Zug lies on the shore of Lake Zug, between the northern lakeshore and the foot of the Zugerberg. The city can be explored through a range of highlights: medieval buildings and museums, swimming spots by the water, trails through a moorland landscape and cherry culture.

Old Town, towers and museums

Zug’s Old Town has 800 years of history and an extensive collection of medieval buildings. A public guided city tour takes in, among other sights, the Zytturm, the Town Hall with its Gothic Hall, the Powder Tower, the late-Gothic Church of St Oswald and the old charnel house. Check the dates of the public programme before your trip.

The 41.5-metre-high Zytturm was once a gate and watchtower and now offers history and views. Its astronomical clock displays the day of the week, month, moon phase and leap year. The Liebfrauenkapelle also brings together different eras: it was built in the 13th century alongside Zug’s first city wall and features late-Gothic murals and a Baroque Marian cycle.

At Kunsthaus Zug, changing themes meet a collection with distinctive areas of focus. These include the internationally acclaimed Viennese Modernism, with works by Klimt, Hoffmann, Schiele and Kokoschka, as well as Swiss Surrealism, fantasy art and art connected with the Canton of Zug. Four to five projects a year are dedicated to contemporary and 20th-century art.

The Museum of Prehistory(n) Zug displays archaeological finds from the canton, spanning the Palaeolithic to the Early Middle Ages, including the rich finds from the pile-dwelling period. The 2026 programme also lists an open workshop, where visitors can try prehistoric techniques and make souvenirs inspired by archaeological finds. Check the current programme before your trip. At Museum Burg Zug, collection objects, interactive stations and short texts offer insights into the lives of the people of Zug over the past 500 years. The museum is housed in an intricate castle on the edge of the Old Town; the building is the city’s oldest surviving secular structure and has a history of almost 900 years.

Lake Zug: swimming and boat trips

The city’s public bathing areas offer fun and relaxation on Lake Zug; 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 covering around 5,000 square metres. Municipal facilities may change, so it is worth checking the current swimming options before your trip. Seeliken is the city’s oldest public bathing area and has welcomed swimmers since 1882.

Lake Zug boat trips offer cruises with lake views, sunset and evening trips, speciality buffets, Sunday brunch, family activities and music cruises. The boats can also be used as a means of transport on the lake. If you are planning a trip, check the current timetable; the options listed offer different ways to enjoy your time by the water, without implying any particular connection or departure time.

Moorland and routes on the Zugerberg

The Zuger Hochmoor on the Zugerberg has around 80 kilometres of signposted trails through forests and meadows. It is one of Switzerland’s most significant moorland landscapes; the moorland on the Zugerberg is of national importance and provides a habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species. The “Hare”, “Fox” and “Deer” circular trails lead through this landscape. Their availability may depend on local maintenance or seasonal conditions. The Hare Route is considered accessible and is suitable for families with pushchairs and people with reduced mobility; check local access conditions before visiting.

For cycling, the almost 40-kilometre Lake Zug circular tour offers a different scale. Its total ascent and descent is 294 metres; it is suitable for beginners with good stamina. The Zugerberg mountain bike trail is 2.1 kilometres long and features berms, jumps and wall rides, with bypasses available. The Zugerbergbahn carries mountain bikers and their bicycles to the trail’s starting point. Conditions for carriage and rules for taking bicycles on board may change; check them before travelling.

Cherry culture and orientation

Zug cherries have been part of the region for centuries and remain part of the city’s culinary culture. Zug Kirsch was first documented in 1626. A guided tour explains how specialities made with Zug Kirsch are produced and includes a tasting. The audio tour on cherry culture starts at Zug station, is self-guided and available all year round. Over 14 stops and around 90 minutes, it explores blossoming cherry trees, cherry brandy and the famous cherry cake.

If you need further guidance, the Tourist Information office is located right in the station hall at Zug station. When planning, you can treat urban culture, lakeside activities and the surrounding landscape as different areas of focus rather than trying to fit every experience into a single route.

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

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