The 10 best museums in Zurich that make history feel like gossip
Zurich has hidden gems, creative corners, and world-class collections that even non-art lovers will secretly enjoy.
And as someone who has lived here for a while, I’ve wandered through more than my fair share of exhibits—some weird, some wonderful, and most surprisingly unforgettable.
So, if you’re ticking off things to do in Zurich, exploring its museums should definitely be on your list. And here are the must-visit spots that bring a whole new meaning to “art appreciation.”
1. Landesmuseum Zurich (Swiss National Museum)
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Website: https://www.landesmuseum.ch/en
Location: Museumstrasse 2, 8001
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM | Thursday: 10 AM – 7 PM
Pricing: ₣
You can’t talk about museums in Zurich without mentioning the Swiss National Museum. It spans over 100,000 years of Swiss culture, from ancient artefacts to 20th-century design, and resembles a storybook castle from the outside.
I was surprised by how interactive the exhibitions were—touchscreens, soundscapes, and reconstructions helped bring Swiss history to life. The “Simply Zurich” section offered a colourful crash course in the city’s evolution.
It’s bigger than it looks from the outside, so you’ll want to allow at least two hours. There is also a temporary exhibit wing, often tied to themes such as politics, fashion, or migration.
I also appreciated how family-friendly and multilingual the museum is. Audio guides, English descriptions, and free lockers made the visit feel easy and smooth.
Pro Tip:
If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you can get in for free. You just have to show it at the entrance.
2. Kunsthaus Zurich
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Website: https://www.kunsthaus.ch/
Location: Heimpl. 1/5, 8001
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
Kunsthaus Zürich is Switzerland’s most important art museum. It is home to classics by van Gogh, Monet, Chagall and a strong Swiss lineup led by Alberto Giacometti.
I liked how they blended the historic building with its newer extension—modern, light-filled, and beautifully designed. The Giacometti wing, in particular, is a standout.
Most tickets include audio guides, and the museum offers plenty of English-language content. Navigation is smooth, and even larger exhibits feel accessible thanks to good layout and pacing.
There’s also a peaceful café and a gift shop for art-themed souvenirs. The museum isn’t overwhelming, but large enough to fill your morning.
Pro Tip:
Take advantage of the free admission on Wednesdays to explore the permanent collection without the usual crowds.
3. Museum Rietberg
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Website: https://rietberg.ch/
Location: Gablerstrasse 15, 8002
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM | Wednesday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
Most people stumble into Museum Rietberg expecting another European art gallery, but it’s something else entirely. It’s the only museum in Switzerland dedicated to non-European art, situated within a villa surrounded by the lush greenery of Rieterpark.
What stood out to me wasn’t just the African masks or Tibetan thangkas but how the museum treats these objects as living stories. There are clear explanations, modern displays, and touchscreens that don’t overwhelm.
The museum is housed in a historic villa connected to a sleek, modern extension made of glass and steel. The building is situated in a quiet hilltop park, offering both greenery and city views before and after your visit.
It’s one of the best places to learn about world art in a Swiss context. This is a refreshing break from more Western-focused collections if you’re interested in anthropology, culture, or design.
Pro Tip:
After your visit, walk down to Belvoir Park for a picnic. Locals love this peaceful area, which is perfect for decompressing after a deep dive into world cultures.
4. FIFA World Football Museum
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Website: https://www.fifamuseum.com/en
Location: Seestrasse 27, 8002
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: ₣₣₣
Even if you’re not a football fanatic, you’ll find something fun here. This museum is way more interactive than I expected. There’s a VR penalty shootout, a giant pinball-style wall with national jerseys, and a sprawling floor dedicated to World Cup legends.
The museum is located next to Enge train station in a modern, glass building that resembles a stadium lobby. Inside, you’ll see original trophies, historic jerseys, and behind-the-scenes footage of how FIFA operates.
I appreciate how family-friendly it is. There are quiz games for kids, multilingual audio guides, and even a soft play area near the café, in case the little ones get tired.
General entry is CHF 26, but children under 6 enter for free, and families can take advantage of bundle rates. But if you’re a Swiss Travel Pass or Zürich Card holder, you walk in for free.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss the museum shop, it’s one of the few places in Zurich where you can grab official gear from all FIFA nations, not just the Swiss team.
5. Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
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Website: https://museum-gestaltung.ch/en/visit
Location: Ausstellungsstrasse 60, 8005
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
I didn’t expect a design museum to be this dynamic. From iconic Swiss posters to a floor dedicated to typography, Museum für Gestaltung Zurich turns visual culture into a walk-through experience.
It’s split between two sites: the main one at Ausstellungsstrasse (great for graphics and design history) and the Toni-Areal campus, which leans into architecture, contemporary exhibitions, and student work. If you’re short on time, stick to the former for a clearer overview.
Admission is CHF 15 for adults, but visitors under 20 enter for free, which is genuinely generous by Zurich standards. And if you’ve got a Swiss Travel Pass or Zürich Card? You get free access too.
The Ausstellungsstrasse site is just a 5-minute walk from Zurich HB, making it easy to fit into your city day.
Pro Tip:
If you’re visiting the Toni-Areal branch, grab lunch in the uni cafeteria downstairs. It’s stylish, affordable, and filled with architecture students who could be part of the exhibition.
6. Pavillon Le Corbusier
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Website: https://www.pavillon-le-corbusier.ch/en
Location: Hoschgasse 8, 8008
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
From the outside, Pavillon Le Corbusier almost resembles a Mondrian painting come to life as a building. That’s because it’s not just a museum about the iconic architect; it’s a living expression of his vision.
Designed as a “Gesamtkunstwerk” (a total work of art), it was Le Corbusier’s last project before his death in 1965 and the only one entirely constructed in steel and glass.
You only need about 45 minutes to explore the entire space, but it encourages you to take your time. It’s right by Lake Zurich, surrounded by greenery in Zürichhorn Park, so it also feels like a peaceful retreat.
Admission is CHF 15 for adults and free for those with a Zürich Card or Swiss Travel Pass. Just a heads up: it only opens seasonally, and the exhibits change yearly.
Pro Tip:
If you’re already lakeside, pair this with a walk to the nearby China Garden for a beautifully strange combination of modernist architecture and ornamental tradition, all in one afternoon.
7. Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich
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Website: https://www.beyer-ch.com/
Location: Bahnhofstrasse 31, 8001
Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 2 PM – 6 PM | Wednesday: 2 PM – 4 PM
Pricing: ₣₣₣
This one’s a bit of a time capsule—literally. Hidden below the luxury Beyer watch shop on Bahnhofstrasse is a museum that quietly tells the story of how humans have tried to master time for thousands of years.
It’s compact but dense: I saw ancient Egyptian sundials, 18th-century ship chronometers, early Rolex prototypes, and even a mechanical watch that rings 24 times at midnight.
I didn’t need more than 45 minutes here, but it was enough to appreciate the engineering behind centuries of timekeeping. There’s even a functioning astronomical clock that still keeps accurate time.
It’s a convenient and enriching stop if you’re already exploring the Bahnhofstrasse. It’s also very quiet, ideal if you’re looking for a museum with fewer crowds.
Pro Tip:
After your museum visit, head upstairs and ask the staff to show you the current Beyer collection. They will let you see it even if you’re just browsing.
8. MoneyMuseum
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Website: https://www.moneymuseum.com/
Location: Hadlaubstrasse 106, 8006
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: Free
I didn’t think a museum about money would be so philosophical. However, the MoneyMuseum delves deeply, not just into currencies and coins, but also into how money has shaped human behaviour, belief systems, and even revolutions.
This isn’t a walk-in kind of place; you book ahead, and when you arrive, it feels more like a private salon than a traditional museum. The staff even offer you a cup of tea as you start your visit.
It’s free, but you do need to register for a time slot online, which is usually available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tours are available in multiple languages.
Some exhibits are hands-on, and thought-provoking films or narrated panels support others. There’s even a whole section on cryptocurrencies and ethical finance.
Pro Tip:
Go with questions. The staff are academics and researchers who love nothing more than engaging with curious visitors willing to discuss gold standards or Bitcoin.
9. WOW Museum
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Website: https://www.wow-museum.ch/
Location: Werdmühlestrasse 10, 8001
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM | Friday: 10 AM – 10 PM | Saturday: 9 AM – 10 PM | Sunday: 9 AM – 8 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
This one’s pure fun! The WOW Museum is just a few steps from the Bahnhofstrasse and flips your perspective with mirrors, mazes, illusions, and cleverly distorted rooms that make you feel like a kid again.
Each installation invites interaction. You won’t just walk, look, pose, crawl, and maybe even hang upside down. They’ve designed the entire place to be social media-friendly, with photo spots and guides to help you capture the best angles.
It’s compact, so expect to spend less than 60 minutes here. Located just off the Bahnhofstrasse, it’s an easy stop between shopping and sightseeing.
Adult tickets cost CHF 23, while children under 6 pay CHF 5. Family bundles and student discounts are available.
Pro Tip:
Use the lockers before entering. Some rooms are so narrow or mirrored that bags or coats can ruin your photos or get in the way of interactive setups.
10. Lindt Home of Chocolate
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Website: https://www.lindt-home-of-chocolate.com/de/
Location: Schokoladenplatz 1, 8802
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 7 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
Located in Kilchberg, just 15 minutes by train from Zurich’s city centre, the Lindt Home of Chocolate is part museum, part Willy Wonka dreamscape. And yes, the massive 9-metre chocolate fountain at the entrance is real.
The exhibits take you from ancient Mayan cacao rituals to the industrial Swiss chocolate boom of the 20th century. You’ll even see Lindt chocolatiers crafting truffles behind glass, and there’s a tasting zone where you can eat as much as your conscience allows.
Beyond the exhibits, the highlight for me was the futuristic shop, it’s got limited-edition bars, pick-your-own pralines, and DIY gift stations.
Admission is CHF 15 for adults and CHF 10 for children aged 8 to 15; kids under 8 enter for free.
Pro Tip:
Start at the shop before your tour. Popular pick-and-mix items, especially limited-edition pralines and seasonal bars, sell out by afternoon.