What is the Kunsthaus Zürich?
Switzerland's largest art museum, on Heimplatz, with a collection spanning from the Middle Ages to today. Highlights include the largest Alberto Giacometti collection, works by Edvard Munch, Monet's water lilies, the Swiss artists Ferdinand Hodler and Johann Heinrich Füssli, and the Bührle Collection of Impressionists. The Chipperfield extension doubled the museum's size.
Tickets
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How busy is it?
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Kunsthaus Zürich, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Quietest time
Saturday, 10 am-12 pm
Busiest time
Wednesday, 12-6 pm
Getting there
Tram 3, 5, 8 or 9 to Kunsthaus (Heimplatz), or a 10-minute walk from the old town.
What to see
The Moser building
The original 1910 building by Karl Moser holds the core collection: Swiss art from the Middle Ages to modernism, including Füssli's dramatic paintings and Hodler's large canvases, plus a strong collection of Munch.
Giacometti
The Alberto Giacometti Foundation's holdings make this the world's largest collection of the Swiss sculptor's work, with his elongated figures, heads and drawings.
The Chipperfield extension
Opened in 2021 across Heimplatz, David Chipperfield's building holds art from the 1960s onwards, temporary exhibitions and the Emil Bührle Collection of French Impressionists, with works by Monet, Cézanne, Degas, Manet and Van Gogh. The collection's history is discussed in a documentation room.
Modern masters
Chagall, Picasso, Kokoschka, Beckmann, Rothko and Twombly, among many others.
Tips
- Use the free Wednesday for the collection, arriving at 10 am.
- Visit on Thursday evening for a calmer visit.
- Start in the Chipperfield building while it's quiet, then cross back to the Moser building.
- Check the exhibition programme: big shows draw crowds.
History
The Kunsthaus was founded by the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft, the city's art society, which has collected art since 1787. Karl Moser's building opened in 1910 and was extended several times. The Chipperfield extension, opened in 2021, made it Switzerland's largest art museum. The Bührle Collection, on long-term loan, has been the subject of debate about the origins of some works and the industrialist's wartime arms dealing, which the museum addresses in its displays.
Combining it with Zürich
Heimplatz is a short walk from the old town. Combine the Kunsthaus with the Grossmünster, whose towers you can climb, and the Fraumünster with its Chagall windows, then a walk along the Limmat and Lake Zürich. The Swiss National Museum, by the main station, is another strong choice for a rainy day.
Mistakes to avoid
- Arriving on a Monday: it's closed.
- Missing the Chipperfield building across the square.
- Visiting on a free Wednesday afternoon, when it's busiest.
Is it worth it?
Yes, especially on a free Wednesday for the collection. Art lovers should buy the All-in-One ticket for the exhibitions.
FAQs
How much is the Kunsthaus Zürich?
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The All-in-One ticket costs CHF 36 (CHF 25 reduced).
Is the Kunsthaus Zürich free on Wednesdays?
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Yes, the collection is free for everyone on Wednesdays.
Is the Kunsthaus closed on Mondays?
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Yes.
What are the opening hours?
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10 am-6 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday to Sunday, and until 8 pm on Thursdays.
What is the Kunsthaus Zürich famous for?
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Its Giacometti collection, Swiss art, Munch, and the Bührle Collection of Impressionists.
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How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
