ETH Zurich is known around the world for groundbreaking research and innovation. But behind every discovery are fascinating places, remarkable collections, inspiring architecture, and stories waiting to be told. Through the meet ETH Tours, visitors have the opportunity to step behind the scenes and experience ETH Zurich from entirely new perspectives.

Whether you are visiting Zurich for the first time, have walked past the iconic Main Building countless times, or are simply curious about what happens inside one of the world’s leading universities, these public tours open doors that are usually closed to everyday visitors.

Led by knowledgeable guides and experts, each tour offers a unique glimpse into the people, places, and ideas that shape life at ETH Zurich. One week you might find yourself exploring the university’s rich history through original archive documents. The next, you could be discovering innovative materials that promote healthier buildings, learning how priceless collections are digitised for future generations, or standing beneath the historic dome of the Semper Observatory where scientists once studied the Sun and stars.

There is no single way to experience ETH Zurich—and that is exactly what makes these tours so special. History, science, architecture, innovation, art, sustainability, and technology all come together to create experiences for curious minds of every background.

Upcoming Guided Tours

Women in Science – Women in the History of ETH

18 August 2026 | German

Travel through 170 years of ETH Zurich’s history and discover the remarkable women who helped shape the university. Original documents from the University Archives reveal inspiring stories of pioneers, challenges, and progress towards equality.

Registration here.

Main Building Tour

7 September 2026 | English

Walk in the footsteps of Albert Einstein while exploring ETH Zurich’s iconic Main Building. Discover its impressive architecture, hidden corridors, magnificent Semper Aula, and enjoy panoramic views over Zurich from the famous roof terrace.

Registration here.

Healthy Materials

15 September 2026 | German

Can building materials contribute to our wellbeing? Visit the ETH Material Hub and discover how innovative materials influence the air we breathe, the spaces we inhabit, and the future of sustainable construction.

Registration here.

From Analog to Digital

29 September 2026 | German

Step inside the futuristic DigiCenter of the ETH Library and experience how centuries-old books, photographs, and historical treasures are transformed into digital knowledge accessible around the world.

Registration here.

Exploring the Sky

6 October 2026 | German

Discover the beautifully restored Semper Observatory, where generations of researchers once observed the heavens. Learn how scientists studied sunspots and the universe from this architectural jewel in the heart of Zurich.

Registration here.

An Experience for Everyone

All public tours are open to individuals and groups and cost CHF 10 per person. Tours are offered in German or English, with several accessibility options available to ensure as many visitors as possible can enjoy the experience.

Whether your passion is science, architecture, history, sustainability, or simply discovering places that are usually hidden from view, there is a meet ETH Tour waiting for you.

We look forward to welcoming you to ETH Zurich and showing you the university from a perspective few visitors ever experience. Check out other interesting tours from meet ETH: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/meet-eth/tours.html

But how did this come about?

We — Defne Çetinkaya and Michelle Reinschmidt — both study architecture at ETH Zurich and attended Mariam Issoufou’s studio in 2024. Together, we developed a semester project that reimagined two ethnographic museums in Zurich at the “end of the world” — a world in which all acquired objects had been restituted.

In September 2025, we received the exciting news that our project had been selected for a panel discussion in New York. On 18 October 2025, we boarded a plane bound for JFK — excited, slightly nervous, and eager to discover what awaited us.

After breakfast on our first day, we took the subway from Brooklyn to Central Park. New York in the fall felt magical, and we must have said, “We can’t believe we’re here,” at least ten times. After a stop at the Guggenheim, we continued to Times Square — Michelle’s first time in the city made it a must.

The next day brought growing anticipation: the reception at the Swiss Consulate, which opened the exhibition Museums as Shared Spaces: Imagining New Possibilities and previewing the panel. Earlier, we had visited Mariam Issoufou Architects’ office and met Zahra’a for lunch. Meeting her in person and seeing Mariam again felt very special.

That evening at the Consulate, our nervousness quickly faded thanks to the warm welcome. The reception gathered a diverse group from the Swiss and international cultural scenes, and we found ourselves in many inspiring conversations. The ease of connecting with people truly lived up to New York’s reputation.

The following day — panel day — marked the peak of our nervousness and excitement, especially after learning the event was fully booked. We spent the morning strolling through Brooklyn Bridge Park, rehearsing and calming our nerves. 

Later, at the Van Alen Institute, Mariam Issoufou opened with an inspiring keynote before we presented our project. The discussion that followed expanded into broader questions of architecture, responsibility, and the role of institutions in shaping cultural narratives.

What stayed with us most was the openness of the audience and the depth of the exchange. It was incredibly rewarding to see a student project spark dialogue beyond academia. The evening ended with happy faces having ice cream together with Zahra’a, her friends, and Jonathan, whom we had met through the event. 

During the remaining days, we explored the city: walking the High Line, visiting the Whitney, eating bagels with Jonathan in Washington Square Park, and touring the UN with Loris from the Swiss Mission. Experiencing New York through such meaningful encounters made the trip truly special.

Looking back, this journey was not only unforgettable on a personal level but also a significant academic milestone. We are deeply grateful to the Swiss Consulate in New York, Professor Mariam Issoufou, Zahra’a, and ETH. The experience reminded us why we study architecture: to think critically, engage in dialogue, and imagine alternative futures — sometimes at the other end of the world.