Relaxing

I spent all summers of my school years near the coast in Greece: life was a beach. Choosing to live in Switzerland felt like this lifestyle would remain a sweet childhood memory. After all, central Europe has no Mediterranean and no real summer. Life would be a bitch. Right?

Wrong! If you want to go swimming every day in the summer after work, which metropolis is better? Athens, Rome or Zurich? You want to get there quickly, maybe also your during lunch break and, if you are an early bird, before going to work in the morning. The choice is a no-brainer: Zurich by all means.

There are several public baths in Zurich. They attract different crowds. Bad Utoquai is located on the eastern side of the lake and is housed in a historic monument dating back to 1889. The venue would not be the first choice of youngsters or families with children. For many regulars, the Badi (local dialect) has been an integral part of their life for years or decades. It is a small world in itself. It offers fantastic sunsets, especially after the sky has been whimsical.

There is a small restaurant offering warm meals as well as a rich salad buffet. The northern (and nicest) end of the Badi is reserved for women, the southern side for men and the two central areas are mixed.

Yes, life is still a beach.

Wellness is quite popular in central Europe. A two-hour sauna visit is considered equivalent to a day of vacation. Switzerland, with most of its big cities located by lakes or rivers (or both) offers several possibilities.

Sauna Utoquai is housed at the southern end of the public baths called Bad Utoquai (known as the “Badi” among its regulars). Sauna Utoquai is a members-only club but membership is open to all. The minimum membership period is 3 months and includes unlimited entrance to the facilities: the sauna, the steam bath and the hot tub at the edge of the lake.

The privileged members can enter the lake and relax in the open air throughout the year regardless of weather. From late September to May, members have the entire ground of the “Badi” at their disposal. During the summer they have exclusive use of a separate terrace but can also mingle with the crowds in the Badi.

Outdoor relaxation can take several forms: sunbathing during a nice sunny afternoon or gazing at the sunset or the moonlight from the comfort of the 37 degrees of the hot tub.

Moving to Zurich permanently or for a period of at least three months? The option to take vacation during lunch break, after work or during the weekend exists. In the beginning it is just relaxation; then it gradually becomes lifestyle.

In my opinion, Zurich is one of the nicest cities to live in during the summer. The pool area called Unterer Letten is on the Limmat. Built in 1910, it’s one of Zurich’s oldest pool area. Inside the wooden bath-house you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

The stream is a bit stronger here so you should be a fairly good swimmer. Best is to walk upwards along the wall (it’s easy just observe how the others do it) to lengthen the stretch you’ll float down afterwards. Adventure-seekers can also jump from the railroad bridge (approx. 10 m).

The end of the pool area is marked by a fence. You can just swim to the side and climb up the steps or float right towards the fence (much more fun). Have a look at how the locals do it: You float on your back, feet to the front and as soon as you make contact with the bars you stand/lie in the water and get a great massage by the water floating around you. Fabulous!

And to make it even more perfects, there are also offers to satisfy your culinary needs. Daily from 09:00 – 20:00, the kiosk on the grass area above the pool serves breakfast, salads, crepes, pasta and tapas dishes and every Tuesday from 20:15 – 00:00, the pool area itself hosts a bar sometimes combined with cultural events,

Rimini may well be an Italian city on the Adriatic Sea, but it’s also an open-air bar within the river pool area Schanzengraben.

Rimini was built in 1864 and is therefore the oldest pool area in town with original features. The Schanzengraben was part of the city’s fortification in the 17th century and its atmosphere is often compared to the canals in Venice. The swimming area at Schanzengraben is open to men only during the day, but is available to all in the evening, when it offers food and drinks in an atmosphere evoking a Mediterranean beach but in the middle of the city. Great pizza!

Monday is always market day. The stalls alternate between selling second hand goods and the latest designs from Zurich.

When the temperatures rises, you find the majority of Zurich’s inhabitants near the water. Just five minutes from the main station is the pool area Oberer Letten, located at the Limmat. Floating in the river is one of the best feelings you’ll ever experience!

On the left hand side you’ll see a concrete construction from 1952 which is also called PierWest; that’s where you’ll find the changing rooms as well as a bar. (The picture is taken upstream, so it’s just the other way around). This side is for all who prefer shade and who like it a bit quieter. However, at dusk this area turns into a barbecue place / bar with music and the perfect chill-out area.

On the right hand side of the river there’s a patch of grass – though it’s generally so packed that it’s hard to make out the green between all the bodies. On one side of this patch is a (rather over priced) restaurant and on the other a beach-volley court. Here the young and hip meet after work for a swim and a chat.

To swim in the river, it’s best to walk upstream and then to float down, up to 400 m all in all. There are several ladders where you can leave the water within the pool area so you don’t have to worry about a thing.