Nearly all of Switzerland’s 1,500 lakes and rivers are clean enough for swimming. In fact, the quality of the water has improved drastically over the years. For a guide to water quality for swimming go to map.geo.admin.ch This official government map of Switzerland shows bathing places that have been recently assessed, according to the five quality classes used by the EEA (European Environmental Agency).

I checked the lakes mentioned on this page, as well as the northern Rhein, all of which are defined as clean enough for swimming (Apr. 2021). Just check the website for any further updates. (If the link doesn’t work go to www.map.geo.admin.ch and type in the search window: bathing water quality).

Lake Zürich

Lake Zürich is surrounded on both sides by the villages of the greater Zürich area and is the biggest and most visited Lake in Zürich Canton. There are plenty of watersports possibilities spread all the way down each side of this lake with plenty of small Badis – baths.

I have gone into detail about several riverside or lake bathing possibilities in or within easy walking distance to the city on my Canton Zürich page. Such as the Enge bathing area which is the destination for one of my city walks.

loads of bathing spots and places to cool down Line Lake Zürich. Here are some pics, Info and A Map on ones that I recommend:

greifensee

Greifensee is home to the largest Nature Reserve in Zürich Canton. The reserve protects large regions of the lake with tracks passing alongside the shore; sometimes jutting out into the reeds.

The vistas are stunning on a clear day when the water is silky smooth and the Alps appear to be rising up from the lake - is especially impressive in the cooler months when the mountains are covered in snow.

Leisure Ideas

• Alternative paths for biking & inline skating.
• Lakeside areas where you can swim, go paddling, or boating
• Cruise on a local boat for fun or get to other parts of the lake.

Lakeside Walk

A nice walk from the pretty town of Greifensee, up around the top of the lake to a bathing spot on the western bank. This incorporates a walk through the nature reserve, stunning lookout points, BBQ areas plus the small wooden observation tower for a closer look at the creepy crawlies (if you want).

Lake Greifensee: Boats & Swimming

Boats:

• Round Trips: Wednesday to Saturday from April to end of October from Maur. Tuesdays From end of May – mid-September. They take around 1 hour 40 mins & go to Fällanden – Greifensee – Uster – Mönchaltorf.*
• Sundays & Public Holidays: From mid-March to mid-October.
• Summer Holidays mid-July/mid-August: Maur – Uster – Greifensee – Maur: taking around 1 hour.

• For exact timetable hours, ticket prices, hours of operation and public transport connections go to: sgg-greifensee.ch – is also possible to buy tickets online at sbb.ch or zvv.ch or a ticket counter. (as of 2024).

NOTE: The high temperatures nowadays can, for a short time, cause the widespread growth of Blue Algae and Cyano Algae in certain lakes, especially when water temperatures are in the high twenties. The algae prefer calm and stationary water. This algae is especially dangerous to animals but can also make humans sick. Please pay attention to signposts on the shore and check with the staff at the Badi‘s (Bathing areas) for the possibility of algea blooms before going in the water. Not such a big problem in the past but sadly a real threat at the moment… Lakes like Greifensee and Lake Neuchâtel have been affected recently (6.2022).

I found a handy interactive map on the Greifensee website (below). There are several swimming possibilities, some are enclosed Swimming Baths with facilities like kiosks, diving boards and pontoons.

Baths and Facilities

• Egg Lido: On the upper Greifensee with shady sunbathing areas, barbecue area, paddling pool, playground and kiosk.
• Niederuster lido: Bathing possibilities in the lake and swimming pool. Beach volleyball, children’s playground with paddling pool, restaurant.
• Seebad Maur: A few meters of sandy beach, diving board, small paddling pool, playground, barbecue area.
• Seebad Furren Greifensee: Small lawn for sunbathing, marginal infrastructure (outdoor shower and cloakroom), barbecue area. No lifeguards. Free.

Other Activities:

• Bootsvermietung – Boat rental
• Feuerstelle – BBQ areas
• Geeigneter Ort zum Fischen – Fishing areas
• Aussichtspunkt – Lookout points
• Bootsplatz – Harbour for mooring boats
• Silberweide & nature observation tower: nature park on the southern end and a small observation area with a tower and boardwalk on the northern end.