Zurich Tour with Lake Cruise, Rapperswil & Abbey Visit

Zurich's Old Town, lakeside villages, and a Baroque monastery in one guided day

A private 9-hour tour of Zurich combines the city's cobblestone Old Town, a Lake Zurich boat cruise, the medieval town of Rapperswil with its rose gardens and lakeside castle views, and Einsiedeln Abbey: Switzerland's most celebrated Baroque monastery. A local guide leads the Zurich portion. A private driver-guide handles the route to Rapperswil and beyond. Hotel pickup and drop-off, boat tickets, monastery entry, and luxury Mercedes transportation are included. Lunch in Rapperswil is your choice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bahnhofstrasse20m
2. Limmatquai10m
3. Lindenhof15m
4. Niederdorf30m
5. Lake Zurich2h · entry included

Zurich city tour and lake cruise

• Walk Bahnhofstrasse shopping avenue
• Stroll along Limmat River waterfront
• Ascend Lindenhof for city views
• Explore Zurich Old Town with guide
• Enjoy Lake Zurich scenic boat cruise
• Discover medieval Rapperswil and lunch
• Visit Einsiedeln Abbey and Black Virgin
• Return to Zurich hotel by private vehicle

The experience

Start on Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world's most exclusive shopping avenues, then walk along the Limmat River past Grossmünster and Fraumünster Church to see the traditional guild houses that line the waterfront. Your local guide meets you for two hours in Niederdorf, Zurich's Old Town, walking the Roman and Medieval streets, pointing out the main churches, and answering questions about daily life in the city. Ascend Lindenhof for elevated views over the Old Town, the river, and the University of Zurich before heading to the boat dock.

The Lake Zurich cruise takes you past the Golden and Silver Coasts, a relaxing stretch that sets up the afternoon's exploration. You'll arrive in Rapperswil, the medieval town of roses, where the hilltop castle and lakeside promenade give way to vibrant rose gardens. Lunch happens here on your own schedule. Then comes Einsiedeln Abbey, the spiritual heart of the region: a celebrated Baroque monastery housing the famous Black Madonna. A fountain on the grounds is said to promise a long and healthy life.

The return to your Zurich hotel or drop-off point is a smooth drive in the private Mercedes, giving you time to settle in before the evening. The whole day moves at a pace that lets you linger at stops rather than rush through them, and your guide tailors the commentary to what interests you most.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a luxury Mercedes Benz vehicle.
• a local guide for two hours in Zurich's Old Town.
• a private driver-guide for the route to Rapperswil and Einsiedeln.
• Lake Zurich boat tickets.
• entry to Einsiedeln Abbey monastery.
• and commentary tailored to your interests and questions throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Swiss Epic Tours

Is this one for you?Pick the pickup option if your hotel is in central Zurich. Choose without-pickup if you're meeting the guide at a city location and continuing elsewhere afterward.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Lindenhof and why is it included in the tour?

Lindenhof is the historical heart of Zurich, a hilltop viewpoint that offers iconic elevated views over the Old Town, Limmat River, and University of Zurich. It's a key stop because it frames the city's layout and history in a single panorama.

How long do I spend in each place on this tour?

Your local guide leads a two-hour walk through Zurich's Old Town and main attractions; the Lake Zurich boat cruise is a relaxing passage; Rapperswil gets time for exploration and lunch; and Einsiedeln Abbey is visited as a spiritual and architectural highlight. The full day is nine hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is lunch included, and where do I eat?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You'll have time to eat in Rapperswil, where the town's restaurants and cafes line the lakeside promenade and medieval streets. Your guide can recommend options based on your taste.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup is included in the "Private Tour - With Pickup" option. If you choose the "Without Pickup" option, you'll meet the guide at a designated Zurich location.