The Limmat River is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Zurich, and taking a river cruise is an excellent and relaxing way to explore the city. The river flows from the southeast to the northwest direction, through the heart of Zurich. Looking up from the boat’s transparent roofing during the river cruise offers stunning views of the city’s historic landmarks.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor, a seasoned traveler, or a local, the Limmat River Cruise is a relaxing and enjoyable way to see Zurich. In this article, we will cover what you need to know about the Limmat River Cruise.
Overview of Limmat River Cruises
The Limmat River is a relatively calm body of water that runs through the city of Zurich, Switzerland. Taking a river cruise down the Limmat is a fantastic way to see the city from a unique perspective. Limmat River cruises are a popular activity for tourists and locals alike, and many cruises depart every day.
Limmat River Cruise: What to Expect
The Limmat River cruise is generally a sightseeing cruise that is designed to show passengers the top sights along the river. As opposed to lake cruises, they do not really offer culinary experiences. Mostly they take people around Zurich’s main sights or transport them from one part to another.
On selected days per year, Limmat River cruises are combined with a guided tour. However, this guided tour is only available in German. If you are interested in the Underground-Limmatboot Tour, you can check it out at https://www.zsg.ch/de/erlebnisschiffe/angebote-erlebnisschiffe/underground-limmatboot-tour.
Limmat River Cruise Stops
- Landesmuseum
- Limmatquai
- Storchen
- Bürkiplatz
- Zürichhorn
- Bellevue
Scenery and Landmarks
A Limmat River Cruise is an excellent way to see Zurich’s beautiful scenery and landmarks. While cruising along the river, you can admire some of Zurich’s most famous landmarks, such as the Grossmünster church and the Fraumünster church.
The river cruise also goes under six bridges: Walche Bridge, Bahnhof Bridge, Mühle Bridge, Rudolf Brun Bridge, Rathaus Bridge, Münster Bridge, and Quai Bridge.
These are the highlights of the Limmat River Cruise that you can easily see from the boat:
| Landesmuseum Zurich | Switzerland’s National Museum covers Swiss history from prehistoric times to the present |
| Zurich Train Station | Switzerland’s largest train station |
| Lindenhof | Picturesque place on top of the hill overlooking Zurich’s Old Town |
| Hotel zum Storchen | 5-star Hotel with its own boat access on the Limmat River |
| St. Peter Church | The oldest parish church in Zurich with foundation walls from the 9th century. |
| Zunfthaus zur Meisen | 18th-century Guild House |
| Frauenbadi | Swimming Bathing House accessible to women |
| Fraumünster | The oldest parish church in Zurich with foundation walls from the 9th century. |
| Grossmünster | Reformed Church, where Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger spearheaded the Reformation, Zurich’s Main Landmark |
| Rathaus | Zurich’s Town Hall with Baroque and Renaissance styles |
Preparing for Your Limmat River Cruise
When to Go on a Limmat River Cruise
For me, the best times to take a Limmat River Cruise are spring and fall, when temperatures are cooler and crowds are smaller. Summer is also nice, but I would recommend a refreshing dip in the water rather than a river cruise.
The Limmat River Cruise does not run in winter.
What to Wear on a Limmat River Cruise
For your Limmat River Cruise, make sure you dress appropriately. It is not necessary to bring extra layers with you on board because the ship is fairly warm and everything is covered.
As you’ll be going up and down the steps in potentially moving water, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Sunglasses will also protect your eyes from the glare of the sun.
How to Get to the Limmat River Cruise
I suggest starting from Landesmuseum and riding the ship to Bellevue. You could also ride from Bellevue going back to Landesmuseum. Within an hour, you can complete a round-trip from Landesmuseum.
The ship has a maximum capacity of 60. I would avoid riding it from Limmatquai or Storchen as the ship might be already too full and you will have to wait for the next one. A few people in our queue were disappointed that they couldn’t board because the ship was already full.
Limmat River Cruise: 7 Practical Tips
- If you get seasick easily, consider bringing motion sickness medication or acupressure bands to help alleviate symptoms.
- Please bring your own water and snacks, as food is not sold.
- You might want to pack your camera and sunscreen. It’s recommended to bring a camera with a wide-angle lens.
- Be respectful of other passengers.
- Smoking is not allowed on board.
- Bicycles are not allowed on board.
- Children’s strollers need to be folded.
Final Thoughts: Limmat River Cruise
Visiting Zurich is not complete without a Limmat River Cruise. Taking a cruise provides a unique perspective of the city and its landmarks, and it can be a relaxing way to spend some time.
The Limmat River Cruise begins right next to Landesmuseum, Switzerland’s National Museum. Those interested in learning more about Switzerland should visit the museum, which exhibits the country’s art, history, and culture.
Passing by Zurich’s main landmark, the Grossmünster, located on the banks of the Limmat River, is one of the highlights of the cruise. Furthermore, it passes under six bridges, particularly between Landesmuseum and Bürkiplatz.
It’s also great that the Limmat River Cruise is suitable for all ages. The experience will be as enjoyable for families with children as it will be for couples or solo travelers.
The Limmat River Cruise is a great way to discover Zurich and its surroundings. Don’t miss this relaxing and enjoyable experience.