The Uetliberg lookout tower (Aussichtsturm) stands right beside the hotel on the summit. The present steel tower, a slim three-legged frame with an open staircase, dates from 1990 and replaced a 19th-century predecessor. Its platform rises well above the trees and gives the one thing the terraces cannot: an unbroken view in every direction.
Do not confuse it with the much taller television tower a few hundred metres along the ridge — the red-and-white mast you can see from all over Zurich. That one is a transmitter and is not open to the public.
Top things to do: Uetliberg Lookout Tower
Climb to the platform
You enter through a turnstile for a small fee — around CHF 2 at the time of writing; have coins ready in case the card reader is not working. Open metal stairs lead to the viewing platform. It is perfectly safe but exposed, and not for anyone with a strong fear of heights.
Pick out the peaks
On a clear day the horizon runs from the Säntis in the east past the Glarus Alps, Rigi and Pilatus to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Orientation panels on the platform help; binoculars help more.
Photograph the city and lake
The tower gives the cleanest shot of Zurich, with no branches in the way. Late afternoon is best for the city; for the Alps come in the morning, when the air is clearest.
Getting there: Uetliberg Lookout Tower
- From the S10 station: about ten minutes’ walk uphill to Uto Kulm; the tower is beside the hotel.
- From the Planet Trail: if you start the ridge walk at the station, visit the summit and tower first — it is a short detour.
- Access: stairs only. There is no lift.
Insider tips
- The tower can be closed in ice, storms or thunderstorms. In that case the terraces below still give most of the view.
- The metal stairs are slippery when wet or frosty — wear proper shoes.
- Wind is much stronger on the platform than on the ground. Hold on to hats and phones.
- If the city is under fog, go up anyway: the tower is often just above the fog line.
Best tours & tickets for Uetliberg Lookout Tower
These top-rated experiences pair well with a visit to Uetliberg Lookout Tower:
Self-guided tour + train from €45 Zurich: Audio-Guided City Tour and Train to the “Top of Zurich”
The most-reviewed Uetliberg product on GetYourGuide: an audio-guided introduction to the city combined with the train ride up Zurich’s local mountain. You set the pace yourself, which suits anyone who wants the transport sorted but no group to follow.
- Audio-guided walk through central Zurich at your own pace
- Ride the S10 Uetlibergbahn up to the mountain station
- Free time at Uto Kulm for the view over city, lake and Alps
Guided hike from €70 Zurich: Accompanied Hike to Uetliberg
A two-hour accompanied hike up the mountain for people who would rather not work out the route alone. It is a new activity on GetYourGuide and had no reviews when we checked, so read the latest feedback before booking.
- Beginner-friendly walk up Zurich’s local mountain
- A local guide who knows the paths
- Panoramic views from the top
