The Best Museums in Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich
Zurich | © Sergey Borisov / Alamy Stock Photo
Sean Mowbray

With over 50 museums to choose from in all corners of the city, it can be a tough job deciding where to get your history fill in Zurich, Switzerland. Not to fret however, as many of Switzerland’s top museums are to be found in the city. Here we’ve brought together 10 of the best to help you along your way.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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National Museum Zurich

Landesmuseum, Zürich, Switzerland

There is no better place to understand the history of Switzerland and its people than the Landesmuseum. Swiss life is on show, all the way from prehistory to the present day and alongside the permanent exhibitions of arts and crafts, there are fascinating special showings that delve deeper into particular periods of the country’s history. The museum is the most frequently visited cultural museum in Switzerland and recently received a modern extension, allowing it to showcase even more pieces.

Money Museum

What better place to learn about the history of money than one of the largest banking centres in the world? The Money Museum features pieces from the private collection of Swiss numismatist Juerg Conzett and traces the story of money all the way back to its roots, to the present day and beyond. Follow the story of cash from traditional currencies made of feathers and bone, all the way to bitcoin.

Museum Rietberg

The Museum Rietberg is the only art museum dedicated to non-European art in Switzerland and is one of the biggest in Zurich. Artwork from Asia, Africa, America and Oceania is featured. Some of the more striking pieces are Buddhist sculptures form China that date as far back the 6th century. The museum is housed in a villa which recently received a makeover and the entrance is now through a beautiful glass, known as the “Emerald” extension.

Kunsthaus Zurich

Art museum Kunsthaus. Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich’s Kunsthaus is where you’ll find the best of Swiss fine art, alongside internationally renowned artists in a collection that extends back to the Middle Ages. Artists including Picasso, Monet and Lipchitz are on show, as well as a myriad of Swiss artists such as Rist, Hodler and Giacometti. No other fine arts museum in the country can match Zurich’s Kunsthaus for the sheer size of its collection.

Museum of Design

Museum of Design, Zürich, Switzerland

Within the campus of Zurich University is Switzerland’s top design museum and one of the most highly regarded museums of its kind in Europe. The museum’s collections are formed around four collections: Poster, Design, Graphics and Applied Art. Some 500,000 objects fall under these four collections and they chart the development of design from 1875 through to the industrial age in the 20th century.

Zurich Tram Museum

Learn the story of Zurich’s trams, one of the city’s most beloved modes of transport. Tram carts are on show here that date back as far 1897. Getting to the old Tram Depot of Burgwies is a journey through history all on its own, as the city’s oldest functional tram runs along the Museum Line.

FIFA World Football Museum

FIFA World Football Museum, Zürich, Switzerland

Newly opened in 2016, the FIFA World Football Museum has over 1,000 exhibits stretching back to the very first World Cup tournament in Uruguay in 1930. At the museum, all 211 Member Associations of FIFA are showcased in some form or another, even the footballing minnows who have never reached the finals.

Beyer Clock and Watch Museum

Along the famous Bahnhofstrasse shopping street is one of the world’s best collections dedicated to horology. Over 300 exhibits trace the history of timekeeping back to 1400 BC, and includes several incredibly rare items that often travel the world to be featured in other museums. On show in the museum’s ever expanding permanent exhibition are shadow sticks, oil-lamp clocks, grandfather clocks and more.

Musée zoologique de l’Université de Zurich

The University of Zurich’s Zoological Museum is arguably the best of its kind in Switzerland, perhaps rivaled by the Natural History Museum of Geneva. Animals native to Switzerland and others from the far flung corners of the world are featured in the museum’s halls, totaling over 1,500 exhibits to ponder. In addition, the museum has regular special exhibitions such as “Jellyeyes: Evolution and Vision”, a fascinating look into how our own two eyes came to be.

focusTerra

Focus Terra Museum, Zürich, Switzerland

Feel the earth tremor beneath your feet at and learn what makes a volcano tick at focusTerra, a museum dedicated to Earth science. Packed with geology exhibitions, there are plenty of rocks and minerals, interactive projections and an earthquake simulator that’ll make your teeth chatter. Both educational and entertaining, focusTerra is perfect for children.

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