An Art Lover's Guide to Zurich

Also known as the Swiss National Museum, the National Museum Zurich (Landesmuseum Zürich) is a popular stop on art tours in Zurich, and for good reason. This museum features a comprehensive collection of art and objects from the medieval era through to the 20th century. There’s a big focus on cultural history from across Switzerland, however, the highlight for many visitors is the chance to check out the free Simply Zurich exhibit, which tells the city's story over the centuries.

Housing a collection of over 4,000 items of art spanning nearly a millennium, the massive Kunsthaus Zurich is the largest art museum in the country. It's spread across four buildings, with themed sections focusing on everything from medieval sculpture to Italian Baroque paintings, along with—unsurprisingly—a solid collection of works by Dada artists. The museum naturally houses some of Zurich's most famous art pieces, including Georg Baelitz's Supper in Dresden and The Day by Ferdinand Hodler.

Insider tip: See the Kunsthaus and more on a bus tour of Zurich.

Less than a 10-minute walk from the Kunsthaus, the Cabaret Voltaire is a must-visit for those interested in the Dada movement. Founded by Hugo Ball, considered the godfather of Dadaism, and his partner Emmy Hennings, this former lounge serves as a hub for culture and the arts, with exhibitions, tours, performances, and special talks and workshops. The historic cabaret also hosts small discussion group sessions as part of its "Space for Uncertainty" program, which allows artists and fans a place for honest exchange about art.

While many art museums in Zurich focus heavily on Swiss or European art, the Museum Rietberg takes a different approach, instead focusing on non-European works. It started as the private collection of Baron Eduard von der Heydt and was later donated to the city. Today, the museum showcases everything from photography to cultural relics from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The museum is spread across several villas, including the Villa Schönberg, a major cultural landmark in Zurich, and where Richard Wagner wrote Tristan and Isolde.

One of the more unusual of Zurich's art attractions, the aptly named Musée Visionnaire showcases art forms that are otherwise underrepresented in the Zurich art scene. The main focus is on art brut and outsider art, so expect the unconventional. While the museum only hosts a couple of exhibits annually, each is carefully curated to urge visitors to reimagine their relationship to and ideas about art.

While many of Zurich’s art galleries and museums focus on sculpture and painting, the Photobastei is all about photography. Spread out over two stories, this photography hub showcases curated and weekly exhibits by photographers, workshops, artist lectures, and portfolio reviews. A highlight for many visitors is the sizeable onsite bar, where photographers and art lovers can rub shoulders while poring over photo books from a 1,200-strong collection.

Insider tip: Photographers can perfect their craft while experiencing city highlights on a Zurich photography tour.

In the suburban city of Winterthur, about a half-hour tram ride from the heart of Zurich, the Kunst Museum Winterthur is a three-in-one collection of museums. The oldest of the three, the Beim Stadthaus, houses one of the country's largest collections of modern art, while the Reinhart am Stadtgarten focuses on Romanticism and Realism. The third museum in the trio, Villa Flora, showcases works from the art collection of the Hahnloser-Bühler family. It reopened in early 2024 after an extended closure.

Among the top spots for contemporary Art exhibitions in Zurich, the Helmhaus provides a space for contemporary Swiss and resident artists to showcase their works, which range from paintings and plastic arts to immersive, interactive experiences. They usually run around five or six exhibits yearly, with regular workshops, art talks, and concerts. The Helmhaus also offers guided tours, including special tours designed to interest kids.

On the banks of Lake Zurich, the multihued Pavillon Le Corbusier is the manifestation of Le Corbusier's final architectural design, as well as the only of his buildings made primarily of glass and steel. It's worth visiting for the architecture alone. However, art fans may want to peep inside to see the Corbusier-related sculptures, photographs, and mementos showcased in the pavilion’s museum, which opened in 2019.