Join the 10 best walking tours in Zurich to uncover its stories and best-kept treasures
I thought I knew Zurich inside and out—until a walking tour humbled me with discoveries.
I was grateful for that tour, and I’ve taken more with family and friends since then. Each time, I uncover something new and thought-provoking.
That’s the magic of a fantastic walking tour—it leaves you eager to return for more.
Thankfully, Zurich has plenty of them, and I can confidently say I know the best ones. It’s only right that I share them with you.
Top Free Walking Tours in Zurich
Downtown Zurich Tour
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Tour Style: Guided
Schedule: Every day at 11 AM
Duration: 1.5 hours
This tour highlights Zurich in all its splendid glory.
It’s a stroll through downtown Zurich that explores how it became the city with the world’s best quality of life. The tour also explains how history’s most significant figures—Charles the Great and Albert Einstein—influenced Zurich and made it an economic centre and scientific hub.
It even explores the city’s history, including the power struggles that shaped it into the Zurich of today.
Pro Tip:
Bring a water bottle. Downtown Zurich has lots of drinking fountains to refill so you can stay hydrated.
Langstrasse Tour
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Tour Style: Guided
Schedule: Every day at 11:00 AM
Duration: 1 hour
This tour takes you to a side of town not often explored in walking tours: Langstrasse. This deep dive into the city’s red-light district is as much an adventure as it is an immersion in Zurich’s cultural hodgepodge.
You’ll take a trip to what locals call the ‘Bermuda Triangle,’ visit the headquarters of the Swiss Hell’s Angels, and learn more about the different cultures in the city.
The Langstrasse Tour is a lesser-explored but intriguing experience that offers a unique perspective on the city.
Pro Tip:
Ask your guide about hidden courtyards. These are primarily unexplored courtyards inside the old, historic buildings that line the area. They feature old street art, remnants of Langstrasse’s industrial past, and even quiet cafes.
Historical Tour
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Tour Style: Guided
Schedule: Saturday and Sunday at 11 AM (Meeting place is next to UBS at Paradeplatz 8)
Duration: 2 hours
Think of this historical tour as the Downtown Tour—but levelled up with more information.
It travels from the old town to downtown and thoroughly explores Zurich’s history. It outlines the city’s development from a Roman toll station to a bustling first-world destination.
The tour also examines the struggles and challenges that defined Zurich, including life during the Napoleonic Wars.
Put simply, this tour is for those who want to know more about the city’s rich history.
Pro Tip:
Inquire if it’s possible to explore Lindenhof a bit more. This former Roman fort still has remnants of ancient Roman baths and walls underground. But this area is sometimes overlooked unless guests ask about it.
Paid Walking Tours for Unique Zurich Experiences
Stadtführungen
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Tour Style: Guided
Schedule: By booking
Duration: 1.5 – 3 hours, depending on the tour availed
Pricing: Starts at 12 CHF for children, 24 CHF for adults
Stadtführungen—literally ‘guided tours’ in English—stands out for its wide variety of tours.
From traditional city walks to e-bike tours to food retreats, Stadtführungen has something especially for you. It even offers self-guided tours for those who prefer to explore Zürich independently.
What’s more, Stadtführungen can set you up for some unique adventures in the city, like a customised scavenger hunt across Zürich, chocolate workshops, and more.
Pro Tip:
You can opt for a more historical exploration of Zurich. Make sure you ask for a trip down the city’s medieval tunnels and cellars. Stadtführungen are well-connected, and they’ll know the access points to these remnants of the past.
City Tour of Old Town
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Tour Style: Guided
Schedule: Monday – Thursday 11:00 AM | Friday 5:00 PM | Saturday 1:00 PM
Duration: 2 hours
Pricing: 12.50 CHF for children, 25 CHF for adults
This tour takes you through every nook and cranny of the old town—including the hidden alleys and mostly unexplored corners.
It explores the fascinating history of Bahnhofstrasse and explains what Zurichans call the ‘processional axis.’ The guides provide anecdotes at every turn to give a better sense of what life was like in the old times in the old town.
In short, this tour reveals the secrets of Bahnhofstrasse in a two-hour adventure.
Pro Tip:
Wear comfortable but sturdy shoes. Old Town has many cobblestone streets, small hills, and elevated spots, and the right shoes will save your feet from torture.
Zurich Food Tour
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Tour Style: Guided
Schedule: Friday at 4:00 PM
Duration: 3 hours
Pricing: 85 CHF
This tour is a gustatory treat as it explores the delectable food scene of Zurich.
You can fill your tummy with great food from popular restaurants and food spots in the thriving Zurich West district. You’ll also learn about what locals call ‘Zurich Gastro Revolution,’ along with fascinating facts about this part of the city.
You’ll explore Zurich West’s hidden gems, from food stalls to hole-in-the-wall eateries, in what has become the city’s food Mecca.
Pro Tip:
Zurich is in Public Transport Zone 110, where public transportation prices are usually double due to its central location and high demand. So, buy a ticket to Zone 110 beforehand to get a discount and limit the inconvenience.
City Tour and Boat Trip to Lindt Home Chocolate
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Tour Style: Guided
Schedule: Every day at 10 AM
Duration: 5 hours
Pricing: 49 CHF for children, 77 CHF for adults
This five-hour tour is extensive, but every moment is worth it. It starts with a sightseeing stroll through notable Instagrammable spots in the city, such as the imposing National Museum, the nostalgic Bahnhofstrasse, and Kunsthaus Zurich.
The tour continues with a half-hour boat trip on Lake Zurich, where an audio guide app tells fantastic stories about the city.
You’ll also pass by the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg for some chocolate tasting before boarding public transport to the tour’s last stop: the Main Station.
At the end of it all, you won’t even realise that five hours have passed.
Pro Tip:
Ask at the Lindt Home of Chocolate for factory-exclusive or limited-edition chocolates. You might find a unique treat!
Zurich’s Mighty Women & Heroines Tour
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Tour Style: Guided
Schedule: By booking
Duration: 2 – 3 hours, depending on the tour availed
Pricing: Starts at 340 CHF for group tours
The Zurich Insider offers a tour called Zurich’s Mighty Women & Heroines Tour, which is all about girl power!
Throughout its history, Zurich has had its share of empowered and remarkable women, such as Tilo Frey and Mère Royaume.
As you stroll through Zurich’s Old Town, the tour brings the stories of these remarkable women to life, showcasing their contributions to politics, activism, and culture.
Pro Tip:
Feel free to ask if a tour can be customised to your preferences. The Zurich Insider accommodates requests unless they involve major changes, such as extra stops, extended duration, or a different experience.
SwissMas Tour (Zurich’s Christmas Wonderland)
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Tour Style: Guided
Schedule: By booking during the Christmas season
Duration: 2-3 hours
Pricing: Starts at 340 CHF
Another offering from The Zurich Insider is that my family and I love to join yearly SwissMas during Christmas. It’s among the very best that the city has to offer.
Held in winter, it takes you to Europe’s largest indoor market, where a 32-foot Christmas tree stands tall and mighty.
It also takes you to the famed Christmas village at the Opera House and throughout the old town. There’s also some food tasting here and there, plus stops at local artisanal stores.
Pro Tip:
On the SwissMas Tour, catch the Singing Christmas Tree at Werdmühleplatz for some holiday magic. Local choirs stand on a tiered, tree-shaped stage, filling the air with festive tunes.
Zurich Beer Tour
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Tour Guide: Guided
Schedule: Monday – Saturday at 6:45 PM
Duration: 2-3 hours
Pricing: Starts at 85 CHF
As a country with a vibrant beer culture, it’s no surprise Zurich offers something like the Zurich Beer Tour.
A beer enthusiast and Zurichan tour guide established it. Before attending, I grew curious about the logistics of the tours, which included stopovers at bars, beer shops, and microbreweries for beer tasting.
Zurich Beer Tour offers three main packages: Beer & Chocolate Tasting, Hen and Bachelor Parties, and Corporate Tours.
The Beer and Chocolate Tasting proves that beer and chocolate go together, while the Hen and Bachelor Parties combine beer tasting with game night. Meanwhile, the Corporate Tour is for company bonding.
Pro Tip:
The Zurich Beer Tour accommodates a maximum of 10 guests only to ensure the best, most intimate experience. Book in advance to keep the group smaller and maximise whatever package you choose.