11 of the Best Views in Zurich and Where To Find Them

You don’t have to go far to reach the top places for Zurich city views, given that there are several right in the heart of the city, including the convenient Lindenhof. This hilltop square provides a wonderful first glance of Zurich’s quaint riverfront, and best of all, it’s free to visit and easy to reach.

Historical walking tours of Zurich regularly pass through the square to discuss its layered past and recount the medieval story of Zurich’s women who cleverly defended the city through deception. But walk up on your own, and you'll still benefit from its pleasant, shaded views down to the Zurich Old Town.

If you’re wondering where to find Zurich photography spots, you have a lot of choices when you visit the banks of the Limmat River. Dividing the historical center of the city, this river presents Zurich at its most traditional and old-fashioned, thanks to the many typically Swiss houses and buildings that crowd the waterfront.

On the eastern bank, you can find gaps along the Wühre and Schipfe pedestrian streets with superb views, while across the water, the Limmatquai enjoys an unbroken vista of classic Swiss architecture. Join a local walking tour to effortlessly incorporate the waterfront into your sightseeing, or take an evening stroll here before or after dinner.

Jutting out from the hilly ETH Zurich university campus, the Polyterrasse is a large terrace overlooking the scenic city center, located just up the hill from the Niederdorf area. Happily, you can easily take the UBS Polybahn funicular up from the Limmatquai to enjoy another of the many free and wheelchair accessible Zurich observation points.

While trees obstruct some parts of the terrace’s views, the southern end of the terrace faces the most recognizable and interesting parts of Zurich’s skyline, such as the towers of St. Peter Church and Fraumünster. Also, the west-facing aspect of the terrace makes it a popular spot for sunset views in Zurich.

Switzerland is known for its Alpine mountains, but around Zurich the highest “mountain” is the Uetliberg. At a height of 2,850 feet (870 meters), it’s also your best bet for mountain views near Zurich. Visit its outlooks for panoramas across Zurich or climb up its observation tower for an even better vantage point that wraps around to the distant Alps to the south.

And don’t fret thinking that you need to hike up Uetliberg to enjoy its views—the S10 train out of Zurich Hauptbahnhof runs right up the steep hillside to Uetliberg railway station just below the summit.

Church towers in Europe often hide away spectacular views, and Zurich is no different. Karlsturm, the south tower of the renowned Grossmünster Reformation church, awaits visitors willing to climb its 187 steps and reach one of the most scenic lookouts in Zurich.

Once there, gaze through the tower’s six large windows to enjoy 360-degree views of the city, benefitting from the church’s location deep in the heart of the Old Town. While the Grossmünster is a staple of the many Zurich sightseeing tours that introduce you to the city, few actually include the time and tickets needed to climb Karlsturm.

Flowing into the Limmat River just south of the city center is Lake Zurich. Pick any section of waterfront around this large, long glacial lake, and you’ll find pleasant views, but perhaps the best spot along the lakefront is the Lake Zurich Promenade. This lakeside park starts by the Zurich Opera House, continuing past ferry wharves, piers, and countless moored boats.

But what sets the Promenade apart from other spots, such as Bürkliplatz or the Arboretum, is that it faces west and is perfectly positioned for watching the sunset. The Promenade is normally busiest at lunchtime and in the afternoon, as locals come down to get fresh air, bask in the sun, and even swim.

While Zurich enjoys a wealth of waterfront views, the easiest way to see these different vistas is aboard a Lake Zurich cruise. Rather than walk along the extensive shores of the lake, sit down and let the boat do the work as you effortlessly float by.

Not only do you get to see the city’s skyline and the surrounding hill ranges while you’re on the water, but when you travel along Lake Zurich on a cruise, you glimpse the other neighborhoods and villages along the lake, plus benefit from clearer views of the mountains to the east.

A little lower than Uetliberg at an elevation of 2,638 feet (804 meters), Felsenegg is another Lake Zurich viewpoint in the Albis hills that watches over Zurich. While farther from the city center, the Adliswil-Felsenegg Cable Car, which brings visitors up, offers such a memorable and scenic experience that Felsenegg still receives many visitors.

Head for the outdoor seating at the lonely Restaurant Felsenegg—it's where most people go to enjoy the view—but know that there are many breaks in the forest along ridgeline trails that create new and different vistas down to the lake and city.

With so many public viewpoints, you may not even think to look for Zurich rooftop bars with views, but that doesn’t mean the city doesn’t have some great ones. For instance, Jules Verne Panoramabar is a standout pick, just off the Bahnhofstrasse in the city’s historical center.

Just as its name suggests, this stylish venue features a captivating panorama of the city for you to admire as you sip cocktails. (The bar’s excellent vantage point starts to make sense when you realize it shares the building with the Urania Observatory and its historical telescope pointed toward the heavens.)

For hilltop views even closer to the city center than Uetliberg, turn your attention to Zurichberg. This hill, a little east of the Old Town, is a quick trip from the city center—especially if you take the convenient Rigiblick Funicular to get up there.

While the Zurichberg covers a lot of ground and is even home to the Zurich Zoo, view-seekers only need to take a short walk from the funicular to reach a small field with park benches that look out over the city, Lake Zurich, and the hills opposite.

If you don’t mind throwing down a bit of money to enjoy your Zurich views, then the Hürlimannbad and Spa Zürich offers a special panoramic experience. Rather than a rooftop bar, here you get to enjoy a rooftop spa.

Soak away in the open-air thermal bath on the roof of this day spa in the Enge neighborhood just outside the city center, then pop your head above the bubbles to admire Zurich in all of its glory, while wearing nothing but swimwear. If you're keen on pampering yourself even more, save this spa session for after taking a local chocolate tour to indulge in delicious Swiss chocolate.