Zurich - Lake, hills and a waterfall within easy reach

Zurich is known for banks and watches, but residents will tell you the best thing about it is how close nature is. A lake fills the south, a clear river runs through the middle, and wooded hills rise on two sides, all connected by punctual public transport.

If you want a break from museums and shopping streets, this guide shows how to spend a day outdoors without leaving the city region.

Swimming in the lake and the Limmat

In the warm months, Zurich's residents swim in the lake and the River Limmat, whose water is clean enough that swimming is a normal part of summer. Wooden lidos built over the water, grassy shores and small riverside bathing spots all welcome visitors. If you try the river, remember that the current is stronger than it looks, so follow local advice and swim where others do.

Up the Uetliberg

The Uetliberg is the city's own mountain. A short train ride from the main station brings you to the top, and a walk of a few minutes leads to a lookout tower. On a clear day you see Lake Zurich, the roofs of the old town and a long line of Alpine peaks. Several well-marked trails lead back down through the forest, and you can walk part or all of the way.

On the water to Rapperswil

Passenger boats cross Lake Zurich from the city to Rapperswil at the eastern end. The trip takes a little under two hours and shows the shoreline as it slowly changes from city to villages, vineyards and orchards. Rapperswil has a castle, a pretty old town and a long wooden footbridge across the lake. You can return by boat or take the train.

Quiet woods on the Zurichberg

The Zurichberg lies on the opposite side of the city. Its forest paths are popular with joggers, families and walkers, and the zoo sits on the slope. Here you can walk for an hour without hearing traffic, and there are viewpoints over the lake from several spots on the way.

The Rhine Falls

A short train ride to the north brings you to the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. They are often called the largest plain waterfall in Europe by volume of water, and the noise and spray can be felt from the viewing platforms. You can take a small boat out to a rock in the middle of the water, which gives a close look at the power of the river. Paths on both banks allow an easy walk.

To combine these ideas, treat the day as a loop: a morning hike on the Uetliberg, lunch with a view, a swim or a stroll by the water in the afternoon, and the boat in the late light. The Rhine Falls and Rapperswil each deserve a half day to themselves. Swiss public transport is reliable and runs on a regular timetable, so it is easy to improvise, and a light rain jacket is worth carrying because mountain weather can change quickly, even in summer.

Zurich suits those who like clean air and clear views. A day outside gives you the city's character better than any list of sights, and you will return to town hungry and relaxed.