How to Meet People in Zurich: Practical Tips for Expats to Make Friends

How to meet people in Zurich can feel challenging at first, especially if you are new to the city or have recently moved to Switzerland. Zurich is often described as reserved, and making friends here may take more time than in other countries. From my own experience, however, learning how to meet people in Zurich becomes much easier once you put yourself in situations where everyone is slightly outside their comfort zone.

Whether you are an expat, international professional, or newcomer, building a social life in Zurich is absolutely possible with the right approach, consistency, and mindset. By understanding how to meet people in Zurich, you can create meaningful connections and truly enjoy life in this vibrant city.

Language Exchanges: A Simple Way to Break the Ice

One of the best ways I found to meet new people in Zurich was through language exchange events. While I started learning Spanish for myself and took online lessons via Preply, these exchanges quickly became much more than just language practice. They created an easy and natural way to connect with others in a new city.

Language exchanges bring together people from all backgrounds who all have one thing in common: they’re learning. Because no one is fluent, the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly from the start. Conversations don’t have to be perfect, mistakes are expected, and funny situations happen all the time. That shared vulnerability makes it incredibly easy to break the ice and start real conversations.

Over time, these events helped me meet people I might never have crossed paths with otherwise. What starts as practicing a language often turns into laughs, friendships, and a strong sense of belonging, something that can make a huge difference when building a social life in Zurich as an expat.

Activities That Help You See the Same People Regularly

Another key factor in meeting people in Zurich is repetition. I experienced this first-hand when I started dancing Salsa and Zouk. Dance classes naturally lead to social dances, where you keep meeting the same people over and over again. This familiarity makes conversations easier each time and helps real connections form.

The same applies to sports clubs, fitness classes, or hobby groups. In Zurich, friendships often develop gradually, and seeing familiar faces regularly is far more effective than one-off social events.

Social Groups in Zurich for Expats

Zurich has a very active social group scene, which is especially helpful for expats. One of the most well-known communities is Zurich Together, which organizes events almost every day, including board game nights, language exchanges, group dinners, hikes, and casual meetups. Many attendees are newcomers, making these events very welcoming and easy to join.

There are also many language- and country-specific groups in Zurich. For example, Zurich Frenchship brings together French-speaking people through social events and activities. Similar communities exist for other communities in Zurich, often organizing cultural events, dinners, and meetups. These groups can be a great way to feel at home while still building an international network.

If you know other social or cultural groups in Zurich that helped you meet people, feel free to share them in the comments, it might help someone else who is just starting their journey here.

Meet People Through Group Experiences and Activities

Another great way to meet people in Zurich is through shared experiences. Joining a group activity gives you an automatic conversation starter and removes the pressure of small talk.

Guided activities such as walking tours, food experiences, boat cruises on Lake Zurich, or creative workshops often attract solo travelers, expats, and open-minded people who are also looking to connect.

These experiences are especially useful when you’re new to the city and want to explore Zurich while meeting people at the same time.

👉 Explore highly rated Zurich experiences here. From city tours to food excursions, use them to meet new friends while discovering the city.

Volunteering in Zurich

Volunteering is another excellent way to meet people in Zurich, especially if you want deeper and more meaningful connections. Working together for a shared cause makes conversations feel more natural and less forced. Many volunteer organizations attract open-minded, engaged, and international people, which makes them ideal for expats.

Volunteering opportunities exist in areas such as community support, events, culture, environment, and social initiatives. Even volunteering occasionally can help you build a strong local network.

Using Apps to Meet People in Zurich

Apps can also play an important role in meeting people in Zurich. Platforms like Meetup are widely used and offer a wide range of events, from hikes and professional talks to casual dinners and board game nights. These events are usually expat-friendly and designed to encourage interaction.

Friend-making apps such as Bumble BFF can also work well, especially for people who are new to the city or working remotely. While not every match leads to a long-term friendship, these apps often open doors to social opportunities you might not find otherwise.

Music, Bands, and Creative Activities

Starting an instrument or joining a band or music group is another great way to meet people in Zurich. The city has an active music scene with jam sessions, rehearsal spaces, and amateur bands always looking for new members. Being part of a musical project creates regular meetups and strong bonds through shared creativity.

Similarly, classes and workshops such as cooking, photography, improv theater, art, or writing provide a relaxed environment where conversations happen naturally around a shared interest.

Final Thoughts on Making Friends in Zurich

From my experience, meeting people in Zurich works best when you combine regular activities, social groups, and a willingness to be a bit vulnerable. Language exchanges, dancing, volunteering, apps, and creative activities all create spaces where it’s normal not to be perfect. Zurich may seem reserved at first, but once you show up consistently and give relationships time to grow, meaningful friendships do happen.

If you have discovered other great ways to meet people in Zurich, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments, your experience could help another expat feel more at home in the city.