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Inside Lindt’s Interactive Museum: Tasting, Tours, and Temptations - And by "interactive" I mean: Chocolate Tasting!
An Insider's Guide - Sweet Zurich
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Dear Traveler and Chocolate Enthusiast,
You have planned your dream vacation in Switzerland and are considering indulging in a chocolate or two along your journey. Okay, let's be honest here—it will be more than just a few decadent bites!
If your travels take you through Zurich, visiting the Lindt Home of Chocolate in nearby Kilchberg is a must! Did you know they promote innovation for the future of chocolate and aim to strengthen Switzerland's role as a Chocolate Country in the long term?
From interactive exhibits across 1'500 m² (16'000 ft²) to a towering chocolate fountain, passing an open-view production line to the world's largest Lindt Chocolate Shop, Lindt's modern museum promises a memorable, mouthwatering experience.
I've prepared this easy, 7 step-by-step guide so you can easily plan the perfect chocolate-themed excursion—complete with train, bus, and boat options.
☞ Insider Tip: Purchase your tickets online as soon as your trip is scheduled, as they sell out well in advance. The factory sees about 2'400 visitors a day!
7 Easy Steps for a Perfect Lindt Museum experience |
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Important Basics at a Glance
Opening Hours: are generally 10 a.m. – 7 p.m - 360 days a year
Museum Tickets: CHF 17.00 for adults (subject to change).
Location: Schokoladenplatz 1, 8802 Kilchberg
Step 1: Decide on your transportation method (to/from)
Below are the three most popular ways to reach the Lindt Home of Chocolate from Zurich. Each option is quick, convenient, and well-marked.
By Train - Zurich Main Train Station (Zurich HB)
Your train may depart from the upper platforms (GL 3 to 18) or the lower platforms (GL 31 to 44).
Which Lines: Look for S-Bahn lines heading to Kilchberg S8 & S24
Journey Time: Approximately 10-12 minutes. Trains depart frequently, usually every ca. 15 minutes.
Arrival: Kilchberg Station. From there, you can either walk (10 minutes to "Schokoladenplatz 1") or take Bus 163 (4 minutes) to the stop labeled "Lindt & Sprüngli."
By Bus (Direct & Easy)
Starting Point: If you're already exploring central Zurich, hop on Bus 165 from Bürkliplatz.
Journey Time: Around 15 minutes, dropping you off right at "Lindt & Sprüngli." How cool is that? They have their own bus stop!
By Boat (Scenic & Relaxing)
Starting Point: Head to Bürkliplatz/port of Zurich
Boat Service: Look for the Lake Zurich Navigation Company (ZSG) boats. Some routes stop in Kilchberg (check the seasonal schedule—summer starts on May 1st).
Suggested Cruise: “Kleine Seerundfahrt” (BAT3731), ~27 minutes. Departs at XX:30 every hour starting at 10:30 a.m.
Extended Cruise: A longer version with six stops takes ~1 hour and departs on the hour (10 a.m., 11 a.m., etc.).
After Arrival, it's a short 10-minute stroll to the Lindt Home of Chocolate from the boat pier.
☞ Insider Tip: If time allows, the boat ride is an incredible way to experience Lake Zurich before your chocolate adventure. Always check the scheduled cruise ahead of time.
STEp 2: Getting your public transportation ticket
You'll find ticket vending machines at almost every bus/tram stop or directly in Zurich HB.
The machines are multilingual and easy to use. Select English or your preferred language at the bottom of the screen on your right. Then, select a return ticket (24-hour pass), which allows unlimited travel on trains, trams, buses, and boats within the zones it covers.
Purchase your ticket to "Lindt & Sprüngli" to ensure your ticket covers zones 110 (Zurich City) and 150 (Kilchberg). This ticket costs CHF 14.00 (for an adult—full fare-24h) and covers your round trip to and from Zurich's Old Town.
Tickets cover all modes of transportation, including boats, within the purchased zones.
☞ Insider Tips:
Purchase a 24-h day pass (Zürich Card) that includes not only your public transportation tickets (Zones 110, 111, 121, 140, 150, 154, 155 - which does include the Uetliberg and the Lindt Chocolate Factory) but also the entrance to several museums, short cruises, and so much more.
Log onto any of the free WiFi to download Zurich on Google Maps or Maps.me
Download the SBB app (Swiss Federal Railway) for the train timetable or to purchase your tickets
When using the SBB mobile app, buy your train ticket before boarding the train, at the latest before the scheduled departure. You will be fined if the time stamp of the ticket is after the departure of the train.
Consider purchasing an eSIM card for the day to stay connected (affordable & easy to use)
Step 3: arriving in Kilchberg
Whether you arrive by train, bus, or boat, you'll soon find yourself in the peaceful suburb of Kilchberg, known for its picturesque hillside homes and, of course, the remarkable Lindt Home of Chocolate building.
The museum complex (opened in 2020) was designed by a renowned Basel-based architecture firm (the same one behind the new wing of the Landesmuseum). You'll find it at Schokoladenplatz 1, 8802 Kilchberg—literally, "Chocolate Square." Simply follow the signs—or the tempting aroma of chocolate!
☞ Insider Tips: Snap a perfect photo through the "Grand Tour of Switzerland" sign.
Step 4: entering chocolate heaven
Lobby & Ticketing: The entrance lobby opens to a spacious atrium, where you can purchase tickets on-site (last resort). However, being the professional traveler that you are, you already have yours!
Lockers: If you're carrying coats or bags, store them in the free lockers. They are best for smaller items; consider storage at Zurich HB or the airport before you arrive for large suitcases.
The bathrooms are conveniently located next to the lockers. They also have a faucet with drinking water.
☞ Auditorium: A 10-minute documentary at the very end of the main hall explains Lindt Chocolate's rich history. Did you know that Ghirardelli belongs to Lindt?
First Look: Don't miss the world's largest chocolate fountain (9.3m / 30 ft) in the main foyer—perfect for a photo op. A waterfall of 1,400 liters of chocolate viscously flowing from a whisk suspended in the air onto a Lindor truffle.
Step 5: exploring it all
Audio: Before climbing the stairs (an elevator is available), remember to pick up your audio guide and touch the panel in your preferred language to choose your language
(10 available). Every time you press the "whisk symbol," you'll hear something interesting.
Audio for Children: a children-friendly version is available in English and German.
Chocolate History: As soon as you enter, you will be surrounded by the luscious shades of greens of a cocoa plantation in Ghana and learn about the production of this delicate plant.
The further you travel, the more you will learn how Europeans discovered the precious cocoa beans, traded them, and transformed them into Swiss chocolate by its pioneers. The interactive displays make the experience fun, engaging, and educational for all ages.
Tasting Stations: Stop at the various tasting spots to sample different chocolate varieties. You can try everything from classic milk chocolate to exotic new flavors.
Swiss Chocolate Pioneers: Dive into stories of Swiss chocolate founders, including Rodolphe Lindt, and discover the innovations that put Switzerland on the chocolate map.
Virtual & Hands-On Activities: Peek into the chocolatiers' lab or join a short chocolate-making workshop (booking recommended). You'll get to craft your own pralines or truffles and take them home as souvenirs.
☞ Insider Tips: Toward the end, there's often a queue for one free chocolate dispensed by a mechanical contraption. Queuing can be 10 minutes or longer. Decide if it's worth the wait—or pick up another tasty treat in the café or shop!
Step 6: Indulge at the Lindt Café & Shop
Café: the Lindt Café, the first of its kind, offers sweet treats, pastries, savory snacks, and beverages.
Shop: Browse an extensive selection of Lindt products, including exclusive factory flavors not found elsewhere.
Stock up on gifts for friends, family, or—let's be totally honest here—for yourself!
☞ Insider Tips:
Near the checkout counters, look for a discount corner where you may find special deals on assorted chocolates.
Purchase or bring your cooling bag for your goodies, especially in the sweltering heat of the summer months!
Step 7: Going back to Zurich
Once you've had your fill of chocolate (if that's even possible!), it's time to return to Zurich. Your return route will depend on your chosen mode of transportation:
Train: Bus 163 or walk back to Kilchberg Station, then the S-Bahn ride to Zurich HB.
Bus: If you want to explore downtown again, catch Bus 165 straight from "Lindt & Sprüngli" to Bürkliplatz.
Boat: Check the departure times for a scenic cruise back to Bürkliplatz. The schedule varies by season and day of the week, so plan ahead.
Walk: Along the shores of Lake Zurich for about 1.5 hours if you feel like you need to walk off some of the chocolate! But remember: calories in Switzerland are neutral!
Uber: Great option if you have too many goodies to carry.
Last reflections
Visiting the Lindt Home of Chocolate is a delicious, immersive way to experience Switzerland's sweet chocolately heritage. With easy connections from Zurich by train, bus, or a scenic boat ride, your chocolate adventure awaits just minutes from the city center.
By the way, architecture lovers will appreciate this impressive building's sinuous lines, imposing skylights, and ethereal atmosphere immersively.
Whether you're a die-hard chocoholic or simply curious, prepare to delight your taste buds and bring home sweet memories (and maybe a few extra chocolate bars)!
Enjoy your time in Zurich, and may your travels be filled with the rich aroma of Swiss chocolate!
PS: friendly reminder that calories ingested in Switzerland are neutral!
Bonus: FAQ
How long do I need to plan for a Lindt Home of Chocolate visit? The museum visit typically takes 1–1.5 hours, plus any workshop, shopping, and/or café time. Plan accordingly to fit other Zurich activities into your day.
☞ Where can I buy a ticket last minute for the Lindt Factory? There are no longer online tickets, so what should I do? I have two insider tips:
Regardless of whether you need a public transportation ticket, you can buy this SBB combo offer (online or at the counter in Zurich, HB). This is an excellent option for discounted tickets that you can purchase in advance or at the last minute (as sometimes tickets might still be available for the same day).
The museum's counter holds a very limited number of tickets for the day. You can try your luck by simply showing up. It's best in the morning! Door opens at 9.30 a.m.
How long is my ticket valid for entry? Your ticket is valid for 30 minutes. Say you booked the 2.30 p.m. entrance; that means you will have time to enter until 3.00 p.m. Once inside, you have until closing time to enjoy your visit!
What are the peak times? Weekends and school holidays can get (extremely) busy. Consider visiting on a weekday or early in the morning. Nevertheless, always buy your tickets in advance to secure your spot.
Is the museum kid-friendly?
Absolutely! Kids love interactive exhibits and chocolate samples. There's also a special audio guide just for them.
Connectivity & Maps: Free Wi-Fi is available in many places in Zurich and at the Lindt Home of Chocolate.
Who is the ambassador for the Lindt Home of Chocolate Factory?
It's none other than Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer!
How much chocolate is too much? I'm not entirely sure I understand the question. After all, we Swiss eat 12 kg (25 lb) per capita per year of this delicious nectar of the Gods!
This article is part of a blog series about How to Zurich. Please also check out the other blogs!
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