Aircraft movements from observation deck B and the natural area of Eigental represent two different sides of Kloten. The town in the BĂĽlach district lies about 10 km northeast of the centre of Zurich, on the plain of the Glatt Valley. If you are planning a stay, you can choose between a visit to the airport, the local museum and a longer hike through Eigental.
Airport operations from observation deck B
From observation deck B, you can watch take-offs and landings, airport operations and pilots preparing in the cockpit. Public tours and guided tours of Zurich Airport are also available from the terrace. If you are planning a guided tour or a round trip, check the specific dates and availability before your trip.
The terrace also has a children’s playground designed as a “mini airport”. This makes it possible to combine watching airport operations with a dedicated children’s attraction, without requiring both activities to follow the same schedule.
Local museum with seasonal opening hours
Kloten Local Museum is open from April to October on the first Sunday of each month, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A museum visit therefore depends on a clearly defined monthly time window. Check the opening date before your trip if you would like to include it as a fixed part of your itinerary.
A longer hike through Eigental
The “Wanderbänkli Wangen und Kloten” hike runs from Wangen bei Dübendorf through Eigental to Oberembrach and passes through forest along several sections. There is a pond in Upper Eigental; the hike then continues to the “Kloten” hiking bench near Gerlisberg. It is 14.3 km long, takes 3 hours and 45 minutes, and is rated moderate. Set aside an extended block of time for it.
Eigental as a natural area
Eigental, located between Oberembrach, NĂĽrensdorf, Bassersdorf and Kloten, is one of the most important nature and landscape conservation areas in the canton of Zurich. It includes fens, dry grasslands and amphibian spawning grounds of national importance. It also contains forests that provide valuable habitats for numerous animal and plant species, including some that are very rare.
Fens and dry grasslands are distinct habitats; together with the amphibian spawning grounds and forests, they make up the diverse natural environment of Eigental. Kloten’s landscape is also varied: the municipality stretches from the wooded hilltop of Hard and Balsberg, across the ridges near Gerlisberg and Bänikon, and beyond the narrow Eigental valley. Eigental is considered an important regional nature reserve.
Urban area, airport and forests
Zurich Airport occupies a significant part of Kloten’s municipal area in the west, as well as the adjoining Rümlanger Ried. Homberg, Buehalm and Schlatt forests lie north of the town’s built-up area. These geographical details help distinguish the different landscape areas without conflating the airport grounds, the town and the natural area.
Plan your stay around opening times and schedules
If you are looking for a hotel in Kloten, first plan your travel dates around the main purpose of your stay: the local museum has a monthly opening window, the hike requires a set amount of time, and specific dates and availability must be checked for airport round trips or guided tours. These differences are more useful for planning your day than treating all activities as equally flexible.
Eigentalstrasse is also fully or partially closed during three periods of the year. If your journey involves this road, check the seasonal conditions before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Höri, Zweidlen, Rorbas, Bassersdorf, Opfikon, Embrach, Wallisellen, Bülach.
Back to the main travel overview: BĂĽlach.
