How Big Is Zurich?
Switzerland · Europe
Area
88 km²
34 mi²
Population
0.4M
Metro: 1.4M
Density
4,886/km²
Founded
15 BC
Zurich Size Overview
Zurich covers an area of 88 km² (34 mi²) in Switzerland, Europe. Largest city in Switzerland. To put this in perspective, Zurich is about 1.2x smaller than Paris (city proper). In more relatable units, that's about 12,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Vatican City, or 44 times the area of Monaco.
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. As of the end of 2024, the municipality had a population of 436,551, while the urban area was home to 1.45 million people (2020), and the Zurich metropolitan area had a total population of 2.1 million (2020). Zurich is a hub for railways, roads, and air traffic.
With a population of 0.4 million (1.4 million in the metropolitan area), Zurich has a population density of 4,886 people per km². The greater Zurich metropolitan area extends to 1,334 km².
Zurich has a history stretching back to around 15 BC. The city is renowned for Lake Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, and Old Town Altstadt.
Zurich has a oceanic climate, with summer temperatures averaging 19°C and winters around 1°C. The city's main public transit system is the ZVV (S-Bahn & Tram).
Did You Know?
- Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and sits at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich in north-central Switzerland.
- Zurich's metropolitan area is home to 2.1 million people, while the municipality itself houses about 437,000 residents.
- Zurich serves as a major hub for railways, roads, and air traffic across Switzerland.
Cities Similar in Size to Zurich
Zurich covers 88 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Copenhagen (91 km²), Lisbon (100 km²), Barcelona (101 km²), Paris (105 km²), or Vancouver (115 km²).