Zug: Old Town, Lake and Zugerberg

Zug lies on the shores of Lake Zug in central Switzerland. The city combines an old town with around 800 years of history and many medieval buildings with art, museums and activities by the water. The extensive moorland of Zugerberg adds another dimension. This lets you choose different focuses for your stay: historic city, lake or nature.

Old Town, Towers and Museums

History and architecture take centre stage in the old town. The public city tour visits Zytturm, the Town Hall with its Gothic Hall, Pulverturm, the late Gothic St. Oswald’s Church and the old charnel house. Check the dates of the public programme in advance. The 41.5-metre-high Zytturm was once a gate and watchtower; today, it offers history and views. Its astronomical clock shows the day of the week, month, moon phase and leap year. Liebfrauenkapelle is another historic landmark: it was built in the 13th century along with the first city wall and features late Gothic murals and a Baroque Marian cycle.

Burg Zug Museum is housed in a rambling castle on the edge of the old town. The building is the oldest surviving secular structure in the city and has a history spanning almost 900 years. Collection objects, interactive stations and short texts share insights into the lives of Zug’s residents over the past 500 years. The Museum of Prehistory offers a different historical perspective: it displays archaeological finds from the canton of Zug dating from the Palaeolithic to the Early Middle Ages, including finds from the pile-dwelling period. Its programme includes family events, workshops for craftspeople and a wide range of guided tours.

At Kunsthaus Zug, the collection is presented in thematic temporary exhibitions. Four to five projects each year focus on 20th-century and contemporary art. Highlights include a collection of Viennese Modernism, renowned worldwide, featuring Klimt, Hoffmann, Schiele and Kokoschka. There is also Swiss Surrealism, Fantastic Art and art connected to the canton of Zug. If you are interested in art in public spaces, you can explore the artworks around the city independently with the Citybot.

Lake Zug: Swimming and Boat Trips

The city’s lidos offer swimming and relaxation on Lake Zug; swimming facilities may vary by season. Strandbad Zug has a sandy beach, a diving tower, water features, a children’s paddling pool and a tree-lined sunbathing lawn of around 5,000 square metres. Check the current local conditions before your visit. Seeliken is the city’s oldest lido and has welcomed swimmers since 1882.

Lake Zug boat trips can also be used as a means of transport on the lake. Options include scenic cruises, sunset and evening cruises, buffet dinners featuring local specialities, Sunday brunch, family offers and music cruises. A boat trip can therefore be an activity in its own right or a practical way to get around the lake. Check the timetable if you plan to include a trip in your day.

Zugerberg: Moorland and Routes

Zugerberg is home to a moorland of national importance. Zuger Hochmoor has around 80 kilometres of signposted paths through forests and meadows; the moorland is among Switzerland’s most significant and provides a habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. Three circular trails are named “Hare”, “Fox” and “Deer”. The “Hare Route” is considered accessible and is suitable for families with pushchairs as well as people with reduced mobility. Check local conditions before setting out, as accessibility may change.

There are various options for cycling. The Lake Zug circular route is just under 40 kilometres long, with 294 metres of ascent and descent, and is suitable for beginners with good stamina. The 2.1-kilometre Zugerberg mountain bike trail features berms, jumps and wall rides. All obstacles have bypasses. The Zugerbergbahn carries mountain bikers and their bikes to the trailhead. Trail conditions and transport rules may change, so check them before your ride.

Cherry Culture and Visitor Information

Cherries have been part of Zug’s culinary culture for centuries; Zug cherry brandy was first documented in 1626. A 90-minute audio tour about cherry culture takes you through Zug via 14 stops and explores blossoming cherry trees, aromatic cherry brandy and the famous cherry cake. It starts at Zug railway station, can be done independently and is available year-round. A Zug cherry brandy tour also explains how specialities made with Zug cherry brandy are produced and includes a tasting.

For an initial overview or practical questions, you’ll find the Tourist Information office right in the station concourse at Zug railway station. This lets you plan the old town, museums, lake activities and trips to Zugerberg according to your interests, without limiting your stay to just one theme.

Discover more destinations: Zug, Unterägeri, Cham, Neuheim, Baar, Oberägeri, Risch, Walchwil, Steinhausen, Menzingen.

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