A river running through a lush green forest

Canton of Zürich

The Canton of Zürich is Switzerland's most populous canton, and its Rhine Falls, Lake Zurich shores and Uetliberg are all easy trips from the city.

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The Canton of Zürich is a German-speaking canton in northeastern Switzerland and the most populous in the country, with about 1.6 million residents. Its main city, also called Zurich, sits at the northern end of Lake Zurich and is a major financial center. Beyond the city, the canton stretches from the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall, on the border with Schaffhausen to rural hills in the north and southeast.

The city of Zurich works as a base for day trips. Laufen Castle overlooks the Rhine Falls from the Zurich side. The Uetliberg, a mountain of the Albis range just above the city, has a railway stop a little below its summit. Ferries cross Lake Zurich between Horgen and Meilen, and ZSG runs passenger cruises on the lake and the Limmat. Winterthur, the canton's second largest city, is also worth a visit.

Canton of Zürich in five

See the Rhine Falls from Schloss LaufenSchloss Laufen charges CHF 5 for the Historama and viewing platforms, CHF 3 for ages 6 to 15. The falls are open around the clock, and there is no fee at Schlössli Wörth on the Neuhausen side.
Choose Winterthur for museums and the TechnoramaWinterthur Tourismus lists the Fotozentrum, Kunst Museum Winterthur and the Oskar Reinhart collection Am Römerholz. The Technorama science center has over 500 exhibits and suits a rainy day.
Climb Uetliberg when the city is in fogZurich Tourism says the 871 m summit is popular in November because it is often above the fog. Reach it on foot or by train, and walk down by one of the trails.
Check which pass covers the lake boatsThe Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft runs lake cruises, including round trips from Rapperswil and Stäfa. Ask the operator whether your rail pass or Half Fare Card applies before you buy a ticket.
Base in Zurich and treat the canton as day tripsEach place here is a short rail ride from the city, so one hotel serves them all. Stay in Winterthur only if you want a quieter evening after the Technorama or museums.Zurich travel guide

Things to do in Canton of Zürich

See all attractions in Canton of Zürich

Sight · Canton of ZürichSchloss Kyburg

Park · Canton of ZürichPlatzspitzGo in spring for the magnolia and cherry blossoms.

Sight · Canton of ZürichSammlung Oskar Reinhart am Römerholz

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Canton of ZürichPut the places you like in Canton of Zürich on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Zurich (ZRH), inside the canton, by train to Zurich HB
Getting there: S-Bahn and regional trains from Zurich HB
Getting around: ZVV trains, buses and trams; lake boats
Best base: Zurich; Winterthur for a quieter night
Time needed: 1 day per trip; 2–3 days for the full loop

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low-2°Fog, sun above
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low0°Cold, clear
MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh11°Low1°Spring
AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh15°Low4°Mild
MayRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Mild, green
JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Lake season
JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Warm, lake days
AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Warm, busy
SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Clear, calmer
OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Autumn color
NovemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Fog, Uetliberg sun
DecemberRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low0°Christmas markets

Average daily high and low in Zurich, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Canton of Zürich

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 4°
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Zurich

09:48 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today8°3°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue8°5°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
Wed8°4°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu7°3°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri6°4°4%Friday: Fog. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sat10°2°9%Saturday: Rain. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 9%.
Sun10°6°30%Sunday: Rain. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 30%.

Updated 06:52 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8245 CHF

Amount

Converted to

CHF · Swiss Franc

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Canton of Zürich

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Feb–MarCarnival of BaselBasel, a day trip
Feb–MarLucerne carnivalLucerne, a day trip
Feb–MarCarnival in BernBern, a day trip
Feb–MarChienbäseBasel, a day trip
Mar–AprFumettoLucerne, a day trip
AprSechseläutenZurich, a day trip
JulGurtenfestivalBern, a day trip
Aug–SepLucerne FestivalLucerne, a day trip

Day trips by train

Rhine Fallsregional train to Schloss Laufen; check SBBEurope's largest waterfall by the operator's claim, 150 m wide, open around the clock.
WinterthurS-Bahn or IC from Zurich HB; check SBBArt museums, an old-town stroll and the Technorama science center.
Uetlibergtrain from Zurich HB; check the timetableZurich's local mountain at 871 m, with a view of the city, lake and Alps.

Before you go to Canton of Zürich

Regional rail and Swiss passesPrice short hops before a passRead the guide

Rhine Falls and museum ticketsLaufen platforms and the TechnoramaCheck availability

eSIM for the Zurich areaLive train updates and mapsRead the guide

Insurance for Zurich tripsMedical bills in a costly countryRead the guide

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Rules for Canton of Zürich, checked

Rhine Falls: open around the clock; Schloss Laufen CHF 5 (ages 6 to 15 CHF 3); no fee at Schlössli Wörth; Neuhausen Rheinfall station is 8 min on foot.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Technorama, Winterthur: take the train to Oberwinterthur and walk about ten minutes, or bus 5 from Winterthur to the terminus Technorama.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source

Plan around Canton of Zürich

All of Switzerland

Cities, mountains, passes and entry rules

Read the guide Zurich

The city, the airport and its lake baths

Read the guide Basel

Rhine city with art museums, west of Zurich

Read the guide Chur

Graubünden's rail hub, a direct train away

Read the guide Central Switzerland

Lake Lucerne, Pilatus, Rigi and Titlis

Read the guide Konstanz

Lake Constance across the German border

Read the guide Northeastern Switzerland

St. Gallen, Appenzell and the Säntis, east of Zurich

Read the guide

Canton of Zürich FAQ

What is there to do in the Canton of Zürich besides Zurich?

Visit the Rhine Falls at Laufen, the museums and Technorama of Winterthur, the Uetliberg viewpoint and the shores of Lake Zurich. Each fits a half day by train from the city, and most can be combined in pairs.

How do you get to the Rhine Falls from Zurich?

Take a train to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall for the Zurich-side castle platforms, or to Neuhausen Rheinfall for the Schaffhausen side, about 8 minutes on foot from the station. The falls' site links the SBB timetable for both.

Is the Rhine Falls free to visit?

Mostly. The falls are accessible around the clock and there is no fee at Schlössli Wörth, but Schloss Laufen charges CHF 5 for its Historama and viewing platforms, CHF 3 for ages 6 to 15.

Is Winterthur worth a day trip from Zurich?

Yes, if you like art or want a rainy-day science center. Winterthur has several museums and the Technorama with over 500 exhibits, and the old town is easy to cover on foot in between.

Is Uetliberg worth it?

Yes on a clear day or in fog, when the summit may rise above the cloud. It reaches 871 m, can be climbed on foot or reached by train, and has winter toboggan runs when snow allows.