Zurich, renowned for its stunning fountains and beautiful spring blooms, offers a unique experience during the Easter season: the Rose Fountains. This tradition, which began in 2021, fills several of the city’s fountains with thousands of roses, creating a breathtaking sight. The motto, “Without thorns, no roses,” symbolizes hope in challenging times. The rose fountains are free to visit.
Rose Fountain Visit
The rose fountains are typically available from the week before Easter until Easter Monday. The Reformierte Kirche fills the fountains with around 4,500 roses. You can find these beautiful fountains at four locations: Münzplatz Augustinergasse, Münsterhof, Helmhaus, and Predigerplatz. For our visit last year, we visited two locations: Münsterhof and Münzplatz Augustinergasse with the kids. Both locations are close, separated by a charming six-minute walk through the old town. This year we viewed all four fountains which took about an hour walking through the beautiful city.
Münzplatz Augustinergasse Rose Fountain
We first visited the fountain at Münzplatz Augustinergasse. This beautiful fountain was adorned with roses supplied by the neighboring florist shop. It is located next to Christkatholische Augustinerkirche and was less busy than the second fountain.
Münsterhof Rose Fountain
Next, we strolled through the beautiful old town to the fountain at Münsterhof. This fountain is very popular and is located next to Fraumünster Church. The fountain is stunning, and the area is mainly pedestrian-friendly, but be aware of cars. Early mornings on weekends are best for avoiding crowds, or mid-week visits are recommended for a more peaceful experience.
Helmhaus Rose Fountain
The Helmhaus fountain, situated in the covered arcade of the Wasserkirche building, is one of the quieter rose-filled fountains. Its secluded location makes it a little tricky to find and provides a peaceful atmosphere. The kids enjoyed looking at all the roses in this fountain away from the crowds.
Predigerplatz Rose Fountain
The final fountain we visited was located near the Predigerkirche church in Zähringerplatz. This fountain is also less crowded and allowed the kids to smell and point out the various roses they liked.
Fraumünster Church
After viewing the fountains, consider visiting Fraumünster Church. The highlight of Fraumünster is undoubtedly Marc Chagall’s five stained glass windows, installed in the 1960s. Music enthusiasts will appreciate Fraumünster’s organ, featuring 5,793 pipes—the largest in the Canton of Zurich. There is a charge to visit. For more information on visiting the church click here.
St. Jacob Beck & Kafi Münster
After your visit, you might enjoy a coffee or pastry at St. Jacob Beck & Kafi Münster on Münsterhof square. For Easter, the bakery is known for its 3-ear chocolate bunnies—an extra ear added because every child would love an extra chocolate ear. This unique treat is particularly popular with children. For more information about this bakery click here. For more information on places to dine in Zurich click here.
Playground at Lindenhof
Located next to the Parkhaus Urania, this playground is perfect for children, featuring a sand area, climbing structures, slides, and swings. The surrounding trees provide shade, creating a charming space for kids to explore. After the kids have enjoyed the playground, check out the spectacular views at the Lindenhof viewpoint. Click here for more information.
Pegasus Zurich
For some Easter souvenirs, visit Pegasus Zurich store next to the Münzplatz Augustinergasse rose fountain. During Easter, the store showcases beautifully painted eggs. These colorful eggs are reminiscent of traditional Swiss Easter egg decorating customs. For more information, click here.
Parking or Public Transit
The first fountain is just a ten-minute walk from Zurich HB main station. If you arrive by car, Parkhaus Urania is recommended as it is very central. This Easter tradition is a must-see for families visiting Zurich, offering a mix of natural beauty, cultural experience, and fun exploration.