Sight guide · Zurich · Switzerland
Visiting Lake and river baths (Badis)
Zurich's historic wooden bathhouses let you swim in clean lake and river water in the city centre from late spring to early autumn.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Lake and river baths (Badis) is an experience in Lake Zurich and Limmat, Zurich. Allow 2–3 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Experience
- Area
- Lake Zurich and Limmat
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- outdoors, active, kids and couples
- Best months
- July–September
About Lake and river baths (Badis)
Zurich's historic wooden bathhouses let you swim in clean lake and river water in the city centre from late spring to early autumn. Seebad Utoquai and Seebad Enge float on the lake, the women-only Frauenbadi and the men-only Männerbad sit in the Old Town, and at the Oberer Letten young locals float down the Limmat's current and climb out by the ladders.
Tip: Bring a waterproof bag and swim only at the official baths; the Limmat's current is strong outside them.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Lake Zurich and Limmat.
Best time to visit Lake and river baths (Badis)
Lake and river baths (Badis) is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- September: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- July: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- August: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Zurich has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Lake and river baths (Badis) is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Niederdorf and the right-bank Old Town and Grossmünster.
- No. 11 of the 18 sights in our Zurich things-to-do list.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Zurich.
- A family favourite in Zurich with kids.
If you like Lake and river baths (Badis)
- Lake Zurich cruise — Bürkliplatz, 1.5–4 hours
- Uetliberg — Uetliberg, Half a day
- Zurich Zoo — Fluntern, Half a day
- Zürichhorn: Pavillon Le Corbusier and Chinese Garden — Seefeld, 1.5 hours
Staying near Lake and river baths (Badis)
Where to stay in Zurich compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Lake and river baths (Badis)?
Plan 2–3 hours.
+Is Lake and river baths (Badis) free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Lake and river baths (Badis)?
July–September for the most comfortable weather. Bring a waterproof bag and swim only at the official baths; the Limmat's current is strong outside them.
+Do I need to book Lake and river baths (Badis) in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Lake and river baths (Badis) good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Zurich. Zurich is clean, safe-feeling and well organised for families, with trams that take pushchairs, lakeside playgrounds, shallow areas at the lake baths and hands-on museums.