Zurich region · ZH
Photoshoots on Lake Zurich
A Lake Zurich photoshoot is a session with an independent local photographer on the shores, boats and islands of the lake between Zurich and Rapperswil, arranged through Alpiora, with couple sessions from CHF 390.
Pricing
From CHF 390
- Region
- Zurich region
- Elevation
- 406 m
- Photo spots
- 7
Starting price. The exact price depends on photographer, place, date, time and add-ons, and is stated in your proposal before you book.
Quick answers
- How much does it cost?
- Photoshoot in Lake Zurich starts from CHF 390. The final price depends on the place, duration, date, time of day, travel and any add-ons such as video, and is stated in your proposal before you book.
- When is the best time?
- Pick the shore by the hour: the south-west shore (Au, Horgen, Wädenswil) is front-lit in the afternoon; the Gold Coast faces the sunset.
- Which experiences are available here?
- Couple Photoshoot, Proposal Photography, Family Photoshoot, Engagement Photography, and Maternity Photography
- Getting there
- S-Bahn lines run along both shores from Zurich HB: trains reach Rapperswil in about 36 minutes, and villages on the Gold Coast or around Au in 20–30 minutes.
- Where does it take place?
- Popular places include Au peninsula (Halbinsel Au); Meilen and the Gold Coast; On board a lake boat; Rapperswil castle hill and rose gardens. Your photographer suggests the best spot for your date, the light and the crowds.
- How does booking work?
- Send a free request with your place, date and plans. Alpiora checks which photographers are available and replies with a proposal stating the photographer, the package and the exact price. Nothing is booked until you accept.
Lake Zurich runs about 40 kilometres south-east from the city, narrow enough that you always see the opposite shore and, on clear days, the Glarus Alps at its far end. The north-east shore, the so-called Gold Coast, catches the evening sun; the opposite shore looks towards it across the water. That geometry decides where you stand at which hour.
The lake suits calmer sessions: couples, engagements, maternity and families who want water and space rather than city streets. It also works for a proposal away from the crowds of the old town. The city end of the lake is covered on our Zurich page; here we go further out.
Comparing lakes across Switzerland? Our guide to lake locations looks at water colour, boats and reflections lake by lake.
Photo spots — Lake Zurich
- 01
Au peninsula (Halbinsel Au)
A wooded peninsula between Horgen and Wädenswil on the south-west shore, with vineyards running down to the water, the park of Schloss Au and the terrace of the Landgasthof above the lake. It looks north-east across to the Gold Coast, with meadows and lakeside paths that make it feel far from the city. A popular spot for weddings, so expect other couples on summer Saturdays.
- Best time
- Late afternoon and golden hour, when the sun is behind you and lights the vineyards and the far shore; sunrise across the water
- Access
- S-Bahn to Au ZH and a walk of about 15–20 minutes, or a ZSG boat to the Halbinsel Au landing
- 02
Meilen and the Gold Coast
The north-east shore between Küsnacht and Meilen gets the long evening light that gave it its name. Lakeside parks, small harbours and vineyards on the slope above Meilen give a quieter, residential look than the city. The Horgen–Meilen car ferry, a ten-minute crossing, is a practical link between the two shores.
- Best time
- The last two hours before sunset, looking south-west over the water
- Access
- S-Bahn along the right shore from Zurich HB in about 20–30 minutes; lake boats stop at most villages
- 03
On board a lake boat
The ZSG boats leave from Bürkliplatz and stop at villages along both shores. Open decks give you moving scenery, railings and the wake behind the stern; the historic paddle steamers add brass and wood. Shooting on board works best on a longer trip, when you can move between decks.
- Best time
- Summer schedule (April to mid-October), late afternoon departures
- Access
- Tram to Bürkliplatz; scheduled boats are covered by most Swiss travel passes, themed cruises are not
- 04
Rapperswil castle hill and rose gardens
Rapperswil sits on the north shore where the lake narrows. Its castle stands on the Lindenhof hill with a deer park beside it and views west down the whole lake. The town is known for its rose gardens, with thousands of plants flowering from June into autumn; the old-town lanes below add stone and colour.
- Best time
- June and July for roses; evening light looking west over the lake
- Access
- Train from Zurich HB in about 36 minutes, then 5–10 minutes uphill on foot; about two hours by boat
- 05
Wooden footbridge Rapperswil–Hurden
An 841-metre wooden footbridge, opened in 2001 and part of the Way of St James, crosses the lake from Rapperswil to Hurden. Its straight boards, low rails and water on both sides make strong leading lines, with Rapperswil castle behind you. It is busy with walkers on sunny weekends but long enough to find an empty stretch.
- Best time
- Sunset and blue hour; early morning for calm water and mist
- Access
- About 10 minutes on foot from Rapperswil station; flat and pushchair-friendly
- 06
Ufnau island
A small island reachable only by water, owned by Einsiedeln Abbey, with two old churches, meadows, trees and a restaurant. Once the last boats leave it becomes very quiet. Stay on the paths and be discreet: it is a protected landscape and a place of worship.
- Best time
- Summer afternoons and early evening, timed around the boat schedule
- Access
- ZSG shuttle or round-trip boats from Rapperswil or Pfäffikon SZ, several times a day in season; check the return time
- 07
Zürichhorn and the Seefeld shore
At the city end of the lake, the lawns, jetties and sculptures of Zürichhorn give a lake setting without leaving town. It is the easy option when time is short or when you want to combine lake and old town in one session.
- Best time
- Golden hour, looking back towards the city
- Access
- A 20-minute flat walk from Bellevue, or a tram towards Tiefenbrunnen
Best time
Seasons
May to September is the main season: boats run on the summer timetable, vineyards are green and evenings are long. June brings Rapperswil’s roses. Late September and October turn the vineyards gold and bring calmer water. Winter is quieter and often grey under low fog, though the boardwalk can look striking in mist.
Time of day
Pick the shore by the hour: the south-west shore (Au, Horgen, Wädenswil) is front-lit in the afternoon; the Gold Coast faces the sunset. The water is often calmest in the early morning, which gives the best reflections. On summer weekends the lake fills with boats and swimmers by midday.
Weather
The lake has the same changeable weather as Zurich: thunderstorms on summer afternoons, fog that can sit on the water for days in autumn and winter, and the occasional föhn day with unusually clear views to the Alps. Wind can build in the afternoon, which roughens the surface; photographers watch the forecast and adjust the start time. Rescheduling terms are stated in your proposal.
Getting there
S-Bahn lines run along both shores from Zurich HB: trains reach Rapperswil in about 36 minutes, and villages on the Gold Coast or around Au in 20–30 minutes. ZSG boats connect Bürkliplatz with Rapperswil in about two hours on the summer timetable. From Zurich Airport, change at Zurich HB. A car helps if you want to link several shore spots in one session.
Good to know
Public lakeside paths, parks and the Rapperswil boardwalk are free. Ufnau is reached only by boat, so plan the session around the timetable and allow a margin for the return. Private jetties and vineyard plots belong to their owners; stay on paths. Drones follow federal rules, and parts of the lake lie under airport-related or other restrictions: your photographer checks the official federal drone map for the exact place and date.
- Choose the shore by the light: south-west shore in the afternoon, Gold Coast for sunset.
- If you shoot on a boat, board early to claim a spot on the open deck.
- Bring flat shoes for the boardwalk and vineyard paths; heels catch between the boards.
- Check the last boat back from Ufnau before you fix a sunset time.
- For a proposal, the far end of the boardwalk or a quiet corner of the Au peninsula works better than a crowded harbour.
- A longer session can combine the lake with the old town of Zurich or the Rhine Falls.
Experiences in Lake Zurich
From CHF 390
Couple Photoshoot
A guided session for two, in a Swiss old town, by a lake or in the mountains, with a photographer who knows the light there.
1 hourExplore
From CHF 650
Proposal Photography
A photographer who hides, catches the moment you ask, and then takes relaxed portraits of the two of you. Planned with you in advance.
1 hourExplore
From CHF 450
Family Photoshoot
A child-paced family session in a Swiss city, by a lake or in the Alps, with a local photographer who knows where little legs can go.
1 hourExplore
From CHF 390
Engagement Photography
A session for engaged couples, planned around what the photos are for: save-the-dates, invitations, a wedding website or your walls.
1 hourExplore
Photographer availability
We confirm availability for your date personally — send a request and we will check which reviewed photographers are free for this place and session.
Find My PhotographerFrequently asked questions
Where are the best photo spots on Lake Zurich?
The Au peninsula, the Gold Coast around Meilen, Rapperswil’s castle hill and the wooden footbridge to Hurden are the most photogenic. Ufnau island is the quietest if you plan around the boats. For a short session, Zürichhorn in the city works well.
How much does a photoshoot on Lake Zurich cost?
Couple sessions start from CHF 390 and family sessions from CHF 450. Travel beyond the city, boat tickets and longer durations can raise the price, and everything is stated in your proposal before you confirm. See pricing for the full list.
Can we do the photoshoot on a boat?
Yes, on scheduled ZSG boats you can be photographed on deck like any passenger, as long as you do not block other guests. A longer trip gives more time and room to move. Private boat charters are also possible but are arranged and paid separately.
How do I get from Zurich to Rapperswil?
By train it takes about 36 minutes from Zurich HB. By boat from Bürkliplatz the trip takes about two hours on the summer timetable and makes a scenic start to the day. The castle and the boardwalk are both within a short walk of Rapperswil station.
Is Lake Zurich good for a proposal?
Yes, especially if you want more privacy than the city offers. The boardwalk to Hurden at sunset and the Au peninsula are the usual choices. See proposals in Zurich for how photographers plan the moment.
When is the best season for photos on the lake?
May to September, when boats run on the summer timetable and the shores are green. June adds Rapperswil’s roses, and October brings golden vineyards and calmer crowds. Winter is often foggy and grey.
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