Staying in Zug, Switzerland, and you need ideas on what to do in town? Then you’ve come to the right place because this detailed guide to the best things to do in Zug covers all the top attractions in the city and more!
The best tourist attractions, the most iconic landmarks, and even the most popular places just outside the town are all covered in this guide. Keep reading to see what Zug is best known for and plan your itinerary for this beautiful city in Switzerland!
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Facts About Zug
Zug is the largest town in the canton of Zug and its capital. It’s situated on the shore of Lake Zug and surrounded by beautiful nature, which is just one of many appealing things about this city.
One fun fact about this town is the story behind its name. If you speak German, it is a little odd because Zug means “train”. However, how Zug got it’s more interesting than that!
The name of the town originates from the fishing vocabulary of the Middle Ages, in which Zug referred to one’s right to pull up fishing nets, or in other words the right to fish.
Weird, huh?
Zuger Kirschtorte is a staple local recipe originating from this charming town and is one Swiss dessert you need to try if you visit. I’m very serious about this – you wouldn’t leave Paris without eating at least one croissant, and you definitely shouldn’t leave Zug without eating at least one (pound) of Zuger Kirschtorte.
Zug is just 25 minutes away from Zurich by train, which makes it one of the most popular day trips from Switzerland’s financial capital. Whether you’re staying in Zug for a while or visiting it on a day trip from one of the other cities, you’ll have a great time here!
Explore The Zug Old Town
Few Swiss cities have an old town with a history as rich as Zug’s. The medieval Zug Altstadt has a history of more than 800 years, with many buildings that date back to the Middle Ages.
Zug’s old town is an excellent example of how architectural styles changed over time in Switzerland. Although the city boasts many buildings constructed in the Middle Ages, other eras have left their marks on the town, and you can quickly notice these on a tour of Zug’s cobbled streets of the old town.
Climb any tower or viewpoint in the town and you’ll immediately notice the unique medieval roof style. It dominates the skyline of Zug, and it is overshadowed only by the spectacular Zytturm Tower.
Zytturm – The Elegant Clock Tower
- Address: Kolinplatz, Zug
- Opening Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 8 am -12 pm, 1.30 pm – 5 pm
- Tower Key is available from the police station during opening hours
The Zytturm Tower, located on Kolinplatz, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Zug. The clock tower was originally built in the 13th century by Hans Felder. For many years, it functioned as a fire lookout tower. It is currently 52 meters tall but has changed significantly over time.
Like the Zytglogge in Bern, the Zug Zytturm is renowned for its impressive astronomical clock, which was added to the tower in 1574. The internal mechanism was updated in 1955, which means it is still running like clockwork!
Like all astronomical clocks, It has a variety of indicators, including
- the hour, minute, and second hands
- weekdays and months
- a lunar phase indicator
- a sun showing the zodiac
- a leap year indicator in the shape of an S
Interestingly, there are also eight cantonal coats of arms on the east side of the tower, which represent the original eight cantons that formed Switzerland. Zug was one of the last two to join the confederacy at the time, and you can see its white/blue/white coat of arms at the far end.
You can climb to the top of the tower to get a stunning panoramic view of Zug. It took me around 5 minutes to do, and I recommend you do it if you have the time. The only complication is that you have to go into the police station to get the key.
Zug Castle – Museum Burg Zug
- Address: Kirchenstrasse 11, 6300 Zug
- Opening Times:
- Tuesday-Friday 2-5 pm
- Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
- Ticket Prices:
- Adults: CHF 10
- Teenagers (up to 25yrs): CHF 6
- Children (up to 16yrs): Free
The Zug Castle is situated just outside the old town of Zug, and it’s another landmark that cements how rich the history of this beautiful city is. The castle dates back to the 13th century, and it is considered a heritage site of national significance.
The appearance of the castle has changed many times over the years. Many different families owned it until ownership was finally handed over to the municipality of Zug in the mid-20th century. The castle was then renovated, and a permanent collection of the Zug town museum was placed inside.
The museum collection inside the castle boasts a different exhibit in every room, which tells you about the city of Zug through the years. Discover the impact French mercenaries had on the town, the history of the ownership of the Zug Castle, what a chemist’s shop looked like in the 18th century, and so much more!
It’s worth noting that Museum Burg Zug often hosts special exhibits temporary exhibits in addition to its permanent collection.
Kunsthaus Zug – Discover Modernism
- Address: Dorfstrasse 27, 6301 Zug
- Opening Times:
- Tuesday – Friday: 12 – 6 pm
- Saturday & Sunday: 10 am – 17 pm
- Ticket Prices:
- Adults: CHF 15
- Students & Pensioners: CHF 12
- Children (up to 16): Free
Kunsthaus Zug is an art museum just across the street from Zug Castle. It’s the perfect museum in town for art lovers, particularly those who enjoy Viennese modernist paintings.
The museum has a significant collection of many German masters, including Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka, Gerstl, and others. But there is a lot more to the museum, too. Its collection includes a wide range of Swiss Surrealism and Fantastic Realism, regional artists, and many others.
Kunsthaus Zug often hosts temporary exhibitions, so it’s worth revisiting the museum. The temporary collections stay on display for months at a time, and you can always check what their latest exhibits are on the museum website.
Stroll Along The Lake Zug Promenade
The beautiful town of Zug is situated on the shore of Lake Zug, so a lakeside promenade walk is an absolute must, no matter how long you’re staying in town. It’s the best way to experience this wonderful town and enjoy scenic views of the tall mountain peaks.
Don’t miss out on the Zug Voliere – it’s between the shore and the entrance into the old town, and it’s one of the most popular attractions in the area. The aviary is free to visit, and it’s home to all sorts of pretty birds, from the snowy owl to the scarlet ibis.
If you’re traveling in Zug with kids, this is an attraction you shouldn’t miss because the little ones will love the sight of beautiful tropical birds.
Explore Zug’s Surroundings
Zug is well-connected to other major cities and towns in Switzerland by train, and if you’re staying in the area for a while, you should plan to explore the city’s surroundings. Zurich and Lucerne are 20-30 minutes away from Zug by train, and they’re both beautiful cities worth visiting.
Lucerne is surrounded by spectacular mountains, including Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus, which can be seen from most places in town. The city’s most famous attraction is Chapel Bridge, a long wooden footbridge adorned with beautiful paintings. It’s free to visit and you can walk across it whenever you want. Do it, and you’ll discover a historic landmark in this city, which has managed to withstand the test of time and fire. Plus, the views of River Reuss and Lake Luzerne from the bridge are quite spectacular.
Zurich is considered the financial capital of Switzerland, the center of Crypto Valley, and it’s the most populous city in the country. It’s home to a plethora of landmarks and attractions, both natural and man-made. Lake Zurich and Mount Uetliberg can be explored on a day trip from Zug, along with the staple old town landmarks like Grossmunster, Fraumunster, the Rietberg Museum, the Zurich Opera House, and many others!
Enjoy Lake Zug
The lakeside location is one of the best things about the town of Zug, especially if you visit in the summer. You can have heaps of fun on the water, whether you prefer swimming and sunbathing or you’re one to rent SUPs and kayaks.
You will find beaches and swimming areas in Zug, but you’ll want to explore those outside the city limits if you would rather avoid the crowds. Zug’s public beaches can get crowded during the peak summer season, but they rarely get so crowded that you’re forced to bump towels with other beach-goers.
Most beaches on Lake Zug offer a variety of fun water activities to visitors. You can usually rent SUPs, kayaks, and paddle boats on the monitored beaches, plus there are a bunch of secluded areas where you can have a small slice of paradise all to yourself.
Head Up Zugerberg Mountain
Zugerberg Mountain is Zug’s local mountain that can be easily accessed by public transport from the town. The forested summit is very popular with outdoor lovers who visit Zug, particularly hikers who want to discover the mountain’s many scenic trails.
Although Zugerberg is not on everyone’s radar, the views across Lake Zug to Rigi and Pilatus, as well as the other distance peaks, is worth the ride up. When the slopes of Zugerberg are covered with snow in the winter, the hiking trails remain accessible to snowshoers for epic winter hiking experiences.
In addition to a vast network of hiking trails, Zugerberg is also very popular for mountain biking. There’s a very popular MTB trail that runs down the mountain and is bound to give you a proper adrenaline rush. I have not had the chance to try it yet, but I hiked up beside it recently and watched a few guys coming down. It looks amazing.
Paragliding is another popular thing to do in the area. You can enjoy scenic views of the town and the lake while flying over them – what’s not to love about that experience?
Map of Things to See in Zug
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zug worth a visit?
Zug is undoubtedly worth a visit on a day trip. With its stunning lakeside location and historic old town, Zug has a lot to offer. Most people only know it for being a tax haven, but you should head there at least once to see for yourself.
Is Zug beautiful?
Zug is a wonderful Swiss city situated on the shores of the alpine lake of Zug, with stunning mountains like Rigi, the Grosser Mythen, and Pilatus making for a breathtaking background. On top of that, it has a lovely historic town center that is a joy to explore.
What is Zug Switzerland known for?
Zug is known for being a tax haven for businesses in Switzerland. As such, a lot of foreign and local companies are headquartered there. With high salaries and a great lakeside location, it also has a fantastic quality of life.
Do people speak English in Zug?
Although the majority of people in Zug speak German or Swiss-German, there is a large proportion who speak English. It is estimated that more than 10% of the local population speaks the languageZ
