Top Zurich Historical Tours

Begin your journey at Hirschenplatz, a place with old buildings, wine bars, and a lot of history. Explore Central Polybahn, a unique cable car ride offering a spectacular viewpoint of the city. Continue to Polyterrasse ETH for another stunning viewpoint before visiting Zentralbibliothek to see parts of the old city wall and fortifications. Stroll through Brunngasse to view an old picture in a private building and visit Spiegelgasse, the place where Lenin lived during his time in Zurich. Explore Grossmunster, where you'll find a hidden cloister and a chapel with a medieval baptismal font. Visit Fraumunster Church to see the famous Chagall Windows and explore Wasserkirche, known for its underground ruins and as the site of the execution of Felix & Regula. Finally, ascend Lindenhof Hill to discover historical ruins underground, concluding your private tour of Zurich's old town with a deeper understanding of its rich history and cultural significance.

Explore Zurich on a half-day guided sightseeing tour of the city. Climb aboard an air-conditioned coach for a panoramic tour of top sights like the Swiss National Museum, Fraumünster Church, Bahnhofstrasse, and the Old Town, then take to the water for a scenic ferry crossing of Lake Zurich. Gaze at sweeping Alpine vistas as you ride a cable car to the vertiginous Felsenegg vantage point.

If you have limited time to sightsee in Zurich, explore the city with a guide to hear its history and scout out its highlights in less time. As you delve into Switzerland’s colorful past, follow your guide along the Bahnhofstrasse to see where locals mingle in bustling boutiques, art galleries, and cafes. Lindenhof and the Niederdorf neighborhood are also covered, along with monuments such as the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches.

Zurich is a big city, and if you want to discover its lake-and-mountain views and its urban landmarks, it’s best to do it with a guide. This Zurich tour helps you cover more ground in less time with a carefully planned itinerary by coach, foot, ferry, and cable car. The Swiss Gold Coast on Lake Zurich, the Felsenegg viewpoint, and Zurich Old Town are among the highlights.

This walking tour offers a carefully curated introduction to Zurich’s Old Town, guiding visitors through the historic heart of the city where more than two thousand years of history remain vividly present. Beginning in the lively Niederdorf quarter, the route explores medieval streets, landmark churches, scenic river views, and tranquil elevated viewpoints, revealing the layers that shaped Zurich from a Roman settlement into a modern European city. Highlights include the iconic Grossmünster, the refined Fraumünster with its artistic legacy, the panoramic Lindenhof Hill, and St. Peter’s Church with its distinctive clock face. The experience concludes along Bahnhofstrasse, where historic foundations meet contemporary elegance. Designed as a relaxed circular walk, the tour balances cultural insight, architectural heritage, and local atmosphere, offering an engaging and accessible way to discover Zurich’s Old Town on foot.

Make the most of your time in Zurich and don’t miss out on seeing any essential landmarks on this small-group guided tour. Learn more about Swiss history and culture than most tourists ever will, while you explore the city through the eyes of your guide—including the hidden gems only the locals know about.

Zurich boasts a unique and far-reaching history, but appreciating the city’s landmarks can be difficult on a self-led tour. Be immersed in the history and culture of Switzerland’s biggest city on a walking tour of highlights including Lindenhof, St Peter’s Church, and Fraumünster, while benefiting from the more personalized experience of a small-group tour.

Go beyond the typical touring routes and see a side of Zurich that most visitors don’t get a chance to experience on this small-group walking tour through the city. Cross major local landmarks off your sightseeing wish list, like Lake Zurich and the Lindenhof, and feel free to pick your guide’s brain on not just the attractions, but what to do after the tour too.

Discover the best of eastern Switzerland on this scenic day tour, blending rich heritage, storybook towns, and stunning Alpine views. Begin in St. Gallen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore its remarkable Abbey District, including the Baroque Cathedral and world-famous Abbey Library with over 1,300 years of history. Wander the charming Old Town and admire its ornate oriel windows, a legacy of the city’s textile past. Continue to the picturesque village of Appenzell, known for its colorful houses, traditions, and relaxed charm. Stroll along Hauptgasse, browse local shops, and taste authentic Appenzeller cheese. Surrounded by rolling hills and the Alpstein mountains, this tour offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and natural beauty in one unforgettable day.

Zürich is Switzerland’s “kleintropolis“. That is what Max Frisch, a native author and architect, called this place: a small metropolis. Even though the city has grown substantially since Max’s time, on this self-guided audio tour you’ll discover just how well the description still fits! This walk begins on the Bahnhofstrasse, at the edge of the old town. I’ll lead you along cobblestone streets beside the Limmat River and show you where the Romans and Carolingians settled. We’ll end the tour firmly in the present day at Paradeplatz near Lake Zurich. The tour includes stories, facts and legends like: • Where Zurich’s wealth has come from for the last 2,000 from a Roman toll station to private banking • Medieval Zurich’s guild houses and the Craftsman Revolution • Charlemagne, his horse and a few headless saints • King Ludwig‘s daughters and a stag with glowing antlers • Two brothers different paths to success in the chocolate industry

This isn’t a postcard stroll. It’s a two-hour Self-Guided Walking Tour through headless martyrs, rebellious monks, medieval power moves, and a train line built for pastries. You’ll follow Roman roads, climb Gothic towers, and stand where Zurich once scared off an army with a well-timed bluff. From ruling abbesses to stained glass dreams and a final stop in a former weapons depot turned beer hall, this tour peels back the polished surface of one of Europe’s most quietly chaotic cities. Wear good shoes, bring curiosity, and save room for sausage. Zurich doesn’t shout — but it never stays still.

Start your adventure at Bürkliplatz and board a scenic 30-minute Lake Zurich cruise to the Lindt Home of Chocolate. Enjoy a 1h30 self-guided visit with audioguides, taste samples, and learn how chocolate is made. Afterwards, travel by public transport to a medieval lakeside town for a 1-hour guided tour of cobblestone streets, the castle, and scenic surroundings. Highlights: - Half-day small group tour with Lake Zurich cruise - Lindt Home of Chocolate – self-guided with audioguide (1h30) - Medieval lakeside town – guided tour of streets, castle, and scenery

Perhaps the best experience you will have in Zurich. You don’t want to go on a tour with 40 other tourists, but you want to experience a private city tour that is exciting and humorous. Then you've come to the right place. You will experience an unusual city tour in Zurich. Immerse yourself in the interesting history of Zurich. In between, we also move underground in Zurich. You will get a lot of background knowledge and many exciting stories on this tour. The city whispers know how to transfer their enthusiasm for this beautiful city to the guests.

Be immersed in the world of football with tickets to Zurich’s FIFA Museum, a must-see for soccer fans of all ages and a great rainy-day activity for kids. Explore iconic moments of the beautiful game through multimedia exhibits, view the original FIFA World Cup Trophy up close, and test your skills in interactive displays, including the new Skills Zone with seven stations. A free multilingual audio guide enhances your experience.

Our tours are a great way to explore Zurich. Away from the crowds of tourists, you will be guided through the urban, trendy and interesting neighborhoods of this beautiful city. The Urban Bike Tour is an approximately 3 hour, relaxed bike tour through Zurich. You will be guided through the lively districts 1, 4 and 5 and will learn interesting aspects about the respective places and squares from our guides. It points to innovative and regional companies. Short stops explain the history and background information. The number of participants is limited to 10 people. Each tour is unique as the cityscape and group constellation including guide is rebuilt every day. The personal perspective of all participants is very important to Rayrider guides. Questions are welcome at any time. There is also plenty of room for stimulating conversation during our stops.

Tick off three top experiences with a 3-in-1 Zurich package that includes walking, public transport, and a lake cruise. Discover the city’s major landmarks on a guided tour, enjoy a quick lunch break, and ride a cable car to Felsenegg’s summit for views reaching the Alps. Along the way, benefit from your guide’s personalized insights and a short hike on the Planetweg trail.

Exploring further afield on vacation can be enticing, but handling foreign roads or an unfamiliar city’s public transport can prove more stressful than it’s worth. With this small-group tour, you have a guide to see you through all your explorations out of Zurich, from the train journey to the Swiss Alps to Lucerne and back again.

Zip around Zurich aboard an eco-friendly, electric tuk-tuk for up to four people on this express sightseeing tour. As a private guide drives, you’ll relax on a route around Zurich’s historic old town, admiring the Grossmünster and Fraumünster, peeking into the Im Viadukt indoor market, and snapping photos by Lake Zurich. Then, glide along the Limmatquai and venture off the tourist trail for a glimpse of local life in vibrant District 5.

There’s plenty to see and do in Zurich, but what if you want to take a break from the concrete jungle? Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind for a day with the help of a guide to take you on a scenic drive through the Swiss countryside. Explore further at stops such as Rapperswil and the Lindt Home of Chocolate for a well-rounded day out.

Embark on an incredible journey from Zurich for the Rhine Falls and the Chocolarium and the Appenzeller Schaukäserei in Appenzel. The Rhine Falls are the largest waterfalls in Europe by water flow. With their impressive power and picturesque setting, the Rhine Falls offer an unforgettable experience. Come back to Zurich before Immersing yourself in the delicious world of Swiss Chocolate at the Chocolarium, where you will discover the secrets of chocolate making and the opportunity to taste the variety of delights. Head to Appenzeller Schaukäserei (cheese dairy) for an authentic experience. Explore the traditional way of Appenzeller cheese and taste different varieties. This self-guided tour promises a day that will stimulate your five senses. Followed by a discovery of a charming typical swiss village, nestled amid the rolling hills of northeastern Switzerland. Explore cobblestone streets, colorful buildings adorned with frescoes. Please note the shops are close on sunday.

Exploring Mount Pilatus involves a lot of planning and logistics, but this full-day tour from Zurich covers everything for a hassle-free day out. Ascend to vertiginous vantage points by gondola and cable car and enjoy sweeping vistas of the dramatic Alps mountain range. Embark on a moderate hike down the verdant Dragon’s Path and the world’s steepest cogwheel railway before taking a short cruise on Lake Lucerne. Please note: Itinerary and inclusions vary by season.

Hop aboard on a AC bus coach to explore the castle-like Swiss National Museum, high-end shopping mile Bahnhofstrasse & Zurich's illustrious financial district. Meander through the city's most exclusive residential area, catch a glimpse of the opulent Opera House, pause for a picture-perfect moment at Enge harbour, and prestigious Zürichberg neighborhood. Continue your journey through the lively university quarter before arriving at the historic Old Town. Marvel at the intricate guild houses, the iconic Town Hall, enchanting churches as you stroll through the charming medieval streets on a guided tour. Climb aboard a charming cruise for a leisurely half-hour tour on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Zurich. Visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate, a modern marvel designed by renowned Swiss architects Christ & Gantenbein with an enthralling audio-guided excursion through the chocolate museum. Delve into the rich history of chocolate from bean to bar followed by unlimited chocolate tasting!

Switzerland is known around the world for its natural beauty and snow-capped mountains, but one sight may stand out from the rest: Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. On this coach tour from Zurich, you’ll stop to see the falls from Laufen Castle, enjoy an optional Rhine Falls boat ride (extra cost), and visit the quaint town of Stein am Rhein.