Where to Swim in Zurich

It’s sunny? Wait. Are you really in Zurich? Check. Double check. Yes? Great, then it’s time to go swimming! How many cities, after all, feature lakes and rivers to swim in, neither of which pose major health risks? Below are The Frau’s three favorite Zurich swim spots.

Bad Utoquai

To swim with the Swiss swans in Lake Zurich, head to Bad Utoquai. It’s open rain or shine until September 22 from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. It features separate men’s and women’s-only sunning terraces, two shallow areas for non-swimmers, as well as a diving board, which for reasons The Frau is still determining, is only on the men’s side.

The Frauenbad

If you’re a woman and you’re more about sunning than swimming, then the Frauenbad is for you. Women only by day and co-ed bar by night, this Limmat River swimming area features a 31-meter long “play” area and a 33-meter swimming area. Or just do what the locals do—bring your MacBook Pro and type away while topless.

Hallenbad City

Just because the sun was out at the beginning of this post, does not mean it still is now. So for days that turn out less than spectacular, head to Hallenbad City. This newly renovated 50-meter pool is open daily from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. It features four different lanes for appropriate swimming seriousness, which The Frau greatly appreciates.

Prices and Entry

All Zurich swimming areas cost CHF 7 per entry for adults, but The Frau recommends the 12-pass (ask for a Kombi12), which gives you 12 entries for the price of 10. It is valid at all Zurich pools (and some ice rinks too). You can also purchase a yearly swim pass for CHF 220.

(Note: If you’re looking for areas to swim in Switzerland outside of Zurich, The Frau suggests that you click here.)

Where’s your favorite place to swim in Zurich?

Take off your Top: Zurich Swim Culture

I didn’t know that the real definition of Frauenbad was topless sunbathing area, but I now am more educated.

Actually, at the Zürich Frauenbad, you get both extremes: from women fully covered in burkinis to women wearing nothing but their g-strings. Personally, I preferred the burkinis. But the men lingering on their little boats (and out on the balcony of the office building overlooking the Frauenbad) were definitely there for the latter.

I guess nothing says you’re in Europe like women sunbathing topless on a river deck and men on little boats in even smaller red speedos staring at these women through matching red sunglasses.

Previously, I had only been to the Frauenbad at night, when it is converted into a barefoot bar open to both sexes.

It’s much more interesting during the day.

Pool Party

You can tell a lot about another country by going to the pool.

In the United States, just mention the word “lightning” and every local pool will be evacuated by the lifeguards.

In Switzerland, hear thunder, see lightning, and people keep swimming. Like they did yesterday evening during the big storm.

This sums up the difference between the United States and Switzerland in a nutshell: One country is run by the lawyers. And one country is run by the people.

Which kind of government do you prefer?

Paddle Boat on Lake Zurich

On Saturday, I finally did something I've always wanted to do: rent a paddle boat on Lake Zurich.

Somehow, I was able to snag a boat without waiting despite the hot weather. They are not cheap, at CHF 26/hour, but if you think about it, that's really just the price of a Swiss hamburger, so take your pick.

Benefits to renting a paddle boat in Switzerland over the U.S.: (1) you don't have to sign your life away on an insurance form (in fact, you don't need to sign a form at all!), (2) you are not required to wear a life jacket, (3) no one will stop you from paddling to wherever the heck you please, and (4) you can bring beer.

As an American, I really felt free.

Anyhow, as I was paddling (and diving off the boat sans life jacket), I noticed that my paddle boat was inferior to some other paddle boats on Lake Zurich. My paddle boat was not a Mercedes.

Oh Switzerland, you constantly one-up me.

No wonder there wasn't a line for my kind of boat. No one in Zurich would want to be seen paddling so generically.

But I would do it again.

Admit it. Have you had the nerve to go generic in Zurich?