and the architecture is stunning, especially when you see the modern extension too.

Also known as the Landesmuseum Zurich, the Swiss national museum is home to a ton of historical and cultural pieces of Swiss art that literally span centuries. You will find a few permanent exhibitions along with a load of temporary ones too.

It’s also a great museum to go to with kids as there are fun things for them to explore like an Arabian palace, sailing ship, and even an old railway carriage.

You’ll find the museum right next to the main station so it is easy to combine with a trip to the big Christmas market too. It’s open every day except for Mondays.

Zurich Opera House

Another great thing to do in Zurich in winter is to see a show at the Zurich Opera House.

The Zurich Opera House is an overly impressive building so just going to see it is a must while you’re there plus there is an excellent Christmas market outside too, so you can kill two birds with one stone.

But, you should also go and see a show at the Opera house too. It’s famed for hosting spectacular operas, ballets, orchestras, and plays as well as great children’s shows and renowned acts. No matter what your taste is, there will be a show to suit you.

It’s worth looking at the Zurich Opera House’s schedule so you can plan ahead and make sure your travel dates coincide with a good show that you want to see. Also, missing out on a show of a lifetime by a few days would be rather disappointing.

Limmat River

The crystal blue waters of the Limmat River pretty much split the city of Zurich in half and a lovely way to spend a few hours on a clear day is taking a stroll down its banks.

Not only is the river stunningly beautiful in itself, but you’ll also find a whole host of excellent cafes, restaurants, and some of the city’s most impressive architecture, and there is more to see while you’re walking down it too.

If you walk down the Limmat culture trail between Baden and Wettigen you’ll find a place where nature and art meet in Zurich. Along the banks, you will discover 26 pieces of different art on the streets next to it and they are all designed for you to see the world in a new light.

There are tons of wall reliefs, photographs, and sculptures that all create a super unique view of the city and they are a wonder to see.

Rhine Falls

If the weather permits while you’re visiting Zurich in winter then a day trip to the Rhine Falls is kind of a must.

The Rhine Falls are the most powerful waterfall in Europe and during winter the flow that comes out of it is at about 250,000 liters of water per second. Standing next to these falls is intense and amazing at the same time as the sheer force and power of nature make one feel quite insignificant.

You will find Rhine Falls at Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall, just outside of Schaffhausen. You can get there in under an hour from Zurich’s main train station.

Trains to Schaffhausen take around 50 minutes and then you simply change trains for a 5-minute ride to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall. You can also opt to hop on a guided tour to the waterfall if you like.

You can stare at the falls from a viewing platform or you can even take a boat ride up the river and see them up close. If you’re the adventurous type then you should go on the rope ride across the river and get a view of the Rhine Falls from up high.

Uetliberg

The Uetliberg Mountain is Zurich’s local mountain and the views from its summit are nothing short of mind-blowing, especially in winter.

The summit sits at 871 meters above sea level and it’s just a short hike to the top from which you can see amazing views of the Alps, Zurich, and the surrounding lowlands too.

The hike up is pretty easy but there is also a train that takes you to the top if you are not able to make it. You’ll also find cafes and restaurants at the top of the Uetliberg Mountain where you can have lunch with a view and grab a coffee to warm up.

If it’s snowing, it’s best to hike up in the morning and get the train down before the snow turns to icy slush which will make the downward hike a little more tricky.

If it is snowing, you might find that some of the hiking trails are being used for sledding, and the mountains can get quite busy during these moments too.

Sukkulenten Sammlung

Another excellent place to see in Zurich while the weather isn’t great is to head to the Sukkulenten Sammlung, an indoor botanical garden. You will get a dose of warmth and light too which winter days simply can not provide.

Inside the botanical garden, you will find around 4000 different species of succulents or more and is considered one of the largest collections of succulents in the world.

As you walk around Sukkulenten Sammlung you will find seven different greenhouses along with an outdoor rockery plus collections of cacti, pennyworts, and aloes too. You’ll learn how these plants work and use their different parts to store water too.

You may also find periodical displays that showcase what mechanisms succulents use to survive which is very enlightening.

This is also a great place to visit if you are with kids as there are child-friendly experiment stations and a botanical library to explore.

Bahnhofstrasse

If there is one famous shopping street in Zurich it is Bahnhofstrasse. It connects Lindenhof, the main station, the lakeshore, and the old town via a network of stunning squares and old historic streets, so a stroll down Bahnhofstrasse is a rather lovely thing to do if you’re not buying.

But, it’s said that there isn’t anything you can’t find on Bahnhofstrasse and it’s known mainly for super extravagant stores and expensive products – think Rolex and Louis Vuitton. But, there are also normal shops spread out amongst the more expensive ones too.

Along Bahnhofstrasse is also where you will find Paradeplatz which is the center of the city’s financial sector. This is where most of the Swiss banks and large Swiss insurance companies have a base and is a good reminder about the city you are visiting.

Rapperswil

If you are looking for a fun half-day trip outside of Zurich in winter then you should go to the old medieval town of Rapperswil.

Rapperswil is on the northern side of Lake Zurich and provides a more relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy the lake views, see the old castle, and generally have a lovely time.

Something it’s famous for is its rose gardens but that’s not why you’re visiting it in winter, you’re going for their awesome Christmas market. You’ll find more than 200 different market stalls selling everything from knitwear to jewelry and in between.

There are also some great food stalls and sampling some of the raclettes and mulled wine is a must. It’s alive with Christmas festivities and everything sits under beautiful lights.

Rapperswil is just a 40-minute direct train ride from Zurich so getting there is incredibly easy and it’s definitely worth going to.

Zurcher Brockenhaus

If you love finding old things that you can make new then you have to visit Zurcher Brockenhaus, especially when the weather is saying no to being in the outdoors.

Zurcher Brockenhaus is a thrift store but it’s not any thrift store, it’s a 3-floor gigantic thrift store that sells everything from toys and clothes to furniture, homeware, bicycles, and old records. If you want to find something vintage or retro, or just want to marvel at the antiques and goodies, Zurcher Brockenhaus is the place to do it.

If you’re in Zurich before Christmas, why not go and do all your Christmas shopping at Zurcher Brockenhaus, the gifts will be unique and it’ll be super environmentally friendly.

Raclette Factory

If there is one Swiss-style cuisine to try while in Zurich, it’s Raclette and there is no better place to try it than at the Raclette factory.

If you don’t know what Raclette is, it’s pretty much eating at a table with a hot plate in the middle and you cook small bits like steak along with a ton of Swiss cheese which melts for dipping. It’s super delicious and you can graze slowly as you drink some wine or beer.

What makes the Raclette Factory a little different is that you can build your own Raclette and choose your cheese, topping, and side so you can make your own personal Raclette. There are also a ton of standard Raclettes to choose from too.

You will find the Raclette Factory in Zurich Old Town close to Rathaus.