Zurich: LGBTQ+ Walking Tour – From Prohibition to Diversity｜Switzerland

Experience Zurich's transformation from prohibition to diversity on a 2.5–3-hour LGBTQ+ walking tour. An LGBTQ+ or queer-friendly guide will lead you through the Old Town and Niederdorf to Lake Zurich, showing you how early safe spaces and courageous activism gave rise to an open, vibrant scene. Along the way, you'll get insider tips on bars, clubs, and community events that are perfect for later in the evening. The route is about 3.5 km (2.2 miles) long and easy to walk.

You'll start at Zürich HB, Bahnhofplatz, where arrival and departure have always been closely intertwined. As you walk along Bahnhofstrasse, your guide will talk about “pink money,” visibility in the cityscape, and how brands, the media, and the community have shaped one another. In the old town, you'll learn about early organizations and networks, hear stories of pioneers, solidarity, and moments when history was made on the streets. In Niederdorf, the scene comes to life: bars, clubs, and cultural venues that still foster identity, exchange, and a sense of belonging today. Further on, in the University Quarter, you will learn about debate, research, and the media as drivers of social change. On the lakeside promenade, the view of Lake Zurich opens up as a symbol of freedom, summer culture, and queer visibility in public spaces. At Sechseläutenplatz, you'll wrap things up with the history of Pride, information about festivals, and practical tips for planning your own activities.

The tour ends in a central location at Sechseläutenplatz. From here, in just a few minutes, you can be in Niederdorf for your evening activities or by the lake for a relaxing end to the day. If you like, after the tour, you can try a local specialty such as a Luxemburgerli sandwich or enjoy an apéritif on the lakeshore [recommendation, not part of the tour].

The rights to the images provided are held by Switzerland Tourism.