Zurich, Lake Cruise & Lindt Chocolate

Some days print themselves into memory without effort: the colour of the lake on a spring morning, the scent of roses in the castle gardens, a nine-metre chocolate fountain glowing beneath a cathedral of glass and steel. This is one of those days.

It all begins on the Zurich waterfront, where a scheduled lake boat welcomes passengers for a cruise on the Zurichsee — Lake Zurich. As the shore recedes, the city dissolves into an Alpine panorama of striking beauty: the east bank unfolds its Belle Epoque villas and terraced gardens, while the Glarus Alps rise on the horizon in full majesty. On board, your guide narrates the history of a lake that has witnessed medieval merchants, Expressionist painters and Belle Epoque bankers.

Scenic Lake Zurich Cruise

After an hour of peaceful sailing, Rapperswil appears, set on a peninsula in the middle of the lake like a scene from a Romantic painting. Its hilltop medieval castle, its lanes paved with roses, its harbour with colourful fishing boats — everything conspires to create an atmosphere of gentle enchantment. The 'City of Roses' is home to more than 15,000 rose bushes in its parks and gardens, and from May to October colour and fragrance quite literally overtake the town. Your guide leads you through medieval passages, past the town hall facades and up to the castle terraces for a sweeping view of the lake and the surrounding shores.

The return journey towards Zurich makes a decisive stop at Kilchberg, the unassuming lakeside village that has been home since 1898 to the main factory of Lindt & Sprungli, the most iconic Swiss chocolatier in the world. The Lindt Home of Chocolate, opened in 2020, is far more than a museum: it is a sensory and visual journey into the world of cacao, from harvest in Ecuador to the gilded bars in shop windows worldwide. The centrepiece is a nine-metre chocolate fountain in a luminous atrium, flowing ceaselessly — a mesmerising spectacle.

The Lindt Home of Chocolate — Temple of Cacao

The tasting included in your visit is generous and expertly guided: origins, textures, melting temperatures, pairings with wine or tea. You will leave with a deep appreciation for chocolate and, almost certainly, a carefully chosen selection of bars from the shop. A day of pure indulgence, from water to chocolate.

Lake Zurich and its shores form one of the most elegant natural settings in Switzerland. From the cosmopolitan metropolis of Zurich to the wine villages on the western bank, through Rapperswil and the brand-new Lindt chocolate temple, this region offers a rich palette of experiences spanning culture, gastronomy and lakeside scenery.

The Lindt Home of Chocolate — World's Largest Chocolate Museum

The Lindt Home of Chocolate, opened in 2020 in Kilchberg on the shore of Lake Zurich, is the world's largest chocolate museum. Designed by architects Christ & Gantenbein, this futuristic 6,400 m² building traces the story of chocolate from cacao plantations in South America to the finished bar, including the innovations of Rodolphe Lindt who invented conching in 1879 — the process that gives chocolate its signature smoothness. The 9-metre chocolate fountain in the entrance hall is a spectacle in itself. The interactive tour includes generous tastings, a live demonstration by a master chocolatier and a shop stocking exclusive creations unavailable elsewhere.

Lake Zurich and Its Cruises

Lake Zurich itself, stretching 40 km and lined with green hills, is a beloved recreation spot. ZSG (Zurichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft) cruises offer journeys of 1.5 to 4 hours between Zurich and Rapperswil, with stops at picturesque villages like Thalwil, Horgen, Wadenswil and Richterswil. The shores are dotted with public beaches (the famous 'Badi'), shady parks and waterside restaurants. The Goldkuste (Gold Coast) on the eastern shore between Zollikon and Meilen is renowned for its terraced vineyards, elegant villas and exceptional sunshine.

Rapperswil — The City of Roses

Rapperswil-Jona, at the upper end of the lake, is nicknamed the 'City of Roses'. Its 13th-century medieval castle, perched on a rocky hill, overlooks the lake and houses the Polish Museum — a tribute to the Polish community in exile who found refuge here in the 19th century. The town's three rose gardens contain more than 15,000 bushes of 600 different varieties, in full bloom from June to October. The Holzsteg, an 841-metre wooden footbridge across the lake to Hurden, is unique in Switzerland and offers spectacular views of the Alps and Santis.

The Knies Kinderzoo in Rapperswil, founded by the famous Knie circus family, is Switzerland's most popular zoo for families. Visitors can feed giraffes, elephants and rhinos and watch sea-lion shows. Nearby Lake Pfaffikon is an ideal nature reserve for birdwatching.

The Gold Coast and the Vineyards of the Lake

Wadenswil and Richterswil on the western shore lie at the heart of the Lake Zurich wine region. Local grape varieties — Riesling-Silvaner and Pinot Noir — produce fresh, elegant wines that can be tasted in the growers' cellars. The vineyard trail from Stafa to Mannedorf (a 2-hour walk) winds through terraced vines with uninterrupted views of the lake and the Glarus Alps.

The Pfannenstiel (853 m), a wooded hill above the eastern shore, offers easy hiking trails through beech forests and panoramic clearings. The observation tower at the summit (reachable in 45 minutes from Meilen) commands a sweeping view of the entire lake, the Swiss plateau and the Alpine chain from Santis to Mont Blanc on clear days.

Zurich Dining and Local Flavours

For gourmands, the region does not disappoint. Hiltl in Zurich, the world's oldest vegetarian restaurant (founded 1898), is an institution. Confiserie Sprungli on Paradeplatz has been delighting visitors with its Luxemburgerli since 1836. And the lakeside restaurants, such as Seerestaurant Burkliplatz and Fischer's Fritz, serve fresh lake fish — Egli (perch) and Felchen (whitefish) — paired with local wines.