Zurich is such a beautiful city and one of the most expensive. But don’t let this stop you from visiting this Swiss city. Here are some free things to do in Zurich to help keep you from busting your bank account while there:
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Free Things to Do in Zurich: Browse the Various Exhibits at ETH Zürich
Geology exhibits abound on the different floors of ETH Zürich’s FocusTerra, a contemporary earth science museum. The Graphics Collection, Thomas Mann Archives and the gta Exhibitions of the university are equally amazing.
READ MORE: ZURICH TRAVEL BLOG: A DESTINATION GUIDE
Inside FocusTerra – photo by ETH-Bibliothek under CC-BY-SA-4.0 
The Graphics Collection at ETH Zürich – photo by ETH-Bibliothek under CC BY-SA 2.0
Free Things to Do in Zurich: Conquer Uetliberg
For great views of Zurich, head to this small mountain and explore its hiking trails. On a clear day, you can even enjoy views of the Alps from there. And there’s a chance for you to catch the mountain fog during your visit that makes you feel like you are in a sea of clouds.
View from Uetliberg – photo by strecosa under Pixabay License
Free Things to Do in Zurich: Follow a myclimate Audio Adventure Zurich Tour
Download one of the myclimate Audio Adventure Zurich stories for free and go on a guided walking tour of the different squares, gardens and districts of Zurich. The starting point of the tours is at the Tourist Information Center at Hauptbahnhof Zürich.
Clock and meeting point at Zurich Hauptbahnhof – photo by JoachimKohlerBremen under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Go on a Culture Trip
Architekturforum Zürich holds different free events and exhibitions that focus on architecture. To view contemporary arts pieces, you can visit Helmhaus Zürich. Or you might want to browse the millions of media titles at Zentralbibliothek Zürich.
Helmhaus as seen from Wühre – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0 
Zentralbibliothek in Zürich – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Learn More about Body Parts at the Moulagenmuseum
The University Hospital of Zurich has a collection of wax models of body parts afflicted with diseases. The collection is housed in the Moulagenmuseum, with more than 600 lifelike wax models.
Entrance to the Moulagenmuseum in Zürich-Oberstrass – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Relax at the Green Spaces of Zurich
Zurich also has a slew of green spaces, with Rieterpark as the largest and Platzspitzpark as one of the most ancient. Arboretum Zürich and Irchelpark have scenic waterscapes. Other public green spaces great for recreation are Bäckeranlage, Josefwiese, Rechberggarten and Belvoir Park. The city also has a number of gardens: Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich, Chinese Garden, Zurich Succulent Plant Collection and Old Botanical Garden.
Rieterpark in Zürich-Enge – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0 Platzspitz Park in Zürich – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0 
View from the Arboretum in Zürich-Enge – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0 
Irchelpark in Zürich – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0 Bäckeranlage in Zürich – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0 Playground at Josefwiese – photo by Grün Stadt Zürich under CC-BY-SA-3.0 
Rechberg Park – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0 
Belvoir Park – photo by Juerg.hug under CC-BY-SA-3.0 
Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich – photo by Wendelin Jacober under CC BY 2.0 Chinese Garden, Zürich – photo by Shepard4711 under CC BY-SA 2.0 
Alter Botanischer Garten – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Step Inside the Lavaterhaus
Along St. Peterhofstatt, one can find the house where Johann Caspar Lavater lived from 1784 to 1801. It is presently home to the Johann Caspar Lavater Collection that showcases the life, works and influence of this famous Zurich native.
St. Peterhofstatt, along which Lavaterhaus can be found – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Take a Swim in One of Zurich’s River Pools
From May to September, you can go on a free swim in one of the river pools in Zurich. Along the Limmat, there’s Unterer Letten Swimming & Recreational Area for adventurous swimmers and Flussbad Oberer Letten that features a diving platform. At Männerbad Schanzengraben, only men are welcome into its public bath.
A deserted Flussbad Oberer Letten during the cold months – photo by Paebi under CC-BY-SA-4.0 Men’s bath at Schanzengraben – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0
View the Collections at the University of Zurich
The University of Zurich has several artifacts and exhibits under different fields of study. These collections are housed in the Zoological Museum. Archaeological Collection, Anthropological Museum, Palaeontological Museum and Ethnographic Museum.
Zoological Museum – photo by Dennis Jarvis under CC BY-SA 2.0 
Archaeological Collection – photo by Eva Riediker under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Visit the Government Buildings in Zurich
The Rathaus or Town Hall of Zurich is in a riverfront building that was completed in 1698. Until 1798, it was home to the Republic of Zurich. Since 1803, it is the seat of the Zurich canton and houses the cantonal parliament and the city parliament. The city council and administration of Zurich is housed at the Stadthaus.
Zürich Rathaus – photo by Juerg.hug under CC-BY-SA-3.0 Zürich Stadthaus – photo by Roland zh under CC-BY-SA-3.0
